Ladies Save the Date

Written By: Randy Duncan - May• 01•11

Ladies if you like Kayaking or would like to try kayaking and you are in Michigan then leave May 21 open.  The Michigan DNR’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program is holding a Kayaking class at the Proud Lake Rec. Area in Milford.   Milford is about an hour north west of Detroit or about an hour north of Cabela’s in Dundee MI.  The press release from the Michigan DNR with all of the details about the class is below.

- On a side note here is the link to the  Becoming an Outdoors-Woman website.  You can scroll down to your state and see what classes are offered through the program.  If you happen to take one or more of these classes have fun and enjoy yourself because the more you can learn about the outdoors the better.

 

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 27, 2011

Contacts: Sue Tabor 517-241-2225 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

DNR Offers Kayaking Class for Women May 21 in Milford

The Department of Natural Resources invites women to learn the basics of kayaking on Saturday, May 21. Kayaking provides fun outdoor exercise and is a great way to get an up-close look at wildlife and take in the scenery. The class is being offered through the DNR’s Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) program and will be held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Proud Lake Recreation Area with Heavener Canoe Livery in Milford.

Introduction to Kayaking is comprised of two segments, one on land and one on the water. During the land segment, participants will learn kayaking safety, tips on comfortable clothing and shoes, types of kayaks and paddles, weather awareness and other potential hazards.

During the water segment, participants will be introduced to proper entry and exiting a kayak, proper paddle grip, the “total body kayak stroke” concept and a full set of strokes suitable for beginners. Time and weather permitting, the class will take a relaxing paddle around the lake.

The class is offered in cooperation with Black Parrot Paddling, LLC and Heavener Canoe and Kayak Livery, Inc. The class will meet at 2775 Garden Rd. in Milford. Participants should bring their own sack lunch, sun protection, dry clothing to wear home and insect repellent. Beverages will be provided.

Early registration is recommended, as the class is limited to 10 women. The registration deadline is May 12 and the cost is $100 per person. For registration forms and information on this and other BOW programs, visit www.michigan.gov/bow, call 517-241-2225 or email dnr-outdoors-woman@michigan.gov.

BOW is a noncompetitive program for women, in which each individual is encouraged to learn at her own pace. The emphasis is on the enjoyment, fun and camaraderie of outdoor activities, and sharing in the success of one another.

A Recreation Passport is required for vehicles entering the park. The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan’s outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails, and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities. Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking “Yes” on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport, or call 517-241-7275.

Non-resident motor vehicles must still display a valid Non-Resident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site, which can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

 

Remember to take someone new outdoors.  It might just save their life.  Enjoy the Day.


 

 

 


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There is still time for Turkey Season

Written By: Randy Duncan - Apr• 13•11

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to share some info from the Michigan DNR stating that there are still left over turkey tags for the 2011 Spring Turkey Season.  So if you did not get a tag or looking to come to the Great state of Michigan to chase some turkey you still have a chance.   Also the DNR has revamped their e- license  system so it is easier then ever to get a license and you can do it from the comfort of your own home if you can’t get to a license agent.   I have included a press release from the Michigan DNR that give all of the details about Turkey season and links to their website and to the e-license website.  Good Luck to everybody that is hunting this spring and Be Safe.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 12, 2011

Contacts: Al Stewart 517-373-1263 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

DNR Encourages Hunters to Try Turkey Hunting This Spring – Leftover Licenses Still Available

The Department of Natural Resources reminds hunters that spring turkey licenses are still available.  The 2011 season runs from April 18 through May 31 with hunts lasting from seven to 44 days, depending upon the hunt unit.  Available licenses can be viewed at www.michigan.gov/huntdrawings.  Licenses will be sold until quotas are met.

“Generally, turkey numbers are good across the state,” said Al Stewart, DNR upland game bird specialist. “More area is open to spring turkey hunting this year than ever before and people have many hunting opportunities.”

Over 40,000 private-land only licenses are available for Hunt No. 301 (Unit ZZ), which includes most of southern Michigan. Those hunting private land should receive permission to hunt before purchasing a private-land only license.

For hunters wanting more latitude, Hunt No. 234 is a great choice.  This hunt includes all areas of the state open to spring turkey hunting except the public lands of southern Michigan, and extends from May 2-31.  Hunt No. 234 licenses can be purchased through May 1.  After May 1, Hunt No. 234 will be available only to those who applied for a hunt in the drawing.

Michigan residents can purchase a spring turkey license for $15, while seniors can purchase a spring turkey license for $6. To purchase licenses, go to

www.mdnr-elicense.com or visit any license agent.

Michigan’s current turkey population is estimated at over 200,000 birds and turkey hunters here are privileged with one of the longest turkey seasons nationwide.  Last spring, turkey hunters harvested about 37,000 gobblers.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

 


Remember to take someone new outdoors it might just change their life.

Side note – If you are fortunate enough to take a bird drop me a line at RandyDuncan@upnorthjournal.com and tell me all about it and send some pictures and I will post them here for everybody to see.

 

 

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Yote Camp

Written By: Randy Duncan - Apr• 12•11

When someone says the words Coyote Camp most people get a confused look on their face and usually follow up with a question like “What is that”.  I know this reaction because it is the same one I had when I got a call from Mike Adams inviting me up to Coyote Camp.  Think of Deer Camp except with Coyotes.  For the people that have experienced Deer Camp then you can only imagine what Coyote Camp is like.

my plan was to pick up Mike at his house after he got out of work and then meet up with some of the other UNJ team and then head up to Coyote Camp.  I did not have to meet up with Mike until around midnight so that gave me time to get all of my stuff together and catch a hour or two of sleep before heading up to God’s Country in the Northern Lower Peninsula of Michigan.  Now as I loaded the car and got everything set I headed off to the Mike’s house.  There is only maybe 5 miles between Mike’s house and mine.  Which is good for me because half way to his house I remembered I forgot my hunting boots and camera. So after loading up Mike’s gear into the car it was off to the house to pick up my forgotten stuff.

Now that we were on the road I could feel the stress level starting to leave with every mile north we went. We met up with the rest of the crew up at one the rest areas along the freeway.  With the crew together and the big cities behind us hunting mode was kicking in.  The place that we were hunting was a up on some property that Mike had permission to hunt and I had never been there so it was going to be exciting to see what was in store.  As we pulled up to the cabin I was already impressed and knew that this was going to be a good weekend dead Coyote or not.  So after unloading the vehicles and getting the cabin squared away it was off to bed to get a couple of hours of sleep before heading out to take on the Devil dogs. Now with any camp there are always traditions and pranks that go on.  Up until this point I was able to not be a participant in one of the UNJ traditions of “Sharpie Time”.   To fully understand Sharpie Time you will need to watch past episodes of Beyond The Wild or be lucky enough to take in a UNJ event.  All I can say is sleep with one eye open.  But those kind of things is what makes outdoor adventures the best.

Now as  far as hunting goes Mother Nature was not to kind to us for hunting.  Over the whole weekend we probably got 3 to 5 inches of snow that was on top of what was already on the ground. So needless to say we earned every inch of ground we hunted on.  Now the morning of the first day wasn’t to bad because the snow didn’t start until we were coming back in and boy did it come down.

Even though we didn’t get out for the evening hunt the team got to strengthen friendships and make new ones as we swapped stories of life and the pursuit of the Great Outdoors.

Even though we did not kill anything it was a great time Up North and was good to get away and recharge the batteries.  On the way out of camp we even got to see a Bald Eagle up on a tree by the road which was pretty cool and a great way to end a weekend up in God’s Country.

 

 

Remember to take someone new outdoors.  It might just change their life.  Thanks for stopping by and have a Great Day

 

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Last Wolverine in Michigan

Written By: Randy Duncan - Apr• 06•11

Hello everyone. If you are in the Bay City Michigan area stop by and check out the last Wolverine that lived in Michigan. Here is the press release and picture from the DNR.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 30, 2011

Contact: Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

Michigan’s Last Known Wolverine Now on Display at Bay City State Recreation Area

Michigan’s only known wild wolverine is now on display at the visitor center at Bay City State Recreation Area.

The animal was found dead by hikers last winter at Sanilac County’s Minden State Game Area, where it had lived for much of the previous six years. The wolverine was first discovered by coyote hunters who treed it while running hounds near Bad Axe on Feb. 24, 2004.

It was the first wolverine ever verified as living in the wild in Michigan. Michigan is known as the Wolverine State because it was a center for trade in the early trapping industry and wolverine pelts from the north and west of Michigan came through the state. Biologists say that if wolverines were native to Michigan, they were extirpated about 200 years ago.

It is uncertain how the wolverine arrived in Michigan, though DNA evidence indicates it is related to animals native to Alaska.

The wolverine was mounted by Bay Port taxidermist Sandy Brown; the mount recently won an award from the state’s taxidermy association.

Park interpreter Valerie Blashcka said the display has become quite an attraction.

“It’s bringing a lot of visitors who have never been here before,” she said. “It’s really exciting.”

The visitor center, located at 3582 State Park Dr., is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

 

Have a Great Day and Remember to share the Great Outdoors with someone new.  It might just change their life.

 

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Activities at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center for the month of April

Written By: Randy Duncan - Mar• 23•11

Hi All,

Here is a press release from the Michigan DNR about some fun activities to do with the family at the Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery over by Kalamazoo.  If you are in the area make sure and take some time to go through and check this place out.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 22, 2011

Contacts: Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014 or Shana Ramsey 269-668-2876

April Programs for Families Set for Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center

The Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery Visitor Center, located just eight miles west of Kalamazoo, is offering five nature programs in April. Families can learn how animals adapt to spring, how nocturnal critters find food and discover the variety of bird species migrating back to the north. Two programs are specifically designed for youth, including a youth fishing day and a reading of a story by a renowned children’s book author.

April 9 and 30: Spring Fishing Days at 8, 9, and 10 a.m. Youth are invited to try their hand at catch-and-release fishing at the show pond on site. All equipment is provided and pre-registration is required. The 8 and 10 a.m. slots are open for youth ages 6 to 16 and the 9 a.m. slot is open to ages 3 to 5.

April 16: Animal Awakenings at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. After a long, cold winter, animals begin to wake up and get ready for spring. Find out how they survived the long winter and how they adapt to the spring season by changing their fur, their feathers and even their diet.

April 23: Spring Fling with Wings at 10 a.m. The hatchery grounds are one of the best places in the area to see waterfowl and other birds. Check out which species are on their way back north during this relaxing stroll on the nature trails.

April 23: Nature Stories at 2 p.m. Join interpreter Mike Creager as he shares tales about animals and their habitats by renowned author Thornton Burgess. Mike will be reading and the children’s book, Mrs. Redwing’s Speckled Eggs. All ages are welcome; however this program is best suited for ages 7 to 11.

April 23: Creatures of the Night at 8 p.m. The group will start by learning about the critters that make their living at night, including bats, owls and more. Then we’ll go for a walk under cover of darkness and see how many of these creatures we can see and hear.

The Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery Visitor Center is located in Mattawan at Hatchery Road and M-43, six miles west of US-131. Unless otherwise noted, programs are offered free of charge and open to all ages. To preregister for a class, call the visitor center at 269-668-2876. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/dnrevisitorcenters.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

 

As always take someone new outdoors and show them what God created.  It might just change their life.  Have  Great Day and enjoy the Great Outdoors.

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Good Job – DNR wildlife technician Chuck Pulling

Written By: Randy Duncan - Mar• 23•11

I wanted to say Good Job to Chuck Pulling for his quick thinking and going the extra mile to save one of the refuges here in Michigan from burning down when a fire broke out on March 18th. Here is the press release from the State of Michigan DNR about what happened and how Chuck took charge of the situation.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 22, 2011

Contact: Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

DNR Commends Wildlife Technician for Quick Response to Game Area Fire

A recent wildfire at Pointe Mouillee State Game Area near Rockwood might have gotten out of control if it were not for the concerted efforts of a Department of Natural Resources wildlife technician who works there.

DNR wildlife technician Chuck Pulling was the first to arrive at the scene of the fire on the southwest side of the game area that was reported in the afternoon of Friday, March 18. Pulling coordinated with fire departments from Newport, South Rockwood and Estral Beach to prevent the fire from spreading toward a DNR building on the area. After the building was secured and the fire was contained within a unit surrounded by diversion dikes, the fire fighters left the area. Pulling remained on site overnight to monitor the fire.

By Saturday afternoon, however, the wind had shifted and the fire began crossing the diversion dikes and spreading toward an old landfill with methane vent tubes. Pulling again contacted the Newport Fire Department, which responded along with fire fighters from South Rockford and Estral Beach. By 5 p.m., fire crews from London-Maybee-Raisinville, Berlin Township and Ash Township arrived to assist. By 7 p.m., the fire was 90 percent contained.

Pulling monitored the fire Saturday night, Sunday and Monday when the rain finally extinguished all but a few smoldering areas of peat, which Pulling attended to. In all, about 550 acres of the game area, mostly phragmites, was burned. A fire of unknown origin in a parking lot was the cause of the fire.

“I would like to recognize Chuck Pulling for the work he did on this fire,” said DNR Director Rodney Stokes. “Reports I have received from his colleagues say that Chuck took control of the situation and, because he knows the area thoroughly, was able to coordinate with fire fighters and direct them toward the proper areas for containing the fire quickly and efficiently.”

“Chuck went above and beyond what he was asked to do,” Stokes said. “He is a great example of how strongly DNR employees feel about protecting our natural resources so they can be enjoyed by the citizens we serve.”

“These types of situations showcase the incredible employees we have at the Wildlife Division,” said Russ Mason, Wildlife Division Chief. “The entire staff is proud of Chuck’s efforts and is happy he is a part of our team.”

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Thanks again Chuck.   Keep up the good work.

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Update to the Hunting Ban Blog

Written By: Randy Duncan - Feb• 09•11

I wanted to give a quick update to the previous blog about the possible ban of gun hunting and snowmobiles on certain parts of national forest here in Michigan.  If you don’t know about the ban please check out my previous blog post or you can listen to episode 196 of the Up North Journal podcast were Mike Adams and I discussed this issue.

First: Reminder that everyone has until Feb. 11th to get their comment on record for the Forest Service to consider when making their final decision on this issue.

Second: I would like to give a big Thank You to Delta Waterfowl Regional Director Jason Dewes.  He contacted me after reading my blog and he let me know that Delta Waterfowl and other outdoor organizations have come together and are contacting the US Forest Service to show their dislike of the possible ban on gun hunting in certain parts of the Huron-Manistee National Forest.  I will be posting the letter that Delta Waterfowl sent to the Forest Service along with links to press releases from other organizations that show dislike for the ban.  Please make sure and contact these groups to Thank them for showing their support for hunters.  Remember just because it is not happening in your area or state it could be.   Have a Great Day and Remember to take someone new outdoors it could just change their lives.

Delta Waterfowl’s letter to the Forest Service:

FOREST PLAN SEIS

National Wild Turkey Federation:

http://www.nwtf.org/nwtf_newsroom/press_releases.php?id=13318

Ruffed Grouse Society:

http://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org/RGS-Remains-Disappointed-with-Federal-Ruling

Michigan United Conservation Club:

http://www.mucc.org/index.php/hot-button/comments/action_alert_take_action_to_prevent_70000_acre_hunting_ban_in_the_huron-man

I know there are other groups that are helping the cause that I forgot on this list so if you know of group or you are a group that would like to be added to the list please email me at: randyduncan@upnorthjournal.com

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National Forest possible Hunting Ban

Written By: Randy Duncan - Feb• 05•11

This past week there was a series of meetings here in Michigan about possible ban to gun hunting and snowmobiles in certain areas in the Huron-Manistee National Forest.  There is a person from Metro Detroit area that sued the US Forest Service stating that the forest service did not follow their own rules when it came to the Semi-primitive non motorized areas of the national forest.  The public has until Feb.11th to submit comments about this issue. You can submit comments to the following email address: comments-eastern-huron-manistee@fs.fed.us or you can call the office in Cadillac at 1-800-821-6263.  After the Forest Service looks at all of the comments the Forest Service will put together their recommendations on how they are going to fix this issue.  The Draft Environmental Statement will be the document that will tell us what the plan will be.  The public will have a chance to read it and make comments on the DES and then the Regional Forester will submit the decision to the Federal courts and then there will be a ruling and the plan will be put in place.

I left the meeting room with more questions than when I walked in which is good and bad.  One of the things I found interesting is that the Forest Service people told me that the US Forest Service have control of the land but the Michigan DNR has control of the animals and hunting rights.  So the question that I had that I couldn’t get an answer was If the DNR has rights to the hunting regulations how can the US Forest Service tell us where we can gun hunt?  I will be looking forward to reading the D.E.S. to find out what will happen.   There were a couple of other things that I found interesting.  For instance all of the Indian tribes are exempt from the bans because of a treaty with the government.  Which to me kinda defeats a ban because I would bet there are Native Americas that use this area for gun hunting and snowmobiling.  The other question that I could not get a straight answer was if you shot an animal and it goes into a non gun hunting area will there be a ticket if you go in to recover the animal or do you have to put your gun down to recover the animal.  So I have submitted these as comments and I hope to get answers to them.  I will post the answers if I get any.

So in conclusion I would ask everyone to contact the US Forest Service and make a comment good, bad, indifferent because if you hunt or use snowmobiles this could set a bench mark for the anti hunting community and environmental community to use for going after the US Forest Service to end hunting and recreational riding on federal land.  I hope you get a chance to make a comment and let your voice be heard.  Have a Great Day and remember to share the Outdoors with everybody you can because it just might change their lives.

US Forest Service contact info:

Email address for comments – comments-eastern-huron-manistee@fs.fed.us

Phone:  1-800-821-6263

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Ultimate Fishing Show 2011

Written By: Randy Duncan - Jan• 22•11

Here it is January and the year is in full swing. The first part of the year seems to be the busiest part of the year because along with ice fishing and the occasional hunting excursion January also brings SHOW SEASON. Now my show season is no where near like some of my teammates, all of my shows are regional to where I live here in Michigan. One day I will be going to ATA and SHOT Show. But this go around my first show this year is the Ultimate Fishing Show in the metro Detroit.   I do have to say that the company that puts on this show always does a good job.   Last year was my first time going to this show so my hopes was not to have a let down because of trying to compare this years show to last years show. Well they did not disappoint.   My first stop was to a floating ice shanty well the sign alone says it all.   It sounds like a great concept and it looks great I just don’t want people to think because it floats they can fish on unsafe ice.   As far as the shanty it was roomy and looked like a nice setup.  The next stop was to the Fish Bones Custom Lures booth were my brother was helping the owner Matt sell lures.  While I was there I had a chance to check out the crawler harnesses and the walleye rigs that was for sale.  Now all crawler rigs are all the same you have the hooks the line the beads and the blades but there is something different about these ones.

Once we were done with looking down that aisle of lures the family and I went over to Lake Ultimate.  Really it was a backyard pool that holds 100,000 gallons of water and can hold 4 brand new bass boats.   So we listened to a seminar on jigging for walleye on the Detroit River until the kids got fussy so we went over and started looking at what was new for 2011 when it comes to boats.   After drooling over and playing with boats I started toward the fishing tackle area.   As I was heading toward the main aisle I noticed a commotion and standing in the middle of the people was 6 Time Angler of the Year and Michigan’s own Kevin Van Dam.  Oldest son and I headed over and stood in line and we got our picture taken with him.

I have to say that Kevin is a really nice guy and he took the time to meet and greet every single person that was standing there and he took the time to listen to the questions and made you feel like he was just one of your fishing buddies instead of just a number.   So once we left Kevin we hit the show floor and checked out all of the different tackle companies.

Now as far as tackle goes the one lure that caught my eye was the new Live-Forage lures from Northland Tackle Co. These lures are painted up to mimic live fish. After hitting the tackle area I went over to Lake Ultimate to watch Kevin Van Dam’s seminar.   After watching Kevin for a bit I sent a text message to fellow prostaffer Tim Ford to see if he had made it there yet.   Well it turned out him and his kids were watching the same seminar.   So Tim and I met up and we went through the show a bit sharing stories, tips and tricks and even came up with ways to get Mike’s name on a couple of boats. (Episode 193 of the Up North Journal podcast will clear that up for you).   We took a breather and both my family and Tim’s family sat down and got to know each other better.   Once the break was over a couple of handshakes and some good byes and we were back on the floor.   The next stop was to the Huron Valley Sportfishing Club.   They were letting kids make their own crawler harnesses by the way is a great way to get kids involved into fishing.    My oldest son loves helping organize my tackle box so he loved the fact he got to pick out the beads and the blade for this harness.   For two days he had to show everybody he met the harness he made.

After making the harness my wife took the kids over to the kid area and I went through the fishing tackle area again.  I was on a mission because I wanted to contact TJ’s tackle.  The main reason I wanted to talk with them was to say Thank You.  See around Christmas I was on Michigan Sportsman forum and talked with Ben with TJ Tackle and he had a post stating that he would send out some discount ticket coupons for the show.  (Ben and everybody at TJ’s Tackle Thank You for the coupons)  After talking with Ben for a bit I noticed a powder paint system that his company promotes and sells.  The conversation turned to this paint system.  It has been around for years but this is the first time I really got to see it in action.   It all starts with heating up your jig or non plastic lure and simply apply the paint.   The paint is where it gets fun, with it being a powder you can shake it on with a brush, dunk it into the jar, or use a fluid bed which is a container that hooks to a air compressor and blows a low volume of air through the paint that in the container and this way you can paint more lures.  The system is nice because from start to finish with one lure was about 20 sec.   So if you were adventurous you could take this system and use it right on the boat and for a better lack of terms Match the Hatch because you could change the color of your lure on the fly.  Instructions on how this system works and the videos of different lures being painted are on their website www.tjstackle.com under the powder paint section.

Once I said good bye and thanked Ben again I went to hook up with the family and this time they were over by Lake Ultimate and learning about kayak fishing on the Great Lakes.  When I got to the seminar it was the Q and A section so with not really knowing anything about kayak fishing I was full of questions.   After talking with Chris LeMessurier from Kayakfishingthegreatlakes.com at the seminar the conversation continued at their booth.  As I talked with Chris and all of the guys at the booth I realized that kayak fishing is on my list of things to do this year.  I found out that there is really no fishing you can not do with a kayak.  Chris had a pictures of him with a salmon that he caught on the Great Lakes while fishing from a kayak.   I am a person that likes to make a lot of his own outdoor equipment and likes seeing what other people make I was intrigued by the grate they use to haul their fishing equipment on the kayak.  During the conversation with Chris I asked about the crate and he told me all about how he made his and some of the other things he has made for his outdoor adventures. 

If you would like to find out more about kayak fishing or see some of the homemade outdoor equipment you can go to www.kayakfishingthegreatlakes.com.  Make sure and check out the forum section for ideas and tips on kayak fshing.  The last stop on my list was to the fly fishing area which my wife and kids had beat me to the area because when I got there both of my sons were in the fly casting area and one of the guys there were showing them how to cast a fly rod.  It was a proud moment and a scary one too because I was happy that they were learning to cast a fly rod but I didn’t want to buy a 300 dollar fly rod after they broke it. Luckily enough they did not break anything and we were able to leave with no broken equipment.

The 2011 Ultimate Fishing Show in my option was another great show. I think next year if it works out I will try to turn the show into a multiday show so I can use one day to take in all of the seminars.  That was one of the things I missed about this year but I had a great time and got to spend time with friends and family and that is more important to me then anything. Make sure to share the outdoors with everybody you meet.

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My hunt with Brady

Written By: Randy Duncan - Sep• 29•10

This time around I am writing about a hunt that I went on in honor of a little boy named Brady.  Brady is a 4 year old boy that lost his battle with cancer a little bit ago. I hope you enjoy this post as much as I was apart of it.

As I read Chico’s blog and started to understand the story of Brady it really started to get to me. My wife and I have two sons around Brady’s age so it hit me like a ton of bricks when I learned of the story. Because it reinforced the fact that nobody is immune to cancer. So every time I read something about Brady I knew I had to do something to honor this young man. So with seeing my Up North Journal teammates putting Brady’s name on their arrows I tried to figure out what I could do now to honor Brady. Well as people close to me know lI am a huge small game hunter and I love getting new hunters especially kids started into hunting and the outdoors. Well squirrel hunting is usually the first hunting season everybody starts out with. So with this on my mind and kicking around the idea of putting Brady’s name on something that I use in the field and seeing as Chico always names his arrows and shells. Then listening to the last Up North Journal podcast episode 179 when Chico was talking about putting Brady’s name on your outdoor equipment, it was the final piece that made it a great idea. So this was the plan, Brady was going hunting with me on my next outdoor adventure.
I treated this hunt just like I treat every hunt when I take a youth or a new hunter out for the first time. The only difference was I was going to be pulling the trigger. I was going to use the gun I shot my first squirrel with and head out to one of my favorite local public hunting areas.

So here it is the second Sunday of the season and today is the day Brady and I were going to go hunting. My oldest son seen me getting ready to go and he knew I was going hunting. He wanted to go so bad but I told him that this time it was going to be just me going and he would go next time. Well after a little crying he was good with that. Trying to explain to a 3 year old about Brady was pointless all he understood is daddy was doing something special and will take him hunting next time. So I got to my hunting spot and sat in my car for a bit staring at the shotgun shell going over what this hunt means to me and what I wanted to get out of the hunt. So I grabbed a marker and Brady went on to the shell and him and I were off to the woods.

 

The area I started at has a trail system that is used for all different kinds of outdoor activities so I decided to just walk the trails for a bit and see what I could find. As I walked along I kept a keen eye out for a flicker of a tail or the rustling of leaves that would signal to me a squirrel. The first little twitch I seen was a chipmunk and I thought for a minute about harvesting the animal but after thinking about what this hunt was all about I passed on the shot and decided that if I didn’t find a squirrel then I would try to harvest a chipmunk.

As the morning drew on and grew closer to the afternoon I was starting to get discouraged as the fact I haven’t see one squirrel. As I sat on a stump to take a break I remembered that I had my squirrel whistle with me. Now when I hunt with other people I get a lot of teasing and looks when I use it because it looks odd for a game call but I have had good success with it. The call mimics the distress call of a squirrel and it will get other squirrels all worked up so they start barking and will help you locate them. Well I figured what the heck let’s try it. As I was blowing away on the call I heard some rustling coming down the trail. Turns out it was a lady and her dog walking the trails. Well I decided that I was going to move a way from this area because even if I seen a squirrel I didn’t want to scare this lady with a gun shot. So I headed down a trail that I hadn’t been down before and it more looked like a deer run then a trail but I seen a bunch of old foot prints so I figured it was a regular trail. As I was walking along the trail I heard a bark from a squirrel so I knew it was game time. So as I scanned the tree tops for the source of the barks I was just hoping that it was not a woodpecker because a chirp from a woodpecker can sometime sound similar to a squirrel bark. Well i found the source of the noise and it was a red squirrel perched up on a branch about hundred yards ahead of me. Squirrels have great eye sight and hearing, many say better then a whitetail deer. It is also said that if you can sneak up on a squirrel and harvest one you should have no problem stalking a deer. Well I don’t know if that is true because I have harvested a lot more squirrels then deer but that is another story. So with every step I took I made sure it was placed in a way that there was no noise. It probably looked pretty funny but it was working because I was closing in on the unsuspecting squirrel. As I got closer I started to hide behind trees and stick to the shadows. I even picked up a handful of acorns just in case I had to create a distraction for the squirrel. So as I got to within about ten yards of the tree that the squirrel was in.   I then started to go through the shot in my head because I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss because this was Brady’s squirrel not mine. So I pulled the hammer back on my trusty 20 gauge and took a deep breath to steady my nerves and I put the bead of the barrel up to just under the head and in one motion I squeezed the trigger and BOOM. The squirrel fell to the ground. I took a quick scan of the tree to get a reference of the tree so I knew were to start the tracking. As I walked up to the tree I started to scan the ground and found the squirrel laying only feet away from the base of the tree. As I picked up the game to admire what God had created I took a moment to stop and take in what had just transpired. I unloaded the spent shell and stood there with the squirrel in one hand and Brady’s shell in the other and just enjoyed the peace of the outdoors. After a couple of moments I did the sign of the cross and said a couple of prayers. First to thank God for the gift of the squirrel and then I said a prayer for Brady and his family and make sure that there was peace with both of them and someday they will be reunited.

So after saying my prayers and getting the squirrel into the game bag I grabbed my gun and walked along the trails back to the car. I didn’t load another shell into my gun that day because this hunt was for Brady and not for me so I just walked the trails and enjoyed the fresh air and the serenity of the outdoors. As I got back to my car and was putting my gun and vest into the trunk I looked back to the woods and just had a huge smile on my face hoping that Brady was happy with the harvest. So after a quick drive home I went to the garage and set all of my stuff down and went inside and hugged the family and showed the boys Brady’s squirrel. After I processed the squirrel and a quick clean up I took a piece of the tail and I will be using the fur to tie some flies so Brady and I can go fly fishing together real soon.

Thank You for taking the time to read this and always remember to never take anything or anybody for granted because you never know when it will be taken away. Enjoy the Great Outdoors and be safe out there.



Brady you made this hunt one of the best. Thank You again little buddy.

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