Indiana Outdoor News

INDIANA'S CHOICE FOR OUTDOOR NEWS AND INFORMATION • SINCE 1994

®

Vol. 2009 • Number 12

December, 2009

W W W. I N D I A N A O U T D O O R N E W S . N E T

MONSTERS AMONG US:

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INDIANA BUCKS CONTINUE TO IMPRESS INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

SAINT JOE RIVER PAGE 6

NATURE’S SCENT CONTROL PAGE 10

JOSHLANTZ Anyone still in doubt as to whether or not Indiana’s once controversial “one buck rule” (OBR) has helped to contribute more mature bucks to our state’s deer woods needs to peruse my email. My jaw is officially agape.

Instituted in 2002, the OBR limited deer hunters in Indiana to the harvest of a single antlered deer each season -- unless one was fortunate enough to hunt an Urban Zone.

Support for the rule grew quickly a m o n g hunters,and when the DNR conducted a survey of Indiana d e e r hunters in 2007, 71% o f

respondents indicated some level of support for continuing the OBR. It was subsequently extended for another five years. We are now in our eighth season of “one buckdom”.

About two years after the OBR was first put into place, I began to notice more photos of bigger Indiana bucks being submitted to Indiana Outdoor News for publication. “Where are these deer coming from?” I asked.

Well, since about 2005, I’ve been seeing it for myself. On stand while hunting and filming, I’ve seen more whitetail bucks over 140-inches in the past five years than I’ve seen in my entire lifetime in Indiana’s outdoors.

So what has the OBR really done?

“I believe the bottom line is that the OBR has

Cont. on Page 4

Robert Eccles. . .

Co-ownwer of Brothers Archery in North Webster arrowed this giant 15-point buck with his Athens bow last month in Kosciusko County. Read more about Robert on page 9.

THE LATEST IN KAYAK FISHING PAGE 15

NOBLESVILLE ANGLERS WIN AT LAKE MONROE

GONE AFIELD PAGE 16 • THE SECOND FRONT -

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• DECEMBER FISHING REPORT-

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• BEHIND THE BADGE -

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• IN YOUR OWN BACKYARD -

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• BROTHERS ARCHERY -

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• LEGENDS COMING TO INDY-

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• OUTDOOR ESSENTIALS -

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• OUTDOOR TRAVEL -

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• THE LAST THOUGHT -

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BLOOMINGTON-The Noblesville team of Jim and Robert Raymer took first place in the Semi-Pro Division at the Crappie USA qualifying event held recently at the Cutright Ramp on Lake Monroe. The Raymer’s battled heavy rains and high winds to best competitors from eight other states and advance to the Cabela’s Crappie USA Classic to be held next fall.

The duo caught their fish between Northfork and Pine Grove tight to the wood in eight feet of water.

Indiana anglers Tony Sherrill of North Vernon and Fred Willis of Norman caught 10.66 lbs. to capture first place in the Amateur Division. Sherrill and Willis caught their fish on the creek channel edges of Monroe’s Middle Fork using minnows, and will also earn a trip to the Cabela’s Crappie USA Classic next fall.

For more information on this and other Crappie USA tournaments, go to www.crappieusa.com.

Bass and Bucks Photo. www.bassandbucks.com

YOUNG WABASH COUNTY HUNTER TAKES GIANT BUCK JOSHLANTZ-At age 13, young Caanan Haywood of rural Wabash County is already a seasoned hunter. A pro-staff shooter for Bass and Bucks in Wabash (www.bassandbucks.com), Caanan has been hunting since age 8 and has accompanied his father to the stand for many years prior to that.

Caanan has taken many whitetails, turkeys and other big game animals. Prior to this deer season, Caanan’s most-recent trophies were a black bear taken with his bow in Quebec and a 32-lb. tom turkey with 2” spurs in Kentucky -- both taken this past spring. “Caanan has a great sense for the woods, and is a great shot”, said Caanan’s father, Bill Haywood. “But he always seems to be blessed with alittle luck too”, he continued. Did I mention that Caanan also caught an 8-lb largemouth here in Indiana last summer?

So when Caanan and his father, Bill, checked in a monster 18point, Wabash County whitetail on opening day of Indina’s firearms season, nobody seemed all that surprised.

Bass and Bucks proprieter Glenn Butcher rough scored Caanan’s giant deer at well over 200 inches. Because deer antlers shrink, however (and because Butcher admits he’s not an official scorer), a period of 60 days must pass prior to making any official measurements for record book purposes. Look for updates on this deer’s scoring at www.bassandbucks.com and www.indianaoutdoornews.net. But with a deer like Caanan’s, who really cares what the final numbers are?

COMPLIMENTS OF:

Top: Jim and Robert Raymer took first place in the Semi-Pro Division with a weight of 10.24 lbs. Bottom: Tony Sherrill and Fred Willis won the Amateur Division with a weight of 10.66 lbs. Crappie USA photos.

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Monsters Among Us -- Continued from Cover forced many Indiana deer hunters to be more selective”, says ION publisher, TV host and avid deer hunter, Brian Smith. “At least initially it did”, he continues.

“And now it is easier than ever to be selective, because their are simply more big shooters in the woods”.

To be fair, the OBR is likely only one piece of Indiana’s big buck story. Other factors are undoubtedly contributing as well.

Antlerless quotas have been on the rise in most counties, as the DNR continues to deal with near record deer numbers. Hunters keep these numbers in check by harvesting the additional does made available to them and, in doing so, begin to increase the buck-to-doe ratio. It is a good deal for everyone. Hunters get plenty of venison on the menu at home, while also enjoying an ever-increasing menu of larger bucks to choose from in the woods. It is good management.

Speaking of management, perhaps most important of all in the big buck equation, “mature buck management” is an overall theme that more and more deer hunters seem to embrace these days. We see it on television and we read about it in the magazines.

Say what you want, but big antlers are an ever-increasing attraction to our sport.

Initially driven by ranches and a handful of private property owners in Texas and other southern states -- and made possible by independent research and a flood of products and services relative to food plots and supplemental feeding -- “mature buck management”, or “quality deer management” practices have been adapted and applied by more and more property owners throughout the traditional whitetail states here in the Midwest and, indeed, even by state wildlife management agencies.

Quality deer management (QDM) is a management philosophy and practice that involves landowners, hunters, and wildlife managers and means different things on different properties.

The overall goal is the creation of a healthy and sustainable deer herd that also results in quality habitat and quality hunting experiences. Wherever it takes place, for QDM to work, it always means harvesting plenty of mature does and letting the young bucks walk -- two things that Indiana hunters have really started to embrace.

The one buck rule is a great story, and it just may be the one management practice that has contributed most to quality deer management in Indiana. For more information on QDM, visit the Quality Deer Management

® Volume 2009 • Number 12 Publisher: Brian E. Smith Assistant Publisher: Mark C. Smith Editor: Joshua D. Lantz Field Photographer: Bill Konway Graphic Design: graphics@ION4U.net Office Manager: Shannon E. Smith Frequency: Monthly Advertising Sales: (877) 251-2112 E-Mail: contact@ION4U.net Web Site: www.IndianaOutdoorNews.net Business & Publication Office: Mailing Address: P.O. Box 69, Granger, Indiana 46530 Phone: (877) 251-2112 • Fax: (800) 496-8075

Sam Odom of Maple Park, IL (formerly of Francesville, IN) took this incredible buck in Hanging Grove Township, Jasper County, Indiana during the early archery season.

This deer field dressed at 200 lbs. and had 18 points. Check out those amazing brow tines.

Association’s website at www.QDMA.com.

I hope you find yourself in the woods enjoying the rest of Indiana’s phenomenal 2009 deer

hunting seasons. Late archery and muzzleloader open December 5. Be safe, shoot straight, and don’t forget to e-mail your photos to submit@raghorn.com.

INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS® is the official publication of Raghorn Incorporated, and is published monthly at the address listed above. For home delivery and subscription rates, look for the subscription card in this publication. Editorial contributions may be submitted to the above address. No material can be returned unless accompanied by a stamped, self addressed envelope.

Photographs are accepted and greatly appreciated. All materials submitted become the property of Raghorn Incorporated and are subject to editing to meet the objectives of this publication. The views and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual authors, not the editors, staff or any other representative of RAGHORN’S INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS or Raghorn, Inc. “Raghorn’s Indiana Outdoor News” is a registered Trademark of Raghorn Incorporated. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be used or copied without prior written consent of Raghorn Inc. Violation of copyright laws will be prosecuted.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to RAGHORN’S INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS, P.O. Box 69, Granger, Indiana 46530.

Copyright© 2009

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This months answers From Puzzle on Page 13!

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December, 2009 Edition

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First-time Randolph County hunter bags monster 8-Pointer JOSHLANTZ -One of the most rewarding parts of hunting is introducing a loved one to the excitement and beauty of the outdoors. And if that particular loved one happens to harvest a 170-class typical 8point buck on her first hunt?

Well, that’s just ultra cool.

That’s what happened to Hoosiers Heather and Jeff Riggins, husband and wife of nine years.

“Heather had come to sit with me in the stand several times before”, says Jeff, a deputy sheriff at the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department. “But she never really showed any interest in hunting herself”.

But all that changed last Heather Riggins took this giant, Randolph County 8-pointer on her very first deer summer. “I got involved in 3D hunt with a single shot from her T.C. muzzleloader at 53 yards. Photo provided. archery”, says Jeff. “We’d go to the shoots as a family and she became more interested in shooting and hunting.” When Heather decided she wanted to try deer hunting herself, and with Indiana’s deer season right around the corner, the Riggins’ didn’t figure they had enough time for her to become totally proficient with a bow so she began practicing with Jeff’s T.C. muzzleloader. “We went to the range about a dozen times”, says Jeff, “and she practiced until she was totally comfortable at the 50-yard range” -- a strategy that would end up paying off big time.

When opening morning arrived, Heather and Jeff made their way to one of their favorite two-person ladder stands. Things happened quickly from there.

“The biggest buck I’ve ever seen in years of hunting just happened to show up at our stand during Heather’s first ever hunt”, chuckles Jeff. “And if that weren’t enough, he stopped broadside at 53 yards -- the exact distance Heather had practiced at with her muzzleloader”. Heather pulled the trigger and closed this great story.

Heather’s buck is safely in the care of Nature’s Best Taxidermy in Redkey, IN, where it was rough-scored at approximately 171-inches -- quite an impressive score for a typical 8-pointer. The G2 tine on the deer’s left antler measured over 16-inches.

Jeff says that he had seen some big bucks in their woodsbefore, but nothing like Heather’s. “I had never seen that deer before,” says Jeff, “but after a friend of mine, Eric Funk, saw a photo of it, he gave me a photo from one of his trail cameras that captured an image of the same buck on Halloween -- about three miles to the northwest of where Heather shot it”.

While Heather wasn’t available to speak with, Jeff told me that she is definitely hooked on deer hunting and that she plans to take up archery prior to next season. When asked whether he would take her hunting again, Jeff said, “The question is whether she will take me”.

Maine trappers win major court victory USSA REPORT -Trappers in Maine won a major victory as the state’s Federal District Court upheld the state’s trapping practices and blocked the establishment of a precedent that could be used by anti-hunting and anti-trapping groups nationwide.

In 2008, the Animal Welfare Institute and the Wildlife Alliance of Maine filed a lawsuit against the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (DIFW) seeking a permanent injunction that would have essentially prohibited trapping in the state. The lawsuit claimed that Maine’s trapping regulations violated the Endangered Species Act (ESA) because Canada lynx, a threatened species under the ESA, could be incidentally caught in traps causing “irreparable harm” to the population.

Throughout the case, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation (USSAF), along with the Maine Trappers’ Association, Fur Takers of America, National Trappers’ Association, and several individual sportsmen, argued that the anti-trapping plaintiffs had to show that Maine’s trapping practices were a threat to the Canada lynx population as a whole. The plaintiffs insisted that harm to one individual lynx was sufficient for the Court to prohibit trapping in the state.

On November 10th, Federal District Court Judge John A. Woodcock, Jr. ruled that Maine’s trapping practices did not irreparably harm the Canada lynx and denied the injunction sought by the anti-trappers.

Further, the Judge agreed with the state and the USSAF that “irreparable harm” is harm to a species as a whole and not simply one individual member.

“Although the plaintiffs may appeal the ruling, the Federal Court’s decision is a monumental victory for the trappers in Maine and sets an excellent precedent that will make it harder for the antis to misuse the ESA in their attempts to ban hunting 15th Chicago Muskie Show and trapping in other states,” states USSAF Vice President for returns Jan. 8, 9 & 10 Government Affairs Rob Sexton.

“We knew the evidence was on our side and are thrilled with outCHICAGO -come,” said Skip Trask, executive director of the Maine Trappers The Chicago Muskie Show Association. “The USSAF’s legal assistance was invaluable to the will return to Harper College in favorable outcome.”

Paletine, Ill Jan. 8, 9 and 10.

Chick Andres, President of the Fur Takers of America commentThis year’s show includes ed, “Trappers nationwide should be grateful that the court saw through what the anti’s were trying to do.” seminars from Robert Tomes, In 2008 the USSAF’s legal arm, the U.S. Sportsmen’s Legal Mike Hulbert, Joe Bucher, Jim Defense Fund, was granted permission to intervene in the lawsuit. The Saric,Chad Cain, and others, case came on the heels of similar case, also in Maine, that was settled and will also boast over 150 in late 2007 when the DIFW agreed to restrict trap sizes in areas where vendors including tackle manuCanada lynx exist. afactures, boat dealers, retailThe U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation protects and defends ers, fishing guides, resorts and America’s wildlife conservation programs and the pursuits – hunting, more. fishing and trapping – that generate the money to pay for them. The Admission is $10 per adult U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation is responsible for public educa($20 for a weekend pass) and tion, legal defense and research. Its mission is accomplished through kids under 13 are free. For more several distinct programs coordinated to provide the most complete defense capability possible. For more information about the U.S. information, log onto Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation and its work, call (614) 888-4868 or www.chicagomuskieshow.com. visit its website, www.ussafoundation.org .

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Bass fingerlings to boost Fort Wayne fishing

FORT WAYNE – The Indiana Department of Natural Resources continued efforts to improve fishing opportunities in Fort Wayne by recently stocking 780 largemouth bass into the ponds at Lakeside Park.

The stocking is part of the “Fishin’ in the Fort” program initiated in 2008 with the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department.

The program aims to evaluate local fish populations, improve fishing around the city, and encourage youth to participate in outdoor activities.

The bass, approximately one to three inches long, were surplus fingerlings from this year’s state hatchery production and were stocked to prey on small sunfish.

A fish population survey in 2008 showed that bluegill and pumpkinseed sunfish were very abundant and exhibited slow growth rates,” said DNR fisheries biologist Nate Thomas. “Similarly, few bass were captured in the survey, indicating there were not enough predators to control the sunfish population.”

Thomas expects the largemouth bass to have noticeable effects in the next three to four years. Bass stocked this fall may limit sunfish reproduction in the spring by feeding on their fry. With a couple of years, he said the bass will be large enough to prey on adult sunfish. He said the stocking will provide potentially more and bigger bass for anglers and with less sunfish, bluegill fishing also should improve.

“It’s all an effort to create balance among predators and their prey,” Thomas said. “This will help provide better fishing in the future.”

The DNR also stocked surplus largemouth bass in Cemetery Pond near J. Edward Roush Lake, Hominy Ridge pond near Salamonie Reservoir, and Bostwick’s Pond near Missisinewa Reservoir.

The IDNR would like to remind anglers that they may only keep up to five (5) largemouth bass per day and that each must be at least 14" long. Additionally, state fishing regulations are enforced at all waters historically stocked with state-reared or statepurchased fish, including the requirement of anglers 17 years and older to carry a valid annual state fishing license.

Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund helps feed hungry Sportsmen, women and concerned citizens can help feed the hungry through the Sportsmen’s Benevolence Fund by purchasing the fund's lapel pins.

The pins are available from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division at a cost of $5 each. Proceeds go to organizations such as Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry, helping pay for the processing of deer donated to the program by successful hunters. The venison is given to various food banks across Indiana.

In 2008, more than 75,000 pounds of donated meat to FHFH was processed into 300,216 meals.

To order a 2009 SBF lapel pin, visit sbf.IN.gov.

Report poaching on T.I.P. Hotline DNR REPORT -A typical poaching situation occurs when a law-abiding hunter is sitting in a tree stand, waiting for legal shooting time, and notices a spotlight shining the field from a pickup truck. The truck stop and shots ring out through the darkness. The law abiding hunter was in the right place at the right time to obseve the law being broken.

When this happens, DNR Law Enforcement urges hunters to use the TIP hotline to file a complaint. TIP is an acronym for Turn in a Poacher. People who provide TIP with information are not required to give their names or testify in court. The reports are investigated

by Indiana Conservation Officers, and cash rewards are offered for information leading to the arrest of fish and wildlife law violators.

"Sportsmen have an ethical responsibility to report these violations," said Lt. Mark Farmer, public information officer for DNR Division of Law Enforcement. "Poachers are thieves and estimates indicate that poachers kill as much fish and game as legal hunters and fishermen do."

The toll-free TIP phone number is 1-800-TIP-IDNR.

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Clubs contribute to walleye stockings

Up North LOUIESTOUT The future of walleye fishing in Michiana got some “stimulus” help from area sportfishing clubs and the Indiana DNR this fall.

Some 15,000 walleyes, measuring 7 to 9 inches long, were deposited into the St. Joseph River while another 1,000 were placed in Klinger Lake near White Pigeon, Mich., just across the Indiana line.

The St. Joe walleyes were purchased through funds raised by the Michiana Walleye Club and with help from the Indiana DNR. Last year, the DNR and MWA purchased and stocked 10,000 fish of the same size.

The PNA Fishermen's Club of South Bend paid for the Klinger Lake stocking from club fund-raisers, just as they have for Michiana stockings over the past 12 years.

One of Indiana's oldest fishing clubs. PNA annually alternates its stocking between Indiana and Michigan fisheries.

“It's our way of giving back to the lakes where we hold our summer contests,” said club President Tom Dockery.

Other waters stocked by the

club over the years include Diamond and Big Fish in Michigan, Dewart and Fish lakes and the St. Joseph River in Indiana.

The hefty St. Joseph River stocking is dependent upon help from local fishing clubs because the Indiana DNR can no longer get walleyes from Michigan DNR hatcheries. Young walleyes must now be purchased from private

hatcheries approved by the DNR. The fish were purchased with money the MWA raised through fund-raisers and payments the DNR receives from I&M. Bonus fish were added from hatchery fish previously earmarked for other northern Indiana lakes.

Last year, the MWA and DNR stocked less than 10,000 walleyes. The 5,000 extra planted in the fall should improve the

number of fish anglers catch over the next few years. They should reach legal size sometime during the 2011 season.

“They were beautiful and in great shape,” said Rick Nichols of the Michiana Walleye Association. “We're excited about the quality and numbers of fish that we were able to stock.”

Nichols said persons and groups contributing $100 or more

this season include the Michiana Walleye Assn., Dr. Michael Beachy, Barry Ukele family, Slick Stick Rods, State Line Convenience, Shelby's Machine Shop, Central Park Bait, Midway Marine, Lunkers, Osceola Hardware, Indianawalleye.com and Whitfield's Barber Shop.

Want to help with next year's stocking? Contact Nichols at 219-712-1369.

Big brown trout caught from Indiana waters of the Saint Joseph River Ken McCormack of Osceola knew he had a big fish hooked below the Twin Branch dam in Mishawaka, but didn't think it was a steelhead.

He was right. It was a 14-pound brown trout, a true trophy for Indiana's river waters.

The 65-year-old angler caught it on a 6-1/2-foot light action spinning outfit and 8-pound monofilament line.

“I was excited,” said McCormack, who owned Great Lakes Sportsman Shop until 1997. “In 20 years, I've only caught three browns out of the river and this was the biggest.”

He tossed the fish into his livewell, drove home for a quick picture, then back to the river where it was released to fight again.

“That was a true trophy, and since they aren't that plentiful, I didn't want to kill it,” McCormack explained.

Based upon videotape readings at the South Bend ladder, only 14 browns have been sighted moving upstream at that point of the season. Browns will run up river, but prefer to lounge around harbor areas on the big lake.

That's why Michigan stocks browns in the lower sections of the St. Joe while Indiana stocks them in its harbors, with Michigan City being the nearest. McCormack's fish likely is one of Michigan's that ventured far upstream,

but it could be one of Indiana's that strayed off course.

As uncommon as browns are in the river,McCormack's technique is equally unconventional for trout and salmon fishing. Most anglers use spawn bags, livebait rigs, inline spinners and diving plugs to catch trout and salmon.

McCormack's rig is more akin to a walleye presentation. He rigs a white, 3- to 4-inch Twister grub on a 3/8-ounce jighead, which he makes at home.

“I've always used it for walleye but had exceptional luck with it for steelhead and smallmouth bass, too,” he offered. “If I'm fishing for walleyes, I bounce it on the bottom, unless there are a lot of snags.

Most of the time I let it get near the bottom and then swim it slowly back to the boat.”

You can tip the hook point behind the grub with a minnow, but there are days - like last Sunday - when the fish will bite it without livebait.

McCormack, who fishes the river three or four days a week, said steelhead fishing has been very good this year.

“Best I've seen in three years,” he noted.

And, at least for him, the brown trout fishing wasn't bad either.

December, 2009 Edition

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INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS ®

Lake Michigan Ed Avenatti at Mik-Lurch Tackle in Hammond says the Northern winds have made it tough to get out on the big lake.

However, when you can get out the perch are waiting. Cal Park and the area around Gary light are perch hotspots right now! So

December Well, my venison is in the freezer. I shot a ten-pointer the second day of the season and my grandson Jacob dropped a nice doe. The venison along with all the bluegill and crappie I have frozen will make for good eating this winter. I had a pretty good fall mushroom season this year as well. I found several nice sheepshead or hen of the woods whichever you want to call them. Hey, with the way things are, every little bit you can save on the grocery bill sure can help.

Wasn’t November great for fishing? I can’t believe the temperatures we had here in Northern Indiana. Those temperatures extend the fishing season for a guy like me who likes to fish in warm weather. Let’s hope it stays nice a little longer and gives us some additional time to get in some more comfortable fishing.

Now, here’s what my contacts across the state tell me our prospects are for our December fishing.

put a minnow on your hook and give it a try. They are still taking steelhead in Trail Creek, Salt Creek and the Little Calumet iver. Try floating spawn or cooked shrimp beneath a float.

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after the turn over, and they’re taking some nice perch with minnows or small jigs. You can hook a muskie with a big, live sucker minnow or take a smallmouth bass with a hair jig fished deep. Fishing is about the same in all the local waters.

Saint Joseph River Dick Parker of Parker’s Central Bait & Tackle in Mishawaka says there is good bluegill and crappie action above the Twin Branch Dam in Osceola and suggest you use red wigglers or waxworms. Below the dam you can still hook-up a steelhead with spawn, shrimp or a big old night crawler.

fish! Crappie can be taken with minnows or red wigglers. The best action now seems to be at Geist Reservoir by the dam.

Fall Creek is another hotspot.

Southwest Indiana Ian Shoup from the Fishin Shedd in Bloomington says they’re taking crappie, walleye and wipers at Lake Monroe. The crappies are at about 8 feet and

like minnows. If you want to get yourself a walleye or a wiper, use a night crawler.

Northwest Indiana Penny Boisvert of Greenwood Bait Shop in English Lake tells me they’re taking some nice catfish out of the Kankakee River with night crawlers. Horseshoe Bend just south of LaCrosse has been yielding some nice northern pike with night crawlers as well.

Penny wants everyone to know the bait shop is closed for the season and will open again on March 1, 2010.

West Central Indiana Terry Raines at Twin Lakes Fish & Game in Monticello says Lake Schaefer is the hotspot at the moment. Crappie are hitting pretty good on minnows or tube jigs. You can still get an occasional walleye and the smallmouth are still providing some good action as well.

North Central Indiana Larry Stover at Ye Old Tackle Box in North Webster reports that the lake has settled down

Central Indiana Dave McCalla at the Bait Barn in Indianapolis says right now the name of the game is pan-

East Central Indiana Ed Gipson from Peacepipe Bait & Tackle at Andrews tells me the crappie, bluegill and catfish are really providing some great action. Look for those crappies near stumps and brush then drop them a minnow or a tube jig. The bluegills are hitting like crazy on the usual wigglers or bemoths. Believe it or not, the catfish are hitting on

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shrimp. Must be a higher class of catfish!

Southeast Indiana Tag Nobbe from Brookville Lake Guide Service in Brookville says it is a good time to go for crappies with minnows or jigs at about 15 feet. Take a walleye or two using a jigging spoon at 3550 feet. Smallmouth bass can be taken in the shallow areas and rocky reefs with a slow diving crank bait or a small fly below a casting bobber (float-n-fly rig).

Move it slowly. The fish are a little slower to respond in the cooler water.

Well, as they say, that’s a wrap. I’ve told you all I can about the fishing prospects for December. Now it’s up to you.

Take advantage of the few nice days we have before winter finally hits. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and spent it with family and loved ones.

Don’t forget to start dropping hints about all the outdoor toys you may need, as Christmas is just around the corner.

Well, I think I’m going bring this report to a close, grab my muzzleloader and slip into the woods. I just know there is another deer waiting to get in my sights. Remember what Ol’ JB always says at this time of the year, ”Merrry Christmas and Happy New Year.” See you next month.

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December, 2009 Edition

Backing off, Mac followed them north into Scott County and away As a rule the Indiana Conservation Officers I have interviewed Dangerous Encounters from roads that Mac was familiar with. “I radioed the dispatcher that if chose their profession because of their love of the outdoors. Enforcing ALANGARBERS the suspects turned off Highway 3, I was going to try and take them hunting and fishing regulations, protecting our natural resources, and down, because if they get me in the back roads I'm not going to know search and rescue is the job description. Chasing bank robbers or synwhere I'm going.” dicate hit men is the last thing an ICO expects to be doing when he or Sure enough the robbers pulled off Highway 3 onto Kinderhook Road but suddenly she puts on the uniform each day, but it is exactly what happened to ICO Mac Spainhour. stopped next to a Ford Bronco. From Mac's position it seemed the robbers were chatting In the mid 1980s Mac was just starting his career with the DNR and luckily was based with the Bronco driver. Mac stepped out of his car with his pistol drawn and approached in his home district surrounding Clarksville. the robbers. “As I'm walking across I see a gun sticking out of the Bronco, so I swing “I had gotten a call to come up to Jefferson County for a timber theft case.” Mac is my gun from the robbers to cover the new guy.” Conditions couldn't get much worse for religious about wearing his bullet-proof vest…but in planning his day he saw no need for a law enforcement officer than to have multiple armed assailants. it. “I was going to drive up there, take a few pictures, help on the investigation of a few But Mac was surprised once more that day. The Bronco driver saw Mac swing the pistrees cut down…I figured I didn't need to wear my vest.” tol towards him and he yelled out, “I'm a cop! I'm a cop!”. Relief washed over Mac. “It Mac's day went as planned until his ride home. He was heading south on Highway 3 was Rick Schuler, an off-duty Indiana State Trooper that had been listening to his radio towards Charlestown when the call came in. “They dispatched a bank robbery at the New and came out to help me.”

Washington State Bank in New Washington.” Mac was instantly alert. “Dang…I'm pretMac and Rick captured the bank robbers and recovered approximately $12,000.00. ty close to that”, he told himself. “I'll just cut across Highway 362.” About that time he “It was one of the greatest things I had done up to that time.” remembered his bullet-proof vest was hanging on the back of his chair at home.

Fate wasn't done with Mac yet. Just a few years later two crime syndicate hit men Shrugging off his uneasiness, Mac went over the possible routes the bank robbers would escape from a New York prison. These hit men had a reputation for being brutal to their take and convinced himself the robbers would be heading away from him. “There's no victims, often shooting out their knee caps and torturing the victims before their execuway they're going to come my way,” Mac told himself. “They're probably going south to tion.

Jeffersonville or north towards Hanover or Madison.”

With federal agents hot on their trail the escaped hit men headed for Tennessee where As Mac headed east on Highway 362, police dispatch confirmed the robbery; a white they had family. Once there the men quickly wore out their welcome and headed north, male and white female in a black over white Olds 98 with a landau top. Just then Mac just barely missing apprehension by their pursuers. But, life on the run was difficult. spotted a white car heading towards him. “Oh my god…that's an Old 98!” Mac scanned With no firearms the two hit men had no way to revert back to their previous life of the vehicle as it went by. It was being driven by a white female with a white male passencrime. Hungry and tired they called home and asked their relatives to send money to ger, the car was white and had a black landau top, and the license plate matched. “It's the Henryville, Indiana. The family mocked empathy but in reality gave the information to bank robbers!” Mac was driving the classic police car of the day; an unmistakable white the waiting federal agents. The news quickly headed north to the state and local police 1980 Chevy Impala with DNR emblems on the doors. “And now they know I'm a cop.” that the convicts were hiding somewhere near Henryville.

“I turned my car around and tried to get on the radio. But I can't because of all the radio The Indiana State police swiftly put out a bulletin for all law enforcement to be on traffic. I kept shouting 'I'm behind them! I'm behind them!' Finally I got through and the lookout for a lime-green Chevrolet Impala with two males. told them we're headed westbound on Highway 362 towards Highway 3.”

Mac, a resident of Henryville, was just coming on duty and pulled into a gas station As Mac followed the robbers he assumed his fellow officers were busy setting up road near Interstate 65. At that same gas station was a county officer and friend of Mac's. The blocks ahead. He was wrong. “I guess I was naive. I figured when we got to Highway 3 two promptly made plans to cover the area and find the hit men. No more had Mac pulled it was going to look like the scene out of Dirty Harry (The Gauntlet), and every cop will out of the station when the county officer radioed him. “Get back over here!” Mac pulled be there with guns drawn and they're going to drive into this big trap.” But, with the sitback over to his fellow officer. “They're sitting right behind us!” The county officer uation developing so fast, no one was close enough to help. said.

To confuse the matter, just before reaching Highway 3, the bank robbers turned The two hit men were sitting in their car on the opposite side of the gas station. Mac southwest on Highway 203, as if to head for Charlestown, then hit Highway 3 and turned and the county officer quickly pulled around the station, capturing the hit men. Mac later back north. As they turned, the male robber looked back at Mac in his DNR patrol car. found out just how dangerous the two were. They had fourteen murders on their records.

Up to this point the chase has been relatively slow paced. Mac saw the robber look at “I had a pretty eventful first five years of my career with major cases,” Mac him and figured the worse. “I saw him look at me and thought to myself, the race is on.” explained. “Most guys go their whole career and not have cases like that.”

Mac got on his radio, “I think they're going to run!” Anticipating the acceleration capabilities of the Olds 98's big engine, he gunned his own engine to keep up. Oddly the robRetired or active Indiana Conservation Officers are invited to e-mail the author at bers did not accelerate as Mac did. “They were going like it was a Sunday drive and I agarb84@bpl.coop regarding their own tales from Behind the Badge. almost rear-ended them.”

December, 2009 Edition

INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS ®

Brothers Archery & Sports

Robert, Mitch & Jerry Eccles have opened a new archery shop in North Webster based on a plan to provide the best products, prices & superior service.

Brothers Archery & Sports features bows by Athens -like the one Robert used to take this15-point Kosciusko County monster whitetail.

Brothers Archery & Sports, located at 105 E. Esterbrook Drive, Unit E in North Webster is the creation of an avid outdoorsmen, archer, and passionate bow fisher, Robert Eccles. Robert's love of bow fishing and the outdoors started at an early age while he and brother Mitch watched their father Jerry working as a Canadian bear guide and outfitter much of his adult life.

Robert began hunting with, and working on, his own archery equipment at the age of 13, and it didn't take long for the young man to realize the need for a high qual-

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i t y, customer-centered archery shop in his area.

His father, a long time Darton Archery dealer and Black Widow sales rep, encouraged the young man every step of the way, and helped Robert to become a Darton and Athens Archery certified technician. Along the path to his certifications, he learned to build arrows, set sights, serve and reserve strings, and complete most any other archery related repair or adjustment.

When Robert decided to open the archery shop, he wanted to do it differently. With his father

Jerry and brother Mitch, he used the Eccles' strong love of God and family to create a business plan that was entirely about satisfying the customer at a fair price -- providing the products and services that they really need while showing the respect they deserve. On the surface, this may seem to be what many others have done, but Robert and his family have committed to going the extra mile for everyone who comes through their doors. The goal is for everyone to be a repeat customer and to bring their friends and family back to the store.

Brothers Archery & Sports carries a full line of archery products and accessories. They have bows from Athens and Darton, arrows from Easton, Beman, Goldtip, and AMG -- including the AMG GT20, a weight forward carbon arrow that offers up to 20% greater penetration when compared to similar arrows of equal weight. Their broadhead line includes popular choices from Rage, NAP, Thunderhead, Montec and others. They are stocking high quality releases from Allen, while Whisker Biscuit and Kwikee Quiver products are found amongst their most popular accessories.

One of Robert's favorite products in the store is a safety device called the Controlled Descent System.

The CDS by Mountaineer-Sports is a new tree stand safety vest with a built-in safety release.

The vest is designed to allow a hunter who falls from his stand to safely and quickly lower himself to the ground, preventing Suspension Trauma. Robert, Mitch and Jerry sincerely want every customer to be a return customer.

The service department at Brothers prides itself on doing things the right way. They do not try to sell the customer a bunch of bells and whistles they really don't need, and they go out of their way to ensure every job is done completely and correctly the first time. Customers at Brothers will not find hidden fees or surprise charges when they return to pick up their equipment. At Brothers’ there is a clearly marked sign indicating the fees for most common fixes, and a clear understanding for the prices of non-listed items before the work is started.

Whether they are building a custom string or replacing one with a Vapor Trail or Tech 9 off the shelf, the customer will know in advance exactly what they will be charged.

Robert and his father Jerry's years in the outdoors and around the outdoor industry has been their guide in selecting the quality products and services they carry, but they also understand some customers may want a product they don't currently stock.

At Brothers’, they have the ability to get just about any piece of archery equipment or part that someone may want or need with a very quick turnaround. They offer out-ofhouse custom paint jobs as well.

Brothers Archery is currently offering a Grand Opening special of $5 off purchases over $50, $10 off purchases over $100, and $20 off purchases over $200, including most on shelf accessories.

Another Grand Opening special is 5% off prepaid orders over $50, and 10% off prepaid orders over $100. The most spectacular Grand Opening special may be the $50 off the MSRP for bows by Athens, which are manufactured with

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By Jake Joseph Hoosier pride right here in Indiana!

Brothers’ Grand Opening Sale will last throughout the entire month of December and many items will be on hand for display and testing.

In the near future, Brothers Archery & Sports plans to begin sponsoring USBA and other sanctioned shooting events around the area, where they will offer on-site archery tech and supplies. Also, Brothers’ will begin consigning high quality hunting equipment such as bows, camouflage clothing, tree stands, blinds, and other lightly used outdoor items. Other items that are in development for the near future includes a new line of AMG Crossbow tackle specifically designed for bow fishing, a first of its kind. The staff of Brothers’ will be field-testing this gear and featuring the new setups in house. Additionally, Brothers Archery & Sports has already begun looking into a possible second location in Starke or Fulton Counties.

Brothers Archery & Sports was started to offer needed technical support and products to anyone interested in going afield. The Eccles' family commitment to offer the best prices, products and service has already begun to generate a strong and loyal customer base. They hope that their commitment to the everyday hunter and shooter will continue to grow that base. They want every outdoorsmen to feel welcome in their locally owned and family run shop. At Brothers Archery & Sports, they pride themselves on customer satisfaction -- not the bottom line -- and hope you will stop in soon to see what they have to offer.

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INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS ®

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December, 2009 Edition

Scent control you can’t buy at the store

BABEWINKELMAN The aisles at the sporting goods store are full of hunting scent products. I use my HS ScentA-Way laundry detergent, deodorant, sprays and scent wafers religiously. They definitely give hunters an edge when going up against the keen nose of a whitetail or other big game animal. The bottled attractants, from curiosity scents to deer urines and gland secretions, all have their place in the field too.

All of these scent-control products are must-haves for hunters. When used effectively, they help humans smell like, well, nothing. But there are additional ways to boost your hunting success by both masking your human smell and adding natural scents to your hunting situation.

Wa l k i n g I n While you’re on your way to your hunting spot, keep your eyes and nose open for cover scent opportunities. For example, let’s say you come upon a pine tree that’s oozing sap from its trunk.

As long as you don’t mind getting some “stick” on your hunting clothes, put some of that sap on your pant legs, jacket and even your hat. The crisp smell of pine sap is 100% natural and extremely aromatic. And, it’s not at all unpleasant to your nose like animal scents such as skunk essence or fox urine are. You’ll smell like Christmas all day long.

As you continue your walk and come across fresh deer droppings, put your boot soles in there and smoosh them around.

This will help cover your scent trail going in and out of your spot, and could actually serve to attract deer to your path.

If your hunting location is rich with apples, acorns or agricultural crops like corn or soybeans, then make use of those things. Slice an apple and rub the juices on your pant cuffs or heck, even under your armpits. Eat an apple too to help mask the scent in your breath.

On a recent deer hunt, with the bucks in full rut, I came upon a scrape so fresh I found it with my nose. It reeked of urine and tarsal secretions. The soil was still soaking wet along with the licking branch overhead. If you find fresh buck scent in the woods like that, it’s worth its weight in gold.

Keep some ZipVac vacuum bags in your pack (along with the portable ZipVac hand pump) and bag both the soil and the end of the licking branch. Vacuum out

the air to prevent evaporation and relocate the scented items to your stand location. It’s a dynamite tactic during the rut. Use your ZipVac bags (www.zipvac.net) o n other things as well -- like droppings or even the bark shavings from a recently-rubbed tree. Rubs are both visual AND scent signposts that are rich with secretions from the buck’s pre-orbital glands.

At Your Stand When you get to your tree stand or ground blind, place your scents (store bought or the natural ones discussed above) in a way that’s strategic for wind direction, deer travel, location of shooting lanes, etc. Then, at the base of your tree or around your ground location, dredge up the soil with your boots to unlock the robust smell of the soil and decomposing leaves. In addition to helping to mask your scent, the smell of fresh earth can communicate two things to a deer. One, that something has been pawing the ground to feed; or two, that a buck has unearthed a scrape in the area.

Both are good things.

After The Shot If you or anyone in your hunting party is lucky enough to shoot a buck or a doe, take a few things from the animal before dragging it off to the meat pole.

Remove the bladder and empty the contents into a clean bottle.

Label it “buck” or “doe”. Store bought urine is great, but it’s tough to compete with 100% fresh.

Remove the tarsal glands too and put them in one of your ZipVac bags. Using gauze or cotton balls, swab, bag-and label the following: Natural scents are readily available to the savvy hunter and both the pre- can both attract deer to your stand and mask your human orbital glands odor once they arrive. Josh Lantz photo. (located at the forward corners of the eyes); the interdigital open your eyes and nostrils and glands (between the front put some of these tactics to work hooves); and fresh saliva from the for you. They’ll make you a better inside of the deer’s mouth. All of hunter.

Good Hunting. these scents combined make up the authentic smell of a live deer that you or a fellow hunter can use Babe Winkelman is a nationallythat day to maximize your known outdoorsman who has chances. At the end of a hunt, re- taught people to fish and hunt for bag and vacuum the items in the nearly 30 years. Watch his awardsame labeled ZipVac bags you winning “Good Fishing” and used before. Then get them into a “Outdoor Secrets” television refrigerator or cooler to keep the shows on Versus Network, Fox scents fresh for the next day’s Sports, Wild TV and many local networks. Visit www.winkelhunt.

Savvy woodsmen and women man.com for air times where you utilize everything at their dispos- live. Come meet Babe at the Ford al to up their odds of success in 56th Annual Indianapolis Boat, the field. Most hunters walk right Sport and Travel Show, February by great scent-related opportuni- 19-28 at the Indiana State ties. But next time you’re out, Fairgrounds.

December, 2009 Edition

INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS ®

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All Star Seminar Lineup Headlines Ford 56th Annual Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show By Josh Lantz Regular show-goers know that the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show, held each February at the Indiana State Fairgrounds, is the one place to go for deals worth waiting for on boats, RVs, outdoor vacations, fishing tackle and all manner of outdoor gear. It is a family-friendly destination that pleases, entertains and educates on all aspects of the outdoors -- without straining the family budget. It is the largest show of its kind in the nation, and a tremendous value!

Hunting and fishing seminars have been popular components of the show since its inception, and this year, show organizers -Renfro Productions and Management -- are upping the ante by loading the seminar schedule with some of the biggest and most respected names from the world of hunting and fishing.

Fishing Seminars Located in the Blue Ribbon Pavilion, this year’s fishing seminars will focus on bass, crappie, muskie, salmon, trout, walleye, northern pike and more using a variety of tactics, and will be offered by Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, Babe Winkelman, “Mr. Walleye” Gary Roach, Joe Thomas, Phil Rambo, Dan Armitage, Bill Rolan McDonald, Chris d Ma rtin!

Walker, Capt.

Mike Orr, Eric Johnson, and Fox Statler.

With such big

names on the docket, one might wonder how attending one or all of these seminars could possibly get any better. Well, leave that to the Renfro brothers, because this year they’ve come up with Fishing Camp -- Ask the Pro s.

At Fishing Camp -- Ask the Pro s, audience members get to actually control the seminar topics. That’s right! For the first time, you the show visitor will be able to direct the content of these special seminars. Your moderator, Dan Armitage, will be joined on stage by the biggest names in the business along with local experts to discuss the topics that are important to you. You ask the questions and get the discussion moving!

Nine-time B.A.S.S. Angler of the Year and 30-year veteran of the world of outdoor television, Roland Martin is proud to be involved with the cutting edge seminar series at this year’s Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport & Travel Show. “I am very honored to be a part of Fishing Camp -- Ask the Pro s in the great fishing state of Indiana” says Martin. “We have a lot of experience and information to share”, Martin continues, “and this new and exciting forum is the best way to cut straight to the parts that audience members are most-interested in”.

Legendary angler Jimmy Houston, known as “America’s Favorite Fisherman” agrees.

“I’ve always been

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Jimm y Hou ston!

passionate about helping other anglers and spending time with fans”, says Houston, “and this venue in Indianapolis is going to allow us to reach the most people. I’m really looking forward to answering questions from the many great anglers from Indiana and throughout the Midwest at Fishing Camp -- Ask the Pro s.”

Hunting Seminars On the hunting side, seminars at the 13th Annual Deer, Turkey and Waterfowl Expo (held opening weekend of the Boat, Sport and Tr a v e l S h o w ) will cover such topics as deer hunting,

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Fishing Camp -- Ask the Pros will take place at 1PM and 6:30 PM on both Saturdays of the show. The Feb. 20th seminars will feature Roland Martin, Jimmy Houston, Joe Thomas and Dan Armitage. The Feb. 27th seminars will feature Babe Winkelman, Gary Roach, Dan Armitage, Bill McDonald and Chris Walker. turkey hunting, waterfowl hunting, archery, hunting Indiana’s public lands, deer processing and food plot preparation, and will be given by Stan Potts,Bill Epeards, Chuck Adams, Jeff Foiles, Byron Ferguson, Kevin Boyer, Brandon Butler and David Ray. Here too, show organizers are using an interactive format -Hunting Camp -- Ask the Pro s -as a means to allow audience members to quickly cut to the topics of discussion which most interest them. It is the best way to maximize the benefits of having such big name hunting experts on hand, and a rewarding

Hunting Camp -- Ask the Pros will take place at 1:30PM and 6PM on Saturday, Feb. 20th, as well as at 1PM on Sunday, Feb. 21st. Hunting Camp -- Ask the Pros will feature Chuck Adams, Stan Potts, Bill Epeards, Brandon Butler and Jeff Foiles.

For a complete seminar schedule and other important show info, go to www.indysportshow.com and check back regularly!

experience for all who attend.

Don’t miss your favorite seminar or personality! Go to www.indysportshow.com to see the complete seminar schedule and descriptions of all show features.

otts!

Stan P

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INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS ®

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Pause and Reflect

day.

Indiana Bassin’ JIMBODINE During this time of year, most fishermen are taking a break. The Christmas season is upon us, and our thoughts turn to gatherings and celebrations with family and friends. It is also a great time to reflect upon the past year and think about what we can do to better our performance on the water.

One thing I like to do is to try to remember all of the successful days I had on the water during the past season. I take out a piece of paper and jot down all the things that went well that day. Ask yourself questions and try to remember every little detail about that magical day. Can you remember what the weather was like? What lure you were using? What was the water clarity? I think you get the picture. If your notes to yourself are complete and accurate, you will be able to identify the lakes, techniques and patterns that were successful. Spend some quality time with yourself, revisiting these memories. Doing so will help you store your successful experiences in your head.

On the flip side, you should do the same thing on those days that didn't seem to go so well.

Most anglers tend to write off or forget about a bad day of fishing too quickly. Don’t do this. Use these experiences to try and learn something.

As a child, you may have tried to learn to hit a baseball from your non-dominant side.

Most of us tried it and thought, “Forget this!” and went on hitting from the side we were most comfortable with. But those who move to the top of their sport spend the majority of their time improving on their weaknesses.

As an angler, you can do the same.

Correct the mistakes you made last season by identifying them and thinking about what you could have done differently.

Here's the deal. Think back on a particularly bad day. If you were good at another technique, it might have turned out to be a soso day. If you knew two more techniques, you might have taken a bad day and made it into a day to remember. But because of your weaknesses, your day was one you'd rather forget.

Don’t ignore the negative, but don’t dwell on these thoughts either. Believe it or not, there is an optimal ratio between positive and negative thoughts when it comes to performance.

Psychologists have known for quite some time that too many negative thoughts discourage us and can even lead to depression.

As anglers, especially when we are not catching fish, we need to keep our negative thoughts at bay. If too many of those enter our brain, we tend to give up. If that's the case, we might as well just head for the ramp, load up the boat with our tails between our legs, and miss out on a successful

Of course, too many positive thoughts can be just as detrimental. Being too optimistic can make it difficult to notice and fix our flaws. Carelessness often accompanies overconfidence.

Experts have determined that the proper ratio of good to bad thoughts should be 4-to-1. This ratio supposedly allows a person to function at optimum performance. Interesting.

While it probably isn’t practical or much fun to try to live by this ratio, the concept does have some merit and it and is certainly worth considering.

I have found through experience on the water, the more positive I stay, the more successful and rewarding my day is. And by remembering my not so good

days, I can learn how to avoid similar days in the future. Just try to stay four times more positive than negative and you’ll increase your chances of having a highly successful day!

The Christmas season is one of hustle and bustle when it should be a time for peace. By taking some time for ourselves, whether it is praying, singing, meditation, or personal reflection, it gives us an opportunity to disengage from our busy worlds.

It also improves our concentration, reduces anxiety and gives us more self confidence -- traits we can definitely use to improve our fishing as well as our overall mental health.

I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

See you in 2010!

December, 2009 Edition

December, 2009 Edition

INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS ®

Crossword Answers on page 4!

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SPORTING TRAVEL: Smallmouth bass fishing on West Virginia's New River Gorge means beautiful fish in a wild, beautiful place, and no one to share them with but your fishing partner.

Just a few hours' drive from Indiana, the New River represents a largely untapped fishery, one that is accessible yet remote, productive yet unpredictable.

That is not to say that New River smallmouth aren't cooperative; an average day will yield 20 or more hardcharging, high-leaping keepers. But, an angler must fish hard, be adaptable and, at times, be creative enough to stay up with fish who have a penchant for changing feeding patterns due to water conditions, available forage, sunlight and a host of other factors.

A recent trip to the New River Gorge, near Fayetteville, West Virginia, yielded over 100 of the bronze bruisers in separate afternoon and morning fishing sessions.

The river, which begins in the mountains of North Carolina, winds its way through some 300 miles of the East's most beautiful landscape before joining with the Gauley River to form the Kanawha River at Charleston, West Virginia's capitol. The stream, called the Kanawha for its entire length by the Shawnee people, was dubbed the New River by English settlers who had discovered a new route from North Carolina and Virginia into the north and the Ohio River valley.

Its last 30 miles, the New River Gorge, are the most spectacular of the entire route and attract white water enthusiasts, rock climbers, mountain bikers, hunters and anglers from all over the nation.

Specialized Fishing There are few smallmouth streams in America that are even remotely similar to the New River Gorge. As much an adventure as fishing destination, it is a special place and requires special tactics to float and fish.

Leave the hydro-blaster bass boat at home and forget trying to run the New with a john boat.

Class Four and Five rapids make traversing the stream impossible for bass boaters and extremely dangerous for anglers in john boats, due to their low maneuverability. Canoes and kayaks will cut it, but for the best fishing experience, hire one of the dozens of local guides and fish the river from a whitewater raft.

They are comfortable, safe and handle the rapids with relative ease. Plus, a good guide will know where the fish are biting and what to use to catch them.

And leave the ultra-light tackle in the garage. Swift currents, strong fish, snags, sharpedged boulders and long casts in the river's clear water make it nearly impossible to rely on lightweight gear to land many New River smallies. Instead, bring medium to medium light spinning or casting rods and eight to ten pound test line. Fly

INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS ®

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December, 2009 Edition

Almost Heaven. . . West Virginia’s Fabulous New River Smallmouth Fishing fishing buffs can get away with a five-weight rod, but a six or seven would be better.

New River F i s h i n g Ta c t i c s Because of its rocky bottom and shoreline, the New River doesn't change much from year to year. Even the most torrential springtime flooding, for which the river is famous, does not have much effect on

the bottom terrain. Holes and shallows, rapids, steep banks and shallow flats remain fairly constant no matter the volume of flow.

Yet, the fish will change feeding patterns, sometimes unpredictably. Like all smallmouth bass, New River bronzebacks will do plenty of moving, depending on the availability of forage. Darters, hickory shad, crayfish and a host of terrestrial insects and other critters make up the bulk of their diet. On a recent trip, we caught one fish that had ingested a water snake; its tail protruding from the fish's mouth!

The key is to cover a lot of water until you find the pattern for the day. The river's swift current will make sure that you see plenty of water and that plenty of bass see your baits.

Venom Manufacturing Company founder and owner Dave Maurice and I fished the river in early autumn. Cicadas were finishing up their annual swarm and damsel flies were doing their thing each afternoon. The river was cooling as night time temperatures dipped into the midfifties. As a result, the top water action was absolutely torrid.

Green and chartreuse Lucky Craft G-Splash surface poppers were the hot lure, imitating the cicadas, although Maurice landed an amazing number of fish with his Venom Sweet Dream, Dream Craw and Macho Worm baits. His lures proved that crayfish were on the New River's menu, as well.

The fishing was red-hot below the rapids, especially in the eddies and slack waters near the banks. An occasional fish came from small eddies behind the boulders that litter the riverscape below the rapids. Several of the rapids gave up fish in good numbers above the rapids, in slower moving water between the

natural gravel bars that are created by the current.

Spring time fishing is similar, although the hottest fishing is in the calmer water where the fish will spawn as the water temperature approaches 55 degrees.

During summer, when the water is low and begins to heat up, ply deeper water on the steep banks and structure in the deeper holes.

Raft-Dodging: Not a Pro b l e m The New River Gorge is perhaps the hottest tourist destinations in West Virginia, yet there is plenty of secluded fishing to be had. Thousands of people will shoot the river's world class rapids each week during summer, but the river's stretches above and below the rafting area offer the kind of solitude that most of us only dream of in this fast-paced world.

An afternoon and evening of fishing, covering some 15 miles of river netted the sighting of precisely one bank fisherman, no other boats or rafts, two bald eagles, plenty of deer, waterfowl and the most beautiful scenery the region has to offer. As it says on West Virginia license

plates, “Almost Heaven.”

As Indiana’s deer and waterfowl seasons wind

down and we plunge into wintertime, many of us begin thinking about next year’s outdoor adventures and

By Rick Story

travels. Anyone with penchant for wild scenery and good fishing should consider making plans to fish the New River next spring, summer or fall. It is a relatively inexpensive and short trip that won’t disappoint.

For more information or to book a trip to fish the New River Gorge, contact master guide Sean Wishart. Sean runs Mountain State Anglers, the fishing subsidiary of a newly formed outfitter and resort firm that represents the joining of forces of three of the largest, oldest and most experienced of the New River Gorge outdoor recreation outfitters. The new company, New River Gorge Adventures, now consists of the properties of Class VI Outfitters, Rivermen Oufitters and Mountain River Outfitters. Lodging, dining and recreational activities, including three-milelong, zipline “canopy tours,” are all available to guests. Rates are reasonable and the facilities overlook the gorge itself.

Call Sean at (800) 545-7238 or visit him on the web at www. m o u n t a i nstateanglers.com.

y a d i l o H ! n o i t i d E Bass Pro Shops® Big Bass Adventure Set Introduce your kids to the thrill of landing the big one with this awesome set. It's first-class all the way, with a 12'' replica Hummer® H2 SUV to tow the world's most exciting bass boat-the Nitro® Pro! At 15'', this boat is decked out for bigtime fun, with a livewell, telescoping steering wheel, and trailer. Set includes father and son jointed action figures, fishing pole with lure hook, two giant bass, net, Wave Runner®, and yellow lab figurine. (Price: $29.99) Available at www.basspro.com.

Plug It In & Play™ TV Games Big Buck Hunter Lock n' load and hit the great outdoors with the Big Buck Hunter Pro Video Game from Plug It In & Play TV Games! It's just like the popular arcade game.

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(Retail price $39.99) Available at www.basspro.com.

Bass Pro Shops® Round Swivel Rod Rack This quality-crafted Bass Pro Shops Swivel Rod Rack is constructed from pine with a natural oak finish. The Rod Rack features soft rubber rod grips that won't scratch rods and a ball bearing swivel base for easy access even in corners. Holds up to 24 rods (without reels). Some assembly required. 17-1/2" diameter. 26-3/4" high. (Retail price $84.99) Available at www.basspro.com.

December, 2009 Edition

SMALL BOAT ANGLING: When avid angler Marc Dixon started Zionsville-based Eagle Creek Kayaks in 2006, he wasn’t sure how fast the sport of kayak fishing -- or his business -- might grow. “I was really testing the waters to see what the market was”, he says. “I had a feeling that it might take off (kayak fishing and the paddle sports, in general)”, he says.

Boy, has it ever.

The appeal of kayak fishing is fairly simple to understand. The boats are stable, durable, portable, affordable and hightech. They don’t burn expensive fuel, you can transport them with almost any vehicle and launch and retrieve them almost anywhere.

And recently, kayak builders have really gotten serious about designing boats for anglers.

“Over the past couple of years, kayak manufacturers have gotten away from the notion of slapping a rod holder or two on one of their boats and calling it a fishing kayak”, says Dixon. “The manufacturers I carry are designing and molding these boats specifically with fishing in mind”, he says.

“There are rod holders where you really need them, molded-in livewells, tackle storage and a variety of other well thought out fishing features. . . the boats are also getting wider, making them easier to stand up in”.

Dixon says Malibu has been an industry trendsetter with their fishing models, sporting such features as aerated livewells. Also driving innovation in the market-

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An Expert Discusses Trends & Opportunities in Kayak Fishing place, Ocean Kayak makes a 13’ model called the Torque, which incorporates an electric propulsion system. Similarly, Freedom Hawk makes a 12’ fishing kayak that has outriggers that fold out at the stern to create a stable platform for a standing fishing position.

“These are all innovations that have been driven by anglers”, Marc says. And the funny thing is, these boats are now turning paddlers into fishermen. “With the advent of fishing kayaks, I’ve seen a surge of experienced kayakers who hadn’t thought of fishing from them before, coming in to outfit their boats with fishing accessories or trading up to purpose-built fishing models”, says Dixon.

Today’s fishing kayaks range in size from nine-to-fifteen-feet, and the right model for you depends largely on the waters where you’ll fish. “A fifteen-foot model is a better choice for lakes and other big waters, while a ninefooter is ideal for smaller creeks and rivers”, says Dixon. “A twelve or thirteen-footer is a popular all-around boat”, he continues.

Just because winter has set in doesn’t mean there are no more kayak fishing opportunities until spring. Here in Indiana, most creeks and rivers stay ice free all winter. “It isn’t for everyone”, says Dixon, “but I like to get out regularly in December through February on the White River here in Indianapolis. . . the small-

mouth fishing can actually be pretty good”, he says.

Other nearby winter kayak fishing opportunities include winter steelheading on Michigan rivers such as the Muskegon and Pere Marquette. Here in Indiana, winter steelhead can be found below the Twin Branch Dam in Mishawaka and on the lower section of the Little Calumet in Portage.

For many kayak anglers, winter is the time when they plan their kayak fishing travel. Eagle Creek Kayaks offers a variety of guided kayak fishing adventures, from local trips on the White River and other Indiana waters, to summertime trout trips to Michigan’s Muskegon River, to full-blown angling adventures in the remote Florida Everglades.

“The Everglades trip is really

An Eagle Creek Kayaks fishing expedition on Michigan’s Muskegon River.

Photo provided.

By Josh Lantz

Marc Dixon shows a nice snook caught on a recent excursion to the Florida Everglades. This is just one of the many kayak fishing adventures offered by Eagle Creek Kayaks. Photo provided. spectacular”, says Dixon. “We’re currently planning a trip for this spring and we’re looking for six to eight folks to join us”. Anyone interested should speak to Marc, or go to eaglecreekkayaks.com for more information.

Speaking of getting ahold of Marc, why not speak with him face to face? Marc will be exhibiting at a variety of outdoor shows this winter, the first of which is the WAOR Outdoor Expo, Saturday, Dec 12 at the RV Hall of Fame in Elkhart (www, WAOR.com) . Marc and Eagle Creek Kayaks will also be at the Ford Indianapolis Boat, Sport and Travel Show at the State Fairgrounds Feb. 19 - 28 (www.indysportshow.com). Marc will be available at these shows to answer your specific questions about kayaks and kayak fishing, but he’ll also have a variety of some of the best fishing kayak

models on display to check out first-hand. “The winter months are definitely the best time to buy a boat”, says Dixon. “And I’ll have a bunch of them with me at the shows that I really need to move to make way for next year’s models”, he says.

Kayak fishing is no fad. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing outdoor sports in America.

There are national kayak fishing magazines, videos and other media covering the sport. The week of December 14, Marc Dixon will appear on a special kayak fishing episode of Angling the Great Lakes Television on the Sportsman Channel (check local listings).

If you have ever thought about getting set up for kayak fishing, now is a great time to get started. And Eagle Creek Kayaks is the place to go to get your questions answered.

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December, 2009 Edition

Andy Sytsma of DeMotte has taken a lot of nice bucks in his lifetime, but this Japer County 11-pointer is his biggest.

Kit Goldwood took this incredible 16-point buck on November 1 while hunting in Whitley County with his Parker bow. The big deer green scored 168 and dressed out at 215 lbs.

Kelly Odom of Lebanon killed this big Jasper County eight-pointer with her slug gun.

Mike Hernandezof Knox took this big eight-pointer at 3:20 PM on opening day of the firearms season.

Luis Wilson of DeMotte took this great ten-pointer with his bow on public land on October 13.

Ryan Neal of Chesterton took a great ninepoint, Porter County buck with his bow.

Gone Afield monthly photo contest. . .

It’s EASY! It’s FUN! Fill out this form and send it in with your favorite outdoor photograph.

A winner will be randomly selected each month to win a great outdoor prize!

Entry Information: Person submitting the photo: Name(s) of person(s) pictured: Other information describing the photo: If I’m selected as this month’s random winner, please send my prize to:

Send your photos to: Gone Afield P.O. Box 1022 Chesterton, IN 46304 E-mail submissions welcome at: www.submit@raghorn.com If mailing photos, please include a SASE if you’d like us to return them to you 10-year-old Jacob Adams of Connersville took this great tenpointer while hunting in Fayette County.

CONTEST RULES: Raghorn, Inc. shall retain the right to publish or not publish any images submitted in any of it’s media outlets. Winners chosen at random. Prizes are subject to change and contest may cease without notice.

December, 2009 Edition

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A Marketplace for the Outdoor Enthusiast!

World Class Fly Fishing Steelhead Steelhead •• Salmon Salmon •• Trout Trout •• Bass Bass • • • •

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December, 2009 Edition

Stupid Deer Alert!

The Last Thought MIKESCHOONVELD It’s here! Last month I received the first news release from an official agency warning to watch out for deer on the highways since we are now reaching peak season for car/deer accidents to occur. I get these news-bits every fall, just as regularly as receiving income tax forms in December or credit card bills each month.

Not that it’s not good advice.

Bashing a deer with the front end of your vehicle is never a good idea. It’s bad for the car and worse for the deer.

Many of these newsreminders include reasons for late-autumn being an accidentprone time for deer and one of the reasons often tallied claims “hunters are active and often chase deer across busy highways.”

Blame it on the hunters? I certainly won’t offer the opinion hunters don’t ever chase deer

across roads. I’m sure it happens. But a prioritized check list of reasons for deer to be more active at this season and increasingly prone to running across busy highways would have to show “chased by hunters” way down near the bottom.

Truth is, the number one reason should pin the blame squarely on stupid deer. Deer behavior is dictated by instinctive knowledge and learned knowledge.

Instinctive knowledge is brainpower born into each animal.

All animals have instincts.

Ducks instinctively fly south each year. Rabbits instinctively hide out in briar patches. Deer instinctively know to flee when they smell a wolf on their trail.

Humans and deer have coexisted for eons so deer may even instinctively know to lay low when they smell a human on their trail.

But deer don’t have any instinctive fear of automobiles or highways. Instinctive wisdom becomes ingrained into a species’ brain over vast time periods.

Motorized vehicles and deer have only coexisted for a hundred years or so. A century is a dot in time compared to “vast.”

Most deer live in areas where there are plenty of roads and plenty of vehicles on the roads.

Most deer don’t get run down so it

goes to show most deer do learn to avoid being hit on the highway. How? They learn it the same way you and I learned to look both ways before crossing the street and probably from the same teacher -- their mom.

Fawns are born in mid-spring and spend the summer and early fall following their mothers.

During this time they are protected by their mother’s learned behavior, and they learn from it - at least the smart ones do.

Come November, however, the lessons are over. Moms are no longer in the parenting mode.

Their attention is instinctively diverted into breeding, feeding and laying on fat for the winter.

The youngsters aren’t so intent on keeping up with mom, either.

Just as a teenage human “feels” like an adult, a 6-month old deer is often inclined to head out on its own.

So what lessons did the young deer learn? If deer/vehicle crash statistics are correct, a number of the youngsters didn’t ace that part of their education.

But stupid deer aren’t the only cause for the spike in accidents. Let’s add habitat changes.

Autumn is the harvest season, as well as the time of year all the leaves fall off the trees.

Corn is king throughout

This 6-month old buck didn't learn mama's lessons about roads. Photo provided. most of Indiana. To a deer, what’s a cornfield? Deer are only 3 or 4 feet tall and corn is twice that tall. To a deer, a cornfield is a forest -- and each of the trees in the forest has a tasty bite of nutritious food hanging on it. Deer are happy as a clam living in a corn-forest.

When the combine combs through the field, the forest is chopped down and the food is mostly gone. The habitat is destroyed. The deer move -- perhaps to a nearby woodland, perhaps to the next field -- but in either case, the farming activity

has the deer on the move.

In areas where cornfields are scarce, falling leaves change secure habitats into open, insecure areas. The deer, again, are on the move.

Then there is the love connection. Fall is the breeding season and the activity associated with finding, wooing and mating puts deer on the move, day and night.

So where are the hunters?

They are out there, for sure, but not chasing deer out onto the highways. Deer do that mostly all on their own.

December, 2009 Edition

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