Indiana Outdoor News

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

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Vol. 2010 • Number 12 Like ION in print? Like us on

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

December, 2010

INDIANA DEER HARVEST ESTIMATES REMAIN HIGH

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

LATE SEASON DEER PAGE 7

PHEASANT HUNTING PAGE 15

ION STAFF REPORT -While harvest numbers for this year’s firearms season are not yet available, DNR deer biologist Chad Stewart says Indiana is on track for another record or near-record season.

“With the dry fall we had, the corn harvest was vastly accelerated compared to last year, which means less potential cover for deer”, said Stewart. “I anticipate a record or near-record harvest, and obviously, the firearms season is a major component of that harvest.”

While an early harvest has helped bowhunters and firearms hunters alike so far this season, the weather has cooperated as well.

As with last year, favorable weather conditions were present during opening weekend of this year’s firearms season -- a factor which historically points to an increased number of hunters afield and good hunter success.

Favorable weather conditions were a factor in hunters

killing 35,898 deer on the opening weekend of firearms season in 2009, an increase of more than 4,700 over the first two days of the 2008 firearms season, when a weather system went through on opening day bringing rain, sleet, and freezing rain to much of the state.

Aside from good weather on opening weekend, weather conditions were generally favorable throughout much of this year’s firearms season -- a factor expected to boost overall deer harvest numbers even further.

Preliminary reports from hunters and check stations indicate good hunter success during firearms season throughout most areas of the state.

Harvest composition on opening weekend is typically an approximate 60:40 split favoring antlered deer, but more antlerless deer are typically harvested than antlered deer by the end of the firearms season. It is too early to tell if this season’s antlered deer harvest is up or down.

COHOS STOCKED IN INDIANA WATERS OF ST. JOE RIVER

THE GHOST BUCK PAGE 16

GONE AFIELD PAGE 17

TRAPLINE PIKE PAGE 18

DNR REPORT -Indiana DNR stocked approximately 11,000 coho salmon into the St. Joseph River near Veterans Memorial Park in South Bend in late November.

The coho salmon were the first produced and stocked into the St. Joseph River by Indiana since the trout and salmon stocking program began on the river in 1984.

The fish were part of a small surplus that was recognized after the completion of stocking into Trail Creek and the Little Calumet River, where 242,000 coho salmon were stocked from Bodine and Mixsawbah State Fish Hatchery.

The fish put into the St. Joe were approximately 6 inches in length and will migrate to Lake Michigan after a short time in the river.

Brian Breidert, Indiana’s Lake Michigan biologist said he is pleased to add this species to the St. Joe program. “I feel we will see benefits to the river anglers beginning a couple of years down the road, but we will also see some benefit to our Lake Michigan anglers as early as the spring of 2012, since coho salmon congregate each spring in southern Lake Michigan.”

Breidert said the Lake

Coho salmon like this one return to their stocking locations during the fall after 2-3 years spent in Lake Michigan. ION photo.

Michigan stocking team had been looking at adding coho to the St. Joe program since early spring.

“Plans are underway to add this species to our suite of stockings into the future,” he said. “We have received support from local sport fishing groups such as the Michiana Steelheaders, Hoosier Coho Club as well as the Northwest Indiana Steelheaders just to name a few. There has been a decline in the past few years of our steelhead returns and the management team has been looking at reasons behind the declines but also looking toward another species to supplement our steelhead program while still maintaining our important Skamania brood stock program on the St. Joseph River”, Breidert stated.

Megan Smith Photo

WATCH THE WEATHER FOR QUALITY WATERFOWLING DNR REPORT -Indiana is about halfway through its various waterfowl seasons, and IDNR Waterfowl Biologist Adam Phelps says he expects this year’s overall waterfowl harvest numbers to be up over last year -- provided the weather cooperates.

Phelps said the low duck harvest numbers last year were most likely due to statewide bitter cold and frozen conditions during the heart of the South Zone's season.

“Duck breeding populations this spring were about the same as last year, with better water conditions on the prairies, so reproduction should have been good,” he said.

Phelps said that dry weather so far this season has concentrated birds in the places where there still is water, so hunters who can find marsh areas that have water should do well -- depending on the weather, of course.

The key to the number of waterfowl available, as in any other year, is the weather, specifically cold fronts from the north or northwest. “Those of us in the mid-latitude states are completely dependent on weather to push birds to us and not by us,” he said.

COMPLIMENTS OF:

Ducks Unlimited’s Northern Indiana Regional Director, Dave Neal, retrieves two healthy mallards during a recent hunt at Kankakee State Fish and Wildlife Area near North Judson. For more information on DU projects in Indiana, as well as upcoming DU events throughout the state, visit www.ducks.org/indiana.

Josh Lantz photo.

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December, 2010 Edition

A Tale of Two Duck Hunts

JOSHLANTZ It’s nice to have friends to pick us up and keep us on track.

Chris Jennings is an Indiana boy from Terre Haute who now lives in Memphis doing communications work for Ducks Unlimited. Chris knows my love for waterfowl hunting. He also knows the sad truth that I hadn’t been duck hunting since 2008.

Chris set-up a couple of hunts with Indiana DU staffers, Dave Neal and Jim Blitz, recently and insisted that I come along.

I’m so glad I did.

We enjoyed a couple of great mornings. The first was an openwater diver shoot on Lake Maxinkuckee. The second was a Ducks Unlimited Releases iPhone App Want to know the location of a Ducks Unlimited event in your area or an area you plan to visit? Ducks Unlimited has an app for that.

Want to identify waterfowl in the field through photos and sounds they make? DU has an app for that.

Need hunting and cooking tips, including more than 360 DU YouTube videos, along with sciencebased conservation information about wetlands and waterfowl? DU has an app for that too.

Ducks Unlimited’s official iPhone app features an extensive waterfowl ID gallery of photos and sounds for the most popular species of waterfowl in North America. The app also allows DU members to browse a state-by-state listing of all DU events across the country and provides a link for event details and contact information.

The DU iPhone app can be purchased through iTunes for $1.99. Proceeds from app sales will help fund DU’s mission.

For more information go to www.ducks.org/iphone app.

reserved hunt in the corn at Kankakee FWA. We shot a lot of birds on these two near-perfect outings, and I quickly remembered everything I was missing -the camaraderie with kindred spirits in the pre-dawn darkness; the sunrise; the joy of an awesome dog.

I can’t thank Chris, Dave and Jim enough. I cooked my birds on Thanksgiving and ate them with my family as appetizers.

They were delicious.

The whole experience inspired me to call my old waterfowling partner, Jay, two days later. We see each other regularly, but it had been over two years since we had hunted together.

Jay and I hit the 4:30 AM draw at Kankakee on a particularly cold and windy morning -- the kind of weather that brings down the ducks and brings out the duck

hunters. We drew number 66 of 66 hunting parties.

Lacking a blind at Kankakee, our backup plan involved putting out a mega-spread of 200-some decoys on an area lake to tempt the vast numbers of birds Jay and I were sure would be migrating that morning. We set the decoys out an hour after legal shooting light. It was eighteen degrees.

My waders leaked.

We sat until noon that day and didn’t see any migrating ducks. We saw a few local birds, but didn’t decoy a single duck or goose. The boat broke down while we were picking up our spread. The experience was certainly very different than the two hunts I’d experienced earlier that week -- yet much was exactly the same.

Honestly, I can’t say which I enjoyed more.

This months answers From Puzzle on Page 8

The Gift of Fishing

DU Communications Specialist, Chris Jennings, with a tasty pair of mallards. Josh Lantz photo.

We challenged ION readers last month to tell us the story of how they received the gift of fishing.

We received several great stories. Our winner was Angie Stanley from Chandler, IN. Read her story on page 11 .

Give the gift of hunting, trapping and fishing A new way of giving is available for lovers of the outdoors, with the option of purchasing gift certificates for Indiana hunting, trapping or fishing licenses.

You can purchase or redeem a gift certificate online at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/5330.htm, and at DNR properties that sell hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses. The gift certificates do not expire.

December, 2010 Edition

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Ducks Unlimited presents Gov. Daniels with conservation award LINTON -Ducks Unlimited presented Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels with a Conservation Leadership Award recognizing the governor’s efforts to make Indiana a leader in public land conservation. The award presentation took place at Goose Pond Fish and Wildlife Area during a celebration attended by conservationists to acknowledge the acquisition and ongoing restoration of the more than 8,000acre property. ”Long after no one can remember who was governor or what else got done in our era, Goose Pond and our other major projects will be there for the protection of Indiana’s natural beauty and the enjoyment of the Hoosiers who follow us,” Daniels said. “Of all the changes we’ve made and projects we’ve made happen, none will ever matter more to me.”

Goose Pond FWA had been drained and ditched for agricultural use during the beginning of the last century. Recent efforts have focused on restoring the once thriving wetland to high quality habitat.

The area has become a destination for birders who enjoy viewing an especially diverse list of species.

“The nice thing about working at Goose Pond is that we’re continuing to add productive acres for wildlife and people to enjoy,” Mike Sertle, Ducks Unlimited regional biologist, noted. “We’ve been working here for years, slowly restoring the area to a real showcase.”

Indiana DU State Chair Curt Lee gave remarks recognizing the value of partners in effectively delivering valuable habitat. He also discussed the Indiana PRIDE program (Putting Resources Into Ducks Everywhere) and the potential for local protection and restoration.

“The reason we can dedicate properties like Goose Pond is the commitment of so many partners to the task,” Lee said. “Without the combined resources of all of our partners and DU supporters, we wouldn’t be able to enhance this productive area. We benefit from the support of the governor, too. They’re all pieces in the conservation puzzle.”

DU partnered with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, the North American Wetlands Conservation Council and 11 other conservation partners to acquire and restore the property. The Goose Pond FWA was acquired through a North American Wetlands Conservation Act grant, and restored through both the Wetlands Reserve Program and additional smaller NAWCA grants.

With more than 6,000 acres of emergent, scrubshrub and forested wetlands and 2,000 acres of restored native prairie and hardwood forests, Goose Pond FWA is one of the premier conserva-

tion success stories in Indiana.

Among conservation efforts under Daniels’ leadership: • The state launched a major conservation initiative to acquire 43,000 acres of river corridor along 94 miles of the Wabash River and Sugar Creek in west central Indiana and another 26,000 acres along the Muscatatuck River in southern Indiana. Ducks Unlimited is a partner in the project.

• Protected more than 34,000 acres of sensitive habitat through the Indiana Heritage Trust program • Developed and opened the Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area near Terre Haute • Initiated a proposed land exchange between Camp Atterbury in Johnson County and land in Putnam County near the Putnamville Correctional Facility that will result in an additional 800 acres of recreational land for public use • Began cleanup of the Grand Calumet River’s West Branch in northwest Indiana Ducks Unlimited is the world's largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America's continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 12 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow, and forever.

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Pepsi on verge of giving $250,000 to HSUS? The country’s largest anti-hunting group, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), appears to be on the verge of getting a $250,000 grant from Pepsi Cola. The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) and others are working to inform Pepsi about HSUS’ true, animal rights agenda.

Pepsi will award $250,000 to the top two vote getters in an online grant program it developed to provide funding to a variety of projects.

Currently, HSUS is leading.

The program, called the Pepsi Refresh Program, was started in January of 2010. According the rules, it is: “an online grant program which makes available millions of dollars to be granted to projects which are intended to improve communities through an online, democratic voting process…”

Up to 1,000 ideas can be submitted each month by individuals, companies and non-profit organizations. Thirty-two of those ideas will be approved for funding based upon the number of votes received from registered online users. Of those thirty-two; two will receive $250,000 and ten each will receive grants of $5 thousand, $25 thousand, or $50 thousand.

The Pepsi Refresh Program rules indicate that no proposal seeking funding can involve lobbying for the changing of laws.

Consequently, the HSUS proposal that leads in the current round of voting claims its goal is to “rescue animals who are suffering from extreme neglect.”

However, as the USSA has argued many times, this simply frees up existing resources for HSUS to continue engaging in public policy battles. That means battles against sportsmen.

The USSA has drafted a letter to Pepsi describing HSUS’ history of standing against outdoor traditions and conservation funding.

Another group, the Animal Agriculture Alliance, which represents many farmers, has also sent a letter to Pepsi. Their letter describes the attacks HSUS has leveled against them.

“We are very concerned that Pepsi, like many other companies, has been misled about the real mission of HSUS,” said Doug Jeanneret, USSA vice president of marketing. “They believe the money will be to help animals when, in reality, the grant will merely free up HSUS to deploy their already vast resources to attack hunting, farming and most animal use. It is important that Pepsi hears from sportsmen and other responsible citizens about this group” Sportsmen nationwide should do two things in response to this situation: 1) register at the Pepsi Refresh Program website, www.refresheverything.com and vote for a more worthy proposal and; 2) contact Pepsi through their consumer phone number, 1-800-433-2652 or go to“Question or comment about the Pepsi Refresh Project” from the dropdown menu at the “Contact Us” page on pepsi.com. Please ask Pepsi Co. not to support the HSUS. Explain that HSUS is the number one anti-hunting organization in the United States and has opposed sportsmen on many issues for years. Tell them that if HSUS is successful with its agenda, hunting would be a thing of the past. Additionally, billions of dollars in wildlife conservation would be placed at risk due to the loss of the funding provided through the taxes paid by sportsmen on their gear.

Pass this message along to a friend and make sure they take action.

Also, ask any friends to join the battle today by signing up for the USSA’s NO COST Sentry Program!

Just visit www.ussportsmen.org/beasentry , register and they will begin receiving alerts just like this one.

Lifetime license holders asked to provide updated address information The DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife asks that lifetime license holders update their current mailing address in the DNR’s online license system.

If you possess a lifetime license of any type (basic fishing, basic hunting, trapping, comprehensive fishing, comprehensive hunting or comprehensive hunting and fishing) we need your current address. The DNR uses the lifetime license address database to communicate with license holders and select participants for wildlife surveys. These surveys help establish hunting seasons and bag limits, and help to monitor and properly manage the wildlife of Indiana.

Lifetime license holders can access and confirm or update their address and other information at www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/6315.htm through Dec. 15, or by following the steps in the table below.

Lifetime license holders without Internet access can call (317) 232-4200, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or call their area’s DNR Fish and Wildlife Regional Office (765) 473-9324; (219) 2852704; or (812) 789-2724 to update their information.

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® Volume 2010 • Number 12 Publisher: Brian E. Smith Assistant Publisher: Mark C. Smith Editor-in-Chief: Joshua D. Lantz Sportsmen’s Rights Editor: Rick Story Field Editor: John Martino, Central Indiana Field Photographer: Bill Konway Graphic Design: graphics@ION4U.net Office Manager: Shannon E. Smith 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 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© 2010

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December, 2010 Edition

Saint Joseph River Walleye Stocking on Hold

LOUIESTOUT Indiana officials decided to not stock walleyes in the St. Joseph River this year, but not all is lost.

The Michiana Walleye Association and the Indiana DNR have planted walleyes the past few years in the river between Elkhart and Mishawaka.

Biologist Neil Ledet says results of his spring and fall surveys indicate high survival of walleyes stocked last year and he doesn't want to overload the river with too many additional mouths to feed.

Compared to previous years, Ledet's 2010 spring assessment showed nearly triple the number of walleyes that survived the winter from last fall's stocking.

“If we get too many in there, we may put the steelhead and smallmouth at risk, so we decided to back off this year,” Ledet noted.

Nearly 15,000 6- to 8-inch walleyes were stocked by the DNR and MWA in October, 2010.

The fish were purchased from

Gollon Fish Farm, Dodgeville, Wisc. “The first winter is critical to the little fish,” Ledet said.

“The fact that so many survived bodes well for the fishery.”

Although the fish are planted upstream, walleyes are notorious for filtering over the dams and into other sections of the river.

That's why so many fish are caught below the Twin Branch dam and how the walleye population has spread throughout the river.

The concern this year, says Ledet, is that the young walleyes will compete for food with the young smallmouth and steelhead.

He doesn't believe skipping a year will impact severely given the strong survival of last year's plant.

A key reason those fish did so done well compared to earlier years is because the DNR and MWA purchased and stocked larger fish. Walleyes that the DNR previously acquired from Michigan were considerably smaller and survival was much lower, therefore they had to be stocked in higher numbers. When Michigan could no longer supply Indiana with fish, other sources were sought.

Ledet said other concerns entered into his decision. When I&M announced it would drop water levels to conduct repairs at the Twin Branch dam, he felt it

was prudent to not put the stocked fish at risk. The work was scheduled to be done around the time the walleyes would have to be planted.

“We had to make a decision when the fish were to be ordered in the summer, so I decided we'd best err on the side of caution,” he explained.

The good news is there should be another good stocking next year. Money the DNR receives annually from I&M has been bankrolled and earmarked for a fall of 2011 plant. That would include last year's money, next year's money and whatever the MWA can provide through its fund-raisers.

“Oh yes, we will definitely be kicking off fund-raisers for more fish starting Jan. 1,” said Barry Ukele, MWA member and one of its founders. “We have an ongoing project of collecting aluminum cans (for recycle) from our members and we'll be putting coin buckets out on the counters of area retailers.”

The club also will be soliciting donations from individuals, clubs and businesses.

Ledet said last year's fish are now averaging between 12 and 13 inches and will likely be of legal size (14 inches) by next summer.

“It appears as though they aren't growing as fast as they did in the early stocking years, but

they seem to be doing fine,” he explained.

Ledet said his shocking studies also turned up some older, larger walleyes but not as many as appeared a few years ago when stocking numbers were higher.

“Given all the problems we've encountered getting fish, the river walleye fishery is still doing well,” he added.

Ukele agrees. He said walleye

fishing on the river was better than expected last year despite the stocking cutbacks of a few years ago.

“I think it's going to improve now that we're putting in bigger fish and the survival rate is better,” he said. “Our club caught a lot of small fish this year which indicates the future is bright. And there were some big ones caught, too.”

Lead sinkers safe. . .

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced it is denying a petition that called for the ban of lead tackle in U.S. waters.

The EPA was petitioned in early August by a handful of environmental groups to ban lead nationally, which threatened the use of the majority of jigs and sinkers used by anglers.

In denying the petition, the EPA stated that petitioners did not demonstrate that “the requested rule was necessary to protect against an unreasonable risk of injury to health or the environment as required by the Toxic Substance Control Act.” Credit the American Sportfishing Association (ASA) for organizing anglers who wrote more than 43,000 letters to the EPA urging it deny the ban.

December, 2010 Edition

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Late Season Deer Tactics

T.R.MICHELS Although it was three in the afternoon when I stepped out of the warm Suburban, the cloudy sky and cold air reminded me it was late December as I headed to my stand. The stand was in a large oak along a deer trail that most of the bucks in the areas used as a rub route. I had noticed several scrapes along the trail during the November rut. Now, with the second breeding phase over, the scrapes were only a vague depression in the snow. I was sure the deer would still be using the trail however, because it led to the only field in three miles that still had standing corn, purposely left to feed the deer.

Before I got to my stand I knew I was too late. The big eight point buck was there. Although he was only an eight pointer he outweighed the aging ten point buck I saw standing near him by 50 pounds. The eight point buck would score about 150, the ten point would be just under 170.

Realizing there was no way I

could get near the field without alerting the deer I decided to sit and watch. Within minutes there were seventeen does and fawns in the corn, but neither of the bucks paid attention to any of them. I assumed they were all bred because I had seen both bucks chasing does in November. As I glassed the field I noticed an eleven point non-typical I had never seen before, although one of my hunters had taken a shot and missed the buck while it was chasing a doe in late November.

winds make it difficult for deer to hear properly, and if the deer are in wooded areas the wind blows scent around, bouncing it off trees, making it difficult to determine the source of the scent. In most areas wind-speeds between 10 and 20 miles per hour make deer nervous and cause them to stay in protected areas, or seek areas where there is less wind.

Deer in the plains states, where wind speeds often average 15 miles per hour are more tolerant of high winds than woodland deer.

Temperature & Wi n d In the Midwest, when the temperature, dewpoint or windchill drop below 20 degrees, deer movement is often restricted to heavy cover, downwind sides of hills, low lying, or other protected areas where deer can escape wind-chills. My research indicates that wind-chill is the determining factor in deer movement.

Although I often saw deer during the day when temperatures were above 20 degrees I rarely saw deer in the open when wind speeds reduced 20 degree temperatures to wind-chills below 20 degrees. It doesn't take much of a wind to create a low wind-chill. A five mile per hour wind at 20 degrees produces a 16 degree wind-chill. A ten mile an hour wind at 20 degrees produces a 4 degree windchill.

High wind-speeds also decrease deer movement. Strong

Food When food sources are scarce, especially after agricultural crops have been harvested, grazing plants have been depleted and mast and berries are gone, deer are forced to rely primarily on browse. If other preferred food sources are available deer will use them until they are depleted, then search for another source. Limited food sources in late fall/early winter often concentrate the deer - including older trophy class bucks -- on the food sources.

Post Rut Bucks Although early winter creates harsh conditions in Indiana with low temperatures, rain and snow, it is one of the few times during the year when bucks carrying trophy racks may be seen together.

Because the rut is over the bucks are no longer antagonistic toward each other, and they often begin

Brent Wheat of Lebanon took this tall 8-pointer during the firearms season in Boone County. Photo provided. to reform the bachelor groups they were in before the rut. They are also in search of high quality foods in order to gain back the weight they lost during the rut.

This combination of factors provides late season hunters the opportunity to see several bucks,

including some that are trophy class, together on a regular basis.

The Right Area The key to hunting late sea-

Continued on Pg. 20

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December, 2010 Edition

December, 2010 Edition

JIMBIDDLE I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving. Wasn’t that nap great after eating that turkey dinner with all the trimmings?

I have to admit in November my thoughts stray from fishing and I head to the woods to get some venison for the freezer. I dropped a ten pointer earlier this season and my grandson, Jacob, shot a doe. As I write this, the season is nearing an end and I am hopeful my grandson and I will get a couple more and fill the freezer to the brim.

We are getting into the time of year when fishing requires some fortitude, as the weather in December is a whole lot different than the weather in July. I know many of you are looking forward to some ice fishing. Well, the time for that is just around the corner. In the meantime, get out there in the open water and hook what you can. This report should help you with the whats, wheres, whens and hows.

Lake Michigan Glen Tagewski at Mik-Lurch Tackle in Hammond says perch

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are hot at the hole-in-wall out of Pastrick Marina, off the reef at the Port of Indiana and at Cal Park near the state line. These perch are going for large fatheads and baby roaches.

Walleye are coming on strong at Wolf Lake. Use a size 8 or 10 Rapala Husky Jerk. Crappie seem to be hitting everywhere.

Salt Creek and the Little Cal are producing steelhead on spawn, shrimp and spinners.

Horse Shoe Bend near LaCrosse is still providing some good fishing.

North Central Indiana Dave Garber at Ye Old Tackle Box in North Webster reports hot crappie action in the area.

Musky are starting to provide some good action on Webster, The big and little Tippy and the Barbie Chain. Wawasee is a good bet for perch and crappie.

Dave says the action should only get better as the water continues to cool.

Smokey’s Wawasee Landing in Syracuse may not be open but they have bait outside 24/7 available on the honor system.

Central Indiana Ed McCalla at the Bait Barn in Indianapolis tells me the bluegill and catafish are providing most of the action in the area. You can still get crappies using a minnow.

To take the catfish, use night crawlers or shad guts. If you want the bluegills, use bemoths or red wigglers. The hot spotss are by the dam on Geist, upper Fall Creek and on the White River behind the stadium.

Northwest Indiana Penny Boisvert wants to remind everybody that Greenwood Bait Shop will be closed until March 1st .

Jessica Waller from A & L Tackle in North Judson tells me there is a good crappie bite on Maxinkuckee.

Jessica says they’re using a night crawlers on a jig for the best walleye action.

Saint Joseph River Dick Parker from Parker’s Central Bait & Tackle says fishing has been quite slow on the river. You might get a little walleye action, but it is kind of hit or miss. Dick says things will probably stay slow until we get ice.

East Central Indiana Ed Gipson at Peacepipe Bait & Tackle at Andrews tells me the crappie and catfish are hitting just about everywhere. Fish around stumps and brush with a minnow or jig for the crappies.

The water level is pretty low and the only usable boat ramp is the Dora ramp.

South East Indiana Tag Nobbe at Brookville

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Lake Guide Services in Brookville tells me the fishing is pretty much the same as last month -- good. The crappies are hitting on jigs and minnows.

The walleyes like blade baits and spoons. The striped bass are taking shiners or chub minnows and they are taking some catfish on blade baits as well. The large and smallmouth are still biting well.

Sounds like Brookville is the lake to be on this month.

West Central Indiana Terry Rains at Twin Lakes Fish & Game says crappie are hitting minnows and the small and largemouth bass are taking crank baits. Your best bet is to fish below the Norway Dam and in Lake Shafer near the big monon ditch.

Southwest Indiana Dedra Hawkins from the Fishin Shedd in Bloomington says to fish around the underwater structures if you want crappie or bluegill. Crappies always go for minnows, but they also seem to go for chartreuse jigs.

Bluegill still like those red wigglers and bee moths.

Try trolling a night crawler to hook yourself a wiper. The walleyes and wipers are moving into the shallows, so that’s where you

December can be a great muskie month. Bud Cameron of Fort Wayne caught this nice tiger muskie last month, although he’s not saying where. We’re thinking a certain small lake in Noble County? Photo provided. need to fish.

Well, here we are at the end of another year. I hope it was good for you and yours. This is probably a good time to dig out all your ice fishing gear and get ready, as it won’t be long before we have ice. I hope you have enjoyed my columns this past year and remember what Ol’ JB always says at this time, “Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

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December, 2010 Edition

Eliminate Torque and Become a Better Archer

BABEWINKELMAN How do you make consistently accurate shots with your bow?

By being consistent. Which means having the same anchor point, release and follow through every time. However, sometimes even the world's best shooters become inconsistent, and two of the main reasons are torque and imperfect anchor.

Torque in archery means tension imparted by the bow hand on the handle of the bow, which basically “twists” the weapon.

Holding a bow too tightly can create torque. The looser the grip, the less possibility for unwanted torque.

When it comes to anchor point, it's absolutely critical that the release hand and bowstring come back to the same exact position every time. If it's even a fraction of an inch off, it can effect the placement of your arrow.

Something as simple as wearing gloves vs. not wearing them can change your anchor point.

These inconsistencies might not seem very noticeable in shots ranging from 10-20 yards. The

misses might only be a couple dot. After you get your bow set up your pin on the target and release! inches off the mark. “Still a dead perfectly for your size, anchor deer” you'll say. But when you point, shooting style, etc., that If you do this with an I.Q. sight have the same torque or anchor black dot should appear in the and make a smooth release, your inconsistency at 30-40 yards, the dead center of the green lens. shots will be perfect - whether misses grow exponentially and Torque your bow even the slight- they're from 10 yards or 100. can result in non-lethal shots on est bit; or deviate from your Does it take practice? Naturally it does. Being proficient animals. Stretch out with a bow and arrow those shots to 50-60 requires dedication to yards and shooting practice. Now, with an inconsistency can I.Q. sight, you are mean missing your assured that you're target by feet rather practicing in the than inches. And this RIGHT way! During is with a bow that's your time at the range, perfectly tuned and taking a quick look at sighted in! the Retina Lock quickNever before has ly becomes automatic. there been a way to You won't even think register whether about it. In a very you're exerting short amount of time, unwanted torque or you'll learn how you practicing inconsiswere imparting torque tent anchoring. Now on your bow and will there is, and it's built train yourself to stop. right into a bowsight.

To easily underThe sight is called the stand the effects of I.Q., and it has what this torque, do this… the inventors call At full draw, purposely “Retina Lock A l i g n m e n t Duane Hensley took this great 11-pointer with his bow at torque your bow while keeping your pin on Technology.” It helps Winamac FWA on November 9. Photo provided. target. Pay attention put you in perfect to your arrow. You'll shooting alignment on every shot, which will dramat- anchor position in any way; and see how it tweaks one way or ically improve your proficiency the dot will stray away from cen- another. This proves there is and increase your effective shoot- ter (or disappear completely). more to accurate shooting than a ing range with a bow & arrow!

This means stop! Don't release properly placed pin! Torque is the Retina Lock is a small round that arrow! Relax your bow hand enemy. And, something as simple “lens” mounted above the sight to eliminate any torque… achieve as reducing your grip pressure can pins. It glows green when you your perfect anchor… and when eliminate bow hand torque.

Most of us practice on a look at it at full draw. Within that that black dot is centered in the green lens is a “floating” black green “Retina Lock,” then put range or in the backyard under

perfect conditions, lightly dressed. Yet we hunt in cold weather wearing bulky clothes and gloves and shoot from awkward positions after sitting for hours and with adrenaline pulsing through our veins. This can affect our torque and anchor point, which both affect accuracy as I've already said. I.Q.'s Retina Lock provides instant feedback that alerts you to imperfect alignment under all shooting conditions.

Just center the dot before the shot!

Since using my new I.Q. sight, my shooting form has improved dramatically. I'm more consistent than I've ever been and am more confident on longer shots. This season, that means I can take more shot opportunities than I felt comfortable with in the past. If you want to improve your shooting and get more chances at animals from greater distances, then eliminate hand torque on your bow and train yourself to come to the same anchor point on every shot. The new I.Q. sight will help you do it!

Good Hunting!

Babe Winkelman is a nationallyknown outdoorsman who has taught people to fish and hunt for nearly 30 years. Watch his awardwinning “Good Fishing” and “Outdoor Secrets” television shows on Versus, Fox Sports Net and many local networks. Visit www.winkelman.com for air times where you live.

December, 2010 Edition

THE GIFT OF FISHING Four years ago I got a crazy idea to move out to the country.

My husband, as always, went along with my newest venture, so we moved one mile away from a fish and wildlife reserve. Soon after, I decided we needed a few horses. Again, my husband went along and saddled up. We needed a bigger barn; my husband built us one. I wanted an Alpaca; he went with me to pick up the strange beast. I bought an old john boat to go explore the lakes; my husband made it sea worthy.

The lakes around us are beautiful, wildlife abundant, and my lovely herons are always standing majestically in the shallows.

When I saw fishermen I would always think, “I just don’t get it, that looks horribly boring and a waste of time”.

I was five years old the first time I went fishing.

My dad took me along and he sure did catch a big one! She weighed forty pounds, had little piggy tails and was hooked in the eyelid. Needless to say, I believe that was the last time my dad ever took me fishing.

Even though I didn’t like to fish, I couldn’t wait to get that little boat in the water and go explore. My husband threw in a couple old fishing poles and a small tackle box just in case we might like to cast a few lines on our adventure. After several times out on the lakes, I still hadn’t caught one single fish. See? A waste of time, indeed.

So there began another goal, to catch a fish. My husband knew the basics of fishing. He taught me how to tie on the hook and how to cast, but still there were

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Fishing Wins Every Time no fish hopping into our little green boat.

I talked to someone who gave me a few tips on lures and so we went again with our “special” lures, fancier tackle box and new obsession. After about three casts it happened; I got that tug, that feeling, that adrenaline rush as it splashed and fought, and in amazement I reeled in a six pound bass! It was my first fish ever and wow, was I excited.

Suddenly, I got it. I understood why those fishermen were out there; why when everyone else was sitting on the couch watching television, they were at the water’s edge. They were patiently sitting there waiting for that tug, that heart racing anticipation, that prize on the other end of their line.

Now, after I have cooked dinner I have a dilemma. Shall I wash dishes or go fishing?

Fishing wins every time.

My husband and I have spent countless hours on the water since that first fish. We have fished until 2 in the morning, in 100 degree weather, in the rain, in the mud, and most definitely on every full moon since late spring.

I have braved bats, seaweed, wind, and mosquitoes for our new sport. We have upgraded our poles, our reels, our tackle, and even our boat. After we catch a fish, it gets a quick measure, weighed, a photo, then released back into the water.

Fishing has brought a new set of goals for me. I want to be more diverse in the type of fish I catch. So far, I’ve caught bluegill, catfish, and my favorite, the large mouth bass. I would love

Story By

Angie Stanley

Angie Stanley shows a nice bass caught from her “Little Green Boat”. Angie was selected by Indiana Outdoor News editors as the winner of our “Gift of Fishing” story competition, as introduced in our November issue. We think Angie looks great in her designer shades, but a serious angler needs serious fishing glasses. Angie will receive a brand new pair of Costas courtesy of Costa Del Mar sunglasses for sharing her great story with our readers. Did you miss out on sharing your story? No worries. Go to www.costadelmar.com and submit your story on their Scrapbook link. to hook into a muskie. I’ve been trying to catch a crappie this fall to no avail. I think a picture of me with a 50 pound blue cat would be pretty nice, and those carp hiding in the Ohio River seem to be calling my name too. I’m sure my husband will help me achieve those goals and much more.

I would have to say fishing may be one of the best gifts my husband has ever given me. It takes a special man to take his wife fishing. He has unbelievable patience with me. He has helped

untangle my line, bait my hook, and even given up his side of the bank when the fish were biting better over there. He never got angry when I’d rock the boat too much, lost his fish due to my horrible netting skills, or even when I had to cut the line on his brand new lure. When I look over at him staring into the water quietly waiting for that next tug, I know I am the luckiest woman in the world.

My husband took me fishing.

The author’s husband, Chad Stanley with a nice bass.

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December, 2010 Edition

The Rites o

By T.R. Michels

W

hen you hit fifty you realize that life is catching up with you. You begin to wonder if you can still make it anymore. How many more days will you be able to get up at 3 AM? How many more mornings will you spend in anticipation, waiting for the sound of a tom turkey echoing down the canyon, or the bugle of a bull elk on the next mountain.

How many more evenings will you wait for a bear or a whitetail buck to appear out of the woods?

How many more mornings will there be spent listening to the

sounds of the forest awakening around you; the small stirrings as the woods come to life; the tapping of a downy woodpecker in the oak, looking for it's first meal of the day; the questioning call of a chickadee; the scolding of a blue or Steller's jay; the call of a cardinal and a squirrel rustling leaves or throwing pine cones down from the top a spruce tree.

You begin to wonder how long the hearing will hold out.

How long will the eyes that have served you so well still be able to pick out the flick of a deer's ear in the dim light of a fall morning?

How long will you still be able to see an elk at the forest edge a mile away, or a pronghorn, scarcely visible on the prairie?

Then one day something wonderful happens. You have a new set of eyes and ears, a new appreciation of everything around you. You have a new hunting partner.

He doesn't have the experience you have, or the memories you have, but he stirs the old memories in you, a hunting partner like so many hunters before you have had. Not a friend or a dog but something much more wonderful, a son or daughter.

When my son Dallas turned five he went on his first goose hunt. The geese didn't fly that day but he had fun playing in the "tunnel" between the cornrows. Just like I did when I was his age. To

me a cornfield is a place to hunt pheasants. Or to hunt geese after it has been picked. To him it is a fort where uncertain heroes and villains reside.

We set out a hundred decoys in family groups and faced them into the wind. He asked about the worn Remington 1148 I was using and wondered when he could have his own goose call. I gave him one of my old calls. The sky was clear, the wind didn't blow and we didn't even see a goose.

Still he had fun in his fort. I was hoping to shoot a goose so he could experience the thrill of the hunt, so he would understand one of the reasons we were there.

The next hunt was for ducks.

Before the hunt he helped me check the decoys for broken cords and lost weights, and we patched a few holes He made me promise to wake him up early for hunting the next morning. He helped pull the canoe through the jungle of cattails on the way to the slough.

He dug excitedly into the decoy bag as I threw the blocks into the water and he laughed when the young lab jumped overboard and got tangled in the decoys.

He was proud of his new camouflage outfit, an old Hodgeman raincoat with sleeves rolled up and pockets that reached to his knees. He felt pretty important when told he was in charge of the dog so it wouldn't jump back in the water and mess up the decoys.

Again nothing flew and nothing

December, 2010 Edition

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f Passage was shot. He got a little more impatient this time, asking the age-old question, "Is it time to go home yet?" and "When are you going to shoot something?" That was the extent of his hunting the first year.

The next year I took him with me on the first day of day of the goose season. I had sixteen hunters going out with three guides. He played with the Labradors, set out the decoys (reminding me to face them into the wind) and he made some new friends. By this time he had learned to use his goose call and he helped bring in the first flock of geese to the decoys. As the geese swung low there was a pounding of guns and he watched in amazement as they fell. "Dad, they dropped right out of the sky!" he said.

I watched as he tried to drag a ten pound goose into the alfalfa so he could get his picture taken with the hunters. He had finally seen something get shot and we had some meat to take home. Now he understood what we were doing, why we hunted. I felt his excitement and it made me happy, even made me feel young again.

I began to remember my hunting experiences. The first duck I remember being shot landed in the canoe I still use many years later. When my dad fired, the hen mallard crumpled and plummeted from the sky, almost taking my head off as it landed six

inches behind me. Even at five you're not likely to forget such and experience.

I remember the excitement of opening the box of Herter's decoys Dad got for Christmas. I helped tie the cords to the decoys and the strap weights to the cords. I remember sitting on Dad's shoulders as he sloshed through the cattails and "loonstuff" with a gunny sack full of decoys in one hand and the automatic in the other.

The next year he went scouting with me for the archery deer season. There were still too many leaves on the trees, and the wind was blowing too hard, but I had promised, so we went anyhow. We didn't see any deer and because we were scouting nothing was shot.

He did learn how to walk quietly through the woods and whisper when he wanted to say something. he learned to recognize the tracks of deer, fox, rabbit and raccoon. I pointed out deer droppings and he saw his first rub and scrape. I showed him how the deer walked inside the first row of corn or skirted the edge of the meadow, just inside the trees. I showed him a trail crossing and where the deer stand was, and I explained why the stand was in that particular location.

Later that year he sat on a stand with me as a big eight point buck followed the does into the cornfield, and he watched in amazement as I blew a fawn dis-

tress call and a doe left her fawns to come to our stand to investigate. He was there when I brought the first deer home that year. He held the legs while I skinned the animal, explaining how to hold the knife and pull the skin away from the carcass as I went. I showed him where the different glands where and told him how they were used by the deer. Then he watched as we pan fried the back straps in butter. Later that night he enjoyed his first taste of venison.

I realized that I was teaching him and he was learning, but not just to hunt. He was learning to understand the ways of nature, learning how animals survive, where they eat, sleep and drink. he learned that we don't hunt during the summer so that the young animals have a chance to mature and why we don't over harvest so that we leave animals for the future. He was learning to respect nature and the animals, and the laws that govern them, both natural and manmade.

He also learned to enjoy hunting for the same reason I did.

He made new friends and enjoyed their company and their experiences. He learned to enjoy the sport of hunting because it brought him closer to nature and the Great Creator. And he learned to enjoy sharing his hunting experiences with his new friends.

He learned that hunting is not about shooting something, it

is about love of nature, sharing and tradition -- a tradition that has been passed on from father to son from the beginning of time; the rites of passage.

I'd like to thank my father and my son for sharing nature, and their hunting experiences with me. I hope it's something we never lose. Thanks Dad, thanks Son. This article is an excerpt from the book Musings and Memories; A Hunter's Thoughts by T. R .

Michels. For a catalog of books and other hunting products contact: T.R. Michels, Trinity Mountain Outdoors, E-mail: TRMichels@yahoo.com, Web Site: www.TRMichels.com.

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One of the biggest wildlife crimes is poaching.

Most poaching is not done by someone trying to feed a hungry family.

Many poachers are out for monetary gain. Unbelievably, there is a market for trophy proportion antlers for people that want to claim that they harvested a trophy deer.

Some poachers are hunters that get caught up in antler envy and feel they must harvest a bigger rack to prove their hunting ability. A few poachers are in it for the thrill.

The excitement of clandestine urban and rural hunting smacks of special ops missions. It is like a video game to them, only there are real ramifications for their actions.

In 2008 the deer herds around Little York, Indiana were being decimated by poachers.

Countless deer carcasses were being found, most of which were missing their antlers with the meat left to rot. Sometimes the deer were shot in urban areas.

Some of the poachers were so bold as to kill the deer while feeding in residents’ yards at night.

“It was amazing some of the places these kids were going,” Gary told me. “They were doing it late at night when most folks were in bed.” In many cases the shot was never heard above the summer sounds of air conditioners running or TVs playing, coupled with having all the windows closed. Even if a shot was heard, there rarely was a second shot,

INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS ®

and the event was soon forgotten.

The Indiana Conservation Officers working the case finally got a break when a concerned citizen called in on the poaching hotline 1-800-TIPIDNR. Using the information from the tip, ICOs Gary Pennington and Jim Hash set up surveillance on the home of one of the major suspects. Their fear was the suspects would dispose of the evidence. Staying into the morning hours with no action, they finally located and questioned several of the individuals believed to be involved. As they interviewed the suspects, one started confessing and the scope of the deer slaughter became staggering.

The poachers were a party of a dozen juveniles and young adults ranging in age from 13 to 1 9 . “A couple of them were going out on a nightly basis poaching deer,” Gary said. “The one boy had supposedly killed over fifty deer himself that one summer.”

Peer pressure was one of the main motivators to recruit new poachersto the ring. The two or three main instigators would talk their friends, both boys and girls, into spotlighting deer with them.

Traveling about Scott, Washington, and Harrison Counties at night, the juveniles would shoot the deer using a relatively quiet .17 WMR caliber rifle. “Honestly, some of the kids had done enough poaching that they were very good shots.”

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The Little York Poachers ALANGARBERS If the poachers felt safe and the deer dropped quickly, they would cut off the rack as a trophy, and then leave the area quickly.

If the deer ran off to die or they felt in danger of being discovered, the juveniles would leave and look for easier prey. “We found numerous dead bucks that they couldn’t find,” Gary told me.

“They were afraid of someone calling in on them and getting caught.”

The fear of getting caught just added to the excitement of the poaching. “The biggest reason for doing it was the adrenaline rush,” Gary said.

Along with confessing, one of the poachers led the ICOs to the areas where much of their poaching had been done. As a result, they found many more deer carcasses, but not all of them.

“We knew there were other deer that were killed that we couldn’t locate,” Gary said. “We photographed the carcasses we could find and cut off the racks as evidence.”

The total number of deer killed was shocking. “We recovered a total of thirteen deer racks from one of the main instigators of the poaching party,” Gary said.

“After getting a confession from one boy, we seized a mounted deer rack from his bedroom wall that

he had poached the year before.”

Since most of the poachers were juveniles and they cooperated with the investigation, only one spent a day in jail. The rest received probation and small fines. In most cases like this, any firearms used would be confiscated, but like everything about this case, there was another twist. “Yes, we did seize the .17 cal. rifle but it was given back to the subject by court order!”

Amazingly, while devastating our wild resources, some of the teenagers had higher aspira-

December, 2010 Edition

tions. “The funny thing about it was that two of them wanted to have careers as Indiana Conservation Officers,” Gary laughed. “One even asked if this was going to affect his chances at becoming one.”

Who knows? Crazier things have happened.

Indiana Conservation Officers, both active and retired, are encouraged to contact the author at agarb84@bpl.coop with their own true stories from behind the badge.

December, 2010 Edition

OUTDOOR DESTINATIONS

INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS ®

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Father and Son Help Others Enjoy the Outdoors at Bremen Hunt Club

Another enjoyable hunt at Backwoods Preserve. Photo provided.

Lee Fritz started hunting when he was eight-years-old. “I would follow my dad into the woods and, as commanded, I would not make a sound”, recalls Lee, who has since hunted big game all over the North American Continent and even worked for seven years as a Colorado hunting guide. “My dad taught me the skills I needed to become a great hunter”, he says.

Charlie Fritz, Lee’s father, has hunted for over 50 years, and treasures the fond memories of countless hunts from Alaska to Vermont -- many of which were spent with Lee. In 1999, the father and son Fritz duo started Backwoods Preserve near Bremen in order to offer a quality pheasant hunting location and experience in Northern Indiana.

With approximately 400 acres, 300 of which consist of natural grasslands and woods, Backwoods Preserve offers upland hunting enthusiasts enjoyable yet challenging wingshooting for fast-flying pheasants and chukars. Guided and non-guided

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hunts are available, depending on one’s preference. Bring your own dog, or treat yourself to a hunt behind one of the preserve’s expertly-trained pointers or flushing dogs.

One of the best things about a preserve hunt at Backwoods is that it extends hunting, shooting and dog training opportunities beyond the specific season dates specified by the State of Indiana for hunting wild birds or even putand-take hunts on state properties. “This year’s Indiana pheasant hunting season is November 5 through December 19”, says Fritz. “But the preserve hunting season runs from September 1 through April 30, which gives folks a full 8 months to come out and enjoy a hunt”, he continues.

The benefits and opportunities associated with a preserve hunt are many. Early in the season, it is a great way to hone your shooting skills for all of your upcoming fall hunting seasons.

It is also a great way to get your dog into peak hunting condition.

Later in the season -- say January through March -- a preserve hunt

becomes one of the best ways to shake off cabin fever. “There aren’t many real sporting opportunities during these months”, says Fritz. “Getting outside and shooting some birds for the freezer can be great therapy”.

Whatever time of year you choose, upland hunting preserves are great places to introduce kids or new hunters or shooters to a real hunting experience in a safe and controlled environment.

Backwoods Preserve is no different. As a matter of fact, Lee and Charlie have held several organized youth hunts through the years. Be sure to check their website or give them a call to find out when the next one will take place, Another benefit of preserve hunts concerns the number and type of birds you can take home for the freezer. Bag limits don’t apply to upland hunting preserves, and you pay for your hunt by the bird. Backwoods Preserve offers many different combination hunts for pheasant and chukar. You can choose a single species or go after them all. For a nominal fee of only $2 per bird, the Backwoods staff will even clean and bag your birds at the end of the day.

Backwoods Preserve can accommodate hunting parties of as few as two and as many as ten hunters. Looking for a truly challenging and unique hunt for a larger group of up to 20? Ask about Backwoods’ European-style tower shoots. These challenging shoots will test the ability of even the most skilled shooters.

Just as Charlie Fritz made time to take Lee hunting, Lee is

By Lance Davidson

Backwoods Preserve Co-Owner Lee Fritz (L) and son, Cody, with Cody’s big tom from this past spring. Lee and his father, Charlie (not pictured) started Backwoods Preserve in 1999 to offer quality pheasant hunting in Northern Indiana in a preserve setting. Photo provided. now experiencing the joys of taking his own kids afield. Daughter Cassidy, age 6, is still a bit young, but Lee’s son Cody, 9, took his first turkey this spring.

Lee is also taking Cody deer hunting this fall. “My kids may or may not choose to make hunting their careers, but I hope to give them all the same opportunities

my dad gave me”, says Fritz.

Unlike some upland hunt clubs that require membership, Backwoods Preserve is open to the public. Hunting takes place through the end of April. For more information, go to www.backwoodspreserv e . c o m.

Call 574-298-3831 to book your hunt.

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BIG BUCK PROFILE Halloween 2009 was a day Aaron Ault will never forget. He got a treat lasting much longer than any bag full of candy.

It was on that day he arrowed a bruiser whitetail buck sporting a field-dressed weight of 251 pounds. That's not mentioning the mammoth body carried a rack sprouting 10-massive points scoring 176 inches of antler.

This isn't just large, it's record book big.

Growing up in Galveston northwest of Kokomo, Ault has hunted since he was able to. A three season sportsman, he prefers the challenge of deer hunting with his bow. “It's more up close and personal and the weather can be downright beautiful,” he stated. “I love being in the woods during the early archery season.”

The fact he took his biggest buck ever on Halloween caught the attention of Field and Stream Magazine. The national, monthly publication is considered the Holy Grail for outdoorsmen, the Sports Illustrated for hunters.

An employee of General Motors in Kokomo, Ault hunts with his brother Greg and their good friend Adam Wasson. “They are great guys and I am fortunate to have them as hunting partners,” he said sincerely.

“The three of us had watched that particular deer for several years,” Ault explained. “We saw him on several occasions and had him on our trail cameras.” Then last year, for some unknown reason, the big buck just disappeared. “We thought for sure he'd either been hit by a car or taken

INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS ®

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Ghost Buck -- One for the Record by another hunter,” Ault said.

Fortunately, after the early archery season opened, one of Ault's hunting partners saw the big deer. “We nicknamed him the “Ghost” Ault added, “because of the way he could just vanish.”

On October 31, Ault finally had the chance he'd been waiting for. Arriving at his treestand well before the first hints of daylight, he spent the morning watching several other deer, but not the one he hoped to see. “It was a little after 10 and I was just about ready to get down for a while,” he stated.

Then, right at the moment he contemplated lowering his equipment, Ault looked up in time to see the big 10-pointer step out of a neighboring woods. The huge buck began trotting across a picked corn field heading his direction. “He was coming in downwind and I thought for sure he'd wind me and spook,” Ault explained. “I was wearing ScentLok clothing but, as you know, it's not foolproof,” he added.

“There is no doubt it knew I was there but didn't want to take the chance of exposing itself completely again by going back across that open field.”

When the deer cautiously closed the distance to 26 yards, Ault drew his Mathews bow. As the buck turned sideways he dumped the string sending the Thunderhead broadhead on its way. Even though the buck quickly faded into the thick undergrowth, he knew his arrow had hit the mark.

After 30 minutes Ault, with the help of Wasson, began track-

December, 2010 Edition

By John Martino

( L to R ) Adam Wasson and Aaron Ault pose with the deer featured in this month’s Field and Stream Magazine.

Ault collected the “Ghost” buck last year on Halloween day. Photo Provided. ing the deer. They followed it to a small creek where previous rains had turned it into a raging torrent. “When we saw it made it to the water I was worried we'd lose it,” he said. After considerable searching they eventually tracked down the huge deer. “It had floated downstream and we found it washed up against a log jam,” Ault said thankfully. “Adam and I had to wade in and get it and it was all we could do to get it to the bank.”

Once the deer was taken to a local check-in station word

quickly spread and the internet lit up like the Las Vegas strip with accounts of the trophy buck. This initially led to Ault being contacted by the hunting editor of Field and Stream.

“They wanted to use a Halloween theme so they asked me to find an old cemetery where pictures could be taken,” he explained. “They sent a photographer from California and another one from Chicago.”

After taking the photographers to the cemetery they told Ault he could leave for several

hours while they set up their equipment. “When I came back I couldn't believe it,” Ault said in amazement. “It looked like they were shooting a movie,” he added. “They had tons of cameras, lights, reflectors and things hanging 20-feet in the air.”

“So how's your deer hunting season going this year after doing what many hunters only dream of?” I had to ask. “Not so good,” Ault added with a dry laugh. “I've been hunting five times and all I've seen is one doe!”

December, 2010 Edition

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Cade and his dad & great uncle bagged 6 nice pheasant, on Nov. 6 on a Benton County youth hunt.

Photo submitted by Bill Gilbert of Peru.

ION reader John Roach of Saint Louis travels to Indiana to hunt deer each year. John took this nice Marshall County 10-pointer during this year’s firearms season.

This deer was 65-yards away and was heading straight for his rattling when Ryan Groceman of Chesterton decided to snap a picture. “The deer stopped, turned, and ran”, says Ryan. “I guess he was camera shy!”

Dylan Bockerich of Plymouth took his very first deer during this year’s Youth Season. Dylan took this nice doe with his muzzleloader.

Most of us never forget our first deer. We’re betting 13-year-old Shawntel Selby of Connersville won’t forget her’s either. Her first deer was a Fayette County whitetail with a 24” spread and 18 points.

Congratulations, Shawntel. Way to go, girl!

Study the rack on this super buck taken by Karlin Salyer of Culver and be prepared for some serious buck envy. Like kickers and stickers?

He’s got them -- along with triple brow tines.

Great buck, Karlin! Is that an ION business card you are holding?

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:

Steven Voyak of Wheatfield had a great time on his very first pheasant hunt with his dad.

Gone Afield P.O. Box 69 Granger, IN 46530 E-mail submissions welcome at: www.contact@ION4U.net.

If mailing photos, please include a SASE if you’d like us to return them to you 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.

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ICE FISHING There's something satisfying about setting a well-planed network of tip-ups across the icy expanse of a frozen lake.

Strategically placed “fish-traps,” each rigged with a robust, frisky live baitfish, lure and snare freshwater predators like nothing else under ice. Get a bunch of dudes together, throw a pile of ProThermals in the 5-gallon pail, and saturate the ice with baited flags, as luscious to pike and walleyes as low-hanging fruit. Best to bait in the big 'uns on spacious open flats or along lengthy sections of a drop-off-places where fish wander far and wide in search of food.

With six or more buds along, each empowered to run 2 or more lines apiece, you can put livebait in front of a lot of toothy grins.

That's trapline fishing on ice, and it's deadly effective.

On a long point or drop-off, a wise strategy places one group of anglers at each end of the “trapline,” with additional fishermen spaced evenly between. If you're going in cold-turkey, searching a big area for the first time, perhaps you set one tip-up every 30 to 40 paces, a pickup truck or snowmobile parked every so often to serve as a mobile basecamp. Better yet, set out a large pop-up style portable shelter, such as Frabill's cavernous version of a basecamp, which they call the Headquarters.

Setting out on foot, groups of trapline anglers work best in pairs. First run through, one dude drills, while the other follows with a sonar, dipping the transducer in each new hole. Sonar guy

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Trapline Pike “Tip-Up” the Odds with Advanced New Tackle keeps driller guy on target with depth, as he also checks for fish with a portable unit, such as a ShowDown Ice Troller. When he sees something that looks like a good fish, sonar guy might also trace an “F” or “BF” (big fish) in the snow, which assures that they'll X-mark-the-spot with a tip-up next run through.

At the end of an ice-trolling run, each fisherman grabs a bucket. If one of your buddies happens to be the original Ice-Troller, ace Minnesota fishing guide, Tony Roach, you're in for a good day.

From first ice in December, all through a lengthy Northcountry winter, Roach uses his StrikeMasters to chew more ice than a snow-cone factory. “When we're tip-up fishing for pike or walleyes,” says Roach, “we use a systematic approach. First, you've absolutely got to have the right gear, and you've got to have a plan. For my guides and I, nothing works better than the 'bucket system.'

“There's really nothing else out there that better serves our needs as tip-up specialists than the equipment made by Frabill.

We can take one of their 1409 size 6-gallon buckets and fill it with at least six round Pro-Thermal tipups. The other bucket, another 1409 Aqua-Life Bait Station gets used to house our tip-up 'soldiers'wild live suckers, golden shiners or chubs. We want bait that really kicks; the critters that swim in huge arcs below the ice, pulling in predators like lab working a field for pheasants. The Bait Station keeps minnows happy.

It's insulated and aerated. Water won't freeze, and the micro-bubbler infuses the water with energizing oxygen-like steroids for minnows.”

Beyond robust bait, which drives his tip-up system, Roach has also discovered a number of slick new items that simplify yet boost the presentation. “We've played with loads of different types of wire leader materials over the years,” he continues.

“Stranded wire, heavy fluorocarbon, single-strand- you name it, I've used it. None of these materials did everything I wanted it to do. After a fish or two, most of them kink. And kinked wire is useless in my book. Throw it away and start from scratch. But I hate tying new leaders, especially if I'm in a pinch on the ice.

Crimping, twisting, dealing with tiny wire sleeves. Not going to happen with cold fingers.”

Last year, Roach and crew discovered a new product called Knot2Kinky-an amazing leader material that is kink-proof, as well as tieable and knotable. The real kicker is, the material actually stretches, proving a valuable shock-absorber for powerful fish, such as pike and muskies. A special super-heat process has endowed the material with a 10percent stretch coefficient-something you have to experience to fully appreciate. Knot2Kinky stretches, stops, then recovers with zero kinks or coils and no loss in tensile strength. It is undoubtedly the most advanced, fishing-friendly wire material ever developed. “This stuff is a

December, 2010 Edition

By Ted Pilgrim with Tony Roach

Photos courtesy of Frabill tip-up angler's dream. Using a clinch knot or perfection loop, I can tie up a new leader in under a minute. Thing is, though, it's almost impossible to get the stuff to kink, so we'll often run the same leader on a tip-up for days, or weeks on end.”

For most medium to heavy pike applications, Roach relies on 25-pound test Knot2Kinky, which is surprisingly thin and pliable-perfect for allowing an active baitfish to swim and maneuver without effort. It's the same rationale behind his use of a slick new neutrally buoyant mainline to leader connector, the InvisaSwivel. Made of a material called Fluoro-Clear, these swivels are the ultimate in subtle bait rigging. They, too, are pliable. In

fact, InvisaSwivels pivot 180degrees in any direction and always spin as freely as a standard ball-bearing swivel. It's just one more recent terminal tackle innovation that has elevated tip-up fishing to the next level.

To the end of his “trapline” rigs, Roach runs either a #1 wide gap or Kahle hook such as an Eagle Claw Lazer Sharp 141, or a Mustad Power Pike Hook, which is an English style double hookalso known as a quick-strike rig hook-that couples well with large deadbaits.

In either case, it's always a race on ice to reach the flag first.

Most of the time, especially with larger pike, it just isn't necessary to let fish run long. Quick hooksets usually tag more pike, and certainly harm far fewer of them.

In the meantime, it's a game of waiting. Lean on a tailgate, crash in a lawn chair. Pour a cup of coffee. Talk a little smack. The winner's always the first dude to the flag. Unless you're playing “tackle tip-ups,” in which case, you've just got to be the best at sacking the QB.

December, 2010 Edition

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December, 2010 Edition

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son trophy bucks is to be in an area where trophy bucks abound.

The hunt I described earlier in this article took place in a lightly hunted region of southern Minnesota, where hunting is by primitive methods only. Because of the hunting restrictions and the cold weather, hunting pressure is always minimal, and there are several bucks scoring between 140 and 170 in the area, making it easy for a persistent hunter to see trophy bucks.

When you are hunting late season deer you need to know where the food sources are, and know the trails the deer use during daylight as they move to and from the fields. The easiest way to find the food sources is to regularly scout the area by driving the farm country roads to locate fields that haven't been harvested yet, and by locating small pockets of food and trails while scouting on foot.

Once you've located the food sources, determine where the bucks are traveling by looking for rub routes and scrapes that may still be visible. If neither rubs nor scrapes can be found look for evidence of bucks along doe trails, because the bucks may be traveling with the does at this time. After you locate the trails choose a hunting site well away from the food source where you have adequate cover for a tree stand, portable blind, or where you can stand and wait for the deer.

R i g h t P l a c e , R i g h t Ti m e When you are hunting in the afternoon or evening, the farther from the food source you are, without getting too close to bedding areas, the better your chances of seeing deer during the day. Even though the deer may arrive at the food source well before dark, they are most alert near the food sources, where you may be detected. And, because bucks generally travel later than does, you will have a better chance of seeing them in protected areas, well away from the food sources, in the early afternoon.

When you are hunting in the morning try to position yourself between night resting areas/early morning food sources, and daytime bedding areas. Your hunting sites should be located along trails leading to buck bedding areas so you have an opportunity as the bucks return to their beds.

I often see deer bed and feed in overgrown fields of brush and saplings on the downwind side of hills in the morning. They often stay in these areas until daylight, then, as the sun rises, move to areas of deeper cover. When this happens you can setup downwind or crosswind of the trails the deer use as they leave. You can also setup near known buck bedding areas, provided you get there before the buck returns.

The time to hunt late season bucks is when the conditions are right. When foods are scarce, or a preferred food is available; and when there is cloud cover and the wind-chills drop, expect to see deer earlier in the evening and later in the morning than normal.

After a winter storm lets up, or after it has been cold and windy, or there has been heavy precipitation for more than a day and a half causing the deer to miss two or more feeding periods, and then the wind dies down, or the windchill factor rises, you can expect deer to begin feeding; and to continue feeding for the next couple of hours.

December, 2010 Edition Late Season Ta c t i c s With the rut over and most of the does bred, bucks are not as willing to respond to calling, rattling, scents and decoys as they were during the rut. But, as long as a buck carries antlers it's testosterone level is still elevated, and it may respond to estrus scents and doe calls, which can be effective when used along rub routes and scrape lines; and near daytime staging areas, food sources and buck core areas.

Because bucks are not traveling as much, or as willing to respond at this time, the key to attracting bucks is to be in or near areas bucks use during the day.

Estrus scents can be placed so they spread out downwind of your hunting position to attract

INDIANA OUTDOOR NEWS ® the buck as it approaches a food source. Estrus can also be used on a scent line by leaving drops of scent on the ground along a line that crosses a deer trail and leads to your location. Although scientific research suggests there is no doe estrus call the "social grunt," which is used by does when they are trying to locate each other will get a buck's attention at this time. When a buck responds to scents or calls it may not be because of rutting urge, it may simply be because of curiosity.

Because deer, including bucks, are looking for food at this time of the year the combination of tarsal scent and deer urine on the ground leading to a food scent can be very effective. The tarsal and urine are non-threaten-

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ing and may arouse the buck's curiosity, the food attractant then brings it within range. These scents may also attract does, which may be followed by bucks.

When using scents choose those that are particular to your area.

Corn, apple and acorn scents work well in most areas.

T.R. Michels is a nationally recognized game researcher/wildlife behaviorist, outdoor writer and speaker. He is the author of the Whitetail, Elk, Duck & Goose, and Turkey Addict's Manuals. For a catalog of books and other hunting products contact: T. R .

Michels, Trinity Mountain Outdoors, E-mail: TRMichels@yahoo.com , Web Site: www.TRMichels.com .

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Continued From Pg. 22 able propane cylinders (or they can be adapted for use with 20 pound, refillable tanks.) We had a Roadtrip Grill, designed by Paul Jr. of American Chopper TV fame, an insta-start two burner stove, a deep fryer and what Coleman calls the “All in One Cooking System” which features a stove top, grill top, griddle, stock pot and slow cooker. Coleman coolers, cups, dishes, flatware, skillets and pots completed our kitchen.

I was very impressed with The All in One package as the most unique appliance. With all the available options, a nearly

unlimited menu could be planned and prepared on this single appliance.

The most fun product was the deep fryer which has now replaced the electric model in my home kitchen–and will go with me on future hunting and camping trips.

The outcome of the competition was close! I’m not going to be so crass as to insinuate any judging bias, but the scorers were all Wisconsin residents and Davis was wearing a Packer apron. (I wore a Bears sweatshirt.) Could that account for my second place finish by a mere half point?

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December, 2010 Edition

Coleman Cooking Challenge Outdoor Cookoff on the Shores of Chequamegon Bay Lives up to its Name

The Last Thought MIKESCHOONVELD I’ll readily admit I’ve become a “foody.” It used to be just Rachel Ray and her 30minute meals, but now I’d almost as soon watch the next episode of Chopped or Iron Chef America as settle in for Monday night football.

Perhaps it’s because though I can’t go out and play football anymore, I can go to the kitchen and play “chef.” In fact, a few weeks ago I played chef and actually competed in head-to-head competition with another wannabe cooking wizard.

A few years ago at the annual conference of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW), the Coleman Company began sponsoring an amateur outdoor cook-off based loosely on the Iron Chef television show. It has become an opportunity for a pair of the most culinary minded members of AGLOW to show off their abilities. It is a chance for other mem-

bers to observe, photograph and taste the concoctions these outdoor chefs are able to prepare, then write stories for their own readers, back home with recipes hunters, fishermen and campers can use to deviate from the usual camp stew and weiners. It is a great opportunity for Coleman, one of the leading maker of outdoor “kitchen” products, to show off their top sellers and spot light new products.

On the shores of Chequamegon Bay in Ashland, Wisconsin, the teams were set.

Jeff “Cheesehead” Davis, Whitetails Unlimited editor (and Packer-backer) from Green Bay, Wisconsin and myself -- a devout Chicago Bears fan, dubbed “Iron Mike” -- squared off to prepare dinners featuring cocktails, appetizers, entrees and deserts for the judges: Ashland’s mayor and local media members.

Instead of a single secret ingredient as is featured in the TV version of Iron Chef, the AGLOW / Coleman Cooking Challenge

(Left) The author goes into panic mode with only 20 minutes to go.

(Right) Jeff "Cheesehead" Davis played the game well, scoring a few Packer points with the all Wisconsin judges.

has a theme.

This year’s : “Wisconsin Cuisine,” which to me includes cheese, beer, bratwurst, fish and cherries.

Servings from my outdoor kitchen included a beer-based, Bloody Mary I called a Wisconsin Sunrise. I served a fresh mozzarella/tomato salad with beerbased dressing; deep fried salmon balls; a beer, brats and mushroom casserole; German Spaghetti and grilled angel food cake for desert.

Cheesehead Davis served a baconinfused Bloody Mary, a cheese curd soup, bison burgers, a strudel and other dishes.

I left the competition with two different and distinct impressions. First, a renewed admiration for the TV chefs who are able to turn out a variety of dishes in an incredibly short time frame. It seemed I was into the challenge only a few minutes when I checked my watch and saw I had less than 20 minutes left. I went from cool and confident to panic mode.

Secondly, I learned today’s Coleman outdoor cooking products are a far cry from the “whitegas” stoves used in the past. All of our appliances ran on dispos-

Continued on Pg. 21 Iron Mike’s German Spaghetti • 4 bratwurst sausages • 1 large can (or 1 pint of home-canned) tomatoes • 1 envelope of French’s Spaghetti Sauce mix • 1 medium onion, coarsely chopped • 2 cloves of garlic, mashed and minced • 4 cups of shredded fresh cabbage Grill bratwurst until about 2/3rds cooked through.

Remove from grill and slice each sausage into 4 or 5 chunks. Add tomatoes and spaghetti sauce mix to a sauce pan, then add bratwurst chunks. Bring to a simmer and allow to cook for 15 minutes.

While the sauce is cooking, add a bit of olive oil to a 10inch skillet, saute onions until just translucent, then add garlic and shredded cabbage.

Cook cabbage, stirring frequently until it’s mostly cooked, but still slightly crisp. The cabbage is the pasta or spaghetti. Plate the cabbage first, then cover with bratwurst/spaghetti sauce.

December, 2010 Edition

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