VOLUME 1 • NUMBER 1
REPOWER REPORT
JUNE 1, 2019
This is the first edition of Paradise Marine Center’s Repower Report. This feature will run on a regular basis and will showcase one of the many repower projects performed by Paradise Marine. Each new report will feature product specifications on different outboard engines for all types of boats. We will also tell the story behind the project, the users, and their boats. In the first issue, we caught up with fishing guide Capt. Tim String, of Southern Outdoors Adventures. What is the make and model of your boat and how long have you owned it? My boat is a 2008 21’ Frontier Bay Boat which I have owned for over 9 years. It was previously powered by another manufacturers 150HP 4 stroke. How do you use your boat? I guide fishing clients all over Mobile Bay and the Delta. I also chase near shore species in the Gulf at certain times of the year. How did you decide to repower with a new Suzuki? I have owned all brand outboards; Mercury, Honda, Yamaha, Evinrude and Suzuki. I had previous
Capt. Tim String of Southern Outdoor Adventures. For trip information 251-610-7849
Suzuki ownership experience. I purchased a 70 HP Suzuki from Paradise Marine 11 years ago for a 17’ Boston Whaler. It had always given me good service and I was very satisfied with it. On this repower decision, I went with the recommendation of Kenny Myers, the outboard Master Tech Mechanic at Paradise Marine. He told me that Suzuki was the only way to go. I decided to go with the 175HP in line 4 cylinder, based on his expertise and our long relationship. What impresses you most about your Suzuki? There are four things that stand out for me when I compare it to my previous outboard. In my business of guiding clients, hole shot is an important consideration in shallow water. In this respect, the Suzuki excels. The hole shot is phenomenal, but not at the expense of top end speed. This baby flat out moves my boat. One of the most notable differences is the complete lack of vibration from the engin... it is smooth as silk. You could feel the previous engines vibration while holding the console handrail... not on this motor. There is no transmitted vibration to speak of. My customers constantly tell me how quiet this motor is compared to their 4 strokes. I also like the fuel economy of this engine, as I have 25 more horsepower without any increased fuel burn. Give us a memorable Fishing experience? Just the other day a personal friend of mine and
Questions about repowering? Paradise Marine Center is located at County Rd 8 and Hwy 59 in Gulf Shores. 251-968-2628
I ventured to South Mobile Bay to fish. We fished all morning with little success. We decided to have lunch at Tacky Jacks at Ft. Morgan and decide what to do next. We figured we would head back up Mobile Bay, and see if we could change our luck. On the way, I stopped and netted some menhaden. We hit our first spot and started live chumming with menhaden and got the trout in a frenzy. During the next three hours, we caught over 60 trout, weighing from 3-6 pounds. We went from zeros to heros in just a few hours.
SUZUKI 175HP Inline 4-Cylinder 4-Stroke Outboard Suzuki's DF175 is based on an inline four cylinder DOHC powerhead with a 175 cu. in. displacement. While the large displacement contributes greatly to producing exceptional acceleration and torque, it doesn't mean that they are comparatively larger and heavier in size. On the contrary, Suzuki's engineers have targeted this big block motor to be one of the lightest four strokes in the 175 HP class. At 474 pounds, Suzuki leads the class in power to weight ratio in a compact design. Offset Drive shaft for better balance on the transom. Self adjusting, oil bathed timing chain vs. over head belt. No belt maintenance or adjustment necessary. Variable Valve Timing for better midrange torque, Multipoint Sequential Electronic Fuel Injection for Top Performance in All Conditions. 2.50 : 1 vs. 2.00 :1. Lower gear ratio to swing a larger prop for improved acceleration.
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HUNTING & FISHING IN ALABAMA & THE FLORIDA PANHANDLE
FEATURES 8 14 18 24 28
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14
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WINTERTIME CRAPPIE By John E Phillips REBIRTH OF THE OLD By Tony Kinton SELECTING THE BEST DOG HUNTING COLLAR By John E. Phillips HOW TO COMPLETE A SEAWALL REPAIR By Mike Hayes SIMPLE HUNTING CABIN PLANS – DIY OR FIND A BUILDER? By John. E. Phillips
34 54
5 DEER HUNTING TIPS FOR PINE PLANTATIONS By Charles Johnson BULL REDFISH FIND THEM IN THE FALL By Ed Mashburn
50
IN EVERY ISSUE Bets 6 Best by William Kendy
40 42
54
New Gear for Outdoorsmen by Great Days Outdoors Staff From the Commissioner Hunting Opportunities Abound in November
FISHING OUTLOOKS 58
Pier and Shore by David Thornton
62
Gulf Coast by Mike Thompson
64
Regional Freshwater by Ed Mashburn
44
From the Director What Have We Done for You Lately?
68
Prime Feeding Times, Moon, Sun, and Tide Charts
46
Hunting Heritage Shades of Gray; What is Fair Chase?
72
Pensacola Motorsports Trophy Room
48
The Gun Rack Winchester .350 Legend
Great Days Kids Corner
50
Camphouse Kitchen by Hank Shaw
60
Paddle Fishing When Offshore Kayak Fishing Gets Close In by Ed Mashburn
74 76 77 78
Duck-Blind Etiquette by Jim Mize
4 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Classifieds & Fishin' Guides Fishing Tips by Captain Brad Whitehead
PROPERTY PHOTO HERE
PROPERTY PHOTO HERE
Buttahatchee River Bottom Farm
The Tensaw Holley Creek Tract
Lamar County, Alabama, 367+/-Acres
Prime farm on the banks of the Buttahatchee River in Lamar County just north of Sulligent. This beautiful farm is in the heart of some of Alabama’s best PROPERTY TEXT HERE deer hunting ground. The area is well known for producing giant whitetails each year. The property has great diversity and wildlife habitat which includes mature hardwood timber, pine timber, 120+/- acres of soybeans, and river frontage. There is electricity, water, paved road frontage, and a good internal road system. This farm is a must see for someone looking for big bucks and a sound investment with the potential timber and row crop income.
Alabama Listings COUNTY Autauga Autauga Autauga Autauga Autauga Baldwin Baldwin Baldwin Baldwin Baldwin Barbour Barbour Bibb Bibb Bibb Bibb Blount Blount Blount Blount Blount Bullock Bullock Bullock Butler Butler
ACRES 317.65 210 189 116 110 3636 1995 855 710 492 120 62 123 98.6 30 24 87 80 66 60 50 80 48.6 40 395 85.16
Butler Butler Calhoun Calhoun Calhoun Calhoun Calhoun Chilton Chilton Choctaw Choctaw Choctaw Choctaw Clarke Clarke Clarke Clarke Clarke Clay Clay Clay Clay Clay Cleburne Cleburne Cleburne
77 54 102 26.91 25 22.5 18 221 65.4 216 38 25 20 526 520 234 220 26 116 80 42 40 38 377 80 57
COUNTY Cleburne Coffee Colbert Colbert Colbert Colbert Colbert Coosa Coosa Covington Covington Covington Covington Covington Crenshaw Crenshaw Cullman Cullman Cullman Dallas Dallas Dallas Dallas Dallas Elmore Elmore
ACRES 56.48 254 40 36 36 25 2 151 45 360 331 129 72 43 134 120 876.25 232 59 463.54 140 82.73 64 27 2000 450
Elmore Elmore Elmore Escambia Escambia Escambia Etowah Etowah Etowah Fayette Fayette Fayette Fayette Fayette Franklin Franklin Franklin Franklin Franklin Greene Greene Greene Greene Hale Hale Hale
342 264 213 671.6 68 27 275 167.3 57 232 112 90 78 78 608 563 552 165 155 2100 30 1 0.72 575 186 150
COUNTY Hale Hale Henry Jefferson Jefferson Jefferson Jefferson Jefferson Lamar Lamar Lamar Lamar Lamar Lauderdale Lawrence Limestone Lowndes Lowndes Lowndes Lowndes Lowndes Macon Macon Madison Marengo Marengo
Baldwin County, Alabama, 855+/-Acres
Waterfront hunting, timber, & possible development tract is located near the community of Tensaw, an area of high demand & low inventory, renowned for great fishing & fantastic deer, turkey, dove, quail, duck, & small game hunting. EnjoyHERE an intricate road and trail system, PROPERTY TEXT established food plots, Mimms Lake frontage, 1.8 miles of deep & wide Holley Creek frontage, opens into the Alabama River a short distance from the Upper Delta WMA, & extremely high timber value created by heavily stocked stands of mature, high grade hardwood & pine along w/mixed ages of pine plantation. Terrain is flat to gently rolling w/a scenic mixture of upland pine/hardwood and hardwood river bottom. 2018 timber cruise shows $2,140+ per acre in timber value, over $1.8 million total! Power & other utilities available & there are two established campsites w/utilities along water frontage. Access to those & all of the property is easy w/1.5 miles of paved road frontage on Holley Creek Landing Rd & Holly Creek Rd. Want to launch your boat? It has concrete boat ramp on site or launch at Holley Creek Landing, just yards from the southwest corner. Conveniently located 25 min from I-65 at Stockton, 40 min from Spanish Fort, and 45 min from Mobile. This property hasn’t sold in generations...
ACRES 96 92 200 633 400 330 245 125 367 192 160 136 92 60 80 1.36 1181 1013 790 783 656 930 60 100 772 672.8
Marengo Marengo Marengo Marion Marion Marion Marion Marion Mobile Mobile Mobile Mobile Mobile Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe Monroe Montgomery Montgomery Montgomery Montgomery Montgomery Morgan Morgan Perry
404 264 87.14 387 325 250 215 168 1800 308 299.1 260 192 790 378.49 294 268.11 129 858 697 623 500 469 150 76 386
COUNTY Perry Perry Perry Perry Pickens Pickens Pickens Pickens Pickens Pike Pike Pike Pike Pike Randolph Randolph Randolph Randolph Randolph Saint Clair Saint Clair Saint Clair Saint Clair Saint Clair Shelby Shelby
ACRES 240.75 200 189 90.5 837 761.64 450 430 217 352.8 160 112 80 40 407 329 78 60 52.4 100 78.56 68.13 29 20.75 458 253
Shelby Shelby Shelby Sumter Sumter Sumter Sumter Sumter Talladega Talladega Talladega Talladega Talladega Tallapoosa Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa Tuscaloosa
93 80 43.56 740 350 213 188 75 1314 1015 882 723.5 537 20.917 164 153 117
COUNTY ACRES Tuscaloosa 115 Tuscaloosa 80 Walker 233 Walker 65 Washington 1261 Washington 796 Washington 240 Washington 160 Washington 160 Wilcox 2365 Wilcox 1465 Wilcox 694 Wilcox 660 Wilcox 640 Winston 265 Winston 2.3 Winston 1.3
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877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 5
BEST BETS
BEST BETS FOR NOVEMBER These are our top targets for hunters and fishermen this month! BY WILLIAM KENDY
NOVEMBER WEISS LAKE CRAPPIE
When it comes to late fall crappie fishing, Weiss Lake, known as “The Crappie Capital of the World” is at the top of the list.
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 11 November 2019
In November, Weiss Lake crappie are loading up on shad for the winter and are hanging around river and creek ledges, drop offs, structure and deeper water.
PUBLISHED BY: Great Days Outdoors Media, L.L.C.
In terms of jigs and lures, crappies can be choosy regarding size, color and type and anglers need to experiment until they find what works. A 1/8-ounce jig is standard. Weiss Lake guide Lee Pitts, recommends the Bobby Garland Baby Shad and Shad Slay’r specialty jigs. He prefers combinations from black to blue, blue and chartreuse to hot pink. Fishing flathead minnows and shiners with an egg sinker and a dropper leader can also help fill your cooler with slabs.
PUBLISHER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Joe Baya ASSISTANT EDITOR: Bill Kendy CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Wendy Johannesmann ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Samatha Hester
CONTRIBUTING FREELANCE WRITERS:
BIG BUCKS AT BANKHEAD
Back in 1920 Alabama’s whitetail population was estimated at 2,000 animals. To grow the herd, in 1925 one hundred five whitetail deer were purchased from Michigan and released on the 180,000 acres Bankhead National Forest. Other whitetails plantings occurred across the state and today Alabama’s whitetail deer population is estimated at about 2,000,000 animals. Bankhead has consistently produced healthy whitetails, partly because of the gene pool, overall ruggedness of the property and forest service habitat practices. Since it’s close to major population centers, it gets hunting pressure but the hunter who gets off the beaten track during the November hard core rut increases his odds of harvesting a big buck. Good maps are invaluable for planning your hunt or for reference in the field. OnX maps offers a hunt app that delivers comprehensive maps. www.onxmaps.com.
NOVEMBER IS FULL OF BULL
Whether it be on the Alabama Gulf Coast, in Mobile Bay, or even Pensacola Bay, the “Bull” redfish will be coming and that means tremendous fishing action. In his article, Bull Redfish – Find them in the Fall, in this issue, Ed Mashburn shares his years of angling expertise outlining how to hook up with these tough big fish. Mashburn says that aggressive bull reds chase menhaden “pogies” and other small “free fish” food for miles. Tackle wise, Mashburn says that a medium-weight spinning combo with 25 pound line that can cast a one-ounce jig fits the bill. Saltwater grade jigs, swim baits, crankbaits and spinners will all work and, if you find the fish, most of what you put in front of their mouths, they will eat. Final Cast: Watch for birds. Where the birds are, the bulls are. 6 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Chris Blankenship Daryl Bell Alex Granpere Craig Haney Charles Johnson Ed Mashburn Doug Max Greg McCain John E. Phillips
Corky Pugh Chuck Sykes Mike Thompson David Thornton Jim Barta Jim Mize Deneshia Larson Patrick Garmeson Hank Shaw
Joe Baya Don Green Babe Winkelman Bobby Abruscato J. Wayne Fears Nick Williams Tony Kinton
Great Days Outdoors (USPS 17228; ISSN 1556-0147) is published monthly at P.O. Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459 Subscription rate is $24 for one-year, $40 for two-years, and $55 for three-years. Periodicals Postage Paid at Stapleton, Ala. and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Great Days Outdoors Media, LLC PO Box 460248 Escondido, CA 92046 SUBSCRIBERS: All subscriptions begin the first issue for the month following receipt of payment, if payment is received by the 15th. Great Days Outdoors assumes no responsibility for delivery after magazines are mailed. All delivery complaints should be addressed to your local postmaster. CONTACT US: EDITORIAL | JoeBaya@greatdaysoutdoors.com ADVERTISING | SamHester@greatdaysoutdoors.com SUBSCRIPTIONS | greatdaysoutdoors@pcspublink.com Great Days Outdoors Media LLC PO Box 460248 Escondido, CA 92046 877. 314. 1237 info@greatdaysoutdoors.com www.greatdaysoutdoors.com All rights reserved. Reproduction of contents is strictly prohibited without permission from Great Days Outdoors Media, LLC.
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Catch some of the biggest crappie of the year in colder weather.
Wintertime Crappie BY JOHN E. PHILLIPS
8 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
FISHING
Wintertime crappie fishing can be highly productive with plenty of fast action and big fish, or icy-weather crappieing can be as slow as pouring maple syrup out of a cold pot on a frosty morning. What makes the difference is where you find the crappie. Let’s look at some ideal wintertime crappie situations and tactics.
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READ THE WEATHER TO CATCH MORE CRAPPIE One year at the end of November when most major colleges were playing football, a warm front arrived. But the TV weatherman was predicting that a major winter storm would hit before nightfall. My brother and I had been fishing a shallow-water beaver pond off a major river system that had a large amount of live cypress growing in it. Because the pond was shallower than the river, the water in the beaver pond was warmer than the river water, making the crappie there more active. You too can take more cold-weather crappie, if you can pinpoint beaver ponds, cut-offs, sloughs, coves and/or bays off of major river systems that normally hold crappie during the winter months. Then when there’s a warm spell, that water will warm-up quicker than the river water. Often crappie will move into these shallow pockets and hold on submerged trees and stumps and/or in the roots of live trees.
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Although my brother and I had found the fishing extremely good during those warmer winter days, about five hours before the front was due to come in, the crappie went on a feeding spree in this warm-water area. As most sportsmen know, fish and animals tend to feed more ahead of a front. Since we were in a region where the crappie already were concentrated just before the front hit, we were able to catch the most and some of the biggest crappie we ever had taken. The front was fast-moving. As soon as we felt the temperature drop only slightly, the crappie quit biting.
ENCAPSULATION
FIND WINTERTIME CRAPPIE BY BRIDGE PILINGS When the weather’s cold and nasty, anglers move closer to their fireplaces to stay warm and comfortable. But even though the crappie is a cold-blooded fish, it doesn’t really enjoy being any colder than it has to be. Wherever the crappie can find warmth, you can locate them.Still crappie don’t just go to warm water to be comfortable. They realize that baitfish like to be warm too. One area that warms up the quickest during the wintertime is bridge pilings. Concrete bridge pilings will absorb the heat from the sun on the surface and transfer that heat to the water below the surface. Bridge pilings also provide food and cover 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 9
Wintertime Crappie
Many times, these fish won’t show-up on a depth finder, because they’re holding under these stumps and roots. for baitfish and crappie. On a bright, sunny day, crappie may be holding close to the pilings in relatively-shallow water, instead of deep water, because the further the heat has to travel from the surface to the bottom, the more it diminishes. The key to catching bridge-piling crappie in the winter is to keep your bait or jig right up against the pilings, since most of the baitfish will be holding close to the pilings for warmth and to feed off the microscopic organisms that have attached themselves to the structure. LOCATE THE THERMOCLINE During the winter months, lakes turn over, which means that the coldest water will be on top, and the warmest water will be on the bottom. This condition is unlike the summertime when the warmer water’s on top and the colder water’s on the bottom. Because crappie seek their comfort zone, often they will be looking for that warmer, deeper water. But usually the slabs prefer some type of cover to hide in and hold on, so they can attack baitfish. To pattern wintertime crappie, anglers must
10 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
look for cover on their depth finders along the thermocline where crappie can concentrate. In many lakes and rivers, this cover will be on the edges of old creek and river channels and along stump rows where the warm water is close to the bottom. Remember that during the extreme cold of the winter months, the crappie’s body metabolism slows down, which means a crappie won’t chase a bait as far as it will in the spring and summer. The crappie angler must fish his bait slowly and deep. Although trolling is not usually thought to be a slow method of angling, actually it can be as slow as drop fishing. If you watch an effective crappie fisherman trolling in the wintertime, you may not be able to tell that his boat is moving. A more descriptive term for wintertime crappie trolling may be “bumping”. “I hit my trolling motor just enough to make the boat move slightly,” an avid crappier told me. “When the boat comes to a full stop, my fishing partner or I bump the motor again just to make the boat move forward one to one and a half feet.. Using this slow trolling method, we’re dragging the minnows right in front of the crappie’s mouth. If the fish is there, it will take the bait. If we catch a fish, we attempt to stay in the same area and troll back and forth with our minnows to take more crappie out of the school.” On Lake Purdy near Birmingham, Alabama, wintertime
Wintertime Crappie
Often some of the biggest crappie of the year will be caught from November through February.
crappie fishermen troll the creek and river channels there using jigs and very-light one to two pound test line. Although these sportsmen move slowly and fish deep, they catch crappie.
water to keep the guides from freezing-up. However, after fishing eight or 10 different locations in the middle of the lake, we caught a limit of crappie by fishing slowly and deep and breaking off plenty of jigs.
CASTING FOR CRAPPIE If an angler has studied deep-water structure and knows where stump rows and old creek channels are located and since these areas usually home good schools of crappie, he can fish these areas by casting and retrieving in the winter.
“When you’re wintertime crappie fishing, you’ve gotta fish rough stuff. You must have your jigs in that cover. If you’re not prepared to lose 50 jigs a day, then you shouldn’t plan to fish for cold-weather crappie,” Parker said.
The late Elbert Parker, a guide on Weiss Lake, was probably one of the best wintertime crappie fishermen I ever met. Parker wasn’t a shoreline angler but fished in open water. He knew where plenty of brush, stumps and underwater structure were in the middle of Weiss. “During the wintertime, those crappie get down in and under the stumps and the stumps’ roots along the old river and creek channels,” Parker told me. “Many times, these fish won’t show-up on a depth finder, because they’re holding under these stumps and roots. The only way you can discover the crappie are there is to fish for them.” “Crappie hit extremely lightly in the wintertime. You must be able to see your line as the jig falls, since the papermouths often will take jigs on the fall. Unless you see those light strikes, you can miss the fish. However, if a crappie doesn’t take the jig on the fall, then I use a slow, easy retrieve and try to bump the cover without getting hung on it,” Parker said. “But I expect to lose jigs when I fish in the winter. If you’re not losing jigs, then you’re not fishing where the crappie are.” I went crappie fishing with Parker some years ago on a winter’s day when an ice storm hit. My rain suit had ice on its back. Occasionally Parker and I had to dip our rods in the
FISH THE BRIDGES AND THE PIERS My friend Nolen Shivers of Birmingham loved to compete in bass tournaments. But when winter arrived, Shivers became one of the finest crappie anglers in the South. Shivers’ theory of crappie fishing always has had results. “Crappie like to have their baits presented from either behind them and swim in front of them, or for the bait to pass parallel to them where they can watch it for a long time. To catch more crappie when the fish are deep and biting slowly, you must know which direction the fish are facing to consistently catch them,” Shivers advised..” If you can pass that bait right in front of them, you’ll take the fish. But if the bait comes from a direction they don’t like to see a bait moving from, then although you may catch a few crappie, you won’t take as many fish as you will have caught if you’ve presented the bait the way the fish want to see it.” To prove this point, once when I fished with Shivers, he located a good school of crappie holding just off the edge of an underwater bridge. We buoyed the school off by placing a marker buoy just in front of the spot where we’d seen the crappie on the depth finder. Next, we backed off and began to cast to the fish, circling the buoy until Shivers caught a crappie, and he announced, “This is the spot. Cast toward that tree on the bank, let your jig fall to the count of 12, and then 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 11
Wintertime Crappie
concrete. Stake Beds: Steve McCadams of Paris, Tennessee, has concentrating crappie down to a fine science. “Mostly, I put out stake beds where crappie can live. I drive wooden stakes, usually 1x1s or 2x2s, into the bottom of the lake. Often, they’re called ‘tomato stakes’, because this type of wooden stake is used to hold up tomato bushes. These wooden stakes are four to sixfeet long, and I drive them into the lake bed about 12- to 18-inches deep. I want the stake beds to stick up three to four feet off the bottom. I use a 12- to 14-foot manual-power stake driver made of either PVC pipe or light aluminum. Then, I use a small handle so I can drive the stakes down into deep water,” McCadams said.
Tony Adams, a guide on Lake Eufaula in east Alabama, puts out five gallon buckets with river cane and concrete in the buckets to attract crappie during the winter months.
start a slow, steady retrieve.” We both caught 10 crappie each. Then Shivers said, “Now watch.” We circled the buoy, cast in the same spot and let the jig fall to the count of 12. But we failed to catch crappie. However, when Shivers once more positioned the boat, so that we could cast in the same place where we’d cast earlier and from the same direction as before, we started catching crappie again. Two or three different times that day when Shivers located schools of crappie and buoyed them off, we circled the buoy until we found just the right spot to cast. After fishing for the deep crappie Shivers showed me how to catch some easy wintertime crappie. “Remember that wooden pilings absorb heat and provide cover for crappie. Also, many lake residents sink treetops and brush around their piers and boat docks to draw crappie. Because of the wooden pilings’ ability to absorb heat from the sun, the water around those boat docks and pilings may be a fraction of a degree warmer than the water in the lake,” Shivers said. “I don’t fish just inside the docks next to the pilings. Many times, the people who have piers around the lake will sink brush about a cane pole’s distance out in front of their dock. By using your depth finder, you can find that brush, which will have wintertime crappie holding in it.” TRY SINKING AND BUILDING BRUSH FOR WINTERTIME CRAPPIE Brush: As anglers know, sinking treetops and brush is an effective way to draw crappie. However, getting the brush to sink and having it stand up straight often can present a problem. Bernie Spidle of McCalla, Alabama, sinks non-productive trees in the Warrior River to concentrate crappie. David Spain of Nauvoo and his friends sink limbs of hardwood trees, particularly sycamores, in the Tombigbee River Other Alabama anglers sink holly bushes. Eufaula’s Tony Adams plants river cane into five gallon buckets and fills them with 12 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
“I also like to plant wooden shipping pallets, either four by four or four by six foot pallets. I’ll put a concrete block in the middle of the pallet. I nail my stakes around the sides and/or attach them to the middles of the pallets,”McCadams added. “On a wooden pallet, I like my stakes to be about four to six inches apart, and I try to put 40 to 50 stakes on each wooden pallet, about the same number of stakes that I drive into the bottom, when I’m using my homemade pile driver to create a stake bed.” The first factor for putting out stake beds is wind direction. “If there’s a really-strong south wind, northeast wind or northwest wind, I’ll decide how-many stake beds I have where my clients and I will be out of the wind on those different wind directions,” McCadams explained. “I go with my customers only to protected waters, so we don’t have to fight the wind to fish. “Another very-important factor is to consider the depth to sink stake beds. I’ll get a lake map and look for humps, drop-offs, creek ledges, river ledges and any other type of irregularity in the lake’s bottom. I like to sink beds in bottom irregularities, which are generally highways that crappie travel to get to and from spawning regions. These same places are usually great spots to locate crappie during the fall and winter, when crappie travel back and forth to shallow water and deep-water areas. “I look for two different extreme depths on the bottom. For instance, on the top of the underwater drop-off, 8 -10 feet of water may drop off into 20 -30 feet of water. I’ll search for shallow water that’s really close to deep water,” McCadams said. “When I find those locations, I don’t just place one crappie attractor there, but generally will put out at least three. I’ll put one fish attractor on top of a ledge, maybe 5- to 10-feet away from the drop-off. The second fish attractor I’ll place right on the edge of the drop-off, and the last fish attractor I’ll sink on the deep side of the drop-off.” You can enjoy productive wintertime crappieing when few other anglers are on the water. To learn more about other techniques for cool-weather crappie fishing, check out John E. Phillips’ book, “Crappie: How to Catch Them in Fall & Winter,” available in Kindle and print versions and available in Audible by December, 2019, at http://amzn.to/16AzIZi
A love of nature starts early. Ours did too. Did you know that frogs are an indicator of the health of water systems? At Alabama Power, we’ve been helping manage and protect Alabama’s natural resources for more than a hundred years, partnering with organizations across the state to preserve the health of our river ecosystems. Plus, we work hard to care for wildlife habitats and give endangered species the chance for a future. Because we love nature – and frogs – as much as you do.
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Rebirth of the Old BY TONY KINTON
The author took this bison while using his 1874 Sharps. The rear sight is a Marble’s tang mount. 14 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
HUNTING
Kansas was the setting, wind-swept prairie grass and dry gulches and maddening austerity stretching to the horizon. Marvelous in a haunting sort of way. And there were bison, these about as unencumbered by humanity as any bison where hunting is allowed.
Kinton’s Marlin 1895 .45-70 with the XS Ghost Ring sight. This rifle is intended for close work on whitetails, hogs and bears.
I had a Sharps rifle, an 1874 model built by C. Sharps Arms in Big Timber, Montana. It was stuffed with a hand-cast lead bullet in a .45-70 case holding 62 grains of Goex FFg black powder. A fitting tool for such an endeavor I surmised. “Ninety yards,” Cody whispered as we walked with our horses as a screen. “Can you hit a softball at 90 yards?” I could; we set up the sticks. “When that cow moves, take the bull. Shoot for that shadow on his shoulder.” That shadow was the softball. The cow moved, I shot and the bull sank. The Sharps wore a tang aperture rear sight and silver-blade front. Rare it is today to see a magazine ad or outdoor TV show or practically any other display of a hunting rifle that is not wearing a scope. So ubiquitous are scopes that they have become almost synonymous with the rifle itself. Statements such as, “I paid as much for this scope as I did for the rifle” are common, and with good reason: high-quality glass is expensive. And while the advantages of scopes are too numerous to outline, there is another sight system that is reliable, simple, rugged, inexpensive and in some situations, the better choice. That is the aperture sight, generally referred to as peep. Peep sights date back a long way. Probably first used in Turkey, when military personnel began drilling holes in the back blade rather than cutting out a “V” or “U”, this system worked extremely well and quickly found extensive favor. The U. S. Army employed basically the same approach in 1884 or somewhere there close on the Springfield, commonly known as the Trapdoor. But history is not of as much interest here as is current use, so let’s take a closer look at this aiming device. What is a peep sight? Simply, it is a blade or pedestal or some such that houses a hole. This hole can be simply a hole or can be drilled and tapped to secure apertures, these of varying diameters, allowing the shooter to choose the diameter best suited for the requirements at hand. Any and all work the same way. They take advantage of the eye’s natural ability to seek out and find the point of greatest light, and this becomes the rear sight. But unlike the “V” or “U”, peeps don’t require the shooter to focus on the hole. Stated roughly and in approximation, if the shooter is looking through the hole, he or she is looking through the center of that hole. All that remains is to put the front sight on the target. No hassle with the rear. Functional, easy, quick, peep sights are. They may in fact be the very best
system when shots are close and speed is essential. Today’s peep sights are commonly engineered to fit on the tang or the action. There is even one from Skinner Sights that fits in the barrel dovetail cut for a rear sight. My 1895 Winchester will wear one of these soon. Generally, the closer to the eye a peep rides, the better. But on heavy recoiling rigs, a little gap, say a sight on the action or even the barrel might be advised. One popular approach nowadays is the Ghost Ring. This is a peep with a most generous hole, and these things are marvels for quick shooting and for low light conditions. XS and Skinner both offer them, and the hole size can be modified by acquiring rings of various diameters, much as can an aperture frame that accepts disks of varying diameters. My 1895 Marlin in .45-70 wears the XS Ghost Ring with a gaping hole through the ring. It is intended for close-in work on whitetails and hogs and bears. No cause for a smaller and more precise hole for enhanced distance shooting, and no need to change hole diameter for low light. The big XS serves admirably as is. One example of removing an interchangeable disk and basically creating a Ghost Ring is my Sharps 1874. It is equipped with a Marble’s tang-mounted peep and always contains a fairly tight aperture well suited for targets and hunting in good light. I used it with that disk while hunting the bison and have done so many times in Africa. The tight disk is ideal for such doings. But when hunting in dark woods and/or during late afternoon and low light, I simply remove the disk from the stem and sight through the hole, that portion of the stem into which the disk screws. And there is a Marlin 39A, my favorite. This is a plinker and squirrel rifle and general go-to for fun shooting. It is equipped with the neatest and most graceful peep system I have ever 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 15
Rebirth of the Old
This jackal eased from South African bush and presented a shot. Kinton used his Sharps with a Marble’s tang.
seen – a Skinner Sights unit. Small, wonderfully machined, graceful – it fits the .22 perfectly. When light is good and pop cans or squirrels tucked tightly on limbs or tree trunks are my quarry, a tight disk is secure in its housing. But when things get spooky during early mornings or late afternoons and squirrels are rushing from or to their sequestered domiciles, the disk comes out and I have a wonderfully productive big ole hole through which to sight. The Sharps again. I had the disk in place. I was in South Africa. A black-backed jackal appeared mid-morning just at the edge of tangle. He was cautious, prepped for evacuation, but I had a solid rest. The range was 100 yards or so. There is a beautiful jackal skin on the wall of my trophy house. That same day, I spent the afternoon in thick bush, low light. Close shots here. I removed the disk. A fine impala strolled by. That meat was grand, and a skull mount hangs close to the jackal skin. Counting up, I have five rifles equipped with peep sights, four with scopes. No changes are planned. Other than another rifle, of course! Scope or peep on that one? I’m not sure. It depends on how it might be used. So, after reading all this rambling, are you convinced that a peep sight is for you? If not convinced, then I would say that you should at least have enough curiosity to take a look. These things are marvels, especially for specified uses. Sturdy, handsome, accurate, relatively inexpensive – a peep sight may be just the unit you need. They definitely work, and, really, they don’t need a rebirth. They have been around a long time and will likely stay.
16 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Rebirth of the Old
(Top) A Winchester pump .22 wearing a Marble’s tang peep sight. (Bottom) This Marlin .22 is equipped with a Williams Fool Proof action-mounted peep.
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SELECTING THE BEST
DOG HUNTING COLLAR BY JOHN E. PHILLIPS
No matter the size of your hunting dog, and how you want to communicate with it, Dogtra offers a collar for different sizes of dogs and several ways to allow you to speak to your working dog.
18 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
HUNTING
A hunter and his dog are a team. For a team to be the most effective, the members of that team must be able to communicate with each other, know where each is and understand what the purpose for the team is.
“One of the biggest mistakes many hunters make is using an e-collar to stimulate the dog when the dog doesn’t know what they want it to do. For instance, if you take Little Johnny to his first baseball practice, and he’s lucky enough to hit the ball, well, if ‘Little Johnny’ doesn’t know what to do, and you yell and scream, ‘run Johnny run,’ he may run to the pitcher’s mound or to first or second base. You haven’t taught him what to do after he hits the ball. So, if you give a dog a command, and the dog doesn’t understand what that command means, you can’t expect that dog to perform the way you want it to perform,” Fischer said.
When you’re deciding which hunting dog collar to purchase, there are several questions you need to ask yourself before you start your search. • What do you want your dog to do, how will you train it to perform that task, and what’s the easiest way for the dog and you to communicate when you’re out of the dog’s sight and its hearing? • How do you know when your pointing dog goes on point, if you can’t see it, how can you know the distance you are from that dog, and how can you make that dog, “Whoa,” in a strong wind when you know the dog can’t hear your commands. • What are the three most important things to know, if you’re a coon hunter, including where’s the dog when I can’t hear it; where’s my truck; and how can I get to my dog or to my truck from where I am? • How can you prevent your waterfowling dog from jumping into the water when the dog first sees a flight of ducks fly over it? How can you prevent the dog from wanting to retrieve a duck, when the ducks light down in the decoy, but you haven’t fired a shot yet? How can you teach a dog to make a blind retrieve when the dog hasn’t seen the duck or goose go down? • How can you correct any hunting dog when it starts running, chasing or swimming after the game you don’t want the dog to hunt?
To decide what type of training collar or tracking collar you may need, and what will work best for you and your dog, you need to learn all you can about the various kinds of tracking and training collars on the market today. Dogtra (https://www. dogtra.com/) offers more than 70 different types of training and/or tracking collars
WHAT EXPERT DOGMEN RECOMMEND Tyler Webster, an upland bird dog trainer and breeder for many years from North Dakota says, “Really there are only three basic commands that I must teach my dogs, ‘Stop!’ ‘Come here,’ and ‘Walk with me.’” A coon dog trainer and hunter, Kodey Glancy of Kentucky, explained that the fourth command coon dogs need to know is, “Load up. That means either get into your kennel, jump into the back of my truck or jump into the cab of my truck.” Pete Fischer of central Minnesota has been training dogs and teaching seminars on dog training since the 1970s and he’s found that an e-collar is, “One of the fastest ways to train a dog to do what you want the dog to do. However, having said that, I think the e-collar only should be used to reinforce the commands the dog already knows. The four commands I want my dog to know are, ‘Come to me,’ ‘Stop,’ ‘Sit,’ and ‘Go and get in your kennel.’ All these commands, which are basic obedience commands should be taught in the backyard before you ever think about putting an e-collar or any other type of training or tracking collar on a dog. Whenever your dog does what you’ve asked it to do, you need to give that dog positive reinforcement like petting it or giving it food or communicating in some way, ‘Well, done, buddy. I’m proud of you.’
THE COSTS OF HUNTING DOG COLLARS Another factor that you need to consider is how much you’ll have to pay to get the right training and/or tracking collar for your hunting dog. E-collars and GPS collars are designed for various-sized dogs, dogs with different temperaments and dogs that either work close or are wide-ranging. For instance, you don’t need a training collar or a tracking collar with a nine mile range if your dog will be hunting in open terrain and you’ll be close to the dog while it works. However, if your dog is a coon dog, a boar-hunting dog or a mountain-lion hound, you don’t want a collar that only has a range of 300 yards to one mile. You need a collar that allows you to keep up with the dog when it’s covering a vast amount of territory to give you a way to reinforce the, “Come to me,” or “Stop,” commands, if that dog doesn’t do what it’s supposed to do.
When I first started coon hunting with my grandpa, the only tracking collars I had were brass nameplates riveted to our dogs’ leather collars. OTHER CONSIDERATIONS WHEN CHOOSING A HUNTING DOG COLLAR Many of the collars available on the market today are GPS collars that use satellite technology to show you where you are, where the dog is, and where the truck is. Some of these collars can be synced to Google Maps. But in years gone by, a hunting dog collar may have been a simple leather one. Kodey Glancy, known as the “Kentucky Cooner”, says, “When I first started coon hunting with my grandpa, the only tracking collars I had were brass nameplates riveted to our dogs’ leather collars. We’d go into the woods to hunt raccoons just as the light was fading from the day. We might not come out of the woods until the sun was up because we’d been lost. Our dogs often were lost too. Sometimes we might not get our dogs back for two to three days after an all-night hunt. Then 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 19
HOG RUSH
Selecting the Best Hunting Dog Collar
“THERE WILL BE BLOOD”
THERMAL NIGHT
HUNTS
IN ALABAMA
some kind soul would catch my dog, look at its brass nameplate, call me and say, ‘I think I’ve got your dog.’ “But today I can use my cell phone with a DOGTRA PATHFINDER collar, pull down Google Earth with an app that syncs with the PATHFINDER and not only see where I am but also where my coon dog and my truck are and know the locations of rivers, streams, highways, houses, barns and everything in the general area where we’ve been hunting raccoons. Before we hunt, if I’m fairly sure I’ll have spotty cell-phone service, I can pull down the Google map I think I’ll need, store it in my cell phone’s memory and have the access to features on the map that I need. Then I can use my truck to go down a road that’s closer to where my dog is, without having to cross a creek, crawl through briars or walk 1-1/2 miles.” To select the best hunting dog collar for the dog you plan to hunt with in your sport, you need to know the: • Type of terrain where you’ll be hunting. • Approximate distance you’ll want to be to stay in touch with your dog. • Size of the dog that will wear the collar. • Amount of time you’re planning to commit to obedience train your dog and to help the dog understand how you can communicate with it through using a training collar. • Value of your dog. If your hunting dog is headed toward a busy road, and you can’t stop the dog, then a training collar is the best insurance you’ll ever buy for your hunting dog to keep it safe. • Kind of property you’ll be hunting – perhaps new lands or public lands you’ve never hunted before with your dog. If you have to walk all night or all day and night to find your dog and your truck, how much is that time worth to you by having a tracking collar that quickly and easily can show you where your dog is, where you are, and where your truck is. The more functions a collar has, the length of the collar’s battery life, the distance the hunter can be from his dog, and the size of his dog also impact how to choose the best collar for your dog. Bigger dogs like hounds, some retrievers and others can wear larger collars that weigh more than those for small hunting dogs, beagles or squirrel dogs can. If your hunting dog fits into the small hunting-dog category, you may want to consider using a smaller collar like the DOGTRA PATHFINDER MINI, which includes all the functions of a tracking and training collar but is in a smaller box with a smaller battery and less range. For all these reasons before you select your hunting-dog collar, you want to learn all you can about the different types of hunting-dog collars available in the marketplace, what each collar is designed to do, and how much money the collar will cost you. Although a collar is designed to be worn by the dog, the person with the cell phone or the remote has the advantage to not only know where his dog is and what it’s doing but also where his vehicle is, and what’s the quickest way to reach his dog and get home.
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HOW VETERAN UPLAND BIRD HUNTER TYLER WEBSTER TRAINS HIS DOGS AND SELECTS THEIR COLLARS Tyler Webster, hunts seven states every year, including North Dakota, Montana, New Mexico and the states along the Mex-
Selecting the Best Hunting Dog Collar
If you’re hunting in a river-bottom swamp, and your squirrel dog trees, knowing from the Dogtra Google Maps app on your cell phone where the creeks, rivers and briar patches are between you and the dog can make your trek much easier. 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 21
Selecting the Best Hunting Dog Collar
“I always like to run only one dog when I’m coon hunting, however, due to my training coondogs, I may run a pup with a veteran dog and use two Dogtra collars,” Kodey Glancy explained.
ican border, has a podcast, “Birds, Booze and Buds” (http:// westernwingshooter.libsyn.com/) that he started two years ago on upland bird hunting and pointing dogs. “I started hunting upland birds long before I owned a pointing dog, going with my grandpa and my uncles when I was 8 years old – even before I was old enough to carry a shotgun,” Webster said. “The first time I ever hunted with a pointing dog I was 12 years old. My second cousin owned the dog, and the first time I saw that dog go on point, I knew that’s what I wanted to do with the rest of my life. I’m a wild bird hunter. I don’t hunt any pen-raised birds, liberated birds or preserve birds. I’ve learned that wild birds can teach a dog manners.” Webster trains “meat” bird dogs, not “competition” dogs, the old way and says he lets the birds do most of the training.
Generally the first time a young pup smells a wild bird, the pup will point for a few seconds and then wants to jump in on top of the bird to catch it “There’s only a few items I have to communicate to my dogs. I want them to come when I want them to come to me; they need to stop when I ask them to stop; and generally they need to behave and respond to what I ask them to do. In the very beginning, I’ll put my dogs in situations where the birds I’m hunting can teach the dogs what the dogs are supposed to do, and what those dogs have been bred to do. “I’ll begin to train my dogs by using a 25-30 foot long check rope when the dogs are four to five months old, before I ever use an e-collar. The dog drags the rope behind it, and when the dog doesn’t obey my commands, I’ll grab the check rope and give the dog a sharp jerk, which is the same as saying to the dog, ‘Pay attention to me, and do what you know to 22 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
do.’ My main purpose in correcting the dog when it needs to be corrected is to allow its breeding to come out naturally,” Webster said. According to Webster, a “pointing” dog needs to: • Know that it works with its owner as a team. • Understand what its owner wants it to do and has trained it to do to find and take more birds than either of them will if they hunt on their own. • Locate and point birds. Today, you can go to the Internet and learn the history of breeders and the dogs they’ve produced. Then you can pick out the dog that has the best breeding and the qualities you want in a bird dog, due to its genetics. • Learn it can’t crowd the birds (get too close to the birds). “Generally the first time a young pup smells a wild bird, the pup will point for a few seconds and then wants to jump in on top of the bird to catch it,” Webster said. “Once a pup doesn’t get a reward after flushing a covey or a bird, that pup will understand quickly that when it flushes the birds that the birds will break and fly away, and that it isn’t fast enough to catch the birds. “The next time the dog points a bird, I’ll plan to be close enough to get my hands on the dog’s check rope. If the dog starts to jump on the bird, I’ll jerk the dog’s check rope and yell, ‘Whoa.’ That dog quickly understands it doesn’t want to get its neck jerked. It realizes that if it stands still when it smells a bird and waits until I come up and flush the bird, it won’t get that correction. The dog also will hear the words of praise it wants to hear and get petted, making it happy.
Selecting the Best Hunting Dog Collar
“Once the dog is older, I’ve found that using a check cord in connection with an e-collar like the Dogtra T&B DUAL works best. The e-collar has the same effect as the check cord – giving the dog a jolt on its neck. The dog can’t distinguish the difference when it’s corrected between the check cord and the e-collar. That dog just understands that whatever it’s done, I don’t like it, and that’s why it’s received the jolt. An e-collar enables me to speak to the dog non-verbally and let it know what I want it to do.” Webster concluded. To learn more about the various kinds of dog collars available and what their features and see the training videos available on Dogtra’s website at https:// www.dogtra.com/training-tips-and-videos. These videos show how many of the nation’s top dog trainers in various sports select the e-collars and tracking collars for their dogs to help them hunt more efficiently and successfully. “When I first started coon hunting, the only type of tracking or training collar I had was a leather dog collar with a brass plate riveted to it with my name and phone number,” Kodey Glancy said. “If I couldn’t find my dog, I had to hope and pray that someone would call me and let me know where to come and get my dog.”
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HOW TO COMPLETE A
SEAWALL REPAIR BY MIKE HAYES
24 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
LIFESTYLE
BASIC STEPS IN BUILDING A SEAWALL Most anglers dream of one day owning a place on the water if they don’t already. Being able to drop your boat in the water at a moments notice and get on the fish is a beautiful thing. A property owner whose land touches the water, especially coastal and tide-influenced water, needs to consider having a solid, well-built seawall construction. Seawalls help keep the water and the land separate and each in its place. A well-made seawall built with good materials can provide good service for twenty to fifty years. However, a damaged seawall is not only ugly to look at, but it can also present a homeowner with some severe and potentially dangerous problems. For most homeowners and property owners who need to build or repair a seawall, getting professional help is required. Seawalls are not the sort of project most people are able to do on their own. The first step in building or repairing a seawall is to make sure the right contractor is doing the work. Property owners who are building or repairing a seawall must check all contractor’s references and the specific kinds of materials they intend to use. Check warranties of materials. The contractor must have Workers’ Comp and general liability insurance. Property owners must make sure the contractor is properly covered in all cases. Using a contractor who is not fully licensed and insured can lead to some very expensive outcomes for homeowners. The contractor must know and be able to work with the Corps of Engineers and state authorities before starting a seawall construction project. Quite often a permit must be issued from either the federal or state authorities when any kind of project on public waterways is proposed. BEST MATERIALS Seawalls can be made of a wide range or materials, and properly maintained, any of the most common seawall structural materials can give good service. Vinyl or aluminum sheet panels are the best material for a good bulkhead. Of course, concrete is better than all other materials, but it is very labor intensive and expensive. Whatever materials for the wall structure are chosen, a crucial point in any seawall construction is the kind and number of tie backs used to secure the wall. Tie backs are long, strong metal rods which anchor into the soil on the land side of the seawall and which provide support to the seawall itself. If insufficient tie backs are used, the wall will not hold up to tide action, flood conditions, or storm surge and massive damage can occur. WHAT CAUSES DAMAGE TO SEAWALLS Seawalls are structures under constant stress and pressure. Tide action, boat wakes, high water from storms all put pressure on seawalls from one side, and high flood water from heavy rains put pressure on the seawall from the other side.
High storm tides and heavy rain put seawalls under great stress.
If seawalls are not properly built, and most commonly this means that not enough tie backs were used in the initial construction, damage will occur. If storm water cannot escape from the backside of the seawall, it can suffer damage. Heavy 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 25
How to Complete a Seawall Repair
run-offs from tropical storms and hurricanes can cause much damage in a very short period of time. Erosion from the landside of a seawall can create massive land creep and soil loss which can result in large cavities and voids which can be very dangerous. Backfilling these voids with sand or soil doesn’t work for very long. WHAT HAPPENS IF SEAWALLS ARE NOT REPAIRED? Like just about all problems in life, damage to seawalls which is not repaired and properly corrected only gets worse. No matter what causes seawall damage, left unrepaired, the damage will only get worse until the seawall is totally collapsed and presents a real danger to the property owner and others. Erosion from water movement from either the waterway side or land side can cause a seawall to buckle and collapse. High water created voids can collapse and leave a dangerous, ugly hole behind a seawall. Backfilling these erosion-created voids has limited benefit, and the fill material usually doesn’t last long. Tie backs are crucial elements in seawall construction and repair
LONE
WOLF
26 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Many times these erosion voids can
How to Complete a Seawall Repair
be filled with special closed cell foam material which can be injected into the void. This foam hardens when it contacts water, and it creates a much more solid and long-lasting repair. Many seawalls suffer collapse and damage because they were originally built with inadequate tie backs. More tie backs can be installed to strengthen weak and damaged seawalls. This requires excavation into the shore so that the tie backs can be placed properly and then connected to the seawall. Seawall closed cell foam installation and tie back replacement and installation need to be done by a trained, experienced and properly equipped seawall repair contractor. Don’t take a chance on losing your waterfront fishing and boat launching piece of heaven by trying to do it yourself.
For More Information About Seawall Repair: Mike Hayes MDH Construction 251-333-9355
A properly built and maintained seawall adds value to a property’s value.
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Simple Hunting Cabin Plans DIY or Find a Builder? BY JOHN E. PHILLIPS
28 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
HUNTING
Since I always took all three of my children to hunting camps with me, one of the requirements I had about joining a hunting lease was that it have a house or a cabin where my children and I could stay whenever we went there to hunt or fish. I also wanted to know before I joined the lease if children of members were welcomed by members of the lease. However, if you own land, or you’re part of a long-term lease, you may want to build your own hunting cabin, either from your own design or, possibly, a log cabin kit. And when you are looking to build, the first place to start is with a good set of hunting cabin plans. To learn the best information on how to build a hunting cabin and what to consider before starting construction, we interviewed the man who wrote the book on how to build a hunting cabin, J. Wayne Fears. A wildlife biologist and outdoor writer, who has owned and managed two different hunting lodges and has supervised 220 hunting clubs for a major timber company, Fears is familiar with what’s required to build the best hunting cabin with the needed features. WHY J. WAYNE FEARS WANTED TO BUILD A HUNTING CABIN When Fears bought 300 acres of woodlands adjoining a national forest, he knew he wanted to spend a lot of time with his children and grandchildren on the property. He longed for a place where they could camp and enjoy a true log-cabin experience. So, he decided to build a log cabin with the help of his children, neighbors and friends. “Because I’d built log cabins in Alabama and helped build three log cabins in Alaska and one in British Columbia, I had a fairly-good idea of what was required to build a sturdy log cabin,” Fears explained. “Although plenty of good log-cabin kits are on the market, and you usually can get hunting cabin plans and floor plans from log-cabin manufacturers you can find on the Internet, I wanted to design and build a log cabin that I felt met my requirements and the needs of my family and friends. Luckily, I had grown sons with carpentry skills.” Fears and his boys decided they would take a year to build the cabin of their dreams. They realized that they had three choices when building a log cabin. They could: • design and build it themselves, which would require much more time but save money and possibly prevent some problems that they might encounter if they purchased a log-cabin kit; • build it partially themselves; and/or • have a log-cabin company build the kit for them. Pictured here is J. Wayne Fears’ hunting cabin he, his sons and friends built on his property. Notice the outhouse on the right side of the photo complete with a quarter-moon cut-out in the door for ventilation.
WHAT TO CONSIDER BEFORE STARTING TO BUILD A LOG CABIN You must decide whether: •
to build a log cabin or a hunting cabin from your land’s 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 29
Simple Hunting Cabin Plans – DIY or Find a Builder?
•
•
•
• •
timber. Not many people have timber on their property that they can cut, take the logs to the saw mill, have those logs squared-up and build a cabin from the logs they cut off their land. to use a log cabin kit. According to Fears, “I’d suggest going to Google on the Internet and search for log homes, log home manufacturers and/or log-cabin manufacturers, look at the floor plans and the prices and choose the kit and the price that fits your budget.” to use round logs, “D” logs that are square on the inside and round on the outside or Appalachian logs that are squared logs. “Once you decide the type of logs you want to use, then you can better decide which log-home company you’ll buy from for your log cabin,” Fears mentioned. to build your cabin yourself, if you have plenty of help from family and/or friends with woodworking skills. Or, you can take time off from your work to build your cabin, or you can hire someone in your local area with skills and experience building log cabins that you oversee. These options usually will cost you less money. to have the company you buy the log cabin kit from send in its crew to build the cabin for you; to use a log cabin kit that’s three-fourths finished, with you buying the roofing and flooring materials, floors and windows yourself; or having the company provide the finished roof materials, flooring materials, doors and windows.
• “To make these decisions to determine how much time realistically you and your family are willing to invest to get the cabin built, you must consider all these items,” Fears reported. “My experience has been that if you only work on the cabin on offdays, holidays and weekends with four or five people helping you, you may spend 1-1/2 years building your cabin.”
“There’s a lot of lifting involved in building a log cabin, and those people need to have some home-building experience as well as carpentry skills. You may learn that your costs to build will be almost as much as if you let the kit company crew build it for you. The company can build your log cabin in a matter of days or weeks, instead of 1-1/2 years,” Fears pointed out. WHAT PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS TO ASSESS BEFORE CARRYING OUT HUNTING CABIN PLANS When Fears’ bought his 300 acres, the property had three hollows (drainages coming off a mountain) through it, with one of the hollows containing a creek that had year-round water running through it. He knew he wanted to have a creek nearby, so, his cabin could use the water from the creek to boil water and wash dishes, pots and pans, to bathe in during the summertime and to get water to boil for a hot bath in the winter months. However, Fears realized that a creek wouldn’t remain at the same level all year long. “I found an older gentleman who had lived on the land for many years before I bought it and knew the history of the creek,” Fears reported. “When I asked him about the highest water level he’d ever seen on that creek, he pointed to the belt on his blue jeans to indicate that the water had come up to waist-high. So, I knew I must build my cabin above the ground, possible on stilts, more than waist-high to keep the cabin from getting flooded when the area had unusually large amounts of rain coming down the mountain in that little creek.” Fears required a high-enough, dry ridge, close to the creek to 30 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
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build an outhouse on that wouldn’t leak into the water supply. He also wanted a secluded location to deter people from breaking into the cabin when no one was there. So, he chose a site 1-1/2 miles from any public road and in an area that either had been farmed or used for pasture with no trees on it insuring that during a storm, a tree wouldn’t fall on his cabin. Fears spent about two years researching the best site to build his cabin and designing hunting cabin plans and the outhouse, before he and his sons ever put boots on the ground to build the structure.
Before you start building a log cabin, you need to know the history of the land. Most folks like to build a log cabin near water, but if that creek, river or stream ever floods, you may want to consider building your cabin on pilings off the ground.
“You can save a lot of problems, headaches, disappointments and destruction, if you’ll spend the time to thoroughly research the site where you want to build a cabin, learn what type of permitting you’ll need to build the cabin and other considerations and spend time studying, planning and researching what type and size of cabin you want to build before you ever start construction,” Fears emphasized. “If you do that, you won’t wake up one morning and say, ‘Oh, my gosh, I never thought about so and so!’” BUILD A SOLID FOUNDATION Mike Hayes has built and repaired the foundations of numerous hunting cabins ranging from simple to enormous. One of the points you must consider is the soil in a given area. “Many hunting cabins are built on land with poor soils that are prone to shifting. The solution for some is a lot of time spent hauling out the poor soil and hauling in better dirt. One of the ways you can save a lot of time and money in building your foundation is through the use of a Helical Piering System. This system will get down to the stable soil and allow for the hunting cabin to be placed on these piers, saving you a lot of time and money in the
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Simple Hunting Cabin Plans – DIY or Find a Builder?
You may want to use whole log beams for the roof of the cabin and then consider log siding for the external and the internal portions of the cabin.
process.” A lot of people who are interested in a simple hunting cabin are buying a piece of property that already has an old cabin in place. It’s often questioned whether one should replace the cabin all together or repair what is there. Mike almost always recommends repairing an existing foundation over building a new one. “If you have sagging joists on an existing hunting cabin, you can use our SmartJack® System system to sure up those joists. This can also be used in conjunction with the Helical Piering system where it is needed.” Regardless of whether you are building new or repairing an existing hunting cabin, the foundation needs special attention. If you have more questions on setting the right foundation for your simple hunting cabin, you can contact Mike at 251-250-4855or online at https://mdhfoundationrepair.com/. HOW FEARS BUILT HIS CABIN “My log cabin wasn’t really a log cabin,” Fears sayed. “Everyone thought it was a log cabin because it looked like a log cabin. My log cabin was a conventional cabin built with log siding on the outside and the inside. State foresters who were friends of mine wanted to have a meeting in my cabin, and the first thing they asked me was, ‘Where did you get those logs?’ When I told them that the logs actually were log siding I’d gotten from the sawmill, they were amazed. A sawmill can cut siding to look just like a log but that’s actually a board. Most of these boards are planed from a piece of two by eight foot lumber, so if you put the log siding on the outside of the cabin and the log siding on the inside of the cabin, then your cabin looks exactly like a log cabin, plus you save not only money but also labor. “We actually built a box shape like you’d build a shop in your backyard and then covered the exterior walls and the interior walls with log siding,” Fears pointed out. . “I spent a lot of time by myself working on the parts of the cabin that I could build myself, but I also had my three boys to help. We built our cabin in about six months, working part-time when we could.” Fears explains he built the cabin in 1991 for $7,000. “I’m sure 32 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
that I’d have spent much more money to build today. I also had many of the materials donated for editorial consideration in the magazines I was writing for at that time, most of which no longer exist today. I mentioned all the products that I used in the articles I wrote,” Fears said. Fears reported that if he had to build that same cabin today, following the same hunting cabin plans and buying all the materials he needed, that the cabin probably would cost $30,000 or more, about what you’d pay for a nice kit cabin. The size of his cabin was about 900 square feet which was the perfect size for his needs, since his three sons and three grandsons and himself all would be using the cabin. “My cabin was an Alaskan trapper design,” Fears explained. “Anytime you’re building a cabin you really are building a box. The first thing to consider is how many people will use that cabin, and what kind of sleeping accommodations you’ll need. In my cabin, I decided on bunk beds. So, I took a piece of graph paper and drew the size of the rooms I wanted inside my box (cabin). I wanted one room to be a sleeping room and the other room to be a great room with a kitchen, a stove, a dining area and a sitting room.” Fears shaped his kitchen like an L in the corner of the cabin to contain a sink, a stove and cabinets for storing food and pots and pans. He allowed enough square footage in the kitchen for two people to cook at the same time. He required a space for a table big enough to sit six or more people at mealtime, a wood stove or fireplace and enough room for people to sit and tell hunting and fishing stories. “Another very-important part of the cabin that wasn’t really figured into the size of the cabin was a front porch,” Fears emphasized. “I wouldn’t have a cabin without a front porch for sitting on and fellowshipping. We did a lot of cooking on the front porch and sitting there, especially during the summertime, because the cabin wasn’t air conditioned.”
Simple Hunting Cabin Plans – DIY or Find a Builder?
Fears pointed out that not included in his hunting cabin plans, a bathroom. “I built a first-class, nice-looking outhouse with a partial moon cut out for ventilation. I wanted my sons and grandsons to experience what I did growing up when we had to take a flashlight and walk to the outhouse on a frosty morning to go to the bathroom,” Fears said. Fears’ cabin also didn’t have running water or electricity. His family brought water in, using five gallon containers for drinking and cooking, and boiled water to purify it for taking baths or washing dishes. Most people today would want a flush toilet. However, a well for running water would cost about $15 a foot to dig, and then you’d have to hire a plumber to put all the plumbing in the cabin. To have electricity, you’d spend a good bit of money to get on a grid or have to buy a gasoline generator and the gasoline to power it. These modern amenities were left out of Fears, hunting cabin plans. “I wanted my grandchildren to experience what living in a log cabin in years gone by was like,” Fears recalled. “Those amenities would cost a lot of money, and the landowner would have to go through a lot of permitting to get those amenities.” FINANCING YOUR HUNTING CABIN PLANS Taylor Hart, the branch manager of First South Farm Credit, explained that First South Farm Credit is a rural lender. If you decide to build a log home or a hunting cabin on your property, Hart reports that First South loans money for those kind of property improvements. “Absolutely. We can make construction loans and turn those loans into long-term loans, if need be. Some landowners are
building secondary homes, hunting cabins or lodges, and others are wanting to put their primary residences on 20-30 acres,” Hart said. “First South can make loans for anything a landowner wants to do to develop his property. If you’re playing in the dirt, we want to be in there with you, as long as you’re improving the value of the dirt, which is the collateral of the loan.” Contact Taylor with more questions at 334-826-2563 or jhart@ firstsouthland.com. WHAT ADVANTAGES ARE THERE IN USING A LOG-CABIN KIT COMPANY One of the advantages of using a kit company is once you decide how big you want your box, and how many people you want it to accommodate, a log-cabin company will send you the specifications and the cost of the materials required carryout your dream hunting cabin plans and/or the cost to have them partially built or completely built by its crew. If you have the company send its crew in to build your log cabin, the crew will stay on-site and work on that cabin until it’s completely built. Due to their experience and know-how, they can build that cabin much faster than you and your crew, but that time frame still depends on the weather and the size of the cabin you are building. Rich memories and nostalgia are associated with having a log hunting cabin today like early hunters and settlers had during the founding of this country. Today you can have much or all of the work of building a log cabin done for you, or you can build it yourself. Check out J. Wayne Fears’ book, “How to Build Your Dream Cabin in the Woods”
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For more info on the events or CCA Alabama www.ccaalabama.org 251-478-3474 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 33
5 Pine Plantations Deer Hunting Tips for
BY CHARLES JOHNSON
Trails and fire breaks between sections of pines are the place to begin scouting. 34 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
HUNTING
A sea of pine trees can be intimidating. Where and how to tackle hunting deer in pine plantations. As the hunter topped the hill down a major power line, he noted the pines seemed to continue past the horizon. Pines in various stages of growth meshed together like pieces of a giant jig-saw puzzle. His mind entertained the thought of, “Where do I begin to hunt this massive area of pine trees.?” A large percentage of land in Alabama and the Southeast is dominated by pine plantations. Many areas have different growth stages of pines from a few years to pines over 20 years old. Deer hunters new hunting in pine forests may not have a clue where to begin.
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There are certain areas in the pine forests where hunters should focus, but first they need to understand that hunting deer may require a different approach. Bucks, including mature bucks, will use specific locations inside the pine plantations. Hunters will need a little patience and be observant when hunting pines. MAPS AND SATELLITE PHOTOS TO GET YOU STARTED One of the first things a hunter can do to assist in planning a hunt in a large pine area is to view a topographic map and satellite photo of the hunt area. A topo map will show the terrain features, like ridges, flats and creeks. The topo map will also indicate how steep the terrain features. A clear satellite photo of the hunting area can instantly show a hunter the layout of the pines and any adjoining timber. Also, younger, shorter pines along with mature pine stands can be identified on the photo. Roads, trails and forest openings can also be picked out. “Google Earth is the place to go to get detailed satellite photos,” comments 20 year pine plantation hunter Matt Smith of Oxford, Ala. “The thicker pines can be easily spotted from the overhead view.” Smith points out that access roads, fire breaks and trails show up clearly. An advantage of Google Earth is the user can zoom in on a specific area with good detail. In most cases, a viewer can determine if the mature pines have been thinned. By using both a topo map and a satellite image a hunter can narrow down a couple of spots to scout. One area Smith likes to begin with is where a section of small pines joins a section of larger, mature pines. Usually there will be a firebreak/lane between these two stages of pines. FIND A WATER SOURCE Timber harvesters can only cut trees to within about 50 feet either side of a creek or tributary. These areas are known as stream management zones (SMZ). One advantage of the
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Five Deer Hunting Tips for Pine Plantations
SMZ is the foresters often leave oak trees along the creaks.
it easier to spot deer traveling between sections.”
The creeks can be identified on the topo map and satellite photos. In the photos, the SMZ will be bare trees in a brown or grey color, contrasting with the dark green of the pines.
Due to the selective thinning of trees sunlight can reach the forest floor in the lanes. This helps natural forbs to grow providing more browse for deer. The new growth will be a smorgasbord, attracting deer and other wildlife.
“During the rut, bucks will use the SMZ areas to travel between the pine area looking for does,” Smith said.“I often find scrapes along the creek edges.” Hunters will also want to scout along the creeks and streams looking for deer crossings. Look for tracks and trails leading in and out of the pines along the creek. In some cases, two or more trails may cross in the SMZ. During warmer days deer may use the creek bottom to bed down, especially if there is some thick cover. Depending on the region of the state, acorn could still be available along the SMZ. White oaks and water oaks could still be dropping acorns to the forest floor. This will be a prime food source and will draw deer out of the piney woods. WATCH YOUR LANES As certain sections of pine forests mature, timber companies will thin or cut every third, fourth or even fifth row of large pine trees. This allows the remaining pines to grow larger over the next five to six years. This thinning of certain rows helps the deer and hunters. “With the trees thinned out some, lanes are opened up through the pines,” Smith reported. “These open lanes make
Deer hunters can also create their own “hidey-hole” food plots in these open lanes. No-till type seed blends are perfect for these areas. The plot does not have to be large. A few pounds of seed and some fertilizer can greatly enhance the attraction of the lanes. IN THE THICK OF IT As we have mentioned, most pine plantations have trees in various stages of growth. Some areas may be only three to five years old, with pines around six feet high. Other areas will have mid-range pines, with trees 12- to-20 feet in height or more. Sections of mature pines may have trees two feet or more in diameter. The young or short pines will be much thicker with vines and briers making it almost impenetrable by hunters. Deer, on the other hand, love the thicker pines. These areas provide cover for the deer and protection during colder weather. Smith searches out areas where shorter pines will border a section of large pines. Usually a road or fire break trail will section off the two pine stands. Deer will use the thicker pines for bedding areas. At times the deer will move from the short, thick pines into the large pines in search for food.
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Five Deer Hunting Tips for Pine Plantations
During the rut, bucks will cruise the fire break trails in search of an estrous doe. Hunters will want to scout along these trails or use game camera to determine when and where the bucks are moving. “I like to set my stand about 20- yards inside the larger pines and watch the trail,” Smith commented. “Wind direction will determine if the area is huntable on a given day.” CALL THEM OUT Over the years Smith has learned that deer in the pines can be more vocal that in other areas. This is especially true in thicker sections of short or medium sized pines. In the thicker pines the deer can see as far as in open area and they rely on bleats and grunts more to communicate. “Calm days are perfect to give calling a try around thicker pine sections,” Smith said. “I’ll start with a few soft grunts and listen close for any response.” Smith mentioned that most responses from other deer will not be very loud. In some cases, the deer may just step out from the short pines into a lane or trail without making a sound. At other times, Smith has had two or more deer answer his initial grunt call. Rattling will also work when hunting deer in pine forests. Begin the rattling sequence short and low. If no response, increase the intensity and duration. Hunters should be prepared for a buck to show up from any direction.
Rattling and calling can be very effective when hunting in thicker pine forests.
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NEW GEAR BY WILLIAM KENDY
Ugly Stik® Announces New Carbon Rod Technology
The new lightweight Ugly Stik® carbonx rods ae crafted of 24-ton graphite, which means they are 37% stronger than other standard graphite rods while still delivering sensitivity and balance. The carbon Ugly Stik® rods include stainless steel guides and WINN® split grips for added comfort and control. The series is available in casting and spinning rods and combos. Suggested Retail Price: $79.95 to $119.95 www.purefishing.com
Technaxx Introduces New Compact Camera
The new TX-117 mini nature wild camera is a budget friendly compact camera designed for recording wildlife as well as for general outdoor and indoor usage. It is capable of recording full HD 1080p video, offers a 1.9” display, built-in IR LED technology and can capture nighttime recordings. The camera runs on four AA batteries and includes a MicroSD card with a 32GB capacity. Suggested Retail Price: $79.99 Availabe at Walmarts and Amazon
Yakima Lets You Transport Your Fishing Rods in Simple, Safe and “Ready to Fish” Style The Yakima ReelDeal™ fishing rod mount securely carries up to 8 fully riggedup and ready to fish full-length fishing rods of just about any style on your roof rack. The single-button side access makes for quick loading/unloading and the included SKS (Same Key System) locks keep your rods safe and secure. Tool free clamp design allows easy installation and removal. Suggested Retail Price: $169.99 www.yakima.com
Hook+Gaff Offers New Rugged Field Watch
Designed for active outdoor enthusiasts, the HG3 Field watch offers a comfortable left-side crown orientation which eliminates the crown uncomfortably digging into the wearer’s wrist. It incorporates a watertight brushed 316L sturdy surgical stainless steel casing, an anti-reflective scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, Swiss Super Luminova™ illumination technology that lights the watch hands and hour markers without need for a battery and the interchangeable Cordura® strap. Suggested Retail Price: Starting at $300.00 www.HookandGaff.com
Normadik Delivers Adventure Gear to Your Door Normadik is a subscription box service that delivers adventure outdoor gear each month. Each box has a retail value of $50 -$70. Upon sign-up you receive a welcome box and then, based on your profile, Normadik can customize boxes to your interests. You can subscribe for 1, 6 or 12 months, skip any month, just pay for what ships and cancel anytime. Subscription prices start at $29.99 a month www.thenormadik.com 40 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
NEW GEAR FOR OUTDOORSMEN
Wilderness Athlete Introduces Mastermind
This new trio of nootropic supplements from Wilderness Athlete is specifically formulated to enhance, synergize and support critical brain functions for optimal daily activity, calm and rest. Edge™ is designed to accelerate brain function, enhance memory and sharpen focus. At Ease™ helps people stay positive and productive by reducing the negative impact of stress and anxiety. Unplug™ is to help individuals feel relaxed and get deep, uninterrupted sleep Online Price: $44.95 www.wildernessathlete.com
Duluth Pack Launches New Padded Micro-Suede Gun Cases
Responding to customer demand, Duluth Pack has introduced a new line of long gun and pistol cases incorporating moisture wicking micro-suede. The rifle case is constructed of 15-ounce canvas and/or premium leather, is equipped with outdoor zippers that are much less likely to scratch your firearm and includes a durable cotton webbing shoulder strap. Available lengths range from 43 to 55 inches. Suggested Retail Price: $375.00 www.duluthpack.com
Sufix 832 Advanced Superline
Sufix® 832® Advanced Superline® is the strongest, most durable small diameter braid on the market. R8 Precision Braiding and fiber technology provides superior strength, roundness and line consistency. 832® Advanced Superline® has 8 fibers and 32 weaves (pics) per inch. GORE® Performance Fibers improve abrasion resistance, casting distance and accuracy and reduce line vibration. HMPE fibers provide high strength & sensitivity, hydrophobic water-repellent protection and small diameter. Suggested Retail Price: From $16.99 www.rapala.com
Ranew’s Outdoors Gambrel/Scale Makes Deer Processing Easier
The Ranew’s Outdoors Hanging Judge gambrel and scale allows a secure way to hang, weigh, skin and quarter large game at a convenient height off of the ground that won’t hurt your back. This heavy duty combination allows the hunter to measure and weigh the animal for both live and dressed weight and eliminates having to raise and lower the animal, saving time and your back. Suggested Retail Price: $69.99 www.thehanging-judge.com
Henry Long Ranger Lever Action Rifle
The Henry Long Ranger delivers the bolt action performance with the speed of a lever action. Chambered for .223, .243, .308 and 6.5 Creedmore for greater distance and versatility, the Long Ranger incorporates a strong chromed steel bolt with a six-lug rotary head for a tight and consistent lock-up, side ejection, steel bodied flush fit detachable magazine plus more in a seven pound package. Suggested Retail Price: $1,066 www.henryusa.com 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 41
Hunting Opportunities Abound in November November is one of those months when it’s hard to determine which outdoor activity to pursue – deer hunting, small game hunting or waterfowl hunting. The majority of hunters are ready for the opening of the gun deer season, which is always the Saturday before Thanksgiving. This year, opening day is November 23. As you likely heard, the big change for the 2019 deer season and beyond was the passage of the bait privilege license that the Alabama Legislature voted into law earlier this year. The bait privilege license bill is restricted to privately owned or leased land. Baiting is still illegal on public hunting land, for example, our wildlife management areas (WMAs).
BY CHRIS BLANKENSHIP Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
The purchase of a bait privilege license makes it legal to hunt feral pigs (yearround during daylight hours only) and white-tailed deer (during the deerhunting season only) with the aid of bait. The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) is issuing the new license, which costs $15 for resident hunters and $51 for non-residents, through any license outlet or online at www. outdooralabama.com. Unlike regular hunting and fishing licenses, there are no exemptions for
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the bait privilege license. It applies to everybody who hunts those species with the aid of bait, which means hunters 65 years old and older and hunters under 16 must have a valid bait privilege license when hunting with the aid of bait. Also included are people hunting on their own property and lifetime license holders. Each hunter must have his/her own bait privilege license to hunt with the aid of bait. That includes sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters or spouses. For those who choose not to hunt with the aid of bait, the Area Definition Regulation remains in effect. The Area Definition Regulation allows for supplemental feeding as long as the feed is more than 100 yards away and out of the line of sight of the hunter because of natural vegetation or naturally occurring terrain features. One crucial addition that ADCNR asked to be included in the legislation was a provision that gives the Department the ability to suspend the use of the bait privilege license on a county, regional or statewide basis to prevent the spread of disease among wildlife. It is clear in the legislation that the Conservation Commissioner has the authority to suspend the baiting privilege if disease is detected. It also gives the Commissioner the authority to suspend all feeding of wild game in areas where disease may be present. This gives the
FROM THE COMMISSIONER ADCNR the statutory standing needed to protect the deer herd in the case of a disease outbreak in Alabama. Speaking of deer season, I again want to urge all hunters to comply with the Game Check requirements for deer and wild turkey. If you don’t already have a Conservation ID number, you will be issued one when you purchase your hunting license. You will need this number to report your harvests. Hunters have two ways to report their harvests – the Outdoor AL app for smartphones or online at outdooralabama. com. I hope hunters will report their harvests through the smartphone app because it’s the quickest, easiest way to comply. Visit www.outdooralabama.com/hunting/gamecheck-and-harvest-record-information for more information on Game Check. For lifetime license holders and those hunters who are license-exempt (residents over 65 and under 16 and resident landowners hunting on their own property), harvest reporting requires a free Hunter Exempt License Privilege (HELP) number that can obtained through the outdooralabama.com website or any place licenses are sold. The HELP number is only good for one hunting season, but it will allow you to obtain the Conservation ID number, which is good for a lifetime. Now that we’ve covered deer hunting, Alabama has many other hunting pursuits that start or continue in November. On the Friday after Thanksgiving, waterfowlers can welcome the opening of the duck, coot and merganser season and the second segment of the goose season. Waterfowl seasons and bag limits are controlled by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Duck hunters need to be aware that the bag limit for pintails is one per day, a reduction from last year’s bag limit.
A Must Read for Turkey Hunters. “Any information that came from outside was highly suspect. Anything that came from inside, even from members of your own family was, in many cases, tarred with the same brush. Nobody and by that I mean nobody, gave away a thing. The “boy” in this story is blessed with an honest and benevolent grandfather who learned the hard way. Alan covers very well what has come to be called “The bad old days” when you mostly made it on your own or you didn’t make it at all.” TOM KELLY
Hopefully, the 2019-2020 waterfowl prospects will rebound, and families can enjoy duck or goose for dinner the weekend after Thanksgiving. Most people only think about dove hunting when the seasons open in September, but the migration of doves from the north as the weather cools can make for some fine wing-shooting during Thanksgiving week and after. In fact, dove hunters have open seasons into January. Visit www.outdooralabama. com/mourning-and-white-winged-dove-season for the late fall and winter dove seasons. Of course, I can’t talk about November without including the most popular small-game pursuits in Alabama – squirrel and rabbit hunting. It’s a thrill to follow a pack of beagles as they flush rabbits from their hiding spots, and the chase provides plenty of action for all those involved. Both rabbit and squirrel hunting are great ways to introduce someone to the sport and both are ideal for youngsters. Those two pursuits provide the activity needed to keep kids interested while enjoying Alabama’s great outdoors. If you haven’t already done so, head to outdooralabama.com or your nearest retail outlet and purchase a hunting license right away. And don’t forget that for the first time you can purchase hard card licenses with wildlife art.
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877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 43
What Have We Done for You Lately?
Early on, DCNR staff trapped and relocated deer
From restocking most of the state to protecting against CWD, we are always there.
Fortunately, most Alabama hunters have never experienced the days of few to no deer in most of the state, and those same hunters don’t realize the lengths the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources went through to re-establish deer. Unfortunately, I am old enough to be one of the hunters who has experienced low deer numbers. When I started deer hunting in the mid- to- late 1970’s, deer numbers along the Tombigbee River in Choctaw County were still relatively low. I can remember hunting for weeks without seeing a deer. Today, if I don’t see at least 10 every time I go, I consider it a sub-par day. Here’s a little history lesson written by Chris Cook, the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Deer Program Coordinator:
BY CHARLES “CHUCK” SYKES Director of the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF)
By 1920, Alabama’s deer population had reached a historic low, with estimates placed at only 2,000 animals. Most of these deer were found along the Alabama and Tombigbee Rivers in southwest Alabama, with a few remnant populations located in other areas. To facilitate the re-establishment of deer herds throughout Alabama, a restock-
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ing program was initiated. This marked the beginning of the extremely successful restoration of Alabama’s deer population. The first documented restocking effort in Alabama occurred in 1925. This first release was a joint project with the Department of Game and Fish, the U.S. Forest Service, and citizens of several northern Alabama counties. The project purchased 105 deer from Michigan and released them on the Bankhead National Forest in Lawrence and Winston counties (present-day Black Warrior WMA). Other releases occurred in several counties and WMAs from 1934 to 1944, utilizing deer from various locations in Alabama, as well as sources from outside the State. Alabama’s deer population increased to an estimated 18,000 animals by 1940, but the recovery of Alabama’s deer herd was just beginning. In 1945, the Department of Game and Fish began a much larger statewide restocking program, primarily using deer from the agency’s wildlife sanctuaries located in Clarke County. Deer from private lands in Clarke, Marengo, Pickens, and Sumter counties were also utilized for
FROM THE DIRECTOR restocking. By 1970, approximately 3,000 deer from various Alabama sources were relocated and released in 52 of Alabama’s 67 counties. About half of these deer (1,552) came from Clarke County. An additional 410 deer from other states, including Arkansas, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin, were released in thi13. Fast forward to today. To say the restocking efforts were successful would be a gross understatement. We have a robust deer herd, with deer being present in all 67 counties. Alabama hunters have one of the longest deer seasons, extremely liberal bag limits, and very reasonably priced licenses. In addition, the genetic sources for the restocking effort created a unique situation not found in any other state. Hunters in Alabama have the potential to hunt the peak of the rut from early November through early February, on public and private lands, depending on what part of the state they choose to hunt. All of the factors detailed above combine to create an environment favorable for both resident and non-resident hunters alike. In addition to being a way of life for many, deer hunting alone generates more than $1 billion annually for Alabama’s economy. You have just read what was done in the past to protect and enhance this precious natural resource, but what have we done lately? Here is a list of just a few things: 1. Herd health checks. WFF began conducting reproductive health checks in 1995. The data gathered from these lead to the extension of deer season into February. 2. Monitoring for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). In 2002, WFF began monitoring for CWD using samples collected from deer in all 67 counties. Since then, more than 7,000 wild deer have been tested for the disease, with no CWD being detected to date. WFF staff collected nearly 1,100 samples for testing in 2018-19 and plan to sample a minimum of 1,580 deer in 2019-20. Numerous self-service locations will be available CWD sample drop-off throughout the state in 2019-20 to assist WFF’s CWD surveillance efforts. 3. Improved CWD monitoring. In 2018, WFF worked cooperatively with the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries (ADAI) and purchased a new ELISA diagnostic machine for CWD testing. The machine is housed at the ADAI laboratory at Auburn University. Before the purchase of this machine, samples collected for CWD testing had to be sent to an out-of-state laboratory for analysis, and getting results often took six months. Results are now received in a matter of days instead of weeks or months. 4. The Game Check Regulation. Prior to passage of this regulation in 2016, Alabama was one of only three states that didn’t gather hunter harvest information through either a tag or online reporting system. Over time, as more data is collected, it will be used to make more appropriate region-specific season and bag limit recommendations. 5. The Carcass Importation Regulation. In 2017, WFF recommended to the Conservation Advisory Board (CAB) that a regulation be passed to prohibit the importation of whole cervid carcasses from states that were CWD-positive. That same year, Mississippi became CWD-positive during the hunting season and was added to the list of prohibited states by emergency regulation. Due to this fact, in 2018, WFF recommended to the CAB that no cervid carcass be allowed into Alabama from any
state or foreign country unless it has been properly processed. Later that year, Tennessee became CWD-positive. Being proactive is much better than being reactive. 6. Working closely with other states. By working with biological staff from other states, we can stay abreast of the latest issues impacting areas near our borders. We have been able to gain valuable insight into how MS and TN have handled their CWD-positive status and the measures they have instituted to reduce the spread of CWD. This information, as well as information gleaned from numerous national meetings, allowed our staff to develop a comprehensive Chronic Wasting Disease Strategic Surveillance and Response Plan (SSRP) which will be continually updated. Joint law enforcement details with other states have yielded arrests in illegal of importation of live deer, as well as carcasses over the past several years. 7. CWD educational campaign. In 2018 WFF began a comprehensive CWD educational campaign. CWD information was shared via radio, television, magazines, social media, and billboards. CWD isn’t just a hunting issue. It is a State of Alabama issue, and we are doing all we can to educate everyone on what we will all face if Alabama becomes CWD-positive. WFF wants all hunters to understand the measures we are taking to protect one of our most precious natural resources from disease and exploitation. We’ve been doing it for more than 100 years and have no intention of slowing down. So, if you want to help ensure that future generations have the same opportunities that you have today, please buy a hunting license and hit the woods this deer season.
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4500 Hwy. 77 · Southside, AL 35907 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 45
Shades of Gray
What is Fair Chase?
BY CORKY PUGH Executive Director, Hunting Heritage Foundation
What exactly is fair chase? And why does it matter?
figure has dropped to four out of a hundred.
Fair chase is the balance between the hunter and the hunted animal that allows the hunter to occasionally succeed while generally animals avoid being taken, as described by Jim Posewitz in his book, Beyond Fair Chase—The Ethic and Tradition of Hunting.
Yet wildlife belongs to all the people, long-established by the Public Trust Doctrine. The States hold title to all wild animals, and manage them in the public trust for all the people. (The exception is migratory birds, held in title and managed in the public trust by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.)
Posewitz’ book is about hunter behavior, or hunter ethics. The focus is on individual hunter responsibility. Our actions as hunters, individually and collectively, will determine the fate of hunting. As Posewitz points out, “The future of hunting depends upon how the majority of people view hunting.” Hunters make up a small percentage of the overall population—in Alabama, seven percent. Yes, only seven out of 100 Alabamians hunt. The national
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Society decides for us what our rights and privileges are. Consider private property rights for example. We like to think that we can do whatever we merry-well please on our own property. However, society has decided that you cannot grow marijuana on your property. THE ETHICAL HUNTER AND SOCIETY Posewitz defines an ethical hunter as, “A person who knows and respects the animals hunted, follows the law, and
HUNTING HERITAGE behaves in a way that will satisfy what society expects of him or her as a hunter.� Public opinion is sometimes very clear cut, especially on behavior that is obviously wrong. More often than not, though, things are not quite so clear. Very often, the totality of circumstances, in a complex mix, determines what people think. Our actions as hunters, both in the eyes of others and in our own individual conscience, run a continuum from what is clearly wrong, all the way to what is clearly right. It’s the sometimes-gray area in the middle of the spectrum that is problematic. LEARNING RIGHT FROM WRONG As hunters, our knowledge of the animals we pursue as well as our respect for them are products of our life experiences. Learning about the characteristics and behavior of animals is part of our development as hunters, and usually begins with the people who taught us to hunt. Often, these same people taught us right from wrong, and shaped our attitudes about ethical behavior and respect for hunted animals. Striving for clean, killing shots is one example of the kind of thing many of us learned early on. As we matured as hunters, both our knowledge of and respect for animals grew. As in all things, study and practice helped build our knowledge base, and we became better hunters for it. HUNTING LAWS Inseparable from hunter ethics are hunting laws. Ethical hunters follow the law. Hunting laws fall into two categories: fair share and fair chase.
Now individual hunters find themselves in a dilemma. For the majority, those who do not want to hunt over bait, the dilemma is whether to forsake deeply-rooted beliefs about what is fair and ethical. Often such beliefs were instilled at an early age by a close relative. Some folks, bless their hearts, have pointed out that there is not a requirement that you hunt over bait. This gross oversimplification ignores the complexities of hunting clubs and other situations where numbers of hunters utilize the same land base. The steady decline in hunters is being driven by higher costs of participation, increasingly-complex regulations, and for many—the reluctance to forsake deeply-held beliefs and values.
The Hunting Heritage Foundation is an Alabama non-profit organization established in 2011. To see what HHF stands for go to the website at www.huntingheritagefoundation.com. You can write to us at: P. O. Box 242064, Montgomery, AL 36124, or corkypugh@mindspring.com. * The opinions expressed in this column are solely that of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the staff and management of Great Days Outdoors Media, LLC.
Fair share laws ensure that opportunities to harvest game animals are allocated among all hunters. Examples are seasons and limits regulations. These regulations establish a level playing field for all, and recognize that there is a limited supply of animals, ensuring sustainable populations. Fair chase laws establish what methods of hunting are allowed. Basic fair chase laws prohibit such practices as the use of poisons, snares, or pursuing animals with motorized vehicles. Some practices such as baiting fall into both categories, fair share and fair chase. While bait was included in basic fair chase laws adopted by most states in the early years of wildlife conservation, some now take the position that bait is not a fair chase issue. One thing is for certain, whether legal or not, bait tends to erode fair chase. A DILEMMA FOR HUNTERS As pro-baiting interests have lobbied state-by-state, many including Alabama have legalized hunting deer over bait. Things were simpler when state laws were aligned with commonly held attitudes and values about ethics and fair chase. Statistically-valid polls show over and over again that the overwhelming majority of Alabamians do not approve of hunting over bait. Alabama hunters are split on the issue, with slightly more opposed than in favor of baiting. 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 47
WINCHESTER .350 LEGEND Winchester has developed many of the finest hunting rounds in the world including the 30/30, .270, .308, .300 Magnum and several Winchester Short Magnums. This group of cartridges is an all-star list which has taken game worldwide.
BY CRAIG HANEY Photo submitted by Craig Haney
When it comes to causing bad shooting habits, muzzle blast shares the blame with recoil.
For 2019, Winchester has introduced another new cartridge; the .350 Legend. When I first heard the name of the cartridge, I immediately thought of moose, elk, the big bears and large African plains game. Boy, did I miss the mark. Here is why the .350 legend was birthed by Winchester. WHY THE .350 LEGEND? There are a number of states, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio are examples, because of their high
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density population, shotguns with slugs or muzzleloaders have been required to hunt deer for quite some time. Over the last ten years however, restrictions in these states have been relaxed to allow straight-walled rifle cartridges for deer hunting provided they meet certain criteria. Michigan’s regulations, for example, in the lower half of the lower peninsula, state a .35 caliber or larger rifle loaded with straight-walled cartridges with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches. Straight wall rounds such as the .45-70, .450 Marlin, .44 Magnum, .450 Bushmaster and others have become popular for deer hunting but are hardrecoiling and more cartridge than really needed. Enter the .350 Legend.
THE GUN RACK “The.350 Legend is a high-performing, straight-walled cartridge that dominates in velocity, energy, recoil and affordability, all of which are vital to our customers,” says Matt Campbell, vice-president of sales and marketing for Winchester Ammunition. .350 LEGEND DNA The .350 Legend harkens back to the days of “plainJane” cartridges with no shoulders to give them a “sexy look” like today’s modern cartridges or the even “sexier” belted magnum cartridges. The .44-40 Winchester and .45-70 Government are probably the two best known rifle cartridges of the late 1800’s with the .45-70 still in use today. With the increased interest in straight-walled cartridges over the last several years, particularly the .450 Bushmaster, Winchester engineers decided to develop a more shooter friendly cartridge designed for deer and mid-size game. Winchester decided on using the .223 Remington case as the basis for the new cartridge with the ability for it to be used in single shot, bolt-action or AR platform rifles. The .350 Legend case is similar to the .223 Remington but modified and cannot be used interchangeably with it. “The .350 Legend brass is similar but definitely not the same as .223/5.56” says Nathan Robinson, Winchester’s media relations manager. “The .350 Legend has a larger body diameter just above the head than the .223 Remington. The increased diameter ensures sufficient taper for proper feeding and extraction, and .223 Remington brass, therefore, will be undersized in a .350 Legend chamber.” .350 LEGEND AMMUNITION Winchester has five different loads in their .350 Legend ammunition line for this year: Deer Season XP 150 grain Extreme Point, Super-X 180 grain Power Point, USA white box 145 grain full metal jacket, Power Max Bonded 160 grain jacketed hollow-point, and a 265 grain Open Tip Super Suppressed subsonic load. The Deer Season XP ammunition is expressly designed for deer hunting at shorter ranges and woods hunting. Winchester data reports the 150 grain Power Point bullet leaves the muzzle at 2,325 feet per second with muzzle energy of 1800 foot-pounds and still delivering 903 footpounds energy at 200 yards. Importantly, it does it with light recoil and mild muzzle blast which is important to new and/or young shooters. If you enjoy long range shooting (hunting) then these ballistics are not too impressive for you. However, the hunter hunting mid-sized game at 250 yards or less, the .350 Legend offers plenty of killing power. .350 LEGEND MUZZLE BLAST AND RECOIL Over the years of being at the range or in the deer woods,
I feel a significant percentage of hunters are missing deer because of being “gun-shy” caused by muzzle blast and recoil. They flinch when they fire their rifle; I’ve seen flinching happen even among “seasoned” shooters. When it comes to causing bad shooting habits, muzzle blast shares the blame with recoil. Muzzle blast is caused by the pressure of the gas inside the barrel when the bullet exits the muzzle. The .350 Legend has less muzzle blast than the .223 Remington because of the volume of the bore with the .350 Legend at 1.92 cubic inches and volume of the .223 Remington is .76 cubic inches. The .350 Legend produces light recoil; only 8.52 pounds in a 7 pound rifle. The classic deer cartridge the 30-30 Winchester has about 10 percent more recoil and the very popular .243 Winchester has about 20 percent more recoil than the .350 Legend. The light recoil comes from having the same powder capacity and same case head size as the .223 Remington. AND THE WINNER IS… Anyone who needs a rifle with light recoil and muzzle blast and hunts the woods or fields with 250 yard shots or less should be thrilled with this new cartridge. And it is very affordable to shoot so there is no excuse not to practice with your new .350 Legend at different distances to learn how your bullets perform.
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457 Dauphin Island Parkway “At the Loop” Mobile, AL 36606 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 49
BY HANK SHAW Photos by Holly A. Heyser
Three Sisters Stew with Grouse
work fine; dandelion greens is a nice alternative. Ingredients
If you’ve never had a classic three sister’s stew, it’s time you did. The “three sisters”, corn, beans and squash, are a trilogy that underpins much of Native American cooking. There is one special ingredient in this three sister’s stew: Fire-roasted, pureed tomatoes. A few spoonfuls of this really adds something to the stew and without making it too tomatoey. You don’t have to do this if you don’t want. It’ll still be a good stew with regular tomato paste. The flavor? Homey, filling and tasty. No grouse? Chicken thighs, or pheasant or turkey thighs, or venison, beef or lamb will work just fine. Prep: 30 mins • Cook: 3 hours • Total: 3 hrs 30 mins Use this recipe as a structure, working with ingredients you have. You can vary the meats you use, as well as the varieties of corn, beans and squash, as well as the green element. I use lambsquarters, but anything like spinach would 50 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
OPTIONAL GROUSE BROTH • 2 whole grouse, breasts removed and reserved • oil to coat birds • Salt • 3 bay leaves STEW • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1 large white or yellow onion, chopped • 2 cloves garlic, minced • 2 tablespoons tomato paste • 1 cup wheat berries or pearled barley (optional) • Salt (smoked salt if you have it) • 2 to 3 cups cooked great northern beans • 3 cups cubed winter squash • 2 tablespoons fresh sage, minced • 3 cups sweet corn • 1/2 pound lambsquarters or other green (spinach, dandelions, turnip greens, etc.) • Black pepper, freshly grated cheddar or parmesan and cider vinegar, all to taste Instructions 1. Regardless of whether you are making broth or not, you will want to roast your birds at 400F until well browned, about 1 hour. Remove the breasts
CAMPHOUSE KITCHEN and set aside, and lightly oil the carcasses. Salt well and set in a pan, uncovered, for an hour. BROTH 1. If you are then making a broth, cover the two roasted carcasses with water by about an inch in a large pot or Dutch oven, and simmer with the bay leaves for up to 4 hours. Strain the broth and pick all the meat off the bones. The roasting and broth-making can all be done up to a few days ahead of time. STEW 1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the butter over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it begins to brown, about 10 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute. 2. Add the wheat or barley and stir well. Cook a minute, then add the tomato paste. Stir well and let all this cook for a few minutes, until the tomato paste darkens a bit. 3. At this point add the broth you made, or 2 quarts of pre-made broth -- chicken, vegetable, grouse, whatever. Also add the shredded meat from the roasted carcasses if you’ve made broth, or, if you haven’t, drop the roasted carcasses into the stew. Simmer until the meat is tender, about 2 hours. Add salt to taste. 4. If you didn’t make broth, now is time to remove the meat from the bones. If you did, move to the next step. Either way, this is a good time to dice the breast meat of your birds. 5. Add the squash and minced sage and cook for 30 minutes. Add the cooked beans, corn, greens and the diced breast meat. Simmer all this for 10 minutes. 6. Finish the stew by adding salt, ground black pepper and cider vinegar to taste. Ladle the stew into bowls and grate some cheddar or parmesan over top.
Squirrel Carnitas I’m going to give you just the recipe for the squirrel carnitas, largely because you would need a fair number of unusual ingredients and the skill to make huaraches at home to make the full Arizona Gray. Any squirrel or rabbit will work here, and of course this is pretty much how pork carnitas is made in Mexico, too.
3.
4.
Prep: 15 mins • Cook: 3 hours • Brine Time: 8 hrs Ingredients • • • •
2 to 4 Squirrels, or 2 cottontail rabbits or 1 domestic rabbit Salt 1 cup fresh lard or butter (see note below) 3 avocado or bay leaves (optional)
Instructions 1. Cut the squirrels into serving pieces, or not. Cutting them makes it easier to bag them up, but you don’t have to. Rinse briefly under cold water, then salt them well. Put the meat into a covered container and let them rest in the fridge overnight, about 8 hours. 2. Rinse the meat off and pat it dry; not that if you are
5.
6.
using pork you don’t need to salt it this way first. The overnight brine helps keep wild meats moister. Pack the squirrel pieces into a vacuum bag with the fat and avocado or bay leaves, seal. Submerge the bag in a large pot of hot water, about 160F or thereabouts, and hold it there for 3 to 4 hours. If you have a sous vide machine, it’s ideal for this, but a stockpot will do. If you are unsure whether the meat is tender, err on adding more time. When the meat wants to fall off the bone, remove the bags from the hot water, open into a large bowl and let cool enough to handle. Discard the leaves. Shred the meat off the bones and discard the bones. Take some of the fat from the bag and heat it in a large frying pan. Cast iron is ideal. It will pop and sizzle because there will be some juice from the meat in it. As soon as it starts popping furiously, add all the shredded meat in one layer. Sear hard for about 4 minutes, not moving the meat. You want a crispy side and a tender side to the meat. Serve in tacos, burritos, on a huarache... or however you want!
NOTE: I only use freshly rendered lard here, not the shelf-stable stuff, which is bad for you. Duck fat is another good choice, but you can easily find manteca, the Spanish word for lard, in any Latin market.
877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 51
Camphouse Kitchen
Venison Meatloaf Meatloaf is more of an art than a science, and the loaf’s final consistency depends on a few things: How much stuff you put into the mix that isn’t meat, how thoroughly you work the meat, and what sort of binder you use. I like a meatloaf that will hold together, but loosely -- cake-ish, not dense. The recipe method that follows will do that. Prep: 30 mins • Cook: 1 hr 15 mins • Total: 1 hr 45 mins Ingredients •
1 1/2 cups Italian bread see recipe headnotes, cubed • 1 cup milk • 1 medium carrot sliced • 1 small fennel bulb chopped roughly • 1 celery stalk chopped • 3 garlic cloves chopped • 2 pounds ground venison see headnotes • 1 cup grated Italian cheese parmesan or pecorino • 1/3 cup marinara sauce • 1/4 cup chopped parsley • 1 tablespoon kosher salt • 2 teaspoons dried oregano • 3 eggs • More marinara sauce for painting the top and serving Instructions 1. Soak the bread cubes in a bowl with the milk for 30 minutes while you chop the vegetables and get everything else ready. Put the roughly chopped vegetables into a food processor and blitz them until it begins to form something of a paste. This will keep 52 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
the meatloaf super moist. 2. Preheat your oven to 375°F. When the bread has softened, squeeze out the excess milk and chop and mash the soaked bread on a cutting board until it too forms something of a paste. Toss it and the vegetable mixture into a large bowl. Add the ground venison, cheese, marinara sauce, parsley, eggs, salt and oregano and combine. I like to actually work the meatloaf mix well because the bread and vegetable mix will keep it moist and tender -- normally you don’t want to over work meatball mixes, but this is an exception. It will help the meatloaf bind together better. 3. Grease a loaf pan. I used a Pyrex 1 1/2-quart pan that is 8 1/2 by 4 1/2 by 2 1/2 inches. Something more or less this size will be fine. Or, you can set the mixture on a greased baking sheet and mold it into a loaf. Pack the meat mixture into the pan and bake it until the center reads about 155°F, which will take roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes. I put the loaf pan on top of a baking sheet to catch any overflow of fat or tomato sauce. 4. About 30 minutes before the meatloaf is ready (shoot for the 45-minute mark), paint the top of the loaf with marinara sauce. Have some more sauce warming in a small pot to serve with the finished meatloaf. 5. Once the loaf is ready, sit it on the countertop for 5 minutes to rest before popping out of the loaf pan. Do this carefully. Slice and serve with sauce. NOTE: This recipe calls for marinara sauce, but any simple tomato sauce will do, so long as it’s not too chunky. Finally, this meatloaf keeps well, and is great as a sandwich filling during the week.
Camphouse Kitchen
Fish Risotto, Venice Style I used striped bass for the broth in this recipe, but you can use any lean white fish. I’ve done this with yellow perch from Lake Erie and it was sublime, and codfish, walleye, smallmouth bass, black sea bass, Pacific rock cod and ling all work fine. The fennel is important, so if you can’t find a fennel bulb, add a tablespoon of fennel seeds to the broth. It’s also vital that you use short-grained rice, preferably proper risotto rice -- long-grained rice lacks the particular starch needed to make a risotto. Prep: 1 hour • Cook: 45 mins • Total: 1 hr 45 mins Ingredients BROTH • About 2 to 3 pounds of fish heads, bones and fins, gills removed • 3 tablespoons olive oil • 2 celery stalks, chopped • 1 large onion, chopped • 1 fennel bulb, both bulb and fronds, chopped • 4 garlic cloves, minced • 2 tablespoons green peppercorns • 3 bay leaves • 1/2 cup chopped parsley • Salt to taste RISOTTO • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 large shallot, minced • 2 garlic cloves, minced • 1 1/2 cups risotto rice • 1 cup white wine • Salt • About 1 cup flaked fish meat • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter • 1/4 cup finely grated parmesan cheese • 1 tablespoon lemon juice • 2 tablespoons minced parsley
Instructions BROTH 1. Bring a pot of water to a boil and drop in all the fish heads and bones. Let this return to a boil and cook for 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and discard the water. Pick off about 1 cup of fish from the carcasses and heads and set aside in the fridge. 2. Clean the pot or use another, and heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Saute the celery, onion and fennel bulb for 3 to 5 minutes, stirring often. Do not let it brown. Add the minced garlic and cook another minute. 3. Add the blanched fish carcasses, green peppercorns, bay leaves and parsley and cover with enough water to submerge everything by 1 inch. Bring to a bare simmer, then drop the heat a little until the broth is just steaming, about 160°F. Add salt to taste. Let this cook gently for 45 minutes to 1 hour. RISOTTO 1. Once the broth has been cooking for 45 minutes, start the risotto. Heat the olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Saute the shallots for about 90 seconds, until they turn translucent. Add the garlic and cook another minute. Add the risotto rice and stir to combine. Cook, stirring often, for 3 to 4 minutes. 2. While the rice is cooking, get a fine-meshed sieve and a ladle ready. Add the white wine to the risotto and stir to combine. The rice will almost immediately absorb it. When the pot is nearly dry, add two ladles of the fish broth -- poured through the strainer to make sure all that’s in the risotto is broth, not debris. 3. Stir the risotto almost constantly until the rice absorbs the broth. Taste for salt and add a little if needed. Repeat this process of adding a ladle or two of strained broth and stirring until it has absorbed until the rice is fully cooked, but still al dente. You want it just past the point where there is a little chalkiness at the center of each grain of rice. This normally takes 35 minutes or so. 4. When the rice is ready, stir in the remaining ingredients. The risotto will tighten up, so add a final ladle of fish broth right before you serve. This risotto needs to be a little soupy; the Italian term is all’onda, or “under the waves.”
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BULL REDFISH FIND THEM IN THE FALL BY ED MASHBURN
Bull reds will be found many places close to shore in November.
There’s a certain thing that happens every fall as the weather and water along the Gulf Coast starts to cool and those brutally hot temperatures of summer fade away to memories. At the end of October into November and even December, anglers who get on the big water find some truly remarkable fishing for some world-class fish. Every fall the water along the Gulf Coast turns golden red. We’re not talking about that nasty red tide that kills fish. We’re not even talking about that Crimson Tide from Tuscaloosa. Nope, we’re talking about the golden-red color of massive schools of very big redfish that invade passes and channels and open beach fronts along the coast. And when the water turns golden-red, it is probably the best possible time for anglers who want to tangle with some of the biggest and most aggressive redfish in the world. WHY ARE THEY HERE? As the Gulf Coast weather loses that summertime heat and the air temperatures start to cool at night, the water also starts to cool off. This cooler water triggers a massive migration of small life from the creeks and bayous where shrimp, crabs, minnows and especially massive schools of juvenile menhaden- “pogies” as they’re known here on the 54 NOVEMBER 2019 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // 877.314.1237
Gulf Coast, leave their summer homes and head to big bays and then the open gulf where they will winter over. And this massive migration is nothing more than a gigantic buffet line for big, hungry, aggressive bull redfish. The cooler water triggers the urge to eat for the biggest of the Gulf Coast’s redfish, and these big, golden fish gather in massive schools to work together to corral the menhaden and other free-food which is flowing down into the bays. By working as a school, the big reds can keep the food bunched up together where it is easier to find, kill, and eat the small fry. FISH THE PASSES AND BAYS One of the most difficult elements of the fall bull redfish fishing scene is that the bull reds can and will move a lot from one day to the next. Both Mobile Bay and its pass which leads to the world-famous Dixey Bar and Pensacola Bay and its pass which leads to the white sand beaches of the open Gulf are massive bodies of water, and the schools of aggressive bull reds can travel for miles as they chase the biggest and best schools of free food. In particular, Pensacola Bay offers some fantastic bull redfish opportunities for anglers who can find the feeding schools and follow them as they move through the bay
FISHING OUTLOOK following the bait schools. Just don’t expect the bull reds to be found in the locations they were feeding heavily the day before. They might be in the same place, but chances are, they’ll be somewhere else. Anglers do have a few very effective friends to help them keep track of the bull redfish. The best fish finders in the world are the many kinds of birds which also feed on the schools of pogies and other small bait fish which attract the bull reds. As the bull reds drive the small fish to the surface, the birds will gather in big flocks to dive and take their share of the free food below. These diving and screaming birds can be seen for a long, long way, and anglers who can follow the diving birds will almost always find the bull reds below them. In particular, anglers will want to work the water where the big brown pelicans are diving. These big birds love to eat pogies, which are the favorite food of the bull redfish.. Where the pelicans are feeding, the bull reds will be feeding, too. HOW TO RIG FOR THE BIG BULLS When trying to keep up with the bull
There is nothing more fun than a school of fired up bull reds.
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Bull Redfish- Find Them in the Fall
red feeding school, anglers who use rigs that can make long casts are at an advantage. A medium-weight spinning rig spooled with 25 pound test line can throw a one-ounce jig a long way, and this is a very good setup for catching the bull reds. There’s no lure better for catching the bull reds than a heavy jig. Any color will work, but white is always a good call. Paddle-tail grubs can be very effective for the schooling bull reds. Just make sure that the hook on the jig is a heavy saltwater grade hook. Lighter hooks will be straightened out by the powerful runs of a hooked bull red.
Follow the birds and they will show where the bull reds are feeding.
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It is possible to hook and catch big bull reds on quite light tackle, but to do this will require a lot of patience and will involve a long, hard fight with the red. This kind of long fight is hard on the fish. It is much better to use gear that can work the big red to the boat quickly and safely for a good, healthy release. Big reds that are allowed to fight to exhaustion often don’t recover. Try to hook and land the bull reds in under ten minutes, and make sure the fish is recovered and swimming on its own before turning it back.
Bull Redfish- Find Them in the Fall
There’s no need to have a big tackle box full of lures when chasing the bull reds of autumn. These big fish are aggressive, and they will eat just about anything that an angler puts in front of them. Bull reds will eagerly take jigs, swim baits, crankbaits, spinners...if it will fit in their mouths, they will eat it. Lures with treble hooks are hard on the big bulls, and single hook lures, like jigs, are the best call. A jig with a strong single hook is much easier to remove from a caught bull red, and it removes much quicker and with much less trauma to the fish. When the big bull reds are blasting pogies or other baitfish on top, using a topwater plug can be a real thrill. Seeing a plug engulfed by a 30 pound bull red is something that most anglers never forget. However, when using a topwater plug for bull reds, it is best to remove the big treble hooks that come standard on these lures and replace them with large, single hooks. The reds will hook up just as well with the single hook, and again, it can be removed much easier than treble hooks.
this school, they will look kindly upon the boat and operator which spooked the fish. It’s a good way to get a hard cussing. Approaching feeding bull reds should be done as quietly as possible, and some distance should be maintained between the fish and anglers. Again, this is where long casts are a big advantage. If anglers don’t pressure the feeding reds and allow other anglers to approach and keep their distance, too, a feeding school can often be followed and worked for an extended time. This allows everyone to get their shots at really big fish. Most anglers don’t want to hook and fight bull reds for too long- it can wear a person out. But it’s a good kind of worn out.
SOME COMMON COURTESY GOES A LONG WAY Of course, when the bull reds go on a rampage this fall, anglers will have lots of company. Just about every angler on the Gulf Coast wants to get into the action. However, an angler who runs the boat into and over the feeding reds will absolutely scattered the school and put the feeding fish down. If other anglers are already working
Catch ‘em, take a picture, revive ‘em, and set ‘em free.
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Pier & Shore Fishing Outlook
Fishing sunsets can be spectacular in November.
It’s a good idea to dress in layers when fishing along the gulf beaches, especially this month when the variation of temperature and the possibility of wind and rain are often present.
BY DAVID THORNTON Photos by David Thornton
HOT FALL FISHING WARMS NOVEMBER’S CHILL FOR ANGLERS Most years, November is the quintessential month for autumn weather along the “Emerald Coast” from Cape San Blas, Florida to Dauphin Island, Alabama. Shallow water temperatures cool to near 70 degrees as a series of stronger and stronger cold fronts make their passage felt along the coast every few days. But the deeper gulf waters are much warmer. And the weather usually moderates after a few chilly mornings. Plus the general tendency
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is for the tide to rise through the afternoon, often accompanied by decreasing winds and warming of the air. This makes for very pleasant fishing conditions for surf and pier anglers who may have to ‘bundle up’ in the morning, but enjoy short sleeves in the afternoon. It’s a good idea to dress in layers when fishing along the gulf beaches, especially this month when the variation of temperature and the possibility of wind and rain are often present. Our fish species adapted to these wild weather swings long before we humans came onto the scene. And some of the ‘late migrating’ coastal pelagics are still available through part of this month. Most of the jack species have vacated the area, but Spanish and king mackerel, along with Little Tunny (locally called
FISHING OUTLOOK “bonita”) can still be targeted from the gulf piers. Cool, cloudy mornings with brisk northeast winds often spark a good run of “bonita”. These often mix with spanish mackerel or bluefish as they chase small prey fish near the surface. Small plugs and jigs can be very effective of these fast swimming members of the tuna family.
Fishing near or from shore to target pompano or redfish usually gets easier this month. Live bait like “cigar minnows” and “LYs” are often scarce around the beach piers in November. But larger gamefish, like king mackerel can still be caught on medium sized diving plugs and especially frozen cigar minnows. “Bull redfish” are a common bycatch when ‘snobbling’ cigar minnows, as the bait is usually allowed to sink deep enough for the redfish to locate. Reds over 27” can not be retained in Florida. But Alabama does allow one of a three redfish limit to be oversized (+26”) per day, per angler. Though most of these are returned to the water as a conservation measure. Besides ‘coarse’, older fish are not the best eating anyway. “Bull reds” can also be targeted with live pinfish or croakers fished on the bottom. And may occasionally be caught with fresh cut fish or even dead shrimp by anglers fishing for “whatever”. November is also an ideal month to target bluefish from piers, jetties and near passes into the gulf. They are spawning this month, and some of the larger two and three pounders can really put up a good fight. They respond best to live bait like ‘finger mullet’ or live shrimp but can also be tempted by a variety of silver spoons and small to medium sized surface and subsurface plugs. Another very useful artificial lure is the four inch Zoom Fluke (in pearl, baby bass or white ice colors). Fish these on a 1/8 to ½ ounce jig head with a trace of 30 pound clear monofilament leader to help prevent cutoffs. NOVEMBER IS A SURE THING FROM THE SURF Fishing near or from shore to target pompano or redfish usually gets easier this month. The cooler water has expelled most of the small jacks and pinfish that had been nibbling the shrimp from anglers in previous months. So the surf zone bite ‘cleans up’, and more pompano, “whiting”, black and red drum can be caught by anglers fishing with fresh dead shrimp. Fishbites works well in combination with small pieces of shrimp, especially for “whiting”.
and # 6 to target “whiting” and pompano. The bait size should match the hook and be just ‘bite sized’ for the intended species. Bull reds can swallow a bait as large as a man’s fist. But pompano and “whiting” have mouths no bigger than a quarter. So bait up accordingly! Some anglers choose to fish with no additional ‘hardware’ (floats or beads), or simply use a piece of Fishbites to garner the fish’s attention. In flat-calm conditions, light line and a fishfinder rig (“Carolina rig”) may be most effective. With that setup, the bait is lying naturally on the bottom. The weight can be an egg sinker (½ to 1 ounce), or a one ounce pyramid sinker with a small sinker slide. Either setup allows the fish to pick up the bait and move away without feeling any resistance. Then as the line comes tight the small kahle or circle hook rotates into the corner of the fish’s mouth. The hook just sets deeper as the fish runs away. So all the angler has to do is start reeling as the rod is lifted from the sand spike, and impart a moderate ‘jab’ to ensure the hook is well seated. Some great things about surf fishing along the gulf coast is the fish often feed in close proximity to the shore, and there are rarely any obstructions to hang up on. Another is our weather, especially in November after a cold frontal passage can produce conditions relating to calm or very small surf. These factors allow surf fishermen to go as light as they wish with their tackle. How light is light, is relative to many anglers. Those who target bigger gamefish like “bull reds” and black drum may consider 20 pound class outfits and rods less than 12 feet to be “light tackle”. While fisherfolks targeting pompano and “whiting” may indulge themselves by using tackle intended more for freshwater panfish. Even six and four pound class spinning tackle on seven to nine foot light or medium action rods make for a good match when targeting pompano and “whiting”. Of course the occasional bull redfish, black drum or large stingray may overtax such tackle. But even most of these fish can be subdued with enough patience, practice and line capacity. November still provides gulf coast anglers with a good variety of fishing venues and species options. And though the weather is getting markedly cooler on average, there can be some very comfortable days (or afternoons) to fish as well. We have so much to be thankful for in November, especially our great days outdoors.
Most surf anglers use ‘set rigs’ with some variation of the double drop rig rig using one to three ounce pyramid weight. Many of these rigs have small styrofoam floats or brightly colored beads as attractants. Hook size may vary based on the intended quarry. 1/0 or 2/0 hooks for the larger drum species, #1 down to #4 to target pompano, 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 59
When Offshore Kayak Fishing Gets Close In
Talk about fun! Nice mahi are often encountered by Gulf kayak anglers.
Of all kinds of fishing boats, kayaks may be the most versatile. Nearly all kayak anglers soon learn that kayaks can take us to so many small backwaters that other fishing craft can’t. That’s a big advantage to kayak fishing. We can reach fish in skinny water that other bigger boat anglers can’t.
BY ED MASHBURN Photos by Ed Mashburn
ocean fishing for some very big fish. The Gulf Coast in particular has become a hotspot for kayak anglers who want to fish for big open ocean fish.
But a growing number of kayak anglers have discovered that those lightweight, easy to transport and paddle kayaks are also quite effective fishing boats in big water. How big can kayak water be? How about the very biggest?
OFF THE BEACH? THROUGH THE PASS? From the Louisiana border with Mississippi and running east all the way around the Big Bend of Florida, kayak anglers can reach the big blue water of the Gulf easily. There are many public access points along the coast, and anywhere the public can walk across the beach to the water will serve as a launching point for kayaks.
Kayaks are very effective fishing boats for anglers who choose to equip themselves and master the techniques of nearshore beyond the breakers
In particular, the white sand beaches of the Navarre Beach, Florida region offer kayak anglers short kayak-pulls across the sand from parking areas. After
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PADDLE FISHING reaching the clear, emerald colored water of the Gulf, kayak anglers will be in big fish territory with only a short half-mile or so paddle. For kayak anglers who live near Pensacola, Mobile, or Destin, kayaks can be launched at public access spots near the big passes which lead to the Gulf. These passes can be rough when tide conditions are strong, but the passes offer some superb big fish opportunities. In particular, the big rock jetties which line the passes can be great places to find some big fish. KINDS OF FISH TO BE CAUGHT One of the most interesting things about kayak fishing off the northern Gulf Coast beaches and passes is the wide range of truly large fish which can be encountered from a small kayak. Kayak anglers during the summer often encounter big king mackerel, Spanish mackerel, mahi mahi, and even blackfin tuna. These strong, fast hard-pullers can be found less than a mile offshore, so long trips away from the sand are not required. Some large schools of big redfish often run the beaches just past the second sandbar, and these big reds are a blast to catch from a kayak. These big reds are found along the beaches year-round, and when hooked, they will take a paddler for a ride. It is interesting for a kayak angler to be towed around by a strong fish. Look for feeding birds over the schools of reds or look for big shadows which move over the bottom in the clear water. These will often be the big reds. Tarpon are fairly often encountered by summertime kayak anglers who hook them up while fishing for other species. These mature tarpon are very hard to land from a kayak, or any other kind of boat for that matter, but they are a “lifeimproving” experience for those kayak anglers lucky enough to hook one. Of course, sharks often show up, and even though they can be a lot of fun to hook and play from a kayak, they do deserve respect. Kayak anglers should really never bring a shark of any size into a kayak. Even little two-foot long sharks can and will deliver a very painful and dangerous bite. So when “Mr. Tooth” comes to play, kayak anglers should get it as close to the kayak as comfortable, and then cut the line, wish the shark well and send it on its way.”.
get ready for some fun. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS Kayak anglers who launch from the beach or through the passes have to be careful when the surf is too high. For me, after many years of beach launching and sometimes being flipped and rolled by the surf, any surf that is more than knee-high is too high for a safe launch. Keep in mind that the surf almost always builds as the day goes on, and a day which started with small, easy to handle surf can quickly develop into a day with roaring, breaking surf which can be very difficult to safely return through. Also, kayak anglers who go after the big fish need to have and wear a good personal flotation device (PFD). This is serious. Kayak anglers who find themselves in the water off the beach usually can’t just stand up on the bottom and climb back in the kayak. Getting back into a kayak is not easy, and even strong swimmers can be in trouble offshore. Wear that PFD! Taking plenty of drinking water and a snack to eat while fishing off the beach is a good idea. It’s easy to underestimate the time spent fishing, and it’s easy to overestimate the paddler’s strength and endurance. Paddling a kayak in strong open Gulf waters takes a lot of effort, and a paddler can get dehydrated quickly. Drink plenty of water. Of course, using good sunblock and sunglasses and a widebrimmed hat is always a good idea when fishing on the Gulf Coast, but this is especially true for anglers who fish from a kayak. The tops of legs, arms, feet, and even bald-heads can be badly sunburned in just a little while.
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A real advantage of kayak fishing for these big offshore fish is that a lot of tackle and gear is not required. Most of the big fish caught from kayaks launched off the beach or through the passes are caught on live bait rigs. All that is required for big fish kayak angling are a couple of heavy rigs, spinning or level-wind will both work, some pre-made wire leaders, and a bait bucket of live pogies or bag of frozen cigar minnows. Hook the bait up, throw it out and slowly paddle or pedal the kayak along the outside bar off the beach. Make sure the drag is set just tight enough to hold the line from pulling out as the kayak moves, and make sure the rod is either in a good solid rod holder or hand-held.
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And when the strike comes, tighten down on the drag, and 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 61
Gulf Coast Fishing Outlook
If you catch the weather right, November can be good for tuna BY MIKE THOMPSON Photos by Mike Thompson
Wow! It’s finally here. Of course, I’m referring to one of the best two times of the year to be on the water. That would be spring and our now, wonderous fall. If you are not in the woods or marsh, you better be on the water to experience the great angling that will be occurring this month. Let’s look at a few places to try. ALABAMA November means that many of the tidal rivers flowing into Mobile Bay will be teeming with speckled trout, moving up to feast on the abundance of shrimp in these rivers. Outside these rivers on the adjacent flats, you can look for birds diving in Mobile Bay. Concentrate on where channels drain out into the bay such as North Pass, Turtle Ditch, Crabbers Channel and Devils Cut. When specks are stacked up you can catch them on Vudu Shrimp,
D.O.A Shrimp and smoke colored Sparkle Beetles. As the month cools down, near Thanksgiving, you can expect to find speckled trout in Tensaw, Blakely, Spanish and Raft Rivers. It’s no secret, so look for the crowds to see where the best action is. And please…be courteous to other anglers! White trout will also move up into rivers along Mobile Bay. Deer River, Fowl River and Dog River will all hold whites if waters don’t become too fresh. Hop a plastic jig along the bottom to interest the whites. Popular colors are white, chartreuse and root beer grubs. Be sure to give Middle Bay Lighthouse a try in search of the big whites. OFFSHORE Participation in offshore fishing slows
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down in November along the Bama Coast. It’s not that the fish aren’t there, it’s just that you must have a good window of weather before heading offshore. Angelo DePaola, of the Coastal Connection, insists that there are good trips to be had for those with a real flexible schedule. “In November the tuna and Wahoo bite should still be good around the oil and gas rigs. I like to troll a Yozuri Bonita or a Mann’s Stretch 30 for Wahoo. For the tuna, using the method known as ‘chunking’, which is using chunks of bonito to lure and catch the tuna around the rigs works great,” DePaola explained. With little competition on the water in November, DePaola suggested seeking out grouper on the natural bottom areas.
FISHING OUTLOOK “You can catch the grouper using large jigs bounced off the bottom. They also respond well to a frisky, live pinfish. If you can get your hands on live menhaden, that’s even better. Expect to catch a few vermilion snapper and scamp using the live bait,” DePaola said
FLORIDA FOCUS This month panhandle anglers get pretty excited about what’s going on in Pensacola Bay. Cooler weather seems to increase the surge of bull redfish in the bay. Captain Brett Tennant of Bout Time Charters really enjoys seeing his clients hooked up to the hard charging redfish.
MISSISSIPPI Like other Gulf Coastal areas, anglers are getting stoked about the numbers of fish that are moving into the rivers of coastal Mississippi. The Pascagoula River is especially good for speckled trout and redfish starting in November and on up until January. One such angler that you will often see on the Pascagoula River is Captain Lee Windham, of Spot On Charters in Gautier, Mississippi .
“During November, we get a good push of bull reds moving into Pensacola Bay. We target the reds with Spro Jigs, in the pink color. Sometimes we will add a five-inch curly tail grub for more action. You can also catch the big reds on live shrimp or live menhaden,” Tennant said.
“November is just the beginning of good speckled trout and redfish angling in the river. The fish are after the abundance of shrimp coming out of the river and marshes. One of the easiest tip-offs to schools of fish are the multitude of birds hovering over the water, waiting for a shrimp to break the surface,” Windham explained.” “When that happens, you can ease up on them and toss in a live shrimp under a cork and get instant action!
“If we see birds diving frantically, we know there should be some fish there. Sometimes when we don’t have the birds showing where to cast, we start searching with the side scan machine. After locating them, we wait for the school to start boiling the surface. Oftentimes, the school can be the length of a football field. Now that’s exciting,” Tennant said
While shrimp are in abundance in November, bait shops can still run out or you can go through the available live shrimp you have. When that happens, Windham makes the necessary adjustments. “When shrimp are scarce or you run out, you can always use artificials. I really like the Matrix Shad grubs. My two favorite colors are Limbo Slice or a pearl/white color. You can fish these under a cork or tight-lined, tied directly to your line. When the fish are in a frenzy, I sometimes use Gulp! Shrimp in the New Penny color. The specks also love the Vudu Shrimp,” Windham said. As the water cools, the specks seem to move towards the banks. Windham has a plan for that, “When the specks are not chasing shrimp, they usually are after small finfish baits. Under these circumstances I pull out the hard baits. Slow sinking MirrOlures work great in this situation. I like to use a solid purple MirrOlure. I know it sounds crazy, but they love it! I also throw a green back/silver sides MirrOlure, Windham said. As the water gets colder, the specks go deeper. When that occurs, there is a tried and true method to target these fish. “It has to get pretty cold, but you can have success trolling plastics in the river. Whatever your favorite grub color is…give it a try. A lot of the old timers will troll with live bull minnows behind the boat. Sometimes it makes all the difference in the world,” Windham said. Specks aren’t the only target in the river this month. You might have to change your methods, but redfish can be mighty cooperative when located. “For redfish, I look for old pilings, piers, and oyster beds. Live or dead shrimp will take the reds when fished on the bottom. Redfish are also attracted to scent, so using Gulp shrimp or grubs ups your odds of them finding your bait,” Windham advised.
The bull reds are easy to locate, especially if you are aided by bird activity. Tennant also uses his side scan fish finder.
After pulling on the reds for a while, Tennant will move to the bridge pilings to target big black drum. Using live menhaden or shrimp will take big drum. “We catch some really nice black drum around the bridge pilings with the live menhaden. However, when we use live shrimp you can catch quite a few mangrove snappers in the same area,” Tennant explained. When conditions are right for a comfortable ride, Tennant moves offshore for line smoking action. When it’s not too rough, I like to do some trolling offshore. There we connect with Wahoo and Tuna. We troll with Yozuri high speed trolling lures, in purple or bright orange colors. We also do well with Mann’s Stretch 25’s,” Tennant said. CONCLUSION Well, we waited long enough for it and November is finally here. Whatever species of fish you normally target this month should be showing up in all the familiar places. Let’s hope you catch a limit and get to do some fish scouting for future trips. Hope it happens for you. See you on the water! Important Contact Information Spot On Charters Captain Lee Windham- 501-941-1071 Bout Time Charters Captain Brett Tennant- 850-380-1671 Angelo DePaola-The Coastal Connection-Exp Realty 850-287-3440 Berkley Gulp! Baits www.berkleyfishing.com 877.314.1237 // GreatDaysOutdoors.com // NOVEMBER 2019 63
Regional Freshwater Fishing Outlook
Fall crappie can run big, and they are willing to bite. BY ED MASHBURN Photos by Ed Mashburn
FLORIDA WATERS
LAKE TALQUIN Jeff DuBree from Whippoorwill Outpost on Lake Talquin points out that crappie will be really biting well at the lake in November. Anglers should try trolling double jig rigs trolling over stump fields and other underwater structure for the crappie. Mouths of creeks will be good locations to find the feeding slabs. DuBree advises crappie fishermen to start their search with 1/16 oz. jigs in chartreuse and bubblegum colors which are usually very good here. If the water is stained or dark from recent rain runoff, darker colors will work
better. Bass anglers will find November bass at Talquin to be moving in and out of the shallows according to weather and sun conditions, and fishing drop offs and points will be good. It’s hard to beat plastic works and other soft plastics at this time. Catfish angers will still find some good fishing in November, and live bait will be best for the cats. WAKULLA RIVER Rob Baker operates Wilderness Way Kayak Shop and T-N-T Kayak Rentals on the Wakulla River.
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“Things will be cooling down in November, and there will be much less traffic on the river and the water will be clearing with the diminished rain. Fishing should be even better then,” Baker said. Bass will be staging on the weed lines where the open channels and the weeds come together, and small Rapala crankbaits worked down the weed lines can be very effective. For fly rod anglers, small poppers worked around weed edges and along the shorelines can produce some great panfish, and anglers with the fly rod should not be surprised when sizeable bass roll up on the poppers, either.
FISHING OUTLOOK
ALABAMA WATERS
Miller’s Ferry Joe Dunn, owner of Dunn’s Dunn’s Sports in Thomasville, advises us that if we don’t get too much cold weather, the bass will remain in their fall feeding patterns well into November, and this means anglers can find some actively feeding bass that should be catchable.’ Bass anglers should look up in the major sloughs where the bass will be chasing shad and feeding up for the upcoming winter and cooler weather. If the weather doesn’t get very cold, the bass will be preparing for very early spawns at Miller’s Ferry, so anglers can take advantage of the fall fishing. Bass anglers can work secondary points of big creeks and the main river channels. Small crank baits, spinner baits, and chatter-baits worked around woody cover on big creek points. Dun points out that November should be very good for crappie fishing on Miller’s Ferry and that anglers should work the main river channels of the lake, and they’ll be deep- from 15 to 30 feet depending on the water temperatures. Crappie will be feeding heavily as the water cools, and this is a good time of year to try bottom bouncing for the slabs with jigs and live minnows. Dunn has good results on crappie with Road Runners fished vertically around snags and deep ridges.
MOBILE DELTA ” Although every year is different, November is probably the month that has the least amount of anglers and traffic, but it’s one of the most productive months for fishing,” say Captain Wayne Miller, of Mobile-Tensaw Delta Guide Service.
heavily on the white shrimp.
noted.
Bass anglers should think about smaller lures at this time. Since the white shrimp, the young crabs, and other bait fish are all small at this time, lures should match the size. Spinnerbaits in white and white with chartreuse in ¼ oz. sizes are good, and Miller specifically recommends Bandit crankbaits in the 1,000 to 2,000 series for search baits. These lures run about two to three feet deep, and anglers can cover a lot of water with them to locate active fish.
White bass will be schooling on afternoons, and anglers can have a lot of fun casting shad pattern top water lures to the busting whites.
Bass fishing will get better as the weather cools off WEISS LAKE Over on Weiss Lake, long time fishing guide Captain Lee Pitts tells us,” Bass fishing at Weiss in November is great because you can catch bass, both spots and largemouth, just about anywhere and anyway you want. There’s a good top water bite and the underwater humps and gravel bars are becoming much more visible as the water gets lower. Look for shallow docks with cover like brush, logs, and blow-down trees that will often hold good fish.” Smaller crank baits, soft-body jigs, and spinner baits are good baits for fall fishing on Weiss in November.
“Crappie fishing at Weiss should be very good in November. Most of the crappie are moving on creek ledges and deeper river banks. Look for isolated brush piles and especially stumps on the creek By the end of the month, we’re basically channels,” Pitts said. out of tropical weather danger and the Crappie anglers should try vertical conditions are usually very stable. approach by dropping a double jig rig with a ½ oz bank sinker on the end of According to Miller the biggest fishing the line. variable in November is the location of the white shrimp. They may be up in Pitts recommends the Bobby Garland the Delta still, or they may have moved line of crappie specialty jigs. out to the bay. If the shrimp are still up in the Delta, it’s a free for all for bass “The Bobby Garland Baby Shad and and other fish that feed on the shrimp. Shad Slay’r jigs give lots of action in Bass will start to pull up in the creeks, the water, and they don’t require a lot but before they leave the main rivers of rod movement by the angler,” Pitts and feeding zones, they’ll be feeding
SIPSEY FORK Randy Jackson of Riverside Trout Shop says that as the weather in November cools, there will be lots of midge hatches and a few blue-wing olives will start to emerge, and the trout will feed heavily on all of these bugs. At the start of November, there will still be a few terrestrial bugs hanging around and falling into the water below, so anglers can have good results with hoppers and ants. Anglers who use spinning gear for the trout can have very good luck by using the same flies that fly anglers use, but by fishing them under a bubble cork and swivel which gives enough weight for long distance casting. Trout Magnet lures in pink, black, and olive colors can be very good in November. Dark colored single-hook Roostertail spinners will work, too. Sipsey Fork is stocked every month, so anglers can count on good numbers of hungry, catch able trout waiting in the cold, clear waters of Sipsey Fork. WILSON/PICKWICK LAKES Captain Brian Barton points out that anglers looking for good fall catfish action should start a catfish trip on the lower part of Wilson Lake from Jackson Island just below the dam to Indian Springs, and anglers can expect some really big catfish in this area. Steep bluff walls in this area can be very good spots to find big cats. Standing timber will be good as will the Muscle Shoals canal structure can be great for fall catfish. Use your electronics to locate the depth the bigger cats are holding. Large chunks of cut skipjack work well as do live bream when very slow-trolled very near the bottom. Stripers and all species of bass will be in the tailrace waters below Wheeler Dam. Live bait, shad in particular, is always best, but the fall fish will take spoons and jigs worked in the fast water.
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Regional Freshwater Fishing Outlook
Important Contact Information Captain Brian Barton Brianbartonoutdoors.com 256-412-0969 Captain Jake Davis Mid-South Bass Guide Service www.midsouthbassguide.com 615-613-2382
Some excellent topwater bass fishing will happen in November.
For some very hard fighting, anglers can fish the rock piles and shell mounds downstream of the dam for some great smallmouth bass. The brown bass like to hold on the top and the front areas of the structure, especially when the current is strong. On Pickwick Lake, November is very often the best catfish month of the year. Pickwick cats tend to be smaller than the cats on Wilson and Wheeler lakes, so angler on Pickwick may want to use smaller baits, as in chunks and fillets of shad instead of whole shad. “Drifting live shad over good locations can yield five-fish limits that weigh over 20 pounds. Work steep shorelines with drop-offs and rock structure. Find schools of shad and the bass will be close by, Barton concludes. LAKE EUFAULA ”Bass fishing will get better as the weather cools off. Bass will be on all kinds of cover. The lily pads will be dying down with the cool weather, but the bass will still hold on the underwater stems and stalks of the pads,” says Hawks Fishing Guide Service Captain Sam Williams. “There’s a good early morning top water bite in November, and the bite lasts longer and the bass will be active than they were a few weeks before. Deeper water fishing will be good all day long near brush piles.” Anglers wanting some topwater action on Eufaula in November can use a soft plastic frog or fluke over thick cover.
Try to create some commotion with the lure to attract the attention of the bass. November bream can be quite good on Eufaula. They will be deeper on the flats, and they will continue to move deeper as the water cools. Use red worms for some very hot shellcracker action. Crappie will be holding over drop-offs, and if an angler can find brush piles or other cover near the drop-off some very hot crappie fishing can happen. Of course, catfish are always good at Eufaula, and anglers can use jugs or rod and reel to find great catfish action. LAKE GUNTERSVILLE Over at Mid-South Bass Guide Service, Captain Jake Davis emphasizes that on Guntersville in the late fall, the weather makes all the difference for anglers. ”During the first part of the month, we’ll still be working on the frog bite, especially in the middle of the day. The bite will be better at that time rather than early or late. We’ll use jerk baits and swim baits as the big grass mats die down. Anglers will need to slow down their presentations regardless of what kind of lure is being used,” Davis said. Finding the schools of shad is crucial in November at Guntersville in November. The bass will be following the shad at this time. The crappie will be following schools of smaller shad, and the middle to lower parts of the lake will be best for finding crappie.
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Joe Dunn Dunn’s Sports 334-636-0850 33358 Highway 43 Thomasville, AL Rob Baker Wilderness Way Kayak Shop 850-877-7200 3152 Shadeville Road Crawfordville, Florida 32327 Captain Lee Pitts Leepittsoutdoors.com 256-390-4145 Captain Sam Williams Hawks Fishing Guide Service hawksfishingguideservice.com 334-355-5057 Whippoorwill Lodge Jeff DuBree 850-875-2605 fishtalquin@gmail.com Randy Jackson Riverside Fly Shop 17027 Hwy 69 N Jasper, Al 256-287-9582 riversideflyshop.com Captain Wayne Miller Mobile-Tensaw Delta Guide Service 251-455-7404 millewa12000@yahoo.com
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MOON & FEED TIMES
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KID'S CORNER
TROPHY ROOM
Willow Patterson, 5, with a bragging rights airgun trophy
Avery Langford, 8, killed a 4pt in Lillian AL with a crossbow
Emmett Callins, age 6, with his Atlantic Sharpnose Shark caught in Fort Morgan, AL. (The shark was released)
Hunter Travis and Hunter Thatenhurst, five fish limit at Lake Tuscaloosa
Cayton Garmon, 11, Elmore, Al, 7pt buck
Annleigh Sims, 3, fishing at Issac Creek campground. Claiborne lock and dam
(Dad)Jeramy Simmons (mom)Alicia Simmons sister Addie Simmons and Dog Jake Simmons with Case Simmons on his big day!
Eli Patterson, 11, with a cat almost as big as he is
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2019 STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP: 1. Publication Title: Great Days Outdoors. 2. Publication Number: 017-228. 3. Filing Date: 10/1/19 4. Issue Frequency: Monthly. 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 12. 6. Annual Subscription Price: $34.00. 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: PO Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General business offices of Publisher: PO Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor. Publisher: Joseph Baya, PO Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459. Editor: Joseph Baya, PO Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459, Managing Editor: Bill Kendy, PO Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 10. Owner: Joseph Baya, PO Box 1253 Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 32459 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgages, or Other Securities: None. 12. Has not changed during the preceding 12 months. 13. Publication Title: Great Days Outdoors. 14. Issue Date for Circulation Data Below: August 2019. 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation: (Figures are average no. Copies each issue during preceding 12 month/actual number of Copies of single issue published nearest to filing date). 15a. Total Number of Copies 4665/4552. 15b1.) Paid/ Requested Outside-County Mail Subscriptions: 1239/800. 15b2.) Paid In-County Subscriptions: 919/594. 15b 3.) Sales Through Dealers and Carriers, Street Vendors, Counter Sales: 669/652. 15b4.) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 135/68. 15c). Total Paid and/or requested Circulation: 2962/2114. 15d.). Free Distribution by Mail (Samples, complimentary, and other free): 15d 1.) Outside County 165/986. 15d2.) In-County: 0/0. 15d 3.) Other Classes Mailed Through the USPS: 0/0. 15d 4.) Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers or other means): 874/981. 15e.) Total Free Distribution 1039/1967. 15f). Total Distribution 40014081. 15g.) Copies Not Distributed: 664/471. 15h.) Total: 4664/4552. 15i.) Percent Paid and/ or Requested Circulation: 74%/51.8%. 16.) Electronic Copy Circulation 16a.) Paid Electronic Copies 0/0 16b.) Total Paid and Print Copies 2962/2114. 16c.) Total Print Distribution plus Paid Electronic 4001/4081. 16d.) Percentage Paid (Total Print Distribution plus Paid Electronic) 74%/51.8%. 17) Publication of Statement of Ownership will appear in the November 2019 Issue of this publication. 18.) I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete: Joseph Baya, Publisher.
FISHING TIP
November Fishing Tips BY: BRAD WHITEHEAD
bradwhiteheadfishing@yahoo.com In the fall, fishermen from all over the country come to Pickwick Lake to battle the trophy smallmouths that roam this North Alabama lake. As the weather cools, shad and threadfin shad are on the top of the smallmouth food chain. The bass school these shad which starts a feeding frenzy. Fishing with three to four inch shad is your ticket to success. Later on in November, depending on the conditions, it may pay to move up to a six inch shad. The first thing is to find shad for bait. Most will be close to shallow water in the back of pockets out of the current and for that you need a casting net. I prefer an eight foot net but the size you use depends on your level of expertise. When you are stocked up on bait you need to keep those shad fresh and lively with aerated and clean water and the X-treme bait tank (xtremebaittanks.com) will insure that you have something that a bronzeback wants to eat. In terms of location, find current and current breaks and keep in mind that as the weather becomes cooler you should fish in heavier current. Your tackle setup is pretty simple. A six and a half to seven foot spinning outfit, strung with 8-10 pound Vicious line in highvis
allows you to feel the bait in play and using visible line helps you see the “bumps” and bites along with keeping track of the bait in the current. For rigging, a bait hook, like a Trueturn and a variety of split shot tailored to the force and flow of the current completes the package. For artificial lures, I use a Charlie Brewer Slider Swimbait in a five inch model in a grassshad color and the other is a simple four or five inch grub in a smoke glitter finish teamed up with a one half ounce leadhead.
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A GREAT DAY OUTDOORS
Duck-Blind Etiquette up with unleaded. If so, has his mileage improved and what is that awful, but apparently useless, knocking sound that occurs when he pulls the trigger?
BY JIM MIZE
Maintaining a duck-blind relationship is like keeping an old outboard running on cheap gas. What you say has to be filtered, introductions have to be primed, and some partners simply need to be choked. Some rather unique rules of etiquette make up the operations manual for duck-blind relationships. Partly, this holds true because duck hunters often operate on less than a full night’s sleep and can be edgier than a porcupine in a balloon factory. And partly, etiquette rules matter in a duck blind because both parties tend to carry loaded guns. One important area of etiquette is early morning conversation. Surprisingly to some, it is considered proper form to give your partner a hard time on certain subjects. The key is to do it in good taste. For instance, you should never say, “You can’t call worth two cents.” Converting this to an art form, however, you can ask, “When did you take up the kazoo?”
You might even ask during a quiet moment if he’d checked the migratory bird regulations to confirm that the three-shell-per-gun rule included him. In a moment of weakness, some golfplaying regulator in DC might have penciled in a two-shell handicap. Heck, in his case, they might not mind a Gatling gun. Attire is a rich area for gentle needling. One of my partners has a hat so ugly coots flare. Yet rather than point this out, I use it to pass the slower moments with him by playing a game of “Your hat’s so ugly . . .” For instance, I’ll begin by claiming, “Your hat’s so ugly the coffee won’t come out of the thermos. Not only do the ducks spook at the sight of your hat, I think they’ve turned back north. And is it true that your hat was made from cotton picked after Sherman had set fire to it?” Played properly, my partner pretends to defend his hat as best he can, with remarks like, “It’s not the hat, and I’ve had your coffee. Try adding water. And yes, my hat is configured of fine fire-tested Confederate cotton and those ducks wouldn’t be flaring if you’d find one half as nice to cut the glare on your old bald head!” You can see how lively duck hunting can be.
Or you could add, “For you to have a decent high-ball, you’d have to take up bartending. Not only that, the closest you get to a feeding chuckle is when you find an all- you-can-eat deal for less than $3.50. By the way, I’ve heard your lonesome hen and I know why she’s lonesome.”
Previous hunts are always appropriate targets for derision. Should your partner make an utterly ridiculous suggestion, it is proper etiquette to counter with reminders of past stupidity. You might ask, “Isn’t that like the time we hosted that fund-raiser dressed as ducks, only to find out later they’d told you ‘tux’?”
Shooting is another area for gentle insults, but again, form must conquer substance. Never say, “Your shooting is the worst I’ve ever seen.” Instead, you might ask if the steel shot regulations forced him to fill his gun
Likewise, don’t miss the opportunity for roasting a partner with too much equipment. For instance, when the pirogue gets overloaded with decoys, don’t forget to ask, “If we go down, do
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I get a life raft or is it hens and drakes first?” Also, as you might guess, a few topics are strictly off limits. For instance, it’s OK for your partner to grumble about his or her spouse, but never, never, NEVER, join in to help. Remember, if they bought the license, it’s their limit to shoot. Further off-limits is the other hunter’s dog. It can retrieve decoys, sleep through gun shots, or mark your lunch as his territory, but you’d better not question its upbringing or its bloodlines. In fact, it’s good to keep a few compliments handy to ease the tension in a bad situation, such as, “You know, Bob, you have to admire that dog. That’s the fastest I’ve ever seen one eat a duck.” The other extreme can be equally awkward. On rare occasions, you may find that your partner actually did something deserving of praise. But the last thing you want is a buddy with a big head. As my cousin Beanpole always says, “It’s all right to give credit where credit’s due, but even Visa charges interest.” You might want to try something like this. “Bob, you have done some fine shootin’ this morning. Obviously, hanging out with me has finally paid off. No, don’t bother to say anything, your cleaning all these ducks will be thanks enough.” Finally, sooner or later, you find yourself in uncharted social waters. That’s when you fall back on that timehonored principle taught by the old master duck hunters to each younger generation upon their first step into a duck blind, advice so simple you can’t argue with it. When in doubt, just shut up and hunt ducks.. JIM MIZE is polite to anyone who takes him hunting. You can find his award-winning books of humor at www.acreektricklesthroughit.com
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Ocean City, MD
IMPORTING UNPROCESSED DEER COULD SPREAD CWD IN ALABAMA LEARN MORE AT OUTDOORALABAMA.COM/CWD
GAME CHECK IS MANDATORY FOR EVERY DEER HUNTER All hunters are required to report their deer harvest using Game Check, which will help the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources effectively manage wildlife for generations.
Check your harvest at OutdoorAlabama.com/GameCheck or by using the official ADCNR mobile app Outdoor AL Search OUTDOOR AL on your app store!