Pennsylvania Game & Fish – September 2018

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EVERY HUNTER NEEDS A RETRIEVER.

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AMBUSH EARLY INSIDER WHERE-TO-GO INFORMATION

IN THIS ISSUE Q SEPTEMBER, VOLUME 2018, NO. 7

FEATURES

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GEAR

IN EVERY ISSUE 8 27 64 EDITOR: COVER PHOTOGRAPH:

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PUBLISHER Derek Sevcik EDITORIAL

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The HS Precision rile utilizes an internal box magazine with a hinged loorplate. The loorplate release is on the front of the triggerguard.

SEPTEMBER 2018

By David Paul Williams

SPECIES

a second or even a third cup of coffee before pulling on the waders. That extra time will give the sun a chance to burn WKH FKLOO RII WKH ZDWHU DFWLYDWH WKH ¿VK IRRG DQG WKXV WKH ¿VK BE STEALTHY

By the end of summer, trout spook easily after being harassed and pressured for months. The low, clear water they now swim in opens their best sight window of the year, allowing them to spot carelessly wading, brightly clothed humans standing in the water waving a shiny stick. Stealth is your best friend. Wear clothing that blends with the surroundings. Wade slowly and carefully. Better \HW ¿VK IURP WKH EDQN IURP D VLWWLQJ RU kneeling position and keep the rod low XQWLO ¿JKWLQJ D ¿VK MOTION

GET SMALL, GET SNEAKY FOR FALL TROUT WATCH FOOTBALL OR CATCH TROUT? THERE’S NO QUESTION, WHEN YOU’VE GOT THE GOODS AND THE KNOW-HOW FOR TACKLING YOUR LOCAL TROUT STREAM.

HE CALENDAR has tripped to September. Summer days are drifting away, soon to be replaced by crisp mornings, cool nights and days warmed by the low-angled sun. This time of transition affects the physiology and behavior of small stream and big river trout in predictable patterns. Fishermen who XQGHUVWDQG WKRVH SDWWHUQV FDWFK ¿VK 7KRVH ZKR GRQ¶W ZDWFK IRRWEDOO PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK EMERY

T

TIMING

When the water temperature is still near summertime highs, plan to get on the water early, before the sun has gained full strength, or hit the river once shadows return and the water begins to cool. The trout will be more active at these times. Conversely, as the calendar continues to slide into October with fewer hours of daylight, have

SEPTEMBER 2018

Trout key on movement. A belted king¿VKHU MHWWLQJ RYHUKHDG SXWV WKH WURXW LQWR hiding, but it soon learns to ignore most RI WKH LQDQLPDWH REMHFWV HQWHULQJ LWV VLJKW window. Every day all manner of bits of YHJHWDWLRQ ÀRDWV DFURVV WKH WURXW ZRUOG even a gentle breeze brings more to the ZDWHU¶V VXUIDFH 7R VXUYLYH D WURXW QHHGV to be able to separate the edible from the ÀRWVDP (GLEOH VWXII VWUXJJOHV ZLJJOHV DQG PRYHV VR VKRXOG \RXU À\ RU OXUH EGGS

7URXW HDW RWKHU ¿VK HJJV 2Q :HVW &RDVW ULYHUV ZKHUH DQDGURPRXV ¿VK UXQ UHVLdent trout gobble eggs washed out of the redds of spawning salmon, steelhead, bull trout and sea-run cutthroats. On rivers that have fall-spawning brown and brook trout, resident trout slurp up eggs that wash from their redds, too. (JJV ERWK UHDO DQG DUWL¿FLDO UROOHG DQG tumbled along the bottom catch plenty of resident trout. BIG RIVERS

The West is home to big rivers that run high with spring snowmelt. By September their torrents are reduced FRQVLGHUDEO\ HYHQ WKRVH ZKHUH ÀRZV are controlled by dams. As the season progresses, insect hatches are fewer in number and the bugs are smaller. %OXH ZLQJHG ROLYH PD\ÀLHV DQG PLGJHV dominate the space over the water. Fly-

17

will be in pre-spawn mode, ready to attack most any small streamer or spinner swung through the tail-out. TAILWATERS

¿VKHUV ZKR PDWFK WKH KDWFK FRYHU WKRVH bugs from size 18 down to frustrationinducing size 24. Leaders need to be extended to 12 feet with a 6X-8X tippet. &KRRVH ÀLHV ZLWK SUHPLXP KRRNV 8VH TXDOLW\ WLSSHW PDWHULDOV 0DNH SUHFLVH FDVWV 7KH ¿VK OLNHO\ ZRQœW PRYH RXW RI their feeding lane to chase a tiny bug, because there’s just not enough calories to justify the energy expended. Drop it on their nose, and they’re likely to eat. There are exceptions to tiny fall trout foods. Terrestrials, those land-based bugs that come in a wide range of VL]HV ¿QG WKHPVHOYHV LQ WKH ZDWHU E\ LOO WLPHG ÀLJKW D SRRUO\ GLUHFWHG KRS or another mistake. They are prime fall IRRG XQWLO WKH ¿UVW KDUG IUHH]H NLOOV WKHP off. Grasshoppers, beetles and ants ERWK FUDZOLQJ DQG À\LQJ VKRXOG EH ¿VKHG DORQJ WKH ULYHUœV HGJHV DQG HGGLHV Concentrate on the shady side. Shadows provide some sense of security to trout feeding in shallow water. Another exception to the little stuff is the October caddis. This full-sized orange-bodied bug brings big trout to the surface. Fish the pupa imitation until the hatch is in full swing, then tie on the SDWWHUQ LQ D VL]H GU\ À\ Fall sees brown trout begin moving toward their spawning areas. When they do, they swim in the river’s main channel. They will hold for a bit near structure submerged rocks, undercut banks and deeper pools before continuing on toward feeder streams. And before they are on the nests, streamers and Rooster

18

Tails are the ticket to getting what will OLNHO\ EH WKH ELJJHVW ¿VK RI WKH \HDU 'RZQVL]H WKH À\ DQG OXUH DQG VWLFN ZLWK more muted colors until the fall rains color up the water. Don’t downsize the tippet strength. The takes will be hard DQG IDVW 7KHVH ¿VK DJJUHVVLYHO\ GHIHQG their territory. FREESTONE STREAMS

Home to rainbow, brook and cutthroat, high-gradient freestone streams typically feature pools and pocket water ÂżOOHG ZLWK ORJ MDPV DQG ERXOGHUV :KHQ late summer delivers low water levels, trout gather in fewer holding areas. A primary tactic is “stick and moveâ€? make a few casts into each pocket, then cover ground to the next pocket. 7KH ÂżVK KROG LQ WKH SRFNHWV EHFDXVH the current provides oxygen, overhead cover and food. Always cover deep pools but expect WKH ÂżVK WR KDYH PRYHG IURP WKHLU VXPmer holding spots to where they can ÂżQG WKH VSDUVH IDOO IRUDJH 7HUUHVWULDOV mostly beetles, ants and crickets enter the trout world on the edges. Those that escape immediate consumption get washed into the tail-outs, where other ÂżVK DZDLW 7KH WXUEXOHQFH RI SRFNHW water can hide sloppy casts and loud ZDGLQJ 1RW VR ZKHQ ÂżVKLQJ WKH VPRRWK water edges and tail-outs. Be stealthy. Imitate the slow, deliberate movements of the great blue heron. It works for the ELUG DQG LW ZRUNV IRU WKH ÂżVKHUPDQ If your stream holds brookies, they

SPRING CREEKS

1HYHU HDV\ WR ¿VK XQGHU WKH EHVW RI circumstances, spring creeks become more challenging toward summer’s end. Where the stream’s luxurious weed beds grow, so grow fat trout. Come fall, those beds have grown into thick, braided PDWV RQ WKH VXUIDFH WKDW KLGH WKH ¿VK KROGLQJ ZDWHU $GGLQJ WR WKH GLI¿FXOW\ are bankside bushes and trees that droop over the stream and trail in the water. All this living vegetable matter makes long casts and drag-free drifts impossible. Of course, it also means plenty of streamside terrestrials and bugs that live in the weed beds. Solve this puzzle with stealth. Move in whatever fashion it takes to get into SRVLWLRQ WR PDNH D VKRUW FDVW TXLHWO\ ODQGLQJ WKH À\ RU VPDOO OXUH ZLWK PLQLPDO GLVWXUEDQFH ,I ¿VKLQJ KDUGZDUH XVH ÀRDWLQJ EUDLGHG OLQH DQG VZDS RXW the treble for a narrow gap single point hook. That treble hook will do nothing EXW FDWFK ZHHGV 2QFH WKH À\ RU OXUH LV in the water, maintain contact to detect a strike. Once the offering is past the ¿VKLQJ ZLQGRZ TXLHWO\ OLIW LW RXW RI the water, check to see if fouled with vegetation, then cast again. /DWH VXPPHU WURXW DUH HGXFDWHG ¿VK but they still swim in the usual places and they have to eat the available foods. They are smart survivors. The clear, skinny water of fall means stealth, downsizing ÀLHV DQG OXUHV DQG D KLQW RI OLIH OLNH movement in any offering are necessary to get them to make a mistake. Q

SEPTEMBER 2018

PHOTOGRAPH BY DENVER BRYAN / IMAGES ON THE WILDSIDE

Terrestrials — mostly beetles, ants and crickets — die off in fall and get washed into the tail-outs, where ly-ishermen can drift imitations downstream to waiting ish.

Tailwaters created by bottom-release dams are an exception to the warm water of late summer. The water from the depths of the impounded lake stays cool for some miles below the dam and proYLGHV DEXQGDQW IRUDJH ¿VK DQG DTXDWLF LQVHFWV 'DPV WKDW UHJXODWH ÀRZV IRU irrigation purposes will release less water once irrigation season ends. Looking for the same type of structure that affords food and security, trout in a tailwater relocate to new hiding spots and feeding lanes. Tailwaters are known for scuds and DTXDWLF ZRUPV WKDW JURZ SURJUHVVLYHO\ smaller as the calender turns.

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PENNSYLVANIA’S

EARLY SEASON WHITETAIL ACTION EARLY SEASON DEER HUNTING IN THE KEYSTONE STATE MEANS VERTICAL BOWS, CROSSBOWS OR MUZZLELOADERS.WHICHEVER YOU CHOOSE,THE HUNTING CAN BE GREAT. By Mike Bleech

20

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN HAFNER

E

ARLY FALL is a fantastic time to be a deer hunter in Pennsylvania. Never are WKHUH PRUH DPSOH RSSRUWXQLWLHV WR ¿OO your tags as the local deer have been unmolested all off-season, and there’s plenty of elbow room in the woods. Early season deer hunting in the Keystone State means vertical bows, crossbows or muzzleloaders. Early Archery Season runs from September 15 to November 24 in Wildlife Management Unit 2B, WMU 5C and WMU 5D, and in the rest of the state from September 29 to November 10. The limit is one antlered deer per year and one antlerless deer per antlerless deer permit. An Antlerless Muzzleloader Season runs from October 13 to October 20. The limit is one antlerless deer per antlerless permit. Then there is a Special Firearms Antlerless Deer Season from October 18 to October 20, a season which is open only to Junior License Holders, Senior License Holders, Mentored Youth Permit Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents on active duty in the U.S. Armed Services or the U.S. Coast Guard only with required license. The limit is one antlerless deer per antlerless deer permit. Note: These were proposed regulations at

Pennsylvania’s early archery season is a great time to chase unmolested whitetails.

21

Quality bucks like this one are waiting for those who choose to get out during the early season.

over the scrape. In many instances, these scrapes are made in the same places year after year. KINZUA

HUNTING WATERCRAFT USING WATERCRAFT to access remote areas can add a level of excitement to any hunt. However, operating a watercraft can also be dangerous. As such, you must always wear your lifejackets. It is also imperative that you not overload the watercraft. The boat may be rated for two hunters, but will it be adequate for two hunters and two deer? What about the additional weight of sup plies and camping gear? Never overload a watercraft as this may lead to a danger ous situation. Additionally, never carry a loaded irearm in a boat, as this is illegal.

22

Another great place for early season deer hunting is the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative, in western McKean County. This area covers about 74,000 acres. It is comprised of some Allegheny National Forest land, and some private land owned by the Bradford Municipal Water Authority, Kane Hardwoods Division of Collins Pine, Forest Investment Associates and Ram Forest Products. All of it is open to public hunting. You won’t see a great number of deer here, however, you have a good chance of seeing huge bucks. Since the KQDC began its 10-year project (now twice that long), McKean County has been regaining its status as a premier area for

hunting big woods bucks, some capable of attaining B&C and P&Y status. KQDC data reveals the greatest deer density is on the private land sections of the KQDC. Hunters, meanwhile, gravitate to the national forest land. Hunters access is facilitated on all of the KQDC by opening woods roads that are usually blocked by gates. This provides relatively easy access into some fairly remote places. If you do much hunting on the KQDC, you will soon discover that its steepness PDNHV VRPH SODFHV YHU\ GLIÂżFXOW WR DFcess. Good maps of the area are essential to success here, as is a good GPS. You do not want to try to drag a 180-pound buck up a 65-degree slope, over ground strewn with boulders, stumps and fallen trees. Have a plan for dragging a deer downhill and having a hunting partner pick you up.

SEPTEMBER 2018

PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN ERIKSSON / IMAGES ON THE WILDSIDE

the time of writing, so check the regulations at pgc.pa.gov. Hunters in the eastern part of 3HQQV\OYDQLD FDQ ¿QG JRRG VFHQHU\ plenty of open space and enough deer to keep things interesting in southern Bradford County where State Game Lands No. 12 and State Game Lands No. 36 form a large block of public hunting land. Not every parcel of these state game lands is connected. State Game Lands No. 36 has a large, separate block to the east all together it totals 43,466 acres. Small sections extend across the border into Sullivan County. While there, be prepared to do some strenuous walking. This is mostly steep, forested mountain KDELWDW ZLWK VRPH ÀDW WRS DUHDV DQG some ponds and wetlands interspersed. Be aware that by the time the second GD\ RI WKH UHJXODU ¿UHDUPV VHDVRQ UROOV around, most of the mature bucks will have taken refuge in places where apSURDFKLQJ WKHP LV YHU\ GLI¿FXOW 8QOHVV there is a doe in heat, bucks likely will not move much during the day, and only as far as they need to go at night to feed. Bowhunters, muzzleloader hunters and junior and senior hunters who can carry FHQWHU¿UH ULÀHV LQ WKHLU VSHFLDO VHDVRQ should scout for well-worn trails along steep slopes. Pay special attention to VPDOO KROORZV DQG HQGV RI ¿QJHUV WKDW extend from main ridges. Bowhunters should look for major scrapes to increase WKHLU RGGV RI ¿OOLQJ WKHLU WDJV While hunting early season, look for major scrapes as both does and bucks visit these. A hunter should be able to identify a major scrape by its size, its depth, and broken, small limbs that hang

+XQWHUV FDQ ÂżQG XVHIXO PDSV DW WKH Marienville Ranger District, which is located at the eastern junction of Route 59 and Route 321. Also visit the Allegheny National Forest Visitors Bureau at visiWDQI FRP ZKHUH \RX ZLOO ÂżQG SODFHV WR stay, eat and other handy information. Also, visit the KQDC web site at kqdc. com for maps and deer information. Interestingly, 65 percent of successful hunters on the KQDC harvested their deer by still hunting. This method of slipping very slowly through the forest, stopping frequently, while watching in all directions is well-suited to hunting in an area where hunters cannot rely on other hunters chasing deer to them. Still hunting requires a great deal of concentration, keen eyesight and a good knowledge of deer and the habitat. A pair of binoculars are a great help too. STILL HUNTING

Still hunting should be considered by hunters during the mid-October muzzleloader season, by Junior License Holders and Senior License Holders, Mentored Youth Permit Holders, Active Resident Military and Disabled Person Permit Holders (to use while in a vehicle) during WKHLU VSHFLDO WKUHH GD\ 2FWREHU FHQWHUÂżUH ULĂ€H GHHU KXQWLQJ VHDVRQ $ YHU\ VWHDOWK\ bowhunter can do it, too. Still hunting is so named because to

24

hunt effectively, you are “stillâ€? more than on the move. Move with the wind in your face, or cross-wind. Of course, this is not always possible, but when it is, do it. Comfortable boots with pliable soles can help still hunters move more quietly. Footwear with rubber bottoms and either leather or nylon tops are very good for still hunting during the early deer hunting seasons. Later, in the cenWHUÂżUH ULĂ€H VHDVRQ WKH\ PD\ QRW EH ZDUP enough. Use whatever is available for cover and try to keep something between you and where you most anticipate deer might be. Trees, bushes and boulders are common cover. One type of cover sometimes overlooked is a leaning or nearly fallen tree. Even if it is not large enough to hide an entire person, it will break up the human shape. While slipping, try not to break sticks underfoot or by brushing against them. If the wind is gusty, move while the ZLQG LV EORZLQJ WR PXIĂ€H WKH VRXQG RI your footsteps. Do not move your hands and arms any more than is absolutely necessary. OHIOPYLE STATE PARK

Ohiopyle State Park is a great place for deer hunting. The views here are spectacular, as steep slopes provide picturesque vistas. Often you can see hawks

SEPTEMBER 2018

PHOTOGRAPH BY MITCH KEZAR / WINDIGO IMAGES

Few things get the heart racing more than clipping onto the string in preparation for a shot.

catching wind currents well below the ground where you are standing. And of course, there is the Youghiogheny River and the Ohiopyle Falls. This most certainly is one of Pennsylvania’s wild wonderlands. Ohiopyle State Park is in Fayette County, not far north from the Maryland border and covers 20,500 acres. More than 18,000 acres is open to hunting. It borders State Game Lands No. 111, with an area of 10,520 acres, and State Game Lands No. 51 which covers 16,528 acres. This is a massive area total of 47,548 acres, a great big playground for deer hunters. Ohiopyle State Park hosts millions of visitors each year. Yet, with all that IRRW WUDIÂżF WKHUH DUH SOHQW\ RI SODFHV WR get away from the crowds. Most park visitors focus on the river and falls. Stop DW WKH SDUN RIÂżFH ZKHQ \RX JHW WR WKH park and pick up a map as well as other information found there which may be helpful. Ohiopyle State Park has camping sites, yurts and cabin rentals. Ohiopyle State Park lies in Forbes State Forest with excellent state forest maps DYDLODEOH DW GLVWULFW RIÂżFHV ,QIRUPDWLRQ and maps of state forests, state parks, camping reservations and information can be found at the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources web site at dcnr.pa.gov. Float hunts and boat-in hunts can be great fun during the early deer seasons. Using a boat adds a new element of adYHQWXUH %XW ÂżQGLQJ ODQG RSHQ WR SXEOLF hunting and not in safety zones can be challenging. Using a boat to access the more remote sections around lakes can put you in territory where few other deer hunters go, especially during the early seasons. Check with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dam site or visit the web page at lrp.usace.army.mil to get information on hunting Corps of Engineers lands. Some reservoirs have boat-in camp sites. These are great because they allow heavy camping, which means you can haul-in some items for comfort, depending on the size of your watercraft. At the Allegheny Reservoir, for example, boat-in campgrounds put deer hunters at the edge of some pretty wild country. For more information about early season deer hunting in Pennsylvania, visit pgc.state.pa.us. â–

THE MARLIN FAMILY OF LEVER-ACTION RIFLES . For nearly 140 years, American hunters and shooters have trusted one lever gun over every other. We’re honored to be a fixture of this great tradition, and proudly continue to advance the designs that started it all.

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MODEL 336

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Guides’ Guide To

Pre-Season Scouting These professional guides understand the importance of gathering pre-season whitetail information. By M.D. Johnson

CODY KUCK HEARTLAND PRIDE OUTFITTERS ELWOOD, NEBRASKA Heartlandprideoutitters.com (308) 991-8456

PHOTOGRAPHS BY: MARK PALAS (LEFT) & BRAD HERDON (BOTTOM) / WINDIGO IMAGES; RON SINFELT (TOP & FAR RIGHT)

E

VERYONE KNOWS the Boy Scout Motto “Be Prepared.â€? These two simple words make sense, not only for the Scouts, but for everyone everywhere. It never hurts to be prepared. Whitetail hunters aren’t too terribly different from those who proudly wear the uniform of the Boy Scouts of America. They’re prepared; or at least they should be. Food plots, landowner permission, clothing, archery equipPHQW ÂżUHDUPV DPPXQLWLRQ RSWLFV (YHQ down to their very own personal health and well-being. But for the whitetail enthusiast, nothing says preparation as much as scouting. And no one is more concerned about this detailed collection RI LQIRUPDWLRQ WKDQ DUH WKH JXLGHV DQG RXWÂżWters the men and women who stake their careers and their livelihoods on what they do or don’t see prior to opening day. But, and as simple as it sounds, scouting whitetails is a bit more involved. Today, there’s strategy. Technology. Planning and precision. And scent elimination down to an almost molecular level. No, sir 21st century preseason scouting is more, much more than merely wandering around looking for tracks and rubs and such. Or is it? +HUH D WULR RI ZKLWHWDLO JXLGHV DQG RXWÂżWWHUV divulge some of their secrets to successful pre-season scouting. It’s advice worth minding because opening day is just around the corner, and the question is: “Are you ready?â€?

SEPTEMBER 2018

Thirty-year-old Cody Kuck is a native Nebraskan now living in Colorado. He, along with his business partner, Jorden Schwarz, RSHUDWHV +HDUWODQG 3ULGH 2XWÂżWWHUV RQ RYHU 100,000 acres in northwest and southeast Kansas and the western part of Nebraska. Mule deer, antelope, coyotes, upland birds and, most recently, waterfowl are all on the menu; however, it’s big honkin’ whitetails that Kuck and his guides focus on primarily. Âł<RXÂśUH GHÂżQLWHO\ EHKLQG LI LWÂśV 6HSWHPEHU and you haven’t done a lot of scouting,â€? said Kuck without hesitation. “I know a lot of people say this, but all of our scouting begins as soon as the season ends. This year (2018), we spent the month of March in Kansas picking up sheds, setting up water tanks and getting mineral sites ready. We get moving,â€? he continued, “just as soon as the weather gets nice. Right before we start turkey hunting. If we waited until September, we’d be way behind.â€? Across the board known as life, mistakes

While pre-season scouting is necessary to ind food sources and deer sign to locate deer, you also don’t want to spook wary, mature whitetails.

29

DUH HDV\ WR PDNH $QG WKHUHÂśV QR KDUP LQ DQ KRQHVW PLVWDNH 0DWXUH ZKLWHWDLOV KRZHYHU QRW RQO\ PDNH YHU\ IHZ LI DQ\ PLVWDNHV EXW WKH\ GRQÂśW WROHUDWH WKHP YHU\ ZHOO SDUWLFXODUO\ WKRVH PDGH E\ WKH KXPDQ SUHGDWRU %XW KXQWHUV PDNH WKHP QRQHWKHOHVV ZLWK PDQ\ RI WKHVH HUURQHRXV GHFLVLRQV FRPLQJ DV WKH VFRXWing process unfolds. “If you’re going WR NLOO PDWXUH ZKLWHWDLOV LQ WKDW WR 7-year-old range,â€? said Kuck, “you can’t be knocking on his door. Or even letting KLP NQRZ \RXÂśUH LQ WKH FRXQW\ <RXÂśYH got to tiptoe around those big bucks. If you think he’s in Spot A, you don’t want to be in there when he is. If,â€? he FRQWLQXHG Âł\RX VWDUW HGXFDWLQJ KLP LQ 6HSWHPEHU DQG \RXÂśUH VWLOO KXQWLQJ KLP LQ 'HFHPEHU KHÂśV JRLQJ WR KDYH SLFNHG XS RQ DOO \RXU JDPHV <RX ÂżQG WKDW ELJ buck; you draw a big red heart on your PDS 7KDWÂśV ZKHUH \RX ZDQW WR VWD\ RXW of.â€? So how is it a hunter gets the inforPDWLRQ KH RU VKH QHHGV ZLWKRXW PDNLQJ DQ\ RI WKHVH VR FDOOHG PLVWDNHV" Âł<RX QHHG WR ÂżQG WKDW EDODQFH ´ VDLG .XFN ÂłDQG ÂżQG RXW ZKHQ DQG KRZ VFRXWLQJ is going to work for you. We do all

RXU VFRXWLQJ LQ .DQVDV ZKHQ LWÂśV KRW and windy. Rather, we’re not checking FDPHUDV RU ÂżOOLQJ IHHGHUV DW SP when these deer are getting up for the HYHQLQJ :HÂśUH JRLQJ LQ EHWZHHQ D P DQG S P ZKHQ LWÂśV KRW DQG windy. Hopefully, that buck has his head down in the grass and he’s sleeping. He has no idea we’re there. We’re checking FDPHUDV DQG ZHÂśUH SOD\LQJ WKH ZLQG ,WÂśV VLPSOH LI WKH ZLQGÂśV ZURQJ ZH GRQÂśW FKHFN WKDW FDPHUD WKDW GD\ :H HDVH LQ and we ease out.â€? /RQJ EHIRUH .DQVDVÂś HDUO\ PX]]OHORDGHU VHDVRQ RSHQV LQ 6HSWHPEHU .XFN KDV KLV VFRXWLQJ FRPSOHWH +LV JXLGHV DUH online. They’ve studied hours of video DQG KXQGUHGV RI GLJLWDO LPDJHV 7KH\ÂśYH posted stand locations, property boundaries and water and food sources to the KXQWVWDQG FRP DSS RQ WKHLU VPDUWSKRQHV and tablets. Everything’s done, save for putting the hunter in the stand. “We do all our heavy lifting during turkey season,â€? said Kuck, referring to the actual hanging of stands and stand SUHSDUDWLRQ H J WULPPLQJ VKRRWLQJ ODQHV Âł7KHQ FRPH $XJXVW DQG WZR RU WKUHH FRRO PRUQLQJV ZHÂśOO GR DOO WKH

GHWDLO ZRUN :HÂśOO GRXEOH FKHFN VWDQG

VWUDSV DQG LQVWDOO OLIHOLQHV VDIHW\ KDUQHVVHV ,I WKHUHÂśV DQ\WKLQJ HOVH WR GR ´ KH DGGHG ÂłLWÂśV PLQRU DQG ZH take care of that when we put the hunter in the stand.â€?

MIKE NOSKOVIAK SUPERIOR GUIDES & OUTFITTERS ASHLAND, WISCONSIN Superioroutitters.com (715) 413-0510

(LJKW KXQGUHG PLOHV WR WKH QRUWK DQG HDVW RI .XFNœV RXW¿W DQG DORQJ WKH VKRUHV RI Lake Superior near Ashland, Wisconsin, 49-year-old Mike Noskoviak operates 6XSHULRU *XLGHV 2XW¿WWHUV ZKHUH IRU WKH SDVW \HDUV KHœV VSHFLDOL]HG in pursuing big woods whitetails and black bears. When he’s not guiding, Noskoviak is a land specialist working with the Illinois-based Whitetail Properties ZKLWHWDLOSURSHUWLHV FRP D XQLTXH UHDO estate agency that helps unite prospective landowners with the property of their GUHDPV

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BRYAN DAWES BRUSHY FORK OUTFITTERS NEWARK, OHIO Brushyforkoutitters.com (614) 270-8569

Bryan Dawes, a 37-year-old father of four, owns and operates Brushy Fork 2XW¿WWHUV D IXOO VHUYLFH JXLGLQJ EXVLQHVV KHDGTXDUWHUHG LQ &HQWUDO 2KLR¶V /LFNLQJ &RXQW\ DQ DUHD NQRZQ IRU LWV H[FHSWLRQDO ZKLWHWDLO KHUG DV ZHOO DV IRU SURGXFLQJ SOHQW\ RI KHDY\ KRUQHG EUXLVHUV :LWK RYHU SULYDWH DFUHV XQGHU WKLV WKXPE 'DZHV QRZ LQ KLV HLJKWK VHDVRQ ZRUNV FRXQWOHVV KRXUV WR HQVXUH HYHU\WKLQJ¶V LQ RUGHU FRPH 2KLR¶V DUFKHU\ RSHQHU LQ 2FWREHU ZLWK VFRXWLQJ EHLQJ SULRULW\ RQH 'DZHV FXWV WR WKH FKDVH ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR EDODQFLQJ WKH DUW RI SURFXULQJ WKH QHFHVVDU\ LQIRUPDWLRQ ZLWK D ORZ LPSDFW DSSURDFK WR VFRXWLQJ ³7KH NH\ ´ KH VDLG ³LV WR OLPLW DFFHVV 3XW RXW PLQHUDO VLWHV DQ DWWUDFWDQW WKDW KDYH VRPH ORQJHYLW\ WR WKHP 5XQ JLJ PHPRU\ FDUGV LQ WKH FDPHUDV ,I \RX¶UH SXWWLQJ RXW SRXQGV RI FRUQ HYHU\ WKUHH GD\V Continued on page 58...

THE VE TRUSTED HUNTERS HA S. AR YE ORE THAN 80 EL 70 FOR M TE OD M RA R® CU TE AC , LE WINCHES IS DEPENDAB W, NORED RIFLE WITH AGE. NO ER TT THIS TIME-HO BE EN EV G IN D TT AN GE NS ... IO AND CONFIGURAT NG NOLOGY, NEW LI CH ND TE HA N E ER MOD NE WITH TH IGGER COMBI MOUS. OLD THE M.O.A. TR RIFLE” SO FA ’S AN FLEM RI HE “T E NDS ON THE THAT MAD GET YOUR HA W SCHOOL? NE ? MODEL 70. OL A H HO SC WORLDS WIT TH BO OF ST BE

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GOING GRAY SQUIRRELS ARE ONE OF THE MOST ABUNDANT GAME SPECIES IN THE WOODS, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THEY ARE EASY TO FIND OR PUT IN THE BAG. By Stephen D. Carpenteri QUIRREL HUNTING seems like it should be easy. Abundant squirrel populations live in every part of the country. However, these little tree-dwelling animals have great instincts to keep them safe from a multitude of predators, including hunters. Fortunately, there are lots of squirrels available in the woods; hunters just need to understand their habits to locate and put a few in the bag. Gray squirrels are active throughout the day during the early season because they are busily engaged in eating the new crop of hard mast, especially hickory nuts. Hickory trees of one species or another are found in many parts of the nation, so the game is UHODWLYHO\ VLPSOH )LQG KLFNRULHV DQG ¿QG VTXLUUHOV often in surprising numbers, even in the middle of the day. Expect to see squirrels in the highest branches during the early season, where they are gnawing on

PHOTOGRAPH BY LON LAUBER / WINDIGO IMAGES

S

SEPTEMBER 2018

the tough exterior of a hickory nut to reach the succulent inside part. This process can take 30 minutes or more, giving hunters plenty of time to slowly work beneath the hard-working squirrel. This is where the fun begins, because the squirrel may be 40 yards or more away in dense, leafy cover. The only sign of his presence will be the steady, continuous rain of shells and hulls dribbling down to the ground. The squirrel is there, but pinpointing its location through the thick greenery can be a real challenge, even with binoculars. 6TXLUUHOV DUH VPDOO WDUJHWV DQG IDPRXVO\ GLI¿FXOW to kill. The most successful hunters wait till they can VHH VRPH LGHQWL¿DEOH SDUW RI WKH VTXLUUHO KHDG WDLO or shoulders) and then place the shotgun bead in the middle of what looks to be center mass. After the squirrel hits the ground, do not run over and pick it up! This alerts other squirrels in the area and causes a lull in activity that could last 30 minXWHV RU PRUH ,I QHFHVVDU\ VKRRW DJDLQ WR ¿QLVK D wounded squirrel but otherwise sit tight and keep watching and looking for the next available target. /RXG QRLVHV DUH URXWLQH LQ WKH ZRRGV WKXQGHU IDOOLQJ EUDQFKHV HWF EXW SUHGDWRU\ VKXIÀLQJ LV QRW 2Q a good day, a stealthy hunter should be able to take a limit of grays without changing position. Watch, ZDLW DQG WDNH RQO\ WKH EHVW VKRWV 2QO\ ZKHQ WKH hunt is over should hunters retrieve their limits of squirrels. Early season grays will work hickories for as long as the crop lasts eight weeks or more. From a hunter’s viewpoint, the most action takes place near dawn and dusk, so plan on being in the woods early

33

DQG ODWH 6HWWOH GRZQ TXLFNO\ DQG WKH VTXLUUHOV ZLOO EHJLQ PRYLQJ DQG IHHGLQJ KLJK RYHUKHDG :KHQ VTXLUUHOV GR VSRW KXQWHUV WKH\ EDUN WR DOHUW FRPSDQLRQV RI WKHLU SUHVHQFH :KHQ WKLV KDSSHQV WKH EHVW UHFRXUVH LV WR PRYH WR D QHZ DUHD DQG EHJLQ DJDLQ $ VTXLUUHO RQ DOHUW ZRQÂśW VWRS EDUNLQJ WLOO WKH GDQJHU KDV SDVVHG OHWWLQJ HYHU\ RWKHU VTXLUUHO NQRZ WKDW GDQJHU LV QHDUE\ 2QFH WKH OHDYHV DUH GRZQ DQG WKH KLFNRU\ KDUYHVW LV RYHU VTXLUUHOV ZLOO EHJLQ WR VSHQG PRUH WLPH IHHGLQJ RQ WKH JURXQG 7KH\ÂśOO NHHS EXV\ ÂżQGLQJ KLGLQJ DQG HDWLQJ IDOOHQ DFRUQV VHHGV DQG DQ\ RWKHU PDVW WKDWÂśV DYDLODEOH %HJLQQLQJ DW OHDI drop the squirrels will be most acWLYH QHDU GDZQ DQG GXVN ZLWK ORQJ SHULRGV RI LQDFWLYLW\ IURP DERXW D P XQWLO S P 6RPH VTXLUUHOV ZLOO EH DFWLYH WKURXJKRXW WKH GD\ EXW WKH EHVW RGGV RI D OLPLW KXQW DUH HDUO\ DQG ODWH LQ WKH GD\ /DWH VHDVRQ VTXLUUHO KXQWLQJ LV QRW WKDW PXFK GLIIHUHQW IURP GHHU KXQWLQJ UHTXLULQJ D ORW RI VLWWLQJ DQG ZDLWLQJ %HFDXVH QHDUO\ DOO VTXLUUHO

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squirrels is with a scoped, smallERUH ULĂ€H 6KRWJXQV FDQ DOVR EH XVHG EXW LQ WKH RSHQ ZRRGV PDQ\ VKRWV ZLOO EH LQ WKH WR \DUG UDQJH ,I XVLQJ D VKRWJXQ KXQWHUV QHHG WR OHW WKH VTXLUUHO ZRUN FORVHU /DWH VHDVRQ JUD\V DUH YLFWLPV RI WKHLU RZQ LQGXVWULRXV ZD\V LWÂśV SRV-

HUNT TIP

THE CHOICE OF SQUIRREL GUNS I KILLED my irst gray squirrel in 1959, us ing a Winchester Model 67A single shot .22 rile. Thanks to inexperience, “buck fever� and high winds, it took 10 shots to bring the hapless gray to hand. Since then, I have hunted squirrels in 30 states from early August to late February with bows, cross bows, riles, shotguns, handguns and, in my adolescence, pellet riles and BB guns. In the early season, I use a .410 shot gun with 2 3/4 inch loads of No. 6 shot to take care of squirrels inside 30 yards. After the leaves have dropped, it is fun to play sniper with a scoped .22 or .17 caliber rile. However, with all things considered,

the most practical, useful and productive irearm for squirrel hunting is a 12- or 20 gauge shotgun. There’s a good reason most hunters refer to their pet pump or semi auto scat tergun as their “meat gun.� Because squir rels are small, strong and tough, shotguns with a full choke and 3 inch loads of No. 6 shot are the best choice. For all season, all purpose hunting, heavy 3 inch waterfowl or turkey loads with No. 4, 5 or 6 shot will do the trick out to 45 yards and a little beyond. Pound for pound there is no more dificult game animal to kill than a squirrel. Don’t shoot until you have a clear shot, and then keep shooting as long as the squirrel is moving.

PHOTOGRAPH BY STEPHEN CARPENTERI

Even though squirrels are abundant, they are still dificult to outsmart. Stay still and quiet, and cover up.

sible to hear a squirrel foraging 100 yards away, which gives hunters plenty of time to locate, set up and wait for the squirrel to close the distance. Follow the squirrel as it meanders through the leaves and take the shot when it stops on a rock, log or tree trunk. Head shots are best, but as distances increase it’s better to aim behind the shoulder into the vitals. Let the squirrel lie where it falls until the hunt is over or the action begins to settle down. On a busy morning it’s possible to take a limit of grays in just a short time, as is the case when hunting near den trees in late afternoon. In addition to providing fun and food, the tails of squirrels can also EH XVHG WR PDNH Ă€LHV IRU WURXW RU sold to Mepps (mepps.com), which XVHV WKHP WR PDNH ÂżVKLQJ OXUHV 7KH price is only a few cents, but it doubles if trading the tails for the Mepps spinning lures that are so popular with anglers. All this is just an added bonus to a great day in the woods in pursuit of the wily little squirrel. â–

PENNSYLVANIA FALL FISHING The lure of ield and forest may be strong in fall, but don’t allow it to overshadow the great ishing that’s available. Here are a few of the best options to sample right now. By Jeff Knapp

EUHDWK RI IUHVK DLU ÀXVKLQJ WKH ODQGVFDSH RI WKH VWLÀLQJ KHDW RI VXPPHU WKDW FDQ leave even the most hardcore outdoors SHUVRQ OHWKDUJLF 7KH ¿UVW WLQW RI UHG LQ the maples, a scent of wood smoke isVXLQJ IURP D FKLPQH\ PRUQLQJV JUHHWHG with a heavy coat of frost. They’re all KLQWV RI D PDJLFDO WLPH DERXW WR XQIROG 7KRXJK WKH OXUH RI ¿HOG DQG IRUHVW LV VWURQJ GRQ¶W DOORZ LW WR FRPSOHWHO\ RYHUVKDGRZ WKH H[FHOOHQW IDOO ¿VKLQJ opportunities available across the state. Here is a look at a few of the best to sample this autumn. PYMATUNING WALLEYES

:LWKRXW D GRXEW VSULQJ DQG HDUO\ summer are the peak times for walleye DQJOHUV RQ WKLV VSUDZOLQJ 3HQQV\OYDQLD Ohio border lake. But that’s not to say WKDW ZDOOH\HV FDQ¶W EH FDXJKW GXULQJ WKH IDOO 7KH\ FDQ EXW WKH DQJOLQJ SDWterns tend to be quite different than early VHDVRQ ¿VKLQJ $V ZLWK PRVW ¿VKLQJ VLWXDWLRQV WDFWLFV WKDW FDWFK 3\PDWXQLQJ ZDOOH\HV DUH closely linked to their food sources. And 3\PDWXQLQJ μH\HV KDYH D ORW WR HDW ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR MXYHQLOH SDQ¿VK WKH ODNH KDV JL]]DUG VKDG DQG DOHZLIH 7KH ODWWHU WZR JL]]DUG VKDG LQ SDUWLFXODU GRQ¶W IDUH ZHOO GXULQJ GUDVWLF ZDWHU WHPSHUDWXUH drops. It’s common for a lake to experiHQFH VLJQL¿FDQW VKDG GLH RIIV GXULQJ WKH

36

winter months. However, the relatively mild winters of 2015-’16 and 2016-’17 did little to knock back shad numbers. :DOOH\H ¿VKLQJ IROORZLQJ WKRVH ZLQWHUV ZDV WRXJK DQG LW¶V OLNHO\ WKH JOXW RI IRRG ¿VK ZDV D PDMRU IDFWRU The return of more traditional weather ODVW ZLQWHU VDZ D VLJQL¿FDQW VKDG NLOO &RXSOHG ZLWK FRPSDUDWLYHO\ OLJKW ZDOOeye harvest the prior two years, condiWLRQV OHDGLQJ LQWR WKH VHDVRQ DUH favorable. The fact that shad don’t like cold water SOD\V LQWR IDOO ZDOOH\H ¿VKLQJ SDWWHUQV $V ZDWHU WHPSHUDWXUHV GURS GXULQJ WKH IDOO VKDG WHQG WR PLJUDWH WRZDUG WKH southern, deeper end of the lake where the water cools more slowly. The key DUHDV DUH RIWHQ IURP WKH 6QRGJUDVV DFFHVV area and south down to the dam. Water depths in this area run from around 22 feet to about 30 feet. &OHDU FROG QLJKWV ZKHUH ZDWHU WHPSHUDWXUHV TXLFNO\ GURS UHDOO\ JHW WKH shad schooled up. It’s common for terns DQG VHDJXOOV WR IHDVW RQ VKDG VWUHVVHG from the thermal shock. This can be a FOXH LQ ORFDWLQJ YXOQHUDEOH VKDG DQG WKH ZDOOH\HV JRUJLQJ RQ WKHP :KHQ EDLW¿VK VFKRROV DUH IRXQG FORVH WR VWHHS VKRUHOLQH RU VXEPHUJHG KXPS OHGJHV the perfect scenario exists for walleyes to ambush susceptible prey. The classic presentation for fall 3\PDWXQLQJ ZDOOH\HV LV WKH EODGH EDLW

¿VKHG YHUWLFDOO\ DV LW DFFXUDWHO\ VXJJHVWV D VWUHVVHG RXW VKDG VWUD\LQJ IURP the school. Allow the blade bait, one such as a Silver Buddy, Reef Runner Cicada or Heddon Sonar, to free-fall WR WKH ERWWRP (QJDJH WKH UHHO EULQJ the lure in a foot or so to lift it off the bottom, and then employee a sharp upward snap of 6 inches to a foot. Follow the lure’s drop with you rod tip. Some KLWV RFFXU GXULQJ WKH IDOO ZKLOH RWKHUV ZKLOH WKH OXUH KDQJV PRWLRQOHVV DIWHU WKH IDOO 'RQ¶W EH DIUDLG WR ³OHW LW KDQJ´ IRU several seconds. Since walleyes often suspend below schools of shad, you can also work the lure at various depths in the water column. .H\ DFFHVV DUHDV IRU ¿VKLQJ WKH ORZHU HQG RI WKH ODNH DUH 6QRGJUDVV RQ WKH east side of the lake, and Jamestown on the west. There’s a 20-horsepower limit on the lake. Thanks to a reciproFDO DJUHHPHQW ERDW DQJOHUV IURP ERWK 3HQQV\OYDQLD DQG 2KLR FDQ OHJDOO\ ¿VK the lake with their resident licenses. 0LQLPXP OHQJWK LV LQFKHV ZLWK D VL[ ¿VK FUHHO OLPLW LOWER SUSQUEHANNA RIVER CHANNEL CATS

7KRXJK RYHUVKDGRZHG E\ WKH 6XVTXHKDQQD 5LYHU¶V RXWVWDQGLQJ VPDOOPRXWK EDVV ¿VKLQJ WKH ULYHU VXSSRUWV DQ H[FHOOHQW FKDQQHO FDW¿VK SRSXODWLRQ )DOO LV D JUHDW WLPH WR SXUVXH WKHP

SEPTEMBER 2018

PHOTOGRAPH BY BILL LINDNER

TKH FRROLQJ ZLQGV RI DXWXPQ DUH OLNH D

Some anglers will store their rods and slip into their camo, missing some of the best ishing of the year.

37

Giant monster walleyes with toothy grins are out there eagerly waiting for a bait to be presented.

drift back,â€? Bates said. “We also change the anchor tie from the bow to either side of the boat which allows the boat to swing in the current without changing the anchor position.â€? Once he’s thoroughly worked an area, Bates moves to a fresh hole and starts the process over again. Forkbaits can be caught on a variety of concoctions. Bates prefers using a SUHSDUHG ÂżEHU EDLW 7HDP &DWÂżVK 6XGGHQ Impact. While most any medium action rod and reel combo will work, Bates RSWV IRU EDLWFDVWHUV %DVV 3UR 6KRSVÂś Extreme MH rods and matching baitFDVWLQJ UHHOV 5HHOV DUH ORDGHG ZLWK %36 ;36 SRXQG WHVW Ă€XRURFDUERQ OLQH “I install an egg sinker, sinker bumper, swivel and then a two-foot leader,â€? Bates H[SODLQHG Âł, ÂżQLVK RII ZLWK D 1R RU 1R WUHEOH KRRN ´ 7KH WUHEOH LV GLSSHG LQ WKH ÂżEHU EDLW ,I DIWHU ÂżYH PLQXWH KH doesn’t have a bite, he re-baits with fresh stuff. 7KRXJK FKDQQHO FDWÂżVK DFWLRQ FRQContinued on page 60...

FLIPPIN’ WITH A FLY ROD

According to Rod Bates, owner of .RLQRQLD *XLGH 6HUYLFH FRQVLVWHQW ¿VKLQJ IRU WKH ULYHUœV FKDQQHO cats starts in May and extends well into the late fall. When water temperatures GURS EHORZ GHJUHHV WKLQJV VORZ GRZQ %DWHV UDWHV WKH 6XVTXHKDQQD 5LYHUœV FKDQQHO FDW¿VK ¿VKHU\ DV H[FHOOHQW LQ WHUPV RI TXDQWLW\ DQG JRRG IRU VL]H ³0RVW RI RXU ¿VK DUH LQ WKH WR LQFK VL]H UDQJH EXW HDFK JXLGH WULS SURGXFHV FKDQQHO FDWV LQ WKH LQFK FODVV ´ KH noted.

&KDQQHO FDWV DUH FRPPRQ WKURXJKRXW PRVW RI WKH 6XVTXHKDQQD 5LYHU .RLQRQLD *XLGH 6HUYLFH WDUJHWV WKH DUHD IURP <RUN Haven Dam and south. Bates locates channel cats by searching the bottom with his sonar unit, looking for deeper GHSUHVVLRQV OLNHO\ WR KROG ÂżVK +H DQchors the boat above the depth change and casts back to the deep-to-shallow transition. Âł2QFH ZH FDWFK ÂżVK DQG WKH\ VWRS ELWLQJ ,ÂśOO OHW RXW DQRWKHU IHHW RI anchor rope which allows the boat to

ishing headwaters streams for native brook trout. Just don’t plan on doing a lot of actual ly casting, as these close quarters rarely offer much head room. My favorite ly rod for backwoods brookies is a value priced sevenfooter, three weight, with which I ish a four-weight line. Overlining it allows me to pitch a weighted streamer back in the tight pockets brook trout often hold in. It’s more like pitching a jig for largemouth bass than ly casting for trout. Undercut banks, pools scoured out underneath log jams and plunge pools below fast-water chutes are all places likely to hold an eager-tofeed brookies. Use the short ly rod to swing underhanded pendulum casts that pitch a weighed wet ly or streamer right into the pocket where a hungry trout will often intercept it.

SEPTEMBER 2018

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF FRABILL

A FLY ROD is often an ideal tool for

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A dog’s body is wired to utilize fat for energy. For this reason, most high-energy food blends include at least 20 percent fat content and similar protein levels to encourage muscle maintenance.

HARD DOGS This routine provides all the beneits a hard-hunting dog needs for better performance the next morning and over the course of the season. By Carl Myers

T

ODAY’S BIRD hunters are increasingly mobile, myself included. We hardly think twice about loading up our hunting dogs and taking to the road for a new and promising destination. Those extended trips are memory makers, but it’s important to keep in mind that maintenance of your canine hunting companion becomes even more of a priority the farther from home we travel. Given what’s expected of our hunting dogs, it’s best to think of them as highly tuned endurance athletes with a short amount of time to bounce back between getting kenneled at the end of the day and being let loose to hunt ’em up again in the morning. Cutting my teeth as an upland-bird guide in central Montana, I learned quickly that if I wanted to maximize a dog’s performance over extended trips, I had to be smart about how I structured the dog’s evening regimen. )ROORZLQJ D VSHFL¿FDOO\ RUGHUHG SRVW KXQW URXWLQH , VWDUW WKH UHFXSHUDWLRQ process early, giving each dog a better chance at recovery before the next day’s adventure. My routine primarily consists of HIPER hydrate, inspect, SOD\ HDW UHVW ,PSOHPHQWLQJ WKH URXWLQH LQ WKLV RUGHU SURYLGHV VHYHUDO EHQH¿WV for a hard-hunting dog and results in better performance the next morning and over the course of the season. HYDRATE

Hydration speeds recovery time perhaps more than any other factor. Like us, a dog’s body is made up of at least 70 percent water, which is needed to SHUIRUP VSHFL¿F IXQFWLRQV OLNH UHJXODWLQJ ERG\ WHPSHUDWXUH ÀXVKLQJ WR[LQV and delivering nutrients to fatigued muscles. Unlike us, a dog’s normal body temperature is 102 degrees, making hydration all the more important. When hunting new areas, it’s crucial to keep extra water in the truck. Especially in unfamiliar country, you can’t count on nature to provide water reliably. 7R JHW WKH UHFRYHU\ SURFHVV VWDUWHG DV IDVW DV SRVVLEOH WKH ¿UVW WKLQJ KXQWers should do upon returning to their rig is make water available. However, some dogs tend to go straight to the water dish and gulp until it’s dry. In this case, avoid setting a water dish out right away. Gulping a large amount of water may cause stomach distress and, like humans, if it’s taken in all at one

SEPTEMBER 2018

41

INSPECT

Barbed wire and brush, thistles and cockleburs: Energetic hunting dogs see it all in a day, making “tailgate time� a crucial part of post-hunt care. Spreading a familiar blanket on the tailgate gives a non-verbal cue that it’s time for relaxation. Dogs usually welcome it if they

Spreading a familiar blanket on the tailgate gives a non-verbal cue that it’s time for relaxation and inspection. Dogs usually welcome it if they were conditioned correctly.

42

were conditioned correctly. A dog’s fur can mask injuries, but our hands are surprisingly adept at feeling irregularities, so my goal is to touch and simultaneously look at every inch of my dog’s body during inspection. I once missed a barbed wire laceration under the thick chest fur of my best dog. The tough skin in that area doesn’t bleed much, so I didn’t notice it until later that evening. By then the vet’s emergency after-hours rate had kicked in, I paid double for skin stapling and antibiotics, but the injury was caught before infection set in. The worst part was the guilt I felt for not conducting a thorough check out in the ÂżHOG 6KH GHVHUYHG EHWWHU Especially when far from home, it’s important to catch issues before they become severe. I start with the dog standLQJ XS RQ WKH WDLOJDWH ZKHUH , ÂżUVW FKHFN eyes, nose, mouth and ears. Lift up the gums, look at the roof of the mouth, then look close in the nose and eyes for seeds or other foreign bodies. The nictating membrane, or “third eyelid,â€? is especially important to notice, since the soft tissue is sensitive but also crucial to the dog’s eye health. Next, feel the dog’s neck and torso, while also being aware of how the dog is reacting. Are there any tender spots that warrant a closer look? Lay the dog down and check all four armpits, where cockleburs tend to gather and chafe. Finally, the legs and paws should be closely inspected. Run your hands down each leg and around each joint, feeling for anything abnormal. Hot or swollen areas often signal some type of injury. Check

between the toes, splaying out the webbing while looking on top and under; then, visually inspect the pads of each foot. PLAY

Even canines get mental fatigue. It can become a factor for working dogs that are asked to perform over long periods of time, leading to bad behaviors and impaired focus. For dogs, think of play as any experience that involves positive stimulation with no stress. A bone or favorite chew toy can provide this while also priming the appetite. I make a point to rotate my dogs, so a different one rides home in the cab each evening. After tasting a morsel of my drive-through hamburger, they curl up next to me on the bench seat where I

CANINE FIRST-AID KITS THE PURPOSE of any irst-aid kit is to clean, stabilize and protect a patient until better care can be provided back home. I’ve whittled my canine care kit down over the years to a cheap, no-frills set of tools and materials that work in any situation. DUCT TAPE: Sticks to a damp dog and has many applications for covering wounds until you make it to the vet. GAUZE PADS: Will help stop bleeding if wrapped to apply pressure. SUPER GLUE: Secure torn paw pads or close up other small lacerations. BETADINE: Powerful, cheap antiseptic commonly used by vets. MULTI-TOOL WITH NEEDLE-NOSE PLIERS, BLADE AND SCISSORS: A valuable tool in the ield. Dedicate one to your dog irst-aid kit. TWEEZERS: Remove small debris from wounds and oriices. MEDICATIONS: With a vet’s approval, some human medications, like Benadryl and aspirin, can be used in smaller doses. Finally, when traveling, remember to research beforehand where the nearest vet is located, and don’t hesitate to go if you have any doubts about the severity of your dog’s condition. — Carl Meyers

SEPTEMBER 2018

PHOTOGRAPHS BY CARL MYERS

time they will pass most of it before it is absorbed. They can cool down and have a few squirts from a water bottle while you complete tailgate inspection. Afterward, they will be more reasonable with their intake.

rest my arm on them for the ride back. This stress-free contact creates a stronger UHODWLRQVKLS WKDW SD\V GLYLGHQGV LQ WKH ¿HOG Some dogs need this type of attention more than others, and I’ve noticed that well into the season, what many dogs want most is a head start on the 10 to 12 hours of sleep their bodies and minds require. But just like us, they may need help keying down from an intense day at work. Whatever way we can accomplish this results in sharper, more well-rested dogs come morning. EAT

Gun-dog owners are wise to work with a vet to develop a dietary plan for hunting season. That said, the generally accepted view is that a dog’s body is designed to perform optimally with longer periods between eating than what would be normal for humans. Given this time frame, it makes sense to feed as soon as possible after the hunt is over. Unlike humans, who rely on carbs during intense exercise, a dog’s body is wired to utilize fat for energy. For this reason, most high-energy blends include at least 20 percent fat content

and similar protein levels to encourage muscle maintenance. I start mixing in high-energy food a few weeks before ramping up training in late summer. During hunting season, my feeding URXWLQH VWDUWV LQ WKH ¿HOG DW WKH HQG RI the day, where I usually make a chew bone available for the ride back. This helps them relax and also stimulates their digestive process so they are ready to eat, drink and relieve themselves as fast as possible after arriving home. The quicker to bed, the more rest they’ll have before doing it all over again in the morning. Some dogs tend to develop sensitive digestion in reaction to changes in routine and the increased physical stresses of hunting season. To help stabilize their systems and maximize nutrient absorption, I mix a tablespoon of plain, canned pumpkin into WKHLU GU\ IRRG 7KH ¿EHU DLGV LQ ZDWHU DQG nutrient absorption, and it also lowers the PH level of the large intestine, encouraging JURZWK RI EHQH¿FLDO EDFWHULD REST

Because they are denning animals, dogs prefer small enclosures where they can feel safe. To maximize potential for

$

rest, a dog’s shelter should be small enough to provide this feeling while still giving room to stand and stretch sore muscles. Crates or custom-built boxes should be sized with this in mind. If possible, avoid partnering dogs, as even the best mates can still interrupt each other’s rest. In addition to size, bedding is also a major concern. Padding should be thick enough to insulate your dog from the cold, while also durable and easy to clean. The best I’ve found is the K9 Ballistics TUFF Pad (online at K9ballistics.com). They are generously padded, almost indestructible, and the ballistic nylon repels dirt and moisture. 2QH ¿QDO FRQVLGHUDWLRQ &DQLQH PHtabolism works faster than our own. To help them get better rest, make it a point to let your hunting partners out sometime in the night so they can stretch and relieve themselves. All of this is common sense, right? But it’s easy to overlook these recommendations at the end of a long day of hard hunting. The critical thing is, get a routine established and stick to it. It’s the least we can do for our four-pawed friends. ■

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SPECIAL CROSSBOW COVERAGE

HOT SHOTS Crossbow season is within sight. Here’s Game & Fish’s special coverage of all that is horizontal.

CROSSBOW ACCURACY p. 46 Make any crossbow a tack-driver. By Stephen Carpenteri

SEPTEMBER 2018

EFFECTIVE CROSSBOW RANGE p. 52 ?M¼^M UILM Q\ [QUXTM \W ÅO]ZM W]\ PW_ NIZ Q[ \WW NIZ By Brad Fenson

Ç TenPoint’s Nitro X is one of the latest bows that pushes the limits of what we thought bows were capable of.

45

SPECIAL CROSSBOW COVERAGE

CROSSBOW ACCURACY:

THE NUTS AND BOLTS Not all crossbows shoot dead-center right out of the box. Here’s a look at how to get the most consistent accuracy out of your new hunting crossbow. By Stephen Carpenteri

A

FTER 25 YEARS of hunting with, reviewing and shooting crossbows for the outdoor industry, I have come to one irrefutable conclusion: Not all crossbows are the tack-driving one-holers most hunters think they are — at least not initially. To be fair, the majority of crossbows, even those that require the purchaser to mount their own scope, will cluster arrows in a 6-inch circle at 10 yards, but this is far from the holy grail of accuracy. Achieving pinpoint accuracy with a crossbow begins with proper assembly of the crossbow, ensuring that all VWRFN DQG VFRSH VFUHZV EROWV DQG ¿WWLQJV are aligned and tight. When it comes to accuracy, even the minutia matters, like lubing the rail between shots per the manufacturer’s recommendations. ARROWS

Believe it or not, an assortment of arrows can be found in some horizontal hunters’ quivers. It is essential that all

46

arrows be of the same length and weight (and brand and model). Variations here can cause headaches when trying to get FRQVLVWHQW DUURZ ÀLJKW %\ DOO PHDQV take the time to make certain all your arrows match prior to shooting them. As anyone who has shopped for a new broadhead has discovered, there is a dizzying number available. Generally speaking, the shorter, tighter and more aerodynamic the design, the better the accuracy. For most crossbow applications, mechanical-style broadheads

perform best, as they wind-plane less WKDQ H[SRVHG EODGH PRGHOV L H ³¿[HG bladesâ€?). At 20 yards the differences are GLIÂżFXOW WR GLVFHUQ KRZHYHU DV WDUJHW distances increase, the errant broadhead’s Ă€LJKW PLVFXH LV PXOWLSOLHG ADJUSTABILITY

Many crossbows have adjustable stocks

SEPTEMBER 2018

#

1 HUNTING APP

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Shooting a crossbow through a chronograph indoors is a great way to measure a bow’s performance without being affected by wind.

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more accurate you are going to be.â€? 5HJDUGLQJ WULJJHUV %HFN ZDV DGDPDQW WKDW VKRRWHUV DYRLG WLQNHULQJ ZLWK IDFWRU\ WULJJHUV WR DGMXVW SXOO ZHLJKW RU FUHHS 'RLQJ VR KH VDLG FRXOG UHVXOW LQ WULJJHU IDLOXUH LQMXU\ WR WKH VKRRWHU RU GDPDJH WR WKH FURVVERZ DQG ZRXOG YRLG WKH PDQXIDFWXUHUÂśV ZDUUDQW\ :KHQ LW FRPHV WR WULJJHU SXOO %HFN FRXQVHOV Âł$Q\ FURVVERZ FDQ EH ÂżUHG DFFXUDWHO\ E\ XVLQJ WKH ÂżUVW NQXFNOH EHKLQG WKH ÂżQJHUQDLO DV DQ DQFKRU SRLQW 7KH VHFRQG NQXFNOH WKHQ EHFRPHV WKH pivot point. Practice your trigger pull XVLQJ D VORZ VWHDG\ SXOO ZLWK WKH WULJJHU KHOG ÂżUPO\ EHKLQG WKDW ÂżUVW NQXFNOH ´ )LQDOO\ %HFN UHFRPPHQGHG WKDW EHQFK VKRRWHUV ZKR LQWHQG WR KXQW GHHU WXUNH\V RU RWKHU JDPH VSHQG WLPH DW D ' UDQJH WR JHW XVHG WR ÂżHOG VKRRWLQJ FRQGLWLRQV DQG VLWXDWLRQV TREE-STAND SHOOTING

*HQHUDOO\ VSHDNLQJ WKHUH LV QR QHHG IRU elevation compensation when shooting RU \DUGV IURP WUHH VWDQGV WKDW DUH WR IHHW RII WKH JURXQG +RZHYHU when elevations are much steeper (when KXQWLQJ RXW RI D WUHH VWDQG WKDW LV RU PRUH IHHW RII WKH JURXQG RU ZKHQ WKH WDUJHW LV H[WUHPHO\ FORVH WR WKH VWDQG LW PD\ EH QHFHVVDU\ WR DLP ORZ LQ RUGHU WR compensate for the arcing arrow. ,W LV UHFRPPHQGHG WKDW WUHH VWDQG crossbow hunters practice shooting at VLOKRXHWWH WDUJHWV VHW DW YDU\LQJ GLVWDQFHV IURP WKH VWDQG 7KLV LQFOXGHV VKRWV QHDU WKH WUHH EDVH DQG RXW WR \DUGV HVpecially when the elevations are such WKDW EDOOLVWLF FRPSHQVDWLRQ LV UHTXLUHG :KHQHYHU SRVVLEOH SUDFWLFH VKRRWLQJ IURP WKH VDPH VWDQG \RX LQWHQG WR KXQW RXW RI ZKHWKHU Âż[HG SRVLWLRQ ODGGHU RU D FOLPELQJ WUHH VWDQG +DYH D partner place a foam target in various SRVLWLRQV DW UDQGRP GLVWDQFHV IURP WKH VWDQG WR VLPXODWH UHDO WLPH KXQWLQJ VLWXDWLRQV 8VH \RXU UDQJH ÂżQGHU DQG \RXU JRRG MXGJPHQW LQ GHFLGLQJ when to shoot or when to wait for a better opportunity. GROUND BLIND SHOOTING

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6WDONLQJ DQG VWLOO KXQWLQJ ZLWK D FURVVbow are challenging simply because FURVVERZV DUH ZLGH KHDY\ DQG DZNZDUG WR FDUU\ RYHU ORQJ GLVWDQFHV $OZD\V XVH a sling because carrying a crossbow at WKH UHDG\ ZKLOH VWLOO KXQWLQJ ZLOO SURYH to be a chore for even the most athletic of hunters. ,Q DQ\ FDVH ZKHQ VKRRWLQJ DW JDPH RIIKDQG LW LV LPSRUWDQW WKH KXQWHU DVVXPH D VROLG VWDQFH ZLWK IHHW FRPIRUWDEO\ DSDUW DQG VKRXOGHUV EDFN ZLWK WKH FURVVERZÂśV OLPEV OHYHO 3URS \RXU ERZ KDQG LQWR WKH ULEV RQ WKH HOERZ DQG WKHQ XVH EUHDWKLQJ WHFKQLTXHV WR VWHDG\ WKH VFRSH UHWLFOH COMMON MISTAKES

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Another common error affecting crossERZ KXQWHUV LV IDLOXUH WR XVH D UDQJH ÂżQGHU on every shot. An error in range estimation RI MXVW \DUGV FDQ PHDQ WKH GLIIHUHQFH between a hit or miss. Upon arrival at your VWDQG RU EOLQG VHWWOH LQ DQG WKHQ VSHQG VRPH WLPH UDQJLQJ QHDUE\ ODQGPDUNV 'HWHUPLQH ZKHUH DQG \DUGV DUH E\ UDQJLQJ LQGLYLGXDO WUHHV URFNV RU other prominent points. Some hunters XVH FRORUHG Ă€DJJLQJ RU UHĂ€HFWLYH WDFNV WR PDUN \DUGDJHV DURXQG WKHLU KXQWLQJ VLWH Many hunters use their crossbows only RQ ZHHNHQGV RU KROLGD\V GXULQJ WKH KXQWLQJ VHDVRQ DQG WKHQ SXW WKHP DZD\ XQWLO the following year. To remain familiar DQG HIIHFWLYH ZLWK \RXU FURVVERZ SODQ to shoot at least 20 arrows two or three WLPHV SHU ZHHN \HDU ÎźURXQG 6KRRW DJDLQ DQ\ WLPH WKH FURVVERZ LV WUDQVSRUWHG GURSSHG EXPSHG RU H[SRVHG WR H[WUHPH temperatures. Some crossbow hunters fail to maintain their crossbows per the manufacturer’s instructions. Over time crossbow cables DQG VWULQJV VWUHWFK RU IUD\ OLPEV ZHDNHQ DQG SDUWV JXP XS (YHU\ PDQXIDFWXUHU has its own unique maintenance policy PDNH FHUWDLQ \RX UHDG LW DQG IROORZ WKHLU UHFRPPHQGDWLRQV /DVWO\ VKRXOG \RXU FURVVERZ HYHU UHTXLUH UHSDLU VHHN D WUDLQHG SURIHVVLRQDO ZKR LV IDPLOLDU ZLWK \RXU VSHFLÂżF FURVVERZ DQG IDFWRU\ FHUWLÂżHG ,I RQH LV QRW DYDLODEOH ORFDOO\ E\ DOO PHDQV VHQG \RXU FURVVERZ EDFN WR WKH PDQXIDFWXUHU $WWHPSWLQJ WR PDNH \RXU RZQ FURVVERZ UHSDLUV LV QHYHU DGYLVHG DQG FDQ EH GDQJHURXV â–

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DEFINING YOUR EFFECTIVE CROSSBOW RANGE Hunting with a crossbow is exciting, but you must know your effective range to take and make ethical shots. By Brad Fenson

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M

Y HEART RATE doubled when I saw two sets of antlers coming toward me in the creek bottom. The prairie deer had stark-white bone growing from their heads, making the beams and points stand out like a neon sign. Seconds later, the bucks disappeared into a long, thick shelterbelt. The duo created quite a stir in the woods, as does, fawns and small bucks darted through the tangle of limbs. The rut was starting, and the biggest buck was obviously in charge, as all the other deer took note of his presence. I watched the buck chasing a doe about 400-yards down the treeline. My tranquil setting returned to normal, as deer VORZO\ ÂżOWHUHG RXW RI WKH WUHHV WR IHHG I was startled when the target buck showed up directly in front of me, along the fence. I quickly ranged him at 72 yards and watched intently

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through my scope as he turned broadside, jumped the fence, and cut the distance to 65 yards. I had made the shot dozens of times earlier that day at tarJHWV EXW GLGQÂśW GDUH SXOO WKH WULJJHU RQ a live animal, as there is just too much that can go wrong in a split second. KNOW YOUR EFFECTIVE RANGE

7KH EXFN QHYHU VWD\HG LQ RQH SODFH IRU long, and as the sun set, I watched him chase another doe through the trees. :LWK VKDGRZV JHWWLQJ ORQJ WKH EXFN returned to the green sprouts of rye JURZLQJ LQ WKH ÂżHOG , ZDV ZDWFKLQJ and slowly fed toward me. 7KH QLFH SRLQW EXFN ZDV QRZ just 35 yards in front of me but almost head-on. I patiently waited, and PLQXWHV ODWHU WKH EXFN ZDV TXDUWHULQJ DZD\ KHDG GRZQ IHHGLQJ DW \DUGV The breeze rustling through the trees PHDQW WKH EXFN QHYHU KHDUG P\ FURVVbow launch an arrow in its direction, passing clean through the vitals. The EXFN UDQ \DUGV DQG IHOO LQWR WKH long grass on the edge of the trees. (WKLFDO KXQWHUV PXVW NQRZ WKHLU HIIHFWLYH UDQJH WR PDNH SULQFLSOHG VKRWV LQ WKH ÂżHOG +RZHYHU YHU\ IHZ DUFKHUV NQRZ WKHLU HIIHFWLYH UDQJH FKRRVLQJ WKHLU VKRWV ZKLOH LQ WKH ÂżHOG RQ D ZKLP 7KHUH LV D VLJQLÂżFDQW GLIIHUHQFH EHtween how far you can shoot an arrow out of a crossbow and what is an ethical shot at a live animal. The “effecWLYH UDQJH´ VKRXOG EH GHÂżQHG E\ ZKDW your arrow will do in the millisecond it is released from the string of your ERZ XQWLO LW ÂżQGV WKH WDUJHW &URVVERZ enthusiasts are bombarded with adverWLVHPHQWV DQG PDUNHWLQJ FDPSDLJQV IRFXVHG RQ WKH VSHHG RI D ERZ +DYH you ever noticed nobody ever mentions the speed of an arrow beyond 50 yards? What about arrow trajectory? 'R \RX WKLQN D KHDGOLQH VWDWLQJ ÂłZLWK a new crossbow, your arrow only drops 100 inches at 100 yardsâ€? would sell crossbows? The truth of the matter is that crossbows are limited in range for hunting no matter how fast they spit an arrow off the rail, and there are several ways you can see and determine the effective range for yourself.

VKRRWLQJ DW DQ DQLPDO DW D UDQJH ,ÂśYH VKRW DW D WDUJHW 1RWKLQJ PDNHV PH cringe more than hearing someone tell me they shot at a critter at a distance WKH\ÂśYH QHYHU JURXQG WUXWKHG ZLWK their bow. Even worse, some hunters rely on the predetermined range crosshairs in their scope to chance a shot, without ever verifying if the crosshair is accurate.

GROUND TRUTHING

A STARTING POINT

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Set up your target at 20 yards and sight

in the main crosshair on your scope. When you have it dialed in to shoot a 1-inch group or less, move your target to 30 yards. Before you mess with another crosshair, shoot your \DUG MXVWLÂżHG FURVVKDLU DQG VHH what happens to your arrow. The information you gain can help you in the ÂżHOG ZKHQ KXQWLQJ NQRZLQJ WKH H[DFW drop in arrow trajectory from 20 to 30 \DUGV 5HSHDW WKH H[HUFLVH DW DQG 50 yards. 1RZ JR EDFN DQG WU\ \RXU VFRSHÂśV

SEPTEMBER 2018

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predetermined range crosshair to see if you can shoot as accurately as you did at 20 yards. The calibration of scopes is rarely dead-on accurate, so tweaking with the speed setting on the scope may be required. When you shoot your 40- and 50yard distances with the appropriate crosshair in your scope, see if your arrow’s point of impact is on target, or if you consistently hit high or low. The farther you try to shoot, the more the inaccuracy of the scope shows up on target. If your arrows are hitting the bull’s eye at 20 yards, but are off target at longer ranges, try zeroing your scope at a longer range. Use your third crosshair, designed to send your arrow into the target with accuracy at 40 yards and tweak it until it is deadRQ 1RZ ZRUN EDFNZDUG DQG \RXœOO RIWHQ ¿QG WKH DQG \DUG FURVVhairs line up better. Trajectory over distance increases, so using a 40yard target to dial in your crossbow can help get you ready for hunting. HOW ACCURATE?

+RZ DFFXUDWH GR \RXU DUURZV À\ DW GLIIHUHQW GLVWDQFHV" ,I \RXU WKUHH shot group continues to grow with WKH GLVWDQFH VKRW LW ZLOO KHOS GH¿QH your limitations for an ethical shot. If you can’t keep an arrow in a baseball-sized area on the target, please don’t think you are ready to hunt. 1RWKLQJ WLJKWHQV D WKUHH VKRW JURXS at any distance better than practice. The more you shoot, and tweak your speed setting on your scopes, the better you’ll be dialed in at any distance. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG?

Shooting accurately beyond 50 yards means you are ready to hunt, and it may even lead you to believe you could harvest an animal at long range. There are a few exercises you can do to clearly show the limitations of a crossbow and the heavy arrows they shoot. While hunting axis deer in Texas, I had a 43-yard shot at a nice buck standing broadside. Just as I squeezed the trigger, the buck took a step forward, causing my arrow to be 12 inches off the mark. Instead

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of being tucked in close behind the shoulder blade, my arrow stuck the animal just in front of the hindquarters. Luckily, my broadhead severed the renal artery leading to the kidney, and the animal only went 70 yards. If I had the same circumstances happen at 60 or 70 yards my hunt would’ve ended in disaster. A 50yard shot is the breaking point for speed and impact of an arrow under ideal conditions. Add a little movement, or environmental factors, and anything beyond 50 yards becomes heartache. The debate over an ethical hunting distance shot will always exist, but there are a few things you can do to show the limitations and improve your success rate. Who doesn’t have D VPDUW SKRQH WKHVH GD\V" 1RWKLQJ shows the arch of an arrow over its ÀLJKW EHWWHU WKDQ D YLGHR RU HYHQ better, slow-motion video. Have VRPHRQH YLGHR \RXU DUURZ ÀLJKW to target over your shoulder so you can see the trajectory. Then, have the same video shot from a side angle, where your camera operator is safe from potential hazard. The VLGH DQJOH RI DQ DUURZ LQ ÀLJKW PD\ astonish most crossbow enthusiasts. While some shooters can shoot an archery target consistently and successfully at 100 yards or more with modern crossbows, when you see the trajectory, and how the arURZ VORZV LQ ÀLJKW \RXœOO TXLFNO\ understand why 50 yards is a great benchmark to set for maximum distance for hunting. A crossbow shooting a 448-grain arrow at 450 fps (a scorching fast crossbow) will drop 69.5 inches at 100 yards. That is almost 6 feet of arrow drop. A whole lot can go wrong when the path of an arrow has close to 70 inches of drop. The speed at 100 yards is what can cause problems. If your target animal takes a single step, your arrow could miss it cleanly or worse; you could wound it. MOVING TEST

Putting a 3D deer decoy on a track would be a fantastic way to see what happens when an animal takes a step DV \RX ÂżUH \RXU FURVVERZ 7KH GHFR\ could start and stop without notice and

you could try to shoot it in the vitals at various ranges. The engineering is more than most of us want to tackle, VR WDNH DQ HPSW\ VRGD ERWWOH DQG ¿OO LW half full of water. Tie it to a branch or tether over your target and let it swing back and forth like a pendulum. Try to shoot the moving target at 20, 30, 40 and 50 yards (make sure you have a suitable arrow backstop behind the moving bottle). The information you gain will be invaluable to your decision-making process on how far to ethically shoot at an animal. The bottle does not have to be moving fast to prove a point. A little movement means your arrow is not on the mark. In an ideal world, a stationary target is what we dream of, but one that jumps the string, takes a step or two, or moves without notice can quickly spell disaster. And, don’t forget that your heart rate will increase drastically when you have a deer centered in your scope, and you can easily pull the shot, or be a little off mark, and your hunt will be ruined by an imperfect arrow hit. ALTERED STATE

Hunting out of ground blinds or treestands can quickly go sour when you consider arrow trajectory. An arrow shot through the blind material will QHYHU ¿QG LWV PDUN DQG ZKHQ \RX DUH looking at targets beyond 50 yards, what you see in the scope isn’t necessarily what your arrow is pointing at off the rail up close. Shoot targets out of your blind and stand, so you understand arrow trajectory and the issues associated with your limbs or arrows sticking something unexpected. BE THE BEST YOU CAN BE

Bowhunting isn’t about pushing your equipment to its maximum potential; it’s more about honing individual skills to get close and harvest an animal in a way that makes you proud. If you want to shoot an animal at 100 yards, perhaps you should wait till WKH ÂżUHDUPV VHDVRQ" &URVVERZV DUH an exciting and challenging way to hunt. It is your responsibility to become very familiar with your equipment and know your effective range, so you can make the most of your time LQ WKH ÂżHOG â–

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GUIDES...Continued

like a lot of hunters do, that buck is patterning you more than you’re patterning him. You’re promoting nocturnal activity as opposed to diurnal.â€? Dawes continued, “We do a lot of glassing from the roads. All we need to know is these deer are on the property. I don’t need to know every little detail about their feeding times. We know he’s on the property, and then we do things to keep him on the property. In short, it’s limiting access.â€? For Dawes, scouting does begin at home. “We use technology,â€? he said, “in the form of aerial photographs and topographic software. We mark the most likely areas, and then we go LQ DQG ZH ÂżQG WKDW SHUIHFW WUHH $ ORW of interpreting this information is a no-brainer. All that immature growth DQG VFUXE \RX ÂżQG RQ WKH DHULDOV" ,WÂśV easy to see, and we stay out of there. It’s designated a sanctuary. Then, we hunt the edges.â€? Homework, then, parlays into more LQ GHSWK ÂżHOG VWXG\ Âł&DPHUDV GHÂżQLWHO\ have changed the way I scout,â€? said Dawes. “And it goes back to this idea of OLPLWLQJ DFFHVV &DPHUDV WRR KHOS OLPLW

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the pressure we put on our individual properties. We focus on target animals. And if a particular property doesn’t have a target animal, we limit or shut down access, effectively creating a block of

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sanctuary (ground) that may attract a target animal in the future.â€? The use of scent elimination strategies, as well as good, old-fashioned illusion, is also written into Dawes’ pre-season playbook. “It’s mandatory we spray down and wear rubber boots while accessing properties to retrieve trail cameras,â€? said Dawes. “Another rule we have is to leave our ATVs running while we access camera and stand locations. I don’t feel as if the sound of those vehicles is a threat; rather, it’s almost soothing. Like someone just doing work on the property. Farm equipment, perhaps.â€? The mantra “Don’t let him know you’re thereâ€? seems to be a common denominator among whitetail professionals when the topic turns to pre-season scouting. A low-impact approach works EHVW WKH\ VD\ 7KLV LV ZDONLQJ D ÂżQH OLQH between creating a disturbance and getting enough information so as to hang DQG KXQW D VWDQG LQ WKH PRVW HIÂżFLHQW and effective manner possible. It’s a ÂżQH OLQH WR EH VXUH EXW RQH FDSDEOH RI being trod by those who are, per the Boy Scouts, prepared, thanks to successful scouting strategies. â–

SEPTEMBER 2018

PHOTOGRAPH BY DENVER BRYAN / IMAGES ON THE WILDSIDE

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SEPTEMBER 2018

NORTHCENTRAL NATIVE BROOK TROUT

3HQQV\OYDQLD LV EOHVVHG ZLWK KXQGUHGV LI QRW WKRXVDQGV RI KHDGZDWHU VWUHDPV that support good populations of native brook trout. This is particularly true in the state’s northcentral region, where most of the feeder streams that drain this mountainous region hold colorful wild, stream-bred brook trout. This offers a great opportunity to combine a fall hunting trip to “the mountainsâ€? for deer or wild turkeys with a warm afternoon spent catching native brookies in their vivid spawning colors. ,Q JHQHUDO WKHVH VWUHDPV DUH QRW stocked with trout, but rather are tributaries to larger streams that are stocked or support wild trout. Though trout season closes in early September, with an extended season starting September RQ VWRFNHG WURXW ZDWHUV WURXW ÂżVKing is allowed on these wild trout headwaters streams under a catch and release basis. ,Q DGGLWLRQ WR WKH LGHDO PRXQWDLQRXV terrain, which provides the high to medium gradient, canopied runs favorable to brook trout, these areas are also rich in public lands. Extensive state forests

SEPTEMBER 2018

such as Sproul, Susquehannock and Loyalsock furnish thousands of acres, as do numerous state game lands. Given the diminutive size of such brooks, it wouldn’t be fair to single any particular one out and subject it to undue ÂżVKLQJ SUHVVXUH %XW , FDQ WHOO \RX WKH\ DUH QRW KDUG WR ÂżQG DQG VHDUFKLQJ WKHP out, then exploring them for their riches, is a major part of the adventure. Start your research with the Fish and %RDW &RPPLVVLRQÂśV ZHEVLWH ÂżVKDQGERDW FRP ZKHUH \RXÂśOO ÂżQG OLVWLQJV IRU DOO WKH &ODVV $ ZLOG WURXW VWUHDPV in the state, as well as an additional listing showing all the streams that have been documented as having naturally reproducing trout populations. The listings are broken down by county. They show the stream sections WKDW TXDOLI\ DV ZLOG WURXW ZDWHUV LQ many cases from the headwaters to the mouth), the stream in which they Ă€RZ DQG WKH *36 FRRUGLQDWHV IRU WKH stream’s location. $UPHG ZLWK WKLV LQIRUPDWLRQ \RX FDQ locate the stream on a map, or better yet, if you’re even a little bit tech savvy, do it on an internet resource such as Google 0DSV 6LPSO\ SOXJ WKH *36 FRRUGLQDWHV into the map’s search prompt and it’ll bring you right to the stream. You can then determine access, whether it’s public ownership, and using the satellite view get a feel for the terrain and cover LW Ă€RZV WKURXJK &DWFKLQJ QDWLYH EURRN WURXW LV QRW GLIÂżFXOW LQ WKDW WKH VWUHDPV WKH\ OLYH LQ have limited food sources; they don’t pass up a meal. However, they are very spooky, as they instinctively know they are a food source for a long list of predaWRUV ,I \RX GRQÂśW VSRRN WKHP \RX FDQ probably catch them. $SSURDFK SRROV IURP GRZQVWUHDP stay out of the stream as much as SRVVLEOH &RORUIXO Ă€LHV OLNH JUHHQ ZHHQLHV , GR ZHOO ZLWK D SLQN YHUVLRQ RI WKH VDPH Ă€\ ZRUN JUHDW DQG can be pitched with an ultralight spinQLQJ URG DGG D VSOLW VKRW IRU ZHLJKW LI \RX GRQÂśW XVH D Ă€\ URG What native brook trout lack in size, they make up for in beauty and the setWLQJ LQ ZKLFK WKH\ OLYH 3LQFK \RXU EDUEV GRZQ IRU HDV\ UHOHDVH $QG VLQFH WKLV LV the spawning period, stay out of the run as much as you can to avoid damaging the habitat. â–

WHERE TO GO

or early November. 7H[DV ULJJHG ZRUPV DQG ÀLSSLQœ MLJV are good fall presentations for working .H\VWRQHœV ZHHG HGJHV IRU EDVV $QG while there are often some bass holding along the weed edges, the extensions of points, where they fall off into depths too great for weed growth, often hold ELJJHU .H\VWRQH EDVV LQ WKH IDOO 3RLQW extensions in 20 to 25 feet of water can EH HIIHFWLYHO\ ¿VKHG ZLWK D GURS VKRW ULJ RU &DUROLQD ULJ , SUHIHU WKH IRUPHU DQG ¿VK LW YHUWLFDOO\ XVLQJ ERDW PRYHPHQW to work the spot. Gravel/shale ledges often hold fall Keystone smallies. Tube jigs like = 0DQœV 7XEH= H[FHO IRU ¿VKLQJ WKHVH FUDZ¿VK ULFK DUHDV 5RFN\ OHGJHV WKDW fall into 30 to 40 feet are prime water for blade baits. %RDW DFFHVV RQ .H\VWRQH LV E\ ZD\ RI WKH $WZRRG IDFLOLW\ RII 5RXWH RQ WKH east side of the lake. On the west side, WKHUH LV WKH 1X0LQH $FFHVV UHDFKHG YLD VHFRQGDU\ URDGV FRQQHFWLQJ ZLWK 5RXWH $W WKH WLPH RI WKLV ZULWLQJ WKH KRUVHSRZHU OLPLW ZDV KS EXW H[SHFWHG WR be raised to 20. For information on guide services visit keystoneconnection.com.

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TURNING OUT A DO-ALL DOG SPRINGER SPANIELS CAN BE A PLEASURE TO WINGSHOOT OVER — IF YOU INVEST THE TIME TO PREPARE THEM FOR THE FIELD.

OR THE hunter who is primarily interested in pheasants, grouse, woodcock and quail, with a secondary interest in other small game and waterfowl, an English springer spaniel is ideal. They are easy to train; naturally close working; hunt with speed, aggressive power and determination; and are superb retrievers. 7KH ¿UVW VWHS LQ WUDLQLQJ D KXQWLQJ VSULQJHU LV JHWWLQJ D JRRG VWXGHQW 6HULRXV KXQWHUV DQG ¿HOG WULDOHUV KDYH EHHQ EUHHGLQJ DQG WUDLQLQJ TXDOLW\ ¿HOG VSULQJHUV IRU JHQHUDWLRQV RIWHQ LQ UXUDO VHWWLQJV ZLWK ZLOG ELUGV 6SULQJHUV DUH QRUPDOO\ EODFN and-white or liver-and-white color combinations and top out around 50 pounds. Hunting springers are distinctly different from show dogs, and although show spaniels can hunt, hunting spaniels are bred for the job and are generally much better at it. We want our dog to energetically cover the area in front of us in a windshield ZLSHU SDWWHUQ VQLI¿QJ WKH DLU DQG JURXQG ¿OWHULQJ RXW WKH H[WUDQHRXV VFHQWV WR ¿QG DQG PDNH ELUGV À\ 7KHQ ZKHQ ZH VKRRW RQH ZH H[SHFW WKH GRJ WR UHWULHYH DQG return it to us unharmed. 3OHQW\ RI ERRNV DQG YLGHRV GHDO ZLWK VSHFL¿F WUDLQLQJ WHFKQLTXHV EXW VSULQJHUV

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62

By Capt. John Gribb are easy to train to hunt close, respond to whistle and voice commands, and retrieve game gently to hand. How much more completely you train your spaniel depends on how much time you have DQG \RXU H[SHFWDWLRQV , KDYH KXQWHG P\ VSDQLHOV GXULQJ WKHLU ¿UVW \HDU RI life with more than adequate success. We begin training puppies on voice and whistle commands and retrieving as soon as they come home from the breeder. Aside from retrieving, only three other signals are required for control in WKH ¿HOG ³VLW ´ ³FRPH LQ´ DQG ³FRPH DURXQG ´ 6SDQLHOV DUH QRUPDOO\ WUDLQHG with a high-pitched whistle without a pea inside, which makes much less noise than a normal whistle. Tiny spaniel puppies will aggressively retrieve a balled-up VRFN DQG ³FRPH´ WR D ZKLVWOH WULOO WKUHH SLSV DQG +83 WKH WUDGLWLRQDO VSDQLHO sit command) to a single whistle pip. Later, we develop that windshield wiper coursing with two pips on the whistle, ZKLFK WHOOV WKHP WR ³FRPH DURXQG ´ Once birds and guns are introduced into the equation, instincts take over from there. Use training collars very judiciously to solve training problems. The erratic bounding strides of spaniels, their windshield wiper coursing in front of the hunter, and the speed with which they move through coverts often confuses birds into hunkering down. When a springer crosses a live-bird scent, WKHLU WDLO DQQRXQFHV WKHLU ¿QG DV WKH\ throw themselves back and forth across WKH VFHQW WR ¿QG WKH ELUG DQG PDNH LW À\ 6SDQLHOV GRQ¶W ORFN XS DQG SRLQW DW the source of a strong scent; rather, they DWWDFN LW ,I WKHLU IUHQ]\ LV FRQWDLQHG LQ D small area, the bird is probably hunkerLQJ GRZQ ,Q D IHZ VHFRQGV LW ZLOO À\ ,I RQ WKH RWKHU KDQG WKH DFWLRQ LV EDFN and forth but progressing away from the origin, then the bird is moving. The dog will catch up with it somewhere up ahead. ,W¶V \RXU MRE WR NHHS LQ SRVLWLRQ IRU WKH ÀXVK $OO JXQ GRJV PLVV ELUGV EXW VSDQLHOV generally cover ground more thoroughly than pointers, albeit less of it. 6SULQJHUV ZLOO GR DOPRVW DQ\WKLQJ to please their master. Teach them the basics, introduce them to wild birds, and then learn to follow. You will have FUHDWHG D WHDP WKDW ZLOO ¿OO \RXU KXQWLQJ with satisfaction. Q

SEPTEMBER 2018

PHOTOGRAPH BY DENVER BRYAN / IMAGES ON THE WILDSIDE

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PARTING LINES

By Steven Paul Barlow

Catching Up on the Mail “WHAT ARE YOU doing at the computer?â€? my wife Dawn asked. “Don’t tell me you’re fabricating another tale of your outdoor exploits.â€? “I never fabricate,â€? I said. “Embellish, maybe, EXW QHYHU IDEULFDWH 1R ,ÂśP ÂżQDOO\ FDWFKLQJ XS RQ my correspondence. Readers have been writing and asking for my expert advice.â€? “Expert at what, professor?â€? she asked. “You’re the Dean of Disaster if anything. I suppose they could learn from all of your mistakes. Be careful about the advice you give, though. We don’t want to get sued if somebody puts out an eye.â€? She looked over my shoulder to see what I was typing. Dear Parting Lines: I’m craving new hunting ORFDWLRQV :KDWÂśV WKH EHVW ZD\ WR ÂżQG JRRG SODFHV to hunt? Dear Hungry to Hunt: Finding new places to hunt LV DV HDV\ DV SLH VSHFLÂżFDOO\ DSSOH SLH WKLV WLPH RI year, but I could go for pumpkin pie too, especially around Thanksgiving when the deer season is open. Some of the best hunting spots are on private land. So, before you pop the big question to a landowner, asking him if you can hunt his land, you need to nurture the relationship by bribing him a little. That’s where the apple pie comes in. When you drop off tasty treats for the third or fourth time, it will be almost impossible for him to turn you down. If you’re near good tracts of public land, you can eat the pie yourself. You’ll be hungry too because you’ll spend lots of time and energy scouting locations where the game is plenty, and the hunters are few. If you’re scouting remote areas, be sure to watch for signs scrawled on rocks and trees that say “Help! Send food and ammo.â€? I’ve already scouted those areas extensively and found no way out other than by search and rescue helicopter. Save yourself some time and take my word for it, there’s no game there. The absolute best hunting land, of course, is that which you own yourself. You can control who hunts there, manage game populations and plant gameattracting food plots. Apple trees are great because unlike other food plots, if the deer don’t show up, you can eat the apples yourself. An orchard can also attract potential buyers when you realize you’re better off selling your money pit. If you decide to buy your own hunting land, let me know. I’ll bring the apple pie because I’ve worn out my welcome most other places I used to hunt. Dear Parting Lines: I’ve gotten permission to hunt some property recently. What’s the best way to scout this property for the upcoming deer season?

Dear Happy Wanderer: The best way to scout new hunting ground is to simply walk it and become thoroughly acquainted with the terrain and boundaries. As you wander the property, look for feeding and bedding areas, game trails and potential ambush points. Learn the nicknames the locals have given to certain spots so that you’ll understand what your hunting partner says to you over the walkie-talkie. “I’m at Spooky Pines on Jones’ Hill by Lightning Tree on the far side of Flat-Top Rock. Meet me at Moosehead Stump by No-Name Brook.â€? Don’t worry about places with names such as Bootless Bog, Widow’s Walk, Avalanche Alley, 6XLFLGH 6ORXJK 5RFNIDOO 5LGJH RU &RIÂżQ &DQ\RQ Those places are given those names to scare people away from the best hunting spots. Dear Parting Lines: I’m putting this message in a bottle and sending it down No-Name Brook, hoping that someday someone will come across this and eventually bring it to your attention. I took your advice and started scouting an area known as Deadman’s Draw. I’ve almost recovered from the concussion after the rock slide, but I think the broken leg will take longer to heal. You’re right, few other hunters come to places with scary names. I’ve been stranded here for three weeks now and haven’t seen another person. I didn’t tell anyone where I was going because I wanted to keep this prime hunting spot to myself. But now my food’s running low. Do you have any suggestions? Dear Broken Fibula: I’m sorry you’ve had such bad luck. Now you know how I feel when disaster strikes, and people merely laugh at my misfortune. I’m a little busy right now. Is there anyone I can call for you your widow for instance? I’m assuming that because this has taken so long to reach me that maybe she is selling your gun collection. Take my advice, it always pays to be on the lookout for bargains. Dear Parting Lines: I forgot to mention, you were right about another thing. The deer are all over the place. I practically have to ward them off with my makeshift crutches. Dear Broken Fibula: Really? Lots of deer? Well, I know you really aren’t in a position to go anywhere EXW VWD\ SXW ,ÂśOO JUDE RQH RI \RXU ROG ULĂ€HV DQG ,ÂśOO EH on my way as soon as the pie is out of the oven. Q

Collections of Steven Paul Barlow’s columns are available in book form through briarhillbooks.com.

PENNSYLVANIA GAME & FISH (ISSN-0897-8808) is published monthly with bi-monthly issues in July/August and December/January by Outdoor Sportsman GroupŽ, 1040 6th Ave., 12th Floor, New York, NY 10018-3703. Periodicals postage paid at New York, NY, and additional mailing ofices. Canadian Publications Mail Sales Agreement No. 41405030. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 500 Rt. 46 East, Clifton, NJ 07011. Yearly subscriptions $19.97 for one year ($28.97 Canadian). POSTMASTER: Send address changes (form 3579) to PENNSYLVANIA GAME & FISH, CDS, P.O. Box 37539, Boone, IA 50037-0539 or call 1-877-416-2649. CopyrightŠ 2018 Outdoor Sportsman GroupŽ.

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SEPTEMBER 2018

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