Outdoor Traditions - Winter 2012

Issue 4 • Edition 7

Featured in this issue

TECHNOLOGY ON ICE BY: DAVE CSANDA PLUS MORE! • The Fascination Of Black Powder • Enjoy Winter Outside & Stay Warm • Wild Stories

By: PHIL SEIBEL

By: JIM KALKOFEN

Excerpts From Conservation Officers’ Weekly Reports

• Your Best Shots

Read Online: www.brainerddispatch.com or www.brainerdoutdoors.com

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TECHNOLOGY

White On White: A Winter Bow Hunt For Snowshoe Hares .. 5 Technology On Ice ..................... 9 The Fascination of Black Powder ....................... 12 Christmas is for Bird Watchers .. 14 Treading Local Waters: The Whitefish Chain................... 16

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The Fascination of

Enjoy Winter Outside & Stay Warm .............................. 18 Crying Wolf ................................. 20 Wild Stories ................................. 22

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Today In The Outdoors.............. 24 Your Best Shots ........................... 25

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506 James Street • P.O. Box 974 Brainerd, MN 56401 (218) 829-4705 www.brainerddispatch.com www.brainerdoutdoors.com Visit us on Facebook 4

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STAFF: Publisher .............................................Tim Bogenschutz Advertising Director ................................. Sam Swanson Copy Editor .............................................. Matt Erickson Marketing .....................................................Nikki Lyter Magazine Layout .......................................... Andy Goble Ad Design........................... Andy Goble, Jennifer Fuchs, Angie Hoefs, Cindy Spilman and Sue Stark Sales ......................................................... Dave Wentzel Online Sales Manager......................................Phil Seibel Outdoor Traditions is a trademarked magazine published by the Brainerd Dispatch, P.O. Box 976, Brainerd, MN 56401. All rights reserved.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited. ®2010 Cover photo by Bill Lindner.

WHITE ON WHITE:

A Winter Bow Hunt For Snowshoe Hares

Snowshoe hares are well-camouflaged against their wintery surroundings. Hunters should watch for their telltale dark eyes and ears.

EaCh WinTEr, a group of arChErs from ThE BrainErd arEa gaThEr for a h u n T . The group plies the local aspen forests while

Dan Beraldo of Brainerd, Brian Smude of Brainerd and me.

Our first stop was a tract of property that had been logged several years ago.The area has since regenerated with aspen brandishing bows and arrows in search of snowshoe hares, saplings so thick one’s vision is reduced to scant yards. But those wonderfully camouflaged forest critters that are seldom young aspens are the key to locating snowshoe hares beseen by chance. cause the trees provide them food in During winter snowshoe hares wear the form of bark and twigs and cover coats of white, an astonishing metamorin which to hide from predators. phosis from their summer brown fur.

Under a cloudy sky and with the This transformation allows the hares temperature hovering just below to travel ghostlike through the frigid freezing, we entered the woods like forest – those cryptic coats of white so many Elmer Fudds. A brisk north providing them near-perfect camouwind swayed the aspens, a forewarnflage against the snow.They travel ing of more below-zero weather. nearly effortlessly across the snow due The snow was not particularly deep to a profusion of hair on their outsized for February, but the crusty surface feet. Some hunter call snowshoe hares required that we lift our feet higher A bowhunter watches intently while “chameleons of the cold.” than usual with every step. hunting in heavy cover, typical Snowshoe hares are experts at Our favorite method of hunting snowshoe hare habitat. using every nook and cranny of snowshoes hares is to make short their home ranges to escape a variety of predators including drives. Usually two or three hunters attempt to push the wolves, coyotes, foxes, bobcats, owls and hawks. hares while the others take stands. We execute short, circular And bow-and-arrow wielding hunters. drives of 200 yards or less, preferably with meadows, roads or I remember one particular hunt that took place on a February other openings on at least one or two sides to act as barriers. day a few years ago.There were six participants including Lindy Snowshoe hares are reluctant to cross any opening and are Frasl of Fort Ripley, Rolf Moen of Nisswa, Jay Strangis of Baxter, thus funneled past the waiting standers.

Photos provided by Bill Marchel

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A profusion of hair growing on the outsized feet of snowshoe hares allow them to travel nearly effortlessly across the snow.

Chewed aspen saplings and snowshoe hare droppings are signs for which hunters should on the lookout.

Our initial drive was hare-less but we did jump a cottontail rabbit. A relatively fresh snow allowed me to track the rabbit while the rest of our hunting group took stands near the animal’s hideout.

When pursued, a common trait exhibited by rabbits and hares is to circle back to where they were first jumped — and that’s just what this cottontail did, with me hot on the trail.

Lindy and Dan each got a shot, but their arrows went astray.

Eventually the rabbit escaped by running into in a culvert.

On our next drive, Lindy, Rolf and Brian took stands while Jay, Dan and I pushed toward them. As we neared the standers, I was slightly out of position and watched a hare blow past me like a wisp of smoke. But Jay was able to circle behind me and force the hare back into the void between the drivers and standers.

Once again the drivers advanced toward the standers. As the human gauntlet closed I spotted the hare about 15 yards ahead, its dark eye and dusty ears the only chink in its winter disguise. Slowly I knocked an arrow, took a few careful steps to my right until I could see the hare’s head clearly through the heavy cover, drew my bow and let the arrow fly.The first hare of the day was in the bag.

And so the day went. A drive here, a push there and every now and then someone would manage to shoot an arrow.

Eventually darkness drove us from the woods.

We had seen at least five hares and had managed to add one more to the bag before day’s end. Between us we had taken seven shots, with two arrows finding their mark.

Snowshoe hare populations are subject to cyclic highs and lows.That year, the hare population was down in numbers, at least in the areas my friends and I had hunted. But snowshoe hares can be found in hunt-able numbers, even during a population ebb.

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A successful bow hunter trudges through knee-deep snow while in pursuit of snowshoe hares. Deep snow aids the hunter because it concentrates the hares.

Snow of course, aids in finding the animals. Deep, fluffy snow concentrates the hares even further, making them easier to hunt because they are reluctant to leave their network of trails into untracked snow.These unlucky hares can often be chased several times past waiting standers.

The 2012 hunting season for snowshoe hares in Minnesota runs through February 28 and the daily limit is 10 hares apiece. At least one article of clothing above the waist must be blaze orange.

B i L L m a r C h E L is a wildlife and outdoors

photographer and writer who lives near Fort Ripley. His work has appeared in many regional and national publications and he writes a monthly column for the Brainerd Dispatch. He can be reached at bill@billmarchel.com

White on White: a Winter Bow hunt for snowshoe hares

TECHNOLOGY On Ice

WELL BEforE ThE iCE BEgins To frEEZE and ThiCkEn on LakEs in ThE BrainErd LakEs arEa, LoCaL rETaiLErs sToCk ThEir aisLEs and shELvEs WiTh an imprEssivE array of gEar, gadgETs and giZmos for iCE fishing.

Much of it is surprisingly inexpensive — particularly when it comes to small ice jigs and short fishing sticks.

Prices escalate as we expand into graphite rods and reels. And price tags add another digit when major equipment like electronics, ice augers, shelters/sleds and clothing enter the picture.

Perhaps not enough to require a bank loan, although careful comparisons between similar products are certainly in order.

The following material offers a brief look at several key ice fishing product categories.There’s no substitute, however, for hands-on shopping to compare features and justify additional expense where necessary. Personal preference certainly plays a major part, as with any fishing equipment used throughout the seasons.

Portable Electronics Portable electronics allow mobility and increase fish-finding ability atop the ice. Portable flasher-style depth finders used in tandem with GPS units allow ice anglers to move more quickly and venture more safely across expansive ice surfaces to locate and catch fish. All feature small 12-volt rechargeable batteries as a power source.

Photos provided by Dave Csanda

Recently, electronic units offering depth-reading capability in combination with underwater cameras have entered the picture.

Interestingly, there are still no combo units offering GPS mapping in conjunction with both sonar and camera technology — yet! Perhaps by next winter but for now hardcore ice anglers generally carry a couple of portable electronics units to cover all the bases.

Among the leaders is Marcum’s LX-9, which merges sonar, underwater camera and DVR recording technology in a single unit.

The 8-inch flat-panel LCD screen displays multiple information readouts simultaneously. It also includes an Auto Camera Panner for full 360-degree viewing beneath your hole. At about $1,199, it’s a bit spendy but well worth the investment for enthusiasts.

Vexilar’s ground-breaking FL-8 and FL-18 portable flashers were considered ice fishing’s classic units for many years.Today, they’re bolstered by the new Vexilar Fish Scout Double Vision, which blends FL-20 tri-beam transducer technology with Fish Scout underwater camera capabilities. It has two zoom zones for deep-water fishing, night mode and low-power mode for

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shallow-water fishing.The camera automatically shifts from color to black and white mode as light levels diminish.

Humminbird’s Ice 55 flasher has a six-color, fiber-optic flasher display that detects small targets like ice jigs with great distinction.You’re able to zoom mid-depth levels — not just the bottom zone — for suspended fish like crappies.

We often take along a high-end Humminbird depth finder/GPS unit rigged as a portable, which not only provides instant orientation to our location but access to extremely detailed LakeMaster on-screen mapping for accurate depth readings. Humminbird is the only company whose premium units (select 500 series units and above) are compatible with LakeMaster underwater lake maps. High-end GPS units from other companies typically offer Navionics underwater maps, which aren’t bad but lack the extreme detail of LakeMaster technology. In some cases, you can download a GPS mapping ap right onto your cell phone without having to invest in and carry a second major piece of equipment.

Augers With thick ice prevailing for months in the Brainerd area, power augers are essential to ice fishing efficiency and success. Most anglers shop for augers that have the right size drill, manageable weight (don’t carry more than you need, especially when you’re traveling on foot) and a price to suit their budgets. As a general rule, an 8-inch-diameter auger is best for multi-species fishing and general conditions, a 6-incher for panfish, and a 9- or 10-incher if you’re after heftier species like pike or lake trout.

Beyond that, cutting blade styles, power requirements, personal preference and brand loyalty set in. Most importantly, if you have faith that your auger will start and re-start in ultra-cold weather, you’re in business. If it has a history of starting problems … it’s time for a new one.

Strikemaster’s heavy-duty Lazer Pro features a Solo engine and comes in 8- and 10-inch drill orientations.The Lazer Mag comes with a 4-stroke, 35-cc Honda engine and 8-inch auger blade. It weighs only 23 pounds and is very popular with anglers who drill lots of holes. If you ice fish only occasionally, especially on thin ice early or late in the season, the handoperated Lazer is a great bargain.

Jiffy’s new 4G Model 41 gas auger comes in 6-, 8-, 9- and 10inch drill sizes with an environmentally-friendly 4-stroke, 49-cc engine for smooth, dependable operation. It weighs 33-36 pounds, depending on drill diameter.The Pro 4 Model 41 propane-powered version is an industry first, designed for indoor use (fish houses) due to low

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emissions and smoke-free operation. If you prefer using battery power, the Pro II Lectric is available in 6- and 8-inch drill assemblies. It runs off an internal battery, or connects to a vehicle.

Sleds/Shelters Due to our cold climate, the Brainerd area has a lot of “permanent” icehouses, meaning large houses that are towed on wheels or skis behind your truck. Some deluxe houses are quite expensive, costing many thousands of dollars. For the purposes of this feature, we’ll focus on smaller, lighter portable sleds with flip-over shelters that can be towed by truck, ATV, snowmobile or on foot, or tossed into the back of your pickup truck or SUV. Many companies manufacture portable shelters, with some built to last and others built to sell at bargain prices. All offer a wide array of features — seating, zippers, sled bases, tow bars, etc. Examine the differences carefully, because you get what you pay for. Premium components cost a bit more up front but last a long time in unforgiving environments — like February in Brainerd.

Otter’s sales philosophy highlights the “four S’s” — sled, seating, structure and shell.Their initial claim to fame is toughness, with roto-molded polyethylene sled bases that take a real beating.The comfy seating, square aluminum framing and 900-denier outer shell on the Pro XT900 Xtreme are tough to beat.The 2-person model runs about $799 and weighs 100 pounds.

Frabill’s Thermal Guardian Flip-Over 7052 seats two to three anglers, features a super duty pole system, two swivel seats and 900 total denier fabric insulated with 3M Thinsulate. It weighs about 125 pounds and costs about $799.

Clam’s X2 Thermal is the updated version of the original Fish Trap — the precursor to all modern, mobile ice fishing.The Model 9200 features 900 total denier fabric, a new rapid pole slide extreme system and weighs about 135 pounds.

Clothing Traditional wool, flannel and layering has given way to space-age clothing that protects you from extreme cold yet is thin and flexible enough to permit ease of movement. Several different companies offer premium clothing plus gloves, mittens, boots and miscellaneous support items. Once again, you get what you pay for.

If you’re serious about ice fishing this is no place to skimp.

Frabill offers two versions of bib and parka clothing, the FXE

Ice Suit and the FXE Sno Suit. For $399, you get both the FXE Ice Suit bib and parka, whereas the premium FXE Sno Suit runs about $329 each for the bib and parka. I wore the Ice Suit for a couple of days during 30-below-zero conditions ice fishing by snowmobile at Lake Winnipeg, while my companion wore the more expensive Sno Suit. We both not only lived to tell of it, but remained surprisingly comfortable throughout our expedition.

Ice Armor offers several different bib and parka combos, priced according to features and materials. In ascending order of price, there’s the Extreme Red Suit ($269), Edge Cold Weather Suit ($299), Extreme Gray/Black Suit ($399), and premium Ultra Park and Ultra Bibs, which are $249 each. Once again, it pays to examine them hands-on to see which model best “suits” your needs and budget.

Hot New Gear for Cold Conditions No feature on ice fishing gear would be complete without at least a mention of a couple of hot new tackle and gear products. While there are many new lures and accessories, at least a couple stand out as being newsworthy.

Frabill recently introduce their Straight Line 241 Reel, which looks and operates more like a fly reel than a spinning reel.The

Photos provided by Dave Csanda

idea is to spool lightweight monofilament line off the reel without loops and twists that are so common in frigid weather. It has a 2.4 to 1 retrieve ratio, smooth drag and oversized handle. Panfish anglers should love it.

UV (ultraviolet) paint finishes are hot in fishing circles, and Rapala now offers their perennial ice fishing favorite, the Jigging Rap, in green, orange and pink tiger UV. They maximize the amount of natural light reflected by the lure and are highly visible to fish.You can probably see them below your ice hole far beyond where other lures disappear.Try the 1 ½-inch size W2 for bluegills, perch and crappies; and the 3 1/2inch size W9 for walleyes and pike.

d a v E C s a n d a is a veteran outdoor communicator/TV co-host who works at Lindner’s Angling Edge Television in Baxter. He is also president of the Brainerd Lakes Area Chapter of Let’s Go Fishing (www.lgfwsbrainerdarea.com), a Minnesotabased non-profit volunteer organization that takes seniors, youths and veterans fishing for free.

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The Fascination of

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as Long as i Can rEmEmBEr i havE BEEn fasCinaTEd WiTh amEriCan hisTory.

The fur trading industry, the Revolution, the growth of our great country and The Civil War have been obsessions of mine as long as I can remember. I would spend days reenacting Davy Crockett’s exploits in the woods behind our house, fighting off “b’ars” with nothing more than a grin and looking for adventure around every corner.

Everything about pre-1900 America captivated me: the expansion and interaction of the traders and Native Americans, the conflicts that arose and the ruggedness of the outdoors.The development of firearms and the roles they have played throughout history in particular is a particular obsession. I wrote school reports, did comparisons, and forever plagued my parents with information about makes and models and how the Minié ball changed the course of battlefield tactics.

As I grew up, the passion for these antiquated arms stayed with me and I discovered the joy of muzzleloading. After years of living vicariously through documentaries, battlefield visits and video, I got my first black powder rifle. It was a Thompson Center Thunderhawk Shadow. It was a .50 caliber inline with a synthetic stock that used No. 11 percussion caps. It came with a starter kit — common practice now — consisting of speed loaders, bullet starters and the like. After a cursory glance through the manual I grabbed the can of Pyrodex, the patches and heavy lead balls and headed out. I still remember how my hands trembled with anticipation as I measured out 80 grains of powder and rammed the first shot home.

I was no novice when it came to firearms — hunting trips and range time had given me experience from birdshot to buckshot, from .22s to .30s, pump action and semi — and I was not worried. I knew the rules — line up your target, exhale slowly, pause, squeeze. I thought I was prepared.

What happened next was a complete departure from everything I was familiar with. Instead of the traditional crack or belch that modern rifles and shotguns give, with a more powerful, smokeless powder my shoulder cannon roared to life; it was as if a hundred years of pent up energy suddenly spewed out of the end of that barrel.The kick was different too. Instead of the traditional snap of the rifle butt against the inside of my shoulder, I experienced what felt like the most monstrous bear hug of my life, a tremendous push that I felt myself leaning into within that fraction of a second.

As I lowered my rifle, I noted the cloud of smoke that was still roiling with turbulence, and I couldn’t help but wonder how exhilarating the settlers would have felt waiting to see if they had felled their quarry. It also brought to mind the pandemonium this must have caused on a battlefield as weary soldiers, packed shoulder to shoulder, would have waited with bated breath wondering what they would see as the smoke cleared — had they vanquished their foe, or would they be subjected to another onslaught of similar fury?

It was that moment that I knew I was home.

While I still enjoy the feel of a sleek rifle, savoring the sharp report as I send that full metal jacket hurtling towards my target a hundred yards away, at heart I have returned to this more clas-

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Photos provided by Phil Seibel

sic style of hunting. I enjoy knowing that my shots will be made at 20 yards versus 80, that I truly will only get one shot and the anticipation as the smoke clears to see if I was successful.

This past off-season I decided to take everything one step further; I traded in my inline percussion cap model for a Kentucky style flintlock.

If you’re not familiar, just as the Winchester 94 was the rifle that won the West, the Kentucky Rifle was the rifle that won the East.The Kentucky was the frontiersman’s rifle, the rifle that the Minutemen relied upon to rout the Red Coats in the Revolution, and to this day is an exquisite example of both function and craftsmanship.

This year, when I squeeze the trigger, I’ll be greeted with the sound of stone scraping on steel, a brief flash as the pan ignites and then the glorious rumble as the 48-inch barrel roars to life.

The thrill of the shot is really only part of the package.

What makes muzzleloading truly unique is the experience from start to finish. There is tradition in this black powder hobby and being a part of it provides you with an understanding of what hunting is supposed to be. It’s not just about filling tags or getting our limit (although that’s definitely a plus), it’s about that adrenaline rush from the thrill of pursuit. It’s feeling your senses heightened, feeling that intimacy with the outdoors that helps distinguish between a branch in the wind and the soft step of a buck.

p h i L s E i B E L is the Digital Manager at The Brainerd Dispatch. He enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, and is looking forward to teaching his kids the joys of hunting and fishing.

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Christmas is for...

Bird Watchers

ThE ChrisTmas Bird CounT is a hoLiday EvEnT ThaT happEns EaCh WinTEr for ThE Birds and ThE pEopLE Who EnJoy WaTChing ThEm. ThEsE WinTEr Bird survEys arE mosT ofTEn rEfErrEd To as CBC.

In most years the counts start just before Christmas and end just after New Year’s Day.This year’s CBC will mark the 113th year of consecutive counts to be held throughout the United States.The CBC is also the longest running and largest citizen science project in the world. According to the National Audubon Society, during last year’s 112th CBC the United States reported 1,739 count circles, with 2,050 observers finding 666 species totaling 60,502,185 individuals.The National Audubon Society manages and compiles all of the CBC data submitted each year. All the data is made available online at http://birds.audubon.org/christmas-bird-count.

Prior to the year 1900, the holiday tradition was for families and friends to participate in the annual Christmas side hunts.These hunts were mostly just for fun and for feather collectors, not for food. Over many years of shooting birds “just for fun” people realized that the birds were starting to decline, making it more and more difficult to get a “bag of birds.” Even here in Minnesota, before 1950, hunters shot and killed or wounded many raptors migrating along the North Shore at a location now known as Hawk Ridge in Duluth.Today Hawk Ridge is one of the major raptor migration locations in the United States with an average of over 80,000 birds each fall.

Frank Chapman was an early ornithologist during the infancy of the Audubon Society who proposed the first Christmas Bird Count.The first CBC took place on Dec. 25, 1900, at 25 locations observing 8,500 birds of 85 species.This was the beginning of bird conservation.Today Important Bird Areas (IBAs) have been established to conserve and protect birds throughout the country.The data that is collected from CBCs is still very important but its focus has changed somewhat to climate change, avian abundance and seasonal shifts.

Today’s CBCs are much more standardized and scientific than the counts 100 years ago.The count period for the 113th CBC will be conducted between Dec. 14, 2012, and Jan. 5, 2013. Each count circle is 15 miles in diameter with the center point having a 7.5-mile radius. Most often the center point is the name of the count, which could be a town, state park, city park, wildlife management area or wildlife refuge. Most counts start out at a local diner or restaurant. A hot breakfast and coffee is the standard before encountering the sometimes brutal weather of below zero temps, rain, snow, wind or the worst condition freezing rain. Most of the volunteer participants, along with the count organizer, observe and record what they see or hear during the day. Some also take advantage of listening for owls early in the morning or late in the afternoon. Depending on the number of participants, the organizer will put you with a group to cover a certain portion of the circle. If you are new to birding this is a great opportunity to get involved and learn from other experienced and knowledgeable birders about bird identification.

These counts can also be very competitive, with people trying to outlast their foe for

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one more bird or find the most of one species. At the end of the day the count organizer sometimes hosts a “tally rally” or a potluck to settle any competitive disputes.This is also a great time to visit with others and share stories from past counts.There are no winners or trophies for the most birds (or frostbitten fingers) just bragging rights.

Minnesota’s first Christmas Bird Count occurred in 1905.The first two cities to participate in the first counts were Minneapolis and Red Wing.The Minneapolis count recorded eight species while the Red Wing count found seven species.

Minnesota has 106 years of consecutive CBC data with about 70 count circles and an average of 1,000 participants each year.The Minnesota CBC has tallied over 8.5 million birds of 201 species.

Last year’s CBC for the state included the lowest temperature of 5 above and 14 counts recording highs of above 40.The deepest snow depth was only 9 inches compared to two locations last year that had 4 feet of snow.Total participation was 880 people recording 401,796 birds of 142 species from 48 counts around the state.

A few highlights from last year include the Common Redpoll, of which 3,345 were found mostly in the northern half of the state.The mild temperatures and the number of locations that had open water saw an increase in waterfowl such as Trumpeter Swans (2,233) and Canada Geese (201,510).

In most years I participate in four CBCs from around the area including Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge near Detroit Lakes.

Last year was my first year as organizer and data complier for the new Uppgaard Wildlife Management Area CBC along the Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway.This count covered most of the 54-mile driving route along the byway and was the first count for Pequot Lakes, Crosslake, Breezy Point, Ideal Corners and Pine River.The inaugural count had a total of 10 participants; two were watching their bird feeders from home and reported their bird feeder

Photos provided by Judd Brink

activity to me. When counting from home its important to count only the highest number observed at one time for that particular species. The other eight helped find 23 total species of over 1,000 birds.The most surprising bird that we found was a Belted Kingfisher.The mild weather made it challenging since most birds were scattered about and not concentrated at bird feeders or fruiting trees.This year’s count is set for Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012. For more information about participating in the second annual Uppgaard WMA CBC please contact Judd Brink by email at info@ birdsofthebyway.com .You can also view last year’s results at birdsofthebyway.

If you are interested in learning more about CBCs and want to join a count circle in your area (or explore a different part of the state) I would recommend going to moumn.org .There you can get in contact with the organizer and join one or several different counts. One change this year is that the counts are free. In the past, the Audubon requested a $5 participation fee to help cover the costs of their summary publication but now it will be in electronic format.

CBC schedule for the Brainerd Lakes and Surrounding areas: • Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, Crosby CBC. • Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, Uppgaard WMA CBC. • Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, Rice Lake NWR CBC (McGregor).

• Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, Pillager CBC. I hope this will be a part of your holiday tradition this year or in the future.

Happy Birding!

J u d d B r i n k is the owner of MN Backyard Birds

offering birdscaping packages using bird feeding stations for your enjoyment. We install and maintain bird feeding stations for commercial and residential customers in the Brainerd Lakes Area. Judd also leads bird-guided walks and tours in the area. He can be contacted at jb@mnbackyardbirds.com

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TREADING LOCAL WATERS: THE WHITEFISH CHAIN

A Shot In The Darkhouse

On Whitefish Chain, Finding Fish Can Sometimes Seem Like Searching For A Needle In Lower Hay

E v e n o n t h e W h i te f i s h C h a i n , w h e r e spearfishing is a popular throught h e - i ce c h o i ce f o r f i s h i n g t y p e s , i t ’ s safe to say the darkhouse season o p e n e r c a m e a n d we n t w i t h n a r y a spearing.

But that’s not unusual.This year, the spearing season “opened” about the normal time – Nov. 15, just in case there happens to be enough ice as, in these parts, you just never know.This year, there was no such luck.

But wait a while, until there is sufficient ice on the chain lakes, and you’ll see them everywhere – the spearers and their darkhouses. And hook-and-line anglers in their shanties, too.Yes, considering the size of the chain with its 14 lakes, and when you combine spearing and “regular” ice-fishing, it’s also safe to say that the Whitefish Chain is as popular a winter fishing destination as there is in the greater Brainerd lakes area. Minus Gull Lake during the annual Brainerd Jaycees $150,000 Ice Fishing Extravaganza, of course.

For spearers, it’s easy – or easier. Find a nice shallow, sandy stretch – they dot topographical maps on the chain – on which to set up your darkhouse, cut your hole, drop your decoys and get your spear ready for what typically is exciting whitefish and northern pike action.

For those who choose hook-and-line fishing through the ice on the chain, it can be more complicated and even a bit daunting.

Sure, those topographic maps and all the technology available today make it easier to find your way – and fish. But the chain’s lakes totals more than 14,000 acres of lake area, with a maximum depth of almost 140 feet.That’s big – and deep.

But with the exception of Upper and Lower Whitefish, most of the lakes in the chain aren’t overly large – Arrowhead, Bertha, Big Trout, Clamshell, Cross, Daggett, Hen, Island, Little Pine, Lower Hay, Pig and Rush round out the chain. And because of all those lakes, user pressure is typically spread out across the chain and,

in the winter, not nearly as intense as the higher-volume openwater months.

“Whitefish is an awesome lake to ice-fish because it is generally low-pressured,” said Tim Hanske, a guide for Walker-based Leisure Outdoor Adventures who frequents the chain in the winter.“Most of this is due to the fact that there are few access points for the whole chain.”

According to the DNR, there are only seven public accesses on the chain – three are owned by each the DNR and Army Corps of Engineers, the other by Crow Wing County. But in the winter, when the lakes are sufficiently frozen over, the chain is much more accessible than, say, during the open-water season.

“My best ‘launching spot’ is off of Ruttger Road.This gives you good access to Upper Whitefish, Middle Whitefish and Lower Whitefish,” Hanske said. Ruttger Road runs around Clamshell Lake, between Pequot Lakes and Crosslake, just off County Road 16.

When it comes to fish and fishing, the Whitefish Chain is probably best known for its population of large walleyes, which are on display in the spring, where the Pine River meets Upper Whitefish.There, well off the beaten path off County Road 15, is one of the more important walleye stripping stations in the state. Spectators flock to the docks there as DNR fisheries types pull huge spawning walleye after huge spawning walleye from the nets to collect eggs, then release the fish into the river for, possibly, lucky anglers to hook into come the open-water season.

And with a little luck, many of those fish will make it through the summer and into the fall and even winter at points throughout the lake.

“Normally, spots that hold late fall walleyes will be great starting points for ice-fishing on Whitefish,” Hanske said.“When choosing a spot, keep in mind that walleyes will move periodically during the day. Deep-water access and feeding areas are important to note. Some specific spots include Father Foley’s bar, the fingers and the north side of Ruttger’s Point, Fish House bar and Kilworry bar.”

16 T r e a d i n g L o c a l W a t e r s : T h e W h i t e f i s h C h a i n

According to the DNR, at least five million walleye fry are put back into the lake from the eggs collected there in the spring.

Whitefish is also stocked in even-numbered years with fingerlings. Still, according to the last netting survey on the lake on Aug. 1, 2011, the walleye catch was low when compared to similar lakes (3.9 per net).The average length was 14 inches and 52 percent of the fish were 12 inches or longer, according to the survey.

To the chagrin of both spearers and hook-and-line anglers on the chain, the survey also said that “yellow perch, lake whitefish, and tullibee (cisco), which are important forage fish for walleyes and northern pike, were caught in the lowest numbers to date.”

But the DNR went on to say that “the low catches of lake whitefish and tullibee, cold water species, could be related to the temperature and depth of water our nets were in and not necessarily represent the actual number in the lake.”

And Hanske and other Whitefish Chain anglers are hoping that a fairly decent summer and fall walleye bite translates to good action this winter.

“Walleyes can be taken using tip-ups, jigging and set lines. I am a firm believer in using glow jigs and spoons also,” Hanske said of his ice-fishing strategies on the chain.“Tip any of these with rainbows, golden shiners or sucker minnows.

“Fishing is best during low light hours (and) it is important to fish all depths.This can be achieved by keeping a tip-up shallow and the hole-hopping out in deeper holes. It is important to ‘drill a spot out.’ What this means is start drilling holes in shallow, weedy water and drill until you hit the bottom edge of the break.

Map provided by Brian S. Peterson

This will give you the best chance to find active fish because you will be able to adapt to the specific depth where you find biters.”

The Whitefish Chain also includes a healthy northern pike population – it’s a favorite haunt for local trophy pike fisherman George “Coop” Cooper and others – and a burgeoning bass population. According to that 2011 survey,“northern pike were caught in the highest numbers to date at 17.3/net. Most of these fish were on the small side with an average length of 19.4 inches and only 9 percent measuring 24 inches or larger.

“Largemouth bass electrofishing was done throughout the entire chain. Results were encouraging with a high catch rate of 112.5/ hour run-time and an average length of 12.8 inches. Fish up to 18.7 inches were captured.”

Also according to the survey,“panfish numbers looked good, but size was on the small side. Only 11 percent of the black crappies were 8 inches or larger and only 7 percent of the bluegills were 7 inches or larger.”

Still, panfish remain a popular choice for winter anglers on the chain, where Hanske stressed electronics and mobility.

“If targeting crappies, downsize jigs and fish in deeper basins,” he said.“This is when a Vexilar is paramount for fishing success. If you don’t mark fish in a specific hole, move until you find a school.”

Brian s. pETErson,

is a freelance outdoors writer based in northwestern Minnesota.

Brian

s.

p e t e r s o n 17

ENJOY WINTER

OUTSIDE & STAY WARM

WinTEr may noT BE EvEryBody’s favoriTE sEason BuT iT surE sEEms To BE ThE LongEsT. ThaT BEing ThE CasE — gET o u T s i d E ! The tips and suggestions that follow evolved over

the decades. Because a love of everything in the snow started early, those frozen fingers and shivering bones forced me to figure out quickly how to stay warm.

Growing up in the northwoods with ice fishing, deer hunting, rabbit hunting, skiing, snowshoeing, snow shoveling and Christmas season balsam bough cutting (I needed the money); grouse hunting, ice skating, hiking and bird watching, my winter days were spent mostly outdoors.

My neighbor took me crappie fishing when I was 10.The fish were biting, the wind was blowing. We were outside. My hands got so cold that I couldn’t pull my zipper down for some important business. I learned that wet was bad. After that, I purchased a fuel-filled hand warmer and carried a towel. I also took about three different pairs of gloves and mittens. Now, disposable hand warmers are always with me, ready to heat-up when the package is opened. Of course, standing on the ice still occurs but thanks to Frabill, ice shelters with heaters now make ice fishing a luxury sport.

During those early northern pike “tackle tip-up” games, the neighborhood gang would hit the ice and plug dozens of tip-ups into hand-chopped holes. Bunny boots packed with hand-knitted socks and as many pairs of cotton long johns and maybe even a pair of flannel pajamas as fit into the wool pants was the norm.

One thing we had figured out back then was layers. We added many shirts and sweaters under our heaviest coats.

By the way,“tackle tip-up” meant we shared the duties of setting and baiting lines. We congregated in a sort-of huddle, keeping an eye for flags. When the orange flag waved “fish-on,” we all

18 E n j o y

took off, tackling and pushing others out of the way.The last kid standing got to pull the fish thru the ice.

Anyway, back to today where keeping warm is the ultimate goal.The longer I could stay warm, the longer I could stay outside. Much of the time, temps in the 20 to 30 degree range demand a different approach than when temps hover around the zero degree or below mark.

Layers are the key. What’s next to the skin is critical. Science and chemistry helped create wicking material.This means any moisture/perspiration moves away from skin to the next clothing layer. Always make your winter base layer, top and bottom, with garments that have “poly” as a generic name. Under Armour and PolarTec are popular brand names, but all major retailers have their own designs. Look for the label that lists the wicking properties. Check the variety from lightweight to heavyweight.

Crew necks, turtlenecks, three-quarter zip necks are a matter of preference. So are tight fit or loose fit. If the price tag seems high, it’s because this stuff really works.The other aspect is that it lasts many years. I’ve had a couple favorite Under Armour tops and bottoms for 10 years and they’re still keeping me warm.

On a recent elk hunting trip, I was comfortable wearing an Under Armour top, a cotton turtleneck and a fleece when temps were about 25 degrees each morning. One day started at 15 degrees and I wore the tight-fit wicking top with a second loose-fit garment, followed by a turtleneck and fleece. It was perfect for hiking. On the bottoms, I wore one pair of wicking long johns and wool pants.

In the Brainerd lakes area, this same combination would be my winter hiking or grouse hunting wear. If the wind was blowing, a windbreaking coat/jacket would be added. I usually wear a backpack with extra clothing, dry socks, water, camera and other gear. If the wind comes up, a quick stop will allow a simple

Winter outside & stay Warm

adjustment.The same holds true if the hills all point up and it’s necessary to remove a vest or fleece.

When dressing, match clothing to the activity. Ice fishing where Uncle Hank will be drilling the holes and you’re sitting on a bucket outside means more layers and a heavy outer layer (pants or bibs and coat). For any activity that involves moving, or hiking, dress lighter but have windbreaker pants and jacket available.

Some layering rules: 1. The starting layer should be silk, polyester or nylon with one of the major brand names. No cotton next to skin.

Ever! Cotton next to your skin soaks up perspiration, holds it, and immediately cools the body.

2. Build from there. Keep layers loose.

3. Dress so you don’t get hot. Sweat is moisture.The wicking material passes it to the next layer and away from the skin. If perspiring, remove a layer. If snow or rain interrupts your day, be ready with lightweight rain pants and coat. Hint: Pay the most you can afford for a good set of GoreTex. 4. Wool shirts or pants over other layers retain heat. Wool has a unique property and can keep you warm even when wet. On an Ontario hunt a few years ago, I had one pair of UnderArmour long johns under a thick pair of wool pants. It rained all day, yet my legs never felt wet. At night, I wrung water out of the wool pants.

5. When dressing for a deer stand or a long “sit” outside such as ice fishing, there are many fine garments designed for both hunters and fishermen. If the outerwear price tags scare you, consider a good down coat and a heavier Gore-Tex rain suit over the layers to cut wind and retain body warmth.

There are a few other body parts that need attention. Starting with feet, wear waterproof boots.These can be pac boots with synthetic, fleece or felt liners; or quality hiking boots with at least 600 grams of Thinsulate. When trying on boots, wear your wool socks and buy boots that fit – snug, but never tight, or they’ll cut circulation leading quickly to cold feet. And, they should make walking easy. My friends in Canada swear by sheepskin-lined boots. Best tip: Carry an extra pair of socks when afield and change in case the pair you’re wearing gets wet.

Hands and fingers. Mittens with liners are the ultimate. When moving, gloves may be adequate. Carry several pairs of light to medium. A set of choppers can be worn over the gloves. When fishing, slip a disposable hand warmer in each glove (back of hand) or in the choppers. Make sure any new pair of gloves allows your fingers to slide in when damp or even wet.

Most body heat is lost through the head. Somewhere, I read that the reason hands and feet get cold is because the head is losing heat and the body compensates. I carry a wool stocking cap and place it over my baseball cap, unless the wind really blows.Then I wear a face mask that covers my face and head, then the stocking cap. When it’s below zero, I break out my fur cap and tie the flaps under my chin. Cover ears and as much skin as possible.

A few other tips. Vests keep the body’s core warm. Wear sunglasses and sunscreen due to the double impact of sun (direct and reflection off the snow). When moving and enjoying the

outdoors this winter, drink plenty of water; keep hydrated.

Winter hiking is more fun with a dog. Both dog and owner need the exercise and Sophie Haglin of Pine Shadows Kennels offered some suggestions:“Walking isn’t quite the same without a dog,” she said. “Active outside dogs need more calories and more water.” In fact, calories should probably double after a full day outside.“For dogs that live outside, increase the winter calorie count,” she said. She suggested mixing water with food if necessary, because dogs require more water in winter.

Dogs with short coats like schnauzers, dachshunds and Great Danes don’t like winter, Sophie said. In some cases, doggie sweaters and coats (turtlenecks) are wise. Booties protect feet, more from salt than anything else. Pine Shadows is well known for Springers and since these dogs hunt and enjoy the snow, she said trimming hair around the feet (pads) is a good idea.“Keep feet dry and free from salt,” she emphasized.

Hiking in snow is great with dogs or kids – or both. Watching for deer tracks and runways is a simple afternoon break from TV and computers. From there, follow some tracks and look for deer beds. See where deer go and what they munch along the way. Find deer runs and trails. Learn about deer patterns in the neighborhood or where you hunt.

Look for grouse and grouse tracks.Try to imagine what the woodpeckers eat and see if you can see all the species present.

Have you spotted a black-backed woodpecker yet? How many woodpecker and songbird species can you identify? Hike along a river and see if you can find otter tracks. Learn the difference between fox and coyote tracks. Around this area, you will see turkey tracks and where they’ve been digging and scraping in the leaves.

Look for wing prints where an owl or hawk dropped out of the sky for a mouse dinner. Or, where the bunny tracks ended in a puff of fluff. Eagles will remain all winter near open water – have the kids tell the difference between mature and young eagles.

Many varieties of owls reside here all winter, be ready to ID them.

Do all this in comfort by following the tips described here.

Most importantly, get outside.

J i m k a L k o f E n has been in and around boats all his life. He has been director of the largest walleye tournament circuits for two decades, and was inducted into the National Freshwater Fishing Hall of Fame.

J i m

k a l k o f e n 19

Crying Wolf A deer pauses before fleeing into the woods, where a hunter (top right) waits in his stand on Saturday, Nov. 3 - the Minnesota Firearms Deer Hunting Opener. The hunter harvested the nice-sized spike buck moments later. The opener was held in conjunction with the state’s first wolf hunt.

ThE sToriEs WErE fEW. mosTLy nonEXisTEnT in ThE grEaTEr BrainErd arEa, rEaLLy.

You know the stories - successful wolf harvest tales from Minnesota’s inaugural wolf hunt. But as the wolf season wound down in the Northwest zone, which includes the Brainerd area, those stories were as rare as, well, a wolf sighting.

And, amid the hype of this first season, maybe that’s the hitch - and the real story of the hunt.

In Minnesota, few hunts have been as highly anticipated as this first wolf hunt, held in conjunction with the Minnesota Firearms Deer Hunting opener on Nov. 3 and running through Nov. 18 - along with the deer rifle season in the Brainerd area. About 23,000 hunters applied for the 6,000 available licenses and, when not all of those lottery prizes were claimed, those licenses were snatched up in a matter of minutes for a chance at the DNR allotment of 400 wolves.

20 C r y i n g

Wolf

wolf zones,“It’s a non-event here,” he said of the hunt.“The harBut then reality set in. vest came in as expected (in the state) - about 3 percent.That’s a “There are perceptions and realities, but more perceptions (of wolves and expectations for the wolf hunting season),” said Gary success.That’s what was expected.

Drotts, longtime DNR area wildlife manager in Brainerd.

“There are so few wolves here,” Liddell added, dispelling the As the first season wound down, Drotts said only six wolves myth that the Camp Ripley area is wolf country.“There are 15 had been registered in his massive work area, which includes to 18 (wolves) in Camp Ripley and they disperse out (of Camp good chunks of Crow Wing, Cass and Ripley).They don’t contain themselves Aitkin counties. (in that area). So the numbers are really, “I’ve been talking to conservation really low. We’re in secondary wolf counofficers and it’s been a fairly uneventtry here. We haven’t registered a single ful season,” Drotts said.“It was picking wolf or inspected a single carcass at this up too much legs for what it would be. office, which isn’t a surprise.The one I did a radio show ... a call-in show (on (wolf taken in Liddell’s work area) was the wolf hunt). We were on for an hour taken down by Rice, but I’d be surprised and never got a single call.There was if the guy was from Rice.” a big spike in that (interest) when the Much closer to home, Nikki Shoutz, application process was going, and the a DNR conservation officer in the Pine leftover licenses (resulted in) a few calls.

River area, did have a wolf story to tell.

But now? No.?

“A wolf shot north of Backus was For Drotts and most conservation brought in to a taxidermist in Backus, types in the state, the big “moment” and the taxidermist didn’t realize until came long before any of that, however. he (the hunter) left that the tag didn’t “When we were given back state belong to the guy who brought it in,” control,” Drotts said of when the wolves Shoutz said.“The hunter (who harvests were delisted, which came months the animal) is responsible for bringing before any serious talk about a wolf the carcass in to the DNR. So he’s in season.“People focused on the season violation of that. too much.The No. 1 advantage to getting “It was an 85-pound female (wolf). And it back to state control is the capabilities someone else brought in a very fatty feof citizens - when they had their permale (wolf) that was shot in Cass County sonal property threatened, like livestock, close to Pillager.”

While harvest numbers were mostly they could do something about it.

For the most part, such violations and meager for Minnesota’s first wolf “You have to really understand the incidents have been minimal, wildlife hunt, the animals are out there, as habits of wolves - where they’re moving, managers and COs say.That should go indicated by this large wolf track in a where the pack is at, their daily travel a long way toward the hunt being an scent post survey site in the northern and get in that corridor,” Drotts added, annual event, said Drotts, who knows all portion of the Northwest Zone, which explaining the difficulty of harvesting a eyes are on the DNR in a hunt that has includes the Brainerd area. wolf.“(Luck) is what hunting is about, drawn some controversy and even been but a skilled hunter who understands the habits of the wolves and contested. the habitat where they’re moving (will have a better chance of har“If we can get through this first season and behave ourselves it vesting an animal).” might be something that’s held every year,” he said.

Maybe the over-hyping of the hunt, at least in the greater In Shoutz’s neck of the woods, that would be a good thing.

Brainerd area, was partly a matter of the wolf population being “In the area I work it has been well-received,” she said.“I was overrated or maybe even over-exaggerated. Few would argue looking at the comments online (from a wolf season-opener that more and more wolves have made the Brainerd area home story in a Twin Cities paper) and a lot of people were bashing in recent years, and for years hunters have blamed a fall-off the wolf hunt. But you don’t find that in my area. It was long in deer harvest numbers on these wolves - but with the wolf overdue and 400 wasn’t that big of a number, really. If you stop season, Drotts said he hasn’t gotten one call blaming this year’s to think of it, how many people see timbermodest deer harvest on the wolves. wolves during the day?”

Right down the road, Camp Ripley boasts several wolf packs.

Very few, it would appear.

But that hasn’t translated to a successful hunt in the area - at least not as far as hunters are concerned.

“Only one person has taken one (wolf) in my whole work Brian s. pETErson, area,” Beau Liddell, DNR area wildlife manager in the Little Falls is a freelance outdoors writer based in area, said in the closing days of the season. northwestern Minnesota.

And even though Liddell’s area pretty much borders all three Photos courtesy of Brian S. Peterson

B r i a n

s .

p e t e r s o n 21

Wild Stories

Excerpts from conservation officers’ weekly reports in 2012 (EDITOR’S NOTE: Reports appear as they were written by conservation officers.)

NOV. 12 • CO Ben Huener (Roseau). Enforcement action was taken and firearm seized for an individual who chased a deer with a motor vehicle and then got out to shoot at the deer from the roadway in front of the officer. Enforcement action was also taken on a man who tagged a deer with a fishing license and then failed to register the deer before processing.

• CO Dan Malinowski (Fosston). One young hunter accidently tripped into a bear den and had to dispatch the angry bear.

• CO Dustie Heaton (Willow River). Enforcement action was taken for hunting in a baited area, illegal party hunting, lending/ borrowing deer tags and transporting illegally taken big game.

Three bucks, a rifle and a motor vehicle were seized as evidence. Heaton retrieved the firearm that was to be seized from a deer stand. Next to the rifle, she noted a book opened and face down marking a page.The book had a pair of glasses resting on top of it.The title of the book was,“Poachers Caught”.

• Conservation Officer Mike Martin (St Cloud) encountered a landowner who had a loaded rifle in the cab of his truck in the shotgun zone. During the subsequent investigation Officer Martin found that the landowner had shot a deer with the rifle in the shotgun zone then failed to site tag it or register it before harvesting it.The landowner said that he thought he didn’t have to register the deer because he shot it on his land and he had been feeding it all year.

NOV. 5 • CO Nikki Shoutz (Pine River). A car kill permit was issued to one hunter who hit an 8-point buck at 7:00 a.m. in the dark en route to his deer stand with lots of damage to his truck. Investigation continues to locate person or persons responsible for posting state land with orange signs that say “It is unlawful to hunt deer on this public land with any type of firearm.Violators will be prosecuted.”

• CO Mark Mathy (Cass Lake) responded to a call from a hunter that he shot a nice buck. The unusual part was once the hunter went to retrieve his buck he found that its antlers were locked with another buck that had been deceased for a few days. The two bucks were both large; one being a 12-point buck, while the other was a nice 10-point. He issued a possession permit to the hunter for the buck that had clearly died a couple days back due to the entangled antlers.

• Water Resource Enforcement Officer Shane Siltala checked deer hunters over opening weekend. Success rate varied among hunting parties although he did encountered a 12-year-old boy who harvested a deer of a lifetime, a 27-point non-typical buck.

• CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) ticketed six deer hunters hunting

22

Wild stories

over bait on opening day and four rifles were seized. One of the bait hunters also had no deer license and was not wearing blaze orange. A variety of baits were used, but in one case, a trio of baited stands consisted of corn, apples, marshmallows, bread, and peanut butter and jelly, though not in a sandwich. Another case involved a relative of a hunter who was in the same stand that was used to take a deer over bait three years ago.

• CO Gary Forsberg (Pelican Rapids) investigated a complaint of a pickup stuck in a wetland. When contacted the owners from North Dakota had no idea the vehicle was missing or how it got to where it was.

• CO Doug Lage (Lake Benton).The theft of a 9-point buck, taken out of the back of a pickup truck, is under investigation. Officer Lage responded to a trespass complaint that he received from a landowner who used a webcam to monitor his property. The owner was not home at the time of the violation, but observed persons trespassing via the live Internet feed.

OCT. 29 • CO Al Peterson (Osage) assisted CO Stattelman on a TIP of an individual that had been bragging on Facebook about killing multiple trophy bucks. He was charged with overlimit of deer, baiting, and borrowing a license (illegal party hunting).Two others were also cited for lending a license. Equipment was seized and citations were issued.

• CO Mary Manning (Hovland) responded to a call from a man whose dog found a dead buck in his yard; the deer was tracked back to a bow hunter who thought he lost a very nice deer.

OCT. 22 • CO Paul Parthun (Lake George) assisted park staff with a large group of campers who were ignorant of several park regulations and also addressed a call regarding a wolf behaving oddly. He assisted in getting an injured raptor to the Raptor Center and took enforcement action at a local shooting area, when a clay pigeon shooter was found to be under the influence of alcohol.

• CO Matt Frericks (Virginia) spent a large amount of time meeting with landowners and taking complaints regarding hunters who are trespassing on private property. Some hunters are going so far as to cut locks off of gates and replace them with their own. One bow hunter who disregarded a “No Trespassing” sign shot a deer about 75 yards from a residence was issued a citation for trespassing.The hunters bow and deer were seized.The archery hunter will also face a $500 restitution charge for the deer upon conviction.

minnesota department of natural resources

Wild Stories

Excerpts from conservation officers’ weekly reports in 2012 (EDITOR’S NOTE: Reports appear as they were written by conservation officers.)

• Conservation Officer Mike Martin (St. Cloud).Time was spent tracking down a local hunter on tax forfeit land who was baiting with apple flavored minerals when Martin confronted the hunter, the hunter said,“It should be legal because they sell it at a local store.”The product’s web site clearly stated that the product was illegal in Minnesota due to natural apple flavoring.

OCT. 15 • CO Duke Broughten (Longville) received a call reporting turkeys had damaged an individual’s truck. After further investigation it’s believed the turkeys were intimidated by their reflection and attempted to spar with their reflected selves causing substantial damage to the truck’s doors.

• CO Karl Hadrits (Crosby) reports criminal charges and restoration orders were served in two major impact lake alteration cases. One case involved an individual who excavated and cleared in excess of 40,000 square feet of lakebed and emergent aquatic vegetation to make property more appealing to buyers.The other case involved an individual who dug a trench to lower the level of an entire lake.The rapid release of water from the act caused flooding and damage to a neighbor’s driveway, threatening that person’s ability to access their home.The

violator was given several opportunities to make things right voluntarily but refused to comply. He now faces court, fines, restoration, and restitution to his neighbor for damage to property.

OCT. 8 • CO Sam Hunter (Park Rapids) took a call from a grouse hunter who had shot a timber wolf that was chasing his hunting dog.

The dog ran back to the hunter with the wolf on its heels.The hunter shot the wolf at about 8 yards with bird shot as it was coming directly at him/his dog. Proper measures were taken by the hunter to notify the DNR and enforcement action was not necessary. It was a frightening experience during a grouse hunting trip that will not soon be forgotten.

• CO Don Bozovsky (Hibbing) was called to rescue an archery hunter who was afraid to leave his stand as wolves were under his stand.The hunter was ill prepared in the first place, not even having a flashlight. He was found safe and sound.

• CO Tom Hemker (Winona) received a complaint of two seasoned fishermen in boats trying to fish in the same location and one casted a plug and hit the other in the hand.Their versions of the same incident were very different.

Outdoors

today in the dECEmBEr

fEBruary

1 Muskie season closes 1 Lake trout season opens (Lake Superior)

January 1 Small Game - Grouse, Gray Partridge closes 1 Pheasant season closes 11 Spring Turkey Hunt Lottery Deadline 31 Wolf - Late season hunting closes 31 Wolf - Late season trapping closes

24 24 24 24 24 28 28

Bowfishing-2012 season closes Walleye, sauger, northern pike - 2012 season closes Largemouth Bass-2012 season closes Smallmouth Bass-2012 season closes Dark House Spearing-2012 season closes Small Game - Rabbits, Squirrels season closes Furbearer Trapping - Mink and Muskrat closes

marCh 1 Crow Hunting (1st season) opens 1 Goose - Spring Light Goose season opens 15 Raccoon, Red Fox, Gray Fox, Badger, Opossum Hunting & Trapping closes 31 Crow Hunting (1st season) closes

24 C a l e n d a r

o f

E v e n t s

Your

Best Shots

gretchen nelson Father and Daughters! All 3 bucks were shot on the 2nd day of rifle hunting north of McGregor.

(L to R: Gretchen Nelson, Tom Patrick, Kelli Patrick)

kari horak My 14 year old son, Anthony Horak who got his first buck ever... a 13 point buck, weighing in at 182 lbs.

Jim k.

Eric Sullivan and daughter Jordyn, 12, from Brainerd, love to hunt. You can tell by the smiles. This buck was shot by Eric, but on the stand that Jordyn had been on until it got too windy for her. They traded, and Eric was in the right place at the right time.

Jeremy ryder “I think its called a Deer Sit” Strange things you come across in the woods....

Jeremie Bridge This is my son, Scott with his first buck ever. 11 pointer. Taken in his deer stand with open sites on his rifle.

y o u r

B e s t

s h o t s 25

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