Hunting & Fishing Guide Making memories
Father passes on tradition to children
Firearms,
hunting and you
Get prepared for your first hunt
Turkey
time
Sport grows in southwest Michigan
SUPPLEMENT TO LEADER PUBLICATIONS • OCTOBER 2014
2
Hunting and Fishing • October 2014
Firearms, hunting and
YOU
By TED YOAKUM ted.yoakum@leaderpub.com
I
n the coming weeks, one of the world’s largest armies will assemble in woods across the entire state of Michigan, united under a single cause. Their love of hunting. Firearm deer hunting season opens in Michigan on Nov. 15, with opening day regularly marking one of the largest days of hunting in the entire country. “One year, there were 750,000 hunters in Michigan woods on the first day of the season,” said Richard Atkinson, a hunting safety instructor with the Dowagiac Conservation Club. “At one point, that would have made them one of the largest standing armies in the world.” For first-time hunters looking to enlist, the process is not as simple as getting a license and hitting the woods, Atkinson said. “It’s not like you can walk off the street and become a hunter,” he said. “There are a lot of rules and regulations you need to follow.” The first thing that Atkinson said that potential hunters should do is take a hunting safety course, which are provided by conservation clubs and other organizations throughout the year. The Dowagiac club hosts four such sessions throughout the year for free, running from Thursday to Sunday. Atkinson said Such classes are required in the state for residents before they can acquire a hunting license. “They don’t cost anything besides your time,” he said. “In a lot of our classes we have a lot of mom and dads coming with their kids. Even though they may be experienced hunters, they often tell us they learned something new from our instructors, even if they’ve been hunting for 40-50 years.” Another essential step for would-behunters to take before donning their orange coats is to actually purchase their firearm for the hunt. One of the changes awaiting local hunters this season is to the types of guns hunters can use, as the state is now permitting certain types of rifles to be used in the region
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for the first time. Hunters in southwest Michigan can use firearms that use straight walled cartridges, such a .35 caliber rifle. Despite the easing restrictions, Atkinson recommended that novice hunters stick with the long-permitted shotgun for their first hunt. “Down here, a 12-gauge that shoots slugs would be my recommendation,” he said. “I’ve been shooting with that for 60 years.” No matter the type of firearm they purchase, hunters should always stick to reputable dealers, such as Hale’s True Value in Dowagiac, Lunker’s in Edwardsburg, or the Firing Pin in Niles, Atkinson said. Another piece of advice he said that all first-time hunters should follow is spend a lot of time with another experienced hunter for their first season. A
mentor can show novices how to remain safe while showing them the best locations and techniques for hunting. “There’s a lot of nuances to hunting,” he said. “It’s not like you can expect to just go out in the woods and shoot a deer.” Another thing new hunters should do is always follow proper procedures when handling a firearm, such as keeping the safety active and their fingers off the trigger until ready to shoot, and never pointing the muzzle at anything unless they intend to shoot. They should also follow proper maintenance and storage of their weapon, cleaning after every hunt and storing it, unloaded, in a display case or other place not
accessible to children. While there is always the possibility for tragedy when firearms are involved, Atkinson said that numbers from the Department of Natural Resources show that firearm hunting is a relatively safe activity when these rules are followed. “Last year, we had one fatality from gun hunting,” he said. “It’s safer than football in terms of injury. It’s surprising how safe hunting really is.”
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Hunting and Fishing • October 2014 3
Making
memories Edwardsburg father passes down tradition from his childhood
By AMBROSIA NELDON ambrosia.neldon@leaderpub.com
M
any hunters and fishers gearing up for the upcoming season are excited for the opportunity to provide food for their families in the most traditional way possible: by hunting it them-
selves. While this is certainly the case for Jason Cook of Edwardsburg, he is more excited for the opportunity to pass down the tradition he and his father have shared for the majority of his life. “Some of the best memories I have with my father were hunting and fishing, and I think that hunting is a big reason why my dad and I are so close today,” Cook said. “I consider my dad my best friend. I want to create those same memories with my kids. It’s a great way to spend time with my family and be in the outdoors.” Two years ago, Cook decided to take his daughter Megan, then 5, and son Brady, then 6, along for their first hunt. “We went on opening day of gun season. I brought the blinds and we packed up backpacks full of coloring books and the iPads and snacks and everything else,” Jason recalled of his first hunting trip with his children. “Megan was sitting on my lap and then Brady said, ‘Dad! There’s a buck!” With the help of his son, Jason was able to harvest the deer and bring it home for his family. “It’s the biggest buck I’ve ever gotten, and I got it while they were with me. It’s a great memory,” Jason said. “My dad went with us last year and he shot the biggest buck of his life last year, so it seems the kids are a good luck charm.” Jason’s son, Brady, went hunting on his own for the first time at age 7 and shot his first deer with a cross bow. “My son was able to provide meat for the dinner table for his family for an entire year. That’s just an extra bonus. Hunting isn’t just about shooting animals. It’s about making memories and being with family,” Jason said. As far as safety is concerned, Jason said it depends on the family. “I think hunting with your kids is a very safe thing to do as long as the adult is very responsible and knows what to do. If you wear the proper hunter orange and
“ do everything the right way and follow all the rules, I think it’s very safe,” he said. The Cooks have already begun hunting for the season, as Brady participated in a youth hunt and then went hunting with his family. “I just love to do it to spend time with my kids,” Jason said. “I’m trying to give them the same memories that I have growing up. Hopefully as they get older and grow into young adults, hunting is something that can always bring us back together like it has for my dad and me.”
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Some of the best memories I have with my father were hunting and fishing, and I think that hunting is a big reason why my dad and I are so close today. My dad is my best friend. I want to create those same memories with my kids.
”
Jason Cook — Edwardsburg
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Hunting and Fishing • October 2014
GET LICENSED Michigan licensing changes impact hunters, businesses By SCOTT NOVAK scott.novak@leaderpub.com
L
ast March, Michigan introduced a new license structure and new prices. According to the Department of Natural Resources, the new price structure creates a simpler, more fair and efficient buying process. In doing so, the state reduced license types to 43. While the new structure does not change hunting regulations, it “makes a substantial investment in natural resources,” according to the DNR. “The new structure provides additional revenue for conservation officers, biologists, habitat improvement projects and resource management — boots on the ground and eyes in the field.” On the other side of the coin, businesses that sell hunting and fishing licenses, especially those that border other states, are being affected by the increase in non-resident fees. Hunters are now required to purchase a base license. Michigan residents will pay $11 for a base license, while non-residents will play $151. The purchase of a base license allows hunters to take small game and gives them the ability to purchase additional licenses.
“I live in Indiana, in fact, just across the state line, and it is not being well received,” Kevin Ziegert, a manager at Lunker’s in Edwardsburg said. “There are a lot of northern Indiana residents who like to fish in Michigan because we have so many good lakes. But with the price hike, we are actually having people buy a one-day license or leave without purchasing a license at all. “I would say between 25 and 27 percent of the people who come in leave without purchasing a license. That means that are leaving without buying bobbers, hooks and line, which is affecting our business.” Ziegert said that not having a discount on non-resident licenses for senior citizens is also hurting sales. “For residents it is a great deal,” he said. “But I think they are losing a lot of revenue because of the price increase for non-residents.” Fishermen have also been affected by the new pricing structure. Anglers will now pay $25 for an all-species license, a drop from $28. Restricted licenses have been eliminated. Non-residents will pay $75 for an all-species license, an increase from $42. A senior all-species license is now $11. The DNR is also offering a new combination fishing and hunting license, which includes a base license, two deer licenses and a fishing license for $75. Nonresidents must pay $265. A special non-resident seven-day small game license may be purchased for $80, but does not include a base license.
Local License Agents Buchanan Aalfs Amoco, 301 River St. (269) 6952266 Cassopolis KB Village Express, 1101 E. State St. (269) 445-2801 W.B. Hayden & Sons, 125 S. Broadway St. (269) 445-2801 Dowagiac • Guntle’s Outdoor Outfitters, 101 Singer St. (269) 782-7353 • Hale’s True Value, 56216 M-51 S (269) 782-7353 • Hook’s Live Bait-Tackle, 50463 M-152 (269) 425-5478 • Mantke’s Mini Mart Corp., 60893 M-51 S. (269) 684-0027 Edwardsburg • Clear H20 Tackle, 69037 Christiana Lake Rd. (269) 414-4131 • Lunker’s, 26324 U.S. 12 (269) 6633745 • The Trading Post, 71077 M-62 Ste. C, (571) 220-2292 Niles Wal-Mart, 2107 S. 11th St. (269) 6832773 • MS Outdoors, Inc., 2634 Detroit Rd. (269) 445-8903 • Sunrise-Sunset Party Store, 1009 Huntly Rd. (269) 683-4220
Hunting and Fishing Licensing Fees Hunting License Fees
Base Junior — $6 Base Resident — $11 Base Nonresident — $151 Base Senior — $5 Antlerless Deer — $20 Antlerless Deer Junior — $20 Antlerless Deer Managed Area Hunts — $20 *Applications — $5 Bear — $25 Bear Participation — $15 Hunt/Fish Combo Nonresident (includes base, deer combo and fishing) — $266 Hunt/Fish Combo Resident (includes base, deer combo and fishing) — $76
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Hunt/Fish Combo Senior (includes base, deer combo and fishing) — $43 Deer Resident — $20 Deer Combo Resident — $40 Deer Nonresident — $20 Deer Combo Nonresident — $190 Deer Senior — $8 Deer Combo Senior — $28 *Deer Management Assistance Permits — $10 Elk (Michigan residents only) — $100 Fur Harvester — $15 Fur Harvester Senior — $6 Harvest Tags — $0 *Mentored Youth — $7.50 Military (Active duty and 100-percent disabled veterans) — $0
*Small Game 7 Day Nonresident — $80 *Sportcard — $1 Survey Tags — $0 Turkey Fall — $15 Turkey Fall Senior — $6 Turkey Spring — $15 Turkey Spring Senior — $6 Waterfowl Hunting —$12 Wolf Nonresident — $500 Wolf Resident — $100 *Base license not needed
Fishing License Fees
DNR Sportcard — $1 Resident Annual — $26 Non-resident Annual — $76
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Hunting and Fishing • October 2014 5
&WIN SUBMITTED
Seven lucky hunters will win more than $1,500 in prizes just by hunting at Michigan’s seven Managed Waterfowl Hunt Areas this fall and winter. A new Wetland Wonders Challenge, sponsored by Consumers Energy, will begin Oct. 11 and continue through Jan. 31. Seven winners will be chosen to win ultimate waterfowl hunting prize packages valued at $1,500, including a “golden ticket” for one first-choice pick at a Managed Waterfowl Hunt Area (MWHA) for the 2015-16 season (non-reserved). Other prizes include a Mossberg 835 camo waterfowl and turkey combo 12-gauge shotgun, Zink custom duck and goose calls, Avian X mallard and goose decoys, and waterfowl hunting gear. Contest partner Michigan United Conservation Clubs will select winners Feb. 9.
Submitted photo
Last year’s winners of the Wetland Wonders Challenge are pictured here with their prizes.
Michigan’s Wetland Wonders are the seven premier MWHAs in the state: Fennville Farm Unit at the Allegan State Game Area (Allegan County), Fish Point State Wildlife Area (Tuscola County), St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area on Harsens Island (St. Clair County), Muskegon County Wastewater Facility (Muskegon County), Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area (Bay County), Pointe Mouillee State Game Area (Monroe and Wayne counties) and Shiawassee River State Game Area (Saginaw County). These areas, scattered across the southern Lower Peninsula, were created in the 1960s to provide exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities, and are still managed today to provide waterfowl habitat for nesting and migration and for the benefit of other wetland wildlife. Since the beginning, the areas have been funded by hunting license
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and area use fees, but they are open for anyone to visit, use and enjoy most of the year. When hunters register at any of the MWHAs, they will receive an individual commemorative duck leg band for that MWHA and a validation on their Wetland Wonders Challenge punch card (available at all MWHAs). To be entered, participants must hunt at three of the seven southern Michigan Wetland Wonders and submit a punch-card entry form. New this year, hunters may increase their chances of winning by hunting at more than three MWHAs. Hunters can hunt at four MWHAs for two entries, five MWHAs for three entries, six MWHAs for four entries, and hunting at all seven MWHAs will earn five contest entries. For more information on the MWHAs (including location, drawing times,
dates, and rules and regulations) and the Wetland Wonders Challenge contest (including terms and conditions), please visit www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders. “Our MWHAs offer hunters access to some of the best waterfowl hunting areas in the state,” said Barb Avers, DNR waterfowl and wetlands specialist. “If you haven’t visited one before, we invite you to come experience these unique hunting areas and see what they’re all about.” The Wetland Wonders Challenge is part of the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy (MWL), a 10-year, cooperative partnership to restore, conserve and celebrate Michigan’s waterfowl, wetland and waterfowl hunting community. The initiative is a “call to action” to honor yesterday, engage today and build for tomorrow. Learn more at michigan.gov/ mwl.
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Hunting and Fishing • October 2014
S R E T N U H CK
Y E K R U T TO THE
FLO
By CRAIG HAUPERT craig.haupert@leaderpub.com
W
ith wild turkeys roaming nearly every part of Michigan, hunting these amazing birds is as popular as ever. “Over the past 10 years I’ve noticed a lot more turkey hunters,” said Brian Williams, of Trailhead Mercantile in Niles. “It’s grown quite a bit.” It isn’t unusual to see turkeys crossing the road on South Third Street in the southern part of Niles, but that was not always the case. In the 1900s, wild turkeys vanished from every county in Michigan due
to unregulated hunting and loss of habitat. In response, conservationists came together in an effort to reestablish the turkey population. Thanks to their success, which took place over several decades, hunters across the state can enjoy tracking and hunting wild turkeys today. In fact, more than 30,000 are taken by successful hunters each year — up from 400 in 1977. That makes Michigan the seventh in the nation for turkey harvesting, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The increase in the number of turkeys, Williams said, is one reason
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more people are hunting the animals. “Just seeing them while you are driving around — I think that gets people fired up,” he said. Another possible reason for the spike in turkey hunting, Williams said, is that thousands of deer have been killed in recent years by a disease (EHD) transmitted through the bite of a midge fly. With less deer, he said, hunters flocked to the turkey. “I know a few people that turkey hunted that wouldn’t have otherwise because of that,” Williams said. “That disease left a lot of people without
meat in their freezer.” Those interested in getting into turkey hunting should ask for advice from experience hunters, Williams said. Information on turkey hunting can also be found online at michigan. gov/dnr. Locally, there is a group of dedicated turkey hunters called the Berrien County Trophy Toms. They can be contacted by phone at (269) 4295211. Fall turkey hunting in Berrien and Cass counties is from Sept. 15 to Nov. 14. The sport requires a license.
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Hunting and Fishing • October 2014 7
When to hunt: 2014-2015 Michigan has a variety of hunting seasons. Here is a list for the 2014-15 year: Deer: Early Antlerless Firearm: Sept. 20-21 Liberty Hunt: Sept. 20-21 Independence Hunt: Oct. 16-19 Archery: Oct. 1 - Nov. 14 and Dec. 1-Jan. 1 Regular Firearm: Nov. 15-30 Muzzleloading: Zone 1: Dec. 5-14 Zone 2: Dec. 5-14 Zone 3: Dec. 5-21 Late Antlerless Firearm: Dec. 22-Jan. 1 Goose (Early): • Zone 1, and Saginaw, Tuscola, & Huron Counties: Sept. 1-10 • Zone 2, 3: Sept. 1-15
Pheasant (male only): • Zone 1 (partial): Oct. 10-31 • Zone 2, 3: Oct. 20-Nov. 14 • Zone 3 (partial): Dec. 1-Jan. 1 Quail: Oct. 20-Nov. 14 Ruffed Grouse: Sept. 15-Nov. 14 and Dec. 1-Jan. 1 Sharp-tailed Grouse: Oct. 10-31 Squirrel — Fox and Gray: Sept. 15-Mar. 1 Wild Turkey (Fall Season): Sept. 15-Nov. 14 Woodcock: Sept. 20-Nov. 3 Bobcat: Jan. 1-March 1 Coyote: Jan. 1-Feb. 1 Fox (Red and Gray): Oct. 15-March 1 Raccoon: Oct. 1-Jan. 31 • Opossum, porcupine, weasel, red squirrel, skunk, ground squirrel, woodchuck, feral swine, feral pigeons, starling and house sparrows may be taken year-round with a valid Michigan hunting license.
8
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Hunting and Fishing • October 2014
FOR YOUR BEST
HUNTING SEASON
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