FINDING MORE MORELS - P.6 Crankbaits for Walleyes Story inside page 4
Season-Long Turkey Decoy Strategies
Ohio Valley
FR EE!
Outdoor Times April 2017
By Josh Lantz, Traditions Media
Along with good calling and proper concealment, most turkey hunters agree that employing decoys is one of the most effective strategies for coaxing a gobbler within range. But decoying a fickle longbeard isn’t as simple putting out a phony bird or two and pulling the trigger. There’s a correct time, place and way to do almost anything. Matt Morrett is one of the most experienced turkey hunters in the world. The Pennsylvania native has hunted turkeys for over 35 years, is a World Turkey Calling Champion, and co-host of Avian-X TV on Sportsman Channel. I recently asked Matt some of my own burning questions about hunting with turkey decoys. How and why do turkey decoys work? Decoys give turkeys a strong visual attraction to go along with and reinforce what they’re hearing when we call to them. It’s a powerful tool, because it completes the illusion. Before decoys came along, birds responded to hunters’ calls Turn To Turkey Page 9
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of Traditions Media
Expert turkey hunter, Matt Morrett, doesn’t believe most turkeys differentiate between a jake and a gobbler tail fan. What catches their attention is the show of dominance that the fan and strutting position represent.
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INSIDE THIS MONTH
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Lipless Crankbaits for Walleyes
5
Jeff Knapp
17
Lake Erie Fishing Outlook Looks Good
6
ODNR
18
Five Tips for Finding More Morels
11
14
Consider Improving Your Property for Wildlife This Spring
TheGreatMorel.com
Grey D. Berrier II
Photo Showcase OV Times Staff
Calendar of Events
An Accomplished Teenager Larry Claypool
12
Myths About Fawn Recruitment
OUTDOOR CALENDAR
Rabies Clinic - May 13, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Open to all. Local vet. Reasonable fee. At Tri-State Coonhunters Club, 2601 Irish Ridge Road, East Liverpool, OH . Club phone: 330-386-3220. Turkey Shoots - Each Sunday, 1 p.m. at Tri-State Coonhunters Club, 2601 Irish Ridge Road, East Liverpool, OH. $2 per round, shoot 10 rounds. $5 round at end. Any gun with open sights or scopes. Up to 640 choke. Call William Dalrymple at 330-385-8822. Trader’s Day Swap Meet & Gun Show - May 20 at Trumbull County Rod & Gun Club. Buy, sell, trade your hunting and fishing equipment, firearms, other outdoor sports gear and more. 50/50 & gun raffles. Tables (indoor or outdoor) are $15. Food & drinks available. For info. call Jason Chamberlain at 330-307-0552. Spring Turkey Shoots - Each Sunday (10 a.m.) at Chester-Newell Sportsmen’s Club. Signups start at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $3, $30 for pack of 10 shoots. $5 for money shoots. Kids & ladies welcome. Located on Gas Valley Rd., behind Green Valley Dairy, between WV Route 8 and PA Route 18. For info. call 330-383-1886, or 304-374-5587.
Ohio Valley
The state of New York wants to add four more free sport fishing days to their calendar — they already offer three days. Most states offer “Free Fishing Days” each summer — Ohio, Pennsylvania and West VirBy Larry Claypool ginia have two each. Editor Designed to attract more fisherman, adults and children, the “Free Fishing Days” seem like a great idea, but do they work? State wildlife officials must grasp at any idea to get more people outdoors. Actually they don’t care if we’re outdoors or sitting on the couch watching re-runs of “The Big Bang Theory” or “Law and Order”, as long as hunting and fishing licenses are purchased. Most states fund a majority of their wildlife programs from money taken in from hunting and fishing licenses. It’s a pretty good system for state wildlife officials when funding is provided by hunters and fisherman who buy licenses to participate. The prices are fair, especially for instate residents, and everyone’s happy. But, what is pinching budgets for many states is the number of hunting and fishing licenses being sold each year has continued to decline. The decline and loss of revenue is starting to really hurt. Some states are cutting wildlife programs and proposing license fee increases to cover the shortfalls. Ohio’s resident hunting and fishing sales (licenses) are nearly half of what they were 30 years ago. In the 1980’s Ohio’s resident fishing sales topped the one million mark for eight straight years. They have been in the 600,000 range for the past seven years. That’s a difference of around $7.6 million — lost each year — in resident fishing license sales alone. That’s a lot of money to make up.
Granted, it’s been a slow downturn in license sales since 1988, but at some point officials have to react to funding cuts. So, adding a few more free days of fishing that may attract more customers can’t be a bad thing. The Ohio DNR has charted resident license sales (both hunting and fishing) and notes that they are losing $5M every seven years. And is further compounded by aging ‘baby boomers’. “Baby boomers comprise the largest group of resident hunter and fishing licenses. They have just begun entering the half price senior category which will cut the income in half for each age as they qualify.” Another factor, or fallout, from having less hunters and fishers in the field is the reduction of goods and equipment used by outdoorsman. And many outdoors people don’t understand the federal program, PittmanRobertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937, that collects excise taxes on guns, ammunition, archery and other hunting-related products that is returned to the states — based on license sales and income. The Pittman-Robertson funds, however, can only be used for wildlife monitoring, management, habitat purchase and enhancement projects, shooting ranges and related educational programs. That’s a nice chunk of funding, and a budget helper, but the downward spiral in licenses and goods sold over time has, and will continue to, hurt our wildlife programs. Positive steps in helping this cause is to get more kids and women into the field. That’s been a growing concern, and effort, by many outdoor groups for the past several years. And that’s a good thing. But how do we get more people involved in the outdoors? This needs to be a collective effort by us all. Get outdoors! And take a kid or friend with you! It’s free fishing. You can’t beat that!
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Outdoor Times April 2017
April 2017
Attracting More Customers OV Outdoor Times
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VOL. 9, NO. 4
Ohio Valley Outdoor Times
is published by Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine©
Offices located at
210 E. 4th Street, East Liverpool, OH 43920 Phone 330-385-2243, Fax 330-385-7114 ohvod@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com www.ohiovalleyoutdoors.com
Publisher/Editor, Larry Claypool lclaypool@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com
Graphics Designer, Linda McKenzie lmckenzie@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com Sales Consultant, Tracy Bissell tbissell@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com advertising@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com
Contributing Editors
Ralph Scherder, Hunting Editor Jeff Knapp, Fishing Editor Brian Miller, Field Editor
QUESTIONS, COMMENTS
Ohio Valley Outdoor Times is all about its readers. We’d love to hear from you. Send us something at ohvod@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com
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April 2017
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Lipless Crankbaits for Walleyes OV Outdoor Times
Traditionally thought of as a mainstream bass lure, in select situations the lipless crankbait is effective in triggering walleye strikes As a family of lures, lipless crankbaits are com- By Jeff Knapp Fishing Editor pact, flat-sided, shadshaped offerings. Most models sink. They cast like a bullet, and exhibit a tight wiggle on the retrieve. Though there is an exception or two, most lipless crankbaits also rattle, by way of a rattle chamber that houses one or more beads, hence the moniker “rattlebait” that is commonly attached to the lure. In the warm water of late spring and summer lipless cranks closely mimic the profile and movement of baitfish walleyes prey on. And make no mistake; walleyes are indeed an aggressive predator. The correlation of walleyes responding only to natural bait presented on fine bait rigs doesn’t apply to active fish holding in shallow feeding lies. When
walleyes are up-and-at- ‘em a lipless crankbait can be the go-to lure. Models best suited for walleyes vary in weight from quarter to half-ounce. Certain well-defined conditions make lipless crankbaits a wise lure choice on rivers when the water gets up in the 60degree (or warmer) range. Namely, the time is right when a river is off-color and flowing at a normal or slightly higher level. Such circumstances allow walleyes to freely chase down baitfish without the benefit of getting too good of a look at a lure. The many calling cards of the lipless cranks – vibration, sound, flash – work in concert to grab a walleye’s attention, often converting that interest into a solid strike. When the water is cold – roughly from mid-November until late March – river walleyes gather in slackwater pools removed from the hard force of the river’s main current. Fish are concentrated. That’s why the action can be good at that time of year. Conversely, following the spring spawning period river walleyes tend to scatter throughout a river, making them tougher to find. At this time of year feeding walleyes
will often hold in the tailout sections of long pools, that area where things get shallow, the current picks up, right before the river spills into a riffle area. Walleyes holding in such areas, which tend to feature a mix of rocks and weeds, are there to eat. A fast-moving lipless crankbait is a fine choice for burning through such a spot, either while wading along the shallows, or drifting through in a boat. Casts should be made across the current, aiming just slightly upriver, so the bait swings down with the current as it is retrieved. Keep the bait steadily moving, at a pace that keeps it from snagging up. Don’t worry about reeling too fast for the fish to catch it. If a walleye wants the lure it’ll catch it. Just keep it moving at an easy-to-track pace without any jerks or pauses. Walleyes will often follow for some distance, sometimes hitting right before you pick up the lure for the next cast. River areas known as “runs” will also hold walleyes susceptible to a lipless crankbait. Runs are stretches with moderate current and depth. The best ones have an abundance of subsurface rocks, and perhaps a tree or two imbedded in the river bottom. Most often runs are found at the base of riffles, in a transition area prior to the river slowing.
April 2017
Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Jeff Knapp
Lipless crankbaits can be an effective springtime lure for walleyes, like this one taken by Dave Lehman.
April 2017
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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Lake Erie Fishing Outlook Offers Good News
COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director James Zehringer and Rich Carter, executive administrator of fish management and research for the ODNR Division of Wildlife, announced recently that Lake Erie anglers should anticipate experiencing another year of diverse fishing opportunities in 2017. Great walleye hatches from 2014 and 2015 are expected to contribute to exceptional fishing opportunities in Lake Erie this year. Anglers pursuing yellow perch in the Western Basin will likely find excellent numbers of yellow perch. Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch fisheries are managed through an interagency quota system that involves Ontario, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio. Each jurisdiction regulates its catches to comply with quotas and minimize the risk of over-fishing these species. Quotas for the upcoming fishing season are determined through consensus agreement by these jurisdictions through the Lake Erie Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, which were just recently announced for
2017. Currently, the walleye daily bag limit is four, and the yellow perch daily bag limit is 30 per angler in Ohio waters of Lake Erie until April 30. As a result of the 2017 quota allocation, the daily bag limit will be six walleye from May 1 through Feb. 28, 2018. From March 1, 2018, through April 30, 2018, the daily walleye bag limit will be four. A 15-inch minimum size limit is in effect during the entire season for walleye. The yellow perch daily bag limit will be 30 from May 1 through April 30, 2018, with no minimum size limit. Lake Erie anglers can find walleye and yellow perch bag limit information at ODNR offices, in special publications at bait and tackle shops and at wildohio.gov. Walleye Ohio walleye anglers will catch fish mostly from the 2015, 2014 and 2013 hatches, with some fish from the 2012, 2011, 2010 and 2009 year classes. Additional fish from 2007 and 2003 will also be harvested by anglers. Walleye from the 2014 hatch will range from 1619 inches, while walleye from the 2013
Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo courtesy of Maumee River Walleye Run
Young Ben Miller caught this nice walleye on April 3 during the Maumee River walleye run. Miller’s dad, Brian Miller, OV Times Field Editor, runs the popular website www.MaumeeRiverWalleyeRun.com. Turn To Fishing Outlook Page 8
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Five Tips for Finding More Morels
Forward by Larry Claypool, OV Times Editor
This region has a dedicated core of morel mushroom hunters. Information for those hunters, and others, just got a lot easier. Western Ohioan Brad Hohenstein and his three colleagues have owned and operated (since 1999) a free website called www.TheGreatMorel.com. But recently expanded the popular site to include several categories that mushroom hunters can enjoy and use, including: sighting maps, recipes, stories, photos, forums, blogs, and more. The website is also linked to several related sites and social media outlets; Facebook and Instagram. Hohenstein said the website is the No. 1 site on Google for morel mushrooms. “We have had millions of visitors and average 1,000 to 2,000 visitors per day, in the off season,” said Hohenstein. “And we’re happy to announce we’ve just launched our redesigned ‘modern’ website. And we’re able to sell some items people have been asking for. We’re excited about the new site and interacting with our followers.”
By TheGreatMorel.com 1. Timing is Critical - Depending upon your location in the country, the morel mushroom hunting season can start anytime from mid-March to late June. Unfortunately the date of the first sighting in your area can vary by several weeks each year so you can’t count on finding them using that date you marked on your calendar last year. The key is to have a week or so with daytime temperatures in the 60’s and night time temperatures in the upper 40’s. It’s at this time the ground temperature reaches the low to mid 50’s which is the optimum growing condition for morels. Some rain to moisten the soil is required but it’s a myth is that you need the sun to really “pop” them. Some of my most productive seasons have been cloudy, rainy springs. Besides, everyone should experience mushroom hunting in the rain. The fresh smell of the woods, the sound of the rain on the Mayapples, the overwhelming feeling that you are one with the woods..absolutely nothing better! 2. Don’t Forget Technology With a growing season that typically lasts only a
April 2017
Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo courtesy of TheGreatMorel.com
With a growing season that typically lasts only a few weeks and a start date that can vary as much as four weeks, it’s very easy to miss the season altogether.
few weeks and a start date that can vary as much as four weeks, it’s very easy to miss the season altogether. If you want to be sure not to miss the “pop”, use technology to your advantage. There are many websites that have morel sightings maps (including TheGreatMorel.com). Use the sightings map to track the progression of morels from the warmer climates to the cooler states. In the U.S.,
morel mushrooms are found in abundance from middle Tennessee northward into Michigan and Wisconsin and Vermont and as far west as Oklahoma. By regularly visiting the sightings map you can track the progression from the southern states through the northern states. Many of the sightings maps even allow you to expand into county view to really Turn To Morels Page 7
April 2017
Morels From Page 6
pin point the start of the season in your area. The sighting map can also heighten the anticipation of the new mushroom season. Watching the sighting pins move closer to you each day is like the child opening the window each day on the Christmas calendar in anticipation of Santa! 3. Tune your Eyes Prior to the Hunt It’s called imprinting. Have you noticed how hard it is to find that first mushroom but after finding it you start seeing more of them? Many mushroom hunters leave the first one in place while they search all around it for others. Whether they know it or not, they are training their eyes and brain to block out the background and detect the mushrooms hidden within the brush and leaves. They are imprinting. The problem with this method is you may pass over many mushrooms before finding that first one but you don’t have to pass those first ones over! You can imprint before starting the hunt. Here’s how. Some hunters will tell you to stare at photos of mushrooms, but there’s a better way. Morel Decoys! Decoys are carved or cast replicas of morel mushrooms. You can find morel decoys that are molded from real morel mushrooms which make them extremely realistic. A few weeks be-
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
fore mushroom season you can use morel decoys by having a friend or spouse hide them in your yard or even about the house. Your eyes (and brain) will get used to detecting them. This method can really help you find that first shroom! 4. Hunting the Trees Successful morel mushroom hunters seem to fall into two groups. Those who look for certain varieties of trees (tree hunters) and those who look for distinctions in the lay of the land. The dead elm is a favorite among the “tree hunters� but many also swear by hickory, ash, or sycamore trees. Some even say there is a symbiotic relationship between morels and the trees. This is certainly true of many types of fungi but since morels can sometimes be found growing in a treeless yard, patch of moss, or on a muddy bank, it is hard to prove this theory. However, the continued success of many “tree hunters� cannot be denied so this method should not discounted. One tree hunting method in which almost all avid mushroom hunters agree is that old apple orchards produce morels. If you are lucky enough to hunt an area with old apple trees, check it often. Don’t give up on it as many times the large yellow morels which grow beneath them will appear about a week after everything
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else is gone. 5. Hunting the “Lay of the Land� The “Lay of the Land� mushroom hunting method is employed by many successful morel hunters. A favorite strategy is to hunt the south and southwest sides of the hills early in the season. These areas get more of the early spring sun warming the ground to the optimum growing temperature and therefore producing the first morels of the season. As the warmer days continue, track the mushrooms deeper into the woods. An exception to this strategy is the black morel mushroom. Typically, this variety of the morel mushroom is found in large groups at the very start of the season. Many times a week or so before the first sign of greys or yellows. The hill tops in the middle of the woods seem to be the best location for finding the mother lode of these black sponges. Yet another strategy used by “Lay of the Land� mushroom hunters is to hunt the troughs. Hunting the troughs means to hunt the depressions, washouts, run-offs and small ravines within the woods. The theory is that the morel spores carried by the wind and rain are deposited here. To have your mushroom hunting tips and photos included on our website, submit them online at www.TheGreatMorel.com.
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Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo courtesy of TheGreatMorel.com
Morel decoys are carved or cast replicas of morel mushrooms. You can find morel decoys that are molded from real morel mushrooms which make them extremely realistic.
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Fishing Outlook From Page 5
hatch will be between 17-22 inches. Fish from the 2003 and 2007 hatches are likely to carry most of the Central Basin fisheries, and a good number of these walleye will be over the 26-inch range. Large walleye from strong hatch in 2003 will continue to provide “Fish Ohio” opportunities (greater than 28 inches), with this year class nearing the size that may give Ohio a new state record walleye. Additionally, in 2017, anglers should see a number of smaller (less than 15 inches) fish from the excellent 2015 hatch. Anglers are reminded of the 15inch minimum size limit and encouraged to release these fish with as little handling as possible so they can contribute to the fisheries in future years. As the 2017 season progresses, more of the 2year-old fish will surpass the 15-inch minimum size limit. Yellow Perch Expect excellent perch fishing in 2017, with improving numbers of fish in the Western Basin. Perch anglers in the west will primarily catch perch from 2013, 2014 and 2015, providing a good range of sizes. The largest perch in the Western Basin will come from 2012 and older year classes. Central Basin anglers
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
should expect to find average numbers of yellow perch, with most fish coming from the 2012 year class and to a lesser extent, the 2014 year class. Older fish from years prior to 2012 will provide the potential for trophy yellow perch. Black Bass Smallmouth bass fishing in 2017 is expected to be consistent with recent years. In 2016, smallmouth bass catch rates were well above average for the fifth consecutive year, and in 2017, anglers should expect more of the same, including an excellent size range (14 to 22 inches and weighing up to 6 pounds). The best fishing for smallmouth bass will continue to be in areas with good bottom structure, which is the available habitat across much of the entire Ohio nearshore and islands. Continuing the trend from previous years, largemouth bass fishing should be excellent in 2017. This fishery continues to produce exceptional catch rates and some large fish in nearshore areas and harbors across Ohio’s Lake Erie. All black bass (smallmouth and largemouth) must be immediately released from May 1 through June 23. Beginning June 24, the daily bag limit for bass will be five, with a 14-inch minimum length limit. Steelhead
Steelhead anglers should enjoy another year of great fishing in 2017 in Ohio’s Lake Erie open waters and in tributaries. Peak summer steelhead action on Lake Erie can be found offshore from June through August between Vermilion and Conneaut, with catches measuring 17 to 29 inches. Most Lake Erie anglers troll for steelhead in deep waters using spoons with divers or downriggers until fish move close to shore in the fall. The daily bag limit remains at five fish per angler from May 16 through Aug. 31, and two fish per angler between Sept. 1 and May 15, 2018. A 12-inch minimum size limit is in effect throughout the year. White Bass White bass continue to provide excellent seasonal fishing opportunities in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers and in the open lake. The 2017 catch will continue to be dominated by fish from the 2012 and 2010 year classes. Fish from older year classes could be as large as 16 inches. Anglers should focus on major Western Basin tributaries during May and June and nearshore areas of the open lake during the summer. There is no white bass daily bag limit or size limit. Other Species Bays, harbors and main lake shore-
April 2017
lines offer excellent fishing for panfish, as well as occasional northern pike and muskellunge in vegetated areas. Anglers are reminded that fishing conditions on Lake Erie can change hourly, and adjustments are often necessary to improve success. Anglers should take into account factors such as water temperature, cloud cover, water clarity, boat traffic, wave action, structure, currents and the amount of baitfish in the area. Anglers are also reminded to carefully monitor Lake Erie weather and to seek safe harbor before storms approach. Updated Lake Erie fishing reports are available at wildohio.gov or by calling 888-HOOKFISH (888-466-5347). Information is available from ODNR Division of Wildlife staff from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays at the Fairport Harbor station (440-352-4199) for the Central Basin and at Sandusky station (419-6258062) for the Western Basin. Information on the ODNR Division of Wildlife’s Lake Erie research and management programs, fisheries resources, fishing reports, maps and links to other Lake Erie web resources are available at wildohio.gov. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
April 2017
Turkey From Page 1
but would often hang up when they didn’t see what they were looking for. It still happens today. Decoys work through visual attraction, but the best ones work because they tell a story. Whether it’s a feeding hen, a hen that’s ready to breed or a young gobbler that’s challenging the pecking order, every Avian-X decoy tells a story. Do you always hunt with decoys? I do now, but I didn’t in the past. I didn’t have a lot of faith in them. I became a firm believer when I started using real, taxidermy-mounted hens about 10-15 years ago. It became clear that real birds made a big difference. Realism is what makes a decoy a valuable hunting tool. Realistic paint schemes and molding detail are important, but the overall pose is just as critical. Wing position is a big deal, because when done right it simulates a relaxed turkey. Relaxed and natural helps sell the illusion. Do you have a go-to decoy set-up? Day in and day out, it’s hard to beat an Avian-X Quarter-Strut Jake and a Lookout Hen. A Quarter-Strut Jake is a threat to any gobbler’s dominance, but he’s approachable and looks like an easy fight. He has near-universal appeal. A Lookout
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Hen is the same. She can attract any turkey because she’s dominant. Her upright posture also makes her more visible. She’ll attract other hens better than a breeder, and can bring any tom or jake running. How do you decide how far away and how far apart to set your decoys? I think 20 yards is about the best distance. It’s far enough that you’re not calling attention to yourself, and it’s about half the effective range of just about any shotgun. If they hang up at 40 yards, you can still feel great about killing one. When it comes to placing them, look at the situation at hand and make the scene look realistic. Think about a gobbler’s likely approach path and show him the full picture. Give him the best view of all the decoys and make sure you are at least slightly off to one side. This is more important than how far apart the individual decoys are. Does it matter which way the decoys are facing? I don’t know. I understand why some people think it does but, personally, I haven’t seen that it makes any real difference. What I do try to do is suggest a realistic direction of travel. I may face them towards a certain direction that
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Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of Traditions Media
A Quarter-Strut Jake is a threat to any gobbler’s dominance, but he’s approachable and looks like an easy fight, so he has near-universal appeal. Our expert advises combining a Quarter Strut Jake with a Lookout Hen (Avian-X LCD Merriam’s models shown) for a decoy spread that can produce positive results all season long.
makes sense for them to be traveling… like into a field, along a tree line… something that just looks right. Do you have a favorite decoy set-up for the early season? The pecking order is being challenged at every moment during the early season, so I think anyone who doesn’t use some kind of a gobbler decoy is missing the boat. I like a jake… either the Avian-X Quarter-Strut or the new Half-Strut Jake. These are relaxed decoys that will challenge a gobbler’s dominance without appearing intimidating. You can use a Strutter if you like… I’m not sure gobblers really notice the difference between a jake fan and a mature tom fan… and both are visible from long distances. How do you use decoys during a midseason lull? I don’t really change my decoy strategy at all. What’s different is that the birds have changed their behaviors and locations, so hunters often have to cover more dirt to find a hot bird. Nesting hens prefer different areas and toms may be in different areas, too. Find out where your birds went by moving more. But be ready to deploy your decoys fast when you finally do get a hot gobbler to answer. Do you have a favorite decoy set-up for the late season? I usually stay away from gobbler decoys late in the season; they have the po-
tential to cause more alarm or concern than attraction, and aren’t really necessary. A lot of times late in the season, subdominant gobblers may not be totally done, but they sure do seem to shut down. The older, dominant toms are experienced enough to never stop looking for hens, so sticking with a hen decoy to attract a long-spurred bird in the late season is a good strategy. If you could only use a single decoy for the entire hunting season, what would it be and why? I’d choose a Breeder Hen. The decoy depicts a turkey whose body language says she’s receptive to mating. That’s always going to catch a gobbler’s attention. But a Breeder Hen is also an intrusion to other hens, which means she can attract them at any time. More hens means more appeal to gobblers. I also wouldn’t be scared to use a Quarter-Strut Jake for the same reason. He’s a danger to other gobblers and an easy fight, so he’s also got a lot of universal appeal.
About Traditions Media Traditions Media, LLC is a fishing, hunting, tactical and shooting-sports marketing group, uniquely specialized in public relations, media communications, influencer marketing, social media and media buying. Learn more at www.traditionsmedia.com.
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
April 2017
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An Accomplished Teenager OV Outdoor Times
For Ohio teenager Blake Alma, he’s already accomplished some of his ‘goals in life’. As a youngster — he’s only 16 — his dream was to “grow up and be a writer and an author”. Check, By Larry Claypool and check. Blake has authored Editor five books about the outdoors, “The Outdoorsman’s Bible”, “The Hunter’s War”, “More Than Just a Rat Trap”, “The Godly Outdoorsman’s Devotionals” and “Harvesting Nature’s Bait Shop” and penned several articles about the outdoors, survival techniques, trapping, fishing, hunting and camping. All of the books are available on www.amazon.com. And Blake has expanded his writing duties by starting and hosting his own radio show, ‘The Outdoorsman’s Art Radio Show’, and produced a website ‘www.artofanoutdoorsman.com, podcasts, videos and more. His weekly radio show podcasts are available on nine different platforms, including: iTunes,
Google Play, Tunein, Stitcher, Spreaker, Podbean, Player FM, Podcast Pub and Blubrry. Yes, this kid is busy, and driven! For a high school junior, that’s impressive. Blake is the oldest of eight kids and the only one in his family who ‘adores’ the outdoors. He lives in southwest Ohio, in a suburb of Cincinnati. He says most of his outdoor skills are self taught. He reads of lot of books, magazines and other articles online, and watches many YouTube videos. He admires survival skills expert Dave Canterbury, who’s also been a guest on his radio show. So what drives this young outdoorsman and entrepreneur? “God fuels my love for the outdoors. Even though the outdoors is a place of enjoyment and pleasure, it is also a place that shows the glory and wonder of a Creator,” said Blake. Spending time outdoors also allows Blake to pursue another key interest in his life, and that’s photography. His favorite photo he’s taken is of his youngest brother, Zak, and himself. “We were squirrel hunting. Without hesitation, it’s my favorite photo,” said Blake, who snaps many photos for his books and ar-
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of Blake Alma
Young Ohio outdoorsman Blake Alma is building up his outdoor ‘empire’ by writing about his adventures in books, magazines and blog articles and hosts his own website, radio show, podcasts and more.
ticles. Read more about Blake and his adventures through his website and podcasts.
Also find him on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Myths About Fawn Recruitment OV Outdoor Times
My high school math teacher, an avid hunter, once wrote a formula on the blackboard that described how whitetails could overpopulate exponentially in a relatively short period of time if left unman- By Ralph Scherder aged. The formula pre- Hunting Editor dicted that every adult doe would give birth to two fawns, one of which would be a female that would then give birth to two more fawns that fall, as would every doe in the state, and so on. His formula served its purpose, to prove the necessity of hunting in order to keep the population in check. The flaw in the equation, though, was the assumption that every adult doe produces two fawns that will also survive and breed. That’s a common belief among hunters, but it doesn’t happen as often as you might think. Fawn recruitment is a term meant to describe the number of fawns that reach six months of age. It measures the number of fawns per adult doe (1 1/2 years of
age and older), that survive until fall and enter the pre-hunt population. According to the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA), those rates have fallen over the past decade, from .69 in 2005 to .58 in 2015. Put another way, 11% fewer fawns are surviving now than they were 10 years ago. Nationally, it takes four adult does to produce two fawns that will survive the summer and be recruited into the herd come fall. In fact, Georgia was the only state to actually see an increase in fawn recruitment, from .37 to .54 over the past 10 years. Every other state has seen declines. For reference, Ohio dropped from .84 in 2005 to .78 in 2015 and Pennsylvania dropped from .70 to .63 during that same span. According to QDMA’s annual Whitetail Report, in 2000, Ohio had a fawn recruitment rate of 1.00 – 22% higher than it is today. Historically, back when my math teacher was a kid perhaps, national recruitment rates were around 1.20. In other words, 100 adult does produced approximately 120 fawns that would enter the pre-hunting season population. It’s alarming how quickly things
April 2017
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Ralph Scherder
Fawn recruitment is a term meant to describe the number of fawns that reach six months of age. It measures the number of fawns per adult doe (1 1/2 years of age and older), that survive until fall and enter the pre-hunt population.
can change. So what’s happening to our fawns? A number of factors effect fawn recruitment. Severe winters can certainly take their toll. Food can be hard to find, which causes stress and malnutrition in pregnant does. The result can be miscarriage or still birth.
Habitat in general is a huge factor. The reason Ohio has a higher recruitment rate than Pennsylvania is because Ohio has more crop fields. Also, the mountainous parts of Pennsylvania are more rugged and less friendly toward whitetail reproduction. A 2000-2001 study by the PA Turn To Fawn Page 13
April 2017
Fawn From Page 12
Game Commission revealed that fawn survival at 34 weeks of age was 52.9% in agricultural landscapes and only 37.9% in forested landscapes. This pattern holds up nationally, as well. QDMA research shows that the Midwest (primarily agricultural) has a fawn recruitment rate of .82 whereas the Northeast (primarily forested) has a rate of .48. Incidentally, the state with the highest rate was Kentucky (1.25) and the state with the lowest was Rhode Island (.20). Predators play a role, too, and I doubt you’ll find many researchers or hunters who won’t agree that predator populations are higher today than they were 20 years ago. In some areas, coyote populations have exploded. In other areas, black bears and bobcats are reaching historical highs, too. All of them prey on whitetail fawns. In the PGC study referenced above, 32.7% of fawn mortality was attributed to black bears and 36.7% to coyotes. Natural causes accounted for 27.4% of fawn mortality. Agencies monitor fawn recruitment in several ways. The primary tools are observation surveys, camera and spotlight surveys, monitoring lactation rates of ma-
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
ture does, and surveying the percentage of fawns that makes up the yearly harvest. For those of us interested in tracking fawn recruitment rates locally, personal observation and trail camera surveys are the most practical. Why should you monitor fawn recruitment rates in the areas you hunt? First of all, the more time you spend observing your local herd, the more you’ll learn about it, and that will positively affect your hunting skills. Any time in the woods is time well spent. Second, recruitment rates indicate the overall health of the local population. Maybe the deer just aren’t getting enough nutrition. You can help this by planting food plots this spring and summer. Also, make sure there are food sources available year round. It’s important to remember, too, that doe fawns must reach a certain body weight by fall to be physically able to breed and successfully give birth the following spring. Otherwise, that fawn won’t be bred during its first fall and will have to survive another year before having that opportunity. And third, it will help you decide how many – or if any – antlerless deer you may want to harvest from your property. Much of that, though, also depends on management goals set forth by you or
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Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Ralph Scherder
Time you spend observing your local herd, including the fawns, the more you’ll learn about it, and that will positively affect your hunting skills.
your state’s wildlife agency. However, just because you can purchase a tag to harvest a doe in your area doesn’t necessarily mean you should use it. State agencies place a fair amount of responsibility in the hands of hunters in that regard. They assume you’ll use the tag wisely and seek out those areas where whitetails are obviously overpopulated.
There are few things in the outdoors more magical or captivating than whitetail fawns. When you examine the data and find recruitment rates much lower than many folks realize, you get a new appreciation for everything they have to go through in order to survive and thrive. They certainly deserve our respect.
Send us your trophy photos
Bill Hall 147", 21-pt., crossbow Franklin County, OH
Also for our Photo Showcase
Connor Mayle turkey Trumbull County, OH
email to: ohvod@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com mail to: Photo Showcase 210 East 4th Street East Liverpool, OH 43920
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
April 2017
Consider Improving Your Property for Wildlife this Spring
Let’s face it, spring can be a time of mixed messages. Your heart is telling you it’s “TNT” season. You know, time to be afield eagerly pursuing trout and turkeys after a long By Col.(Ret.)Grey D. Berrier II winter. But then FIN Pro Staff there’s your head, along with all the TV and print advertisements, informing you it’s the right time to “weed & feed” and get busy on all the outdoor lawn and garden tasks that come with more daylight and warmer weather. Now, I never want to be accused of just piling on another man or woman’s To-Do-List, so let me just plant the seed of suggestion that there are several things you can be doing this spring to increase the long-term drawing power and holding capability of your property for wildlife. Who doesn’t want to have more wildlife present on their home grounds or hunting property year-round and especially desired game species when hunting seasons roll around several months down the road? By merely suggesting a few things you could be doing in late April, May, and early June before really hot summer weather arrives, you can possibly squeeze some of these tasks in between hunting spring turkeys, mowing the grass, and attending youth baseball or softball games. (It’s especially important to plan ahead if your hunting property is some distance away from your home and your time to work there is limited to a few sporadic weekends.) 1. Create Cover — I know the small 16-acre parcel that I call home is never going to be the primary residence of a large number of white-tailed deer or wild turkeys. But I’m blessed to live adjacent to almost 500 acres of PA State Game Lands and I’ve learned that if I create a small sanctuary with thick cover, “they will come” when hunting pressure gets high on the public ground. (I have few mounts on the wall harvested out behind the house to prove that logic.) Going back four years now, when I retired from the military at the end of February 2013, I spent a good bit of March 2013 adjusting to civilian life with a chainsaw in my hands. It was one of those long-term projects I previously OV Outdoor Times
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Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo by Grey D. Berrier II
Food plots are just one thing you can do to help attract wildlife to your property. The author created this food plot late last summer on his property and will soon be preparing the soil for its 2017 planting.
never had time to accomplish and suddenly found time was one of my available resources. Our property had been part of a much larger working farm that was abandoned back in the 1950’s, so our 11 acres of woods contained predominantly early successional species, like elm and locust, with intermittent black cherries, maples, and oaks. With many of the elms dead or dying from Dutch elm disease, I dropped the vast majority across our property, along with a significant portion of the locusts (which made hundreds of fence posts) to create an intertwined, tangled mass of boles and toppings. While it appeared rather unsightly when I was done, it opened up the forest canopy to enable the more desirable species to thrive and it created the thick cover desired by nesting turkeys and does having their fawns. I’ve found the best “buck magnets” come fall and the rut are having a few resident doe/fawn family groups that call your property home and creating abundant cover is a big factor in that equation. Plus, I’ve caught bucks bedded amongst the same mess of downed trees and toppings on numerous occasion. You can do the same thing on your property by dropping undesirable tree species and additional damaged or misshapen specimens of desired species that hold no economic value. If you haven’t considered the option before, you may want to contact a forester or logging operation about conducting a selective timber harvest on Turn To Property Page 15
April 2017
Property From Page 14
your property. You can benefit financially and while the immediate aftermath can look decimated, it will be a tremendous long-term improvement for wildlife. Remember, thick cover draws and holds wildlife as good habitat for daily living and as a sanctuary when they feel pressured by human presence. Time spent this spring creating cover can help make your property a preferred hideout come fall and winter. And a bonus is your cover will not only benefit big game, it will also attract and hold small game and song birds as well. 2. Plant Trees — Not only can you enhance your property for wildlife by felling trees, you can also plant desirable species in the openings you create in the forest canopy. While creating cover can have an immediate impact, think of planting trees as a long-term investment in your property. Here in Pennsylvania, the county conservation districts and the PA Game Commission offer annual seedling sales for property owners to take advantage of. (Agencies in Ohio and West Virginia offer similar seedling sales.) Additionally, there are a plethora of lawn & garden centers, nurseries, and on-line or mail order catalog options offering seedlings or potted saplings in a wide variety of species. Trees planted for wildlife typically fall into one of three categories: hard mast, soft mast, or cover. Hard mast are your acorns or nuts that are so eagerly consumed by deer, turkey, and a myriad of other wildlife. Last spring, I picked up 20 white oak bare root seedlings from the Lawrence County Conservation District to plant throughout our woods. As an experiment, I added two 6-foot potted chestnut saplings in the fall that I found at Rural King in Butler, PA. (American chestnut used to be the predominant hard mast for wildlife before the chestnut blight came through.) Hard mast plantings may take years or even decades to reach maturity, but once established they will be eagerly sought out by wildlife year after year. Their drawing power is worth the wait. Soft mast includes apples, pears, and a variety of other fruits and berries you may want to add to your property. Many soft mast trees are planted with the intention of harvesting some of the fruit for yourself and leaving the remainder for wildlife. This past year, we added two more apple tree saplings from the Lawrence County Conservation District to our ever-increasing small orchard. The pull of ripe apples becomes evident in late summer/early fall. I think we’ve
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
all encountered well-worn trails leading to abandoned apple trees out in the woods and intentionally planting soft mast trees where you want deer to come in the future should be part of your longterm plan. Finally, there are cover species that help provide wildlife with a hiding spot and serve as a much-needed windbreak in cold winter weather. This past year, I planted 40 Douglas Fir seedlings with those benefits in mind, but know it will be at least 5 to 7 years before wildlife starts to realize the value of our evergreens. Many a trophy whitetail has made it through hunting season hunkered down in thick evergreen windows and intentionally creating that habitat on your property helps bring him to you. Keep in mind that white-tailed deer are “small tree eating machines,” as New Castle native, Joe Hovis, the Wildlife Biologist at Fort Indiantown Gap, PA put it. Deer don’t understand your well-intentioned plantings of hard mast, soft mast, and cover species are put there for their long-term benefit. Subsequently, they will eagerly consume them as winter browse when your trees are mere seedlings. Thus, potentially negating all your hard work and expenses of planting those trees. To shield the deer from themselves, you’ll need to protect your seedlings and saplings with seedling sleeves, tree tubes, and/or caging material as soon as you plant them. (You may also need to initially stake them to help them grow straight. Keep these requirements and additional expenses in mind when you get your seedlings this spring for wildlife. 3. Prepare Food Plots — If trees represent long-term food source options to draw wildlife onto your property, then food plots fit the bill as a short-term investment that can potentially attract and hold wildlife this coming hunting season. The size of your property will determine if you talk of food plots in terms of acres or square feet, and correspondingly, will impact the tools you’ll need for the job of planting and maintaining them. Many individuals, whose food plots are measured in acres, run farming operations and have the necessary tractors, tillage tools, planters, and sprayers to work tending their food plots into their already busy schedules of getting all their crops planted. If you have sizable property managed just for hunting, you’ll have decisions to make on your food plot equipment needs. This may include purchasing a tractor or 4x4, and then acquiring the necessary tow-behind Turn To Property Page 16
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Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo courtesy of Metro Creative
Many soft mast trees are planted with the intention of harvesting some of the fruit for yourself and leaving the remainder for wildlife.
implements (i.e.: plow, disk, planter, sprayer, etc.) I consider myself a small-scale food plot grower and view my food plots as an extension of our two gardens. Combined the seven food plots I maintain
across our property total less than one acre, with the largest being roughly 25 ft. x 40 ft. or 1,000 sq. ft. My garden rototiller, hand-cranked broadcast spreader (for fertilizer and seed), and my landscaping rake are the tools of the trade.
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Property From Page 15
Your food plots may be even smaller and hand tools (rakes, hoes, and shovels) will be sufficient for the job. Food plot seeding mixtures can be found at most outdoor equipment retailers, lawn & garden centers, farm supply stores, and online. You’ll have to decide if you want to plant annual, biennial, or perennial varieties. Soil tests may be in order to determine lime and fertilizer requirements before the seeds go in the ground. Food plot seed bags will recommend optimal planting times for our temperature region, so it is wise to adhere to their guidance. Additionally, you’ll want to follow their instructions for broadcast density and seeding depth. I have numerous working farms within a one mile radius of our property and their alfalfa, clover, corn, and other crops help provide ample nutrition for the deer throughout the summer and early fall. I see my small food plots primarily as a potential whitetail food source for late fall and winter after most of the surrounding agricultural crops have already been harvested. I’ve planted a winter bulb & sugar beet mixture, and purple top turnips, the past few years to provide our local whitetails with
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
a consistent cold weather food source. Whether your food plots are the entire “back 40” or a mere 8-foot patch scratched out in the forest, you’ll need to decide: what you’re attempting to attract, when you plan on hunting over it, and what is the optimal seed to put down for your soil conditions. Food plots are not a panacea, but can be a significant piece of the puzzle in getting deer to come to your property on a regular basis. 4. Eradicate Undesirable Flora — Before everything completely greens up with the “spring flush”, it’s a good time to walk your property and work on removing those plant species you just don’t want to have there. The two primary targets on my ‘hit list” are poison ivy and multiflora rose. When we first moved in 18 years ago, some of our mature trees had poison ivy vines growing up them bigger than my wrist. I have progressively waged war to cut off any poison ivy vines I find that are pencil diameter or larger. I know many songbirds, squirrels, and even deer consume poison ivy berries and leaves, but I’ll sacrifice the potential wildlife nutrition for the peace of mind that my family members, friends, and I will not get a dreaded poison ivy rash whenever we
hunt, pick berries, or simply walk through our woods. While I would like to get rid of all the poison ivy on our property, I tolerate the invasive multiflora rose to a point. When it’s away from the trails and small, I consider it part of the thick cover and leave it alone. However, any multiflora rose bush near a trail that may reach out and rake me with its thorny stems when I’m walking or mowing the trails has got to go. Additionally, larger multiflora rose bushes that are taking over and potentially impeding my ability to gather firewood get lopped off at ground level. You’ll have to decide how much poison ivy and multiflora rose you’ll put up with on your property, and how much time and effort you’re willing to make it, and any other undesirable flora species, go away. Spring is an extremely busy time of year. If you’re a hunter and a property owner, you may want to invest some of your precious time, energy, and finances into making improvements that will attract more wildlife to your acreage. This may include creating cover, planting trees, and/or preparing food plots. While you are outdoors, it’s a good time to eradicate some of the undesirable flora that may be out there. All land is not cre-
April 2017
Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo courtesy of Metro Creative
Alfalfa (shown) and clover, corn, and other crops help provide ample nutrition for the deer throughout summer and early fall.
ated equal when it comes to attracting and holding wildlife. There are ways you can steadily improve the value of the wildlife habitat you own and hunt over. The choice is yours and has both shortterm and long-term ramifications.
April 2017
Deana Petersen 1st squirrel
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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PHOTO SHOWCASE SPONSORED BY
Hannah Petersen squirrel, 22 cal rifle
Dean Petersen 8-pt., opening day
John Forbes Jr. 11-pt., compound bow Morgan County, PA
Tom Rose 6-pt., gun season Licking County, OH
Send Us Your Photos
Chad Parker black bear Cameron County PA
Hunter Bengala, age 13 8-pt., youth season Mahoning County, OH
Sean Sarver, age 5 7-pt., 1st deer Ashtabula County, OH
We’ll print your hunting, fishing or trapping photos in the next issue of OV Times or Ohio Valley Outdoors magazine. Send photos via mail, email or Facebook. Email to: ohvod@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com Mail to: Photo Showcase 210 East Fourth St., East Liverpool, OH 43920
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Calendar of Events
Spring Turkey Shoots - Each Sunday (10 a.m.) at Chester-Newell Sportsmen’s Club. Signups start at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $3, $30 for pack of 10 shoots. $5 for money shoots. Stock & factory guns and tubes only. Paying 1st & 2nd place, cash prizes. Kids & ladies welcome. Located on Gas Valley Rd., behind Green Valley Dairy, between WV Route 8 and PA Route 18. For info. call 330-383-1886, or 304-374-5587. Old Fashion Style Turkey Shoot Each Sunday until further notice at Beaver Creek Sportsman Club, 14480
JOIN
OVO
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Washingtonville Road, Washingtonville, OH. Field stock guns, .680 choke max., scopes permitted, meat and money rounds, shooting 60’. $3 per round, 1 p.m. start time. For info. contact Tom Brunner 330-692-6577 or email:tbrunner1020@gmail.com. Yellow Creek Long Rifles Shoots Every second Sunday of the month at noon, except August. Black powder, patch round ball and open iron sights only. Trail walks have 15-20 shots. For more info. call Dennis at 330-738-6002 or Gary at 330-853-4979. 3D Archery Shoots - April 22-23; May 27-28; June 24-25; July 22-23; Aug. 2627 and Sept. 16-17 at Lake Milton Fish &
ON THE NET:
Game Club. Sat. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Cost $10, cubs $5. Breakfast and lunch served. Crossbows permitted, no rangefinders. Contact David Puz at 330-240-8128 or Dennis Dabney at 330-414-5795. Outdoor 3-D Archery - April 16; May 21; June 18; July 8-9, ASA Qualifier; July 1; Aug. 20; Sept. 17 at Mosquito Bowmen Archery Club, 2535 McCleary Jacoby Rd., Cortland, OH 44410. Reg. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 30 target course. Public invited. Field points only. $10, cubs free w/adult. Website: www.mosquitobowmen .com or email: info@mosquitobowmen .com. Walleye Madness Tournaments -
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April 2017
May 7 at Salt Fork Lake; May 21 at Mosquito Lake; June 24 at Lake Erie-Geneva and August 19 at Lake Erie-Conneaut. 100% payback, no membership fees. $150 entry fee. Visit www.walleyemadness.net for entry deadlines and registration forms or call 580765-2319. Trap Shoots - Regular trap shoots (open to public) held each Weds. and Sun. Sporting clays held fourth Sunday of month at Columbiana County Fish and Game Assoc. at 45716 Middle Beaver Road, Lisbon, OH 44432. For info. contact Mike Giambroni at 330-383-2552 or visit www.columbianacountyfishandga me.com.