Summer 2015 whitetales

Y

R th 35 RSA E

IV NN

A

Faster Than A Speeding Arrow

By Bob Humphrey

Candy Crops for Hunting Plots

By Todd Amenrud

Made in USA SHIPPED FULLY ASSEMBLED!

33"

42"

69"

6.5'

13"

12"

29"

6'

6'

TRANSFORM THE WAY YOU HUNT MODEL BBA-B10

MUDDY

TOWER KIT!

MODEL BBB4000

THE

BULL

SIMPLE ONE-HANDED OPERATION

TWIST LATCH OPEN

RAISE WINDOW

LIFT SPRING LOCK

SECURE

THERMA-TEK: INNOVATIVE STRUCTURAL INSULATED DESIGN PROVIDES ULTIMATE THERMAL CONTROL, SCENT CONTROL, AND NOISE CONTROL! NON-SLIP STEPS & PLATFORM

GOMUDDY.COM Premier Outdoor Equipment, LLC. PO Box 454, Windom, MN 56101, Toll Free: 844-745-7723

OUT HERE, EVERYONE RIDES SHOTGUN. WELCOME TO CAT COUNTRY

INTRODUCING THE ALL-NEW HUNTING LINEUP. Now there are two ways to haul hunting gear.

The Prowler® HDX™ Side by Side has 1,000-lb. cargo capacity and three-rider bench seating. Or try the new XR ATV with its eye-catching styling and new anti-slip SpeedRack® II system. Both machines have 2WD/4WD with front differential lock and are available with camo finishes and loads of accessories. Hunt one down in Cat Country. Learn more at arcticcat.com.

ATVs and ROVs can be hazardous to operate. Improper use can cause severe injury or death. Each rider must wear a seat belt (on ROVs), an approved helmet, eye protection and protective clothing; use handholds/steering wheel and stay completely inside the vehicle. ROV operators must have a valid driver’s license (no operators under age 16) and all riders must be able to sit with their back against the seat, feet flat on the floor and hands on handholds/steering wheel. Each rider must read and understand the operator’s manual before riding. Follow all instructions and warnings. Avoid abrupt maneuvers, paved surfaces, hard acceleration when turning, and sidehilling; slow down before entering a turn. Never engage in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speeds and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Never carry a passenger in the cargo box or exceed seating capacity on an ROV; never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV. The minimum operator age is 16 for ATVs, 14 on a 150 model, and over 12 on the 90 and DVX 90. Only ride an ATV that is right for your age. Supervise riders younger than 16. Never operate on public roads unless designated for off-highway vehicle access — collisions with cars and trucks can occur. Never drive or ride under influence of alcohol or drugs. Do not shoot from or lean firearms or bows against the ATV or ROV. Arctic Cat recommends that all riders take a training course. For safety and training information in the U.S., call the ATV Safety Institute at (800) 887-2887. In Canada, call the Canada Safety Council at (613) 739-1535 or see your dealer. For ROV training visit www.rohva.org.

Along with concerned conservationists everywhere, Arctic Cat urges you to “Tread Lightly” on public and private lands. Ride only on designated areas or trails. Preserve your future riding opportunities by showing respect for the environment, local laws and the rights of others when riding. Arctic Cat,® HDX,™ Prowler,® Share Our Passion™ and SpeedRack® are trademarks or registered trademarks of Arctic Cat Inc. ©2014 Arctic Cat Sales Inc., Thief River Falls, MN 56701. Arctic Cat ATVs and Side by Sides (ROVs) are world-class products from Arctic Cat Inc.

About this

Issue

All for the love of...

Although it is not listed in our table of contents, this issue contains one of the most heartfelt articles Whitetales has ever published. Using a title fashioned after legendary singer Johnny Horton’s late ‘50s song, “All for the Love of a Girl,” Carol Boynton, editor of the Lewiston Journal, writes a piece about loyal MDHA member Sheril Speltz, who in memory of her passed away son, has for the last seven years donated a huge package to MDHA’s Witoka MDHA banquet (see page 26).

As in Johnny’s lamenting song, Sheril talks about being “weary, blue, sad and broken hearted.” She also echoes Johnny when she got to the breaking point and questioned, “Now you’ve gone and left me, where do I belong?”

In the eye of the sadness storm, however, Mrs. Speltz found something that gave truth to the axiom that “every cloud has a silver lining.” Among other things, she found the MDHA. In MDHA, she discovered a peace that she describes (in her words) while remembering her son’s wonderful happiness in his first deer, “When I go out hunting, the first thing I do is say a prayer for my late son and that he will be with me in a safe hunt.” She also adds her grandson’s prayer, “I hope I get a buck like my dad did.”

That’s what MDHA is all about. We are “all for the love of deer and deer hunting.”

Sometimes we might have to bristle a bit like Executive Director Craig Enwall does in his “Outlook” when he says, “Strong words, but necessary,” but our objective is all about what our State President Denis Quarberg asks us to do: “Help MDHA help hunting.” The ultimate volunteer, Denis says, “Be sure to “Make time to take in all our land has to offer and then join MDHA so we all can have that opportunity.”

In this issue, listen to Ed Schmidt’s pep talk in his longtime “Bucksense” where he crows about MDHA’s longstanding acronym of PEPP (people, events, projects, programs).

Follow as our legislative involvement, via our lobbyist Cory Bennett, traverses the legislative process where MDHA fights on through anti-hunting’s well-funded adversarial whitewaters.

Then, because hunting is what we are all about, we delve into our hunting features, especially this issue’s bow hunting focus, with exceptional world class articles about “Boring Broadheads,” “Tree Stand Care and Repair, 101,” and arrow speed in “Faster Than a Speeding Bullet.”

But enough about the mechanics, this issue informs you how to “accessorize” our hunts in “Accessorizing our Rides with Radco,” to “Managing our Deer Herds,” to “Itching to Build Smokepoles” (historic muzzleloaders) to the magical world of “Candy Crops for Hunting Plots” to eating and enjoying “What’s Cookin’.”

Along the way, we look into “Around the State” and see what our incredible chapters, our lifelines, have done. What they do is what we will become. They are awesome. Finally, not only thank, but also buy from those businesses that support MDHA, recruit members, and again as MDHA State President Denis Quarberg says, “Help us help hunting.” Also remember to not only tell kids about hunting and fishing, but also take them…

Whitetails Forever, Co-Editors and Founders, Rod Dimich and Ed Schmidt

2

Whitetales is the official magazine of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, a tax-exempt, non-profit organization dedicated to improving Minnesota’s whitetail deer population. The MDHA is exempt under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code.

Whitetales effectively communicates MDHA’s chief purpose “working for tomorrow’s wildlife and hunters today.” Articles and photographs portray the beauty, value and importance of whitetail deer while relating to the thrill of hunting the species. If you have a service or a product that appeals to deer hunters and enthusiasts, Whitetales is the best advertising medium available.

The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association is pleased to present a variety of views in Whitetales magazine. The intent is to inform readers and encourage healthy discussions of important wildlife and conservation issues. The statements and opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the view of Whitetales or MDHA. Likewise, the appearance of advertisers or their identification as members of MDHA does not constitute an endorsement.

The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association welcomes suggestions and contributions from readers. All materials: manuscripts, artwork and photographs must be electronically sent. Send all articles and letters to bri@mndeerhunters.com. Letters should be a maximum of 150 words, articles a maximum of 500-800 words. If a reprint from a newspaper is submitted, permission must be obtained and an electronic copy must be sent. The publisher assumes no responsibility for unsolicited materials.

Whitetales | SUM ME R 2015

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

PRESIDENT Denis Quarberg > denisquarberg@mndeerhunters.com

VICE PRESIDENT Doug Appelgren > dougappelgren@mndeerhunters.com SECRETARY Mark Strege > markstrege@mndeerhunters.com TREASURER Wayne Johnson > superior@frontiernet.net

AT-LARGE DIRECTOR John Erlandson, Sr. > johnsr@ciacambridge.com REGIONAL DIRECTORS REGION ONE Kim Murphy >

chief_murphy@hotmail.com

REGION TWO OPEN

REGION THREE Brad Trevena >

btrevena@mnpower.com

REGION SEVEN Erv Krosch >

ervkrosch@live.com

REGION EIGHT Dustin Shourds >

dustinshourds@mndeerhunters.com

REGION NINE Mark Burley >

markburley@mndeerhunters.com

REGION FOUR John Edinger >

REGION TEN Mark Lueck >

lodrmr@gmail.com

thompson.gary58@yahoo.com

cedinger@q.com

REGION FIVE Peter Lodermeier > REGION SIX Stephen Ranallo >

steveranallo@mndeerhunters.com

MDHA STAFF

marklueck@mndeerhunters.com

REGION ELEVEN Gary Thompson > REGION TWELVE Jim Vogen >

Robvog21@aol.com

REGION THIRTEEN Michael Burley >

michaelburley@mndeerhunters.com

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Craig Engwall > craige@mndeerhunters.com COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Bri Stacklie > bri@mndeerhunters.com

MERCHANDISE/MARKETING Josh Salisbury > josh@mndeerhunters.com ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES Gabe Gropp > gabe@mndeerhunters.com ACCOUNTING Jean Frank > jean@mndeerhunters.com

MEMBERSHIP Kim Washburn > kim@mndeerhunters.com

WAREHOUSE Rita Harthan > warehouse@mndeerhunters.com GRANTS COORDINATOR Jenny Foley > jenny@mndeerhunters.com OFFICE MANAGER /GRANTS MANAGER Kim Nelson > kimn@mndeerhunters.com CHAPTER COORDINATOR Becca Kent > becca@mndeerhunters.com

PUBLISHER > Minnesota Deer Hunters Association 460 Peterson Road | Grand Rapids, MN 55744 800.450.DEER (MN) / p: 218.327.1103 / f: 218.327.1349 CO-EDITORS > Ed Schmidt and Rod Dimich

LAYOUT, DESIGN & PRINTING > Range, Inc. | www.rangedelivers.com | Brainerd, MN ADVERTISING > Josh Salisbury josh@mndeerhunters.com / 218.327.1103 x 17

Contents

RY

th

35 ERSA IV N

AN

SUMMER 2015

Faster Than A Speeding Arrow

By Bob Humphrey

Candy Crops for Hunting Plots

By Todd Amenrud

ABOUT THE COVER

A Sunset Shoot — photo by Tammie Schreiber / Carpe Diem Photography.

Departments

From the President’s Stand . . . 4 The Outlook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Minnesota Bucksense . . . . . . . . . . 6 Capitol Comments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Around the State. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 MDHA Store. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 What’s Cookin’? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Hidden Object Contest . . . . . . . 54 Daylight in the Swamp . . . . . . . 56 IN THIS ISSUE

Duty, Dedication and Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Aaron Bauer

Tips for Accessorizing Your Ride . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Radco

Tips & Treasures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Rod Dimich & Ed Schmidt

Member Story: Sitting on the East Line . . . . . . 50 James Kleinke

Gizmos, Gadgets, Garments & Gear . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

10 14 30 34 38 44

F E AT U R E S

Boring Broadheads

By Gord Nuttall

Managing Minnesota’s Deer

By Joe Albert

30

PHOTO BY ED SCHMIDT

IN EVERY ISSUE

The Itch to Build – Muzzleloading Kits

By John W. Hayes

Tree Stand Care and Repair 101

By Michael D. Faw

Faster Than a Speeding Arrow

By Bob Humphrey

Candy Crops for Hunting Plots

By Todd Amenrud

MDHA affiliates:

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

3

Denis Quarberg

> FROM THE

President’s Stand

MDHA PRESIDENT

HELP MDHA HELP HUNTING As summer arrives my mind drifts back to last fall’s archery deer season. The darkness was disappearing into daylight like smoke in the wind. I was comfortably seated in my stand. Overlooking the grass waterway adjacent to the cornfield I had the perfect vantage point to see anything that came to feed.

My thoughts rambled, but in good directions. How would we rebuild our Minnesota deer herd? What changes and sacrifices were we willing to make in order to restore our population? Would we experience a mild winter or harsh ones like the last two? Was the wolf going to be back in control of the DNR? Yes, there was and still are lots of questions out there, questions that need answers. One thing we do know, however, is positive changes will happen because of YOU and our fellow MDHA members.

Together we can make changes and correct things that need correcting and leave the ones that don’t alone.

The one thing, of course, that is out of our control is the weather. On the other hand, what we can do is make changes to make the winter more tolerable to our deer herd. You may be thinking, “What is he talking about?” Actually, it’s pretty simple: food plots, shrub plantings, treeplantings. And it is not too late for those late summer plantings. Deer need fall nutrients to help them bulk up prior to the long winter.

Plantings are not just for spring. A late summer planting of brassicas, tubers, winter wheat makes for excellent fall crops for deer. Planting these fall plots can do a lot for the overall condition of our deer

4

Whitetales | SUM ME R 2015

as they enter into the cold season. Good food is a key to keeping the herd healthy, especially going into winter. Fawns, of course, are the most winter vulnerable.

Planting these plots provides more nutrients for them and that just might make the difference between survival and not surviving. As I have said before, it is up to US to make things happen.

We need to also make sure we recruit more members so we have a strong voice at the legislature, the DNR, and all forms of government. Our former State President, John Earlandson, coined the slogan “Just ask and collect no’s.” Have we forgotten?

Did you recruit someone into hunting this year, and are you going to this fall? Did you sign up that new MDHA member? The challenge is that every member needs to recruit at least one new member each year.

One technique is to ask someone to help in one of the projects your chapter works on. Engaging people, especially if they have kids, is a way of not only maintaining, but also growing your chapter.

When the challenges of DNR Deer Goal Setting wound down, we started to formulate a plan to establish a Long Range Deer Plan. We needed to look to the future and decide what was needed to maintain a herd that is huntable, yet not to the point of being a problem. Executive Director Craig Engwall and I meet with the DNR and received a commitment that something will be completed within the next year.

Back to my opening story. With daylight increasing every minute, I could see the grass waterway was void of any game. The birds were starting to move. It

wouldn’t be long until the squirrels would be up and scurrying about. These are the joys of hunting, the juxtaposition of quiet and nature’s choirs, the wonderment of what the sunrise will bring and what is about to crest the landscape.

The dew is glistening on the corn leaves. Suddenly, there is movement in the corn and excitement sets all of my senses on high alert. It is the doe and her fawn, out into the grass for a few more mouthfuls of grass before settling down for the day. They are only in the grass for about two minutes and then back into the seclusion of the cornfield.

The early season hunting is so relaxing and pleasurable. I guess that is why bow hunting has appealed to me. It has so much less pressure. Be sure to make time to take in all that our land has to offer.

And when you are totally convinced of its importance, join MDHA as a member or volunteer and help us help hunting.

the OUTLOOK Craig Engwall | MDHA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

STRONG WORDS, YES, BUT NECESSARY Summer greetings! In my relatively short time as Executive Director of MDHA, it hasn’t taken me long to realize what a difference we can make when we work together on behalf of Minnesota’s deer and deer hunters. I would like to take this opportunity to look at a specific example where MDHA has been particularly active and where we will be significantly influential.

Management of Minnesota’s deer population has always been an important issue to MDHA, but it is particularly important now following the miserable winter of 2013-14. Naturally, winter played a very significant part in Minnesota’s 2014 deer harvest being the lowest it has for many decades, but human decisions in how to manage the deer herd also played a part. MDHA, in its role as advocate for Minnesota’s deer hunters, questioned previous decisions with respect to the high number of antlerless permits issued by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and urged DNR to take a much more conservative management approach prospectively.

MDHA President Denis Quarberg and I met with DNR Commissioner Landwehr and top DNR staff in late February to discuss deer management. At MDHA’s urging, Commissioner Landwehr agreed to three important points: (1) DNR would take a very conservative management approach for the 2015 deer season (2) DNR would develop a statewide deer management plan with the participation of MDHA and other stakeholders and (3) the deer plan would include a statewide harvest goal (MDHA has been advocating for an annual harvest goal of 225,000).

MDHA and DNR agreed that the process

to develop a deer management plan should begin following DNR’s 2015 deer population goal setting process.

Much to our disappointment, DNR’s goal setting process did not carry forward the momentum that had been gained in our meeting with Commissioner Landwehr. MDHA participants expressed uniform frustration with the process, most particularly regarding two aspects: teams could not make a recommendation unless 80% of the team members handpicked by DNR agreed to the recommendation and teams could not recommend population increases above 50%, despite the brutal winter and its subsequent damage to the deer herd.

Our significant dissatisfaction with DNR’s goal setting process led me, on behalf of MDHA, to send a strongly-worded letter to DNR outlining specific concerns, calling into question DNR’s current approach, and suggesting that they consider revamping their process. With respect to DNR’s refusal to consider goals for population increases above 50% in any deer permit areas, my letter stated, “The failure of DNR to even strive for increases above 50% reflects a self-defeating attitude that is not remotely responsive to the desires of Minnesota’s deer hunters.” Strong words, yes, but very necessary. DNR’s goal setting process completely failed to carry forward the positive energy that had resulted from our meeting with Commissioner Landwehr in February. MDHA, in its role as advocate for Minnesota’s deer hunters, must stand up for the hunter, even when it’s uncomfortable.

DNR’s response to the letter only compounded the frustrations. In essence,

the response stated that DNR intended to stay the course on its process without regard to the concerns raised by MDHA. Consequently, on behalf of MDHA, we replied that our frustrations and concerns could only be addressed by the Commissioner himself. The series of correspondence between MDHA and DNR can be viewed on the MDHA website at www.mndeerhunters.com.

MDHA’s consistent advocacy on this issue has been a significant catalyst in increasing the attention paid to DNR’s deer management. MDHA members, other deer hunters and now legislators have been voicing their collective concerns over how Minnesota’s deer are being managed. In response to these concerns, the Minnesota Legislative Auditor will be conducting an audit of DNR’s deer management practices.

MDHA will be actively participating in the audit.

While MDHA is anxious to have DNR begin the process of developing a statewide deer management plan, it would be premature to do so before the findings and recommendations of the Legislative Auditor can be utilized to guide that planning process. Consequently, MDHA has written Commissioner Landwehr asking him to delay the development of a deer plan until the Legislative Auditor has concluded his audit of DNR deer management. It was also stressed that DNR should take a very conservative deer management approach in the interim.

MDHA has accomplished much, but there is much to be done. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to work with all of you as we advocate on behalf of Minnesota’s deer and deer hunters.

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

5

Minnesota Bucksense

BY ED SCHMIDT

>An MDHA PEPP Talk Given the opportunity to address the MDHA Corporate Board in February in Grand Rapids the day of our State Habitat Banquet, I chose to focus on the value of MDHA members, chapters, officers and directors. This was in lieu of a historical

overview of the association even though the two topics melded together quite well.

As our 35th anniversary unfolded this year, it has been noted and highlighted that it is our members who made MDHA so successful, hence my PEPP Talk acronym.

People-Events-Projects-Programs fits our original MDHA four objectives—Hunting, Habitat, Education and Legislation.

PEOPLE: MDHA’s membership has vacillated over the years between 1,000 in our first year of 1980 to a peak of 22,000 and has now settled to our current membership around 15,000. This is all due to the hard work of a lot of people dedicated to making MDHA a viable conservation organization. In our 35th year, I would say we made it.

Founders like Dave Shaw, Jim Lang, Paul Shaw, Don Wendt, George Minerich, Wes Libbey, Rod Dimich, and I got additional inspiration in the creation of MDHA from sideline people like Milt Stenlund, Wayne Jacobson, Sr., Claude Titus, Bob Chesness and Jay Janacek to name a few. In the devastating winter of 1968–69 many of them gathered frozen deer carcasses in Jim Lang’s pickup truck and took them to the state capitol steps to emphasize the need for better management regarding to the forest zone’s deer herd, especially in habitat.

“Save Minnesota Deer” was not only the precursor to, but the inspiration for, establishing a statewide deer hunter’s organization. In 1980 the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) was born.

Now thirty-five years later, our MDHA people are still leading the charge to protect and enhance our hunting heritage.

MDHA volunteers and camp staff are still educating youth who attend Forkhorn Camps across the state. Our 64 chapters are made up of grassroots membership

6

Whitetales | SUM ME R 2015

Annual director’s meeting at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve. intent on extending our hunting heritage into the future. It should be noted Harold Burley, original member #16, became a member in 1980 at the first annual meeting in Grand Rapids. Later, Harold helped start the North Suburban Chapter and became a state director. His leadership expanded when he and John Finnegan (Wadena) became statewide banquet coordinators—with the slogan “Morein-’84.” In 1992, Harold was elected state president and served for two terms and was elected again in 1996 for two more terms. The MDHA Burley heritage of MDHA leadership continued with his son Mark being elected Region 9 Director and now his grandson Michael has assumed the directorship of Region 13. Harold’s wife and son Greg are also very active in the events pertaining to MDHA.

Three generations of MDHA Burleys — Mark, Evelyn, Harold, Michael and Greg in the back.

EVENTS: MDHA chapters have always created events designed to involve more people. Events such as field days for youth, banquet fundraisers, MDHA

booths at county fairs, floats at parades and banquets. Over the years, hundreds of members have worked these events to promote MDHA and its objectives. With the innovation and talents of MDHA’s first Executive Director, John Kvasnicka, the event category blossomed. John initiated a statewide “Day with the Twins” where busloads of MDHA members, dressed in blaze orange converged into a designated section of the Metrodome. John worked with chapters to expand and improve MDHA’s visibility in booths at home shows, county fairs and builder/trade shows then to the big time: the Minnesota Deer Classic. It was John K. who began the Statewide Habitat Banquets that continue today. Later, he orchestrated a series of Whitetail Deer Expos—Duluth, Rochester, Alexandria and Minneapolis to showcase MDHA and Minnesota’s hunting heritage.

Volunteers promoting MDHA at the Minnesota Deer Classic.

For twenty years the MDHA sponsored an annual wildlife art contest.

This event and its lucrative prizes drew well known artists from across the United States and Canada. The North Suburban Chapter members took this on as one of their events (see MDHA Treasures page 48). Each print sold generated funds for education and research. Another example of an annual event is the Itasca Chapter’s “Cabin Fever Reliever” held in the late doldrums of winter. This event consists of wildlife specialists, outdoor writers such as Sam Cook of the Duluth Tribune, legislators, and foresters. The Four Seasons Meat Market, Bovey/Coleraine, Minnesota,

program, a recycling program, which has generated millions of dollars for local and statewide habitat projects.

When the WSI (winter severity index, an indicator of stress on whitetail deer was too high), MDHA initiated Emergency Youth art contest display. provides an incredible full buffet of mouthwatering venison sausages, stew, jerky, bacon and other savory food complements for attendees.

PROJECTS: I feel organizations or even deer camps should have meaningful projects so each member feels part of the whole group. I enjoy reading about chapters involving youth in roadside clean ups, tree planting or developing food plots, purchasing land to create wildlife management areas for the betterment of deer and the hunter. Shooting ranges, 3-D archery ranges, sporting clays and youth field days are a few more projects being accomplished by chapters. A project concept developed in the ‘90s was the Whitetail Resource Center. This center would have been comparable to the International Wolf Center in Ely, but would have portrayed the whitetail deer as a huntable and renewable resource.

This project did not reach fruition for a

Aitkin County Chapter youths assisting in browse cutting an area where deer were stressed. number of political reasons, but it is still conceptually viable and maybe even more today and waiting for the proper time and place to occur.

PROGRAMS: In1984, the Wadena Chapter initiated the Hides-for-Habitat

Deer hunters waiting to load deer pellets provided by MDHA’s Emergency Winter Deer Feeding Program.

Hides being graded and bundled for shipping to processor.

Deer Feeding Programs. Even though there were conflicting philosophies with the MN DNR regarding interfering with nature, MDHA felt strongly (and was founded on the principle) that it is advantageous to emergency winter feed our deer. In fact, around 1996 MDHA pushed for (with Senator Bob Lessard) a $.50 fee to be added to the purchase of deer hunting license to be put into a fund to feed deer when necessary. This legislation was easily passed.

First art print winner 1983 Cautious Approach by Michael Sieve.

Other programs meeting the education objective include MDHA’s Forkhorn Camps, Large Mammal Curriculum boxes for schools, and wildlife symposiums. Through their fundraisers chapters provide scholarships for kids to attend the camps. The first such camp was

held at Deep Portage Conservation Reserve in 1985 with 25 students gaining their firearm safety certification along with hunting/outdoor skills, ethics and wildlife management information during their six-day encampment. Currently, over 850 youth attend seven camps located around the state annually.

Forkhorns instructed by MDHA volunteers and camp staff.

MDHA is still full of PEPP. Its accomplishments, its enthusiastic and dedicated people, its special events, well designed projects and educational programs have been recognized nationally and modeled by other organizations.

Remember, having a viable and functioning organization takes leaders, organizers and followers, where each individual has an equal and significant role. If you visualize an equilateral triangle with the apexes being the three equal components, your organization will be strong. MDHA has learned over the past 35 years that those chapters and members who have the PEPP are the most productive and those who meet the organization’s mission— “MDHA…Working for Tomorrow’s Wildlife and Hunters Today!”

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

7

CAPITOL COMMENTS

BY CORY R. BENNETT, MDHA LOBBYIST

Low Deer Numbers Prompt Changes In recent years, hunters in certain parts of the state of Minnesota have raised concerns over the low number of deer harvested and the accuracy of the DNR’s deer population estimates. They have also expressed dissatisfaction with the availability of information on the DNR’s deer management program.

8

shall only conduct evaluations approved by the commission.

Recently, reacting to concerns raised by legislators and deer audit advocates, the Legislative Audit Commission directed the Office of the Legislature Auditor (OLA) to conduct an audit of the Department of Natural Resources deer population management processes.

In response to requests According to the OLA from the Minnesota Deer program evaluation, issues Hunters Association and the could include: concerns of others, the DNR 1. How does the DNR has agreed to set hunting estimate and monitor regulations for the 2014 season Minnesota’s deer population that were meant to increase Regional Director Mark Burley with Kurt Daudt, Speaker, MN House and how do these methods deer populations, and it plans to of Representatives. compare with other estimation use a similar approach for 2015. agencies and programs, but also audits and monitoring approaches?

The DNR also agreed to develop a deer three metropolitan agencies and selectively 2. How does the DNR establish the management plan, providing hunters with reviews programs that are administered state’s deer population goals and how does more information about the DNR’s deer locally. Financial audits of local units of this compare with methods used by other management process, and setting a future government are the responsibility of the states? statewide deer harvest goal of 200,000 plus. State Auditor, an elected office established 3. To what extent does the DNR’s deer Some representatives from the in the Minnesota Constitution. population goals reflect an appropriate hunting community are interested The Legislative Audit Commission balance between stakeholder interests? in having the Office of the Legislative (LAC) directs the OLA on issues they Assessing the DNR’s deer population Auditor (OLA) evaluate the DNR’s deer would like audited in a given year’s time. estimates will require some technical population management processes. The The LAC is a bi-partisan commission expertise and it would likely involve testing OLA is a professional, nonpartisan audit with six members from the House of the DNR’s statistical model to changing and evaluation office within the legislative Representatives and six from the Senate, conditions. To conduct this evaluation, the branch of Minnesota state government. equally divided between the majority and OLA may need to follow in Wisconsin’s The office is under the direction of the minority parties. The commission appoints footsteps and hire an independent, third Legislative Auditor, who is appointed by the Legislative Auditor and selects topics party consultant familiar with the various the Legislative Audit Commission. The for the Program Evaluation Division to OLA’s principal goal is to provide the review. It also periodically holds hearings to factors inherent to estimating wildlife populations.

Legislature, agencies, and the public with review audit and evaluation reports.

Examining the way the DNR audit and evaluation reports that are Topics may include any agency, incorporates stakeholder input into its accurate, objective, timely, and useful. program, or activity established by law deer population goal-setting process Through its reports, the office seeks to or any topic that affects the operation could provide useful information on how strengthen accountability and promote of state government. Legislators and equitable the deer management process is good management in government. legislative committees may suggest topics to the deer hunting community.

The OLA focuses primarily on state for evaluation, but the Legislative Auditor

Whitetales | SUMME R 2015

• APPLY IT... DRY IT... AND GO HUNT!

TM

• HUNT DRY TECHNOLOGY TM

Scientifically formulated to last longer.

• ORIGINALLY ONLY AVAILABLE TO HUNTING INDUSTRY INSIDERS • FRESH AND SUPER PREMIUM – ON A LEVEL OF IT’s OWN!

100% Money-back guaranteed! * The color gold for a cap is a registered trademark of Wildlife Research Center, inc. * The color gold for a bottle is a registered trademark of Wildlife Research Center, inc.

www.wildlife.com

BY GORD NUTTALL

In 2013, Flying Arrow Archery came out with a radical 6 blade fixed broadhead called TOXIC. Until this design, broadheads always sliced game, with 2, 3 or 4 blades, but these heads bored holes.

10

The coring action of the blade design produces clover like wound channels. Looking straight at the broadhead, it appears similar to the biohazard safety symbol, likely where the name toxic came from. With a chisel tip, the innovative design with 7/8” cutting diameter and 5” of cutting surface is like nothing ever seen before in broadhead design.

boring capability. No test was more popular than the 4-liter milk jug test showing the toxic’s ability to drain liquid three times faster than the next leading broadhead. The milk jug test showed the concept of punching a cloverleaf shape hole in a membrane as opposed to slicing it. It makes perfect sense that a membrane with a 7/8” inch hole will drain out quicker than a slice that doesn’t

Introduced at the ATA show in January 2013, there were many tests done over the following summer by various individuals showcasing the broadhead’s durability, strength, accuracy and

remove any of the membrane and self closes from the pressure inside the cell (milk jug). Either way, it is an interesting concept with impressive results. I couldn’t wait to try them.

I test each and every arrow (complete with dull practice broadhead) wearing my hunting clothing at three different distances — 25, 35 and 45 yards. Assuming the point of impact

Whitetales | SUMMER 2 0 1 5

(POI) was the same as my point of aim (POA) at each distance, I swap out the head for a razor sharp one and into my quiver it goes, ready for the hunt. The one complaint I had about these broadheads is how destructive they are on my foam targets. The penetration was deeper than other 3 blade fixed broadheads. When I retrieved the toxics, much of the foam came with the head leaving a large hole in my target.

I’m not one for 45-gallon steel drum and plywood durability tests. To me, shot placement is critical in bowhunting and if a broadhead is sharp and can fly straight from my bow, it’s good enough for me to use on game. And that’s exactly what I did in the fall of 2013 on a whitetail deer and on two different bears in the spring of 2014. Three shots, three blood trails and three recoveries, all less than 100 yards. This is how it went with by PSE thunderbolt set to 67 lbs draw.

It was a late season hunt, post rut, and a herd of four does came right into range without any coaxing. The lead doe never settled in a shooting lane, so she passed by unharmed. The same scenario repeated for the second doe. However, the third doe

stopped, quartering away from me at about 15 yards. I drew back from my tree stand, aimed at the last rib and released the 100gr toxic broadhead screwed onto the end of my arrow. The point of impact was a little higher than expected, below the back straps and penetration was approximately half the arrow. The shot hurt her and she struggled a few yards before vanishing into some conifer trees. Blood trails in snow are always easy to follow and this was no exception. The doe went only 10 yards and tipped over. While processing, I examined the wound channel and was surprised at the lack of penetration on such a young small animal. I didn’t hit any bone, yet the broadhead didn’t even make it through the entire body cavity. Upon looking at the broadhead, I found a lot of tissue jammed in between the blades. The season ended a few days later and it wasn’t until spring bear hunting this year that I was able to try them again.

I ended up harvesting two black bears with the toxic tips. The first bear was an 8-yard shot from a tree stand on a mature Pope & Young boar. The arrow penetrated only about half way.

I watched the bear run for 80 yards before disappearing out of sight. I was a little concerned and waited a good hour before taking up the trail. Again, the blood trail exists, but this time in the form of drops only — one or two every yard or so.

As I crested the knoll where I had lost sight of the bear, the blood trail continued down the other side and there, piled up against a willow bush was my black bear, arrow still in him.

Per usual, I inspected the wound channel while skinning him and I didn’t hit a rib, but once again found lots of tissue and coagulated blood jammed into the cutting ring of the blade sets. I was glad to find that bear, but once again I would have pursued sooner had the penetration been deeper on such a close broadside shot.

My last kill with these broadheads was a blood bath. I wasn’t planning on shooting this sow, but she wouldn’t leave me alone.

She kept false charging me and stomping at me while my ATV was running near a bait site where I was trying to setup a tree stand.

I had an arrow knocked and my bear spray ready. The ATV was

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

11

In the end, each bowhunt had a blood trail, a single shot and a short recovery - the exact performance we all want from a broadhead. I’m not the only one who had concerns regarding penetration. The bevel of the blade lends itself to pull more material into the cutting ring, jamming it up and slowing the arrow down.

also positioned between us. The sow was aggressive and showed no signs of backing off. I told myself if she got to within 10 yards, I’d let her have it. It didn’t take long. There were a couple more false charges and groaning while she stared me down the entire time. After she moved her leading leg forward one last time after stomping the ground I tucked the arrow right behind her shoulder, through some of the muscle and completely passing through. It was a quick kill, but not clean - there was blood everywhere. She spun around instantly after groaning and dashed 15 yards before rolling a few times over into a log.

12

Whitetales | SUMMER 2 0 1 5

In addition, 6 blades mean that much more friction. Flying Arrow Archery received some of this feedback, took it under consideration and released a new product in 2014 - the Cyclone. They claim is the best of both worlds - fixed blades with a twist to create a churning action upon entry. Will the 3 blades punch holes like the 6 blades on animals? Only time will tell. They are in my quiver now for some bowhunts after boring some more holes in my Rinehart 18-sided target. I’m sure I’ll see blood soon from them.

TRY OUT THE APP

FREE

FOR 7 DAYS & RECEIVE

USE PROMO CODE MDHA50 AT CHECKOUT* Search for ‘onXmaps’ to start your FREE trial *must be ordered through huntinggpsmaps.com to get discount To learn more and view all product offerings visit:

HuntingGPSmaps.com

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

13

Managing Minnesota’s Deer: A look at the factors that go into it

PHOTO BY JIM CERVIN

BY JOE ALBERT

14

Whitetales | SUMMER 2 0 1 5

When deer hunters descend upon the state’s fields and forests each fall, what they see or don’t see in terms of deer is in some ways the culmination of a whole bunch of management decisions that have been made months or years before.

Minnesota. The winter of 1995-96, for example, was historically severe and thousands of deer perished. The statewide deer harvest went from about 215,000 during the 1995 hunting season to about 157,000 the following year. The winter of 1996-97 was another severe one, and the total hunting harvest in 1997 dropped to about 143,000.

Even more recently, the winters of 2012-13 and 2013-14 were severe, and the resulting deer harvest in 2014 – fewer than 140,000 – was the lowest in decades.

“For the most part, in northern Minnesota we can’t stockpile or bank deer,” Grund said. “Whether deer populations are high or low, during particularly severe winters, we would see remarkable deer reductions either way.”

Indeed, weather can trump everything else. The MN DNR, for example, could set conservative regulations in a particular area – say, requiring hunters to apply for an antlerless tag in a lottery, as opposed

PHOTO BY ED SCHMIDT

There’s a level of luck, certainly, and some hunters routinely see and shoot deer because they know how deer in their area act and react, and where they spend their time. If there was one deer living in an area, these are the hunters who would find it.

But all deer hunters – those who think about deer all year long, and those who hunt just a couple of days during the firearms season – are dependent to varying degrees on the decisions wildlife managers make.

And, according to Marrett Grund, group leader of the Minnesota DNR’s Farmland Wildlife Population and Research Group in Madelia, there are a large number of factors that go into the way deer managers

approach their task. Some factors they can control. Others, they can’t.

In Minnesota, the biggest factor beyond their control is the winter weather. That’s especially true in the northern part of the state. When the snow is deep, deer become much easier prey for wolves. During the winter of 2011, MN DNR researchers captured and collared about 20 deer in the northwestern part of the state. In just a few weeks, wolves had killed half of the collared animals.

According to Grund, “Wolf predation is a huge factor when we have deep snow.

Deep snow definitely is a factor, both in terms of killing deer and increasing predation rates.”

Deep snow also hinders their ability to find food. In addition, bitter cold affects their metabolism and makes them more susceptible to starvation.

You don’t have to look that far back in the past to see how harsh winters negatively affect deer numbers in

Can you find the hidden deer?

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

15

take only bucks. At the other end of the spectrum is the intensive harvest strategy, under which they can kill five deer. (In some cases, like in the metro area or where the DNR is battling wildlife disease, hunters sometimes are allowed to kill an unlimited number of animals.)

They also can, to some extent, control the amount of habitat on the ground.

Examples include putting food plots on wildlife management areas, or actively managing timber to create stands that are most beneficial for deer.

“What a lot of hunters – and the public – forget is that the habitat management

part is something that, at least at the local level, we can influence,” Grund said.

Theoretically, anyway, the agency also could manage wolf populations as part of an effort to grow deer numbers. And in the cases of some disease outbreaks – such as chronic wasting disease or bovine tuberculosis, which are “density dependent” – wildlife managers can reduce deer numbers such that the disease can’t spread.

When bovine TB and CWD have been found in the state, a combination of hunters and sharpshooters has been used to bring down deer populations in local areas.

“The disease can burn out just by bringing deer densities down enough,” Grund said.

In the case of other diseases, managers have little or no control. Take epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD), for example. EHD has been found in a number of states – including all that border Minnesota – but not in Minnesota. Where

PHOTO BY JIM CERVIN

to allowing them to shoot a deer of either sex – and if there’s a severe winter, “The deer we don’t harvest during the hunting season likely are going to die anyway,” Grund said.

Still, even though it’s beyond their control, wildlife managers take the weather into account.

“We do assess the risk,” Grund said. “We’ll look back over the past 20 or 30 years.

What’s the risk of having a severe winter? If it’s a situation where we’re slightly above (the population goal) or slightly below (the population goal), and the probability of a severe winter is 25 percent or 30 percent, then we may be more conservative because of that risk.

So we assess the risk to some degree, but it typically doesn’t have a huge impact on our upcoming harvest strategies.”

The harvest strategy managers employ is the most obvious aspect of management they can control. In Minnesota, the most conservative harvest strategy is one that allows hunters to

16

Whitetales | SUMMER 2 0 1 5

PHOTO BY JIM CERVIN

it has been found, it’s been associated with large-scale deer die-offs. Caused by a biting midge, there’s little managers can do about EHD other than wait for it to run its course.

“Whether your deer density is five deer per square mile or 30 deer per square mile, those midges are going to associate with the deer,” Grund said.

And wildlife managers can’t overlook the social aspect of deer management.

While hunters might want more deer on the landscape, farmers might want fewer. But that’s just one part that managers have to balance. While hunting is the primary way they manage Minnesota’s deer herd, it’s also imperative hunters have enough places to hunt.

“In some areas, if we don’t have hunters spread across the permit area and a uniform harvest distribution happening across that permit area, it doesn’t matter if we use an intensive or lottery or bucks-only (harvest strategy),” Grund said. “Those deer populations are unmanageable in those situations.”

While it’s a growing concern on a national level, it’s not yet occurring to a large extent in Minnesota. Still, Grund can envision a landowner who owns 10 acres of land, for example, and has no connection to hunters or hunting. That landowner may not understand deer and their role in the ecosystem, and may not grant hunters permission to hunt his land.

The key to solving such issues, in Grund’s mind, is education and outreach.

“It is something I think we will have to deal with around the Twin Cities metro area,” he said. “Maybe not this year or next year, but 15 or 20 years from now I think that’s going to be a fairly significant issue.”

Then again, maybe it won’t be.

Either way, it’s an example of some of the unknowns associated with managing Minnesota’s most popular big-game animal.

“Those unknowns affect our program so much,” Grund said. “It seems simple to manage deer, but it all depends on the factors you’re dealing with.”

Joe Albert is the editor of Minnesota Outdoor News. The website for the newspaper is www.minnesotaoutdoornews.com

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

17

Duty, Dedication and Success

BY AARON BAUER

I have spent many glorious years deer hunting from a closet-sized shack constructed in the 1960s whose walls carry a detailed handwritten history about the great and memorable yesteryears. On these hallowed walls are the

names of the shack’s hunters and their successes (or lack thereof) that date back decades.

I spend a good majority of my time sitting around the table of guys playing cribbage and reminiscing and telling stories of years past, or simply staring at the walls, somewhat saddened by the number of stories that would fail to be told by the absent friends and family that came before myself. Fortunately, one of the three in our group is the new generation of hunters, the “young guns.” This is tremendously important as several of those no longer with us will have successors to carry on the epic tales they voiced even though they are no long there to partake in the adventures that occurred so long ago.

Staring up at that wall months prior to opening day felt almost wrong as I knew that on

18

Whitetales | SUMMER 2 0 1 5

this particular year the name of one of my closest friends and my link to this spectacular group of guys might be absent, marking the first absence in his hunting career. As an active duty member of Duluth’s 148th National Air Guard with a 90-day deployment to Afghanistan, Dan’s arrival back in time for the 2012 season remained in question every day.

His current absence left big shoes to be filled as substantial preparations to the approximately 10 stands and miles of trails used by the three of us had piled up from the season prior, and now we were one man short. Cory and I took the task at hand in stride, making the haul every weekend for two months straight to our

hunting land to ensure that should Dan make it home in time to hunt, as we all hoped, that everything would be prepped and prepared as he would have done himself. Heck, we even added a brand new trail and ladder stand as well as replaced Dan’s “Opening Morning Stand” which had succumbed to time and nature, with a brand new two-man stand that we pitched in for and purchased.

It had been a long time since I had felt so dedicated to a project like that.

It took every spare moment we had in us and every spare dollar Cory and I had on us to get things to where we knew Dan would expect them to be. We undoubtedly enjoyed our time in the deer woods together, dreaming out the scenarios we hoped our dedication would reward us with as we labored.

It was a an uplifting night for Cory, myself, and of course the many friends and family that waited to greet and thank the men and women returning from the war that night, about two weeks prior the much anticipated firearm opener in Minnesota. It was a special relief to have our good

friend back and exciting to know he’d get the chance to hunt alongside of us.

I’ll never forget that short sit the Sunday of opening weekend. I was settling in at the “Clearing Stand” a mere 150 yards from Cory in the “T&G Stand,” named for its newly added walls and floor from old tongue and groove necessary as a result of rotting boards. Before I could even get my rifle and clothing situated for what was sure to be a long, cold hunt, the woods exploded with a single shot that woke me like I’d wished morning’s coffee was capable of. The text message that followed shortly thereafter exclaiming “Buck down!” sent me back to the comforts of solid ground and walking with extreme anticipation to the “T&G Stand.” There I helped the shaking and uncontrollably giddy Cory down from the stand to retrieve his deer.

No words can describe a moment like that. Having the honor to share that successful moment, after months of blood, sweat, and tears with a good friend was incredible. I remember well spotting the big white belly of the freshly downed, massive-bodied 8-pointer that he had just harvested and the big hug and congratulations that followed. This is what

it is all about. All of our time and hard work paid off in that moment.

The night of season’s close was a bittersweet one. As I stared up at the wall of “Club Maki,” I was disappointed, of course, to see my first “0” applied next to my name, symbolizing my failure to close the deal that season.

However, as we listened to Cory tell his victory tale about how the shot went down with the only bullet he had with him after forgetting his clip at the four-wheeler, for the 100th time, I couldn’t help but be grateful for the season as a whole with two of my best friends.

Even though I was the only “young gun” lacking a “1” on the wall that season, deep down I knew I had done my duty, as Cory had done his. Deer hunting is much more than personally shooting a deer and Cory getting that buck proved it.

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

19

Around the State

Minnesota Deer Hunters Association

REGIONAL BOUNDARY AND CHAPTER LOCATION MAP

Region Chapter 1 Min-Dak Border 1 Pine to Prairie 1 Roseau River 1 North Red River 1 Thief River Falls 2 Riceland Whitetails 2 Bemidji 2 Itasca County 2 Hibbing Chisholm 2 Woodland 2 Trails End 3 Carlton 3 Sturgeon River 3 Arrowhead 3 Wilderness 3 Drop Tine 3 Lake Superior Chapter 4 Smokey Hills 4 Fergus Falls 4 Clay Wilkin 4 Park Rapids 4 East Ottertail 4 Wadena 5 Brainerd 5 Cuyuna Range Whitetails 5 Morrison County 5 Lakes and Pines 5 Bluewater 5 Wahoo Valley 6 Isanti County 6 Wild River 6 Rum River

Chapter Code MDB PTP RRC NRR TRF RCL BMJ ITS HCC WLC TEC CCC STR AHC WLDN DTC LSC SMH FFL CWC PKR EOC WDN BRD CRW MCC LPC BLW WAH ICC WLD RMR

Chapter Region Chapter Code 6 North Suburban NSC 7 Alexandria ALX 7 Chippewa Valley CVC 7 Shooter Bucks Chapter SBC 7 Sauk River Phantom Buck SRP 7 Pomme De Terre PDT 8 Crow River CRC 8 Two Rivers TRC 8 Tri-County River Bottom Bucks TCR 8 Central Minnesota CMC 9 Sherburne County Swampbucks SCS 9 Wright County/ WCWMW

West Metro Whitetails 9 East Central MN ECM 9 Minnesota River Valley MRV 10 Blue Earth River Valley BEC 10 Sunrisers SNR 10 Bend of the River BOR 10 Sioux Trails Deer Hunters STD 10 Des Moines Valley DMV 11 Jim Jordan JJC 11 McGregor Area MCG 11 Quad Rivers QRC 11 Snake River SRC 12 Southern Gateway SGC 12 Southeast Minnesota SEM 12 Bluff County BLF 12 South Central Minnesota SCC 13 South Metro SMC 13 Capitol Sportsmen’s CSC 13 St. Croix Valley SCV

What? No chapter in your area? MDHA is always interested in forming new chapters. If you live in an area without a chapter and would like more information on forming one, please call 800.450.DEER.

“Quality at a Discount”

SINCE 1959 Open 7 Days A Week • 13 Departments • Shop On Line info@lmsupply.com • www.lmsupply.com L&M Supply Locations: Grand Rapids, Hibbing , Mt. Iron/Virginia, Cloquet, Bemidji, Park Rapids, Detroit Lakes, Hayward

Viscerator

Viscerator G-10

The ultimate field dressing knife.

Safe • Speed • Convenience • Quality

Learn more at www.fieldtorqknives.com

The Pinnacle of Form & Function.

20

Whitetales | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

Did you know . . . science considers whitetail deer to be red/green color-blind and this deficiency affects only seven percent of humans?

Isanti Chapter Donates Eight Genesis Bows

Isanti Chapter Donates Large Mammal Curriculum Box to Braham H.S. The Isanti County Chapter of Minnesota Deer Hunters Association recently donated a MDHA Large Mammal Curriculum Box to the Braham High School. The MDHA Large Mammal Curriculum Box is a course for Environmental Agricultural Education, which is designed as a teaching guide to assist teachers of agriculture, horticulture, agribusiness, agri-science, natural resources management and environmental education in providing activity oriented instruction on wildlife management.

The Isanti County Chapter of Minnesota Deer Hunters Association recently donated eight Genesis bows to the Isanti County Sportsmans Club. The bows will be used by local youth during summer archery leagues at the club and to learn to shoot archery at the annual Youth Day, hosted by several local outdoor organizations every spring.

Pictured from left to right: Isanti County Sportsmans Club President Larry Larsen, MDHA Isanti County Chapter President Kevin Kriesel and Isanti County Sportsmans Club Archery League Manager Amy Thompson.

Pictured from left to right is MDHA Isanti County Chapter President Kevin Kriesel, Braham high school teacher Luke Becker, MDHA Isanti County Chapter Board Member Greg Christiansen and Jim and Wendy England.

Did you know . . . the average human nose contains about 5 million receptor sites and a whitetail’s nose contains hundreds of millions of receptor sites?

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

21

Around the State

Minnesota Deer Hunters Association Completes Land Acquisition Project to Benefit Deer

Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) dedicated a 57 acre addition to the Bethel WMA in Isanti County on April 25, 2015.

The Bethel WMA is 699 acres of open hunting land just 30 miles north of the Twin Cities. There is great habitat within the Bethel WMA for many game species, including deer, pheasant, turkey, and waterfowl. This recent acquisition will put Bethel WMA over the 700 acre mark and will add 35 acres of restored upland prairie and 22 acres that will remain in grasses as a seasonal wetland.

The previous owners, Mike and Kathy Wyatt and Robert Hokanson, were extremely willing sellers and are very excited for the public to have the same hunting opportunities and experiences they had growing up.

Funds used to purchase this land came in the form of a Conservation Partners Legacy grant. Total CPL funding was $171,000 to purchase this land

with a $15,000 match of non-state funds provided by MDHA’s Rum River Chapter, North Suburban Chapter, and Isanti County Chapter through the chapters’ local fundraising efforts.

Other contributing partners were the National Wild Turkey Federation, Isanti County Pheasants Forever, Anoka County Pheasants Forever, and Minnesota Waterfowl Association’s Cedar Creek Chapter. Jeff Olson, Project Manager for the CPL Grant has been working in conjunction with the Area Wildlife Management office of the MN DNR to complete this acquisition. Jeff applauds the local hunters and conservation organizations for making the choice to support MDHA through sponsorship and donations to MDHA and attending local fundraisers.

Habitat Work a Focus of MDHA Across the State The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association is working hard to build habitat for deer across the state of Minnesota. In conjunction with the MN DNR, MDHA has utilized the Conservation Partners Legacy Grant Program to contribute to over $974,098 of new habitat projects for fiscal year 2015 alone. There are sixteen new grant projects affecting a total of 6,927 acres of enhancements and/or acquisitions that will directly benefit whitetail deer and many other species.

Fifteen separate MDHA Chapters who raise money through local banquets and fundraisers support these projects.

MDHA is also proud to partner with other organizations such as the Ruffed Grouse Society, National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service, as well as other local contributors, to make these projects happen.

The work that will be accomplished with these grants is varied. Some of the types of work done are: wildlife openings, tree planting, bud-capping, establishing new prairie grassland, brushland shearing, vegetation enhancement, prescribed burning, and promotion of natural regeneration. MDHA will also be working on three acquisition projects that will provide new public hunting lands to the hunters of Minnesota.

MDHA understands the importance of building habitat to promote a healthy and viable deer herd for the State of Minnesota and is doing its part to make that happen.

3

22

Whitetales | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

Did you know . . . scrapes are popular places to hunt, but research finds 85 to 98 percent of deer activity at scrapes occurs at night?

ENDOWMENTS & DONATIONS: OCTOBER 22, 2014—MAY 26, 2015 35th ANNIVERSARY DONATIONS

GENERAL DONATIONS

CONTRIBUTOR’S NAME

HONOREE’S NAME

CONTRIBUTOR’S NAME

CONTRIBUTOR’S NAME

Hibbing-Chisholm Chpt Keenan Lersch Isanti County Chapter Snake River Chpt Snake River Chpt Snake River Chpt Snake River Chpt Snake River Chpt Gary and Rae Thompson Ed & Rose Schmidt Ashlea Dick Denis Quarberg Denis Quarberg Bruce Gross Bernie Gross Jennie Durheim & Family Jonathon Kujawa MN Deer Hunters Association Steve & Kathy Fosness Ed & Rose Schmidt Ed & Rose Schmidt Darrold & Laurie Persson Rob & Denise Wolf Darrold & Laurie Persson Loren Rabe Loren Rabe Loren Rabe John & Donna Erlandson Richelle Olson John & Becky Rabe MN Deer Hunters Association Des Moines Valley Chpt Thief River Falls Chapter Mark Nohre Jason Theusch Denis Quarberg Ed & Rose Schmidt

Liz Freihammer Hunter Langhorst Chuck Musker Doug Welinski Dennis Udean Jere Bartz Rick tenCate Robert Anderson Todd A. Look Ed & Rose Schmidt not specified Dan Splittstoser Michael E. Raia Dan Splittstoser Dan Splittstoser Dan Splittstoser Dave Schepers Dan Splittstoser Dan Splittstoser Dan Splittstoser Russ Johannsen Dan Splittstoser Helen Hinton Nick Dimich Dean Rabe Darren Rabe Jamie Mensing Dan Splittstoser Matthew Bauer Colton Nelson Nick Dimich James Dunse Terry Potucek not specified LaVerne Bartelson James Egeland Nick Dimich

Wayne Peterson Jerry Christensen John Reinke Ronald Beier Tim Haukebo Daniel Peterson Daniel Larsen Bruce Benson David Broberg Tad Larsen Jack Miller Dale Johnson Russell Jorgensen John Erlandson Sr. Reb Bowman Paul Solinger Butch Kraska Darwin Niss Chuck Klammer Jere Bartz Robert Dreger Daniel Loken Bob Ponzer David Oistad Walter Benson Edward Derosier Dennis Udean Thomas Worth Paul Mattson & Kevin Nikodym

Mike Tenny Donald Savage Travelers Cyber Grants-James Strupp My Tribute Gift Foundation Larry Oflanagan Scot Sorum Walter Wahl Jeff Eliason Keith Kluempke Tylor Peterson Kim & Casey Nelson Dan Sartell Tom Bisek Peter Lodermeier Donald Rowell Samuel Torma Richard Eustice Warren Bandel Benevity Comm Impact Fund Joel Piepenburg Denis Quarberg Gary Thompson Denis Quarberg Dave Sarazin Paul Rice Izaak Walton League - New Ulm John Pietruszewski Denis Quarberg Kurt Rohloff Ronald Haggberg Anita Williams Ameriprise Financial Kathy Carlson Anoka County Parks Deer Hunters Walt Weber Douglas Carlson Benjamin Weerts Mitch Conner James Koepke Jonathan Timm John Hendricks

ENDOWMENT FUND

MEMORIAL FUND CONTRIBUTOR’S NAME

HONOREE’S NAME

Sherian Hiltner

Gregory Fussy

YOUTH EDUCATION DONATIONS CONTRIBUTOR’S NAME

Richard & Nancy Harvey Daniel Peterson Blaine (Butch) Diesslin Thomas Brasel Ken O’Hallahan Jack Adams Rodney Sather

BUILDING FUND DONATIONS CONTRIBUTOR’S NAME

Wadena Chapter Wadena Chapter Wadena Chapter

Greg Kempf Rita Schmit Harland Dreger

Did you know . . . deer stay close to home as radio-telemetry studies of deer during hunts reveal they seldom leave their home range, even if it’s as small as 200 acres? The few that stray farther usually return before dawn.

If we inadvertenlty left you off the list or any corrections to the above list are needed, please contact us and we will make the appropriate corrections.

Thank you.

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

23

Around the State

Students Assist Suburban Deer Research in Blaine

BY ALEX VANG

High School students with help from the Minnesota Deer Hunter Association (MDHA) and the Wildlife Science Center in Columbus MN successfully trapped, sedated, and radio collared a whitetail deer in Bunker Hills Regional Park for a real hands on experience.

The cost of the collar was around $2,500 and MDHA helped pay for half of it. The students spent countless hours setting up trail cameras and baiting the trap. Once the deer was captured, Peggy Callahan from the Wildlife Science Center and her assistants sedated the animal. Blaine students assisted them with obtaining the vitals on the animal like heartbeat, and body temperature since the sedatives could alter the animal’s metabolic process. Using a traditional radio telemetry receiver the students can track the radio collar that was attached to the deer and data from the collar is also sent via

24

Whitetales | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

Since the collar has been on the female deer, much information has been gleaned from her travels. We know that she is very comfortable around people. She spends half of her time in small patches of woods located in the back yards of a residential area. She is so comfortable around people that she actually gave birth to two fawns on May 29th less than 50 yards from a middle school where kids were outside playing during the school day. She spends most of her days in overgrown fields and frequently crosses major roadways thus earning her the name “RK” for Road Kill. She crosses these roads in the middle of the night when traffic is low.

This study has given valuable information on whitetail deer habitat and deer behavior in a growing community.

It has been learned that whitetail deer do not need much space to live as RK has traveled less than a mile from her capture site. Whitetail deer can live comfortably surrounded by people and thrive.

In addition, a problem seen from this project is the loss of habitat. A small wooded area where RK spent some time in is now gone due to road construction. In addition, she raised her two fawns in an over-grown field that is currently for sale.

When this land is sold and developed, will she be able to find another location to live?

This is an excellent learning experience for both students and researchers alike. This research project should last for at least another two years before the battery within that collar dies. When that happens the collar can be remotely taken off the deer via a small explosion, not harmful to the deer and then the students can retrieve the collar so that they can replace the battery and use it again.

PHOTO BY JIM CERVIN

What do students at Blaine High School and a whitetail deer have to do with each other? Blaine

satellite to a webpage where more detailed information can be collected. The collar can be reprogrammed via satellite from a computer to obtain and send the data more frequently, like during the mating season.

The students are enrolled in a class called Outdoor Adventures, which is a hands-on Environmental Science class.

Blaine High School is located next to Bunker Hills Regional Park, which makes it an ideal location for the students to be involved in this type of hands on environmental study.

Did you know . . . in various scrape studies, researchers found that after-shave, peanut butter and “new-car-smell” were just as likely to attract deer as commercial buck or doe scents?

Crow River Area Chapter Parade Float A couple of years ago the Crow River Area Chapter decided that the committee members were getting a little long in the tooth and that we needed to initiate a youth movement to replace us some day. Over time we

have picked up younger active members through personal contacts, but we still needed more help. Towards the end of one of our monthly meetings we decided that our problem was that not enough people knew what MDHA was all about. The decision was made that we should publicize the organization and its goals. But, how to do this?

As the evening wore on and the creative juices started flowing a plan was set in motion to put a float in a local parade. There were several parades coming up we could pick from.

At our next meeting, the minutes from the previous one reminded us of our decision. WHAT? Float? Parade? OK, so now what? There are some large parades in the area that charged for units so we crossed them off immediately. We needed to start small since our float experience was minimal (or non-existent). The local town of Darwin (home of the world’s largest man-made twineball) has an annual parade and it was free, so that was our starting point.

One of our members was going to drive his classic “B” John Deere tractor in the parade anyway so he volunteered to pull the float. He also reported that a neighbor had an old hay rack that we could borrow.

So far so good. Now, what to put on the float? Once again the creative juices were flowing, although some of the ideas had to be scrapped because they were a little too creative.

The idea of a hide box seemed like a good one and we had one sitting outside over the winter because someone had

donated some hides that had gone over the hill and the stench was pretty bad. We decided against that box because we would rather have people see us coming rather than smell us. A good box was available so that one was used. We also had some large MDHA decals made up earlier so some of them could be used for color.

We decided to meet on the Wednesday before the parade to put everything together.

The tractor was there, the hay rack was there, the box was there, and the emblems were there. Perfect, I thought. Then I noticed a ‘For Sale’ sign on both sides of the rack.

It seems the owner of the rack was trying to get rid of it and one of the conditions for using it was to put those signs on. OK, we can live with that. But when the float was fully assembled it still was missing something. A quick run into town to get some camouflaged netting would probably help. With some expert engineering the netting was installed along the sides and back of the trailer and now it had the

semblance of a real float.

Good to go. Right? Wrong.

The state office had sent us 500 sets of brochures to hand out during the parade. How was that going to happen? None of us geezers wanted to walk that parade. Well, how about Forkhorns? Maybe some last minute phone calls would bring in some kids to help us out.

The day of the parade turned out to be nice weather which was good because we had no contingency plans for bad weather. Ten of our Forkhorns showed up and we decked them out in orange MDHA t-shirts. We also had to put three of our members on the float to hand brochures to the kids as they passed them out to the audience. It certainly wasn’t to beautify the unit.

As far as publicizing MDHA, I believe this approach was a success. The kids handed out over 400 sets of brochures along the parade route (attachment 2). As a member of the local Lion’s club, I was part of the parade route clean-up crew the next morning and we found no brochures on the ground or in the trash so these things made it into at least vehicles and probably homes.

Now it remains to be seen whether this is a reliable method of recruiting new members.

If there is a spike in new membership in our area, we could call this a viable alternative.

Either way, we will learn something from this experience.

All in all, this was a good project for our chapter. Even though we were overshadowed by some fancy units like the one from the St. Paul Winter Carnival, the local folks had good comments about our efforts. The one thing we didn’t do well enough was to advertize our monetary contributions to the local community, something we will improve upon in the future.

Did you know . . . Minnesota studies of two migrating herds in the early 1960s recorded averages of about 10.5 miles for bucks and 7 miles for does, but one buck traveled 165 miles and one doe traveled 85 miles?

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

25

Around the State

After covering the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association Banquet in Witoka this editor could not help but notice some great gift packages coming from one local woman in Lewiston, Sheril Speltz. Sheril’s package contained a freezer filled with 72 pounds of frozen hamburger, a .220 Savage Camo 20 gauge shotgun, two bricks of .22 shells and most importantly a two-man ladder tree stand... to take a child hunting (Arlie Herber won that prize!).

Sheril has given that great package away every year for the last seven years since her son Joshua took his own life in 2005. Sheril reflects, “The first four years after his death you might say I was beyond numb. For just before that heart wrenching death I had also just lost two sisters and a brother within 17 months of each other.

My life was so empty and I was saddened with so much pain. But after four years I decided it was time to put that pain away and move on. I was still plagued, however, over how I could or would keep my son’s memory alive? I knew I had so many images in my head of the love he

PHOTO BY CAROL BOYNTON

All for the Love of a Son and His Memory

Sheril Speltz of Lewiston shares a deer hunters package prize every year at the Minnesota Deer Hunter’s Association in memory of her son, Josh. Josh bagged one deer in his lifetime, but that memory of him bagging that deer is something that Sheril wants other kids to experience.

shared with me as well as his three sons, Koleton, Branden and Azra, who were left behind.

Because of her son’s proud memories of the day he bagged his first deer and remembering what it meant to him and the fact his middle son, Branden, so loved the outdoors and wanted to hunt and be able to get a buck like his dad did, the thought process all came together. She wanted to give a gift that included the items needed

HALF IN THE BAG

Half in the Bag Keeps you in the Hunt.

Get the most out of every hunt with Half in the Bag. Keep your legs & feet warm and your hands free.

Stay warm and dry in every season with Half in the Bag.

• Insulated, water-resistant • Adjustable suspenders • Mossy oak camo • Compact, self-storing design Includes These Great Features!

Clip on suspenders.

Stay warm to the bone!

Water resistant bottom.

Straps easily to a backpack.

Keeps your hands free.

Order your Half in the Bag today at HalfNBag.com or call 877-356-6455

26

Whitetales | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

Dealers Wanted

by CAROL BOYNTON LEWISTON JOURNAL EDITOR

for a hunter. The two-man ladder stand was a must have in the package deal so a child would be able to share in the hunting experience.

Sheril said, “When I’m outside and hunting in the fields those wonderful memories of how my son Josh felt when he took his first buck just resound in my heart.” She also said that same feeling was resonated when her grandson Branden recently bagged his first buck. Sheril added, “When Josh got his first deer, I felt like that special moment with my son was back and I could relive the happiness with him.”

For Sheril memories are relived again and again when she knows those proud young hunters take their first buck. To watch a young hunter experience the pride and precision in the shot they have taken is something that just warms her heart.

Sheril shared, “When I go out hunting and start the hunt the first thing I do is say a prayer for my son and that he will be with me through a safe hunt. Bringing his memory to every hunt with my grandson is also a must. Branden will add in his little prayer...and I hope I get a buck like my dad did! So the act of passing it forward came to be. “ In 2007 I began the tradition of a memorial package to be included each year at the MDHA banquet. What’s so exceptional now is over the years other memorial packages have also been set up. For example, the Witt family donates a great package in memory of Daryl Witt.

In addition, a Thompson Pro Hunter FX Camo SS 50 Cal was donated in memory of Denny Neville and another memorial of a Remington 783 w/scope Camo 308, Champion Shooting rest and a 24-gun Cannon safe in memory of Jim Nowlan. A Weatherby Vanguard 25.06 MDHA Gun of the Year was donated by Tom Wunderlich, and a Reconyx Hyperfire game camera and security box were donated in memory of Monty Gellerson by Mark Henderson and sons; the list goes on and on of artwork and prints and compound bows and other needs of any out-doors-people.

These donations not only keep memories alive for some very special people, they also create unforgettable ones for others.

Did you know . . . a 2001 Texas study found a maximum of 28 percent of bucks fathered more than one full-term pregnancy?

Minnesota Deer Hunting Quiz

Summer

Puzzler

CREATED BY ED SCHMIDT AND ROD DIMICH

>> True or False! << By Mike Roste

1. When hunting from a high stand, you might want to aim higher on the chest of a deer.

2. A quality deer is one that you are proud to show off to your family or other hunters.

3. Higher is always better when hanging a portable deer stand in a tree.

4. Hunters who are properly dressed for the weather and temperature are probably more successful than their shivering partners.

5. Trophy-sized bucks that would score 170 Boone and Crockett or better are only dreams for most of us hunters.

6. The number of points on whitetail antlers gives the age of the animal.

7. Most bucks taken in Minnesota are over 3-1/2 years of age.

8. The whitetail deer is a sly, tough, nervous, intense, resilient animal; it keeps its life private, is able to adapt to human settlement and is a superb survivalist.

DECEMBER 10 Isanti County Chapter Fundraiser at the MDHA Club House at the fairgrounds. Contact John Erlandson at 763.689.4992.

SEPTEMBER 10 Carlton County Chapter Banquet at the Four Seasons FEBRUARY Sports Complex in Carlton. Contact Mike Fasteland at 27 MDHA Corporate Board Meeting at the Eagle’s Club in Did you know . . . In 1985 MDHA membership was 15,000?

218.384.9872.

Grand Rapids. Contact Gabe Gropp at 218.327.1103 11 Tri-County Chapter Banquet at Queen Bee Bar & Grill in ext 10.

Paynesville. Contact Bill Legatt at 320.243.4517.

27 MDHA State Habitat Banquet at Timberlake Lodge in 11 Brainerd Chapter Banquet at the Cragun’s Legacy Grand Rapids. Contact Bri Stacklie at 218.327.1103 Courses. Contact Diane Britton at 218.829.0203. ext 12.

1. T rue: When hunting from a high deer stand, I like to aim slightly higher so I have a chance at a double lung shot.

AUGUST 14 McGregor Chapter Banquet at the McGregor Community Center. Contact Bob Dreger at 651.669.5093.

16 Carlton County Chapter Fundraiser at the Carlton County Fairgrounds. Contact Mike Fasteland at 218.384.9872.

16 Chippewa Valley Chapter Fundraiser at McKinney’s On Southside in Benson. Contact Darin Staton at 320.760.3949.

20-21 MDHA 35th Anniversary Celebration at Ruttger’s Sugar Lake Lodge in Grand Rapids. Contact Kim Nelson at 218.327.1103 ext. 14.

OCTOBER 3 Park Rapids Chapter Banquet at the Park Rapids American Legion. Contact Russ Johnsrud at 218.732.8411.

16 Riceland Chapter Fundraiser at the 40 Club Convention Center in Aitkin. Contact Ralph Mykkanen at 218.829.2766.

17 Riceland Chapter Banquet at the 40 Club Convention Center in Aitkin. Contact Ralph Mykkanen at 218.829.2766.

2. T rue: This trophy may be a doe, a 4-pointer, or a large mature buck with monstrous mahogany antlers.

JULY 5 Lakes & Pines Chapter Fundraiser at the Longville Municipal. Contact Kevin Merten at 218.507.0364.

SEPTEMBER, CON’T. 12 Southern Gateway Chapter Banquet at the Albert Lea American Legion. Contact Deanne VanWald at 507.213.0823.

3. F alse: You might not feel comfortable in a high deer stand and branches might hinder your view.

JUNE 12 Sturgeon River Chapter Fundraiser at Timbers Edge Bar & Grill in Eveleth. Contact Deb Bachel at 218.258.3306.

4. T rue: Hunters who are properly dressed can stay on a deer stand longer and the longer hunters stays on stand the more successful they are.

Calendar of E V E N T S

Answers

5. T rue: Your chances of harvesting a trophy-sized buck are worse than 1 in 100. Most deer hunters have never shot a whitetail buck that would score 170 Boone and Crockett.

Answers on page 54.

10. You shouldn’t have to zero in your rifle scope this year if it was working perfectly at the end of the season last year.

6. F alse: The antler size and number of points depends on the physical condition of the deer and the quality of food it has eaten. Teeth are the only true determiner.

7.

9.

11.

13.

14.

15.

16.

18.

Type of work benefitting deer or deer hunting A young hunter MDHA’s official publication Wise use and management of natural resources Natural occurring elements necessary antler and bone growth Sport using bow and arrow A challenge or rivalry in art or sport Process of learning, objective of MDHA To be heard in the legislature One who serves without pay Lethal end of an arrow Clothing or attire worn by hunters A fast growing cover crop high in nutrients

7. F alse: Most bucks are probably only 1 1/2 years of age. Only about 12 percent are 3 1/2 years old.

1.

2.

3.

4.

6.

8. T rue: Whitetails are certainly adaptable, sly, tough and nervous. I think it is America’s most admired and intriguing big game animal.

5. One who speaks for the MDHA at the capitol 8. An artist who depicts humerous actions through sketches 10. Part of an arrow that attaches to the string 12. Celebration of years of service 14. Summer antler growth covering providing nutrients 17. Elevated platform for hunting deer 19. Proper cover for whitetails, objective of MDHA 20. To seek game animals, objective of MDHA 21. Three fawns born of a common doe 22. The act of creating laws, objective of MDHA 23. Small version of MDHA’s artwork

9. T rue: A whitetail knows just about every bush, rock, tree and natural sound in its back yard. The sounds, sights and scents of a prowling hunter will send a whitetail fleeing.

DOWN

10. F alse: Changes in ammunition brands and procedures, stock warpage, and loose sights on stocks are all factors affecting how a rifle performs.

ACROSS

9. Anything strange in a whitetail’s home bailiwick is quickly noted by a deer.

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

27

Around the State

MDHA Store

SHIPPING & HANDLING RATES

> TO ORDER:

Purchase amount

Rate

$1.00 – $50.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $8.00 $50.01 – $100.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $9.00 $100.01 – $150.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $11.00 $150.01 – $200.00 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $13.00 $200.01 & UP . . . . . . . . . . . . . PLEASE CALL

Visit www.mndeerhunters.com or call 800.450.DEER

35th Anniversary Glasses

MDHA Logo Camp/Beach Towel

Our 30'' x 60'' blaze orange camp/ beach towel with logo is just what you need at deer camp or to show your pride while on the lake. 100% cotton.

These 16oz. glasses feature our MDHA 35th anniversary banner and are a great item at any table.

$25

$8

Wine glasses also available for $7

35th Anniversary Buck Brand Knife

35 Years of MDHA T-Shirt

This comfortable long lasting t-shirt features the MDHA logo and text on the front as well as a compass on back and the phrase of “35 years of leading the way in: hunting, habitat, education and legislation” Sizes S–4XL. 100% preshrunk cotton.

This stylish Buck knife with black leather sheath features a custom made oak handle, 35th anniversary engraving, and our MDHA traditional round logo on the blade. The knife is custom made for MDHA in the USA and only 150 were made! Get yours now while supplies last!

$95

$12

MDHA Camo Rifle Case

Made for MDHA in the USA by Allen, this rifle case fits a scoped rifle, features a nice Mossyoak camo and the MDHA logo.

$25

28

Whitetales | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5 When you purchase MDHA merchandise you support MDHA’s programs and mission.

MDHA Ammunition Box

Our ammo can is made in the USA and features the vintage MDHA logo. The box holds approximately 6–8 boxes of ammunition.

$15

Biologic Hot Spot Seed MDHA Poker Set

A great game to have at home or at camp, this poker set features a nice rosewood box, MDHA logo, lined inside, and all you need to get the game started.

$40

Mossy Oak Biologic Hot Spot food plot seed in a 5lb. bag is perfect for those plots in the woods or hard to reach growing areas. Blend of winter peas, wheat and buckwheat.

Plants with just hand tools.

$13

Become an MDHA member today...

35th Anniversary MDHA Cap

Show your support of MDHA and its 35 years in existence with this nice cap.

Adjustable back, one size fits most.

$15

Name:__________________________________________ Address: ________________________________________ City: ___________________________________________ State: ___________________ Zip: ____________________ Phone: __________________________________________ Chapter Preference: _________________________________ Email: __________________________________________ Membership Payment Information: n $25 Adult 1 Year Membership

MDHA Blaze Orange Hat

n $15 Youth 1 Year Membership

Be ready for bird season, rifle season, or everyday wear with this blaze MDHA hat. Features digital camo text and an adjustable back.

n Check n Visa/MasterCard/Discover

$15

Signature:_______________________________________

Card #:______________________________Exp: ________

I would also like to make a donation of $__________________ Order Total: $_____________________________________ 460 Peterson Road • Grand Rapids, MN 55744 • 800.450.3337

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

29

THE ITCH TO BUILD Traditional Muzzleloading Kits for the 21st Century

PHOTO BY ED SCHMIDT

BY JOHN W. HAYES

30

Whitetales | SUMME R 2 0 1 5

Those who have never built a traditional muzzleloader, but feel the itch to do so, may want to consider assembling a box-kit. Many of us old-timers got our first taste of muzzleloaders during the 1970s when most of the sporting goods catalogs offered box-kits for the do-it-yourself outdoorsman. Thompson/Center and CVA both marketed their respective products by use of the “open” boxkit in which the parts were laid out for viewing, in a Styrofoam organizer, underneath a Mylar wrapper. The boarders of the package were replete with rustic hunter/trapper scenes intended to stir the blood of the frontier-seeking sportsman. At that time the availability of kits helped to feed the mountain man craze sweeping across the country.

Marketers sensed early on that sportsmen were just the tip of the iceberg; the real mother-load was the vast number of rendezvous participants, in the muzzleloading hobby, passionately engaged in making all sorts of historical/frontier stuff. These same participants gained fulfillment in building their own guns, as well as making some of the accouterments that went with them.

They were (and still are) willing to make enough stuff to recreate a whole culture. But a person does not have to be an historical interpreter just to build a kit and have fun shooting black powder.

While writing this article, I was troubled by a recent comment that teenagers of 2015 want many things “pre-digested.” The allure of instant gratification might pull a number of young consumers away from the kit and inexorably toward the purchase of a fully assembled gun for a few hundred dollars more. But, through the years I have witnessed numerous consumers, young and old, who, after assembling their muzzleloader, understood the fit and function of all the gun parts working in unison. Even though a kit may require eight hours of labor, several days of drying and curing, followed by assembly, the experience gained is more valuable. The fruits of that experience manifest themselves in that priceless commodity that cannot be purchased over the counter or gleaned from a magazine, namely confidence. It is the confidence to dissemble, clean, reassemble and maintain the gun. I believe any present day teenager having tasted that fruit, would deny themselves the instant gratification and welcome similar and further building opportunities.

Sadly, many companies have exited the kit business since the ‘70s. However, there are two companies who continue to make box kits for traditional muzzleloaders. The first, speaking of tradition, is called Traditions Performance Firearms, which offers five different box kits for rifles; four of which are available in .50 caliber and one in .32 caliber. There are three different box kits for pistols, are all .50 caliber, two of which sport cap lock ignitions and one a flintlock ignition. There are even three different box kits for small cannons.

The prices for the rifles start at about $269 for the more modernly outfitted rifle. The other four styles, which are decidedly more traditional, start at $314 and top out at $408. The pistol kits start at $206 and run as high as $334.

All the box-kits offered by Traditions have been pre-assembled at the factory to assure proper fit, then disassembled and packaged for sale. The full array of kits can be seen on line at the Traditions website traditionsfirearms.com, or type in: Traditions Rifle Kits.

The kits may be ordered directly from the company as well as dealers around the country. There is quite a demand for these kits so, even though the website may show a particular kit as “unavailable,” place the order anyway, the company will fill the order for the kit in a short time.

The second company, Lyman, sells a box-kit rifle commercially referred to as the Great Plains Rifle. The style is a St. Louis Hawken offered in .50 or .54 caliber, with either percussion or flintlock ignitions. The look and feel of these rifles is based upon the original rifles built in St. Louis, Missouri by Jacob and Samuel Hawken in the 1830s. I have shot several and can attest how nicely they handle. Lyman’s 32 inch barrels are made specifically for patched-round ball shooting, utilizing a 1:60” twist rifling.

Rifling in the .54 is cut .016 deep and in the .50 is cut .018 deep.

These are excellent rifles for deer and other hunting pursuits. To search on line, type in: Lyman Great Plains Rifle Kits or go to lymanproducts.com.

Some shooters dismissively refer to these kits as kitchentable-assembly packages. To that I say, “Great, just right for the beginner.” These kits find great favor with clubs, parents and mentors, all of whom can attest these shorter projects are a great first step for any person who is interested in making and shooting their own traditional black powder muzzleloader, especially young adults. In reality these should be assembled at a workbench with the proper tools, sand paper, stains and oils. The properly assembled kit will result in working gun that shoots accurately, brings down game and can be handed down to children and grandchildren.

There are Youtube videos on assembling the Lyman Great Plains Rifle that are well worth viewing. I also encourage those interested in historical methods to search on-line for: The Gunsmith of Colonial Williamsburg. The 1969 short film shows a flintlock rifle being crafted (by scratch!) by master gunsmith Wallace Gusler using 18th century methods. Actually anyone interested in building a muzzleloader will find this film fascinating.

WHAT AM I GETTING INTO?

Barrel and Metal Parts

The facets or “flats” of the barrel should be finished by removing any machining marks still present using a mill bastard file. If there are no machining marks begin with 80 grit sand paper and follow up with a progression of finer grit papers; finish with steel wool.

Many of the metal parts have been polished already, but if not, remove any casting or machining marks with a file, followed by the use of sand papers, steel wool and lastly a buffing cloth.

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

31

Smoothing the Stock

Any machining marks are removed by scraping the wood with a sharp blade. Next, the fit of the barrel within the stock should be consistent, with no high spots. This is rarely a problem and has already been attended to by the maker but sometimes some wood must be removed to allow the barrel to rest in the channel evenly.

The wood must be scraped with hand tools like a sharp chisel (NO DREMELS!!!) until the high spot is evened out. The rest is generally scraped with the edge of a sharp knife. Then progressively finer grades of sand paper are used along with a good supply of elbow grease until the surface is smooth. Sanding starts with 80-grit, then down to finer grits and lastly steel wool is used.

Generally 98% of the inletting work for the box-kits has been done and requires minor filing, scraping and sanding to level out the wood and metal evenly. Lastly you “scratched” the itch by committing yourself to a kit project. Be patient, you are making this to last a lifetime.

Here’s to a blessed endeavor.

Finishing the Stock

32

Whitetales | SUMME R 2 0 1 5

Great Plains Kit - shows: The Lyman Great Plains rifle which is available in flintlock or caplock. The barrel comes already blued. The furniture is removed from the wooden stock, which is then stained and finished; reassemble the gun and it is ready to shoot.

TVM ML pic DSC_0521 shows: The Tennessee Valley Manufacturing’s “Early Lancaster” rifle which is fully assembled.

It must be disassembled, finished as to wood and metal, then reassembled and is ready for shooting.

PHOTOS BY JOHN HAYES

Following the smoothing process, the stock is stained by various means. Some folks use wood stain or leather dye to effect a color change to wood but, I prefer Aquafortis, (a diluted solution of Nitric acid and iron shavings), followed by the application of heat in the form of a hot piece of steel held a few inches from the stock. In a few seconds, the acid turns the wood a dark brown or brownish green. The whole stock is treated thusly after which it is wiped with a damp cloth dipped in water containing baking soda. Any acid left will react by fizzing like soda pop thereby neutralizing the acid. The stock is allowed to dry after which it is oiled with linseed oil, tongue oil, or mineral oil. This traditional method not only darkens maple wood but also deepens the wood grain once oil is applied. The stock is then left in a warm, dry, well-ventilated place for several days while the oils soak in and set up. Wipe up the excess oil, reassemble the firearm and it is ready to shoot.

As with any building endeavor there are different skill levels. Not all kits are box kits. One should always inquire as to the level of skill necessary to assemble a gun. Do yourself a favor and investigate at least a dozen well made muzzleloaders before you begin your kit. The following businesses offer a number of “component parts” kits all of which require a more advanced skill (the subject for another article).

“Track of the Wolf” located in Elk River Minnesota offers over 20 different component kits for rifles, smoothbores and pistols as well as variations in style based upon the components purchased.

They also carry the Traditions and Lyman box-kits. Track, as they are called, strongly recommends their DVD as a guide for assembling any kit but especially for building a component part kit-guns Dixie Gun works in Union City Tennessee, and Log Cabin Shop in Lodi, Ohio both offer kits of various makers. “Northstar West” of Superior, MT offers a traditional flintlock smooth bore Northwest trade gun. All components are engineered for that gun and no other.

“Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading, Inc.” in Natchez, Mississippi is a company which offers an alternative called “in the white” which means the gun is fully functional but the wood and metal parts are not finished. That is also the subject of an entirely different and intriguing article.

Traditions KRC52401 shows: A Hawken style half-stock rifle in .50 caliber, with a cap lock ignition. The wooden stock will require some sanding before it is stained and finished, then all the furniture is installed. The barrel and under-rib should be blued prior to assembly and installation of sights. Assemble the rifle and it is ready to shoot.

PLAN

for the

WORST by WEARING the

BEST

SERIOUS GEAR FOR SERIOUS HUNTERS

GOMUDDY.COM

SAFEGUARD™

THE TOP FLIGHT COMBO

THE

DIAMONDBACK

COMBO

THE

MAGNUM

THE CROSSOVER

THE

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

33

TREE STAND CARE AND REPAIR 101 TEXT AND PHOTOS BY MICHAEL D. FAW

34

Whitetales | SUM ME R 2 0 1 5

“We can go now,” the nationally known treestand company president told me as he cast me a stern look to me. He and I were in a lawyer’s office and inspecting a treestand—from his company—that was part of a pending lawsuit against the manufacturer. That lawsuit was the result of a hunter taking a tumble and becoming paralyzed. We had already visited the accident site, made measurements and calculations, and had taken photographs in preparation for the courtroom hearing. I took a photo of the treestand at the center of the lawsuit before we left that office.

Outside, and once were in the quiet confines of his vehicle, the manufacturer revealed to me that he saw that the treestand his company had carefully designed, built and then sold, had been taken apart and that a part was added after some additional holes had been drilled into the frame. His company warranty specifically stated to not disassemble or modify the treestand along with other warnings. The hunter who made the modifications to that treestand was ultimately responsible for his fall and own injury.

That lawsuit lasted mere minutes and was dismissed in the manufacturer’s favor once the case reached the courtroom.

The message is one all hunters who use treestands should note: be careful and follow directions when using treestands.

Treestands are the ultimate proof of one of the top physics principle: what goes up, must come down. State game departments across America report many deaths and falls related to treestands each year. Now it is actually news by some game agencies if a treestand accident does NOT occur in the state during a hunting season.

According to Jerry Wydner with Hunter Safety Systems, one in three hunters will take a treestand related tumble during their hunting career. That is a very large number of treestand related accidents. While those tumbles often occur while entering or exiting the stand, there are also many cases where treestands fail and collapse. A leading cause of the failure is neglect and failed maintenance. Like other hunting gear, treestands must be cared for and repaired or replaced.

The ultimate question you must ask each and every time a treestand is used is: how much is your life worth? Using

a treestand that is not cared for and maintained becomes a gamble with your life—or the end of it.

BASIC CARE 101

Treestands are great hunting tools, but as with all gear and equipment made by humans, they are simply not designed to be set or hung and forgotten. Every treestand (except carefully constructed permanent structures) should be removed at the end of each hunting season—period.

Stands left chained or tied to trees will be assaulted by many forces, including: weather, rodents, falling trees, the sun, vandals, the tree it is hung upon and other factors. All of those elements and forces affect the metal, connections, bolts, joints and other parts along with the chains, belts, spikes, screws and webbing that hold the treestand in place or provide access to it. The more exposure and time in place, the quicker the rate of failure nears for the treestand.

That treestand becomes a player on the physics principle and is waiting to send someone who has come up to go down.

The very tree the stand is attached to can also be part of the problem. Trees grow (remember the growth rings from school science projects?) and this daily and seasonal growth means slowly tightening and breaking of the very chains, webs, screws and belt-straps that hold the stand onto the tree. If the tree grows over the chain and covers the links with bark, the now stretched and rusted chain cannot be visually inspected. In many cases only bolt cutters provide the best option to remove the treestand. When in doubt, DO NOT reuse the treestand or make any modifications.

Hunters can eliminate many of the weather and element related problems by removing all treestands and the steps or ladders used to reach the elevated platform each year at the end of the hunting season—or immediately at the end of the use period. Some states require removal on public lands, so follow those requirements. Be certain to remove the stand and all related parts. It’s important to note the less time that stand is exposed to the elements, the more years of potential safe service it will provide.

Once removed, treestands and all

attachment systems should be stored in a dry area away from rodents, chemicals or the possibility of being crushed or damaged. A shelf or set of hangers high off the ground in a garage or outbuilding can provide such safe areas. As treestands are removed and prepared for storage is also the best time to take inventory and note any loose or missing parts or access for possible replacement. Take the time to inspect very carefully and thoroughly.

When inspecting, start at the top and inspect down to the platform and beneath it, or to the bottom of any ladders.

Look closely for loose bolts, frayed seats, missing parts (note any open holes) and the tell-tale signs of brown or orange rust stains. If there are doubts, look closely with a magnifying glass for hairline cracks or rust stains. Those stains reveal hidden problems and potential failures. Look at all weld joints or bolt connections for cracks or holes that have become enlarged, worn or cracked. Especially note any loose parts or rattles as you move the stand to inspect.

Pay particular attention to connections where there are overlaps like many ladder

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

35

stands have with connecting sections of the ladder and rungs. These can become stressed and cracked over time with repeated use.

Inspect slowly and methodically like a life depends upon it—because it does.

Savvy hunters with multiple treestands keep a log book or possibly a computer spread sheet on each treestand detailing purchased dates, use periods, inspection dates and notes. This could become lifesaving information.

If the treestand passes inspection, store it properly in a secure area where it cannot be damaged or used for an unintended purpose. If the treestand does not pass your inspection, discard it immediately or contact the manufacturer if you have concerns or questions that seek answers.

Part of a proper care and maintenance program means NEVER disassembling a treestand or drilling holes anywhere on the structure, or attaching extra parts not designed for the model and provided by the manufacturer. Remember that modifications void warranties and can lead to frame and structure failures and possibly an accident. While cable locks and extra chains are often used by hunters to secure treestands to trees, be certain that these are also inspected but that they do interfere with the use and safe entrance and exit of the treestand.

It is also important to note load weight limits (often printed on attached labels) and follow these numbers. Users should make extra allowances for boots and extra clothing, plus day packs and rifles in the total load placed upon the platform. Never exceed a load limit.

A PERMANENT PLACE

36

Permanent treestands (such as towers) also need regular repair and maintenance.

Look for loose steps, soft or rotten floors, or insect damages. It’s important to keep a good roof overhead and to keep moisture out of those type structures (whether wooden or metal) to ensure they remain safe and stable. Take precautions if rodents have been there (droppings, small nests, etc.). If you must clean out rodent and bird debris, take precautions against hantivirus and other diseases, and avoid breathing in any dust. If cleaning is required, wash the platform thoroughly with bleach and

Whitetales | SUM ME R 2 0 1 5

a water solution well before the hunting season begins. It is a good idea to never place carpet on the floors of permanent hunting structures built from wood because this can hold moisture or attract rodents.

While it is still common in some areas to take a saw, boards, and hammers and nails to build a wooden ladderstand on trees, this practice is never safe. Trees are moved by wind and the soil, and this can result in loose boards. This practice also adds to greatly reduced timber values.

Many horror stories begin with the building of ladder treestand on trees. Avoid this practice.

Finally, before the next hunting season begins is a good time to give all treestands a good scrubbing with scent free wash liquid, then let them dry before installing or erecting. A final inspection before hanging the treestand high in a tree is always good insurance against accidents.

DOUBLE DOWN

When installing or removing any treestand, always work with a hunting buddy or family member for safety purposes. Should there be a fall while removing or installing the treestand, there will be immediate assistance. Yes, remember to take along a cellphone also. When climbing up and coming down, wear and use proper restraint systems from manufacturers such as Muddy Outdoors, Hunter Safety Systems

and others. Hunting partners can also work together on inspections and storage options to ensure that treestands stay safe and functional as they were designed to be.

Remember that the best care and maintenance system for any treestand is to limit its time outdoors and exposure to the elements, followed by proper inspection and storage. Never replace chains, web belts, bolts or platforms and parts unless such parts are readily available in kits with specific instructions from the manufacturer.

If you do make replacements, follow those instructions carefully. Even adding bolts can invalidate a warranty because they do not possibly meet hardness or strength standards like the parts the manufacturer initially installed.

THE FINAL WORD

When in doubt, or if you have questions, there is a place to obtain free assistance on all treestand related questions—the Treestand Manufacturers Association (www.tmastands.com). This nonprofit organization of treestand and hunting safety focused groups provides use and care guidance related to treestands. Other sources, such as some conservation groups and state game departments have and offer free guidelines on treestand care and maintenance. Hunters can also take a free online treestand safety course at www.

Huntercourse.com. Always read and follow these rules, and the various laws related to treestand use.

Unfortunately, we now live in a world where there is another huge and growing safety issue related to treestands and their use—anti-hunters. These under educated and emotional focused groups and their followers have been promoted vandalism of, or theft of, treestands and hunters should be aware. If anti-hunters have picketed in the parking area or left materials on the truck windshield in your hunting area, always inspect or remove any treestands in the immediate area. This is unfortunately a part of today’s world.

The good news is that treestand manufacturing is evolving and new treestand models often provide greater comfort, are easier to use, weigh less for platform surface provided and are generally quieter and more stable. If you must replace a damaged—or stolen—treestand, your options are now much larger.

Be safe.

Close~Converse Properties Brainerd, MN LandRadar.com Jody Osterloh (866) 403-LAND (5263)

Bear Island Land Company Ely, MN BearIslandLand.com Charlie Chernak (218) 365-2800

United Country Banning Junction Real Estate Moose Lake, MN MooseLakeRealEstate-MN.com Natalie Cowart (612) 390-3945

These properties are owned and being offered for sale by Potlatch Timberlands, LLC and/or its wholly owned subsidiaries, which are wholly owned Taxable REIT subsidiaries of Potlatch Corporation. Price and availability are subject to change without notice. This is not an offer to residents in any state in which the registration requirements have not been met. Void where prohibited by law. Broker participation welcome. Equal Housing Opportunity.

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

37

I was helping my son with his geometry homework when his frustration with not understanding the concepts came out in all too typical fashion. “Why do I need to know this stuff anyway?” he said.

I searched a few moments for some real world application when the answer suddenly hit me like a speeding arrow. So I laid a little Pythagoras on him.

As it turns out, much of what we learned in those golden days of our youth has some direct application and usefulness, even for hunters.

And while you may not realize it, you use it every day. Whether you’re too old to remember, or too young to have learned it yet, the following is an accelerated course on physics and geometry that can help you become a more successful bowhunter.

Geometry 101

According to the Pythagorean theorem – a relation in Euclidean geometry – the square of the hypotenuse of a right triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the other two sides. A more familiar translation is: A2 + B2 = C2. “So what?” you say.

Let’s try a little quiz. A is how high you’re perched in your treestand – 20 feet. Using your trusty range-finder you determine that a big buck is standing at C – 35 yards. You pull back your bowstring and aim. Should you use your 30- or 40-yard pin, and where should you aim it?

We go back to Pythagorean theorem to start looking for an answer.

Knowing A is 20 feet and C is 35 feet, we can determine that B, the lateral distance from the base of your tree to the deer only 28 yards. Why is that important? To answer that, we need to leave Pythagoras for a moment and jump over to Sir Isaac Newton and physics.

Basic Physics

Newton, you should recall, was the fellow who postulated the theory of gravity. According to his theory (“theory” in this case being the scientific usage of the word, as in theory of evolution) the effect of gravity is greatest on an object traveling parallel to the ground. It is less on an object traveling at a steep downward or upward angle.

Combining Euclidean geometry and Newtonian physics, we discover that because of the steep downward angle of our shot, the force of gravity is actually less than if we (you) were standing on the ground, which is where you were when you first sighted in the yardage pins on your bowsight. Though the object you’re shooting at is 35 yards away, the force of gravity, and thus the trajectory of your arrow, is equal to what you would experience shooting from 28 yards away at ground level.

Knowing a deer is 35 yards away, many archers would probably take a conservative approach and use their 40 yard pin. However, if there’s enough of a gap between your pins, you could very well shoot right over that buck’s back, especially if he’s at all alert, and jumps at the shot. At the very least, you’ll hit higher than intended.

Fortunately, there are several ways to overcome the laws of geometry and physics. One is, quite simply, to aim low. If you’re shooting a fast bow,

TEXT AND PHOTOS BY BOB HUMPHREY

38

Whitetales | SUMME R 2 0 1 5

it won’t make that much difference. If your bow is a little slower and you aim at the heart, you’ll still hit lungs, even if the deer jumps the string. Of course, this requires that you remember to aim low, in the heat of the moment, while in an excited state.

If you hunt from a treestand, you should practice from one. You already know that. But you should also sight your bow and set your pins for shooting from an elevated position.

Or, you could use a pendulum sight.

They are designed to compensate for up or down angles by moving as you tilt your bow.

This does, with very little exception, limit you to a single pin sight, and though I’ve tried, I just could never get used to one. You could also use an adjustable sight. If you have time, you can range, compensate and adjust. But by the time you’ve done that, the deer may have moved.

Or, you can use a compensating rangefinder. Many of the newer laser rangefinders have a function that compensates for the downward angle and instead of giving you actual distance, they give you effective distance. Then you can use the appropriate pin that was sighted in at ground level.

Okay, so maybe you don’t actually need to memorize pythagorean theorem and Newton’s theory of gravity, but you should at least be familiar with them. If nothing else, its sounds wicked impressive at hunting camp.

Advanced Physics

Bowhunters should also be familiar with Albert Einstein’s mass-energy equivalence: E=mc2, where E is energy; m is mass (weight), and c is the speed of light.

Translation: the kinetic energy (in foot pounds) an object possesses is equal to its mass times its acceleration. This then leads us to the debate over whether it’s better to have a faster, lighter arrow, or a slower, heavier one. Let’s see.

The amount of potential energy (PE) a bow can store is a function of draw weight (F) and draw length (x), and is calculated as follows: PE = Fx/2 (“2” because there

are two limbs). As a side note, because the average draw length (power stroke) of a crossbow is roughly half that of the average compound bow, the draw weight must be doubled to achieve the same PE, and ultimately, similar KE. When you release your bow string, PE is converted to KE. The job of all that energy is to propel an arrow toward its intended target. The equation for KE (momentum) is generally written as KE = ½mv², where m = mass (weight) and v = velocity (speed). There are some inherent problems with this equation however because it assumes mass is constant, which it is not; and because no mass can move at velocity squared. That part won’t be on the test. The important thing to remember here is the relationship, and the fact that KE is a function of both arrow weight and speed.

So how do we maximize that energy?

You can increase PE on a compound bow slightly by increasing draw weight and/or string length, but only up to its maximum limitation point. (The draw weight and length on a crossbow are fixed, as is its PE). Once you’ve reached the physical limitations of either bow, the only way to increase one variable (speed or mass) is by reducing the other. Typically, that involves increasing arrow speed by reducing arrow weight. There are some distinct advantages to going in this direction. Understanding them requires some more geometry.

Geometry and Physics

Trajectory is the path an arrow follows. From the moment it’s released, the arrow is affected by gravity (Remember Newton?) and air resistance, and its flight path follows a falling arc. Faster arrows have a straighter arc (flatter trajectory).

Less drop affords the shooter a greater margin of error in estimating yardage, which translates to better accuracy. Heavier arrows are slower and fall more quickly, resulting in a greater arc.

There is a sacrifice. A lighter arrow loses momentum and therefore KE faster.

That means less downrange knockdown power, which can be critically important

if you’re hunting larger or thick-skinned game. However, the relationship between speed and weight is not linear. By increasing your arrow weight by 100 grains you’ll only gain about five foot pounds of KE but you’ll lose about 25 feet per second (fps). Clearly, speed is the more important of the two variables.

However, with the increased speeds of modern bows, some hunters are moving back toward heavier broadhead-arrow combinations. The fastest crossbows now are pushing arrows nearly 360 fps; and compounds aren’t far behind at 340 fps.

With those speeds, bowhunters after thickskinned or really big game animals can switch to heavier arrows to gain downrange knockdown power, and still propel an arrow well over 300 fps.

Let’s go back to trajectory for a moment to point out how similar compounds and crossbows are. From the moment it leaves the bow, an arrow is subject to the pull of gravity. No matter how fast its flight or how flat its trajectory, eventually your arrow will fall to earth; unless of course, it should hit something else first. Out to 40 yards, the trajectory of a 350-grain arrow shot from a compound bow at 340 fps and a crossbow at 357 fps is virtually identical. Assuming the archer is standing on level ground and the arrows are fired parallel to the ground, both will land somewhere between 50 and 60 yards away.

Even if your aim is elevated, both will have dropped around 80 inches at 70 yards.

Graduate Level Physics

Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to move on to advanced, yet subtle aspects of your bow-arrow combination.

The law of conservation of energy states that energy can be neither created nor destroyed, but it can change form. When you release your bow string, most but not all the PE is converted to KE, which propels the arrow. Much of the remainder is dissipated into the limbs, riser and string as noise and vibration.

As an archer, you want to reduce both to the greatest extent possible, which can

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

39

TRANSFER OF ENERGY The archer uses mechanical energy (ME) to draw a bow, bending its limbs. This ME is then stored in the bent limbs as potential energy (PE), and converted to kinetic energy (KE) when the bowstring is released. How much KE the arrow receives is a function of draw weight, power stroke or draw length and bow efficiency. Where the arrow hits (trajectory) and how hard it hits (downrange KE) are a function of KE, arrow weight (m) and speed (v). These properties are identical for compound bows and crossbows. Actual numerical values can vary between the two, as well as among each class of bow, but variances are not statistically significant.

be accomplished in several ways. One is with so called string tamers and limb silencers. Sims Vibration Laboratory is a pioneer in this aspect of archery, and was the first to come out with what they call Limbsavers. These rubber devices absorb and more slowly dissipate energy so you don’t feel it in your hand, and deer don’t hear it at the shot.

Another way to tame bow “recoil” is by changing the physics of limb geometry. Mathews was among the first to introduce parallel limb technology, wherein each limb works against the other to further cancel out noise and vibration.

Other bow makers have followed suit, and it’s one of several features of reverse-limb crossbows.

Archer’s Paradox

Some rangefinders have the capability to compensate for the influence of gravity on steeply down-angled shots.

IMAGE COURTESY OF PSE ARCHERY

The physics and therefore performance of compounds and crossbows are remarkably similar.

Some of the stored energy transferred to the arrow at release causes the shaft to oscillate.

That’s why it’s important to match your arrow spine to your bow’s specifications.

The effect of gravity is less on steeply downangled shots. As a result the effective range is not the same as the actual distance to the target.

Practical Exam

Image courtesy of Arizona Archery Products

By eliminating contact between the arrow shaft and shelf, drop-away rests also reduce friction, noise and some of the effects of archer’s paradox.

40

Whitetales | SUMME R 2 0 1 5

There’s yet another place energy is transferred. When you release your bow string and PE is converted to KE, the sudden transition of your arrow from a static position to being in motion causes the arrow shaft to “oscillate” or bend repeatedly. This oscillation is called archer’s paradox. The first time you see it in slow motion video you’ll be amazed how much an arrow shaft flexes back and forth in flight. This is also why it’s important to match the “spine” - degree to which the shaft resists archer’s paradox - to your bow’s specifications. Heavier draw weights require stiffer spined arrows to reduce oscillation, which in turn reduces lost energy and increases accuracy.

You also need to consider your arrow rest and how it interacts with an archer’s paradox and your arrow shaft. A conventional rest generally has some type of spring to counteract some of the oscillation created at release. By adjusting spring tension you can change the degree of resistance, improving accuracy.

Or, you can simply switch to a drop-away rest.

This eliminates any contact between arrow and rest at the time of release so the effect of archer’s paradox is relatively equal on the top and bottom of the shaft. A drop-away rest also reduces noise and friction that would otherwise occur as the shaft slides along the rest shelf upon release.

The true test of your grasp on the subject matter is a practical exam that occurs in the field.

If you’ve been a good student, you should pass with flying colors.

The good news is: there is no written exam.

The real test will come when you’re in the woods this fall bowhunting. If you studied your lessons and applied what you learned to your equipment, you should pass with flying colors. Of course, you still need an opportunity, which is influenced by non-linear dynamics. But that’s another class.

Bob Humphrey is an outdoor writer, wildlife biologist and registered Maine Guide who had a B average in college physics.

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

41

Radco’s Tips for

Accessorizing Your Ride

For most hunters our truck is irreplaceable. It is the investment that brings our hobby to that next level. Radco has been in the truck accessory business since 1976 and has catered to hunters of all genres, including deer. When it comes to accessorizing your favorite hunting tool, we at Radco stress the importance of what we consider the five essentials of truck accessories. Investing in interior floor protection, exterior fender protection, bed protection, cargo protection and step safety is important to the longevity and over all benefit to your truck.

The first product to invest is in some form of floor protection. The last thing you want to do is to track the great outdoors into the indoors of your rig. Some options available are factory floor mats, universal floor mats, trim to fit liners, and digital fit liners. Our most recommended product is the Weathertech digital fit floor liner. Weathertech liners are a custom-made floor protection option that is a step above anything else out there.

Weathertech digitally scans the interior of every vehicle and molds their liners to match the floor perfectly. They offer raised edges to protect against over flow; they cover up to or over the doorsill plate, and are resistant to harsh chemicals such as gasoline and bleach.

After you have protected your interior don’t forget your exterior. Purchasing some form of mud flaps to protect your ride from dings, paint chips, and corrosion is substantial. Most trucks come without mud flaps leaving your fenders exposed to debris that may be kicked up while traveling down those back roads.

Some options available are a set of universal rubber mud flaps, textured mud flaps, stainless steel contoured mud guards, and our personal favorite, the Weathertech no drill digital fit mud guards.

Weathertech features a slick stainless steel fastening system that mounts in minutes without the need for tire removal and drilling into your paint.

The third product you should commit to should be cargo

42

Whitetales | SUMME R 2 0 1 5

protection to protect your hunting gear and other valuables.

Options available are Access tonneau rolls up covers, solid tonneau covers, aluminum toppers or Leer fiberglass toppers. Our most recommended products are the Access tonneau covers and the Leer Fiberglass toppers. Access tonneau covers come in handy with their ease to roll up if you ever have a load that’s tall and you can do so timely and easily. The Leer toppers have a custom fit design to your trucks make, model, and year to make sure that they have a seamless looking fit to really make the truck on point. The toppers are also lockable and have dark tinted glass to have the max security possible to keep your possessions safe and secure.

After protecting the outside of your cargo space make sure to shield your bed also. This will help prevent scratches and the paint from chipping. Options available are drop in bed liners, spray in bed liners, bed treds or bed rugs. This leads us to our most suggested bed defense product, the Bed Rug. Advantages of the Bed Rug are that they are made out of a recycled plastic that looks and feels like a fine carpet, have a rugged construction for heavy freight, and have an anti-skid surface to prevent the cargo from shifting.

They are easily removed and reinstalled, which makes cleaning easy. It has a ¾ inch cushion in the floor making it is very easy on your cargo, knees, and especially on your hunting dogs if you have them in the back of your ride.

Lastly, getting in and out of your truck safely is important when it comes to safety in the woods. A set of step bars or running boards will help while adding to the appearance of your ride. We offer a wide variety of step products from companies like, Luverne, Go Rhino and Amp Research, which can be broken into two primary categories step bars & running boards. Our favorite step product is the Amp Research power steps. The power steps are a full length running board that have an automatic power system that deploys the steps down when you open the door and tuck up under the truck to keep a sleek look while driving or parked.

They also have LED lights that activate when the step is deployed, making it easier to see no matter if its dusk and dawn. The steps are very sturdy and hold up to 600 pounds on each side. They are maintenance free and self-lubricating for all-weather and all-year use.

When it comes to outfitting your truck, these five accessories are vital to protecting, preventing, and extending the life of your most treasured piece of hunting equipment, your truck. Investing in protection for your truck will give the self-assurance you need when it comes to safety and the impacts of an unknown field or back road. You will know in confidence that you are preventing your truck from the wear and tear that is a big part of what this sport is all about. As you are extending your investment in your truck for years to come, remember what we say here at Radco: “When your truck looks good, you look good!”

Bemidji Bend of the River Blue Earth River Valley Bluewater Bluff Country Brainerd Capitol Sportsmens Carlton County Central Minnesota Chippewa Valley Clay Wilkin Crow River Des Moines Valley East Central East Ottertail Isanti County Itasca County Jim Jordon Lake Superior McGregor Minnesota River Valley Morrison County North Suburban Park Rapids Quad Rivers Riceland Whitetails Sauk River Phantom Bucks Sherburne County Swampbucks Sioux Trails Smokey Hills Snake River South Central Praireland Southeast Minnesota Southern Gateway South Metro St. Croix Sunrisers Thief River Falls Trails End Tri-County River Bottom Bucks Wadena Wild River Wright County

TOTAL HIDES COLLECTED

TOTAL 273 484 96 611 45 544 191 356 411 75 273 253 179 223 638 604 598 166 290 95 367 197 657 450 90 163 244 262 190 555 271 140 113 403 819 148 206 1523 177 411 667 204 809

15,471

TAILS 0 383 70 485 0 416 0 0 361 0 0 160 108 0 380 457 494 0 0 0 279 144 305 385 0 130 194 180 117 400 230 72 0 268 0 70 110 1312 100 349 479 0 700

9,138

TOTAL GROSS (includes tails) $152,228

The 2015 28th Annual State Habitat Banquet, designed specifically to raise matching grants dollars for state-wide Minnesota wildlife habitat projects, was a huge success! With your support over $30,000 net profit was raised for Minnesota habitat.

Save the date to join us in raising more funds for Minnesota’s habitat at the 29th Annual State Habitat Banquet on February 27, 2016 at the Timberlake Lodge in Grand Rapids, Minnesota.

PHOTO BY ED SCHMIDT

CHAPTER

28th Annual State Habitat Banquet…A HUGE Success!

PHOTO BY ED SCHMIDT

2014–2015 Chapter Hides for Habitat Collection Report

Seven MDHA members were awarded Distinguished Service Awards. Presenting this year’s awards were President Denis Quarberg and Vice President Doug Appelgren to: Ron Nordlund, Henry and Mary Carey, Harold Burley, Deb Bachel, Fred Freihammer and Cody Duroe. Their engraved plates state— In recognition of your personal contribution in promoting the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association.

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

43

BY TODD AMENRUD

Late Summer/Fall Planting Options for Attraction Throughout the country traditional planting times for most crops coincides with when there is ample topsoil moisture available. The soil normally holds enough

44

Annual legumes like soybeans, iron and clay peas or lablab are great summertime nutrition, but only the dried beans are really an option after a frost has occurred and your beans are dead and moisture during the spring from snowmelt brown. If you concentrate on the crop for in addition to those “April showers.” Then the earliest part of the bow season before again, moisture returns during the late a frost, they can hold some great attraction summer or fall when the sun’s angle to the power. But these annual legumes are very earth subsides, allowing the moisture from vulnerable to cold temperatures. When any late summer thunderstorms to stay planted for whitetails, most choose to plant in the topsoil long enough to germinate these for the green leaf forage production the seeds and facilitate the new seedlings for summertime nutrition, but in certain through lag phase and into plants our parts of the country dried soybeans left whitetails will relish. Some of the most on the stalk can also be a great late season attractive crops have been planted during magnet. the spring, but a majority of those “candy Variety is a key to consistency, so crops” are traditionally planted during available food plot acreage is a major the late summer (in the north) or fall (in concern. With small plots, since you can’t the south). Here in Minnesota you may be “do it all,” you must adopt a targeted planting as early as July to as late as the approach. With little fields you’ll first couple days of September. Picking a want your crop to be at the peak of its crop that is most attractive for when you attraction when you plan on hunting it. want to hunt is a key to getting the most If the plot allows the space for variety, by from your hunting plots. all means, I’m going to give it to them. If I Whitetail managers are lucky in that have the space available I like to present many of the most attractive plantings end an attractive, palatable food choice that up also being some of the most nutritious. will keep them coming from before Timing and placement dictate when and opening day until the season ends or until how they will be used from north to south. the food runs out.

Some plants can be used for specific When designing a hunting plot, missions while others cover a wide array knowing when plants are favored and of benefits. how they should be utilized is important.

Some of the most attractive crops Following are a few choices that are are planted during the spring. For planted during the late summer/fall instance, for opening day attraction in planting season, when they are typically the Upper Midwest, perennials such as planted and when they are normally red and white clovers, alfalfa, birdsfoot Brassicas like radishes, rape, turnips and kale are high in trefoil and chicory are very attractive and protein and very digestible, and here in Minnesota they are one attractive to whitetails. Please keep in of the most attractive mid to late season draws available. mind that different herds can respond to very nutritious from the end of August

Whitetales | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

on into October and even much later if warm temperatures pop up again. In the South they are also very attractive but the timeframe is only a bit later.

Corn is also planted during the spring or early summer and every hunter knows how attractive it can be to whitetails at times. When cold temperatures come they’ll be in the corn or brassicas. In fact, in the North, if you have deep snow those are basically your only two reliable food plot choices.

gate, so I usually use two off-set strands of P2 ribbon right from the get-go and I always leave a bit of the crop outside of the fenced off area to satisfy their appetite.

various types of plants uniquely. Because of deficiencies in native vegetation or certain plants missing from your overall food plot program, plants that would normally be palatable to whitetails during a certain stage of growth, or other plant types because weather events turn the plants to their most palatable stage, may be eaten at times other than their traditionally most attractive timeframe. Below are the norms for some of my favorite late summer/fall plantings.

CEREAL GRAINS

If someone told me I could only plant one thing for attraction during our gun season in Minnesota (early to mid November) it would have to be Trophy Oats. Cereal grains like oats, wheat and triticale are relished by whitetails. They have high levels of carbohydrates and the energy these plants produce is utilized perfectly by the whitetails’ digestive system. Cereal grains are easy to grow and will do well in soils that are a bit more acidic than other plant types, especially legumes.

Cereal grains are palatable right away after germination for about their first fifty days of growth, then attraction-power, palatability and nutritional content drop off the table. Thus timing your planting is crucial for these succulent grasses if you wish them to be attractive when you plan to hunt. The idea is to plant them late enough so the “fifty day period” extends into the season as long as possible, but early enough so you attain a decent yield before cold temperatures shut down growth.

Traditionally, cereal grains are planted around mid-August in the North, September in the country’s mid-section and September and October throughout the South. It depends upon the specific cereal as to how deep it should be planted and the planting

These succulent annual legumes are like “ice cream” to whitetails. They are palatable right away after germination and typically devoured as fast as they grow. Because of this you have a couple options, you can plant enough acreage to overwhelm the amount of “mouths” you have to feed or protect what you plant with electric fencing, P2 Plot Protector or some type of deerproof barrier. Then, when you choose to “ring the dinner bell” simply open the plot up to your herd. Or, plant smaller amounts and just understand that the crop will likely be eaten fast and furious, just make sure you are there when the carnage is occurring.

Winter peas are planted as soon as early August in the far North to as late as early October in the south. They are normally planted ¼ inch deep at approximately 40 lbs per acre and will grow in all soil types as long as the site receives adequate rainfall. They like the sun, but can be grown in partial sun, to as little as six hours per day. Nutritional content will vary depending upon the stage of growth, but will average around 25% protein.

Winter peas are normally used for early season attraction and because of the poor yield in relation to other crops one of the best tactics is to fence off half your devoted acreage with P2 Plot Protector. The reason for protecting only half your crop is because it is much easier to protect one half if you give them the other portion. A hungry whitetail is hard to deter and if you cut them off completely they will almost certainly breach your defense if you’re only using one strand of P2. If you do protect the entire crop, keep a close eye on it and mend and bolster any breaches in the ribbon as soon as they are found. Once one whitetail finds the way in, it’s like opening the flood

PHOTO BY TODD AMENRUD

WINTER PEAS

Cereal grains (Trophy Oats in the foreground) are very attractive to whitetails during the hunting season.

Notice the variety in this hunting plot – cereal grains, brassicas and corn in the background.

rate. It can vary from ¼ to ½ inch deep for wheat or triticale to 1 to 2 inches deep for oats. Planting rates for cereal grains are heavier by weight than other plantings because of larger seed size. It also depends upon whether you’re broadcasting or using a drill. More seeds would be necessary when broadcasting to make up for the inconsistency in planting depth when compared to a precise drill.

Cereals grains will sometimes be planted during the spring in parts of the country. When managers do this they are either mowed periodically so fresh, more palatable growth happens shortly after or they are left to go to seed and the seeds are disked in to germinate and produce a new crop. I prefer to simply plant them during the late summer or fall from seed. In my view, the fresh crop from seed is more attractive to whitetails than one “kept alive” from mowing.

Cereal grains are easy to mix certain other plant types with to extend the palatability timeframe of a plot. Full Draw, Green Patch Plus, Last Bite and Outfitter’s Blend feature cereal grains mixed with brassicas, and/or legumes. Besides each having some uniquely exclusive cultivars, the big difference in these blends is the ratio of cereal grains in relation to the other plants.

BRASSICAS/ BEETS

Brassicas could simply be the best deer food God has ever created. They have the best protein content, most digestible nutrients and best yield out of any food plot crop that I know of. They are typically used for late season attraction or wintertime nutrition because of cold temperatures transforming the plant’s high levels of starch to sugar.

But be prepared to experience the possibility of several scenarios if you’ve never planted them before.

Deer may react differently to brassicas in different areas. Normally they don’t hit them hard until after a hard freeze or several frosts have occurred. However, the first time you plant them since you’re introducing a new plant to the area it may take you a while to battle a learning curve.

The deer not hitting them right away has happened to me before. The first year I planted brassicas on my home property in Minnesota it wasn’t until after Christmas until they started eating them. Mother doe

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

45

46

If your property is in an area that does not get cold enough temperatures to trigger a significant response, don’t devote vast acreage to brassicas until you see your herd turn-on to them. If you live in an area where you get cold temperatures during the hunting season I’ve never seen a better magnet for deer.

Brassicas include many different plant types that whitetails will devour – rape,

Whitetales | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

Brassicas such as turnips and these radishes are notorious for producing large root-bulbs; however, not all brassicas produce root bulbs. The yield and protein content is much higher in the greens than the root bulbs, but some food-plotters love to have the root bulbs because whitetails love them and will dig deep for them.

PHOTO BY TODD AMENRUD PHOTO BY TODD AMENRUD

Whitetails may react differently to brassicas under different conditions or in different areas. Most often it will take cold temperatures to change the plant’s high-levels of starch to sugar then they become the most attractive. A “browse-cage” will teach you the potential of your plants (inside) and what your herd is consuming (outside).

PHOTO BY JESSE RALEY

canola, turnips and radishes are some of my favorites. My favorite blends are Maximum, Winter Bulbs & Sugar Beets and the new Deer-RADISH (new for 2013). Brassicas are also included with other plants in Perfect Plot, Premium Perennial (brassicas mixed with perennials), Full Draw, Green Patch Plus and Last Bite (brassicas blended with other annuals).

Beets can also be lumped in with brassicas, but they are not actually a brassica. The sugar beet that we use in Winter Bulbs & Sugar Beets extends the palatability duration of the mix significantly.

Whitetails relish these just as well as brassicas.

has taught her offspring to feed on various food sources throughout the year, and then her off spring teach their offspring, and so on…to feed on acorns this time of year, alfalfa this time of year, corn this time of year, etc. Now, you introduce a plant they have never seen before, that if they have tried it up until the starches convert to sugar it would have been bitter.

Once they learn what this plant is, expect consumption to happen earlier each year.

Now on my home property they will start to eat my brassicas as early as September.

They also react differently to this plant in various types of habitat. In a “big woods” scenario, where there isn’t a lot of agriculture around, they might eat it as fast as it comes out of the ground. For instance, on my Ontario property they won’t let the brassicas mature as they eat them too fast.

After the first cold temperatures in late August they’ll eat them until they are gone.

In an agricultural area, typically they will leave this plant alone until the freeze.

This, to me as a land manager, is good because it allows me to gain tonnage. With bigger plants I can feed more deer for a longer time.

Brassicas are amazing plants and possibly the ideal whitetail food plot forage. This brassica plant was browsed down to the stalk and with a little rain it continues on pumping out new, lush forage.

These small tiny seeds create some amazing yield. Because the seeds are so small a planting depth of ¼ inch or less is recommended. Ideally the seeds would be broadcasted on a firm seedbed and then rolled over with a cultipacker.

They also produce excellent stands when planted through a drill. They can also be broadcasted on a prepared seedbed prior to a rain or frost seeded in certain areas. Heck, these seeds are so hardy I’ll have brassicas growing in the cracks of my driveway if I have an accidental spill.

Brassicas are very versatile when it comes to planting times. Traditionally they are planted during the late summer or fall, but they can be planted earlier during the spring in the far north. It is not recommended to plant them earlier anywhere but the upper tier of U.S. states and Canada. Because of the longer growing

season farther south the plants will likely bolt to flower and seed, something you DO NOT want. You don’t want your plants to use their energy to produce flowers and seeds - you want the plant’s energy to stay contained in the leaves to be transferred into antler and energy for your herd.

Even in northern latitudes it is recommended to plant during the late summer. Why battle the summer weed cycle for the possibility of a little more yield?

The yield of a late summer/fall planting is so great anyhow, I wouldn’t suggest the gamble. The best planting times would be late July or early August in the North to September in the South. Even with late summer/fall planted brassicas yields from 12 to 20 tons per acre are common.

These seeds are normally planted at around 9 pounds per acre and the plants will grow well in any soil type pending adequate soil moisture is present. They will work in a no-till preparation and in less than full sun (at least 6 hours per day).

They can also do well in below neutral pH. In my view they are the ideal food plot crop.

I always preach versatility in a food plot program, but it is important to understand when and how each individual planting should be made use of. In my view, it is best to plant a combination of spring plantings and late summer plantings in the north. In the south most of your “menu” is planted during the late summer or fall, but a combination of annuals and perennials will also be your best bet under most conditions.

MDHA TIPS

and

Treasures

BY ROD DIMICH AND ED SCHMIDT

TIP #1 “Don’t Skid the Kid with Cans on Stands Ladder Legs”

Once you have properly placed your ladder stand but have not anchored it to a tree, mark the ground where each leg will be.

Use a small garden trowel and dig a 3” deep hole and insert a soup can for each leg. This will keep the legs from clogging with mud and also prevent slipping on hard ground. Remember to take the cans with you when moving the stand and at the end of the season.

TIP #2

“Oh My Aching Back”

If you have heard that or said it, it is because you might have reached, pulled or stepped up where you should not have.

Pulling things out of your truck box can literally be a pain in the back. To make retrieval easier, do two things. One is to put your stuff in one or two ice sleds. To access gear simply pull out the sled. Another good idea is get an old garden hoe or a telescoping boat hook and use it to push gear in and pull it back.

TIP #3

“Don’t Cinch That Winch”

One thing many outdoors people do when transporting their wheelers is cinch the winch on the front on the trailer to keep the ATV from rolling back. According to industry winch people this is not a good idea. As you hit bumps and go up hills there is stress on the winch gears, stress they were not designed for. Just get some ratchet tie-downs and never fear your winch’s gears failing you.

48

Whitetales | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

MDHA’s Wildlife Art Program… is our Artistic Treasure!

MDHA’s logo is essentially a sight many of us have seen — a bounding deer heading for cover. Grand Rapids artist Gene Lysaker designed our logo for MDHA. MDHA’s first president Dave Shaw commissioned his good friend to create a logo that represented the essence of the whitetail deer and to do so not on canvas, but on buckskin. The original hangs in our state office.

Gene was then once again commissioned to paint MDHA’s first art print. Gene mildly protested to Dave that going from logo to art print was not the way it was done. But, arguing with Dave generally means agreeing with him. He had a way with people. The objective of the art print was to raise funds to assist with the association’s startup costs.

Since its inception in 1983 (hosted by the North Suburban Chapter and run by Dennis Schill and Joe Corcoran) MDHA’s Art Print Contest (Lysaker’s was commissioned) has not only been a successful fundraiser, but has launched many wildlife artists’ careers. Michael Sieve’s rendition of “Cautious Approach” in 1983, for example, took first place with over 80 artists entering the contest.

MDHA generated more than $42,000 in sales from Sieve’s print.

For the following 20 years, the art contest moved around the state with noted artists such as New York’s Bob Travers entering and winning. Bob won the contest twice. His “Winter Retreat” was used for two magazine covers: Field & Stream and MDHA’s Whitetales. Later, he entered again and won with “Summer Retreat.” Other well known artists included are Jim Kasper (two time winner), Jack Paluh, Robert Schmidt, Rosemary Millet, Jim Kennedy, Steven Hemrick, Bruce Miller, Haydon Lambson, Lynda Wood, Greg McGowan, Ron Orlando and those listed in the side bar.

In 2000, MDHA expanded the art program and added another version for youth only. To make it fair, there were several divisions depending on age grouping. The objective was to have youth think out-of-doors and focus on their experiences with wildlife. Today, chapters are encouraged to conduct their own youth art programs —

Bob Travers’ Winter Retreat.

For boots, shoes, skates & cleats

Dries Like Crazy.

Destroys Odor Relentlessly.

Jim Kasper’s Autumn Challenge

Jim Kennedy’s Time to Hustle

crayon, watercolor, woodcarving or sculptures.

If you are interested in any of the artwork, MDHA has a library of most winning pieces. They are available for purchase by contacting the MDHA office.

1984 Cautious Approach by Michael Sieve mini only 1985 Autumn Challenge by Jim Kasper -mini only 1986 Morning Passage by Jack Paluh 1987 Evening Passage by Rosemary Millette 1988 Time To Hustle by James Kennedy 1989 Closin’ In by Jim Kasper 1990 Cautious Moment by Jack Paluh -Large only 1991 On The Ridge by Bruce Miller - Large only 1992 The Magic Hour by Hayden Lambson Large only 1993 Winter Retreat by Bob Travers - No Large or mini 1994 Whitetails at Crooked Creek by Michael Glenn Monroe 1995 Summer Retreat by Bob Travers 1996 Curious Chatter by Ken Kylmannen 1997 Classic Chatter by Jim Kasper

1998 Hunters Daydream by Lynda Wood 1999 A Shift In The Wind by Ron Orlando 2000 Autumn Glow by Steve Hamrick 2001 Scrapeline Revival by Greg McGowan 2002 We’ll Meet Again by Joe Hautman - No large or mini 2003 Autumn Shadows by Bob Hautman 2004 Autumn Whitetails by Jim Hautman 2005 On The River by Bruce Miller 2006 Field Of Dreams by Brian Miller 2007 The Buck Stops Here by James Meger No mini 2008 Silent Pursuit by Cynthie Fisher 2009 Something’s In The Air by Scott Storm 2010 The Chase Is On by Scott Storm 2011 The Next In Line by Scott Storm 2012 Moment Of Truth by Kevin T. Daniel 2013 The Critical Moment by Chris Kuehn 2014 A Hunters Moon by Chris Kuehn 2015 Zone 1- Firearms by Michael Sieve

1

Removes wet and sweat to make footwear feel better

2

Odor is scientifically eliminated so footwear is odor-free

3

Saves money by prolonging the life of footwear

IN YOUR STORES AUGUST 2015!

Visit www.peetdryer.com M N800-222-7338 DEERHUNTERS.COM Call

49

Member STORY

SITTING ON THE “EAST LINE”

BY JAMES KLEINKE

It was in 1940 when Grandpa Ernie handed my father his Winchester Model 94 as they walked out of the “Log Cabin” door of what we call the “Home Place.” It was still

50

dark when my grandpa gave clear instructions to my father, “Head into the big woods and follow the ‘Cow Path’ to the ‘East Line’ and stand on the ‘deer crossing.’” Then he added these words of wisdom, “Shoot a dry doe or a big buck, no fawns. Now get going as it’s getting light and don’t miss.”

With those “marching orders” in mind, my father quickly made his way through the woods until he hit the small trail on the “East Line” and stood next to an old oak tree that his Uncle Fred said was the perfect spot. The early rising sun began to melt the frost off the oak limbs, but before it could break the treetops a doe made its way across the small trail.

My father stood rock still as my grandfather had done so many times before with my father at his side. As the doe made its way into a stand of white pines, the following crunch of aspen leaves hinted what was about to step onto the trail. The rut was on and the once cautious buck jumped the fence and landed squarely onto the trail and in the middle of the iron sites. With a steady hand and a clean shot my father harvested one of his many trophy bucks, providing needed food for his family and memories for ages to come.

In 2014, my father handed me my grandfather’s Winchester Model 94 to take hunting on the “Home Place.” Just as I was about to walk out the door into the dark on opening day heading to the “Big Woods,” my son Kennon asked me where I was going for the morning hunting.

My reply was not surprising as I always found my way to the

Whitetales | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

“East Line” on opening day.

The “East Line” was a perfect place to reminisce about all the wonderful years I have had with my family, not to mention seeing and passing on a lot of deer, including some nice bucks and dropping a trophy just like my dad.

“Why do you want to know?” I asked my son. “Well,” he replied, “I was thinking I would go there and sit.” I smiled and replied, “If you do, you need to shoot a big buck, no fawns, no does, but you had better get going and don’t miss” were my last words of wisdom. It was deja vu as he quickly walked into the early morning darkness through the “Big Woods” to a small trail on the “East Line” to sit in a stand next to an old oak tree that had been looking over us for five generations. Once again, as the sun rose on this cold opening day the frost began to melt off the oak limbs and before the sun could break the treetops a buck found his way into the middle of my son’s cross hairs. With a steady hand and a clean shot another trophy buck that had thrown caution to the wind and presented himself was taken, this time by a fifth generation hunter who had taken a trophy buck on the “East Line” and put food on our table and memories in our minds.

When I made my way to the old oak tree and saw the smile on Kennon’s face, I knew he had connected. I could not have been prouder of my son and the buck he shot, but there is a little bit more to the story. My son Kennon has been vigilant to develop this land into a quality deer management area since he was a little boy. Just like my grandfather, my dad, myself, my uncles, their families and even my youngest son who never hunts, we have dedicated our efforts to develop the land in a quality deer management manner and adhering to the MDHA tenets of habitat and involve young hunters.

We have planted trees, created food plots, built safe stands and taken care of our elder hunters, but Kennon has taken it to the next level. He has photographed generations of deer just as we have compiled generations of pictures of all of us enjoying the “Home Place.” He is committed to leave the land better than it was when it was given to him. The fact Kennon took this buck on the “East Line” has special meaning as he passes on many nice bucks and does and he would not personally think of shooting a young deer.

He has a wall of un-used tags. Clearly, the care and concern for this land Grandpa Ernie believed in has been woven into my son and his great-grandpa and grandpa stand proud of what he is continuing in the “Big Woods” where the “Log Cabin” sat.

For me the buck is a bonus, our hope is the young hunters in our camp like Kennon set good examples for the next generation

uncles, of good times, days of hard work on the farm making the woods a better place, stories of deer passed by, a “chichi dee” sitting on your gun barrel, a bear walking by a stand, a sunrise or sunset and priceless times spent with his dad.

Who knows? Some night it may even become a bedtime story on how he walked through the “Big Woods” like generations before him to the “East Line” and shot a big buck. And with that story a new generation of great hunters will begin and they too will eventually walk through their “Big Woods” to their “East Lines” and sit under their “old oak trees” and make memories of their own. Kennon will make sure our “East Line” will be a great place to be on opening day for generations to come.

Our “East Line” has given our family many good meals and memories, including another story of a first buck to remember shot by my second cousin Reid. The new stands built by me, The number 1 Pin on Kennon’s hat has survived four generations and is worn by the my two boys and put up with friends to keep our older hunters hunter who has the bigest buck. warm last year yielded a nine-pointer for my Uncle Al. As for my father, he passed on several 8s and a 10 waiting for a big and others. Kennon defines why we hunt and what a good hunter is one. The “East Line” and the “Big Woods” have been good to him supposed to be. Hunting is about enjoying Mother Nature and the over the years. More importantly, however, he hunted everyday with fellowship. Hunters know the importance of giving back to the land us even in the frigid cold. for what they take.

I also want to note we are committed to MDHA and the North Kennon appreciates our traditions and how they keep us Germany QDM and appreciate each organization’s members and connected to those who have hunted with us in the past and he volunteers for their commitments to deer and deer hunting and appreciates that essentially what they have given us is the “true education and legislation. We all strive to create not only a quality trophy.” He deserves the wall hanger and it will be the catalyst for deer herd but also quality deer hunters. him to tell great stories of log cabins, great grandpas, grandpas,

Reactive Targets REACTIVE TARGETS With Birchwood Casey Shoot•N•C™ self-adhesive reactive targets, bullet holes are revealed with bright chartreuse rings – providing you with instant feedback and eliminating the need to walk down range or use binoculars.

Repair pasters allow you to cover up shots and extend target life. Available in a large variety of sizes.

Shoot More. Shoot Better.

™

9

9

10

10

Visit your local retailer or contact us at

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

51

What’s Cookin’?

Venison Adana Kebabi compliments of Cabela’s Hunter Harvest

This Turkish take on the kabob replaces chunks of meat with the ground variety pressed onto a wide, flat skewer and, ideally, grilled over oak. Keep the meat from sticking to the grill by placing a brick at each end of the grate to suspend the skewer just over it.

INGREDIENTS 1 lb.

1 3 to 4 1 ½ cup 1 tsp.

1 tsp.

1 tsp.

ground venison egg cloves garlic, minced red pepper, diced parsley, finely chopped red pepper flakes cumin salt

PROCEDURE

1. Add the ingredients to a large bowl and, using your hands, mix everything together quickly, but thoroughly. Cover and place the bowl in the refrigerator for approximately one hour to let the flavors combine and the mixture set.

2. Remove the meat mix from the refrigerator and pull off a piece about the size of an egg. Form this tightly and evenly along the length of a flat skewer (try to find the widest, flattest skewers you can). If you don’t have a flat skewer, you can form elongated patties, sort of like a flattened sausage.

Repeat with the remaining mix.

3. Place the skewers over a medium-hot fire and grill, turning often, until the outside is a bit charred and the inside is cooked through. Serve with warm flat bread and zerzavat— an onion salad.

52

Whitetales | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

ZERZAVAT

1 medium red onion, sliced thin 1 tsp. sumac ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped ½ tsp. salt 4 lemon wedges Mix first four ingredients together and serve immediately with lemon wedges

PREP TIME: 20 minutes COOK TIME: 15 minutes SERVINGS: 4

Gizmos Gadgets Garments Gear Fang RC Wrist-Strap Release

The Shooter Wrist-Strap Release

Custom fit and personalized performance is the name of the game with the new T.R.U. Ball; Fang RC ($100), which features the unique – and fast – red rope connection system. Just pull the rope to the preferred length, slide the red plug into place and you’ve got the perfect custom fit locked in. Two screws – one for trigger travel and the other for sensitivity – along with three included springs allow hunters to dial in just the right sensitivity, including the lightest available in a commercial release aid. The trigger features a rubber insert for a no-slip feel in the wet conditions hunters often find themselves in.

And speaking of triggers, each Fang RC comes with two: a forward swept model for added energy and a comfortable back-leaning trigger.

The Fang RC is available in buckle or Velcro-secure strap models. www.truball.com

T.R.U. Ball also offers a wrist-style release designed explicitly for young archers. The Shooter features a rope-style connection between the head and strap that makes the length of the release very short to fit small hands while still delivering the accuracy T.R.U. Ball is known for. The Shooter is also easy to operate – you simply pull the trigger to open the standard-caliper jaws and release it to close. A quick-lock connection system allows for easy adjustment for any anchor point. The Shooter is available in two sizes, with choice of black Velcro or black leather buckle strap, and in four appealing color combinations: red, white and blue; green and black; red and gold; and purple and black.

BURN UP TO

33%

Available in Ashford, Chinook or Sirocco 20 body style

LESS WOOD!

Sirocco 20

20

HOUR

Low Burn Time

Chinook

(medium catalytic wood stove) • Heats 900 to 1,500 sq. ft.

• 20 Hour Low Burn Times • Thermostatically Controlled • Burns 33% Less Wood • 10 Year Warranty on Combuster* Available in Ashford, Chinook or Sirocco 30 body style

As listed by the EPA

Ashford 30

– 1st & 2nd most efficient wood stoves in the world – 5 of the top 8 most efficient wood stoves in the world

30

HOUR

– Backed by our exclusive 10 year 100% extended combustor warranty*

Low Burn Time

Ashford

(large catalytic wood stove) • Heats 1,100 to 2,400 sq. ft.

• 30 Hour Low Burn Times • Thermostatically Controlled • Burns 33% Less Wood • 10 Year Warranty on Combuster*

King

40

(extra large catalytic wood stove) • Heats 1,500 to 3,000 sq. ft.

• 40 Hour Low Burn Times • Thermostatically Controlled • Burns 33% Less Wood • 10 Year Warranty on Combuster*

HOUR

Low Burn Time

King Parlor

Quality Products with Outstanding Local Service!

1114 NW 4th Street • Grand Rapids, MN Across from Forest Lake Restaurant, Hwy. 2 218-327-2929 www.fireplacelifestyles.com

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

53

HUNT

Summer Puzzler

it down!

ANSWERS

Look for an icon shaped like the one above in this issue of Whitetales and, when you find it, send us the page number, along with your name and address. If you are correct, your name will be entered in a prize drawing from MDHA. Email bri@mndeerhunters.com Submission deadline: August 1, 2015

Winner of the Fall “Hunt It Down” Grace Becker of the Southeast MN Chapter found the hidden flower on page 14 of the spring issue and was the lucky winner of a new Hunter’s Choice Gut Hook Knife. Congrats Grace!

Across Answers 5. Lobbyist 8. Cartoonist 10. Nock 12. Anniversary 14. Velvet 17. Stand 19. Habitat 20. Hunting 21. Triplets 22. Legislation 23. Miniprint

Down Answers 1. Project 2. Forkhorn 3. Whitetales 4. Conservation 6. Minerals 7. Archery 9. Contest 11. Education 13. Voice 14. Volunteer 15. Broadhead 16. Garments 18. Clover

PLEASE REVIEW Your Membership Information Today.

The magazine label indicates your membership status.

Please check it to see if your address is correct and when your membership expires. To renew your membership or make corrections, call the MDHA State Office at 800.450.DEER. Address changes are a major concern and we need your help to correct them. On occasion, the office gets calls because a household is getting duplicate magazines or shouldn’t be getting a magazine at all. What may be the reason for this?

Hunting Land...

CONTACT US AT...

Roseau - 218-463-3884 Greenbush - 218-782-2141

• •

T

ony’s

54

Whitetales | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

•

POTENTIAL REASONS: • Renewal forms or banquet tickets are illegible and get entered incorrectly.

• J.J. Jones is Jerry Jones, same person with multiple memberships.

• A life member passes away and the state office is not notified.

SOLUTIONS: • Call the office to inquire at 800.450.DEER. • Check with your chapter officers or regional director.

• Check your magazine’s mailing label to see if it is accurate.

Questions, concerns, thoughts?

Address letters to: Minnesota Deer Hunters Association Attention: Letter to the Editor 460 Peterson Rd Grand Rapids, MN 55744 Or email: bri@mndeerhunters.com

Daylight IN THE SWAMP CONTINUED FROM PAGE 56 monkeys with accompanying evil music ala The Wizard of Oz here? Was there anything my dad had forgotten to give me so I could go over there and get it, taking my time as I did? Would the sun fly in like ‘Mighty Mouse’ and save me and the day?”

I sighed, as I knew the answers were “No, no, and no.” Just like there is “no crying in baseball,” there is no running away in deer hunting. I wanted to be a “real” deer hunter and “real” deer hunters do not run to their daddies in the freaky pre-dawn darkness. Keep in mind, however, this was the “Cold War” era; we were not only taught to look to the sky for Russian planes, we had bomb shelters in our schools and homes and public places.

No, real deer hunters did not run, but, by golly, they could build a fire, you know, basic Webelos stuff from the Cub Scouts.

So I scraped and gathered and built a little tepee-type fire. And what a fire it was, why it must have been a whole 12 inches in circumference and the flames must have climbed at least 13 inches into the black and starry night for the ten minutes it burned.

By the time my great fire adventure was over, however, the ivory hue that had lingered in the east began to turn orange.

It was time to hunt. I levered a shell into my Winchester model 64 30.30, being very careful not to let that dreaded hammer slip.

Then I became a deer hunter, at least for a while.

From all the stories I had heard about deer hunting, I thought it would be easy.

After all, almost every story ended with a deer being shot. So on I waited and waited and waited. As I think back, my first solo hunt happened during a wonderfully unfettered era. We were not at war, our nation was near full employment; there were relatively no drugs (at least where we lived), great early rock and roll music, cherry-Cokes and malts and soda fountains.

It was all blue skies and green lights. But to a young pup then, well, this deer hunting was a bit boring.

One reason it was so boring was that the fall had been great. There had been hard-hitting junior high football, those annoying girls had suddenly become cute, really cute, and teal and woodies and ringnecked ducks had buzzed my dad and me on “Sprinkle Crick.” Grouse had thundered

(mostly after I missed a ground-swat) and building a deer shack and new stands added immensely to the delight. In all, last fall had been everything a young buck could ever want. I was livin’ the dream, my friends.

But, this deer hunting, I’m here to tell you, was like watching paint dry. It was more like, a few ravens, an occasional chickadee, a zillion red squirrels, and a strutting grouse. Whoa! A strutting grouse?

Now we were talkin’. When I first saw him, he was just strollin’ along, singin’ his song, a cluck-cluck here, a cluck-cluck there; well, I’m here to tell you pilgrim, I was looking at pan-fried partridge for a deer shack snack that night. With a quick look around for the non-existent deer, I secured my rifle in the crook of a tree and quietly unsheathed my Grandpa Nikola Dimich’s birch-handled Mora knife. Holding it by the blade as I had seen many times in the western movies, I extended my left hand like a Jim Taylor stiff arm, cocked my right, and let fly.

Did I get him? Well, not exactly, but I was close, got some feathers and taught that old “pat” a thing or two about strutting his stuff on my turf. I would be back to deer hunting after quick knife retrieval. Okay, have you ever dropped or left things in fall leaves? Not so easy to find are they? I spent a panic-filled hour searching the mud and leaves looking for the knife, which, along with the rifle, had been precious gifts from my grandpa and dad.

Because we didn’t have then what kids have today (no brag, just fact) that knife was as valuable to me as an iPad might be to kids today. Tears welled in my eyes, as now I felt twice guilty. I had wasted an hour of deer hunting and had lost one of the two things given to me by my grandpa and dad.

What to do? With heavy remorse (something I was pretty good at back in the day because I goofed up often), I knew I had to go back to the little piggyback.

Once there, I wished time would have dragged like it had before I took my knife to partridge town, but nooooo, my watch’s second hand spun around like a top.

My dad would be here at noon to share sandwiches and hot milky, sugary sweet coffee and it was already eleven. To my chagrin, just as I was in the midst of a heavy sigh bemoaning this Timex twirl, I heard

my dad approaching from the southeast.

“Doomsday was coming early,” I thought with that empty pit in my stomach. But wait! Dad should be coming from the southwest and the crunching was coming from the southeast. What the heck?

Then, about 75 yards away, I saw a huge doe. Standing in an opening with the sun glistening brightly on its brown coat, it was a sight I’ll never forget. Suddenly, however, there was a KABOOM that shook the swamp like an iron mine blast, followed by a silence, which then quickly exploded with a deer bounding toward the balsams.

Just before it reached the green wall, I centered my peep sight on front shoulder and fired. It all happened so quickly, I really didn’t have time to think, but when the smoke cleared, it was piled up. I had shot my first deer.

Was it the nice doe? Not exactly, it was a button buck. Dad had gotten the doe, but those buttons grew into spikes before I got back to school on Monday. The knife?

After Dad hugged and congratulated me, I “fessed” up. Did we find it? Of course, he found it within five minutes. I did not consider the skid factor. It had gone another five feet beyond my search. When we got to my deer, he handed me the “lost” knife and I gutted my first deer. By the way, that would not be the last time he would save me, either. Anyhow, back to the future.

As I neared the resort, I knew my people would be standing there, smiling.

When Bob’s song ended with, “Against the wind, I’m still running against the wind / Well I’m older now and still running against the wind,” I brushed away a small tear. A smile quickly followed, however, as I thought of my dad telling me during the times “I was searching for shelter against the wind” that no matter how tough the trail is, fight through it to get where you want to go.

Then, for one of the first times in my life, I was actually glad I knew something now I didn’t know then—that even though we all miss passed-on dads and grandpas and moms and grandmas, those of us who called them “Dad” or “Grandpa” or “Mom” or “Grandma” just might miss them just a touch more. God bless all of you who not only told kids hunting and fishing stories, but also took them…

MNDEERHUNTERS.COM

55

Daylight IN THE SWAMP

“I’M GLAD I KNOW NOW WHAT I DIDN’T KNOW THEN” As I turned down the long and winding road to the resort where I would take people out for a guided day of fishing, morning sunlight filtering through the towering red pines turned the dust of this mundane dirt pathway into a glittering gold dust haze. It was like I was entering a magical kingdom on a yellow brick road showered by golden confetti.

56

While driving through these gilded gates, my favorite FM classic rock/talk station, Duluth-based KQDS 95 and its “Morning Show” hosts just happened to play one of my favorite songs. Anyhow, and I’m sure this has happened to many of you, for some reason, at that time and place, this siren song pulled me in like a single northern bluebill to blocks.

The song was Bob Seger’s timeless 1980 ballad, “Against the Wind.” In the beginning of the song Bob and his “Silver Bullet Band” cast a huge net over our emotions and memories with the lyrics, “It seems like yesterday, but it was long ago.”

Now, I’ve read some Shakespeare and a few other classics, but at that specific “time and place,” I was gripped like a bear grabbing a jelly doughnut.

When Bob sings of “being in the darkness with the radio playing low,” of “secrets being shared” and being caught in a “wildfire out of control,” he recaptures much of our youth. Instead of waxing happily nostalgic, however, he pines, “Wish I didn’t know now what I didn’t know then.” That line essentially talks about how youthful ignorance is, indeed, bliss.

To me, the song is about the “American Dream.” It’s about life, love, and the pursuit

Whitetales | S U M M E R 2 0 1 5

of happiness and how we all have to “run against the wind,” against obstacles, to achieve our dreams.

Because I was early, I slowed my truck to a crawl and thought about the years that have “rolled slowly past.” I thought about the hammock on my grandparents’ farm and how as I laid on it I was comforted watching the billowy cloud galleons sailing on that great blue ocean of a sky. I remembered the soft whoosh of the white pines and the rich smells of a splendid summer day, of freshly cut hay and ovenhot bread and fried chicken and gravy and lemonade. I saw the smiling faces of those who had completed a hard day’s work and felt their pride in having aching muscles.

I also thought about being alone, but not being lonely. I remembered the smokehouse and what homemade bacon and ham tasted like. I pictured the old barbeque spot where we kids took turns gradually turning by hand the spit which held a 150 pound pig as it roasted slowly over a hot hardwood fire. I also visualized the dark brown venison ham hindquarter roasting on the same spit and how proud the hunters who cooked it were.

With the onion/garlic aroma of the smoky venison ham firmly imbedded in my mind, my thoughts stayed fixed on deer hunting. So, when Bob sang like a melancholy loon, “I found myself alone,” I remembered the first time I had ever been alone, I mean really alone, not just upstairs when the family was downstairs.

When this happened is not that important, nor is where because at some

PHOTO BY NICK DIMICH

BY ROD DIMICH

point we are all alone, but my first time being “really” alone happened on my first solo deer hunt. FYI, this solo hunt experience has not changed much since humans became hunter/gatherers. Mine happened, however, when I was twelve, almost thirteen, on the last weekend of our 1960 nine-day hunting season.

To be honest, I was not totally alone, my dad, Nick Dimich, our “Camp Chief,” was nearby, perched on an 18” x 24” piece of plywood nailed six feet up on twin popples with balsam supports and a thin railing on one side. I was 150 yards to the northwest, situated on a mini-hogsback (about two feet high). To the southeast of me, a soft green balsam wall lined the alder swail that hour-glassed its way from the Big Swamp to a canal-like crossing through the high land.

Deer liked the touch of high land and the safety of one jump back into the tag alder jungle. There was also a muddied trail there to prove it. The Big Swamp Deer Shack older guys called it a “keyway,” no small moniker for this neck of the woods.

Now, I would like to tell you a great story of a child hunter prodigy and the monster buck he took with a legendary shot as it was “carrying the mail” through the brush, but here is what really happened.

When my dad left me on that little piglet hogsback, my heart sunk. As his flashlight beam became dimmer and dimmer and my anxiety level grew proportionately, I found myself asking, “Was that hulking black shape lurking behind the windfall a bear? Were there bobcats or mountain lions or dreaded flying CONTINUED ON PAGE 55

!

NEW

Shoot it CLOSE

Shoot it REAL

Shoot it PRECISE

Shoot it LONG

For multiple shooting distances and longer target life!

For Longer Target Life!

• STOPS ALL field tips and broadheads • High Contrast Design • Easy Arrow Removal

C

T X E N O I T U A

H G U O T Y L E M E R

THE ALL-NEW WAY TO GET IT ALL DONE. WELCOME TO CAT COUNTRY

INTRODUCING THE NEW HDX 700 XT TM

TM

EPS. The 2016 HDX works harder than ever, and now it has the looks to match. Highly scratch-resistant Surlyn® body panels and an automotive-style hood turn heads and add functionality.

Pressure-adjustable FOX FLOAT® coil-over rear shocks provide 1,000 lbs. of carrying capacity. And with the three-person bench seat, with 3¼" more shoulder room and an 8 dB sound reduction system, comfort takes a back seat to no one. Plus, 2WD/4WD with front differential lock to get through rugged terrain. The HDX. It’s how work gets done in Cat Country. Learn more at arcticcat.com.

ATVs and ROVs can be hazardous to operate. Improper use can cause severe injury or death. Each rider must wear a seat belt (on ROVs), an approved helmet, eye protection and protective clothing; use handholds/steering wheel and stay completely inside the vehicle.

ROV operators must have a valid driver’s license (no operators under age 16) and all riders must be able to sit with their back against the seat, feet flat on the floor and hands on handholds/steering wheel. Each rider must read and understand the operator’s manual before riding. Follow all instructions and warnings. Avoid abrupt maneuvers, paved surfaces, hard acceleration when turning, and sidehilling; slow down before entering a turn. Never engage in stunt driving. Avoid excessive speeds and be particularly careful on difficult terrain. Never carry a passenger in the cargo box or exceed seating capacity on an ROV; never carry a passenger on a single-rider ATV. The minimum operator age is 16 for ATVs, 14 on a 150 model, and over 12 on the 90 and DVX 90. Only ride an ATV that is right for your age. Supervise riders younger than 16. Never operate on public roads unless designated for off-highway vehicle access — collisions with cars and trucks can occur. Never drive or ride under influence of alcohol or drugs. Do not shoot from or lean firearms or bows against the ATV or ROV. Arctic Cat recommends that all riders take a training course. For safety and training information in the U.S., call the ATV Safety Institute at (800) 887-2887. In Canada, call the Canada Safety Council at (613) 739-1535 or see your dealer. For ROV training visit www.rohva.org. Along with concerned conservationists everywhere, Arctic Cat urges you to “Tread Lightly” on public and private lands. Ride only on designated areas or trails. Preserve your future riding opportunities by showing respect for the environment, local laws and the rights of others when riding. FOX® and FOX FLOAT® are registered trademarks of Fox Racing Shox. Arctic Cat,® HDX,™ Share Our Passion™ and XT™ are trademarks or registered trademarks of Arctic Cat Inc. ©2015 Arctic Cat Sales Inc., Thief River Falls, MN 56701. Arctic Cat ATVs and Side by Sides (ROVs) are world-class products from Arctic Cat Inc.