WHITETALES Building our hunting and conservation legacy through habitat, education and advocacy.
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA DEER HUNTERS ASSOCIATION
COMING INTO FOCUS BY BILL SEVERUD AND BRAD SMITH
FORKHORN FUN FACTS SEE WHAT YOU LOOK AT! BY WAYNE VAN ZWOLL
PREDATOR CONTROL AND WHY IT MATTERS BY JOSH HONEYCUTT
WINTER 2019
About this
Issue
�Going Dutch�
In this issue, writer Tom Claycomb takes us to the culinary world of Dutch Oven cooking in his article of the same name, telling us how in the last two decades Dutch Oven cooking has gained “monumental acclaim.” If you have partaken in this gastronomic delight or just have seen it in old Western movies, you know what we are talking about. This issue not only takes you into the Dutch Oven world, it explores what many of us have believed for years—that venison and the pursuit thereof are “gateways” to healthy lifestyles as Bruce Ingram explains in in his, “Let Venison and Deer Hunting be Your Gateways to a Healthy Lifestyle.” On the flip side of “Dutch Oven,” of course, is “going Dutch," a phrase indicating each person participating in a paid activity covers their own expenses, rather than any one person in the group covering the cost. For many young men on first dates this was, indeed, a welcome offer, especially when you pretty much only had a pocket full of coins. Each fits MDHA objectives. For sure we want to focus on the eating of venison and the importance of the locavore movement as it adds to the overall magnitude of the hunt as many of us were raised on the premise, “You eat what you shoot.” In addition, eating venison and wild game and fish simply provides a whole new dimension to our pursuit. For deer and deer hunting, “going Dutch,” means we should not be pointing to someone else, whether it be the DNR, MDHA or Legislature to do the work and provide the funding. We all must chip in. We must all help row the boat. In doing so, we will ensure our future hunters will have not only a solid foundation of habitat, but also the core curriculum of hunter education with which to head afield. Through Forkhorn Camps, chapter events and individual or family/friend endeavors, we can make sure we will always have deer hunting memories and stories of first hunts of young and first time hunters. This magazine again covers the gamut of deer and deer hunting. From deer hunting memories to muzzleloader hunting (“you betcha”) to deer in winter to predator control to what a “trophy” is and even a trip to the birthplace of the sauna, Finland, we have something for hunters, hunters’ families and the “not-yet-hunters.” Seasoned with a bit of MDHA Marketplace, deer hunting how-to tidbits, recipes and other various and sundry info, our magazine is again, one for the ages. And speaking of one for the ages, we here at Whitetales would like to honor founder, past state vice-president, president and regional director, Whitetales co-editor and all around man of infinite dedication, witty replies and an award-wining writer for his long-time column, “Minnesota Buck Sense,” the honorable Mr. Ed Schmidt, who has recently retired as our magazine’s co-editor after 34 years at that helm. We are who we are as an organization because of dedicated and visionary volunteers such as Ed and others like him—all of us know many in our own chapters. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Ed and the numerous other revered and irreplaceable members who have given so much to the betterment of deer and deer hunting. You are special and truly deserve to be honored. It is because of people like you and what you have done for deer and deer hunting that we can proudly say, “We are the united voice of the Minnesota deer hunter.” Whitetails forever.
WHITETALES MNDEERHUNTERS.COM
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS PRESIDENT Doug Appelgren > dougappelgren@mndeerhunters.com VICE PRESIDENT Gary Thompson > garythompson@mndeerhunters.com SECRETARY Robin Vogen > robinvogen@mndeerhunters.com TREASURER Denece Dreger > denecedreger@mndeerhunters.com AT-LARGE DIRECTOR Dennis Quarberg > dennisquarberg@mndeerhunters.com REGIONAL DIRECTORS REGION ONE Stu Weston >
REGION EIGHT Dustin Shourds >
REGION TWO Gabrielle Gropp >
REGION NINE OPEN REGION TEN Mark Lueck >
stuweston@mndeerhunters.com
gabe@mndeerhunters.com
REGION THREE Tim Mattson >
timmattson@mndeerhunters.com
REGION FOUR Garth Albers >
garthalbers@mndeerhunters.com
REGION FIVE Peter Lodermeier > lodrmr@gmail.com
REGION SIX Stephen Ranallo >
dustinshourds@mndeerhunters.com
marklueck@mndeerhunters.com
REGION ELEVEN Brent Thompson >
brentthompson@mndeerhunters.com
REGION TWELVE Jim Vogen > robvog21@aol.com
REGION THIRTEEN OPEN
steveranallo@mndeerhunters.com
REGION SEVEN Mark Nohre >
marknohre@mndeerhunters.com
MDHA STAFF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Craig Engwall > craig.engwall@mndeerhunters.com EVENT & PUBLICATION COORDINATOR Bri Stacklie > bri@mndeerhunters.com �Independent Contractor
MERCHANDISE / ADVERTISING COORDINATOR Josh Salisbury > josh@mndeerhunters.com CHAPTER COORDINATOR Mercedes Akinseye > mercedes@mndeerhunters.com FINANCE COORDINATOR Renee Thompson > renee@mndeerhunters.com MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Kim Dobberstein > kimd@mndeerhunters.com GRANT COORDINATOR Kim Washburn > kim@mndeerhunters.com EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT Leah Braford > leah@mndeerhunters.com
Rod Dimich, Editor 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 “building our hunting and conservation legacy through habitat, education and advocacy.” 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 discussion 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 contributions from readers. All materials: manuscripts, artwork and photography must be electronically sent. Send all material to bri@mndeerhunters.com. Material 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.
2 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
PUBLISHER > Minnesota Deer Hunters Association 460 Peterson Road | Grand Rapids, MN 55744 800.450.DEER (MN) / p: 218.327.1103 / f: 218.327.1349 EDITOR > Rod Dimich LAYOUT, DESIGN & PRINTING > Brainerd Dispatch, A Forum Communications company www.brainerddispatch.com | Brainerd, MN ADVERTISING > Josh Salisbury josh@mndeerhunters.com / 218.327.1103 x 17
Whitetales Building our hunting and conservation legacy through habitat, education and advocacy.
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE MINNESOTA DEER HUNTERS ASSOCIATION
Contents
WINTER 2019
COMING INTO FOCUS BY BILL SEVERUD AND BRAD SMITH
FORKHORN FUN FACTS SEE WHAT YOU LOOK AT! BY WAYNE VAN ZWOLL
PREDATOR CONTROL AND WHY IT MATTERS BY JOSH HONEYCUTT
WINTER 2019
ABOUT THE COVER A great winter whitetail buck. SHUTTERSTOCK PHOTO
Departments IN EVERY ISSUE
From the President’s Stand .... 4 The Outlook................................ 5 Capitol Comments .................... 8
FEATURES
Around the State ..................... 20 Forkhorn Fun Facts................. 26 MDHA Marketplace ................ 28 Deer Hunting Memories ........ 42 What’s Cookin’? ....................... 52 Gizmos, Gadgets, Garments & Gear..................... 53 Hidden Object Contest .......... 54 Daylight in the Swamp ........... 56 IN THIS ISSUE
The Finland-Minnesota Connection ................................. 6 Andy Niskala
Hunt the Muzzleloader Season? You Betcha!! ............. 18 Joshua Salisbury
My Second Deer Camp.......... 34 Ron Carlson
10 14
Coming into Focus
30 38 44
See What You Look At!
30
By Bill Severud and Brad Smith
Let Venison and Deer Hunting be Your Gateways to a Healthy Lifestyle By Bruce Ingram
By Wayne van Zwoll
Dutch Oven Cooking By Tom Claycomb
Predator Control and Why It Matters By Josh Honeycutt
Tips & Treasures ...................... 48 Rod Dimich, Ed Schmidt
Member Story: Joey’s First Hunt ...................... 50
MDHA affiliates:
Ted Otto
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 3
From the President’s Doug Appelgren / MDHA PRESIDENT
THE NEW TROPHY SHOT
The next trophy shot? As I looked and looked at the photo, I couldn’t find any antlers. Could the next trophy shot be a screen shot? Yup—the accompanying picture depicts some of which is appealing to the next generation of hunters. Changes, they are a coming! I am fortunate to represent MDHA at the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources R3 Council. Our purpose is to be a catalyst and capacity-building entity for the MN DNR and partner organizations on Angler and Hunter Recruitment, Retention and Reactivation (R-3). This includes the development and implementation of a state plan based on national R3 plans, developing funding strategies and monitoring success. The MN R3 council consists of organizations and individuals that work synergistically to preserve our hunting and angling heritage and help develop new hunting and angling traditions reflective of today’s society. Our first meeting was held Monday evening 9-24-18 in St. Paul. What a great group of “positive forward thinking” people. Most, if not all, of the conservation groups (MOHA/DU/PF/WTF/RGS/MDHA/MN Steelheaders Association/MN Darkhouse Association/Back Country Hunters and Anglers (BHA)/Women Anglers/Wild Urban Fly Fishers/Trout Unlimited/Women Hunting and Angling/International Federation of Black Bass Anglers) were there, as well as REI and Bass Pro/Tracker Boats, two college professors, “Modern Carnivore,” the Three Rivers Park District, a consulting firm, Minnesota Locavore and MN DNR LTH (Learn to Hunt) mentors and a person from Minnesota Public Radio. These individuals were chosen for their knowledge of R3 and many have already been involved in R3 efforts within their organizations. Three years ago, when I started talking
4 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
about R-3, I used the statistic of 8% to define the number of hunters nationwide. Recently, I read that number has dropped to just 6%. At the meeting, folks mentioned it was more like 4.5 -5 %. Point is, we are a shrinking minority. We then discussed many of the challenges we face with the decline of hunter and angler numbers nationwide as well as in Minnesota. These included: resistance within our own communities as well as within our organizations, how to engage millennials, the need for more mentors, post-engagement follow-up opportunities, the growing number of distractions within our families, work and increased busyness, the disconnect with nature in this digital age, lack of inclusivity in the hunting community and the continual fear and resistance to guns. To be sure, there are others. We, of course, also discussed the positive things that are happening. These included: the tremendous growth of women hunters and anglers, increasing number of diversified participants, the energy of youth, the search for alternative food sources and the locavore movement, how hunting and angling aligns with other popular outdoor activities, increasing partnerships, the increasing desire for a sense of place and interest in ecology and our place in it, the increasing conservation ethic, the DNR Adult Learn to Hunt Program and other mentorship programs, entry into hunting and fishing with the North American Model
of Conservation model, ethics and an overall sense of momentum! During the meeting, as we were discussing what appeals to the millennials, when a photo of dressed ducks complete with hearts, gizzards and livers was looked at someone said, “It’s the �new trophy shot.’” I looked at Mark Norquist (BHA board member and founder of “Modern Carnivore”) and we were both smiling as I said, “I like that.” Mark sent me several photos which also represent other “trophy shots.” As we discussed these other motivations for entry into the hunting and angling communities, he said, “The future of hunting depends on getting a younger and more diverse group of people out in the field that should reflect today’s population and the need to evaluate the way we think about recruitment because it’s not working very well right now.” Mark then went on to say, “Many people are considering hunting as a way to get their food �locally.’ They’re just as happy to shoot a doe as they are a 10-point buck. While they admire a big buck, they don’t value the antlers the same way as they do a freezer packed full of venison.” In this regard, I can remember an MDHA Corporate Board meeting some time ago when a member stood up and proudly stated, “I shot a trophy doe last season and it sure tasted good!” The above picture represents a “trophy shot” as DNR Adult Learn to Hunt mentor Benjamin Pena and younger folks seriously admire the butchering they just completed and contemplate the locally organic and sustainable harvest of wild game. I couldn’t agree more with what Mark then said, “We should embrace these new hunters for their passion and interest in doing the same activity we cherish so much, even if they come to it from a different perspective.” Let’s keep the positive in our passion!
Craig Engwall / MDHA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
HIDES FOR HABITAT A RENEWED APPRECIATION FOR A TREMENDOUS PROGRAM At the time of writing this, the number of hides collected for Hides for Habitat (HFH) during the 2018 deer season has not been tabulated. Given the challenges the HFH program faced immediately prior to the deer season, the mere fact MDHA is tabulating hides is a blessing. Many of you are aware the hides program almost didn’t go forward this year due to outside circumstances that were totally beyond MDHA’s control. It was only an 11th hour agreement between MDHA and hide buyers that saved this year’s program. The circumstances surrounding the challenges in maintaining a HFH program for 2018 will be discussed below. Some of you who are new to MDHA might not be fully aware of the details of the HFH program and the profound impact it has had on habitat in Minnesota. Thus, before detailing the events of this year, it is appropriate to first look at the program as a whole. Habitat was one of the primary initiatives for the formation of MDHA and today MDHA continues its commitment to habitat in many ways. HFH is a foundational pillar of MDHA’s habitat efforts. Since the start of the Hides for Habitat program in 1985, more than 865,000 hides have been collected, generating $5.23 million for habitat. The program works as follows: After collecting the hides, MDHA Chapters process them to be sold to fur buying companies for up to $8 per hide. Each MDHA Chapter retains 85% of the funds from their hide collection. The remaining 15% goes to the State Habitat Committee. Along with those funds, the State Habitat Committee also receives funds from the Annual Habitat Banquet fundraiser held in Grand Rapids, Minn. State Habitat Committee dollars are used as a direct
1:1 match for habitat projects throughout Minnesota. This unique program gives chapters the ability to donate their own funds, matched with State Habitat Committee dollars, directly to beneficial habitat work in the chapter’s area, as well as participate in MDHA’s statewide habitat grant program. The money collected for hides can be leveraged as many as ten times through habitat grants and other programs. In order to do their part, hunters need only to fold up the hides and place them in the collection box and walk away, knowing they helped ensure the future of deer hunting. Through the wonderful work of MDHA volunteers who clean, salt and process the hides as well as the hunters who donate them, HFH thrived through its first 33 years and seemed headed toward the same success this year. Then, with the deer season approaching, MDHA was surprised it wasn’t receiving bids from any of its customary hide buyers. After contacting our traditional buyers, MDHA learned the buyers might not participate this year due to the following: • China changed their regulations regarding the entry of deer hides to their country. • As of August 2018, China would no longer allow tanning of hides in the country, which did not allow enough time for tanneries to react and create new facilities in countries such as Vietnam. • A current oversupply of tanned hides from last year was also in the market. • China has imposed a 25% tariff on all deer hides entering China.
When prompted by MDHA to make some kind of bid for collected hides, the buyers came back with a bid that would have caused HFH to lose money - $3 for salted, 8-foot-square hides in perfect condition and $1 a hide for everything else. This was not acceptable. MDHA chapters, staff and leadership knew the shutdown of HFH for even one year could have permanent negative effects on the program. We carried that message back to the buyers and reminded them the loss of HFH would hurt them as well. Fortunately, at the 11th hour, MDHA and its participating chapters agreed with the hide buyers to prices that would bring $3.50 to $4.50 per hide. While low, these prices enabled chapters to make some profit for habitat. This agreement was far from perfect, but may have saved the program for the longer term. Due to the late date of the agreement, some chapters determined they could not participate this year. This led to a reduction of about 25% of hides boxes statewide. We hope those chapters will be back next year and we have reason for optimism. The hide buyers are confident they will have arrangements in place for tanning in 2019. They are also confident hide prices will return to more normal levels. MDHA owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to all of its chapters and members who have donated countless hours to makes Hides for Habitat the tremendously successful program it is. We are grateful the program survived this difficult year and is in sound shape to thrive in the future.
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 5
THE FINLAND-MINNESOTA
CONNECTION BY ANDREW “ANDY” NISKALA
After meeting longtime co-editor of the Whitetales magazine, Ed Schmidt, last August while he and his wife Rose were visiting my relatives in Ullava, he asked if I could write about Finland and its hunting traditions. To give you some personal background, I have been a teacher for a few years and have learned to speak and write in English. I did some graduate work in Tennessee for a year, which assisted my fluency in the English language, but not so the colloquialisms or Ed’s so-called famous “zingers.” Finland is internationally known for its timber industry, Sako and Tika firearm manufacturing, Rapala J. Marttiini puukko (knives), Rapala fishing lures and hunting. This year I will be able to hunt moose. The limit is five moose due to the overpopulation. I will also hunt ducks on weekends away from my teaching. The Finnish concept of “Everyman’s Right” means you can walk freely in the forest. Nature offers us mushrooms, berries and wonderful fresh air as we gather the gifts of the forest. We also have many deer. In addition, much unlike Minnesota, we can use dogs for pursuing deer and moose. We use bright orange vests on the dog and listen as they chase the moose through the moss-covered forest floors. Rifles are our main firearm. Although you might find this difficult to believe, bow hunting is not allowed. In Finland, hunting rights go with land ownership. The landowner can lease the hunting rights on his property to another party. Hunters have established hunting
6 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
Cultured forests and its mossy ground are prime for hunting. associations (hunting clubs) and rented areas for hunting and game management, with the aim of forming sufficiently large and uniform hunting areas. Today there are approximately 4,500 hunting associations in Finland, renting areas ranging from 2,000 to 10,000 acres. Hunting associations take care of most matters related to hunting and game management. “Driven” hunting is very exciting as whitetails are moved by dogs towards the
Moose high tower.
guns. For safety, the standing riflemen are placed to cover set areas and prevent the risk of accidents. As with all driven hunting, it’s the luck of the draw as to who and how many will see the game, but make no mistake, when the dogs are barking and coming straight towards you, your heart will start thumping. Waiting for the whitetail in high seats or in waiting houses is a much more calm way to hunt because the whitetails have been attracted to feeding stations near the high seats and waiting houses. This greatly increases your chances of personally shooting a whitetail, but a mixture of the two styles of hunting will give the hunter a great feeling of inclusion in the Finnish traditions of hunting. Whitetail deer were introduced in southwestern Finland in 1934 and have expanded their range dynamically in the last two decades. More than 20,000 whitetail deer are now taken annually by residents and foreign sportsmen alike. About 307,000 Finns hunt annually. Ed says Minnesota’s 450,000 hunters take about 175,000 annually, but the whole country of Finland is about the size of Minnesota and is located much farther north. Helsinki is the northernmost national capital in the world. The hunting-rights holder is responsible for supervision. The Game Management Associations have more than 2,000 game wardens. The police and the border guards also come into action in the event of illegal hunting. The hunting permit is renewable
annually; in 2017 the fee was 28 EUR and provides insurance cover. The permit fee also gives the holder all the services provided by the hunting organization and a hunting magazine. If my friend Ed was to hunt, as a foreign hunter wishing to obtain a Finnish hunting permit, he must present his own country’s hunting permit or some other certificate of his right to hunt in his own country; otherwise, he must pass the Finnish hunter's examination. Cost for a guided fourday hunt would cost about $2000. On stateowned lands you can buy hunting permits for hunting small game from Metsähallitus (Finnish Forest and Park Service), which are valid from one to seven days. These permits are personal and usually give the right to hunt all types of game during its period of validity. It includes a game quota, which is indicated as that permit’s number of points for each type of game. Metsähallitus also sells permits destined for groups for hunting moose and beaver, as well as personal permits for hunting bears. The selling of hunting permits for hunting on state-owned grounds usually starts at the beginning of August. Moose are the most popular big game to hunt with nearly 70,000 harvested each year. Roughly about 60,000 permits are issued each year indicating how popular moose hunting is for our Finnish hunters.
Finnish sauna overlooking lake shore. If you want to make friends with a Finn, they like beer and sausages and language is not so important! Finns are very much in love with sports, primarily sports where you must wear a helmet! Good luck on your adventure and enjoy everything Finland has to offer. Our country’s forests cover 65-72% of the land along with many lakes (187,888). Twenty per cent of the land is state owned. Our timber is managed by a means of silviculture or clear-cut, tilled and replanted. The main trees are pine, spruce, birch and other deciduous trees. There is no oldgrowth timber left in southern Finland. Forests are also to a very large extent evenaged due to the management practices. Almost 70% of the forests are less than 80 years old. In extreme northern Finland (Lapland) forest management takes a secondary role to the reindeer grazing region herded by the Sami people.
Our timber industry is divided into two categories: wood products and pulp products. The paper industry, headed by UPM Kymmene, produces world-class print paper, biofuels, biochemical and biocomposites. Smaller industries produce paper products such as plates, paperboard and pulp. (Editor�s note: UPM owns Grand Rapids based Blandin Paper Co.)
High density of moose in Finland. If a party of moose hunters is successful, they place a sprig or branch of balsam or pine in the mouth of the fallen game animal in accordance with an European tradition. Also, a game horn is sounded depicting the end of the successful hunt and signaling the event to other hunters. In Finland, a sauna is a must! Keep in mind that what you call a sauna (temperature-wise) is to a Finn the room where you change your hunting clothes! In other words, our saunas are HOT! And don’t be surprised if the person next to you starts hitting you with bunched up birch leafs, it’s a tradition!
Large industry in Finland – paper products.
Finland�s notable forestry practices – silvaculture.
In addition to hunting, many Finns regard berry-picking as an outdoor activity and a hobby that continues at home with jam-making and preserving, with delicious results to be stored in the cellar or freezer. It’s something we can continue to enjoy all winter long. Finns are berry enthusiasts and woodland gourmets. Moreover, everything’s completely organic and environmentally friendly – the natural way.
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 7
CAPITOL COMMENTS In November 2018, much was hanging in the balance as both Republicans and Democrats battled for control of Minnesota’s political future. Some have said that the Midwest states are flyover states, but in early November eyes turned to Minnesota as the state became a political battle ground, both at the federal and state level. How important is Minnesota? President Trump has visited Minnesota twice within the last year in an attempt to turn it red after narrowly losing it two years ago in his presidential election. As Republicans faced a tough midterm election cycle, Trump rallied to boost voter turnout. The GOP was hoping to fend off a Democratic effort to recapture the U.S. House of Representatives. It was easier to say what offices weren’t on the November ballot than what were as you entered the election booths in November. Due to Senator Al Franken’s resignation earlier this year, Minnesota had two U.S. Senate seats to fill. Normally, these seats are not on the same ballot as they alternate in different election cycles. Additionally, all eight U.S. House seats, all 134 Minnesota House of Representative seats, Attorney General, Secretary of State and a special election in the Minnesota Senate determined the majority currently controlled by Republicans. On the federal level, Minnesota was being closely watched as Senate Republicans held a very fragile majority. For the first time in Minnesota history, two women vied for the seat vacated by Senator Franken. The winner of this special election will complete that election term of two years. In the second of Minnesota’s senate seat races, Democratic Sen. Amy Klobuchar sought a third term over Republican challenger and State Rep. Jim Newberger. Minnesotans have overwhelmingly supported Klobuchar in previous elections. In the U.S. House, Republicans were also trying to fend off a fierce battle with Democrats for control and once again,
8 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
Minnesota was a player in its outcome as several seats could change hands. Going into election night, four races were evenly divided between two currently held by a Republican and two by a Democrat. In the southern 1st Congressional District, Republican Jim Hagedorn ran against Democrat Dan Feehan. Both sought the open congressional seat formerly held by Democrat Congressman Tim Walz. Walz narrowly defeated Hagedorn two years ago. Republicans hoped to pick up this Republican-leaning area that Democrats have controlled for 12 years. In the south suburban 2nd Congressional District, second-time challenger DFL Angie Craig tried to unseat incumbent Republican Jason Lewis. In the west suburban 3rd Congressional District, most political pundits believed it to be a toss-up between Democratic challenger Dean Phillips and incumbent Republican Erik Paulsen. The huge northeastern 8th Congressional District, which stretches from the northernmost suburbs of the metro to the top of the Canadian border, had Republican Pete Stauber squared off with Democrat Joe Radinovich for the seat vacated by retiring Democratic Congressman Rick Nolan. The other four remaining congressional seats appear to be safe, meaning they will not change party hands. On the state level, the big jewel of election night was who was going to be elected the state’s 41st governor. Governor Mark Dayton, a Democrat in his second term, did not run for re-election. On the DFL side, U.S. Rep. Tim Walz and on the Republican side, Hennepin County Commissioner Jeff Johnson emerged victorious from primary elections. Regardless of who was elected, there will be a change in political direction of which the state hasn’t seen in eight years. The importance of the governor’s office cannot be understated as the future governor will set and shape the direction of state public policy for the next four years. Equally important, will be the appointment
BY CORY BENNETT, MDHA LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT
of department commissioners such as within the Department of Natural Resources. The other prize is the Minnesota House of Representatives, where all 134 seats are to be determined. Republicans owned a commanding 20 seat majority in the House. Capturing 11 seats would be difficult for the DFL, but not impossible. DFLers were optimistic about retaining control of the governor’s mansion with Congressman Tim Walz at the top of the ticket and hoped momentum would propel a flip of the House. House Democrats were targeting 12 suburban districts held by Republicans as those potential pickups. In each, Clinton got more votes for president than Trump did in 2016. Republicans, who’ve controlled the House for nearly four years, were confident they would keep the majority in and have their own pick-up opportunities. Finally, there was the Minnesota Senate District 13 special election that was the end result of the resignation of Senator Al Franken from the U.S. Senate. Governor Dayton appointed then Lieutenant Governor Tina Smith to that vacancy which led to State Sen. Michelle Fischbach, president of the Senate, resigning her position in order to fill in as lieutenant governor. State Rep. Jeff Howe of Rockville was the Republican candidate and Stearns County Commissioner Joe Perske of Sartell was the DFL nominee. The Senate was tied, 33-33 between Republicans and Democrats. With Senator Fischbach’s resignation, not only did this special election decide control of the Minnesota Senate, it could have created one party control of the state government depending on what happened with the governor and House of Representative races. By the time you read this, Minnesotans will have decided who they want to lead them at the state and federal government levels. Whatever the result, MDHA will continue to be a presence advocating for deer and deer hunters. The 2019 Legislative Session convenes on January 8, 2019.
COMING INTO
F CUS Biologists To Gain A Sharper Image Of Winter Habitat Needs Of Deer BY BILL SEVERUD AND BRAD SMITH 10 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
Picture this: A pregnant whitetail deer doe is facing deeper and deeper snow with each winter month. The picture is a little fuzzy, the image not so clear, we can’t tell exactly where she is or precisely what type of cover she is using. Temperatures at night are plummeting to well below zero. She is carrying twin fetuses and is lucky to have a cedar grove within her home range, but how often does she use it? The dense canopy of evergreen branches intercepts much of the snowfall, resulting in shallower snow depths, which allows her to more easily evade wolves and other predators. How critical is this cedar grove, and does its shape or size matter to the doe’s survival and successful rearing of fawns? The doe also has access to forest openings, but our image of her doesn’t let us see how far she ventures into the middle of these forage patches. Our picture of the doe also only shows us what she may be doing during the day; what about at night when she may be more vulnerable to predators? Cuttingedge technology is now being employed in a new study underway by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, with support from the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. Using a combination of the new technology and tried and true research methods, this picture is becoming clearer. For many years, biologists could radiotrack northern whitetail deer fitted with very high frequency (VHF) radio collars, affording them an increasingly sound understanding of survival rates, migration patterns and seasonal habitat requirements: the need for food, cover and water. They’ve intensively examined deer use of dense conifer cover during winters of dramatically varying severities across the landscape and related this habitat type value as snow shelter and thermal cover to deer energetics, physical
condition, survival and reproductive success the following spring. Biologists, for sure, accumulated an impressive knowledge base. Yet, the total picture is still slightly out of focus. VHF collars could only give an idea of where exactly the deer was—there was location error around the points (see largest buffer in Figure 1). VHF collars were wonderful for advancing knowledge of particular aspects of deer ecology, but finescale habitat use 24-7, 365 days of the year was still out of grasp. Fortunately, Global Positioning System (GPS) collars revolutionized the field of wildlife research. Biologists could now track animals in near real time. First generation GPS collars still had errors associated with their locations (30 m; see middle buffer in Figure 1), but the errors were much smaller than with VHF collars. The image was coming into sharper focus. The methods used to classify habitat also have definitely evolved. Visual resolution of imagery has improved from 30-m Landsat images to 1-m images of the National Agriculture Imagery Program and are available digitally. Automation allows for more efficient habitat classification across deer range. Similarly, advances in remote sensing allow for fine-scale classification of vegetation by height, density and species. The picture of fine-scale habitat use by deer is now getting clearer and clearer. More exact locations of deer around the clock and throughout the year placed on increasingly detailed habitat maps have led researchers to the current state-of-the-art (Figure 1C). The MN DNR’s Forest Wildlife Populations and Research Group recently launched a study led by Moose and Deer Project Leader, Dr. Glenn DelGiudice. The project, “Informing Winter Habitat Management Prescriptions and Population Vital Rate Estimates for White-tailed Deer in Northcentral and
Northeastern Minnesota,” is also enlisting the help of University of Minnesota graduate student, Brad Smith, and postdoctoral associate, Dr. Bill Severud, who is receiving additional funding from the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association. A study of this nature could only now be proposed...the cutting-edge technology required to track deer throughout the year, over a 24-hour cycle, in near real time using GPS collars, coupled with remote sensing of habitat types and geographic information systems (GIS) analysis can now be synergistically applied to closely examine deer use of habitat over space and time. These new technologies are facilitating a sharper focus on deer and what they need to survive and thrive. The study deployed 20 GPS collars on does in northcentral and northeastern Minnesota during winter 2017–2018. Unlike many of the first generation GPS collars, those selected for this study provide highly accurate locationfixes, within 5 to 10 meters on average (inner circular buffer of Figure 1), can be programed to obtain a location every hour or two (about 3,600 to 1,800 locations per deer from December to April, Figure 2), and can obtain a location-fix in any type of habitat, even the densest conifer stand, resulting in a 100% fix-success rate. Additionally, these collars can, on average, transmit 80% of the locations to a base station, so that they can be viewed and analyzed in near real time, while storing all locations “on-board” in a computer chip in the collar’s GPS package. The result is, all of the data can be downloaded to a computer upon recovering the collar, as from a dead deer. Otherwise, the collars are designed with a breakaway link so they will drop off in about two years and can be retrieved. Last, but not least, these GPS collars include an accelerometer which allows us to monitor deer activity (running, walking, resting) and
Figure 1. Evolution of technology used in wildlife research studies. The buffered rings represent mean location error of Very High Frequency radio collars (174 m), early GPS units (30 m) and currently deployed GPS collars (10 m). The error buffers are overlaid on different resolutions of aerial imagery: A) Landsat imagery with 30-m resolution, B) Sentinal-2 imagery with 10-m resolution, C) National Agriculture Imagery Program with 1-m resolution.
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 11
survival by sending us a “mortality signal” by email and text, including a GPS location-fix of the dead deer. This allows for a rapid field investigation to determine the cause of death with greater certainty. Habitat of the study areas has been classified and inventoried according to dominant tree species, stand height and canopy density. Maps of the study areas are detailed down to a 50-cm scale. Presently, we have also documented the fates of 7 deer - all died by wolf predation, but most of them showed signs of malnourishment (Figure 3). An objective of the study is to eventually relate habitat use to survival, reproduction and overall population performance. This winter, an additional 51 collars will be deployed on the two study areas. In future winters, the remote sensing information will be used to classify and inventory habitat on additional study areas with more GPScollared deer being monitored. It is important to bridge the gap between forest and deer habitat management. Our doe doesn’t need to choose between snow shelter or food...informed, balanced management can provide both. Whitetail deer across Minnesota’s forested regions must contend with varying degrees of winter severity each year. Not all have access to the right combination of habitat types to ensure they will survive the harshest of winters. Prior to this study, the most notable limitation to the biologists’ understanding of seasonal habitat requirements was the ability to translate this knowledge to prescriptions that allow wildlife biologists to coordinate and integrate deer habitat management with overall forest management for multiple uses. For example, what are the best designs for making cuts of different forest stands so they are most beneficial to whitetailed deer relative to varying winter severities and deer densities? How should dense conifer cover be arranged with forage openings? How large should these cover types be? This study seeks answers to these kinds of specific questions. The picture of deer habitat requirements is getting clearer and clearer, the resolution finer, the focus of locations and habitat are getting sharper. Deer researchers and managers are able to know what deer use, under what conditions, during what time of year and the outcomes of that use. The doe from the beginning of the story (and many like her) can now be monitored remotely in near real time and we can hopefully soon manage the forest to the benefit of forestry and wildlife. The image of what our deer need is becoming crystal clear.
12 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
Figure 2. Winter locations for nine GPS collared whitetail deer displayed on National Agriculture Imagery Program with 1-m resolution, near Remer, MN. The winter locations were collected every two hours during March 13 – April 31, 2018 (480 locations/deer).
Figure 3. Marrow of a wolf-killed doe. The deep red color of the marrow indicates the doe has depleted most of her fat reserves.
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The author with a doe he killed during bow season. The venison from that whitetail resulted in many healthy meals.
LET VENISON &
BE YOUR GATEWAYS TO BY BRUCE INGRAM
We all pursue deer for a variety of reasons. Some of us like the challenge of trophy bucks. Others among us like the chance to help manage their local deer herd. Many people relish the pastime because it gives them a chance to spend time in the outdoors. For me, two major reasons would be I really enjoy managing the land I own and often hunt on. I also gain satisfaction by observing whitetails coming to the land I’ve strived to improve. But there’s also a third reason that’s just as meaningful for my wife Elaine and me – the deer I kill every year and we eat play a major role in our desire to live a healthy lifestyle. Elaine and I both grew up in the suburbs and neither of us had parents who encouraged us to enjoy the outdoors. I never deer hunted or hunted period, until 1985 when I was 33 years old. Four years later, we built our dream
14 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
home in the country and set about learning how to manage our now 38 acres. Here’s how and why deer hunting became one of the cornerstones to our healthy lifestyle.
Venison is an Extremely Healthy Red Meat
A venison roast simmering in Elaine Ingram�s kitchen – similar scenes take place nearly every day in this family.
Quite simply, venison is one of the healthiest red meats (really, it is one of the healthiest kinds of meat of any kind or color). Consider these attributes of this true organic health food. It is an excellent protein source and very low in saturated fat. Venison also ranks high as a fine source of iron, riboflavin, niacin, zinc and Vitamins B12 and 6. Are you or a spouse calorie counting? Well, venison is low in this category, especially compared to beef and pork. And, oh by the way, venison serves to help prevent anemia and makes our immune systems stronger. Venison also is known as a “brain food” because of its high vitamin content. Finally, if we have been expending a great deal of energy lately, a serving of venison goes a long way to helping our muscles recover and, in fact, grow. A superb testament to how venison is the
Elaine Ingram preparing a venison dish – very much a part of a healthy lifestyle.
DEER HUNTING
A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE
ultimate health food came when Elaine was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2008. Before then, my wife will admit that she did not try to eat healthily or exercise regularly. After her chemotherapy ended in 2009, my wife hired an oncology health nurse who recommended Elaine change her food regimen. In fact, the nurse specifically suggested Elaine adapt the venison-based diet I was already following. So the next time someone questions you on why you deer hunt, just tell that individual you are an organic foodie that prefers to pursue the living meat that you consume. Deer hunters, after all, are the original advocates of eating organically.
Activities Associated with Deer Hunting are Healthy I wonder how many deer hunters stop to think all those hours spent year round on various activities related to deer hunting are very much a part of a healthy lifestyle. Well,
they definitely are. For example, in the winter after deer season has concluded, how many of us spend time roaming the countryside looking for shed antlers? Another superb wintertime form of exercise is walking the land we own, lease, or hunt on and taking a mental snapshot of the place. There is no better time to make future plans for habitat projects than the cold weather period when all the leaves have fallen, trails are never more visible and old scrapes and rubs are easily spotted. Winter is also the time I cut much of my firewood as selected trees do less damage to nearby ones when the former are levelled. Want to burn calories? Then spend a day cutting down trees and hauling them back to your vehicle and/or house. Cutting firewood is an invigorating way to spend the day as well. Much of the firewood I cut comes from Timber Stand Improvement (TSI) projects.
For example, say a young oak tree is being crowded by two or three other hardwoods of lesser value to wildlife. Free up that oak so it will spread its crown and produce more acorns for deer and other wildlife. The way to do that is to harvest those nearby trees and create heat for your house as a bargain.
Timber Stand Improvement projects can provide us with exercise and make land more wildlife friendly as well.
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 15
Furthermore, winter is a great time to select sites for future food plots. You can even do the land clearing part of the process at the same time. Then when spring arrives plant the seed and do any additional tree removal that might be required. Spring can also be a period when you finish up any TSI projects. Perhaps you didn’t have the time to finish all them in the winter. Or maybe you weren’t quite sure what species some of the trees were that you were contemplating cutting. After leaf-out in the spring, those trees can be positively identified and you finish any habitat improvement projects. Those folks who don’t own or lease land can participate in habitat improvement projects, too. Many of those landowners who let us hunt on their properties would not be adverse to TSI projects and having a stand of timber worth more to them or creating a food plot or some other opening that would benefit more species of wildlife and draw these animals to their hunting area. Most landowners, whether they hunt or not, are wildlife watchers and would appreciate a hunter’s advice in these matters. As a high school teacher, I’m off during the summer so I continue to perform habitat improvement projects and cut wood. But, I also roam our land and other rural properties to pick wild berries. While doing this, I look for hard and soft mast food sources, check out how they are likely to produce come fall and look for deer sign and other wildlife scat. All of this roaming about and physical labor is very much part of a healthy lifestyle.
Exercising Leads to More Deer Hunting Success
Every day year round after breakfast, I walk three miles before school or before beginning my summer routines. A major reason why I do so is because I want to be able to be an active hunter for as long as I can. A deer hunting buddy and I are both in our mid 60s, and we’ve said for the past decade or so that our exercising will lead to “another 20 good years” of hunting and enjoying the outdoors. He and I want to be one of those people we sometimes read and hear about in local papers. You know the type of headline, “At 89, Deer Hunter Tags Fine Buck.” Walking is an activity that leads to an improved cardiovascular system, staves off old age, prevents or helps manage afflictions like diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure, improves our mental health and keeps our muscles supple. I want to walk up mountains to a deer
16 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
Spending time in the woods is one of the healthiest things we can do. stand when I’m old, haul without difficulty a whitetail back to my vehicle, climb up a tree stand and greet the morning or see the twilight arrive and force my son, son-in-law or grandsons to catch up to me (not me up to them) when I’m rambling through the woods. My walking regimen will hopefully accomplish all this. Additionally, walking is not the only healthy activity we can engage in. My 64-year-old wife swims, does yoga and lifts weights. With venison and the other healthy foods we grow, gather, and eat, Elaine and I hope to be together and active for many more years.
Touting Venison as a Health Food Can Increase Hunter Numbers
It’s no secret hunter numbers in Minnesota and other states are either barely holding their own or decreasing. We simply must do everything we can to increase our numbers so this most wonderful pastime can survive in the future. That means convincing suburban and urban dwellers, who likely did not grow up in rural hunting families, that hunting is a trendy pastime. Actually, it can be hip to hunt. That’s what
surveys are telling us when people are asked if they approve of hunting for food. Indeed, a recent survey by Responsive Management showed that 85 percent of Americans approved of hunting for food. The survey also recorded 81 percent approved of us hunting for wildlife management. In fact, another survey by Responsive Management showed 35 percent of hunters say they hunt “for the meat”; no other reason polled as high. And those urban and suburban folks who become hunters these days often list “hunting for food” as a prime motivator for doing so. Elaine almost always has some kind of venison dish whenever we have company over for dinner – another way to increase our ranks is to show others how tasty a food deer meat is. And we ourselves probably consume venison five days a week. It is such a versatile food that can be prepared so many ways. Indeed, deer hunting and venison are very much a part of a healthy lifestyle. Editor's note: Bruce and Elaine Ingram cowrote "Living the Locavore Lifestyle," a guide to hunting, fishing, and gathering for food – with lots of deer and wild game recipes. For more information or to purchase a copy: bruceingramoutdoos@gmail.com.
Hunt the Muzzleloader Season?
You Betcha!!
BY JOSHUA SALISBURY, MDHA MERCHANDISE AND ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
Recently, I stopped by the local frame-up shop to pick up a deer print I was having done. In short order, I was talking hunting with the shop owner and you guessed it, we were deep into deer hunting tactics. I was pleased to find out he was an avid muzzleloader and as we shared a few tips and observations I found my mind drifting back to hunts of seasons past and the particulars I love about the “second season.” Not surprisingly, he was of the same cut of cloth. Right off the bat I can tell you one of the main reasons I like to hunt the “second season” is most of the time there is snow on the ground. There are definite advantages to snow cover. For me, I just love hunting in snow, especially fresh snow. Fresh snow on the ground is like a blank piece of paper... soon to be filled in with the signatures of all the critters who live in that neck-of-thewoods. And that certainly makes it easier to pattern deer movement, even if you are hunting in a new area. More importantly, the fear of losing a wounded deer is greatly diminished with snow on the ground. As the shop owner and I continued our discussion, he said his favorite way to hunt with a smoke pole was to strap on his snowshoes and quietly sneak along on a two-track scanning the cover on both sides. He referred to this technique as, “spot and stock.” I have to admit it is one of my favorite strategies as well. We all know how busy the woods is during regular gun season. That surfeit of activity can really change a whitetail’s usual lifestyle, by that I mean, when they eat, where they bed and often whether they just go nocturnal until the woods settles down after season. So another advantage for the “second season” hunter is there is a quiet time after firearm season is over. Depending on where you hunt, the woods is void of deer hunters for seven days or more before muzzleloader season begins. This gives the deer a chance to settle down and not be on “red alert” every second of the day. And even though there are more muzzleloader hunters these days, it
18 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
is nowhere near the pressure the deer feel during the first season. In the 19 years I have been muzzleloader hunting I bet I could count on one hand the number of hunters I have seen in the woods. If you combine the break of time between seasons, a little snow cover and the fact you are one of the only hunters in the woods, you certainly have a recipe for success. Not to mention, it’s great medicine for the soul to be out in the quiet woods after a long week of work!
Okay, this might not sound like much of a selling point, but it really is, so stick with me here. Cold weather makes things happen in the deer woods and not happen as well, oddly enough. What doesn’t happen when the mercury falls is an increase in hunter participation; quite frankly, it has just the opposite effect. Mr. Orange Clad wakes up to zero or lower readings and a ten mile an hour northwest wind and a good portion of them will opt for coffee in the house and the Saturday morning news. Honestly, I’ve been there myself. We all
know deer need to move when the weather hints of the portending winter. They are on the feed bag and the experienced and dedicated hunter will take advantage of this. Furthermore, cold weather is part of the challenge, part of the romance of muzzleloader hunting. You are in the deer’s element and you either have the “right stuff ” to stick it out through whatever Mother Nature throws your way, or you go home. And you know what else? Scoring on a nice whitetail under adverse conditions makes it all worthwhile. As Jackie Gleason used to say, “How sweet it is.” Having said all of the above, to lump muzzleloading into a single word I would have to choose, “challenge.” Just about everything connected to this sport is just that, a challenge. To name a few: you get one shot, reduced range, cold weather, deep snow, keeping your powder dry, et.al. Challenging, you betcha! An addiction, to say the least. But when it all works out and the smoke clears, you have met the challenge and won. In closing, muzzleloader season is a time like no other. Often, it’s just you, one-on-one pitted against Mother Nature and one of her greatest works . . . the whitetail deer. And whether you smell that sweet perfume from your muzzleloader after the shot or go the season never firing, it’s still one of the most peaceful times of the year to be out enjoying the sport we love. So, if you haven’t given it a try, do it! You’ve got nothing to lose but a little couch time on a pleasant winter day.
AROUND THE State Minnesota Deer Hunters Association
REGIONAL BOUNDARY AND CHAPTER LOCATION MAP
Region 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 6
Chapter Min-Dak Border Roseau River North Red River Thief River Falls Riceland Whitetails Bemidji Area Itasca County Hibbing/Chisholm Woodland Trails End Carlton County Sturgeon River Arrowhead Wilderness Lake Superior Chapter Lake Vermilion Chapter Smokey Hills Fergus Falls Clay Wilkin Park Rapids East Ottertail Wadena Brainerd Cuyuna Range Whitetails Morrison County Lakes and Pines Bluewater Wahoo Valley Isanti County Wild River Rum River North Suburban
Chapter Code MDB RRC NRR TRF RCL BMJ ITS HCC WLC TEC CCC STR AHC WLDN LSC LVC SMH FFL CWC PKR EOC WDN BRD CRW MCC LPC BLW WAH ICC WLD RMR NSC
Region 7 7 7 7 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 11 11 11 11 12 12 12 12 13 13 13
Chapter Alexandria Chippewa Valley Sauk River Phantom Buck Pomme De Terre Crow River Two Rivers Tri-County River Bottom Bucks Central Minnesota Sherburne County Swampbucks Wright County/ West Metro Whitetails East Central Minnesota Minnesota River Valley Blue Earth River Valley Sunrisers Bend of the River Sioux Trails Deer Hunters Des Moines Valley Jim Jordan McGregor Area Quad Rivers Snake River Southern Gateway Southeast Minnesota Bluff Country South Central Minnesota South Metro Capitol Sportsmen’s St. Croix Valley
Chapter Code ALX CVC SRP PDT CRC TRC TCR CMC SCS WCWMW ECM MRV BEC SNR BOR STD DMV JJC MCG QRC SRC SGC SEM BLF SCC SMC CSC SCV
Calendar of EVENTS
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.
JANUARY DATE
18
Alexandria Area Chapter Banquet
FEBRUARY DATE
2 16 16 22 23 23
MARCH DATE
2 23
APRIL DATE
5 6 6 6 20 27
20 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
EVENT
EVENT
Southeast MN Chapter Banquet Isanti County Chapter Banquet South Metro Chapter Banquet MDHA Awards Recognition Banquet MDHA State Habitat Banquet Two Rivers Chapter Banquet
EVENT
Snake River Chapter Banquet Bluff Country Chapter Banquet
EVENT
Trails End Chapter Banquet Bluewater Chapter Banquet Crow River Chapter Banquet Cuyuna Range Whitetails Chapter Banquet Southern Gateway Chapter Basket Night Jim Jordan Chapter Banquet
Did you know... whitetails tend to congregate into more limited quarters in winter�
MONTEVIDEO’S LILY VARPNESS WINS CHIPPEWA COUNTY FAIR YOUTH ARCHERY SHOOT SPONSORED BY TWO RIVERS CHAPTER
This cute little girl was the big winner at the Chippewa County Fair Youth Archery Shoot the Two Rivers Chapter puts on every year. The chapter also has a booth at the County Fair where they invite any youth at the fair to come in and shoot at 3D targets. This is very well-received and a ton of kids keep coming back over and over to shoot. It's completely free and everybody that tries it puts their name down and there is a drawing for a winner to give away a $400 Hoyt youth bow. It doesn't cost the kids anything to experience this and the chapter loves doing it. The winner this year was Lilly Varpress from Montevideo. Their family has struggled as of late due to a fire that destroyed their house and all of their belongings. So, for the family, this was a well-welcomed highlight and Lily was tremendously excited. The Two Rivers Chapter is very proud of their efforts and the fact they have the ability to do things like this.
JIM JORDAN CHAPTER RECEIVES GENEROUS DONATION IN MEMORY OF ISAAC ENGELSTAD FROM ISAAC’S FAMILY The Jim Jordan Chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association received a very generous donation of $5,600 in memory of Isaac Engelstad, who passed away tragically in June. The donation will be used to sponsor youth going to Forkhorn Camp. The chapter sponsored Isaac going to camp and it was something he never forgot. He talked about it often, his mother said. Isaac was an avid outdoorsman Isaac's family (left to right): Scott Lindahl, Jessica Lindahl, and this donation will continue Abigail Engelstad, Seth Engelstad, Devi Engelstad and Gary his legacy along with that of the Thompson. MDHA.The funds will be used to send five youth to camp in 2019, five in 2020 and five in 2021. Gary Thompson, Chapter Life Member and MDHA State Vice President, thanked the family for their donation.
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Did you know... winter whitetails often reuse the same trails in order to save energy�
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MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 21
AROUND THE State
FORKHORN SUMMER CAMP TAKING KIDS OUTDOORS
The Minnesota Deer Hunters Association hopes to give youth unique, hands-on outdoors experiences BY JESSE WHITE, OUTDOORS COLUMNIST, MESABI DAILY NEWS
While many organizations and experts preach getting youth involved in the outdoors in a positive manner, few push that agenda with as much conviction as the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association and their partners involved with the Forkhorn Summer Camp programs held each year across the state. The idea behind Forkhorn Camp, which according to the MDHA was started in 1985, is to teach kids between the ages of 11 and 17 the ins-and-outs of the outdoors and hunting through a unique, hands-on, interactive experience. Each summer, week-long camps are
held at eight different facilities across the state, including one in our backyard - the Laurentian Environmental Learning Center (LEC) in Britt. Other locations where Forkhorn Camps are held include: Audubon Center of the Northwoods near Sandstone, Minn.; Three Rivers Park District near Maple Plain, Minn. ; Deep Portage Conservation Reserve near Hackensack, Minn. ; Eagle
Bluff Environmental Learning Center near Lanesboro, Minn. ; Kiwanis Boy Scout Camp near St. Croix, Minn. ; Long Lake Conservation Center near Palisade, Minn. ; and Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center near Spicer, Minn. My son Vinny, who is 12, spent a week at LEC in June taking part in Forkhorn I, the
FORKHORN, CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
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AROUND THE State FORKHORN, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 22 first of three different levels of the camp (including Forkhorn II and III) where kids are taught everything from firearms safety to ethical hunting practices, bowhunting, map and compass navigation, big game ecology, advanced marksmanship and more. The end result for Vinny was obtaining his firearms safety certificate. Classes are taught by LEC professional teaching staff that hold Minnesota Firearms Safety Instructor, bowhunting and advanced hunting certifications and the camps include all meals, lodging, instruction and use of equipment, which is part of the appeal of the program considering some youth may not have access to the type of gear available to Forkhorn participants. The camps normally cost upwards of $400 to participate but here’s the catch - the MDHA offers hundreds of scholarships yearly to young campers who are either members of MDHA or an immediate family member to someone who belongs to the organization. MDHA chapters raise money all year long to fund the scholarships through different activities like the Hides-for-Habitat program or yearly banquets featuring auctions for guns and other outdoors equipment. In Vinny’s case, the scholarship for him to attend came courtesy of Deb Bachel and the Sturgeon River Chapter of the MDHA. He earned the entry by selling a book of raffle tickets and then he volunteered at the chapter’s banquet in Buhl in September. While membership doesn’t guarantee a scholarship, chances are good youth members will get one, which minimizes the cost dramatically. The following are short descriptions of the three levels of Forkhorn Camp and dates the camps are being offered at LEC. Forkhorn I is designed for beginning hunters and provides extensive hands-on instruction in basic firearms safety and shooting techniques using rifles, shotguns, muzzleloaders and bows. It also provides hunting tips for both big and small game. Students may earn their Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Firearm Safety Certification through the camp. Some classes include firearm safety; beginning rifle, shotgun and archery; wildlife management; deer hunting techniques and hunter ethics. Students must be at least 11 to attend the camp. Forkhorn II is an advanced Forkhorn Camp that focuses on bowhunting for youth who are graduates of Forkhorn I or have earned their Firearms Safety Certification. It is a more intensive camp that takes students beyond basic whitetail deer hunting knowledge and strategies, and provides them with advanced training. Some of the classes include bowhunting; map and compass navigation; special hunting techniques; and field dressing. Students must be 12 years of age or older and have passed a Firearms Safety Training Course to be eligible for this camp. Forkhorn III is designed for youth, ages 12-17, who already have their Firearms Safety Certification and significant hunting experience. This camp is designed for those seeking to expand their knowledge on big and small game hunting tips and techniques as well as hunter ethics. Classes include advanced marksmanship; beginning handgun shooting and safety; big and small game ecology and hunting; and hunter ethics and responsibilities. Students must be 12 years of age or older and have passed a Firearms Safety Training Course to be eligible. If you aren’t a member of MDHA, you can get more information on how to join at www.mndeerhunters.com or by calling 218-327-1130. You can also get more information about the camps at Laurentian Environmental Center in Britt by visiting their web site at www.moundsviewschools.org or by calling 1-888-749-1288.
24 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
ENDOWMENTS & DONATIONS: 9/18/18 - 11/13/18 ENDOWMENT FUND CONTRIBUTOR’S NAME Mark Nohre Hibbing/Chisholm Chapter Jim Vogen Darrold E. Persson
HONOREE’S NAME Mark Strege Bruce Sherman Rosella Vogen Bruce Sherman
GENERAL FUND CONTRIBUTOR’S NAME Truist John Youngberg George Horsnell Peter Probasco Clifford Wuerflein Cargill
If we inadvertently 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.
Did you know... before winter’s onset, whitetails have been known to migrate miles to find overwinter food and shelter�
W�Y D� D�E� Y�R�-�P I� T�E W�N�E�? “Yarding” is a term used for large masses of deer congregating in one area. It occurs during times of severe cold and decreasing food source availability. Food is scarce, so deer flock to what little is left. It’s more common to see this in places with a lot of snow. This behavior—spending a lot of time in a confined area—allows deer to consume available resources and conserve energy. They benefit from grouping in large numbers. Common places to see deer yard up are near south and east-facing slopes, agricultural fields with a lot of waste grain, late-season food plots, white cedar thickets and anywhere else they can find good shelter from the elements and food for their bellies. If you have one or more of these, it’s likely you’ll see deer yarding there this winter. By yarding with other deer, trails stay open and there are more eyes and ears to avoid predators.
S�E�I�I�A�I�N� F�R C�N�T�U�T�O� A�D S�E�C�L�N� U�I�N A�M�N�T�O� B�X
B�A�
Bears can go up to 7.5 months without eating, drinking, urinating or defecating. Their dens are made in hollow trees, upturned roots of windblown trees, rock crevices or even brush piles. In residential areas a den could be a storm sewer under a street, a road culvert or even a crawl space under a house. Bears rarely use the same den twice. Black bears eat an extremely large amount of food between midsummer and through the end of autumn. By the end of autumn, a black bear will have gained 4 to 5 inches of body fat.
26 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
Material List: • • • • • • • •
1/2 lb black I inch cut concrete nails (#8 finish nails optional) 2 each - I X IO pine. I 5 inches long (long side panels) 2 each - 1 X IO pine. 9 inches long (short side panels) 3 each - I X 4 pine. 15 inches long (lid) 2 each - 1 X 2 pine. 9 inches long (lid cleats) I each - I X IO pine. 13 V2 inches long & cut to 9 inches width (bottom) 2 each - I X 2 pine. 10 ½ inches long (side holds) Wood glue
Did you know... on sunny days during cold snaps whitetails will bed down on the sunny-sides of hills�
F�R�H�R�S I� T�E F�E�D
Owen Roddy of the Isanti chapter with his first deer.
S�E�R�N� D�C�Y H�S�O�Y
The history of spearing decoys dates back to primitive indigenous tribes of humans or Eskimos and ancient examples of fish decoys carved from bone or tusks have been found. Spear fishing is one of the oldest forms of fishing done by man, predating angling, especially angling as a sport. Native Americans were spearing fish through the ice long before Europeans reached North America. It is difficult, however, to pin down the precise origin of darkhouse spearing. Spear fishing in general was thought to have been independently introduced in many places around the world; no single location can be credited with its introduction. It could have begun in Northern Asia, North America, or Northern Europe. The modern history of fish decoys starts in the early 19th century and continues to the present day. Quite a bit of knowledge has been gained about the history of fish decoys made from the early twentieth century to the present day. Colorful stories are told of spear fishermen who carved these examples of early American folk-art, gathered food with them or traded their creations for alcoholic spirits. There was a big surge in the amount of spear fishermen in the late 1920s and early 1930s. This was probably due to the Great Depression and a need to forage for food in the harsh winters by any means necessary. Many of the most highly prized collectible fish decoys came from this time period.
Jasmine Salisbury of the Itasca chapter dragging out a doe on a snowy day.
W�R� S�A�C�
Source: Minnesota Dark House & Angling Association
Did you know... winter whitetails tend to feed in shorter periods of time to conserve energy�
SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 54.
My little sister shot this deer youth hunt sitting with her mother! It was about 125 yard shot and the deer field-dressed was 200 lbs! 10 point!
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 27
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28 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
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A binocular makes you more effective. Use both hands, focus close in thickets, keep your head still�
SEE WHAT YOU LOOK AT! BY WAYNE VAN ZWOLL
I’d been seduced by snow still fluffy in dawn’s glow. Big prints, wide from center, wound in easy swings through scattered cedars. Mesmerized, I followed fast. I would throttle back in the oaks ahead. But, the buck hadn’t reached them. He jumped perhaps 20 steps away, flagging off as I gaped. He had been right there! Intent on the track, I had missed what mattered. Hardly my first such fumble. Another time, I’d glassed a buck on a prairie butte half a mile distant. I looped crosswind, labored up a steep trail and eased across the treeless slope toward the lip of a brushy ravine, where I was sure he’d bedded. Suddenly, a few steps off my flank, he rose from the grass and left. The ravine was empty. Permit me a third strike for the shut-out. I’d seen a buck nose a hot doe into brush edging a creek. Still-hunting around a bend,
30 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
I bounced the doe. I stopped to look about, carefully. No buck. My next step launched him from tall weeds at slingshot range. Myriad other failures confirm I’ve yet much to learn after 50 years hunting deer. Mostly, I must look more effectively. Deer are hard to see, mainly because we dismiss them as shards of the insignificant. That’s why you can overlook them even in light cover. Twigs break profiles, grass adds striations, shadows impose confusing patterns. It isn’t that deer are hidden so much as they mimic background. Sometimes it’s useful to look between and beyond what you know is not a deer. A stationary whitetail most commonly reaches your eye as patches of earthy colors on background of similar hues. Body texture holds a clue; but you’ll not often see a big swatch of front-lit deer hide. The camo combo of earth-tones and
textures, with splatterings of shade, hides the biggest beasts. In the African bush, I once almost bumped into a rhinoceros. I’ve hunted to within a rock-toss of buffalo and elephants that never showed themselves. Such creatures have many square yards of hide, but it’s mottled with mud in random splotches. “Background,” says your eye. Skin creases become a lattice of branches. What you see reflects what you want to see. Hunting whitetails, you look for what registers as a deer. For beginners, that’s a whole deer, standing as might a horse for photos after winning the Preakness. After routinely failing to spot deer, hunters learn to mind details that could belong to deer. Eyes and noses glint in sunlight. The dull gleam of antlers pops from shadow. A horizontal line should get your attention, as deer cover has few horizontal lines. The white fringe of a tail
clued me a couple of years ago, in time for a shot with my .25-35. Where you look matters as much as what you look for. Peering into places that might appeal to deer is logical; but, your focus must be sharp. A quick appraisal helps you find the rare buck that stands out like a fly in a sugar bowl. After that, you’ll want to stair-step your search, close first, then far. A deer you miss nearby is usually a chance lost, because you’ll seldom get a second look before the animal sees you. Inspect the cover. Keep your gaze low. We engage people at or near eye level, where we also install screens and appliances and where we look when we drive. But a whitetail buck 40 inches at the shoulder is a big deer! Bedded, he’s anklehigh, ears and antlers not much above your knees. Bucks sniffing out acorns or a sex trail move most visibly near ground level. Hiding from hunters, deer often hug the earth, obscured by grass you’d think too short to conceal a badger. Ivan Rhodes was looking low when, after a tiring day afield in 1978, he hunted his way home. A brushy draw held what he took at a glance to be a cow skeleton. Then those white ribs moved! Ivan was staring at the antlers of an enormous buck! But he recovered in time to trigger his .30-06, killing the deer. It became the first Colorado whitetail ever to qualify for Boone and Crockett’s all-time records book. Many less impressive deer have escaped notice by huddling or moving close to the ground. In a Michigan swamp long ago, I glimpsed a buck slinking through willows between my partner and me. The deer’s belly skimmed the ankle-deep water as, cat-like, this crafty animal slipped behind us. Another whitetail, harried on opening day in a patchwork of hardwoods and open knobs, hid until a group of hunters sat for lunch on a sunny slope. The buck waited until the guns were down, sandwiches out before erupting from grass just 20 yards below. No one got a shot. Deer choose beds with an eye to escape routes and human traffic as well as concealment, thermal protection and wind coverage. Bucks quickly learn to shun places that draw hunters. A friend once shot a beautiful deer in a cow pasture, after fruitless days prowling timber above it. Foraging only at night, this buck found that a ravine in the close-cropped flat held no threat during the day. He would have survived had not my pal taken a shortcut walking back to his pickup that evening. Ditto another buck, on another day, lying low in fence-row grass.
Quick� Do you see both bucks� Many hunters look too high. Shadow changes colors, breaks profiles. Because many hunters these days plop themselves on field edge behind a bipod, with a ballistics app in their hand, you might question the safety of farm fields. But big deer can hide in little places, even where there are no places. Long ago a pal stillhunted through a small woodlot that ended in a patch of cut wheat, where his brother waited. In the stubble, within conversation range of his sibling, he unloaded his rifle. Both hunters were stunned when a buck rose between them, as if out of the earth, and dashed away! In severe weather, forests offer valuable shelter. Deer that hunker among the trees can lie tight as a tick if they’ve seen hunters
skirt thickets or hunt too fast through them – both common failings. A buck bedded a fly-rod length from me stayed put as I passed him, unseeing. A random glance behind gave him up. I had the presence of mind to avoid eye contact and raise the .270 slowly. He certainly had nerve! I’ve since looked back more often! When whitetails in timber are pressed to leave it during the day, they often scoot across openings, aware of their sudden vulnerability. Or they skirt the edge until they find a coulee or a fence-line to cover their exit. Last November in Minnesota, my hunting party scored first on a deer bounding across a power-line cut. The next buck to fall
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 31
was easing through cedars along its edge. Open country often lulls hunters into relaxing, on the assumption they’ll easily spot any deer as soon as it pops from cover. But deer that perceive threats move quickly, dodging from bush to grass clump and becoming almost invisible when they halt. Once, as I glassed a wide valley in dawn’s half-light, two deer ghosted into view far off. Like sea-ducks riding chop, they bobbed over a barren ridge and vanished. When the earth disgorged them again, they were loping away 80 yards behind me! Those deer had crossed a mile of prairie, using topographic relief and a sprint-and-stop tactic to avoid detection. Open places can hide deer from hunters who don’t pay attention. When deer hunting, you’ll find a binocular counts for as much as a rifle-scope. Maybe more. Often I’ve carried an iron-sighted rifle. But leave my bino behind? Never! Obviously, a binocular helps you see far. But it’s a huge asset in thickets too! Focus it at, say 40 yards and you’ll better see details that can suddenly become pieces of deer. Still-hunting a dense patch once, I caught the twitch of an ear. My binocular resolved the doe – and behind her a glint that became sunlight on a buck’s eye. Offhand at 35 yards, I shot him just above that shine. Mostly I use an 8x32 binocular. It’s easy to tote on a single strap and the bright, generous field doesn’t bob about uncontrollably if I must glass briefly onehanded or when winded. Higher power can make images dance so violently as to become unreadable. An 8x field is also deep; you get sharp images several feet closer and farther than the focus distance. The glass in my Zeiss 8x32 (and other high-quality binoculars) is superior to that in the 7x35 B&L Zephyr I used years ago. But I still adore this lightweight Porro prism binocular. B&L’s 6x30 also excelled for whitetail hunting, especially in tight, shaded places. No matter how diligently you glass, you’ll seldom see all the deer within range of your binocular. Years ago a pal and I hunted a complex of promising draws. The first day we saw several bucks. As the week wore on, sightings diminished. After a fruitless final morning, I returned to the cabin to pack up as my pal gave the hills one more look. He killed a fine deer in short grass a rifle-shot from the cuts we had prowled just hours earlier. Still-hunting just under the top of a rise or rim, and glassing to the opposite grade, can show you deer that would be hidden if you were on the same slope. Once, opposite
32 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
Be where you want to hunt earlier than daylight� A low-power binocular helps you see deer early. my partner on another ridge, I spied a deer ahead of him. It stood still, following Vern’s progress until he was very close. Then, silently, the buck egg-walked around him, stopped and watched my pal move away. An across-the-draw look can leave deer with no sure escape. Once, in woods split by a ravine, I eased through logging slash, glassing into the off-side cover. The flick of a tail caught my eye. With that movement, the buck had given himself away. But instead of bolting, he hesitated. I found a slot and fired. Another time, parting weeds on a Midwest farm, I dropped to my knees near the brink of a swale 100 yards wide. It had yielded deer in the past. Inching forward on my elbows, I glassed movement in the weeds opposite. This buck didn’t stop. He topped out at a measured walk, alert to an undefined threat but unwilling to draw attention with a sprint. I fired prone, killing him with my .243. With or without a binocular, be still to look! Take a tip from the deer! A buck with his radar up is stone-still. He knows if he moves his head, images sharp in his vision will blur. A kaleidoscope of shapes and shades will obscure details on which his life may depend. Scanning brings lots of cover to your eye fast, but you’ll see only the most obvious deer. Instead, search cover by sections, head still, eyes reading. Look behind you. Look to the sides. If you’re still-hunting, choose carefully a place to stop. A buck tracking your progress may bolt if you pause. Mind shot alleys and foot placement, so you can pivot and fire accurately in several directions. Persistence and careful looking can give you a second chance. A whitetail doe I startled during a still-hunt left in high, showy bounds. Not too alarmed, thought I.
She might move other deer…. Familiar with the woodlot, I hurried through it to watch a trail across a ravine. Presently the doe reappeared – now with several other deer. The buck fell to my Savage 99. Four times I’ve muffed sneaks on bucks I should have killed, and watched them through glass as they put hundreds of yards of prairie between us. Then, keeping a favorable wind, I’ve followed them up, taking one in his bed after a long crawl, circling another to fire when it paused to watch its back-trail. A third buck made good his escape into cedars, then, bounced by another hunter, slipped into cattails, where my bullet caught him. The fourth ran across a big flat and up a hill I later ascended on my belly. Spotting antler tips, I slapped the earth prone and shot that buck as he rose from his bed. Yes, I’ve failed many more times to redeem myself on spooked whitetails! Remember: Every deer must be somewhere! Pressed by hunters, bucks seek relief from pressure. Two seasons back, hiking fast across a plateau to help a friend with a deer he’d shot, I came upon a deep, narrow gully. A fine whitetail buck, as surprised as I at our chance encounter, scooted away like a mouse in a maze. A dozen hunters stationed on surrounding hills never saw this deer. Big places – the north woods and the prairie – lack the “hot spots” obvious in farm country. “It’s hard finding deer out there,” groused a pal, after a hard week’s hunt. “Too much of too little.” Ah, but where no cover looks quite good enough to hold whitetails, it all can! Hunters who find the bucks there have learned how to see!
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MY SECOND
DEER CAMP THE CARLSON
DEER SHACK Aitkin County, MN (1991-2012) BY RON CARLSON Editor’s note: In the fall 2018 issue of Whitetales, author Ron Carlson recounted his first deer camp, the “Budris Deer Camp” (1969-1989). This is the story of his second camp. Due to its nostalgic transitory message, we hope many of you will not only enjoy it, but relate to it.
34 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
It was 1990 and the “Budris Deer Camp” days were over. It was also the only deer season, in fact, I had ever hunted without a deer camp. We still got deer, but, it just wasn’t the same without a camp. We all realized we needed to create a new deer camp before the 1991 season. Dad wanted to be closer than
near the Canadian border so we decided to utilize my grandparents' land in Aitkin County. We bought a 12’ x 18’ Menards prefab barn type building that we customized into our new deer shack. Construction began in August and after several long weekends, it was complete. Built by Dad, his brother Cliff,
my brother Steve and I, it cost us $1,364, including its garage sale furnishings. Dad was always meticulous for keeping records.
The new “Carlson Shack” was a considerable improvement over the logging shacks at the Budris Camp, yet it still lacked any modern conveniences. We were no longer in the big woods or near the Canadian border, but we believed it would serve us well for many years. Being 3 1/2 hours closer than the Budris camp, its proximity provided us new opportunities to utilize the camp more than just for deer season. Strangely enough, our new camp coincided with the general population of the deer herd beginning to be more centrally located in Minnesota. We were soon to learn there was good deer hunting in Minnesota other than on the Canadian border. Plus, our access to the camp would no longer be a concern or limiting factor. Our first deer hunt at the Carlson Shack was 1991, the year of the historic “Halloween Blizzard.” There was so much snow we actually had a hard time getting into the camp (so much for the no access issues), however, we were all excited and ready to start making some memories and new traditions.
By 8:30 a.m. opening morning, all four of us had shot our own deer. By 9:30 a.m. the deer were all hanging on side of the old log barn at camp and we were inside drinking coffee and talking smart when it started to rain. What a great way to start off our new deer camp! By this time, my vocational career had again changed directions and I was no longer working in the wood industry. I was a partner in a manufacturing company in St. Cloud. Although the woods never left me, I left it for career purposes. Living in St. Cloud and only being about an hour away from our deer shack made it much easier to spend time there. This was very significant because my children ages five and seven were being introduced to the woods, guns and hunting. They were playing in the same woods my father and I did as youngsters. It was a great period of my life as I had the best of all worlds—my dad, brother and our kids all being together at the hunting shack whenever we could.
As our kids grew, our camp began to grow. From 1991 through 2012 we would have from four to 12 hunters at the shack. All relatives, they would come in from Washington D.C., Texas, Virginia, Wisconsin, Utah and Florida. Each year different things would transpire that would allow some to attend and others not. Two cousins were serving as fighter pilots in the Air Force and this prevented them from attending many years. I recall feeling bad for my Uncle Cliff whose boys couldn’t be there, yet my Dad had both his sons at camp every year. For five years, I too felt the pain of not having my son at deer camp due his military service as an MD in the Air Force. As the Carlson camp grew over the years, we needed more room to house hunters. Still, we always found a way to sleep the entire crew. We were also very fortunate as our crew grew since our neighbor allowed us to expand our hunting area onto his 160 acres, giving us 240 acres of private land. Together
with a large state wildlife management area only a couple miles away, we had ample area to hunt. Over the 22 years I hunted at the Carlson Shack, we had a very successful camp as far as harvesting deer goes. However, as I aged, it wasn’t about shooting a deer anymore that made this time of year so special for me. Don’t get me wrong, I hunt as hard as anyone and still really enjoy shooting a deer, or two, but our success and my greatest memories about the Carlson Shack is not about shooting a deer. There were many more important elements such as, we never had anyone get lost or hurt. We watched our children learn to respect firearms, learn to hunt, to be good sportsmen and enjoy the privilege of being in the woods. We watched as our children each got their first deer (there are very few things as special as being with your kids when they get their first). It was being together each year, having a family reunion, playing cards, telling old stories and creating memories. It was about watching our kids mature and dad grow older, all looking forward to a very, very special time together in November. After my grandpa passed away in 1994, our camp land was divided between my dad and his brother Cliff. With each having three children and multiple grandchildren, I could see that the land would continue to be divided as generations evolved. I knew it would never be sold, rather just keeping to get diluted with more and more people owning it and growing the deer camp. I also knew eventually something would need to change, but wasn’t quite sure when or what that would be. It was at the Carlson Shack where my son’s first taste of deer hunting took place. He hunted there from 1995 at age 10, until he left for the Air Force in 2010. He fortunately made it back home for deer camp in 2012 which was the last year dad hunted. The photo shows my son, father, brother and myself in camp the last year we all hunted together.
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 35
In January 2007, my wife Laurie and I sold our business and retired. With both our children’s families doing well, it was time to find the land of my boyhood dreams. After numerous years of hard searching, Laurie and I finally found what we considered to be the perfect land that met all our needs and we purchased it. Although we finally owned the land of my dreams, my intent was to continue to deer hunt at the Carlson Shack as long as my father could still be there, whether he hunted or not. He was the center of all my hunting memories. Up until a couple weeks before his death, we would talk for hours about how we would be able to deer hunt on both the new land and our camp land that fall. His biggest concern was where the grandchildren should be posted to have the best opportunities as we really didn’t know the new land very well yet. It was always about making sure others are taken care of first for my Dad. Today his deer cap graces the doorway of my hunting camp so I see it every time I head out. Seems with each passing year I miss him more and more. After Dad’s passing, it was time for the change I had foreseen. For myself, having been the “manager” of the Carlson Shack the
36 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
last 8-10 years, I informed each of the other hunters the shack, trails and stands would all ready for deer hunting in 2013, however, I would not be hunting there. I had decided to start a new deer hunting tradition on my new land. That was a very hard decision, but I knew it was the right one. The Carlson Shack hunting camp is still operating at full strength with many of my relatives and I do miss it. It provided me with so many experiences and memories for our family. Still, even though I may not be at the
Carlson Shack physically during deer season, we are still in contact with each other sharing how the others are doing on the hunt. Like the Budris deer camp before it, the Carlson Shack taught me many lessons about what a good deer camp is and should be. It provided wonderful memories I’ll forever cherish. But, just like the Budris Camp, “sometimes great things must come to an end” and “sometimes a door must shut so another can be opened.”
DUTCH OVEN COOKING BY TOM CLAYCOMB
In the last two decades, Dutch Oven cooking has gained monumental acclaim. In the many articles I write about Dutch Oven cooking, I feel like I barely get to do them justice due to my limited space, so on this topic I’m really going to barely scratch the surface. In addition, there’s no telling how many books have been written on this subject. When you think about Dutch Ovens your mind automatically drifts back in time to the old trail drives and cowboy chuck wagons. It’s the crack of dawn and while everyone is roping their horse for the day the cook scoops a shovel full of hot coals out of the fire. He throws some on top and some on bottom of his old Dutch Oven and heats up a batch of sourdough biscuits. In a short amount of time the cowboys all line up single file as he serves them a hot cup of coffee, biscuits, scrambled eggs and sausage. Now let’s fast-forward 100 years. The modern day DO cooks are chefs that demand an exact heat level. My buddy Paul Loree strategically places a certain amount of coals on top and on bottom for the exact heat he wants for specific recipes. I bought my first Dutch oven 30 years ago. I messed around with it, but years later I attended a class Paul taught. That’s where I really learned how to do it right. Paul has
38 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
literally taught thousands of people how to cook Dutch Oven style. Where do we start? The first step is to buy a DO and bring it home and scrub it out with hot soapy water and a Brillo pad. This will remove the wax, grease or whatever the heck it is they protect them with at the factory. Then, let it dry off, grease it up and fire up your oven to 400 degrees. Throw it in the oven for an hour. Let it cool off and pull it out. Grease it up once more and it is ready to use. From now on you will never use soap on it again or it will remove the seasoning and
you’ll have to re-season it. From now on to clean it, simply scrub out the old food and heat and grease. There are a ton of good DO books. Here are a few good ones: Loving Dutch Oven by Joan S. Larsen; Outdoor Dutch Oven Cookbook by Sheila Mills; Cast Iron Cuisine by Linda Cawley & Geri Munford (this is a good one for beginners). Be sure to buy one of these books and try some of the recipes out. But remember, every time you open the lid to peek in it increases the cooking time by five minutes.
There is also a wide array of tools and accessories to make life easier when cooking DO. Tongs to lift the lid, lid holders and charcoal starters are just a few. Paul will shoot me for being a heretic, but in the old days they got by without all these gimmicks. It’s just they make cooking life easier. Shortly after attending Paul’s class, I took my boss Doug Pagler bear hunting. We got back to camp after dark and as I was preparing dinner I became worried I didn’t have charcoal and was trying to carefully measure out some hot coals. Doug brushed me aside and said quit worrying about it. He grabbed the shovel and scooped a load and laid it on top. I told him we needed so and so many coals. He told me not to worry, he’d been cooking DO for years. Then he said something that clicked. He asked me if I really thought the old cowboy cooks carried a bag of charcoal to cook with? The best I remember we ate every bit of whatever it was I was cooking so I guess it wasn’t too bad. It’s just that the cooks nowadays have exact heat temps and know precisely how long to cook a meal. There’s no guesswork, for them it’s just like using an oven. They know for each recipe specifically how many charcoal briquettes to put on top
and how many on bottom. Remember, though, in the cowboy days all they had to use was the coals they scooped out of the fire pit. All my buddies are hardcore and use an exact number of charcoal briquettes. About 90% of the time I just use a scoop full of coals. You can also double stack ovens to conserve coals. Paul cuts the side out of a metal trash can and stacks his ovens in it. That blocks the wind and helps him cook faster. You can buy a variety of brands and sizes of DO. The most common is the 8-quart oven. They even make aluminum ones that are unbelievably light. Paul even packs them in on his horses. They also make an anodized one if you’re worried about Alzheimer’s. The aluminum is light and cleans easier, but the cast iron has a more even heat. They both have their good points. Whichever one you buy, get one with a lip on top and legs on bottom. This way you can put coals on top. The Lodge is the best brand I’ve found. Its walls have a more consistent thickness, the lid seats better and the handle works smoothly. What can you cook? The sky is the limit. The classes Paul taught were four weeks long. The first class he taught he cooked
for the first two hours and then served the whole class. He had prepared a whole turkey, enchiladas and lasagna for a main course. For dessert, he had cherry cobbler and if you didn’t like cherries he had peach cobbler. I was totally sold after that meal. Now it’s a given. If we’re having a BBQ, we always ask Paul over and tell him to bring whatever he wants as long as it’s a DO special. A couple of years ago when we had a dinner for our cattle suppliers we had a guy with an outfit named Going Dutch or something like that cater the meal. He fed over 300 cowboys with DOs. He also grilled some rib eyes and cooked potatoes in his DO. They were sliced and cooked with cheese and jalapenos. They were worth dying for. I’m telling you. You can cook anything, Paul even cooks pizza. If your salivary glands aren’t working overtime by now you’d better check with your primary health provider. Trust me, you very much need to buy a Dutch Oven this year, but, be sure to try it out at home before you cook with it at camp. It definitely will add another dimension to your camping experience and it will guarantee you a welcome back to any deer camp!
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 39
Here are a couple of easy recipes to get you started: Doug Pageler’s Quiche: • • • • • • •
4-5 eggs 1 to 1-1/2 cups Bisquick 1 can of mushrooms 1 can Rotel tomatoes 1 large onion chopped 8 oz. Cheese 1 lb. sausage
40 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
Charlie’s Honey Buns:
• • • • •
1 cube butter 1-1/2 cups brown suga r 2 tbls. Karo syrup ½ cup chopped nuts 2 cans Pillsbury Grands
biscuits Line 12” DO w/ aluminu m foil. Place DO over 56 coals and melt butter. Stir in brow n sugar and nuts gently. Slice biscuits in 1/2 or ¼ and drop all around on top of the br own sugar mixture. Cover w/ lid an d 12-14 coals on top. Ba ke until golden brown. About 15 min. Dump onto a large plate and let the goo drip down the sides.
Do you have a photo of a cherished deer hunting memory? We'd love to see it!
Thanks for sharing!
Please send a digital photo in .jpg format to bri@mndeerhunters.com. If digital format is not possible, photos may be sent to: MDHA c/o Deer Hunting Memories, 460 Peterson Rd., Grand Rapids, MN 55744 Please include a description of who, when, where, etc. Each issue of Whitetales will celebrate our hunting heritage with your photos. Photos will not be returned. 1980s Clarence and Kenny Wicklud. I always enjoyed listening to their hunting stories. - Dan Wicklund
One of Brad Satchel's favorite parts of the deer season is the time spent with the guys.
42 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 43
PREDATOR CONTROL AND WHY IT MATTERS
BY JOSH HONEYCUTT
How Do Predators Affect the Herds Where You Hunt? Wildlife populations are constantly in flux. Both predator and prey populations rise and fall. That’s the natural cycle. However, just
as whitetail population management is important, so is predator control. Jeff Davis of Whitetails Unlimited has spent the majority of his life in Minnesota where predator control is an ongoing battle. “I once watched a coyote circle around a doe with two fawns and the doe kept a close eye on the coyote for the 20 minutes or so that the coyote hung around,” Davis said. “She was wary, but didn't seem frightened
44 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
and held her fawns close. This has to add stress to her daily life and I have no way of knowing if these animals are around each other a lot or if the coyote was just passing through. I have no doubt that if circumstances presented, that coyote would be having fawn for lunch.” Art Helin has been an avid outdoorsman in the Upper Midwest his entire life. He’s hosted popular hunting shows, works as an outdoor photographer and videographer and has been very active in public promotion of hunting and the outdoor heritage.
Helin has also been a part of ongoing predator research in his home state of Wisconsin (with similar ecosystem dynamics as Minnesota). “I have been part of an ongoing study here in Wisconsin with collaring deer for a predation study,” Helin said. “I was really surprised at the numbers of fawns killed by bobcats and bears. I felt coyotes would have a bigger impact. However, the coyotes and wolves seemed to be a larger problem for the older deer than the fawns. Looking at this study and what they are finding out
really puts things into perspective on why we should control all predators — as some are harder on the young population and some are harder on the old. The effect is greater than what people think, especially in areas where bear and wolves share the same habitat. They are born killers and don’t discriminate.” State Minnesota Deer Hunters Association (MDHA) President Doug Appelgren added, “I have been hunting northern Itasca county for 20+ years. It used to be rare to see wolves, for the last ten years, however, I see them all the time. In fact, when I see wolves or coyotes while hunting, I will not see any deer for two to three days afterwards. It seems they all do the dance moving out of each other’s way, but, to be sure, they are all present in this neck of the woods.” Doug then went on to conclude, “We all know the effects of severe winters and overharvest. Wolves also have to be added to the mix. It’s time to implement responsible predator management for the betterment of the whitetails and ecosystem in general,” Doug said, pointing out predator control is one of the MDHA’s objective tenets.
Why Does Predator Control Matter? It’s vital to the well-being of an ecosystem to manage all wildlife populations — both predator and prey. Kip Adams, a wildlife biologist for the Quality Deer Management Association, is a big advocate for responsible predator control. “Predator populations including coyotes, bears and bobcats should be managed just as we manage game species like deer, turkey and waterfowl,” Adams said. “All wildlife species should be managed for healthy, sustainable populations that are neither below or above what the environment can sustain.” Like Davis and Appelgren, Adams believes it’s of the utmost importance to keep predator numbers in check. “I've spent most of my life in southeastern Minnesota, central Iowa, and northeastern Wisconsin, all areas that have extensive agricultural activity, and predators are a huge problem for farmers as well as wildlife,” Adams said. “In these areas, coyotes, fox and raccoons are viewed as pests, and removing them is the only reasonable action." “In rural areas, coyotes kill family pets, barn cats, chickens and young livestock whenever they can, and farmers are happy to have them eliminated,” Adams continued. “I can’t speak with any authority, but the general belief among hunters I know is that
coyotes (and increasingly, wolves) do kill fawns and young deer, and have an effect on local deer populations. I've seen studies that contend that overall, coyote [hunting] control does not have long-term effect on deer populations, but few hunters are convinced.”
Predatorial Effects on Whitetails Predators have the potential to do significant damage to whitetail herds throughout the country. Whether it’s wolves, bears, coyotes, bobcats or mountain lions, they all take a toll. Once they are overpopulated, whitetails and other game species really begin to suffer. “In some areas of the whitetail’s range where deer herds are very productive and have access to good habitat, predators have almost no impact on population levels,” Adams said. “In other areas with poor fawning cover, predators can have huge impacts on fawn survival. Predation rates aren’t directly linked to predator numbers. Rather, they must be assessed on a site-bysite basis.” We know from nation-wide predator research that predatorial effects differ from state-to-state and even county-to-county. That said, in much of the country bears, bobcats and coyotes have more of an effect on whitetail fawns. Bobcats, coyotes and wolves are affecting adult deer populations. After asking the Minnesota DNR’s Large Carnivore Specialist Dan Stark, it’s somewhat unclear as to what the data shows regarding the Minnesota predator-whitetail relationship — especially with whitetail fawns. “This may be highly variable depending on where you live/hunt,” Stark said. “Bears, bobcats, coyotes and wolves are all predators of deer fawns. Several studies have tried to measure mortality of deer fawns and results have been inconsistent. While one study revealed that bears, bobcats, and wolves contributed 21 percent, 18 percent, and four percent to fawn mortality respectively, another study contributed 50 percent to both bear and wolf mortality.”
The Minnesota DNR’s Response to Predator Control After interviewing Stark, it also became clear there’s a disconnect between the views of some deer hunters and wildlife officials. Stark’s overall message seemed to be that larger predators aren’t having a significant negative effect on whitetail herds. Many
Bear
Wolf
Bobcat
Coyote
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 45
deer hunters across the state and nation are singing a much different tune in their feelings of how predators are affecting whitetail populations, though. “Across northern Minnesota, the biggest contributors to deer population declines are winter severity and hunter harvest,” Stark said. “Although an important component of the overall deer mortality, wolves alone are not a major driver in deer population declines. Wolves are the primary predators of deer in northern Minnesota, second in highest cause of mortality only to hunters. Wolf predation on deer is greatest during mid-late winter, coinciding with periods of poor body condition and deep snow. “In relation to white-tailed deer in Minnesota, there is uncertainty of the benefits of predator control,” Stark continued. “However, there may be localized areas where reduction of predators could help recovering deer populations where they are limited by maturation of habitat and winter severity. However, it may be difficult to measure any benefits given the changes in deer population following reductions in hunter harvest and mild winters." “Wolves have been well established across northern Minnesota for decades,” Stark continued. “We’ve had record-high deer harvests that coincided with record-high wolf estimates. It’s something hunters need to learn to accept and for some they may even embrace it. Considering that areas with wolves contribute more to the hunting experience and appreciation for wild places that support the predator and prey that they seek out. In some localized situations, almost certainly on a small scale in space and time, it’s possible the presence of wolves affects success (negatively or positively) for individual deer hunters. But over time and statewide, not just the few days hunted each year, scientific data clearly shows that a healthy wolf population is synonymous with a healthy deer population. “What’s been observed here in Minnesota is that when the deer population declines following severe winters or over harvest the wolf population usually declines as well as a result of lower deer density,” Stark concluded. “In the late 1990s and late 2000s, following deer declines, we observed a quick rebound in deer populations without predator control — with reduced deer harvest and mild winters.”
What Is the Best Way to Control Predators? There are mixed feelings on the best methods of predator control. However,
46 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
“The most effective way to control predators is to hunt and/or trap them...” - Jeff Davis it’s pretty clear trapping is the only proven method for reducing predators such as coyotes and bobcats. Hunting is the only available method for managing wolves and bears. And a mountain lion season east of the Mississippi isn’t likely to happen anytime soon. “The most effective way to control predators is to hunt and/or trap them,” Davis said. “They can be tough to hunt, not many people trap anymore and when conditions are right the population in a local area can explode and become a real problem.”
At the end of the day, sportsmen and sportswomen agree with, believe in and support, a healthy population of predators. But, like whitetails and other game species, predators also need managing. And there’s too much data out there that proves predator management can have a positive effect on whitetail populations to discredit it. It’s time to implement responsible predator management for the betterment of the whitetails and ecosystem in general. Anyone who suggests otherwise is behind the times.
MDHA TIPS
BY ROD DIMICH
TIP
#1
TIP
#2
TIP
#3
“Stand by Your Seat”
Even though Tammy Wynette not only made excessively popular the saying, “Stand by your man” due to her 1969 megahit, “Stand by Your Man,” she also opened the door for many spinoffs, like “stand by your weatherman,” “stand by your friends,” etc. For late season deer hunters utilizing a ground blind or platform where seats or chairs can and are often used, “stand by your seat” is of the utmost importance. To find out more, either do the research or visit your local sporting goods store/department and ask their experts. They will tailor your choice according to your style of hunting. Keep in mind, however, if you want to turret a full 360 degrees, be sure to get a seat that does so. Also, if different hunters will be using the seat, rather than piling the pillows, purchase one that ascends and descends. The same goes for pack-ability. If weight is no problem, you can go clunky and sturdy. If you are toting a distance, go light. As always, be sure to remember safety first. If you are going to put significant weight on the seat, make sure it is made of material that will hold two “bills” and more.
“Muzzleloader moderation is always best”
This advice reaches not only many facets of our outdoor worlds it relates to our lives in general. How many times growing up did you hear, “Moderation is the key”? Plenty we are sure. And, like most things that have survived the test of time, it is oh so true. So, what does this have to do with muzzleloaders? Well, actually plenty and not in the way you might think, like distance of shot or weight of the load. No, what we are talking about is condensation that can ruin your hunt just as quickly as a rain shower. Most condensation is caused by taking your gun out of a warm environment, such as your car or house and putting it into a cold environment. It also works in just the opposite way, taking it from somewhere cold and putting it into a warm place. The best solution is to just leave it outside in a case so it matches the outdoor temperature. Keep in mind that abrupt temperature changes will cause condensation, which can lead to firing malfunctions. The best advice, of course, is to do the research and talk to veteran muzzle and smoke pole hunters.
“�Be the ball’ in late season bow hunting”
Well, we don’t exactly mean like the golf putting tips offered by Chevy Chase in the 1980 classic movie, Caddyshack. What we are suggesting is because most whitetails have been chased from early autumn bow hunters through firearms seasons, by the time late season archery comes around these deer are as jumpy as the proverbial puppet on a string. They have seen, heard and smelled it all. Even though it is far from foolproof, be as close to blending in as you possibly can. Rather than placing your portable stand in the oaks that last fall housed giant leaves for concealment, because they are now forest floor carpeting, opt for the bushy conifers. If you are hunting a field’s edge, find the closest thing you can to a clump of trees and perch there. Ground blinds, of course, can meld into anything natural. Just be careful not to get mired in mud or tripped up by corn stalks or cattails. Be the ball, not the doormat.
48 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
& TREASURES
Ed's Treasured Photos
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 49
MEMBER
JOEY’S
The fall of 2018 was the first year my son, Joey, went rifle hunting. He had taken Firearms Safety Training the year before and tagged along with me a couple times bow hunting. So, last fall I dug out my trusty old .30-.30 Model 94 Winchester. The firearm has family meaning. It was my Grandpa’s and he purchased it brand new in 1975 along with two boxes of shells from Montgomery Wards after he sold the farm and moved up here. When I turned 14, he gave it to me with the two original boxes of shells, one was still full and the other had six rounds missing. He had shot a few practice rounds and two deer with it. I shot my first deer and several
50 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
FIRST HUNT
others with it up to the 2006 season but then switched over to bow hunting. Joey and I spent a couple weekends practicing and getting the .30-.30 sighted in. When we went out on opening weekend, we saw several deer, but nothing really close enough to offer him a clean shot. One evening we had a nice 6-pointer coming in and Joey was in position and waiting for the buck to make a few more steps to step into the shooting lane but, as luck would have it, he changed direction and slipped out of the area just before stepping into the shooting lane. I could see by the look on Joey’s face he was getting frustrated. I tried to reassure him
that was hunting, it happens and it surely won’t be the last time he experiences seeing deer that didn’t cooperate. As many hunters have to do because of work and school schedules, we took a break until the second weekend before we went back out. We woke up that next Saturday to a couple inches of fresh snow on the ground. We got all set up in our stand and within about half an hour Joey bumps me and says a deer just ran through our horse’s pasture. We watched and two more deer ran through. We lost sight of them for a few minutes and both of us were scouting with our binoculars trying to catch a glimpse of them.
Story BY TED OTTO
They then all jumped the fence and started following the fenceline, working their way towards us. I got the rifle down and handed it to Joey and told him to get ready, just in case. After about 10 minutes a doe came into range. Joey was set up and ready to go. As she came through about 30 yards away, I whispered to Joey, “If you have a clean shot and feel good about it go ahead and take it.” The doe then stopped and stood for a second and Joey took the shot. Because she slowly ran off and the other two deer walked off, I wasn’t sure if he hit her or not as she didn’t bolt and run off like she was hit. We watched her until she was out of sight and never saw her go down. I looked over at Joey and he was pretty calm and I was pretty sure I was more excited than he was, even though I didn’t know if he had made a good shot or not. We talked a bit and he said he felt the shot was good. We both agreed on where she was standing when he shot so we
could mark that spot to begin tracking. After calming down and waiting about 20 minutes, I had him stay up in the stand and I got down to check things out. I walked over to where he had shot and found a little bit of hair, but no blood and my heart sank as my initial gut feeling after seeing how she acted was he either missed or didn’t make a clean shot seemed likely. But, because of the fresh snow, I was able to follow her tracks and after about 40-50 yards I finally found some blood, not much, but there was blood. I immediately went back to the stand and got Joey and we started tracking, like I said there was blood, but pretty light. After a bit the blood started to pick up and that got my hopes up a little, but then it would dwindle down to nothing and we were following tracks—then it would pick up again. After about three hours of tracking, we heard some crashing up in front of us so we dropped down and sat tightly.
When we glassed with our binoculars we could see her laying down. She was probably 50-60 yards away and in really thick brush. We moved in as closely as we dared without kicking her up. As we did, Joey was able to get up against an oak tree. She then started to spook and as she was getting up he was able to make a clean shot and bagged his first deer. I was so excited! It had been a long roller coaster of a morning, but it ended up perfectly, the ol’ .30-.30 had produced again. After snapping pictures and looking her over, we surmised she must have been quartering towards us a little more than we thought as his first shot was right on the money in the front shoulder, but due to the angle it ended up exiting farther back than we expected. All in all, it was a wonderful hunt and a great lesson in not giving up on the blood trail as we kept with it and it paid off.
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 51
What�s Cookin�� BEER CHEESE DIP VENISON BURGER BOWLS
BY LEGENDARY WHITETAILS
Instructions:
Ingredients: • • • • • • •
1 Lb. Ground Venison 2 – 8 Oz. Packages Cream Cheese 1 Dry Ranch Seasoning Packet 2 Cups Finely Shredded Cheddar Cheese 1 Beer of Choice…no fruity flavors – use about 4 ounces in dip. Salt & Pepper Pretzel Buns
1. In a large mixing bowl, prepare the beer cheese dip by adding in the two packages of cream cheese, ranch packet, shredded cheddar cheese, and add a quick poor of beer (2 ounces to start). Begin to mix with a hand mixer, add beer to mix until consistency resembles that of peanut butter. Set aside. 2. Season and mix the ground venison and form into two equal sized balls. Press and flatten slightly, but do not form actual patties. 3. Using the beer can or bottle, push it down into the meat, while lifting and rotating the bottom of the can to let the air out. Stop once you’ve pushed the can down about 1/2 – 3/4 of the way. 4. Form the rest of the ground venison up and around the beer can as if you were making a bowl. Remove can. 5. Fill the ground venison burger bowl with a scoop of the beer cheese dip. 6. Grill on medium low heat until burger is done all the way around. 7. Slap it on a pretzel bun and enjoy!
CHEDDAR VENISON PENNE
BY LEGENDARY WHITETAILS, SPENCER NEUHARTH
Ingredients: • • • • • • • • • •
1 lb ground venison 2 cups penne pasta ¾ cups shredded cheddar cheese 2 cups milk ½ cups water 2 Tbsp flour ¼ tsp onion salt ¼ tsp garlic powder ¼ tsp paprika ¼ tsp chili powder
Instructions:
1. Brown ground venison in a medium size skillet. Add spices to venison during the browning process. 2. Take pan off burner to add pasta, cheese, milk, water and flour. Mix the ingredients. 3. Return pan to burner over medium heat. 4. Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. 5. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the pasta is cooked. Stir frequently and adjust heat as needed.
52 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
Gizmos, GADGETS, Garments & GEAR It’s been less than a year since DSG launched an all-new women’s exclusive hunting apparel line and a lot has happened in that short time period! Building off the success and lessons of the snowmobile outerwear line launched in 2010, DSG has been able to partner with key retailers to offer a hunting line for all weather climates and many hunting disciplines while staying true to the core values of feminine fitting, fashionable apparel for all body shapes, including petite to plus sizes. Starting this fall, DSG can be purchased in 100+ retailers throughout the U.S. and Canada along with popular online platforms such as Amazon. com. To find retailers near you, please visit https://dsgouterwear.com/store-locator/. In addition to the retail stores added, DSG has been able to build an extensive network of influencers to help promote DSG products on social media, as well as field test. Rachelle Hedrick, DSG’s Lead Ambassador and Team Manager said, “We are beyond grateful for the support we have received from top female hunters across the U.S. and Canada. When we first started to build the pro staff program, I thought it might be difficult to get some of the elite influencers wearing DSG products. Turns out, it has been easier than expected and many of these high profile women have contacted us! They see the vision and the influence they can have, like I did when first talking to Wendy Gavinski, the President and founder of DSG.” The new line consists of many Realtree Edge Camo options along with Blaze Pink and Orange. Realtree Edge is the first camo pattern that allows you to blend into your environment at close range and from a distance. Because it has warm grays and browns, it works well all year round. Blaze pink is now legal in eight states and counting and of course the traditional blaze orange is very popular specifically in the Midwest. Notable highlights to look for at the retailers are: Kylie 2.0 Hunting Jacket and Bib – 3-in-1 Insulated Jacket with a removable, wearable liner ideal for staying warm and being flexible for changing weather conditions. Available in Realtree Edge Camo, Blaze Pink and Blaze Orange. Rubber Boot 400g Insulated – Key to any
hunters arsenal is a waterproof rubber boot that will keep your feet warm and dry and of course look stylish while you are at it! Ella Fleece Hunting Jacket and Pant – This mid-weight outerwear piece has the softest berber interior, you will fall in love with! Bexley Ripstop Hunting Shirt and Pant – This lightweight shirt and pant specifically for warm weather climates is quick dry and gives a cooling effect when wearing.
DSG Outerwear adds 100+ Retailers with Launch of Fall Hunting Line For more information about DSG Outerwear and the technical specs for the new hunting gear and to see the complete outerwear, casual, and accessories line, please visit www.DSGOuterwear.com and pay attention to our social media for up to date announcements on product, events, promotions, and all things hunting.
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 53
HUNT
WHITETALES Word Search Answers
it down!
BY ROD DIMICH AND ED SCHMIDT
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: January 1, 2019
Winner of the Fall “Hunt It Down”
Darlene Hildebrandt of the Park Rapids Chapter found the hidden gun on page 44 of the fall issue and was the lucky winner of a MDHA Camo Mesh Back Truckers Cap. Congrats Darlene!
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?
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
54 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
Daylight IN THE Swamp bunk, his father reached up to the springs above him and with a proud and thankful tear in his eye, lovingly touched the sagging form, but with not enough emphasis as to disturb his son’s special night. As the bunk-bed inhabitants sleepily floated off, I was still awake to see a hallway full of junior high kids, a mass of peach fuzz mustaches for the guys and ponytails and fuzzy sweaters for the girls. The guys were telling swelling tales of the hunt. Does were growing antlers and button bucks were sprouting Pinocchio-like racks. Hunting prowess replaced buck fever and diligence nudged aside impatience. Hunter maturation had begun. But, oh, what is that smell? The magic door has become odiferous. Was it rotting leaves, a buck in rut? Nope. It was the rancid, yet forever fondly remembered, smell of a Friday night high school football locker room. There’s Head Coach “Sweet Lou” and assistant coach “Cliffy” spitting platitudes and criticism, both literally and figuratively in and over a half-time locker room. Head Coach “Sweet Lou” tells us, “If the shoe fits, wear it!” “Cliffy” gets on his favorite targets, his linemen, his “hogs” and gets “up close and personal.” As he turns and walks away, behind his back, but much in the view of the rest of the team, his favorite left tackle gets up close and personal with an unflattering gesture. Coach “Sweet Lu,” who just happened to be coming out of the coaches’ office, sees this and a legend was born. The story will be told and retold for years by former players and whispered laughingly by the players of the present with Coach “Sweetness” hollering, “Coach Cliffy, Coach Cliffy, your left tackle has something to tell you!” will never B 4got10 (yes, the �50s and �60s used this even before rap and hip-hop). Unbelievable! Next on the hit parade was a high school English class where the teacher, the beautiful and gifted Mrs. K. is dazzling the guys and taking the girls to new heights of jealousy. Mrs. K., you see, looked beyond the nice penmanship and pretentious princess smiles. She saw intelligence in common sense. She did not laugh when a country kid made an analogy from the farm to life. She did not scoff when an average, but enthusiastic kid tried to be erudite and articulate and fell short. No, she championed
the underdog and tolerated those who were born on third base and thought they had hit a triple. And even though she did not hunt, she felt the beauty from those that did and said to them, “If you find beauty in hunting, then it will be your joy forever.” As the class passed, I saw Mrs. K. approach our resident chauvinist and non-conformist, Bobby. As she neared his desk, he said in the deepest Charlton Heston voice he could muster, “Good morning, God.” To which Mrs. K., using her best Southern belle voice, smiled sweetly and replied, “Why, good morning Bobby, and thank you for acknowledging that God is a she.” Speaking of females, right on cue, an endless stream of apron-wearing moms and grandmothers appeared, marching proudly with spatulas and rolling pins. Even though the memories of freshly baked bread, rolls, soups and Sunday roasts or chicken are pleasantly remembered, the devotion and love and trust of our mothers and grandmothers can never be replaced. As they pass, sons and daughters smile those incredible smiles that only a mom or grandma can evoke. Politicians may rule our lands, but moms and grandmas have our hearts and minds. Back in the deer stand world, there is no wind and it is still dark. Ten minutes to shooting time. I’m ready. There are a thousand stars in the sky. I focus on them, trying to get the deer hunting mindset going. Yet, the door will not shut. Now there is nothing but white, white linen, a white dress, but wait, I hear church bells, a choir, I smell flowers—I feel other things I cannot see. I hold my breath and hope it is not only make believe. It isn’t. My prayers, my hopes, my dreams have come true (how did a Conway Twitty song get in here?). No, it isn’t make believe. It is my lovely bride on our wedding day. All I can think is, wow! But wait, here she is again, many years after our wedding, with three lovely children, and even five grandchildren. Again, wow! She looks the same—sensational. But who is that old guy with her? Enough of this reality, I think, time to shake out of this. My watch says it is legal shooting time. A heavy sunrise, however, contradicts this. Still too dark to see…but, wait…not too
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dark to hear. I close my eyes to concentrate. Yes, there it is. Leaves being shuffled. Not loud, but discernible. I open my eyes and squint to the site of the sound. Movement. A crunch. Deer? Nope…squirrel, but “Whoa Nellie” (legendary college football announcer Keith Jackson) not just any squirrel, a black gray squirrel, the first one I have ever seen. Incredible. Enjoyable to watch, but how would he be received by the other squirrels? More movement. But, not a deer. No, sadly, out of the magic door came a young middle school boy obviously afflicted with a muscular disease…heartbreaking…for most of us, that is, but not for the ubiquitous middle school bully, however, who followed him in a sarcastic and cruel mimic. If Coach “Sweet Lou” had seen this, the heartless mocker would have run laps until he puked. No matter, taps and salutes and honor then swept the bully aside like a bread crumb off a counter. It was a Veterans’ Day program. People were giving thanks to those who served and still serve to protect us and our way of life for their extreme sacrifices in life and limb and time lost. No one knows what it is like to be alone in a far-off land serving our country except those who have been there. Finally, the sun, with its bright brush, begins to paint the Big Swamp. It is now time to hunt. I had watched the magic door and found it was a lot like our family fondly viewing old slides or home movies/videos— precious memories on parade, on display. I had also found magic doors are not only real, they are like Cardinal Virtues and if I focused on simple things like when the tamaracks, cedar and balsams welcome the young popple saplings like a new kid at school being invited to sit at a friend-filled lunch table, instead of being shunned, more magic will come. I need that magic. We all need that magic. Again, as Mrs. K. would always say, quoting the poet John Keats, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever.” So it is with “magic doors”—the memories and dreams that come through them are, indeed, “joys forever.” Whitetails forever, my friends.
MNDEERHUNTERS.COM 55
Daylight IN THE Swamp
BY ROD DIMICH
WE ALL NEED MAGIC DOORS
When my brother called and told me he had just finished reading my last article, I leaned back in my recliner and waited for the compliment. It came, but in the “Reader’s Digest” version. “Ya, it was pretty,” my bro said, “I cried and cried, but what about the �magic door’?” I should have known this was coming. The “magic door” reference is his key sticking point for stand selection. While most of us in the Big Swamp Camp look for essentials such as trails and keyways, my brother and my cousin Walt have different theories over what the main ingredient for cooking up a successful deer stand is. Walt believes each great stand must have a lone big tree near it, one which acts as a lighthouse, beckoning deer to its solitary magnificence. He won’t hunt without one. My brother insists every “primo” stand must have that mysterious place where deer appear as if out of nowhere, like they have been “poofed” there by a woodland “Wizard of Oz.” Every time I question the validity of the “magic door” theory, my younger brother simply nods his head, points his finger in my general chest direction and almost religiously whispers, the “Ridge.” With that, I am officially out of the argument game. The “Ridge” has that unexplainable “spot” where deer suddenly appear as if conjured up with smoke and mirrors. I have offered scientific clarification, pointing out how the swamp jumps quickly up onto the highland there and how the deer funnel through and pop out like a weasel from a woodpile. To no avail, for my brother perception is reality. Still, I knew I had to answer. “Forget about it,” I told him, “it’s got one. In fact,” I continued, “it’s even got a �Walt Big Tree,’ so there.” “We’ll see,” he muttered, “I think you built it just for foolish stuff like trails and keyways and maybe an old rub or two. We’ll see,” he said again as though he didn’t believe me. He was right, of course, I gave no thought to a magic door, but I knew I had better think of one before he saw the stand. Which
56 Whitetales | WINTER 2019
Because of the service and sacrifices by those in our military and their families, this young hunter, a graduate of Forkhorn I Camp last summer, was able to enjoy the freedoms they earned for us to harvest his first buck with his inherited great-grandpa�s .300 Savage. His great-grandpa was a WWII Marine who was awarded two Purple Hearts at Iwo Jima. I did, of course. A few days later, as he and I looked at the stand and I faked enthusiasm while I pointed out the “magic door,” his only reply was, “The stand is a work of art, but the �magic door’ is pretty weak.” Which, obviously, it was. My magic door was a spot I liked the best, straight south of the stand, just on the edge of the Big Swamp where it belly-bumps the young buggy-whip popple saplings. Moreover, it was the easiest one to watch. Two weeks later, as I sat in the ivory predawn darkness on opening firearms day, all of the above came flooding back. I was completely set up, all dressed up, but with no place to go. I was already there. It was a good 20 minutes to shooting time, perhaps my favorite time of the entire hunt. All alone and nothing to do but think. A smile crept over my face as I looked toward the “magic door.” Would it open? I smiled at the question and closed my eyes to savor the moment. When I opened them, memories, like northern bluebills into half a hundred
Herter’s’ blocks, poured in. The first to appear were the founders of the MDHA. Led by Dave Shaw, Jim Lang, Wes Libbey and Ed Schmidt, the troupe was followed by hundreds of volunteers who have made us what we are. Surrounding them was a cheering throng of blaze orange and camo clad hunters waving and giving thumbs-up for saving a deer herd which was on the brink in 1980. After the pomp and din had settled, I made out a 12-year old boy sleeping/floating on a WWII Army cot. Because he was surrounded by a barrel stove’s rosy glow, I had a hard time picking him out. When I did, I could see a sea of hanging red clothing surrounded him and sleeping grown-ups. Despite the sweltering heat and snoring, the boy smiled like it was Christmas. It was the night before the boy’s first deer hunt, his first night at the shack. He might not sleep much, but come first alarm, he would hit the cold floor running. Below him, in the bottom CONTINUED ON PAGE 55
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