Complimentary Copy
February/March 2012
www.southerntraditionsoutdoors.com
ten tips for crappie success
creating fish habitat it happened at the
“quake
lake�
turkey time in tennessee
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From the Editor’s Desk
Your complete guide to hunting and fishing in the Mid-South! PG ARTICLE 7 10 12 14 15 16 19 22 24 28 32 34 36 38 41 42 44
Southern Traditions Outdoors Magazine, LLC Owners - Eddie Anderson Rob Somerville Kevin Griffith Publisher - Eddie Anderson Editor - Rob Somerville
Magazine Design - Kalli Lipke Advertising Sales Rob Somerville - Managing Partner Distribution Johnathan Anderson
Field Staff Editors Steve McCadams Kelley Powers Eddie Brunswick Tim Agee Larry Self
John Sloan Richard Simms John Meacham Joe Hall Buck Gardner
Scott Marcin Ed Lankford Drew Brooks John Latham John Roberts
Advertising Information: Southern Traditions Outdoors | Rob Somerville (731) 446-8052 stomag1@gmail.com DISCLAIMER - Neither the authors nor Southern Traditions Outdoors Magazine LLC assume any responsibility or liability for any actions by readers who utilize any information contained within. Readers are advised that the use of any and all information contained within Southern Traditions Outdoors is at their own risk.
On the Cover
Garry Mason has made a successful living, as a fishing and waterfowl guide. Here he shows why, as he holds up a Kentucky Lake, huge crappie. Photo courtesy of Garry Mason
Southern Traditions Outdoors Magazine Mission Statement: Southern Traditions Outdoors Magazine vows to put forth a publication to promote the outdoors lifestyle in a positive manner. We will strive to encourage veteran and novice outdoorsmen, women, kids, and the physically challenged to participate in the outdoors in a safe and ethical manner. Our publication will bring positive attention to the wondrous beauty of the world of Nature in the mid-south.
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new year is upon us and with it comes many challenges for Southern Traditions Outdoors Magazine. Most comments we hear are positive such as, “Thank you for being the voice of the blue collar sportsmen” and “We
AUTHOR
Turkey Time in Tennessee Rob Somerville Wheelchair Hunters Need Your Help Eddie Brunswick Garry Mason - Outdoor Ambassador Tommy Garner Hunting Seasons are Over Walter Wilkerson Picking Out a Puppy H. Joe King Jr. 10 Tips to Crappie Success Garry Mason Creating Quality Fish Habitat Kevin Griffith Cooking on the Wildside Rob Somerville It Happened at the Quake Lake Terry Wilkerson Food Plots Rob Somerville Outdoor Truths Gary Miller Mother Nature’s Therapy - Fiction Rob Somerville Git the Net - Humor Gil Lackey Trophy Room - Reader Submitted Photos Kid’s Korner Sportsmen Night Out in Union City, TN Hot Products for the Outdoors
Garry Mason Walter Wilkerson Terry Wilkerson Jeff Agee Paul Moore
A
Time To STEp Up
enjoy your magazine.” All that is appreciated and we will continue in our promise to provide the sportsmen, women and kids of the Mid-South area the best quality publication we can … free of charge! Our publication survives through advertising revenue. This market is getting so competitive that STO Magazine is being squeezed tightly. In order for us to continue to bring you informative and high quality articles, accompanied by actionpacked photos from the “best of the best” in the region’s top outdoor writers, we need your help. If you truly enjoy picking up our publication at no cost, or viewing it for free on the web at www.southerntraditionsoutdoors.com, then I am asking you to “step up to the plate.” What I mean by this, is that if you enjoy our free publication, I ask you to do business with our fine family of advertisers, or if you yourself have a business, contact us about advertising in our publication by calling me at 731-446-8052 or emailing me stomag1@gmail.com. After all, it makes sense. Where else can you reach a readership of over 45,000 – middle to upper-middle class income earners and get over 860 of hits per day on the internet version of our publication that has each issue of STO magazine in its entirety on the web, including all ads. If you have ever taken one of my editorials seriously, please do so now. We need your help in order to keep the best outdoor publication in the Mid-South available for FREE to the public. Just think about it. What other outdoor magazine costs you absolutely nothing to enjoy? I like to think that through our “Women in the Outdoors” features we get more women and single parent moms involved {as well as their kids} in hunting and fishing. Our “HandiCapable in the Outdoors” articles give hope to those that may have nearly given up. But, most importantly of all, our “Kid’s Korner” segments draws interest away from negative paths and steers today’s youth towards the great traditions of the outdoors that the Good Lord in His generosity has bestowed upon us, in a safe and ethical manner. If you have heard me say it once, you have heard me say it hundreds of times that our kids truly are our most precious natural resource. They are our future! So please, take this message to heart. Join our dedicated owners and staff in keeping alive our outdoor heritage with your support of Southern Traditions Outdoors Magazine. See ya,
Rob
Rob Somerville STO Editor
SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
These three gobblers are shown “strutting their stuff” to get the attention and the privilege to mate with the lone hen at right. Photo courtesy of the NWTF
T
urkey season will open soon. The wild turkey is one of the most elusive big game species hunted by man. Their keen senses of sight and hearing have frustrated many a “gobbler getter.” Couple this with the tendency of the male bird, or gobbler, to expect the female, or hen, to come to him to mate and a turkey hunter faces a challenging and often exasperating hunt. But the thrill and goose bumps that appear along the back of a turkey hunters neck when they hear the pulse-
quickening gobble echoing through the morning woods at dawn drives the turkey hunter on in their quest.
Repopulating Wild Turkey in TN
I spoke to a wild turkey biologist for the TWRA who was kind enough to give me an interview over the phone from his office in Nashville. I was told that the Tennessee spring gobbler harvest has increased in numbers for the last 18 years straight. In a recent Outdoor Life article, Tennessee was ranked number 7 in the eastern states
for turkeys harvested. They credit these impressive harvest numbers to the restoration efforts the TWRA has had in place since 1951. The last five to ten years have really shown a high-density population in our state. This allowed the TWRA to relocate birds from some of the higher populated areas to locations that were much less populated.
Reciprocal Agreement
In fact, the program has become so successful, that it has allowed our state to begin a trade agreement with
Ontario, Canada. We sent 500 trapped turkeys, which were mostly hens, to Canada, and they in turn sent us elk to begin a population in the Volunteer State. Eventually this may open up a big game, elk hunting season for all our state’s hunters.
Success Benefits All
I was told that the TWRA couldn’t be happier with our state’s general turkey health and population. To protect and manage this resource, the spring turkey hunting harvest quota and season are set to Continued on next page
FEB/MARCH 2012 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS
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Turkey Cont.
be advantageous to hunters without fear of damaging reproduction numbers. The season opens to coincide with the flock break-up, and runs to end when egg incubation begins. Last year’s brood numbers ran over average by 1.3 poults per hen.
Safety is priority #1
The number of hunting accidents during turkey season in our state has dramatically decreased consistently for the past 20 years. This is thanks to the hunter safety programs that all juvenile hunters must partake in, as well as there being more turkeys per hunter. Some safety tips to remember are to sit with your back to a tree that is wider than your shoulders. Never wear articles of clothing that have red, white, or blue colors, as these are the colors that an excited gobbler ’s head can turn. Never point your gun at anything unless you are sure of the target. Make sure you have a solid backdrop behind your target before you shoot, and leave your safety on until you are ready to shoot.
Scouting
Glass agricultural fields with your binoculars, from a distance, especially at daybreak and at about one hour before sundown. Take note where the turkeys enter and exit the field. If you enter the woods this late in the game, use stealth. You do not want to “bump” a gobbler, by letting him know you are in the area. Be as quiet as possible and fully camouflaged from head to 8
toe. Do not use a turkey call to try to locate a gobbler prior to season. Not only is this illegal, but you will also educate the gobbler if he comes to your calling and doesn’t find a hen. Use a locator call, such as an owl hoot, to find a tom on roost and entice him to gobble. Note the area and leave. Turkeys will roost above water as a general rule, so this is a good place to start. Look for dusting areas where turkeys will flap their wings in the dust to rid their bodies of parasites. You will probably locate feathers here. On oak ridges, look for saucer shaped scratch areas, where turkeys have disturbed leaves in their quest for acorns. All of these areas should be considered prime locations to set up.
Equipment
You must use a shotgun or muzzleloading shotgun 20 gauge or larger, and
ammunition loaded with No.4 shot or smaller. Longbows or compound bows are also legal, with appropriate arrows and broadheads. My gun of choice is a Mossberg 835, 12ga. 3 ½” magnum in Mossy Oak camo pattern. I shoot Federal shells loaded with 2 ¼ oz., No.6 shot. My shotgun choke is the new Wad Wizard, which creates an incredibly tight pattern. I like Mossy Oak’s Forest Floor pattern for spring season. My favorite turkey call is Knight & Hale’s - “Ole Yeller” slate call. Other important items are a quality set of binoculars, a face net, bug spray, snakeproof boots, a comfortable cushion, a few turkey decoys, and a compass or GPS unit. Be sure to pattern your gun, finding the ammo it shoots best. Know your accurate range! Harold Knight, of Knight & Hale game calls, told me
SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
that “Calling is an important skill in turkey hunting, but even more important is woodsmanship. Scouting, stealth, blending in to the woods, and knowing your equipment are essential in being a successful turkey hunter.”
Summary
Turkey hunting is an exciting and fast growing sport. Be patient and ready to spend long hours in the woods. But when that thunderous gobble shakes the earth, and the majestic mating dance of the gobbler unfolds with tail fanning and wings dragging as he struts for a potential mate while drumming and spitting, the end result is well worth the effort. Be safe and good luck this turkey season. See ya, Rob.
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Handi-capable in the A
Wheelchair Hunters Need Your Help!
s I write this article you are probably beginning to put the 2011-2012 hunting season behind you, as you begin to look forward to the upcoming fishing season. Even though this may seem a natural and seasonal change to make, there is one thing to remember concerning hunting season. Now is the time when the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency is soliciting input on the hunting regulations for the upcoming 2012-2013 and beyond hunting seasons. It is in regard to these upcoming hunting seasons that I would like to solicit your help in trying to get TWRA to make a change in their hunting regulations, as it pertains to wheelchair bound hunters. I am proposing that one of this country’s finest wildlife agencies steps up to the plate and sets a precedent, by making a change to the “Juvenile
Eddie Brunswick {pictured here} is a champion for wheelchair bound hunters. Being confined to a wheelchair for decades, he seeks the help of all of our readers. Photo by Cindy Brunswick
Hunts” or “Youth Hunts” that our state offers to its young sportsmen. My proposal would see it changed from a youth only hunt and reclassify this to open it up to wheelchair bound sportsmen as well. It would be as simple as changing the season title for each of the youth seasons to read “Youth and Wheelchair Bound Season” or hunts. I am not suggesting that we take anything away
from our young sportsmen, as I am an adamant supporter of promoting and encouraging youth in the outdoors. I am however, also an advocate of promoting the outdoors and hunting to those individuals who are unable to get around without the use of a wheelchair. Whether it be from a disease, an accident, service to our country or for whatever other reason they may be wheelchair bound,
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SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
they all deserve an opportunity to participate in hunting and have every advantage we can give them towards being successful in that venture. To minimize the amount of effort that would be required of TWRA’s enforcement division in this change, it could be stated that those individuals on record in Nashville as being wheelchair bound could participate in hunts during the youth only hunting seasons. This would not require any extra work or enforcement issues that would be involved with trying to establish separate and specific wheelchair bound only hunting seasons. A database is already in existence, due to the establishment of the wheelchair bound waterfowl hunting zones across the state. The creation of this additional hunting opportunity for wheelchair bound hunters is just the next
Outdoors logical step in the process of promoting Tennessee and our wonderful outdoor opportunities, regardless of an individual’s mobility impairments. I encourage you to contact TWRA in support of this effort upon conclusion of reading this article. Time is of the essence, as the deadline for season change suggestions is fast approaching. You can contact them via regular mail at: TWRA Wildlife Management Division - P.O. Box 40747 - Nashville, TN 37204. Comments and suggestions can also be made via email at twra.comment@ tn.gov. Please include “Hunt-
ing Season Comments” on the subject line of your emailed submissions. The comment period for the upcoming 2012 - 2013 season regulations will end on February 24th. I once again encourage you to support this effort by sending in your responses as soon as possible in order to be ahead of the deadline. If you are still unsure as to just how important this needed change might be, then I would ask able-bodied people to do one thing for me. The next time you go out hunting or scouting for the upcoming season, instead of riding your 4 wheel ATV,
get off of it and PUSH it! As harsh as this may sound, it will give you some insight and realization into what an individual in a wheelchair has to endure, when they attempt to go out hunting. Whether they are pushing themselves, or an able bodied person with them is doing the pushing, the end result is the same. It becomes such a burden to get there and then to have that negated by the fact they are competing head to head with able bodied hunters during the regular season that it causes too many of them to never even attempt it again. So, please help to
turn this oversight around and prove why the Volunteer State is such a great place to hunt, fish and live. If you email your response, please cc it to Rob Somerville’s email at stomag1@gmail.com as well, so we can view the list of supporters in this effort. Thank you for your time and support in this matter.
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Garry Mason: Tennessee’s Outdoor Ambassador By Tommy Garner
He has been featured in most, if not all, of the major hunting and fishing magazines in America. His smiling face has appeared on the covers of some, he has been featured in more outdoor television programs than I can count and one particular fishing magazine has written about him or featured some aspect of him in seventeen issues. He is the friendly, easy going, mild mannered founder of the Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame- Garry Mason from Springville, Tennessee. I had the opportunity to sit down with Mason last week for a while when he can to visit me and some other folks at Hardy for a business meeting. I have had the opportunity to spend many days in a bass boat, duck blind or a pickup truck with Garry Mason over the years and he still fascinates me with his wisdom and knowledge of the outdoors. He is not a deer hunter and sometimes that is a little hard for me to understand. Not that he has not hunted and killed deer, it is just not his thing. “The last deer I killed, 12
except for the one I hit with my truck, was a nice buck. As I stood looking at him I just thought ’Why did I do that?’ I haven’t deer hunted since that time,” Mason says. “My passion is hunting waterfowl, but I love to hunt turkeys, too. When I call a gobbler in, I am going to tear his head off if I can. A deer lives in maybe a two square mile area, but ducks and geese travel thousands of miles every year. My only connection with them is when I call them in over the decoys and make a good shot. When I hold a duck or goose that I have just harvested, I am in awe of the fact that they have flown many miles and on their journey we connected.” Fishing is another of Mason’s passions and he spends many days each year on the water as an angler and a professional fishing guide on Kentucky Lake. “About thirty years ago I had a great job and was well versed in every aspect of our business. One day I went to work and was told that the company was closing the doors. We were all out of a job. Everyone headed for the unemployment line, I went fishing. I knew I could make a good living as a hunting and fishing guide, so I took what I loved and made a career out of it. I am not wealthy, but
I have made a good living doing what I love to do and I have had the opportunity to hunt and fish with a lot of people,” Mason explains. How would you like to go fishing with Alex Rutlege, Brenda Valentine or Wade Bourne? Mason has. Or maybe Porter Waggoner, Grandpa Jones, Jim Ed Brown, or Little Jimmy Dickens? Mason has fished or hunted with these and many, many other celebrities over the years. Baseball players, football players, coaches and high ranking officials. He has led them to many great days on the water and in the field and calls many of these people his friends. He deals with the most famous outdoors men and women on the planet on a continual basis, but he is still as down home as ever. The fame has never gone to his head. Rather, he has used his influence to do good things for a lot of people. “I couldn’t understand why there was no accredited fishing teams in the colleges so I put together a program for Bethel University. I presented my proposed program to the administration and they liked it, and Bethel became the first college in America who has an accredited fishing program where students earn credits for fishing just like they do in football, basket ball and soccer. I was appointed coach of the first collegiate fishing team in America. I make the New York Times on that one,” he says.
SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
Because of Mason’s high visibility and his non stop promotion of the Kentucky Lake area, he was appointed as Northwest Tennessee Director of Tourism in 2006 where he put a program together to capitalize on the areas outdoor recreation opportunities. It is working as we speak. Of course, Mason’s desire to find a way to say thanks and honor the great ambassadors of the outdoors resulted in the creation of the Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame in 2002. Starting with a humble beginning, and the help of his wife Cindy, the Legends of the Outdoors National Hall of Fame has become one of the most prestigious organizations on the planet. Mason started this entity, not for self profit or for fame, but as a way to say thanks to those who have done so much for other people and the ranks of outdoorsmen and women. In doing so, many people have discovered that this lover of all things outdoors and creator of good things is a true living legend of the outdoors himself. Note: I have personally asked Garry Mason to come to Arkansas and present his bass fishing program to some of the colleges and universities in our great state of Arkansas to help establish an accredited fishing program in our schools for the students who love to fish and excel academically.
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Hunting Seasons are Over,
What’s a hunter to do? By Walter Wilkerson
B
oy, this season seemed to last forever. Hated to see it end, yet glad that it’s over. But, now what to do with your time? With all this spare time on your hands, now is your opportunity to prepare your outdoor equipment for next season with some much needed maintenance. Personally, I like to take care of my bow, since it is a 1998 model, Matthew Q2. It’s a good time to put a new string on yours and tune it up, because you will shoot all year long. You don’t want to wait a month before season starts, and have to rush to get it fixed and tuned. The same goes for your guns. Whether you are discussing rifles or shot guns, they have been put through the ringer and exposed to all types of weather. Now they need some thorough cleaning and if you’re like me, they probably need a little sighting in.
It’s also a good opportunity to clean and repair all of your miscellaneous equipment that goes in your blind, such as stoves, chairs, etc. Don’t f o rg e t a b o u t y o u r d u c k decoys. Before storing them, you need to restring and retie the weights for the next year. This is also a great time to get your boat motors ready for the crappie bite as it will be here before you know it. Best fishing for big slabs starts round the 1st of March and will run through early May. Then for all the turkey hunters out there, you need to get all your gear ready because by the 1st of March those Toms will be blowing it out. When they do, all of us hunters will be chasing them till the end of March. See, there is not really much time to rest, for us weary hunters. So, take a big breath … get ready and good luck on the upcoming turkey and fishing season!
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By H. Joe King Jr. Owner of Thunder Ridge Retrievers
For duck hunters another
season has come and gone. The boats, blinds and decoys are all put away, but if you have a retriever you used in the field or blind, dog work is just beginning. Now is the time to get them ready for hunt tests, field trials and fine tune them for next season. However, if you don’t have a dog and want one, especially a new puppy, your journey is just beginning. First ask yourself the following questions: • Do you have the time and knowledge to train him yourself? • Do you want a male or female puppy? • What color puppy do you prefer? • Do you want a male or female dog? • Do you have kennel space; what about interaction with your family? • What type or breed of puppy do you want? L a b r a d o r R e t r i e v e r, Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Golden Retriever and Boykin Spaniel are usually the most popular picks for waterfowl hunters • Where do you go to get a quality puppy? After you’ve narrowed down what you want, the following are good steps to follow to pick a quality puppy. • Get background history
of the litter’s Sire and Dam {mother and father} with 3-5 generations of proof that they are both quality hunting dogs. Make sure they are registered. • Request a medical background of Sire and Dam, as well as a medical history of their hips and eyes. Also ask for an EIC history. Further information can be obtained from their local veterinarian. • While looking at the pups in their litter, seek the most active and curious puppy that is not scared to look around the yard and investigate things. • Take a puppy training dummy and throw it for the puppies, to get their attention. See which pup goes after it, picks it up, walks around with it or brings it back to you to play. The ones that show no interest at all will probably not make a good choice for a future waterfowling dog. Puppies should be at least 6-8 weeks of age before they are weaned from their mother and released to their new owner. • Find out what immunizations the puppies have had and if there are any medical problems noted. • Ask what brand of puppy food the puppy is on. • Bring along a safe portable puppy carrier, some
food and water. Be sure to sign necessary papers to register your puppy with AKC. Good luck with your new puppy and feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
H. Joe King, Jr. - Thunder Ridge Retrievers - 1910 Rambo Rd. - Dyersburg, TN -38024 - Email: thunderridgeretrievers@ yahoo.com Cell- 731-676-7776.
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JOE KING OVER 35 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE BREEDING & TRAINING HUNTING DOGS 1910 RAMBO RD. DYERSBURG, TN. - 38024 731-676-7776 thunderridgeretrievers@yahoo.com
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10 Tips to Crappie Success trip. Partly cloudy days try switching over to Chartreuse and sparkle.
Locating Crappie
Long time guide, Garry Mason, is pictured with two huge, early spring crappie. Photo courtesy of Garry Mason
Prepare for fishing season Crappie fishing is a numbers game and fishermen with the most spots to fish are the ones that typically catch the most fish. Tr y t o p l a c e C r a p p i e attractors in your favorite lake if your state laws allow you to do so. Brush piles, stake beds, and PVC Attractors make the best habitat for Crappie. I build Crappie structures during 16
the winter months when my lake is at low pool elevation. I also find natural structure in the lake at this time as the water is lower and this habitat can sometimes be seen just under the surface.
Lure and Color Selection
I fish with a lot of artificial lures such as 2 inch Charlie Brewer Slider grubs on a 1/16 ounce red jig head. I use the light day light lure, dark day dark lure theory when starting each fishing
Crappie don’t just arrive in one place on the lake by accident and being able to find Crappie on any given day is what separates the pros from the average anglers. In most cases there are ways to put more of the advantage in your hands such as learning the contour of your lake and remembering that fish are going to be where they are most comfortable and where there are plenty of cover and food. One of my favorite pieces of equipment is my Humminbird 998 side imaging gps depth finder. I can now actually see the structure that I am fishing as well as the bottom contour of the lake floor.
Crappie PatternS
Bass fishermen use a technique that they call patterning the fish. This works well for Crappie and what it means is to figure out
SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
what the Crappie are doing on each particular day and where they are located at in one area of the lake and then go to other spots that are similar to the one that you just caught fish on.
Spring Migration
Crappie move along underwater highways. They start out on the main part of the lake in early spring and moving up to and on the spring spawning areas. Learn where these corridors are on your lake, then look for staging areas where Crappie are concentrating to feed up before they spawn. Remember that you won’t catch Crappie in early March in the same area that you caught them in late April, so be mobile as much as possible.
Live or Artificial
There is no wrong answer here. I like plastic grubs such as Charlie Brewer Slider grubs, but some old school Crappie anglers will hardly ever switch to artificial bait. Once again, it is pretty much up to you and
the Crappie. They love both, but remember if you chose artificial bait, keep it moving.
Floats
Floats are great for when you are fishing over cover that is fairly shallow. Floats will keep your bait over the top and not down in the cover. This helps to keep you from getting tangled up and losing tackle by keeping you in the strike zone. Getting tangled tends to scatter crappie. Floats can also help when fishing rivers or streams with a current as you can work the bait over rocks and other structure. Crappie feed in an upward position because they can see what’s to the side of them and what’s above. They tend to like a lure or bait over the top of them than under them.
Scents Make Sense
I love to use fish attractants and scents as both a cover up and an attractant for Crappie. My favorite is Garry Mason’s White Lightning by the original Fish Formula Co. Whatever scents that you use, be sure to renew a drop or two often.
Electronics
Learn to read a depth finder, a GPS unit and a topographical map. Then try
to learn your lake as well as possible. Some fishermen don’t have the chance to fish as much as others and you can use these tools to help you play catch-up in the Crappie fishing game.
Move Often & Return
Don’t be afraid to move from a spot that you have been catching Crappie on and go to other locations. Then return later in the day to that same spot. Crappie move in and out of these areas as you put fishing pressure on them. After you are gone, they return. If I catch fish on a spot in the morning, more than likely, I will hit that spot again sometime during the day to see if more Crappie have arrived on the scene. Remember Crappie are on the move, and you should be also.
TWRA commissioner Julie Schuster, is pictured here with a nice early season slab, caught while fishing with Garry Mason. Photo courtesy of Garry Mason
Good Fishing! garry mason CONTACT INFO:
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Creating Quality Fish Habitat
By Kevin Griffith
S
oon after acquiring our farm {Fyrne Lake - near D y e r s b u rg , Te n n e s s e e } , it was apparent that the existing lake needed help in several areas; especially in adding structure to the fish habitat. Like most private, man-made ponds and lakes, ours had limited existing structure; like stumps or fallen trees. In addition, all of the aquatic vegetation had been consumed by an excess population of grass carp. Two types of structure are extremely important to maximize a water body’s game fish productivity: dense cover (for bait fish and game fish fry in shallow water) and larger cover at various depths (to concentrate fish for catching). The dense cover provides a hiding place for newly hatched baitfish to grow larger, thus providing more protein when these larger minnows are consumed by game fish. This habitat also provides game fish “fry protection” {keeping their hatchlings from being eaten by larger game fish until they themselves join the predator ranks}. Larger cover attracts and concentrates many types of game fish, allowing for more productive fishing. Depending on the
temperature of the water, the season and even the time of day (I’m sure we could add more variables), game fish will stage in different depths of water. That’s why it is important to place your larger structures at various depths. The first couple of years after purchasing our farm, we concentrated on adding aquatic plant structure to the lake without much success. There were way too many grass carp to overcome. So, while we were working on removing the carp from the lake, we started adding a variety of natural and artificial structure. We
started with Porcupine Fish Attractors (picture above). They consist of a plastic sphere that holds 26 pieces of PVC pipe that radiate out from the sphere, in multiple directions like the rays of the sun. I’ve met its inventor, Larry Harper from Paducah, Kentucky. He created this product to help people catch more fish in public and private waters. The cool thing about his attractor is that your hook will not hang up on it, like it would on a submerged branch or tree. Another advantage is that his product will virtually last forever, while organic
material eventually decays a w a y. We p l a c e d t h e m around the lake individually, in chains and connected in groups of four forming a square, surrounding one in the center. We also cut down multiple trees along the shoreline that were leaning toward the lake and would have eventually fallen into the lake. These provided structure that stretched from the water’s shallow edge toward greater depths. Often we would drop a few of Larry’s attractors at the end of these sunken trees. Continued on next page
FEB/MARCH 2012 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS
19
of structure… Christmas trees! Their use is not a L a s t y e a r, w e c r e a t e d new concept, nor do they stake beds with hundreds last very long (3-5 years of cane stalks, installed on average) but, they were by using an extended tool exactly what we needed to created out of PVC pipe. add dense, shallow cover For directions on how to make this tool and proper for baitfish while we rid structure installation, you can ourselves of the excess grass check out the instructional carp, allowing the growth video at Crappie101.com of {aquatic plant} baitfish at http://www.crappie101. habitat. We placed multiple Christmas trees horizontally, com/crappie/how-create-acrappie-stake-bed. Stakes, in shallow water, weighed sticks, bamboo or cane stalks down by cinder blocks. can be installed with this We also vertically dropped tool. We used cane poles cut groups of trees in deeper to 4-5 feet in length, leaving water, with cinder blocks the leaves on the stalks for attached to the bottom of added structure. We use a their trunks, causing them to temporary float marker to settle down into the mud as help reference our location if they had been planted. In deeper water, thinning out as we installed each stake. This year, we utilized some of the Christmas tree a temporarily available, but branches will allow larger TripleT_Mag_7.12x4.38_02.20.12_Layout 1 2/9/12 9:44 AM Page 1 abundant and free source fish to hide between them.
Fish Habitat Contd.
Using temporary floats to mark the location of each tree as we sank them, allowed the creation of accurately spaced forests of fish habitat! Creating fish structure does take a lot of effort. However, you can drastically improve your fishing experience in any body of water that has limited existing structure, by creating
your own. This article has covered the methods we’ve successfully employed in our lake. What methods have you used? Send us an email to stomag1@gmail.com (with pictures, if possible) and we’ll print the best submissions.
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COOKING ON
THE WILDSIDE WITH ROB SOMERVILLE
Deep Fried Wild Turkey
Ingredients 10 to 12 Pound WHOLE TURKEY, non self-basting 1/4 Cup fresh ginger, peeled and sliced 2 Tablespoons fresh rosemary, crushed 6 Cloves fresh garlic, peeled 1/4 Cup fresh garlic, minced 2 Tablespoons kosher salt 2 Teaspoons freshly ground black pepper 4 to 5 Gallons peanut oil, See Note. 1. Remove the giblets and neck, rinse the turkey well with cold water and pat dry thoroughly with paper towels. Take care to dry both inside cavities. Fill the cavity with ginger, rosemary and garlic cloves. 2. Mix together minced garlic, salt and pepper and rub on the exterior of the bird. To allow for good oil circulation through the cavity, do not truss or tie legs together. Cut off the wing tips and plump tail as they may get caught in the fryer basket. Marinate in refrigerator for about 1 hour. 3. Place the OUTDOOR gas burner on a level dirt or grassy area. Never fry a turkey indoors, in a garage or in any structure attached to a building. Do not fry on wood decks, which could catch fire, or concrete, which could be stained by the oil. (Safety tip: have a fire extinguisher nearby for added safety.) 4. Add oil to a 10+ gallon pot with a basket or rack. At the medium-high setting, heat the oil to 375 degrees F, (depending on the amount of oil, outside temperature and wind conditions, this should take about 40+ minutes). 5. Meanwhile, remove the ginger, rosemary and garlic from the cavity. Place the turkey in a basket or on a rack, neck down. 6. When the oil temperature registers 375 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer, slowly lower the turkey into the hot oil. The level of the oil will rise due to the frothing caused by the moisture from the turkey but will stabilize in about one minute. (Safety tips: to prevent burns from the splattering oil wear oven mitts/gloves, long sleeves, heavy shoes and even glasses. It is wise to have two people lowering and raising the turkey.) 7. Immediately check the oil temperature and increase the flame so the oil temperature is maintained at 350 degrees F. If the temperature drops to 340 degrees F or below, oil will begin to seep into the turkey. 8. Fry about 3-4 minutes per pound, or about 35-42 minutes for a 10-12 pound turkey. Stay with the cooker at all times as the heat must be regulated. 9. When cooked to 170 degrees F in the breast or 180 degrees F in the thigh, carefully remove the turkey from the hot oil. Allow the turkey to drain for a few minutes. (Safety tip: allow the oil to cool completely before storing or disposing.) 10. Remove turkey from the rack and place on a serving platter. Allow to stand for 20 minutes before carving. 11. NOTE: Use only oils with high smoke points, such as peanut, canola or safflower oil. To determine the correct amount of oil, place the turkey in the pot before adding seasoning and add water until turkey is covered. Take turkey out of the water before marking the oil level. Measure the amount of water and use a corresponding amount of oil. Dry the pot thoroughly of all water.
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It Happened at Reelfoot Lake H
By Terry Wilkerson
ave you ever heard anyone say “If you don’t like the weather in Tennessee, just wait a minute and it will change”? Well this statement could not hold more truth... Mother Nature is ruthless. In January of 2010, I saw Reelfoot Lake freeze solid. I had never seen a large body of water frozen so thick that you could walk on it. I
didn’t try it, but my husband Walt did. As he walked out, inching slowly towards the old cypress tree in the ditch at the camp ground, you could tell he was leery, but gradually became more confident. The ice held him. If not, I would have had a picture of that too. It was so cold during that month, as the lake thawed and refroze, there were chunks of ice
and slush pushing up to the shore making it look like a solid white canvass ready to paint on. It was so beautiful, like a winter wonderland. In some places, the wind pushed the water up on the cypress trees and limbs and the ice would form making it look as if it froze in mid air. The ducks just hung out on Lake Drive, where the food from residents was always
plentiful. In the spring, baby ducks and turtles were everywhere and we watched baby mallards in the ditch by the campground. As the summer came and the temperatures got hotter the lake got very low, partially from the spillway being rebuilt, but mostly due to the lack of rain. In August, many said
The history and scenic beauty of Reelfoot Lake, make it one of the top outdoor photography locations in the United States, as shown by these cypress trees being mirrored on the calm surface of the lake. Photo courtesy of Terry Wilkerson
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SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
These baby ducklings will have to rely on the survival instincts, taught to them by their mother, to survive the unpredictable weather extremes at Reelfoot Lake. Photo courtesy of Terry Wilkerson
that the lake turned over, which means because of the low water level and lack of oxygen in the water, it caused many of the fish at the North end of the lake to die. It was sad to witness such a sight. As the water dropped lower, the cypress stumps became more visible and it was amazing to me to think that all of those stumps were actually woods before the earthquake came that formed Reelfoot Lake in 1812. In October, the pelicans came to the lake. No one could really explain why they were there and only why they only remained for such a short time. While the lake’s boating population was cursing all the stumps that were revealing themselves, the pelicans really enjoyed them. In May of 2011, we had such a harsh wind blow through; the lake looked like the Atlantic Ocean, with waves of 4 to 5 feet. Then, the rains came and caused the lake to rise
Chevy truck and got stuck in his own ruts while trying to move our neighbors’ camper. Another Chevy hooked to him while it was still attached to the camper and got stuck also, trying to pull out both. Walt hooked his Ford to the second Chevy that was hooked to the first Chevy and still hooked to the camper that was stuck in his own ruts and pulled them all out. Walt told them “You know you can’t pull a Chevy with a Chevy, it takes a Ford!” It was so cold and rained all that day, but every one pulled together by helping each other. In one year, we watched the lake change from one extreme to the opposite. Reelfoot Lake is more that just a phenomena; it is
the home of more that 56 different species of fish in its waters and more that 240 different species of birds on its shores. Now, including pelicans, aside from the wildlife, Reelfoot Lake has one of the most relaxing atmospheres in our area, despite its violent birth. It makes you wonder if it was just Mother Nature or the curse of the Choctaw Indian tribe that was swallowed up the acres of cypress forest, during the earthquake. Either way, it is like Chief Reelfoot protects and guards his homeland, preserving forever the peace and beauty of Reelfoot Lake they never knew.
higher and higher, causing most of us to move our campers out of Sportsman Resort. Overnight, the lake rose three feet, right to the bottom of our deck at the camper. Walt pulled our camper out to dry ground Terry and then called all our ‘’Living Life Outdoors’’ friends and said we could Wilkerson help them move out also. He pulled two PHONE (731)286-0853 • 1529 MORGAN RD., DYERSBURG other campers out, but the camper behind us was in the deepest water. EVERY MOUNT IS A They had Don’t trust to hire just anyone. someone Trust a State, National & World Award to pull Winning Taxidermists! them “Quality Work at a out. The Reasonable Price” hired Member T.T.A. & N.T.A. mover had a
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Food Plots By Rob Somerville
Stuart Wolcott is pictured here with one of his client’s nice bucks, harvested from an oat field food plot. Photo courtesy of Stuart Wolcott
I
get a lot of calls and emails from our readers on how to make the land they own or lease to hunt more attractive to wildlife. Our pro staff leases many large parcels of land and we plant many food plots on them. 28
But, to better answer your questions, I went to someone I consider an expert on game management and food plots for advice. Stuart Wolcott is the owner and operator of Primm Springs Wildlife Company, in
middle Tennessee. He currently manages over 10,000 acres of wildlife habitat in this region. Stuart runs a full service outfitting service for hunters that recently won the accolade of best bowhunting outfitter service in the state.
SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
Hunters come from all over the United States to hunt deer, turkey, duck, geese, and quail with him. He also oversees some of the most prime duck and geese habitat in Stuttgart, Arkansas. His success with the
large quantity and quality of game on his lands is mostly due to his wildlife management skills. Food plots play an enormous part in this success. When you harvest bucks that score over 150, have a turkey hunt success ratio of over 90%, and
are booked solid, well in advance, year after year, for duck and goose season, you have to know your stuff. He is a professional in all respects, and has agreed to help our readers with their food plot planning. Stuart first stated that game animals have some basic requirements to consistently populate and thrive in an area. These requirements are similar to what we, as humans need. Food, shelter, water, and security are all necessary staples in their lives. Without them, they cannot exist, and they will travel to and stay in the areas that offer the best of these conditions. You must remember that the woods and fields are these animals’ homes. It is where they eat, drink, sleep, socialize, and regenerate their species. For example, a deer population is directly proportional to the number of deer that can ingest nutritional feed per acre. A typical agriculturally oriented; wooded farm allows deer six to seven percent of digestible nutrition. For a healthy herd, in which body size and antler growth is desired, seventeen to eighteen percent is needed. There are many ways to upgrade this percentage on your land. Food plots, liming, and fertilization are some that we will discuss today. Wildlife food plot management can be achieved on as little as a forty-acre farm to a plantation-sized ranch. The amount of time and money you spend will directly reflect the quality of your results.
But today we will show you how with a little money and some work, you will soon notice positive results. For smaller hunting leases and farms you can put in a series of small food plots. These should be centrally located on your land, so your neighbors don’t reap the gains of your hard work. These plots should be a minimum of one-half acre, and preferably planted in a long narrow strip. They should be surrounded by woods or cover for two reasons. The animals will be more likely to use them during daylight hours if they feel secure, and they will not be seen by any adjoining roads. If money is a restriction, which it usually is with us blue-collar hunters, the simple spreading of inexpensive lime on food plots, grasses, and clover is considered a poor man’s remedy. This is what Stuart refers to as “sweetening the feed”. He claims that you can take a clover field and spread lime over one half of it, and none on the remaining half. As the clover matures, the animals will strip the “limed” half to the dirt, and only feed on the other half when the sweet clover is gone. What lime does is raise the pH balance of the soil, giving the plants the nutrients it needs to grow to its optimum size and taste. He recommends spreading lime at four tons per acre. Another inexpensive wildlife enhancer for those of you who do not have a tractor or large field to plant in is Imperial Clover brand “NO-PLOW.” This stuff is
idiot-proof. All you have to do is rake the topsoil a little, and throw the self-germinating seed out on the ground. It is perfect in little, out of the way patches of open cover in the woods. Big bucks will readily come to these hidden food plots to feed, as they are surrounded by the security of the trees. One note of caution though is not to sow this clover under a lot of oak trees. These trees will lose their large leaves, which cover the forest floor like a blanket, and will choke out the clover. It is best planted in an area that gets a minimum of two hours of sunlight and will not hold standing water. Another relatively inexpensive tool of enhancement is the use of commercial fertilizers. If you have mature oak, beech, pecan, hickory, fruit, or persimmon trees on your land, you can make their fruit and nuts more bountiful, larger, and tastier to the animals. Simply cut a 1 and 1/2-inch steel pipe, about three feet long, and taper one end, so that it comes to a point. Buy some 10/10/10 fertilizer, which is available at any hardware or farm service store. Grab a sledgehammer and head for the woods. Locate the trees you desire to fertilize and go to them after or during a light rain. Observe where the main rain water drips are falling in a circle around the tree, from the canopy of the outer branches of its leaves. This is called a drip line, and the trees root ends will be directly under the soil at this drip Continued on next page
FEB/MARCH 2012 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS
29
Food Plots Contd.
Pictured here is one of Primm Springs Wildlife Company’s successful turkey hunters, with a nice gobbler he harvested from theEx_HalfPage.pdf planted clover 3/16/11 food plot,2:48:59 visiblePMin the background. Photo courtesy of Stuart Wolcott
line, waiting to suck the lifegiving moisture from the soil. Hammer your pipe about one foot in to the ground and pour in the granulated fertilizer. Repeat this step every two feet as you walk the drip line around the tree. You will begin to notice a big difference next time the tree bears mast. Fertilizer can also be used on wild berry, honeysuckle, and other greenery these animals use for browse. The recommended fertilizer blend for these is 15/15/15. Spread the fertilizer evenly on the ground around the drip lines. Do not use your hammer and pipe here as you can cause shallow root damage. Do not over-fertilize as you
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SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
can cause burning on these green plants. In addition to these tips, mineral supplements will provide a healthier animal stock. Any of the specialized mineral supplements work well, but Stuart simply uses white, block salt as his food plots supply all the necessary dietary nutrients. Besides deer and turkey, which is what most hunters plant these food plots for, other animals will thrive as well. Quail, rabbit, squirrel and others will soon be flocking to your wildlife cafe. For more information about food plots and game management, you can contact Stuart at Primm Springs Wildlife Company at 1-931729-0392, or on-line at www.huntprimmsprings.com.
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West Tennessee Outdoors Magazine
March/April 2009
Page 27
OUTDOOR TRUTHS
The bass fishing tournaments have been taking place for a few weeks now. Those who love this kind of competition are glad the cold days of winter are about gone. It’s an outdoorsmen’s version of March Madness. Each Saturday is another tournament where only one team will take home the number one spot and the most cash. One of the things that I’ve never got comfortable with is the idea of “practice” when it comes to fishing. It seems to me you’re either fishing or not. Now I understand that when you practice for a fishing tournament, you are releasing the fish where you catch them instead of bringing them into the weigh-in area. The idea is that they will be there during tournament time when you come back. Sometimes they are and sometimes they’re not. In the early days, some fishermen made sure that the fish were there when they came back. Let’s call this the steroid era. In fact, some of those same fishermen loaded up those bass with lead sinkers to make them weigh more. It was all done before the mandatory lie detector test that each winner must now take before getting his money. It does make me chuckle when I think of the need for a lie detector machine in this, and only this, sport. Maybe we should make it mandatory in baseball as well. We could go as far back as Phil Neikro and ask him if he actually doctored
32
WITH GARY MILLER the baseball with a fingernail file in order to throw his knuckleball. I digress. The truth is, when it comes to tournament bass fishing, integrity is not assumed. It is tested. It doesn’t matter if you are a Supreme Court judge, or the Pope. If you win, you will stand before an independent individual and give a truthful account of each fish that you caught. This test will have no respect for one’s creed, color, or credentials, and the results will be final. There’s also coming a day when another test will be given. The results will have a far greater implication than money. It will determine one’s eternity. The Judge will be none other than God himself, and He and His test will be fair. It will comprise of only one question; what did you do with my Son Jesus, who is the Christ. All of our works will mean nothing unless they were done as a result of our relationship with Him. The great thing about this test is that God wants all of us to pass. All we must do is confess that we are lost without Jesus, believe that He is the Son of God that died for our sins and receive Him into our hearts and lives. When we do that, with a sincere heart, our reward is not only a future home in heaven, but a fruitful life here and now. I’d love to hear from you if you have just prayed that prayer. WTO
SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
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Mother Nature’s Therapy T
Fiction by Rob Somerville
he cool shade of the ancient weeping willow tree overhanging the Broken Arrow Creek looked so inviting that I actually emitted a sigh of anticipation, as I pulled my old Chevy pickup to a halt. Perhaps the compressor on my truck’s air conditioner, coming to its annual “mid-summer hibernation” did something to add to the allure of my favorite fishing spot. My nerves were a little rattled anyway, thanks to my bosses’ recent temper tantrum, which I passed onto my wife upon viewing the new balance of our Master Card. I just had to get away for a while. I eased the creaky door of the truck open and took in the sight of the rolling current about twenty yards upstream. The sunlight shimmered off the cascading water like millions of tiny fireflies, as it washed over the rocks, which were bleached white by the sun. Right in front of the huge willow tree that was my favorite spot was a deep pool of water, almost jet-black in appearance, compared to the clarity of the shallow water. An occasional swirl of current would appear, then disappear and then reappear again, as if controlled by the command of a magician’s wand. No twenty thousanddollar boats were needed here, or one hundred-dollar rod and reel combo. This 34
was strictly “back to the basics” fishing. A cane pole, a cork float, a hook and split shot and whatever you found squirming under a rock or hopping about in the grass fit the bill. No pressure or crowds, just the peace and serenity of God’s gifts of nature in all it’s majestic beauty. Ah nature, unspoiled, unblem-
hopper and swung my baited line into the deep pool. Almost instantly, the tension in my aching muscles seemed to seep out of my stressed out body, relaxing me into a comfortable stupor. Hours passed like minutes and a lazy smile eventually took over my frown. My aggravating, vice-like
ished and there for the taking. I got my old bamboo pole out of the truck bed and began searching for bait. Within two minutes, I had a milk carton full of fluorescent green grasshoppers. Man oh man, was I glad no one was there to see me scampering about on all fours like some kind of cartoon character while chasing after my elusive bait. I found my comfortably worn spot between two ancient, gnarled roots of the willow, collared a
headache disappeared faster than a payday on a Friday night. I stared at the water as if in a trance, mesmerized by the multi-colored float and automatically pulling out the eight to twelve
inch bluegill that were cooperating. I mechanically creeled them and replenished the bait on my hook. Sunset seemed to creep up out of nowhere, so I gathered up my creel of trout and gave amnesty to my remaining hoppers. I whistled a Disney cartoon medley on the walk back to my truck, marveling at how good I felt. Maybe my boss wasn’t such a bad guy after all, and man, what was I thinking when I got onto my wife for buying a few womanly items with the credit card? Maybe I should pick some of those wildflowers she likes so much. Or maybe I should suggest we go visit her mom tonight, or invite her over for a weekend visit. On second thought, no need to ruin a perfectly good day, so I’ll just stick with the flowers. I continued to whistle and smile on the drive home, when an epiphany struck me like a lightning bolt from the heavens. I’d just been treated by the world’s greatest and least expensive, psychotherapist … Mother Nature.
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“Git the net! Git the net! Git the dad-gummed net!” Stump. Rock. Fish. Doesn’t matter. Tater screams for the net every time he feels the least bit of resistance on the end of his line. I’ve been his fishing partner for over thirty years, and I still fall for it every time. As usual, I dropped everything and grabbed the net only to find out it was all for nothing. “Looks like you’re snagged on that log,” I said. “Jist keep on feeshin’. I gotta do some interior decoratin’ anyhow.” Tater stood
36
up, stuck his hands down his pants, and “un-bunged” his underwear with a little jiggle. He then gave his rod a big yank and purposely broke his line. He just didn’t want to paddle halfway across the pond to get his lure “un-stuck”. While I fished, Tater performed his ritual for preparing a new bait. He pulled out a nail file he stole from Bessy’s manicure kit and meticulously sharpened a size 4/0, offset shank, wide-gap, Gamakatsu hook. Reaching into his ice bucket, Tater picked out his
favorite stained-water soft plastic bait, a pumpkin and limetreuse brush hog. Tater didn’t like his baits getting all mushy out in the sun. Now for the dippin’ sauce4 caps-full of Nitro crawfish gravy, 2 dashes of sea salt, 1 spit of tobacco juice and a secret ingredient he wouldn’t even let his dog see - all blended together in an old worm container. He called it the “Double 0 Seven”. Shaken - not stirred. He threaded the bait on the hook and dipped it in his magic concoction. He studied
SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
it, sniffed it and then stuck his tongue out and actually tasted it. Grimacing, he nonchalantly tossed the whole thing overboard. “I reckon I’ll try a crankbait.” As I hooked into a nice one, Tater started his backseat driving like he always does. “Set the hook! Jack his jaw! Cross his eyes! You’re horsin’ ‘em. Give’em some slack!” It was a fat, two-pound Kentucky bass. I once caught one while actually in Ken-
tucky, and interestingly enough, the locals called it a “spot.” With Tater breathing down my neck, I got “stage fright” and couldn’t get the hook out. To tackle the job, I pulled out some fancy-shmancy doctor’s forceps I got at a fly fishing store. Of course, Tater immediately pounced on my weakness. “Hey, ‘Doc.’ You doin’ some surg’ry over there? Why dontcha try that ‘hindlick maneuver ’ on ‘em. That’ll squeeze the hook right out.” Gadgets are good, but only if they don’t look out of place. If the forceps had been painted in camo, it would have gone against fishing etiquette to give me grief. For instance, using a gas-powered leaf blower to spiff up the yard is perfectly acceptable. When Tater used the same blower to get the dog hair out from underneath the living room sofa, Bessy explained the “out of place” rule rather emphatically. I finally dislodged the hook when Tater started up. “Git the net! Git the…” Yeah, I fell for it again. This time, he actually caught a fish, but it wasn’t big enough to be “net-worthy.” “Just a fartsniffer, but he’ll
purty good,” Tater exclaimed. “Throw him back, Tater. Let him grow up so he’ll put a bend in your rod in a few years.” “He’ll make a mighty fine Fish McNugget right now!” “You’re not gonna find any meat on that minnow. Toss him back.” “You got somethin’ against a fish fry? You must be workin’ for PETA.” Okay, those were fightin’ words. PETA- “People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.” It sounds kind of nice and fuzzy, but it’s not exactly what you think. The good folks at PETA believe that all animals, including humans, are equal and should have equal rights. That means no meat, no pets, no wool, no milk, no see-
ing-eye or police dogs, no Elmer Fudd, no lab mice, no leather and no eggs. That’s right. No more Elmer Fudd hunting wabbits! Despite all this, they still have tens of faithful followers. I think the real reason they’re always so grumpy is that they’re starving. Tater was just trying to take me out of my game, so I figured I’d play along. I knew I could turn the tables and get him all riled up. “So what’s wrong with PETA?” I slyly asked. “PEEETA? You mean, ‘People who only Eat Towfoo and Algae’? It took dozens of years for us to get to the top of the food chain, and I like bein’ there!” “For your information,” I said, “scientists have proven that tofu prevents cancer.” “So does sunscreen, but I ain’t eatin’ it!” “Here’s something to think about, Tater. Contrary to all scientific studies, PETA says fish can actually feel pain when you hook them and reel them in.” “Tell PEEETA not to fret. My skillet’ll put those fish out of their misery real quick!” With that,
Tater angrily chunked his crankbait across a big school of shad, hoping Mr. Bucketmouth lurked beneath. At the strike, he “Bill Danced” the fish with all his might. He didn’t realize that the “bite” was only a 3-inch shad he had foul-hooked while running his lure through the school. He set the hook so hard that the crankbait, with minnow in tow, did a slingshot out of the water, flew forty feet across the pond, and smacked him square in the face. Partly out of sheer terror, partly out of force, Tater rolled over in his fishin’ chair and doing a back flip, splashed into the lake. “Git the net! Git the net! Git the net!”
eat FEB/MARCH 2012 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS
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Sponsored By
Dyersburg Elevator
Austin Vanness is pictured here with his first deer ever, a 9-point buck. He was hunting with his dad, Roger Vanness, in Lauderdale County Tennessee. Photo courtesy of Wilkerson’s Taxidermy.
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Twelve year-old, Connor Hester, from Finley, Tennessee, harvested his first deer on Jan. 7th, 2012. It was a 7-point buck and he bagged it while hunting at Island 18 in Western Dyer County. Photo courtesy of Amy R. Hester
Send Us Your Trophy Room Pictures!
Email digital files to stomag1@gmail.com
Daniel Garrison killed this doe while hunting in Madison County, in Tennessee. Photo courtesy of Wilkerson’s Taxidermy
Brent Coffman, who is 14 years old, killed this awesome, 8-point buck on October 15th 2011. This was his first bow kill. Photo courtesy of Wilkerson’s Taxidermy
SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
Sponsored By
Send Us Your Trophy Room Pictures!
Dyersburg Elevator
Email digital files to stomag1@gmail.com
Kailey Droke harvested this 8-point buck on the opening morning of the 2011 youth season. She was hunting with her dad, Chris Droke and bagged him with her .243 at 70 yards. It was Kailey’s first deer. Photo courtesy of Wilkerson’s Taxidermy
Kaycee Parnell, harvested this nice doe on the opening morning of the 2011 youth season. She was hunting with her dad, Terry Dunaway and got her deer with one shot at 115 yards with a 30-06. Photo courtesy of Wilkerson’s Taxidermy
Lana Howe with her first buck, Killed in Dyer County, Tennessee on October 29th, 2011. She spotted him first, we watched him for about 20 min. as he was walking off in the thick I called to him a few times and he turned and came in on a string. I stopped him in an opening and Lana did the rest. My baby girl made her daddy proud! -Kane Howe. Info courtesy of Lana’s dad. Photo courtesy of Wilkerson’s Taxidermy. Leslie Williams killed this doe during the 2011 Juvenile deer hunt, making a 70 yard shot, while hunting with her dad, Matt Williams. Photo by her proud daddy, Matt Williams.
FEB/MARCH 2012 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS
39
Sponsored By
Dyersburg Elevator
Evan Wilkerson, killed this doe in Millsfield, Tennessee. He was home on leave from Biloxi, Mississippi, where he was stationed while training with the Navy. He is now serving our country in Kuwait. Photo courtesy of Wilkerson’s Taxidermy
Seven year-old, John Trevathan of McKenzie, Tennessee is pictured with a nice 10-point buck that he harvested in November of 2011, while hunting with his dad, Kenneth. Picture courtesy of Lankford Taxidermy
40
Send Us Your Trophy Room Pictures!
Email digital files to stomag1@gmail.com
Chris Stephens (left) of Newbern and Jerry Whitehead (right) caught this 58 inch blue catfish on rod and reel, in the Mississippi River, near Caruthersville, Missouri. The 110. 2 lb. monster was caught near a rock dyke in 76 ft. water, with a small piece of skipjack as bait. The fish was weighed on certified scales at Grizzly Jig Company and was released to be caught again. Photo courtesy of Chris Stephens & West TN Communications.
John Trevathan, proves his hunting skills once again, as he is shown with two coyotes that he took while hunting with his proud father, Kenneth. Picture courtesy of Lankford Taxidermy
SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
FEB/MARCH 2012 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS
41
SPORTSMEN NIGHT OUT 2nd Baptist Church, in Union City, TN. Thursday - March 29th, 2012
UNION CITY, TN PRESENTS A SPORTSMEN NIGHT OUT! WITH GUEST SPEAKER: RICK BURGESS OF THE RICK & BUBBA MORNING SHOW! WITH SMOKEY - THE UT MASCOT!
DATE: MARCH 29TH MEALS AT 5:30 PM AND 6:15 PM PROGRAM BEGINS AT 7:00 PM FOOD, FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY, FELLOWSHIP, DOOR PRIZES AND OUTDOOR VENDOR BOOTHS TICKETS ONLY $10.00
FOR TICKET RESERVATIONS, INFORMATION, OR TO BECOME A SPONSOR, PLEASE CONTACT: SECOND BAPTIST CHURCH 831 EVERETT BOULEVARD - UNION CITY, TN. 731-885-5223 WWW.SECONDBAPTISTUC.COM 42
There is no other place to be on Thursday, March 29 of this year than Second Baptist Church in Union City, TN for their annual Sportsmen Night Out. A meal will be served at 5:30 pm and 6:15 pm with a presentation at 7:00 pm. This years featured speaker will be none other than Rick Burgess of the Rick and Bubba Show in Birmingham, Alabama. Also planned is a great lineup of activities and even special guests (such as Smokey thee University of Tennessee mascot). This year the event will be geared towards families and not just men. “We want to try and have as many people there as possible,” Brasher said, “because of the important message that we know Rick Burgess is going to bring.” Rick Burgess’ life was transformed forever through the accident of the drowning of his son in a swimming pool, which has been a testimony Rick has shared with many parents who are going through trials in their life. There are other parts of the event that should be of great interest. Brasher is working to finalize Smokey the University of Tennessee’s live mascot to be there, for a presentation on the history of the dog and to be available for pictures with children. There will also be door prizes, an expo area with local businesses that are serving as sponsors, but most of all the people usually show up for the food. “It is our goal to have everyone well fed that night,” Brasher said. One of the differences from this event from others, is that we offer two feeding times. If you want to get fed, but also have some time to explore the expo area and have some extra time to relax, then you are encouraged to come for our first meal time at 5:30 pm. This will be followed by another served at 6:15 pm..The presentation time will follow at 7:00 pm. Tickets for the event are $10.00 per person and the last day to purchase tickets will be Sunday, March 25th. Please contact the church office for ticket purchases at 731.885.5223 or email Joseph Brasher at josephbrasher@charter.net.
SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
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Michelin 4X4 Synchrone Tires Put a Little Mud On Your Tires!
This tire is Capable of handling both on and off road driving situations, the 4x4 Synchrone tire is an excellent choice for those who make the most of their SUVs. While on the road, the tire offer impressive handling and plenty of traction in both wet and dry conditions. For the occasional trip off road, Michelin 4x4 Synchrone tires provide the grip and durability necessary to traverse unpaved terrain with confidence Features: • Reliable capabilities both on and off-road. • Exceptional handling and wet traction. To view all of the selection of mud tires that are perfect for hunters and fishermen, visit our good friends at Triple T Tire Pros. They have two locations in Dyersburg and one in Paris, Tennessee. Or you can visit their website at www.triplettirepros.com. -Rob Somerville
2012
HOT TRUCK REVIEW
THE 2012 CHEVY SILVERADO 3500 HD
Whether you’re building roads or subdivisions, you’re also building a reputation for getting the job done. Capability is where it’s at in the heavy-duty full-size pickup truck world. It will come as no surprise the 2012 Silverado 3500HD is very qualified when it comes to torque, payload, horsepower, towing capacity, handling, and performance. It’s the pickup truck that works, with an available Duramax® Diesel generating more torque than any other Chevrolet full-size pickup. It’s the one with bigger towing numbers. It is the full-size pickup truck with a sturdy frame to handle payload and deliver an excellent ride. In fact, Silverado offers you the best-in-class maximum towing capacity and the best-in-class maximum payload capacity. From job site to off site, Chevy Runs Deep. To see this model, or any of the tremendous lineup of Chevy trucks, visit our good friends at Delta Chevrolet. They are located at 125 Highway 51 Bypass in Dyersburg, Tennessee. You can reach them by phone at 731-2864114 or visit their website at www.deltaautosales.net.
- Rob Somerville. 44
SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
2012
HOT TRUCK REVIEW
The GMC Canyon falls in the compact pickup truck category and is a sister vehicle to the Chevrolet Colorado. Base pricing starts at $17,410, making it one of the most affordable entrylevel trucks available. The Canyon has been praised by reviewers for its simple and straightforward layout of interior controls and gauges. Properly equipped with the Z85 towing package and with the optional V8 engine, the 2012 Canyon can tow up to 6,000 pounds. It competes directly with the Nissan Frontier and the Toyota Tacoma. Fuel economy is estimated at 18 mpg city and 25 mpg highway for the 2-wheel drive 4-cylinder version. Stop by and test drive one of these awesome 2012 Off-Road GMC Canyons with our good friends at Herman Jenkins Motors. They are conveniently located at 2030 W. Reelfoot Ave. in Union City, Tennessee. You can call them at 731-885-2811 or visit them on-line at: www.jenkinsmotors.com. - Rob Somerville
THE 2012 GMC CANYON 4WD CREW CAB SLT
2012 ford f-150 SVT RAPTOR ... really IS “BUILT FORD TOUGH” Ford’s muscular, terrain-conquering F-150 SVT Raptor has been revised for the 2012 model year. The updates make the 2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor even more capable off-road, as well as providing mild visual changes and new equipment. The big news for rock-crawling aficionados is the addition of a Torsen limited-slip front differential. It helps the truck when scrambling up obstacles or steep inclines by making sure that torque is apportioned to the front wheel with the most traction. Ford’s Special Vehicle Team worked with Torsen to match the new differential with the Raptor’s brake-based traction-control system, and to specially modify the differential housing to cope with the prodigious torque requirements of the Raptor. The new differential was tested over SVT’s special 1000-mile “torture test” off-road course. Also new is an optional front-facing camera mounted in the truck’s grille, which allows drivers to get a clearer view of obstacles ahead that might be obscured by the truck’s big hood. When activated via the instrument-cluster menus at speeds below 15 mph, the camera transmits images to the F-150’s navigation system screen. The camera even has a dedicated washer nozzle to keep it clear of dust and grime while out on the trail. To see this truck or any other Ford vehicles, I recommend you visit our friends at Union City Ford. They are located at 2020 W. Reelfoot Avenue, in Union City, Tennessee. You can call them at (731) 885-8833 or visit their website on-line at www.unioncityfordlm.com. - Rob Somerville.
FEB/MARCH 2012 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS
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When I am in need of vehicle repairs, or servicing, I always go see my good friend Daniel, who owns D.R. Auto Repair & Service Center in Kenton, Tennessee. - Rob Somerville BRAKES - TUNE-UPS ELECTRICAL REPAIRS AND INSPECTION ALL MAJOR AND MINOR MECHANICAL REPAIRS - TIRE ROTATIONS HEATING AND COOLING SYSTEMS.
530 N. Poplar - Kenton, TN.
731-749-5333
Hunter Newbill’s first name describes him just right. He is a dedicated outdoorsman, who is very involved with introducing today’s youth, safely and ethically, into the outdoor lifestyle. He is a perfect choice for sportsmen or farmers that are shopping for a home, hunting land, farm acreage, or recreational property. Eddie Anderson - Co-owner STO Magazine
Hunter Newbill
Broker - GRI - CRS - ABR 2455 Lake Rd. - Suite 8 - Dyersburg, TN. {Off.} 731-285-5505 {Cell} 731-445-9998 hunter@dyersburg.com www.dyersburg.com
Union City Ford
wEST TENNESSEE’S 4X4 HEADQUARTERS 2012 Ford F-150 SVT RAPTOR
2022 West Reelfoot Avenue - Union City, TN 38261 (731) 885-8833 www.unioncityford.com 46
SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012
ORIGINATING WEST TENNESSEE’S GRAIN SINCE 2002
DYERSBURG ELEVATOR COMPANY 300 PRESSLER RD. - DYERSBURG, TN. - 38024 731-287-7272 FEB/MARCH 2012 | SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS
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WITH RATES SO LOW NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOUR PERFECT DREAM HOME! ASK ME HOW! 48
Apply on line firstcitizens-bank.com Tammy Ladd SOUTHERN TRADITIONS OUTDOORS | FEB/MARCH 2012 800-321-3176 731-287-4362