Sportsman's News January 2019 Digital Edition by Sportsman's News

FREE January 2019 | Volume 15 | Issue 1

Kings of Goodnews The Goodnews River is one of the very best king salmon rivers in western Alaska.

Ice Fishing Roundup

Get Geared Up and keep on fishing Page 20

Pro's Tip: Stay Alive

Defeating the Silent Killer Page 15

Chad LaChance: Fishful Thinker

One Rig To Rule Them All

Break in to Chukar Hunting

Spring Snows in Saskatchewan

Duck Creek Outfitters Page 8

Gary Lewis: PacWest Outdoors

SPORTSMAN’S NEWS 2322 W. Industry Way Cedar City, UT 84721

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Mike Deming President/Publisher 435-669-4624 mdeming@sportsmansnews.com

SENIOR EDITOR Kent Danjanovich 801-231-9838 kdanjanovich@sportsmansnews.com MANAGING EDITOR Dan Kidder 435-865-1680 dkidder@sportsmansnews.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Lisa Deming info@sportsmansnews.com VIDEO PRODUCTION MANAGERS Sam Staudt sam@sportsmansnews.com Subscribers should contact Managing Editor for changes of address.

Sportsman’s News is published monthly. The entire content of this newspaper is Copyright 2019 © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the Managing Editor.

SPORTSMAN’S WAREHOUSE 7035 So. High Tech Drive Midvale, UT 84047

January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Send Us Your Stories And Win A Hunt Of A Lifetime With

Backcountry BackcountryHunts.com Hunts This is an outfitter we have hunted with every year for the past seven years and look forward to every March. We have been able to harvest some extremely large Aoudad on 40,000 acres. One 33” whopper, 31.5”, 31”, 29.5”, and 28” rams. ~ the Sportsmans News Team

New Mexico & Texas Hunts (575) 361•1053 17th Annual

OUTDOOR WRITING CONTEST Grand Prize Package

• Winner will be chosen to join the Sportsman's News Team on a fully guided hunt in Texas with Steve Jones Backcountry Hunts the last week of March 2019. Included is meals, lodging, 1 on 1 guided hunt for 3 days for Trophy Aoudad in west Texas. This is a free range wild sheep hunt. License is included for the winner. Camp will be shared with the Sportsman’s News team and we will film the adventure for an episode of Sportsman’s News Television. • Contest will run from November 1st, 2018 through November 30th, 2019 with two stories selected each month and published on our website. One grand prize winner will be randomly selected from those entries and notified by e-mail. • Every published entry will receive a knife from Outdoor Edge and will be entered into the grand prize drawing. • E-mail stories and photos to info@sportsmansnews.com. • Stories should be between 900 and 1500 words and be sent as a MS Word document or pasted into an e-mail. • Photos should be high resolution JPG’s, TIF’s or PDF’s: if you have any questions regarding photos call (435)865-1680. • Stories without photos will not be considered for publication or contest entry. All stories may be edited for content and size. Published articles and photos become property of Sportsman’s News. All prizes are provided by Sportsman’s News Inc. Must be 18 years of age to win grand prize. All entries must include author name, address and phone number to be considered for publication.

WORDS FROM THE PUBLISHER By Michael Deming

WHAT’S INSIDE

4 Kings of Goodnews

Five species of salmon at Goodnews River Lodge.

8 Spring Snows in Saskatchewan

Blasting geese in Canada..

Platinum Approved Outfitters

Choose a Sportsman's News Endorsed Guide for your next trip.

15 Pro's Tip: Defending Against the Most Dangerous Killer Preventing and treating hypothermia.

20 Ice Fishing Roundup

Stock up on the best gear before hitting the ice.

26 Pacwest Outdoors: Six Steps to Break in to Chukar Hunting

would like to personally wish everyone a Happy New Year. This coming year’s calendar is already jammed to the brim and it’s just getting started. It’s a must if we are going to keep up with the latest and greatest products hitting the shelves this year as well as making sure we are vetting outfitters and putting boots in the dirt to make sure you get the most out of your next adventure. 2018 seemed to fly by and when I look back at the calendar to see that I was on the road nearly 200 days, I can see why. However, as I look at all the video clips, photos, and content we created, I get to see a lot of happy faces. The Sportsman’s News Pro Membership Sweepstakes delivered a lot of lifelong dreams to a good number of lucky winners and we got to capture the majority of those experiences on film and photos to be shared with our readers throughout this upcoming year. We are very excited about the upcoming year and how the content we have created will be used. The printed copies of Sportsman’s News have been around for fifteen years now and the content we have created has been used here and on our website and social media. The magazine will still be available inside the doors of Sportsman’s Warehouse, but more exciting are the additional resources available for this content. So, if you don’t make it into the stores on a weekly basis, you will be happy to know that Sportsman’s Warehouse has put together a powerhouse group of people on the web and social media side of things for the upcoming year. They will be using a lot of this content we have created throughout all of these media sources, so it will be available at your fingertips whenever you want it. I feel that this information is very important to you as consumers. My team and I spend well over 1,000 man-days a year in the field and all the products we use come direct from Sportsman’s Warehouse. We utilize and evaluate products from entry level stuff all the way up the chain to extremely high-end products. When you are looking to spend thousands of dollars on a new set of optics, it’s great to hear from people who have used these products in the field and in every type of situation. We can answer the questions for you of whether that product is truly worth the money or if it’s just a marketing campaign. Our success in the field depends on us having products that get the job done each and every time. Is that Sitka rain jacket really worth over $500? Product failure can ruin a trip of a lifetime and we are going to tell you about it. So, we are super excited to expand our reach with Sportsman’s Warehouse’s new platform. If there is a product you would like to know about, we are always happy to answer those questions. Send us an email at info@ sportsmansnews.com if you would like us to test a product before you spend some hardearned dollars that we have no experience with, we will do that as well. It’s our job to make sure you are getting the most out of the products you are purchasing and our experience gives us that ability. So, get ready for an exciting 2019. January is a huge month for the Sportsman’s News Pro Membership Sweepstakes. We will be giving away a $30,000 elk hunt with Utah’s premier outfitter, Mossback Outfitters, in the San Juan area. This is a private land CWMU and Doyle Moss and his crew have taken some whopper bulls on this hunt in the past. The drought of 2018 left a lot of good bulls unharvested and the chance for a true giant to be in the crosshairs of one lucky winner. This hunt sold for a significantly higher price at the Western Hunt Expo last year than the price for which we are purchasing it, so this is truly a trip of a lifetime for one lucky winner. If you aren’t a member, now is a great time as we give away 36 grand prizes a year and we do it every ten days. It gives you something to look forward to nearly every week throughout the year. Check out all of the prizes at promembershipsweepstakes.com.

What every beginner needs to know.

Fishful Thinker: The Most Versatile Rig of All 30

While shunned by most pros, this rig is the most used catcher of fish.

34 Outdoor Writing Contest: Anticosti Island An unplanned adventure becomes an unexpected treat

35 Business Directory 40 Wild Game Recipe: Elk Green Chili Stew

42 Adventures On A Budget: Superior Fishing On The Ice Multiple species abound on America's largest lake.

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Chad LaChance Gary Lewis Peter E. Popieniuck Steve Mayer Barb Carey Susan Delk

January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Goodnews River Lodge By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor

laska has been described in many ways over the years, with ‘The Last Frontier’, ‘Land of the Midnight Sun’ and ‘An Outdoorsman’s Paradise’ just a few of its catch-phrases. But after traveling around its massive expanses for the past 15-years, I think I have come up with a simple one-word phrase that will do the job as well and that word is simply, ‘Amazing’! With its expanses seemingly almost endless, no matter the area that you visit, it is truly like stepping into another world. Its colorful contrasts offer the eye a non-stop spectacle of excitement and its adventures, well, let’s just say they are pure fantasy, dare I say the perfect example of “What Dreams Are Made Of”. I get asked all the time, “What part of Alaska is your favorite”? Well, to be honest, I really can’t give a definitive answer. I truly love all of it. Each area holds a different and magical intrigue, but each will also open your eyes to a whole new world as well. Here at Sportsman’s News, we are always looking for new and exciting places to visit and it is my job (cough) to search those destinations out, especially in Alaska. My focus for the summer of 2018 was on the western side of the state, to a river that I had heard a lot about but had never visited – The Goodnews. Located about 425-miles southwest of Anchorage, the Goodnews River’s three forks start in the Ahklun Mountain range, with the braids eventually joining a few miles from its final destination, the Bering Sea at Goodnews Bay. The Goodnews River Lodge was born back in the early 1970’s and was then located about 40 miles upriver from the bay. An aspiring river guide named, Mike Gorton, landed a job at the camp in the late ‘80’s and in 1996, with the help of a good friend and his family, purchased the lodge and now 22-years later, the Goodnews River Lodge has evolved into one of the best salmon and trout destinations in Alaska. Mike knew that the first thing that he needed to do when he took over the camp was to relocate it. The original location was some 40-miles upstream, requiring long boat trips each day to reach many of the best fishing locations. The process quickly began to move the camp down to basically, the confluence of the three forks, about 7-miles from Goodnews Bay. By doing this, he would be able to access all three forks of the river, simplifying the travel time to the best stretches of the river, while taking advantage of the offerings of each braid. Hence, the present day Goodnews River Lodge. Both the main and north forks of the river begin with their headwaters in lakes in the Ahklun range, part of the Togiak National Wildlife Refuge, while the south fork is formed by small tributaries and springs, with no lake as its source. Because of this, most of the five salmon species that come into the drainage are found in the middle and north forks, with the focus of the south fork, trout and Arctic grayling. But because of these distinct forks, a great opportunity for diversity is created offering guests in reality, a uniquely different and exciting adventure every day of their stay. Your adventure starts in Anchorage on Tuesday night. You will need to book an over-night stay at a local hotel in order to be at the Trans Northern Airlines desk, located on the baggage level at the main terminal, by 8am. You and your gear will be weighed and checked-in for your chartered flight to Goodnews Bay. At 9am, weather permitting, you will then load into your awaiting plane for your scenic, two-hour flight. Upon arrival at the small air-strip in Goodnews Bay, you will be transported the short distance to awaiting, covered boats and then off on your 10-minute ride to the camp. Once at camp, your bags will be taken to your living quarters (raised, insulated, cabin tents that sleep two), complete with carpeted hardwood floors, thermostatically-controlled propane heaters, lighting and most updated with their own bathroom. Your waders and boots can be stored in the drying room, centrally located in camp

January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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and equipped with enough pipe dryers for everyones’ gear at the end of a long day on the water, no matter the weather conditions. Then its off to the main eating cabin for hot soup and a sandwich before hitting the water for your first afternoon of fishing. Our first afternoon found us with guide, Jan Stewart. Jan actually grew up and still lives Steve McGrath is all smiles as he in Goodnews Bay and knows hoists a big sea run dolly on day five of our the river like the back of his adventure. hand. We spent the afternoon fishing for kings, both a mile above and below the camp. A total of 10 brightly colored salmon, ranging from 10 to 25 pounds came to the boat, as fellow Pro-Staffer, Steve McGrath and I were able to land a few on both fly rods and spinning tackle. Orange Mepps spinners were effective casting and swinging, as well as Dolly Llamas on our 9wt. fly rods. Jan also put us in position to do a little stationary back-trolling, with Wiggle Warts and Quikfish. At 5pm, we headed back to the lodge for appetizers and the first of many great meals during our stay. Day two found us with guide, Kyle Schmeddiky, chasing sea-run Dolly Varden on the north fork. My 6wt. St. Croix Bank Robber was the perfect weapon for these great sport fish. Small streamers did the trick along ripple lines and cut-banks. The biggest of the day was a beautiful 32-incher, a little on the slim side since the kings, sockeyes and chums had not started to drop their eggs yet, but still a great fight on lighter tackle. Along the way, we also hooked into a bunch of chums and found one hole that held a bunch of ‘Jacks’ (smaller, second year king returners to the river) that put up a great fight. Day three again found us in search of kings. Our guide, Johnny Napolatono, considered the expert when it comes to kings on the Goodnews, quickly had us on big

GOODNEWS RIVER LODGE

All 5 Species Of Pacific Salmon Dolly Varden ▴ Leopard Rainbows ▴ Arctic Grayling

Located in a remote corner of Southwest Alaska about 450 miles from Anchorage, at the edge of the pristine Togiak National Wildlife Refuge. We are the ONLY full service fishing lodge on the entire 3 branch river system. It's just you and the fish. No crowds. No flying to the "best" river. It's all here on the Goodnews River, and it's all yours to enjoy.

(989)-786-5570 (EST) www.goodnewsriverlodge.com 6

January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

fish. Steve had the hot hand on the trolling rod as I found my groove swinging a pink articulating leech. Over a dozen kings, from 12 to 30 pounds again found their way to the boat, with nearly half of them slamming my feathThe main camp is comprised of raised, ered offerings. We also insulated, cabin tents that sleep two and are stopped off in a couple complete with carpeted hardwood floors, of places to chase a few thermostatically-controlled propane heaters, lighting sockeyes and chums and most updated with their own bathroom. before heading back for a great dinner, complete with fresh salmon and pork loin (dessert wasn’t too bad either). Our fourth day on the Goodnews would be on the south braid with 15-year veteran guide, Jeff Arnold. Jeff’s specialty is trout and Arctic grayling and he goes after his prey with streamers, dries and skating mice patterns. To say that Jeff is pretty good with a mouse would be an understatement. As he instructed Steve and I on the rippled runs of the river, he also masterfully displayed the art of moussing to our wondering eyes. It was truly amazing as he softly landed his foam offering on the water and then proceeded to twitch and glide it like a professional ice skater. Our day was full of hoots and hollers, as big Dolly Varden and giant Arctic grayling (I don’t think we landed one under 20-inches) kept us busy on the pristine waters of the south fork of the Goodnews. Days five and six were full of more salmon and dolly’s, as guides Alex Kumiski and Steven Cratty each worked their magic before our wondering eyes. It always amazes me that guides are able to inject their own special touches to a stretch of water, with no two working it the same. During one magical stretch on day six, I was able to hook into three kings in four casts on my fly rod. I set the hook on the first one at the end of my swing, as it quickly came to the surface before going on a screaming, non-stop run that didn’t slow down until the backing on my reel was nearly gone. I gently thumbed my Redington to stop my kings’ momentum, resulting in a loud snap. Luckily, I was able to retrieve my line, but found that the hook on my articulating leech had not faired so well. My next two fish, a chrome bright 18-pounder and the biggest one of our trip, a slightly blushed 30+ pound specimen, finished out our day and left us wanting more as we headed back to the lodge on our last evening. Thick, juicy, perfectly cooked prime rib slabs awaited us with all the fixin’s as we mingled with the other guests as we traded tall, but surely true, stories of the days’ events. Well as you can see, Mr. McGrath and I came away from our maiden trip to the Goodnews River with plenty of great memories and big smiles on our faces. And as if our days weren’t filled with Kent Danjanovich and guide, Alex enough action, we even headed out of our cabin Kumiski, display a colorful rainbow from their almost every night to work day on the north fork at the Goodnews River over the migrating chums Lodge. and sockeyes just a couple hundred yards upriver from camp. Yes, the Goodnews is a special place and I guarantee that we will be back to partake of its magic again soon. In fact, they will be part of our Pro Membership Sweepstakes in the future, as we will be giving away a trip for two to join me on a return visit in 2020. We are proud to welcome Mike Gorton and his Goodnews River Lodge (989-786-5570) to our family of Platinum Approved Outfitters and Lodges. They fill up fast with returning clientele, so you had better get on the phone right now to see if they just might have an opening for you!

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Spring Snows in Saskatchewan

By Kent Danjanovich

’ll have to admit – I really love the outdoors. Whether it’s grabbin’ my golf clubs and heading to my local course, packing my fly rod for a trip to Alaska or breaking a few clays with my trusty Browning shotguns in preparation for fall bird hunts, I just can’t get enough of it. During an average year, I spend about 150 days at sports shows, on the water or in the field. Once we find a good outfitter, we do everything we can to make sure they are happy with us and likewise, we are happy with them. As a result, we have been able to build a great network of hunting and fishing outfitters and lodges throughout the United States and from around the world for our Platinum Approved family. With the addition of our ever popular, Pro Membership Sweepstakes, we have taken upon ourselves even more work, as myself, my business partner, Mike Deming or one of our cameramen or Pro-Staffers accompany the lucky winners on just about every trip we give away. This may sound like a sportsman’s dream job (and I’m not complaining), but to say we get a little road weary at times is an understatement. But you know what – I truly love it! This past spring, I had the pleasure of accompanying Eric Heath and his brother, Dave, on a snow goose hunt in Saskatchewan with Duck Creek Outfitters. Now in this case, the actual winner of the trip was not able to do the hunt, so he gave us a call to see if we could fill the spot for him. Mike and I made a couple of calls and we were able to negotiate a good price for both the seller and the buyer of the trip (yes, the trips are transferable) and the plans were made for April 24-28. Now as many of you know, although the U.S. had a pretty mild winter in 2017-2018, Canada was hit pretty hard, especially with cold temperatures and as our dates quickly approached, it was obvious that we were in trouble. A call to Sykes Mitchell, owner of

January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Duck Creek Outfitters, just outside of Kelvington, Saskatchewan, unfortunately reinforced my fears – two feet of snow on the ground and four feet of ice on the lakes of the area. Sykes said, “You may be able to come up and shoot a couple of birds on the last day or two, but if I were you, I would push back to about the 13th of May. I will make space for you there and I guarantee you will be happy with the move.” I was a little apprehensive with pushing back our dates that far, as I had experienced the hunting in that area before and knew that on a normal year the birds would just about be out of the area on their way to the tundra to the north. Our new dates would be May 14-18 (avoiding Mother’s Day on the 13th, satisfying our better halves). Airline tickets were quickly exchanged as our plans were finalized. Eric and Dave called me almost every day to see what news I had heard from the lodge about the migration. Sykes kept me up-to-date on everything and was able to keep our anticipation for the trip definitely on a high note! We arrived about noon in Saskatoon, picked up our rental car, then made a quick stop at the local sporting goods store for our licenses before heading to the lodge. Along the way, Eric and Dave could be seen, like kids in a candy shop, scanning the skies and fields for geese. I can’t tell you how many times they uttered, “There’s another flock”! As we pulled off of the main road and headed up a dirt road for the last eight miles to the lodge, snows could be seen on the horizon in many of the fields. It was almost sad to inform my hunters that they would have to wait until the next morning for our hunt to begin. We soon pulled up to the lodge and quickly unloaded our gear as the staff led us to our rooms and informed us that Sykes and the guides were out with other hunters as well as scouting for our hunt the next morning. About 7:30pm, we all made our way to the dinner table for a great meal as we mingled with the other guests and met our guides. Plans were made for us to be up and at ‘em by 2:45am, as we would have about a 45-minute drive to our scouted field for our morning hunt, with sunrise at 4:45am. It was obvious that Eric and Dave were not morning guys as they stumbled their way to the changing room and donned their camo and boots. Guns, ammo and cameras were then quickly loaded into the awaiting vehicles, with trailers full of decoys and gear in tow. Our first morning would be a blue-bird day, with clear skies as far as the eye could see, not always the best conditions when hunting geese. The wind was coming out of the northeast, so our guides instructed us to start helping them set up the decoy spread to welcome the birds from that direction. As we finished putting out the last of the decoys, the first group of the morning could be heard squawking above us as they started their circling decent. We quickly disappeared into our A-frame blind, adjacent to a small water hole and loaded up with Browning BXD BB’s and #2’s. Hunter, our guide this

morning, made the call and we sprang from our seats with guns a blazing. A half-dozen snow geese crumpled from the sky and our day had officially begun. Unfortunately, the wind shifted suddenly, throwing off our whole setup, so as the birds continued to hover around us, we scurried in every direction to turn the spread around to accommodate the landing zone for our incoming prey. The sun was now in our faces, making filming tough, but it didn’t deter our shooters. By 9:30am, 145 birds were piled around our blind as our morning came to an end. The three of us, plus a group of five from Florida had done a pretty good job on our first day. It was then back to the lodge for brunch and an afternoon of catching up on a little sleep and horseshoes. Our second morning would find us setting up on a field only about 15-minutes from the lodge. It would be Eric, Dave and I this time pairing up with guide, Mikal Gowins. With a large marsh as our backdrop, we would be in layout blinds along its edge and the best we could do with the wind direction was to have the birds coming in from our left to right into our decoy spread. Again, it didn’t take long for the first birds to start coming in from the water to feed in our stubble field. With the sun perfect for filming, I got set up with my Panasonic and hunkered down into my coffin as the first group set their sights on our decoy spread. The electronic callers cackled all around us as I captured Eric and Dave springing from their blinds as they crumpled bird after bird. Mikal could be heard all morning yelling, “Take ‘em”, followed quickly by, “Good shooting guys”! As we approached our 60-bird limit for the day, I put down my camera and loaded up my Winchester SX4 and contributed to our limit as well. After the group posed for some great photos, we quickly loaded the decoys, blinds, birds and gear into the trailer and headed back to the lodge. Our final morning found us joined by a couple of friends of Sykes’ from the area as we set up along a small stand of trees as our backdrop. About a hundred decoys were positioned in front of us and we were set. Seemingly on que as we staked the last of the decoys, the first group started barrel-rolling from our right. With rain coming down pretty steadily on the morning, I would get to do a little more shooting on this day. Wave after wave of birds descended on us for the next 45-minutes. Yes, I say the next forty-five minutes because that is all the time it took us to fill our 100-bird limit for the day! To say the shooting was fast and furious would be an understatement. What a fitting ending to a great trip to “The Goose Capitol of Saskatchewan”!

The Pro Member Sweepstakes had provided another great opportunity for two avid hunters from a little south of the Canadian border to partake of an extraordinary outdoor experience. Believe me, Eric and Dave Heath had the time of their lives and will not soon forget their spring snow goose hunt with Duck Creek Outfitters in central Saskatchewan. We found our accommodations perfect, the home cooked meals scrumptious and the hunting superb. We will again be offering this great adventure for the spring of 2020 for a lucky winner and their guest, so if you aren’t a member yet, you had better get signed up if you want to have a chance of joining me on this great adventure. And if you are looking for a great waterfowl hunt in the meantime, give Sykes Mitchell and his staff a call today at 541-771-4975 and check them out on the web at www.duckcreekoutfitters.com. Sykes has operations in both Saskatchewan and Oregon, with both offering goose and duck hunts in the fall and spring snow goose hunts in Saskatchewan in April and May.

Amazing opportunity to own a Wyoming Outfitting business! This turnkey operation in one of the most remote locations in the lower 48 includes both fall and summer use in two Forest Service permitted camps. A rare opportunity, not to be missed. Call today for further details!

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The Sportsman’s News Platinum Approved Outfitter is an outfitter book. These are outfitters you would be proud to refer to a friend. that has excelled in every aspect of their business. They put We know this because we are proud to endorse each one of these people and customers before profit. They do what it takes to make sure that they will be outfitters based upon our staff members personally visiting each one of these in business for the long haul and ensure that they have repeat customers. They practice operations. These outfitters have proven to us that they have what it takes to be good game management, which will ensure a top quality trip with them every time you “Sportsman’s News Platinum Approved.” AFRICA HUNTING

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10 January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Stillwater Outfitters is Colorado's oldest and largest Waterfowl Outfitter. We have exclusive hunting leases on over 50 farms on the beautiful Front Range of Colorado. Our goal is to provide the trip of a lifetime without any drama. We also offer Turkey and Trophy Whitetail Deer hunting.

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January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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14 January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Defending Against the Most Dangerous Killer in the Outdoors

PRO'S TIP

Preventing And Treating Hypothermia By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

n average, between 800 and 1,500 people die each year in the United States from hypothermia, a condition of the core temperature of the body reaching a dangerously low level. The temperature drop necessary to become dangerous is not a vast change from our normal 98.6 degrees. As little as a few degrees can become dangerous and 10 degrees is most likely going to be fatal. This drop in core temperature can occur even in mild temperatures and it is common for people to die from hypothermia on a day in the mid-50s to low 60s. As a survival instructor, I spend a great deal of time on proper thermoregulation of body temperature in our classes. Following the rule of threes, we can spend days and weeks without water or food, respectively, but the cold can kill us in hours. The number-one killer in an outdoor emergency is exposure. This is a generalization of conditions such as instability of thermoregulation, frostbite, chilblains, and cascading effects of these conditions such as dehydration. Exposure is a very simplified label and doesn’t often address the underlying conditions. It makes an easy label on a coroner’s report but oversimplifies the real conditions that lead to death; conditions that can be prevented and treated in the field.

An Ounce Of Prevention…

As Benjamin Franklin noted, time and energy spent preventing a problem is far more efficient than treating the problem once it occurs. The simplest way to cure hypothermia, is prevent the condition from occurring. Hypothermia is a condition, not a disease, so minimizing the factors that contribute to it is the best way to prevent it. Essentially, hypothermia is a change in the body’s basal metabolic rate caused by the way the body adapts to changes in the surrounding temperature and how

the body adjusts to prevent death and attempts to regulate internal temperature. As warm-blooded creatures, humans generate heat through our metabolism, converting nutrients into heat. If our exposure to cold outpaces the calories we consume, then the body begins to adjust to try to conserve the heat we lose. Medical conditions, exertion, lack of food and water, and use of medications, drugs, or alcohol can increase susceptibility to increased exposure to cold and make people more likely to suffer from hypothermia. As the body is exposed to cold, its natural defense is to draw blood into the core of the body, sacrificing limbs and digits to protect vital organs. It also begins to shiver to generate heat through kinetic energy. As a response, the body sees this increase in blood pressure in the core as an increase in fluid and you begin to excrete fluids through sweating and urination. This can lead to dehydration. So how do we prevent hypothermia? First, limit exposure to cold. Layering clothing that better prevents heat loss by trapping air between layers is one way to prevent overcooling of the body. This works in the inverse by keeping out the colder air from outside. Gloves protect the fingers, and good wool socks protect the feet. A hat is a must to prevent heat loss from the head and a good scarf protects against cold exposure at the neck, where a lot of blood comes near the surface. This is great when our body is trying to protect us from hyperthermia (getting too hot) but is deadly when we are getting too cold.

January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

PRO'S TIP Second, stay dry. Our body uses evaporative cooling to keep us from getting overheated. Getting wet makes our body cool down at a rate as much as 25 times faster than when we are dry. If we get wet from rain or snow, falling into a body of water, or from sweating, we are at a much greater risk of hypothermia than if we stay dry. Again, a key element here is proper layering of clothing. Rain gear that breathes well to allow the escape of perspiration but keeps out moisture from rain or snow is essential when traveling into the backcountry. Good base layers that retain warmth, such as Merino wool, are excellent protectors of our core temperature. Wool also retains warmth when wet because of air pockets trapped within the fibers. Cotton kills. Cotton has finer fibers that lack the air pockets of wool or some synthetic fibers and also acts as a sponge to hold water. Hydrophobic fibers like wool and some synthetics, repel water and prevent the fibers from holding onto the water, where it will slowly evaporate and create a cooling effect. Also, by layering our clothing, we can remove items as we exert ourselves. Gathering firewood, building shelter, seeking calories, making water drinkable, all increase the likelihood that we will perspire. Working slowly and methodically will limit overexertion and perspiration as well. Third, find ready-made shelter or build shelter to limit wind exposure. Wind carries

cold, and also increases evaporative cooling. Creating a break between ourselves and the wind will limit that exposure. A ready-made windbreak like a fallen tree, a stone outcropping, a cave, or a big friendly rock (BFR) can dissipate the wind enough to provide some relief. Fourth, stay hydrated and fed. As the body pulls in blood to its core, it registers an increase in hydration and urges you to excrete what it sees as excess fluids. Additionally, it consumes nutrients to convert them into calories (a unit of heat measurement). By staying hydrated and also consuming calories, your body avoids dehydration and also has more fuel to provide more warmth. Fifth, limit conduction. One of the ways we lose heat is through conduction. This is touching something cold that directly transfers heat from our body into the cold object. Since cold isn’t a real thing, but an absence of heat, things we perceive as cold will transfer heat into the vacuum caused by a lack of heat energy. This conduction draws heat from our body into the ground or cold rock much faster than we would lose it normally. Creating a bed of leaves, tree limbs, blankets, or something else that has multiple air pockets between ourselves and the conductor, i.e., the ground, will limit the amount of body heat we lose. Sixth, fire photon torpedoes. Generate heat. Light is heat energy. The photons of light carry heat energy and a good fire or other radiant heat source will carry short wave radiation toward us and warm our bodies. We can also gather stored long-wave radiation from rocks that have been warmed all day in the direct rays of the sun. Either way, something that can generate additional heat, whether it be a Zippo pocket hand warmer, air activated hand warmers, a fire, a backpacking stove, electric socks, or even a campfire all provide additional heat energy. You can even reflect that heat energy by using a mylar emergency blanket either on the far side of your fire to reflect it back towards you or behind you to bounce the radiation that misses you back toward yourself. They also make a great ground insulator to minimize conduction, or as a wind break, or as an impromptu shelter to divert rain. Just don’t use them as a blanket. More on that later. So, a recap on prevention in bullet point form, because people like bullet points.

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PRO'S TIP …Or A Pound Of Cure

Treating a patient who has hypothermia is pretty straightforward, but will depend on how severe the condition is, your level of medical training, and the resources that are available to you. It will also depend a great deal on whether you are able to limit their exposure to cold air. The key element to remember in treating hypothermia is to go slow. Too rapid a change in their core temperature can induce shock or heart arrhythmia, which can kill the patient. Before trying any treatment, it is key to diagnose their condition as actual hypothermia and note the extent of the condition. The symptoms are: • Shivering • Confusion, memory loss, or slurred speech • Drop in core body temperature below 95 Fahrenheit • Exhaustion or drowsiness • Numb hands or feet • Shallow breathing • Loss of consciousness

• Limit exposure by layering clothing • Stay dry • Find or create shelter to minimize wind • Stay hydrated and fed • Get off the ground and limit conduction • Generate heat

Having purposely given myself hypothermia for an article (Sportsman’s News October 2010, To Build A Fire, www.sportsmansnews.com), I can attest that the amount of confusion and loss of motor skill is more pronounced than one would expect. It is also typical for a victim of hypothermia to begin to remove clothing. It is not unusual to find those who have died from hypothermia completely naked, as the mental confusion leads to a condition called paradoxical undressing. The best time to begin treating hypothermia is when the very first symptoms start to present. This incipient stage is marked by uncontrollable shivering, a slight tinging of blue around the lips and mouth, and sleepiness or lethargy. If possible, get the patient into a warmer surrounding or take the steps outlined above to prevent the condition from getting worse. If the patient starts to slip in and out of consciousness, it is time to get them to an emergency room immediately. This is the severe stage of hypothermia and if it progresses, it will be fatal. The emergency staff will need to remove blood from the

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January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

PRO'S TIP body and warm it before putting it back in a process like dialysis with a heater. They also need to stand by with a shock and cardiac care team in case the patient goes into arrhythmia. If medical help is not available, you need to slowly begin to warm the patient. Do not plunge them into warm or hot water. Surround them with warm, dry blankets. If they are conscious, give room temperature fluids to them to keep them hydrated and provide warmth internally. Never try to give fluids or food by mouth to an unconscious person. If they are unconscious and dehydrated, they will need an IV of saline and that should only be administered by someone qualified to do so. They will likely be dehydrated and hypoglycemic (low blood sugar), in addition to hypothermic. This is called the wilderness triad, and the three conditions often go together in those rescued from exposure, as the body’s basal metabolic system uses resources to fight cooling down. If they are conscious, something light, such as room temperature soup or electrolyte drink containing sugar may be helpful. Once the patient is stabilized, start to make plans to get them evacuated to a medical facility as soon as possible. This isn’t a matter of a little cold killing someone. It is a serious issue of the body going into shock or the

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The Mylar Emergency Blanket

“Nothing in the outdoor products world will kill you faster if it is used as it is marketed,” said Doug Ritter, founder of the Equipped to Survive Foundation (www.equipped.org) about the ubiquitous emergency blanket. These compact sheets of silver mylar are sold everywhere as an essential piece of kit to prevent hypothermia. The downside is that they should never be used as a survival blanket as they hold in moisture expelled through perspiration and respiration, causing you to become damp and lose heat much faster. That doesn’t mean that they are completely useless. They have several uses in an emergency, but never as a blanket to wrap yourself in. Here are some great uses for an emergency blanket: • Windbreak – hang with paracord or a stick frame to block blowing wind. • Reflector – Hang on the far side of your fire or behind you to reflect more infrared radiation. • Thermal Ground Break – Place over leaves or boughs to insulate you from heat loss and sit or lie on top. • Rain Fly – Hang perpendicular to the ground or form a tent to shield from failing rain. Some tips to keep in mind: • Mylar tears very easily. Tie cordage to the corners rather than poking a hole that will spread and shred your blanket. Wrapping a stone in the corner will help prevent cord from slipping off. • The reflector is easy to see from the air. Use your blanket as a rescue flag or streamer. • The waterproof nature of the material makes it a great aid for gathering and transporting water. It can be used to capture falling rainwater or snow or be used in a solar still. • In the case of a penetrating chest wound, the blanket can be used with duct tape to create an improvised chest seal. • The blanket can be cut into pieces and used to wrap boots to keep them dry in the snow. • While the emergency blanket is terrible as a blanket, it is still an inexpensive and versatile tool to carry in your kit. patient having a heart attack and it is very possible for what you think isn’t serious to result in death. The best cure for hypothermia is to prevent it from happening in the first place, or to take steps early on to prevent it from progressing. If that is not possible, take steps to stabilize the patient, going very slowly to help raise their body temperature. Evacuate them as soon as possible and get them to an emergency medical facility at the first opportunity so medical professionals can be standing by in case of a serious and lifethreatening secondary condition like shock or heart attack. Hypothermia kills a good number of experienced outdoors people every year, so treat it as a serious concern so you don’t become the next victim. A great resource on the subject that is easy to read and provides much more information than I can in an article is Cody Lundin’s book 98.6 Degrees - The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive.

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January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Ice Fishing Roundup Eskimo Quickfish 3 Ice Fishing Shelter

Eskimo originated the category of Pop-Up Portables. Easy 60-second set up and take down. Storage pockets keep your fishing gear handy. Reinforced corners for strength and durability. Reliable YKK quality zippers. Removable Velcro windows. Comes with easy-to-carry backpack - everything fits comfortably for easy transport. 34 square feet of fishable area. Strong, threaded ice anchors for deeper connections with the ice. Shelter has interior window covers to block out light.

Shakespeare Ugly Stik GX2 Low Profile Baitcast Rod and Reel Combo Equipped with a sturdy aluminum handle, the Ugly Stik GX2 Low Profile Baitcast Combo is a rod and reel that you can rely on when in those high stress fishing situations where reliability is most important. Featuring an adjustable magnetic cast control this GX2 baitcaster is by far the smoothest caster on the market. The reel comes pre-spooled with 12-pound Stren line and is ready to be taken on your next fishing trip right out of the store. Put your trust in the Ugly Tech Construction which combines both graphite and fiberglass to bring a super strong rod that still maintains the necessary sensitivity to detect even the slightest of bites and nibbles.

Frabill Pro Thermal Yellow Tip-Up w/ Lil Shiner Light The original insulated tip-up; prevents ice build-up and keeps the wind from blowing in snow and slush to cover up your hole. This round thermal tip-up also blocks out the sunlight so as to not scare off the shallow water fish species. The thick insulation round tip-up covers the entire hole and helps prevent freezing as much as 25 degrees Fahrenheit. Never have to worry about losing your tip-ups again with the highly visible chartreuse round tip-up. This round tip-up can cover up to a 10-inch hole. Also, will fit inside a 5-gallon bucket.

Shappell Jet Sled

Rugged polyethylene sleds with molded runners for strength and stability. Ideal for ice fishing, transporting deer, firewood, traps, decoys, feed, etc. Specially contoured hull allows for easy pulling by hand. Optional covers available to keep snow, slush, dirt and rain off your gear.

20 January 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

Ice Fishing Roundup Sealskinz Men’s Waterproof Ultra Grip Gloves

Featuring a stretchy but impermeable inner layer, these gloves are completely waterproof. The inside lining is Merino wool for extra warmth, and the outer surface is dotted with rubberized grip points to provide excellent grip and dexterity while keeping your hands warm and dry. Perfect for pulling in your catch.

KnotMaster Polarized Sunglasses

Striker Ice Guardian Jacket and Bib

Available in a variety of styles and magnifications, the KnotMaster polarized sunglasses provide protection for your eyes from sun glare off the ice while also giving you bifocal magnification for tying those fine knots. Available in +1.50 (Mild), +2.00 (Medium), and +2.50 (Strong) magnifications.

Smartwool Men’s Mountaineer Hiking Socks Extra-heavy full-cushioning keeps your feet warm and dry when you’re mountaineering, ice climbing, ice fishing, or for multiday backpacking. Arch brace holds the sock in place and adds additional support. Flat-knit toe seam keeps you comfortable. The Smartwool fabric is strong and breathable.

The Guardian Jacket features a 320D Tussor shell, 210T inner lining, Lycra inside cuffs with adjustable closure and front zipper storm flap. For ventilation, the Guardian Jacket has “through-to-skin” underarm zip vents. And of course, there are plenty of pockets to haul what you need. The matching Guardian Bibs have extra flotation material in the seat and knees for additional protection. The bibs also have full length leg zippers, 600D Endura knees and an adjustable inseam/cuff. Easy to use velcro closures on storm flaps. Both the jacket and bib have 50g of Thermadex insulation to provide additional warmth and separation barriers for more comfort.

South Bend Ice Safety Kit Package includes whistle, sure grip ice cleats, and ice escape grips to pull yourself from icy water.

January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

22 January 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

Ice Fishing Roundup 13 Fishing Descent Ice Reel

The 13 Fishing Descent Ice Reel will dominate the hard-water with the ultimate highperformance inline reel. Eliminate line twist and drop even the smallest jigs with precise control. The graphite soft touch frame with built-in fender helps you feel the bite and allows you to fish in the pencil/pistol grip without touching the spool. Change spools in an instant with the all new rapid release spool design.

Berkley FireLine Micro Ice Fused Line

Eskimo Mako 43cc 10in Power Ice Auger

The Mako 43cc ice auger delivers the perfect blend of strength and stability for any angler’s needs. It offers many of the features found on high-end augers, but in a more economical package. With Eskimo’s exclusive Quantum blades, the original cold-weather Viper engine, and features like a mitten-grip recoil rope, you’ll have a cost-effective, easy-to-use ice auger that you’ll come back to year after year.

FireLine Micro Ice Fused Crystal combines the ultimate in low-visibility line with all of the benefits of Berkley FireLine. Extremely thin diameter to work perfectly the tiniest micro baits. Supple enough to handle the most extreme cold weather possible. Incredibly strong line that is three times stronger than mono. Ultimate sensitivity to telegraph feel for structure and strikes.

Frabill Ice Dipper

Made out of a durable polypropylene and reinforced nylon, the construction of this ice scoop will long outlast the other scoops on the market that are not near as tough or durable. Frabill backs this product with a limited lifetime warranty just to show how reliable the product is. Use the 30-inch engraved ruler on the handle to measure those big trophy fish you catch out on the ice. The large scoop on this ice dipper removes more ice, more quickly to be much more effective than other scoops. Relieve the stress and pain in your back by not having to bend over while scooping the slush and ice out of your ice hole with the longer handle on this ice scoop.

January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Ice Fishing Roundup JawJacker Hook Setting Tip Up

This hook setting tip-up will revolutionize your ice fishing. It can be used with rods up to 36 in. depending on flexibility, and all ice rods up to 30 in. The trigger is easily adjusted from light to heavy so you can ensure that you are getting hooks set exactly to your preferences. It is made of tough ABS plastic and collapsible for easy transportation and storage.

Marcum LXI Handheld Sonar

The ultimate portable sonar, LX-i is the size of a flashlight, allowing for easy, one-handed depth and fish finding on ice. No fumbling with separate transducers— just press the face of the LX-i against wet ice, and digital depth immediately appears on the large LCD display. Powered by a 6-volt battery (included), LX-i comes nicely protected inside a padded carrying case.

Hi Mountain Seasonings Fish Brine Once you get your catch on dry land, it is time to brine and smoke it for a delicious treat. Kit includes 2-6.5 oz brine packets and instructions. Makes 2 gallons of brine. Each brine kit contains two packets of mix. Each packet will season 1 gallon of water, detailed instructions included. Kit includes brine packets and instructions. Available in two varieties; Alaskan salmon with maple syrup and trout with honey

Browning Dakota Camp Chair

The Dakota is a great chair when space is limited, and weight is a factor, but comfort is a must. While stools are nice, the Dakota is similar to a stool, but with a back on it for maximum comfort and still compacts and fits into a small carry bag so you can easily travel with it. It has an extra wide seat and angled back so whether you’re sitting around the ice hole, campfire, or in your ground blind, you’re able to be comfortable for hours. The sturdy design of the chair allows it to hold up to 300 pounds.

24 January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

TRIPLE DUTY 8.5-25X50 RIFLESCOPE

Tested and recommended by the National Tactical officers Association, this high-power riflescope features a large 50mm objective lens and a Mil-Dot reticle that offers bright, crisp images at long distances. Designed for superior range estimation and long-distance shooting, the 8.525x50 Riflescope utilizes cutting-edge glass with fully multi-coated optics for exceptional clarity.

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January 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

6 Steps to Break in to Chukar Hunting It’s the tension, three-toed tracks by the waterhole and a bird hidden in the bunchgrass. It’s the ache you feel in your muscles, a blur of wings and the thump of the gun. By Gary Lewis

eth O’Hare, 32-years-old, was on the first bird hunt of his life. In one hand he held a borrowed Remington 870 and in the other he held a bird aloft. He had just made a beautiful shot on a towering rooster pheasant. “Can you do this without a dog?” “You can, but it’s a lot harder.” On the other side of a strip of sagebrush, Chavis Heath watched Liesl, my pudelpointer pup as she worked ahead, her nose into the wind. While we walked - while the dog quartered back and forth and pointed and shook her head when we missed and trailed them when we didn’t - I thought about what it takes to become an upland bird hunter.

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A few years ago in these pages, I wrote about sheep hunting and the dedication and finances it takes to hunt bighorns. Outfitter and guide Bryan Martin told me, “Going sheep hunting is like going to the Ferrari dealership. If you want to own a brand new Ferrari, you’re going to have to earn a great deal of money.” Getting set to be a chukar hunter is like shopping for a horse in your grandpa’s barn. There might be a pony he’d let you ride for free, but you’ll have to buy a bag of oats to “get her going.” The funny thing about the comparison is that chukar hunting takes a person to some of the same places sheep hunters go. On this hunt I was with a group who do business with the Carson Company in western Oregon. They had driven from the wet side of Oregon, over to Seth O’Hare and Chavis Heath the dry side for a hunt with TREO admire a rooster pheasant destined Ranches. to be the main ingredient in a On the first day we shot sporting pheasant pot pie. clays. We each emptied half a dozen boxes, about 150 rounds apiece. The jitters were long gone after the pounding we took on ten stations. A couple of guys had not hunted pheasants since they were in their teens. A few more said they had never hunted birds in their lives. Several had to look at pictures on my iPad to get an idea what a chukar looked like.

A Transplant from the Himalayas

If you are not acquainted with the bird, this transplant from Eurasia makes its living on another transplant from the same region: cheatgrass. Where you find the best cheat, you’ll find the birds. Photo by Gary Lewis From the flats to the tops of the cliffs, you may find chukar anywhere, but certain types of cover hold more birds. Look for features that seem out of place: where the green shows against a dry brown hillside, where a bump in the ground provides a little shelter from the wind, or a rocky outcropping on an otherwise bare hill. On dry days, chukar go to water, feeding downslope in the morning. Look for their track in dried mud near a waterhole, for their feathers in hollowed-out dusting bowls and for droppings in the shadow of a rock wall. As a general rule, chukar run uphill and fly downhill. Hunters do well to hunt down from above, or find the level Early in the hunt, Chavis where the birds are feeding and follow Heath bagged these chukar. the chow line sidehill.

January 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

28 January 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

This hunt was the first real test of the new season for my dog, Liesl. My pudelpointer was 22-months-old. What she lacked in seasoning, she made up for with heart. We started away from ranch headquarters. Rod Logue, Mike McMurren, O’Hare, Chavis Heath and I headed into the canyon while the other group hiked the opposite direction. We walked a hundred yards and felt a slight breeze began to build. Liesl quartered back and forth then locked up, tail rigid, one foreleg off the ground. Her eyes burned a hole through tangled trunks of sage. Chukar can be found in many of the major river drainages in The first bird was a rooster eastern Oregon, eastern Washington, southern Idaho, Nevada, Utah and we missed it. The bird and Wyoming. The more rugged and inhospitable the terrain, the banked and turned and hit the better. ground running two hundred yards away. Next we flushed a pair of chukars and public land access to good populations of upland game. missed them both. Another good option is private grounds enrolled in Hunting with the young guys caused me to reflect access programs like Oregon’s Access and Habitat back to when I packed a shotgun and a couple of friends program, which has provided hunter access to over 7 along and we walked up our first chukars with the help million acres. of a sedentary black Lab. 6. Plan to visit a licensed bird hunting preserve. BudIt is still as simple as that. And this year’s bird numget $125 to $300 per day. Perhaps the guide is a bit of a bers - chukar, Hungarian partridge, quail, pheasant and shooting coach. Try to pick up a few tips on good shootforest grouse - across the West make this a good season ing form. Hunt with a friend and keep in mind - upland to get started. Chukar and Hungarian partridge offer bird hunting is about good manners and sport - there is late season opportunities after other hunts have closed. an etiquette to observe when hunting with partners. You might need a dog if you are headed into the chukar hills. A grouse hunter can get by without a pooch, Bird Hunting on a Budget but those of us who hunt chukar with pointers or flushHere’s a step-by-step, cost-conscious approach to bird ers can’t imagine it any other way. hunting on a budget. And there are still places to hunt To contact Gary Lewis, visit www.GaryLewisOutdoors. in January and beyond. com 1. Pick up a copy of the Bird Hunting Regulations for one of the western states. I recommend Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah or Washington. Go online to look at pictures of chukar to make sure you know what the quarry looks like. 2. Buy a license and an upland bird validation. Approximately $40.00 for residents. 3. Buy, beg or borrow a shotgun. A good place to start is with a Remington 870 pump-action. New they run $339.99, but a person can pick up a used one for a bit less. 4. Shoot clay pigeons. A box of clay pigeons costs $9.97. Shoot at least 50 rounds to get ready, buy a third box to take hunting. Budget $22.97 for three boxes of No. 7-1/2 shot. 5. Find a place to hunt. State wildlife areas offer

Swinging on clay targets before the hunt.

Gary Lewis with a couple of chukar taken on an afternoon hunt. Learning to anticipate where birds will hold is one of the keys to bagging more chukar. January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

The Most Versatile Rig of All

rofessional anglers have a way of complicating fishing. We create and name nuances so we can verbalize them, split hairs for the sake of defining minute details, and otherwise find ways to spew “pro talk” so that we can justify our jobs. And to be honest, most of that stuff will in fact make us better catchers if for no other reason than we participate more; we spend more time on the water than most folks. But it doesn’t have to be that way. What if I said you can catch basically any fish in fresh water - plus fish ponds, lakes, rivers and streams - with only one rig and a few variances thereof? Would you believe me? Given the number of people that send me some version of that very question every year, I bet you’d at least entertain the idea. There is such a rig and it ain’t fancy. In fact, I almost guarantee that you already have it on hand. Furthermore, you probably learned to fish with it. And

Chad LaChance

PYBUS POINT LODGE the funniest part is that we professionals rarely use it. What’s the miracle rig called, you ask? The ol’ hook, line and sinker. A bass derby pro might call it a split shot rig, Powerbaiters live by it, and northern walleye guys use it to drown leeches, eh. Regardless, it’s simply an appropriately sized hook (most often meaning a small one), a small pinch-on weight, light line, and a forgiving rod. Since I am, after all, a professional angler and feel the need to demonstrate my worth, I’m going to complicate it, define some nuances and split hairs. The versatility is derived from the infinite number of baits that can be skewered onto the hook. Since I live in the Mountain West where trout rule and Powerbait is sold at

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the rate of 5,000 jars a day - literally - it’s the most obvious choice. Want to split hairs? Fine, it could be Powerbait free form dough, eggs, or a wide variety of small shapes. Furthermore, you could choose Gulp!, also in a huge range of smallish shapes and sizes and sold in those prolific little jars. And at this point, I’m only referencing bait dunking for trout; just wait until I get into Powerbait, MaxScent and/or Gulp! soft plastics; but let’s not skip ahead.

32 January 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

If you’re more of a naturalist angler, you cold impale a night crawler or grasshopper or cricket procured from your lawn, or even a maggot or piece of corn. If you’re feeling spunky, get a few fathead minnows or similar smallish baitfish. Feeling very Euro these days? Try some “boilies” made of oats, honey, hot sauce, molasses and other stuff most folks use for breakfast rather than carp fishing. If you like catfish, you could choose mussels, shrimp, chicken livers, belly strips, or dang near anything else that will pique their acute sense of smell. Perhaps you prefer the more evolved species like bass or walleyes. Easy peazy. Walk to to the fishing department of your local Sportsman’s Warehouse and gaze upon that huge wall of soft plastics; they’ll work on a this rig, too. And I’m not kidding. The biggest thing to keep in mind through all these baits and soft lures is the hook you choose. And besides considering the bait itself, keep the fish - more specifically the fish’s mouth design and feeding habit - in mind as well. Size matters; choose hooks that don’t overwhelm your bait’s action or too big for the fish’s mouth such that bluegill baits need tiny hooks and leeches swim better with little hooks, while circle hooks might be great for catfish and a straight shank worm hook is a solid choice for bass. A tiny treble is a great choice for dough baits. In almost all cases, use only the amount of split shot weight needed to get your bait to the bottom to keep some control. A small bow in the line while the bait is on the bottom is usually the best indicator. If you need more weight, a couple of small split shots spaced apart slightly are a better choice than a single larger one. Consider several tiny shot in freestone streams; it will significantly reduce snagging as the bait drifts in the current. And don’t over crimp; just tight enough to keep the split shot in place during a cast is best. If you want better sensitivity or more control of the bait (as is typical with soft plastics), consider placing the shot close to the hook, in some cases, only an inch or two above it. In this way, you have almost jig-like feel and control. Want a carp, catfish, or trout to have time to ingest your bait? Then place the the shot a foot or more above the hook. Use line only heavy enough to handle the fish you hope to catch; 4-8 pound Trilene XL or 6 pound NanoFil are my choices. I do all my split shot work with a 6’9” medium light power, fast action St Croix Avid spinning rod. The rod is sensitive enough to work light weights and powerful enough to handle respectable size fish. I top it with an Abu Garcia EliteMax with the drag set very light. See, I fully complicated the most simple rig there is. At least I narrowed it down to one rod and reel.

January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

OUTDOOR WRITER'S CONTEST

Anticosti Island, an Unplanned Adventure

Sportsman’s News Outdoor Writing Contest Finalist See pg. 4 for entry details.

By Peter E. Popieniuck

’ve gone on a major hunting trip every autumn for nearly the last 20 years. The adventures are a means of recharging my batteries prior to the long, cold, New England winters. Sometimes I’ve gone for caribou, sometimes for Maine whitetail deer, and even once for Newfoundland moose. But nothing was planned for the fall of 2018. Or so I thought. The phone rang one mid-October morning and my friend, Carroll Ware of Fins and Furs Adventures in Skowhegan, Maine was on the other end of the line. He’d been invited by the largest outfitter on Anticosti Island, SEPAQ Anticosti, a Quebec government sponsored outfitter, for a week of deer hunting and business discussions prior to Fins and Furs becoming SEPAQ’s U.S. sales and booking representative. The good news for me was that Carroll could bring a guest. I didn’t need to be asked twice. After some fast schedule changes and appointment shuffling, I let Carroll know that I was on board for the trip. Anticosti Island is part of the Canadian province of Quebec and is located in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The island measures 130 miles long by an average of 30 miles wide and boasts the densest whitetail deer population in all of North America. Hunters are allowed to take two deer of either sex. SEPAQ’s hunting area covers about 60 percent of the island and the terrain varies from dense spruce forests to clear cuts and even coastal flats where the deer often feed on marsh grass and kelp. SEPAQ’s elegant lodges are mainly located on the north shore of the island with gorgeous views of the ocean. Both American (meals included) and European (prepare your own meals) plans are offered. Travel to the island is by air and flights originate from Montreal, Quebec City, or Mont Joli on the Gaspe Peninsula. Our stay was to be at the McDonald Lodge. I’d been to Anticosti Island once before in 2002 and had taken two deer on the last day of my hunt. That week had been a tough hunt and since the booking had been made late, I and my group had to stay in the hotel in town rather than in one of the remote lodges. This meant a lengthy vehicle ride every day to and from our hunting

34 January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

area. I’d learn that things had changed considerably since 2002. One thing had not changed, that being the ups and downs of the weather in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. After driving to Quebec City, and just like during my 2002 trip, we were forced to spend an extra day on the mainland due to lack of suitable flight conditions. The unpredictable nature of weather is an unavoidable aspect of traveling to more remote locations. Carroll and I consoled ourselves with more fine mainland food and drink. The next day promised better weather conditions and we made it to the island and were met by SEPAQ’s operations manager, Robin, as well as their head guide, Guy (pronounced “Gee”). We were also greeted by the local Chamber of Commerce, which consisted of about a dozen tame deer lolling around on the grounds of the restaurant. Their chairman was a handsome 12-point buck nicknamed Harvey. We hoped that Harvey was indicative of what awaited us at the lodge. After lunch, getting our licenses, traveling to SEPAQ’s McDonald Lodge, and checking that our rifles were still zeroed in, we set out for a few hours of hunting. It was actually more of an armed reconnaissance. We didn’t see any deer, but had our appetites whetted for the next day’s hunt. McDonald Lodge is simply spectacular. Located within a stones throw of the shore, the buildings were spotless and elegant inside and out. Everything inside was wood-paneled and richly appointed with comfortable sofas, chairs, and an operating fireplace. The bedrooms were double occupancy and quite spacious. The dining room was where the magic of their chef and lodge staff happened. Meals were some of, if not the best, I’ve ever had at a hunting lodge. We ate beef short ribs, filet mignon with shrimp, seafood linguini, and duck l’orange in a dining room that was the equivalent of that in any fine mainland restaurant. A second menu choice was always available for anyone preferring alternate fare. If you happened to be at the lodge at noon, you dined on a hot lunch. Otherwise, ample bag lunches were provided. Breakfasts consisted of anything you could think of and as much of it as you wanted. No one will lose weight on a hunting trip with SEPAQ Anticosti. Day two, our first full day of hunting, consisted of a combination of road hunt-

January 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

OUTDOOR WRITER'S CONTEST ing from the truck, stand hunting from strategically placed ground and elevated blinds, and still hunting along trails and roads cut into the forest. We covered a lot of ground, but only saw some grouse, members of the local fox population, and fleeting glimpses of several deer as they disappeared from view. The windy weather wasn’t helping us. However, it didn’t seem to hurt the luck of two of our other lodgemates. One took a 195-pound (field-dressed) 11-point buck and another took a 173-pound 9-pointer. While driving around in the truck on day two, I noticed an interesting aspect of SEPAQ Anticosti’s deer and terrain management practices. Large areas of land are fenced off with high wire fences. This limits deer access to these areas and ensures that the deer do not completely eat themselves out of house and home. The difference between the fenced and unfenced areas was rather dramatic. On day three, our luck was more favorable. While I sat in a blind, Carroll took a doe, thereby ensuring meat for his freezer. Later in the day, I made a nice shot on a mature doe and guaranteed that I wouldn’t be going home empty handed either. After that, Carroll tagged out on a plump spike horn. Things were certainly looking up for us. The other hunters at the lodge managed to take a couple more animals as well. Day four, the final day, was make or break for me tagging out. As luck would have it, shortly after 8:30 a.m. a nice spike horn presented itself and dropped instantly at my shot. Game over. We loaded my buck into the truck and headed back to the lodge. The rest of the day was spent packing up, playing cribbage, enjoying a couple glasses of fine scotch, and combing the beach for treasures. Fossilized mollusks and a giant lobster claw were my particular discoveries. That evening, our last on the island, saw the other hunters at the lodge each fill their tags for a total of 12 deer for six hunters. Everyone was in high spirits. Carroll and I didn’t bring home wall hangers, but we did fill our tags and our freez-

4 Only ill s st t o p S le b a l i Ava 019 2 r o f

ers. The other hunters at the lodge did the same with the added bonus of a couple respectable SEPAQ Anticosti trophies. I heartily recommend Anticosti Island for fine whitetail deer hunting, elegant lodging and dining, and all at a very reasonable cost. My adventure at SEPAQ Anticosti this year was unplanned. My next one won’t be and I won’t be waiting another 16 years for it to happen either.

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36 January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Presents Wild Game Recipes of Steve Mayer "The Wine Guy"

Elk Green Chile Stew

recently helped a good friend of mine butcher a bull elk he harvested in Nevada. The old guy was a bit on the tough side so I thought of stew. Then I remembered the fresh Hatch chilies we were given and boom, there it was. Voila, a spicy, warming concoction for a cold winter day. As with most game recipes this can be used with any type of wild game protein. Look for Hatch chilies in a can if you can’t obtain fresh ones. Warm your family up with a taste of the Southwest.

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup flour • 1 teaspoon kosher salt • 1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper • 1 teaspoon garlic powder • 1 ½ pound elk meat chopped into ½” pieces • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil • 1 yellow onion chopped into ½” pieces • 5 cloves of garlic, minced

• 1 pound of Hatch green chile, roasted, peeled, and chopped • 1 28-ounce can of Green Chile enchilada sauce • 3 cups chicken stock • 2 tablespoons adobo seasoning • 1tablespoon kitchen bouquet seasoning • 4 cups diced potatoes

40 January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Preparation Method

Place the flour, salt, pepper, and garlic powder into a gallon size plastic bag. Blend the seasonings well and add the meat. Shake well until the meat is evenly coated and let sit in the bag. Warm the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté the onion until translucent, and toss in the garlic. Sauté another minute or so, and add the meat and flour mixture from the bag. Cook until browned stirring frequently. Now add in the chopped chilies, sauce, stock, and seasonings and stir well. Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce to low heat, cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Introduce the potatoes to the pot, raise the heat, and bring to a boil again. Reduce the heat to low and simmer until the potatoes are tender, about 15-20 minutes. This hearty stew can be further embellished with condiment trays of grated cheese, chopped cilantro, and chopped green onions. Serve with warm flour tortillas or cornbread for a warming meal on a cold winter day. Serve this stew alongside a chilled bottle of crisp Sauvignon Blanc, or a Northwestern IPA for optimum enjoyment. Cheers!

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January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Adventures On A Budget

Superior Fishing On The Ice

By Barb Carey

emories of our fishing adventures hold a special place within our soul. Sometimes, if we are lucky, we find a fishing destination so special, even the thought of it triggers a palpable adrenaline rush. For me that fishery is Lake Superior.

As the largest lake in North America, Lake Superior can be overwhelming to some. With its depths and currents, when considering ice fishing, the task may seem even more daunting. But trust me, it is worth the effort. Over the years I have fished it numerous times and on one occasion I caught 12 species of fish in one trip: salmon, trout, pike, perch, walleye, sturgeon, burbot, smelt and more. One of the best things about fishing there is the surprise that awaits on the other end of the line. Safety is paramount on the big ‘Gitchi-Gami’ and although many areas are safe, some are extremely dangerous. Homework is required, but well worth the effort. The safest bet is a base camp out of Ashland, WI. The town rests on the south shoreline of Chequamegon Bay. This area locks up with ice quite well and is not as subject to ice shifting in windy conditions. A family owned motel that looks out over Lake Superior with great reviews is The Crest Motel, offering nightly rates in the $50 range. Being able to park right in front of the rooms makes it easy to bring gear inside to thaw out and re-charge. There is plenty of trailer parking as well. Find The Crest Motel on Facebook. The best local bait shop in the area is Anglers All with all the info and the hottest baits. The owner, Carolyn, has been a part of the angling community for many years and is a wealth of knowledge; she’s been known to offer up a location or two to a friendly customer. The two best access point are Kreher Park and 2nd Landing. Kreher Park is located at 200 Prentice Ave N, Ashland, WI. There is an old ore dock that stretches out from the shore line where you can access the well-traveled trail to the lake. Good fishing is walkable and locals will be using trucks, ATVs and snowmobiles. This area was once active with ore boats and a dredged-out

42 January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

channel created excellent fishing structure. The channel and good locations are clearly marked on Fishing Hot Spots Maps. Located a few miles east of town, the 2nd landing access is home to the ‘Rod and Gun Club’ and they have an annual ice fishing event the first weekend in March. The access address is 55971 Reykdal Rd, Ashland, WI. Local anglers target perch from this access and the quality of the fish has increased steadily over the last few years. Fishing Chequamegon Bay is different from inland lakes. Often there is a seiche, which is current that flows in the water. At times, baits will remain right under the hole and soon it may move off to one side or another. Then it returns to center and proceeds in the opposite direction. Fish become more active when the current changes and if you find yourself with no fish after a couple of current changes, it may be time to move. If baits move out of the cone angle, just drill a second hole for your flasher’s transducer. I prefer a rod that I am able to detect the faint bite of a smelt and handle the energy of a lake trout. My favorite is a Jason Mitchell Meat Stick by Clam Outdoors. The soft tip detects even the smallest tics and yet the rod can handle huge fish, including musky. I have several rods prepped and ready to go. One favorite bait is a spoon with a dropper chain that holds a small single hook. The Clam Speed Spoon or the Hali Sukkula Jigs with the #10 chain hook are my favorite - tipped with a wax worm or a couple of spikes. The bait will catch smelt and also withstand the aggressive fight of a salmon. Other spoons such as the Swedish Pimple, Kastmaster and the Leech Flutter spoon are all good choices. Gold is a popular color on the clear water of Chequamegon Bay and I have also had luck with blue, silver and white. The

Adventures On A Budget An excellent and knowledgeable guide in the area is Tommy Hicks from Beyond the Catch Guide Service. Bobbing for lake trout in deep water is one of his specialties. Ice and snow conditions vary from year to year. I have been trapped in the motel after huge snow storms dumped so much snow that access to the lake was impossible. But don’t fear, Ashland is a quaint small town with good restaurants and friendly people. It is one of my favorite places and I highly recommend a visit. This year, the Women Ice Angler Project will be filming their media project in this area. Being able to document the beautiful scenery and excellent fishing opportunities will be top priority. Look for images in future catalogs or magazines. Women who are interested in fishing this area in a group event with the “Women On Ice Team” can find additional info at: wiwomenfish.com/ women-ice-angler-project. Barb Carey is the President and Founder of WI Women Fish and the Women Ice Angler Project. She is a radio host for the Woman Angler and Adventurer and a member of the Great Lakes Outdoor Writers Association. adrenaline starts pumping with excitement to watch the fish as it comes up from below. Generally, fishing depths are 30-feet of water or less in this area of the Bay. I like to jig with one rod and have a second rod rigged up as a dead stick with an ice bobber, a size 18 treble hook and an emerald shiner minnow. Often times, the spoon will draw the fish in and they bite the minnow. Be sure to watch your flasher as many fish travel high in the water column and baits need to adjust upward. Coho salmon will arrive in a feedingfrenzied group, so getting your bait back in the hole quickly after hooking a fish will yield a much higher catch rate. In Wisconsin, you can fish with three lines, so for the third line use an Automatic Fisherman. Rigged with a small treble hook and an emerald shiner, these hook setting devices will hook more fish than a traditional tip-up. The trout, salmon and whitefish are quick-biting fish that often spit the hook if there is any delay. Accessing the lake from the North side of the bay out of Washburn or Bayfield will find steeper breaks that go into much deeper water. These areas are subject to ice variations and novices should not venture out without professional assistance. Experienced anglers, often with a professional guide, will venture out into the islands where massive lake trout are targeted in deep water. This area has taken several lives and is not recommended without the assistance of an experienced guide. January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Still Working For The Wild Turkey After 45 Years By Susan Delk

hen the NWTF was founded in 1973, the mission was clear: With only 1.3 million turkeys nationwide, science-based conservation was sorely needed. With the help of the NWTF, turkey populations soared to a high of nearly 7 million in the 21st century, and the original mission was effectively complete. Today, the mission is no less urgent for the NWTF or wild turkeys. We’re losing 6,000 acres of habitat every day and with licensed hunter numbers dwindling, the NWTF launched the Save the Habitat. Save the Hunt. initiative in 2012. What our volunteers — alongside our partners — are accomplishing is not only imperative for the wild turkey and countless other species but also for the continuation of our hunting heritage. One of the largest impacts to the survival of wild turkeys is habitat, and the NWTF took a strategic approach to the delivery of conservation work with the introduction of America’s Big Six of Wildlife Conservation. NWTF conservation experts identified six regions across the country with similar ecosystems and conservation issues. Those areas of concern, which became America’s Big Six, were established to help identify the most urgent needs and better monitor conservation objectives. Objectives for those areas include creating and enhancing general wild turkey habitat, nesting habitat as well as habitat sufficient to raise healthy broods. Actively managed forests result in improved forest health, increased water quality and reduction in risk of catastrophic wildfires. They also create the diverse habitat wild turkey need. To accomplish these types of habitat improvements, the NWTF works through staff, volunteers and partners to put boots on the ground. While this work certainly benefits the wild turkey, it also benefits many wildlife species, as well as the water quality many communities depend on. The NWTF works to: • Remove nonnative, invasive plants and trees • Seed native wildflower mixes, forbs, grasses and plant native trees and shrubs to increase mast available to wildlife • Enhance natural wildlife openings by removing woody vegetation • Improve wildlife corridors • Improve riparian areas that, in turn, enhance water quality • Provide technical assistance and information to landowners who are interested in planting specific native trees or need to conduct prescribed burns Much of this work also helps prevent soil erosion and control sediment runoff. In addition to the on-the-ground work being done across America’s Big Six regions, additional outreach is also ongoing, including providing educational opportunities, policy work and continuing research. Through the NWTF education boxes, information about wild turkeys and the habitats they need to survive is distributed to teachers through local chapters. From watching legislation on the state level to helping mold new regulations in Washington, D.C., the NWTF and its partners are working to ensure wild turkeys and our hunting heritage are protected for generations to come. And finally, back to where it all started: research. Wild turkey research is ongoing, helping to identify trends and best practices moving forward to ensure not only the wild turkey’s continued survival but to find solutions that allow them to thrive. What does good habitat look like? General wild turkey habitat is comprised of trees that provide food, daytime resting, escape cover and, most importantly, nighttime roost sites. It also includes grasses that provide food for adults and are especially important to poults as they learn to forage for insects. Moisture from vegetation is also key to wild turkey survival and reproduction. Additionally, wild turkeys need quality nesting habitat. Nesting habitat includes areas with a well-developed understory full of vegetation, as well as areas with a canopy layer to camouflage wild turkeys and nests from avian predators. After poults have been born, the real test of the habitat begins. Brood-rearing habitat requirements include an insect-rich environment for efficient foraging. This habitat should also provide enough cover for poults to hide, but allow hens an unobstructed view for protection from predators.

44 January 2019 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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or online at Sportsmans.com 46 January 2019 | SPORTSMANâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S NEWS

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Sportsman's News January 2019 Digital Edition

Articles inside

Fishful Thinker: The Most Versatile Rig of All

Defending Against the most Dangerous Killer in the Outdoors

Goodnews River Lodge