FREE April 2018 | Volume 14 | Issue 4
Alaska’s Bearclaw Lodge Enter To Win A New Zealand Red Stag Hunt
With Every DVD Purchase See Pg. 43 for details
The Best Turkey Gear Page 24
Gary Lewis
Kodiak Blacktails DeltaPoint Pro: SEE WHAT RELENTLESS SPEED LOOKS LIKE THIS TURKEY SEASON PAGE 8
In Alaska, everyone wants in on the fishing action and the competition can get intense.
Chad LaChance
Being a Jerk Pays Off
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 Andrew Saullo andrew@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 2017 © All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written consent of the Managing Editor.
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April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
WORDS FROM THE PUBLISHER By Michael Deming
WHAT’S INSIDE
4 Alaska's Bearclaw Lodge Bristol Bay Fishing.
Leupold DeltaPoint Pro 8 Relentless Speed
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10Choose a Sportsman's News Endorsed Guide for your next trip. Platinum Approved Outfitters
15 Pro's Tip: Getting In Elk Shape Discipline is Inconvenient.
T
he bass are starting to spawn, elk and deer have dropped their antlers, the rainbows are spawning, turkey season is in full swing, and bear season is just around the corner. It’s time to shed that case of cabin fever and hit the outdoors. Regardless of your passion, there is something going on right now and getting off the couch will extend your life. Staying in shape and enjoying the outdoors is the key to a long and happy life. Longtime Sportsman’s News fitness writer, Dan Staton, delivers some insight in this issue about fitness for life and making sure you stay in shape. It is all about a way of life and what it takes to make sure you can give your all, each and every day, during the hunting season. Make sure you read this article. It is written by someone who practices what he preaches. This time of year, I field several phone calls a day from people asking about where to apply for a hunt. Some people spend a half a lifetime building bonus points in all the western states in hopes of having an easy hunt and killing a trophy of a lifetime. I tell each and every person the same thing. You are better off to find a unit that you can hunt each and every year or possibly every other year so that you can learn the traits of the animals. If you build points for twenty plus years and the year you draw a tag is the very first year you will spend in the unit, you are severely handicapped. Having the knowledge of water sources, roads, feed sources, migration patterns, other season openings causing excessive pressure, and a vast list of other things are only acquired by spending time in the unit. It isn’t like these units don’t get hunted each and every year either. Other hunters have had this tag every year since you started applying. So, if you are set on doing one of these types of hunts in the future, I highly recommend you visiting the unit during the hunting season as many years as possible. It is amazing how much information other hunters will share with you when they know you don’t have a tag. I make it a point to visit with as many people as possible when I make these unit visits each and every year during the seasons. You might find out that the unit you have been building points for isn’t worth a fraction of the points required to draw them. It usually has more to do with the amount of public property available to hunt than being managed for trophy quality. Best of luck to all who apply for those coveted points and tags each and every year. Draw odds for most of these coveted tags aren’t anywhere near as good as the odds of winning a trip with the Sportsman’s News Pro Membership Sweepstakes. The last drawing we held had just over 700 members and we give five tickets to each and every member with their membership. A quick glance at the center page spread of this issue will show you all the great grand prizes we will be giving away over the next twelve months. When you sign up, you are a member for a full year which means 36 grand prize drawings. We give something away every 10 days and if you aren’t lucky enough in the state draw systems, it gives you something to look forward to each and every week. In addition to these grand prizes, we always give away four or five bonus prizes which consist of binoculars, rangefinders, knife sets, range bags, packs, and even a bunch of guns throughout the year. The majority of the winners of these great trips get the opportunity to be on an episode of SNTV. As I write this article, I’m in the warmth of Mexico with a bunch of Pro Members. We are enjoying the warm weather, camaraderie, and some world class sheep hunting. We are having great success and have more happy members. All members will get the privilege of seeing this great hunt on a future episode of SNTV which is mailed to your house as part of your membership. It will also be a future article in Sportsman’s News, which is also mailed to your house. A visit to the website will show you all the great benefit of being a member. www.promembershipsweepstakes.com
Outdoors: Kodiak Island 16 Pacwest Blacktails
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In the Constellation of the hunter..
20 Fishful Thinker: Jerkbait Primer Sometimes, it pays to be a jerk.
Pro Member Sweepstakes 22Over $300,000 In Giveaways. Drawing Every 10 Days. 24 It's Turkey Time
The latest must-have gear for the turkey hunt.
32 Turkey Tales
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The pioneers of turkey hunting reflect on how it has changed.
ro Member Update: Alaska Boardwalk 36 PLodge Slaying them in the fresh and the salt.
Video Product Reviews 38A detailed look at some of the newest products.
43 Business Directory 44 Wild Game Recipe: Razor Clam Cakes With chipoltle mayo.
46 Adventures on a Budget: Mount Ranier National Park
Whether as a side trip or a destination, this breathtaking Washington state park is worth a visit.
48 Writing Contest: Turkey Trot When Turkeys Become Fast Food.
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CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Dan Staton Gary Lewis Chad LaChance Steve Mayer Michelle Scheuermann John N. Felsher
April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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Alaska’s S Bearclaw Lodge
By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor outhwest Alaska is vital to the salmon business of Alaska. All five species of salmon return to the waters of the Bristol Bay region yearly, totaling some 40 million annually. Nearly 50 percent of all sockeye salmon harvested in Alaska are from the Bristol Bay drainage. That is why you are hearing so much about the proposed Pebble Mine, which if approved, could have devastating effects on the system and its fish, animals and all of us. Salmon, rainbow trout, Dolly Varden, Arctic char and grayling flourish, with even some lake trout and northern pike thrown in for good measure in some areas. One such area that seems to have it all is the Wood-Tikchik system. At nearly 1.6 million acres, Wood-Tikchik State Park is the largest and most remote state park in the nation. This one park encompasses nearly half of the State Park land in Alaska and 15 percent of all State Park land in the United States. Wood-Tikchik State Park is named for its two systems of large, inter-connected clear water lakes located in southwest Alaska, just north of Dillingham. The southern lakes, the Wood River system, drain into Bristol Bay via the Wood River. The northern lakes, the Tikchik system, drain into Tikchik Lake then to Nuyakuk River, to the Nushagak River and on to Bristol Bay. The lakes occupy deep glacial valleys, carved 15,000 to 25,000 years ago. The glaciers retreated, leaving behind valleys filled with water that are now the celebrated lakes of the park. Each lake spans a variety of terrain. Spired peaks, high alpine valleys and deep v-shaped arms give the lakes’ western reaches a spectacular fjord-like appearance. The eastern edges of the lakes look out upon islands, gravel beaches and the expansive tundra of the Nushagak lowlands. One of my favorite places to visit in this part of the world is Rob and Lisa Fuentes’ Alaska’s Bearclaw Lodge. The lodge sits on Lake Aleknagik or “First Lake” as it is known by locals, on the southern end of the park. All of the comforts of home await you on your arrival and all that is required of you is the ability to take in all of the beauty that surrounds you and be able to haul in as many fish as you can handle!
Sportsman’s News Pro-Staffer, Rick Rosenberg and our guide Will are all smiles after landing another feisty sockeye on the fly on a great stretch of the Agulawak with Alaska’s Bearclaw Lodge.
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Their packages include six nights lodging/five days of fishing. Once you arrive in Dillingham, you will be picked up at the airport and taken by van for a short 20-minute drive to the boat launch on Lake Aleknagik. You and your gear will then be loaded onto their comfortably, covered, 23’ Woodridge Super Sport Drifter Boat and transported to the lodge, a short 15-minute boat ride across the lake. The lodge itself sits on the banks of a small island on the west side of the lake and offers a picture-perfect view in every direction! And, with only 10 guests taken at the lodge at any time, you will always feel plenty of attention is being given to you at every turn. Every two guests will be paired up with their guide for the week and if you need waders and wading shoes, a full line of Simms gear is at your service in the drying room before you head out on your first adventure. Your day starts at about 7am, as your guides first take down a little nourishment at the breakfast table and then head down to the docks to get their boats and gear ready for the days’ events. Then it’s your turn to test the chef’s creations and then grab your gear and head down to meet up with your guide. Will it be sockeye salmon first today? How about a little dry fly action for rainbows or Arctic grayling? Or maybe you have chosen a fly-out to the Nushagak River for king salmon. Yes, your choices are almost endless and believe me, you really can’t make a bad one looking back on my past visits to the lodge. In fact, most days are filled with a variety of catches, depending on the time of year you are visiting. Everything starts to get underway around the second week in June as the kings start to enter the Nushagak and the sockeye start flooding into the Wood and others. Our visit in 2017 started with a stop first at their operation on the Nushagak River at their Alaska Kingfisher’s Camp and what a start to our trip it was. We hit the water on our first morning by 8:30am and by noon, our boat had landed over 20 kings. We used both bobber-doggin’ and back-trolling techniques throughout the day, with all of us hooking into and landing double-digit numbers of fish a piece. Four beautiful king salmon filled our fish box at the end of the day, as well as a couple of sockeye and chrome chums as bonus fish. We decided to stay at camp for the night
Once you arrive in Dillingham, you will be picked up at the airport and taken by van for a short 20-minute drive to the boat launch on Lake Aleknagik. You and your gear will then be loaded onto their comfortably, covered, 23’ Woodridge Super Sport Drifter Boat and transported to the lodge, a short 15-minute boat ride across the lake.
A day trip or over-nighter to their Kingfishers Camp can produce some great action for king salmon in June and July April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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and fish again the next morning as well, with the results, just as good or better than our first day. After a great morning on the river, we met our floatplane back at camp and flew back over to Bearclaw Lodge for a little afternoon sockeye fishing, ending with some unbelievable grayling on dry flies to finish off our perfect day. Our next morning found us heading back up the lake and then up the river in search of Arctic char. It didn’t take long to spot a group of gulls circling and diving into the water on a secluded point on the lake, so we headed over to join in on the fun. Our guide, Will, set fellow Sportsman’s News Pro-Staffer, Rick Rosenberg and I up with spin cast outfits, complete with jigs to cast and retrieve in the direction of the bait balls. As balls of bait made their way throughout the area, the birds and char chased then with a vengeance and we found ourselves doing the same. As soon as one of us hooked into a fish, 10, 20 or 30 more would appear out of nowhere, thinking that the fish we had on was chasing the bait ball. As soon as you saw this happening, if you didn’t have the fish on, you would throw your jig in the area and it was game on for you as well. Soon we were doing the same with fly rods and minnow patterns. To say we were having the time of our lives would be an understatement! About noon, we headed back to the Agulowak River and switched over to dry flies for a little more grayling and rainbow action. When you hear this area may be the best dry fly fishing experience in all of Alaska, you are hearing the truth! I have never experienced anything like it. There is nothing quite like a 20-inch grayling arching out of the water in a perfect half-moon and literally landing on your dry fly as you lift your fly rod for a perfect hook set. Ah, the memories! Then it was back to one of Will’s favorite stretches for some non-stop sockeye action on both spin cast setups and fly rods. And as a bonus, the run was so strong, we were able to retain 10 fish each, filling our box with 20 silver balls of muscle that produced the most beautiful red fillets that you have ever seen. Now, if you are a fisher man or woman and aren’t exited enough from reading this article to get on the phone to book your trip right now if there is any room left, I just don’t know what else I can do to get you any more in the mood! Alaska’s Bearclaw Lodge offers, bar-none, one of the best experiences Alaska has to offer. We are proud to have them as one of our prestigious Platinum Approved Endorsed Outfitters. They fill up fast, as their return clientele rates seem to tell you they like what they see! The setting is spectacular, the accommodations superb, the food scrumptious and the staff, first class. Alaska’s Bearclaw Lodge, 907-843-1605 and visit them on the web at www.bearclawlodge.com.
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April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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Relentless Speed: The Leupold DeltaPoint Pro
Y
ou’ve been waiting months for this. Fall and winter’s big game seasons have long since closed – some tags punched, others cast aside in disappointment. But none of that matters on a cool morning in early spring when thunderous morning gobbles are sending excited shivers down your spine. Now is the time for turkeys. You’ve perfected your calling technique, you’ve scouted these birds, you’ve roosted them – now it’s time to finish the job and add another beard and set of spurs to your collection. Your trusted shotgun is at your side, your favorite turkey medicine loaded in the chamber. When the big ol’ Tom you’ve been sweet talking all morning finally steps within range of your scattergun, you’re already tasting drumsticks. As you bring the business end of your barrel to bear on the bird you’ve worked so hard to find and fool, you want to be sure your aim is true. You’re toting a shotgun for a reason, sure, but aim a little high or too-far off-center and that gobbler wouldn’t be the first to skirt death and go running off into the woods. If you want to see what relentless speed looks like this season, top your turkey gun with the ever-versatile Leupold DeltaPoint Pro.
Meet the DP Pro
The DeltaPoint Pro is a rugged reflex sight that’s built to withstand the hardest recoil, while still delivering a crisp, immediate aiming point on pistols, rifles and, yes, shotguns. It’s the latest iteration in Leupold’s venerable DeltaPoint line and features a lightweight aluminum housing, shrouded in spring-steel armor. A light, but still rugged frame houses a crisp, clear aspheric lens, generating a wide field of view and outstanding image quality. The DeltaPoint Pro is an optic that’s designed to be faster than your reactions – and deliver maximum performance in situations where lacking quick target acquisition means more than just a below-average day on the pistol range. Part of its soul is meant to speak to tactical operators and self-defense practitioners, for sure, but many of the attributes that make the DP Pro a solid tactical optic also make it perfect for hunting turkeys, which is often a runand-gun affair.
Feature-Packed Design
When it comes to features, the DeltaPoint Pro delivers in spades. It maintains Leupold’s Motion Sensor Technology (MST), which puts the sight into a battery-saving standby mode after five minutes of inactivity. When the MST detects motion, it instantly activates the sight, so it’s ready when you are. A manual mode allows the sight to be shut off when not in use. Meanwhile, an auto-brightness sensor continuously samples the ambient light and adjusts the DeltaPoint Pro to provide optimal reticle intensity. Again, a manual adjustment can override the autobrightness sensor if you’re in need of a specific setting. A tool-free, spring actuated battery compartment makes changing the standard CR2032 battery an absolute breeze. Your battery will also sport a healthy lifetime, especially with the
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April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
added bonus of the MST. The battery can be replaced from a top access port, eliminating the need to remove the sight from your gun. The 1 MOA elevation and windage adjustments mean there’s no need for adjustment lock screws. Your reticle won’t wander, either, be it under heavy recoil, extended fire or both. 120-MOA of adjustment room allows for precision changes so you can dial-in your target. Two reticle options are available: A 2.5-MOA red dot or a 7.5-MOA inscribed red delta. When it comes to turkey guns, the DP Pro can be installed using a cross-slot mount on a Picatinny, Weaver or other rail base. Whatever task you’ve got in mind, the DeltaPoint Pro should be able to complete it – it’s built for versatility and performance.
Unparalleled Endurance
As with all Leupold products, the DeltaPoint Pro is built to last. The unit is housed in a durable, yet lightweight aircraft-grade aluminum, so it’s tough. It’s capable of handling recoil without a loss or shift of zero – from .22LR to .458 SOCOM – so even the meanest 12-gauge turkey shells won’t rattle it. DiamondCoat lens coatings on the exterior lens surfaces provide extreme abrasion resistance, ensuring that your sight picture remains flawless and clear, no matter how much of a beating your DeltaPoint Pro takes in the backcountry. The spring-actuated battery compartment is also impervious to water at a depth of 33 feet – meaning you aren’t going to have to worry about water fouling up your sight, unless you’ve just gone and tossed your shotgun to the bottom of a nearby lake. Of course, in the event of a battery failure, the optional rear iron sight, which is designed to co-witness with the reflex sight, can save the day. It’s hard to argue with that kind of versatility. Leupold backs the DeltaPoint Pro with its Full Lifetime Warranty and the electronics are covered by the company’s Electronics Warranty.
Ready for Anything
The DeltaPoint Pro’s versatility helps maximize its value – the same DP Pro you mount on your turkey gun can also find a home on a pistol you’ve purchased for home-defense or a competition rifle. It’s an optic designed to provide a bevy of solutions. This spring, though, it’s the reflex sight that should be focused on the head of the gobbler that’s on the fast track to your dinner table. Don’t miss.
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April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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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 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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www.ranchlandoutfitters.com 877-924-8440 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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12 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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14 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
PRO'S TIP
Discipline is Inconvenient By Dan Staton
W
ork, family and hunting is one complicated balancing act. If left to our own devices, there would be no off-season. We love the fall and all the big game hunts. Then there’s waterfowl and predator hunting in the winter. Next, there’s application season that coincides with shed hunting and spring bears/turkeys. We have scouting season that stretches all summer and of course, that addiction to trail cameras. Throw some shooting practice in there and I’d say there’s always something to do when it comes to hunting. Working out probably doesn’t come up first on most of your lists. We let weakness whisper in our ear that we don’t have time to train and it gets put on the back burner. So, this is a friendly reminder as to why fitness and hunting go hand in hand. Discipline is not seductive. It is difficult. It is inconvenient. It is also necessary when it comes to accomplishing your fitness goals. Get used to choosing the high road and make yourself the best version of yourself. Get in shape and you will have more going for you when it comes to hunting. Packing weight around on your back is par for the course when it comes to hunting. Daypack or backpack, there’s weight on your back that you will lug around the mountains where the animals call home. You do not call the mountains home. Yes, your couch and fridge are a few feet away from running water and a warm bed. You are not an animal, you’re not hunted and a life of convenience is at your fingertips. If you could drop 10-lbs off your waistline, I bet you would hunt better. You wouldn’t have to rest as much on those steep ascents. I guarantee you would recover faster and enjoy your hunt even more. Fitness never gets in the way of your hunting, it only makes it better. Cutting the end off of your toothbrush to save an ounce on a backpack hunt makes zero sense to me if you are dragging around unwanted weight around your waist. Rather than try to lighten up your back, lighten up your waistline. Fitness does even more than make you more efficient in the mountains. Fitness can extend your hunting years well past retirement. Longevity should be everyone’s trajectory. I want to hunt as long as possible, especially if I ever get a chance to retire. Don’t you want
to take your grandkids hunting, spending more time in the woods and passing along our hunting heritage to generations that desperately need to spend less time on their phones and more time outside? No doctor will ever tell you that there’s a correlation between health and being overweight. It’s just the opposite. I can also tell you that nobody gains weight on purpose and it doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a series of less than ideal decisions that compound over time and you don’t fully appreciate the consequences until you roll out on your first big hunt of the year. Don’t be nearsighted, look towards the bigger picture and understand the consequences of your current state of discipline. Nobody has ever said that they’re in too good of shape for a hunt. Enjoyment in the mountains for me comes down to being able to hike whatever distances over whatever topography in order to have an opportunity. I have a finite number of days in the field per year and I don’t want to squander a second. I work too hard and think about hunting way too much to be stuck having to take a day off from hunting because my body or mind wasn’t up to the task at hand. I want fitness that enables me to adapt to any hunting situation and get myself in the position of being successful. Success to me means hunting to the fullest and enjoying the ups and downs of the hunt. I cannot control the weather or hunting pressure, but I can control my attitude and effort. I cannot control the outcome, but I can control my preparation and determination. Fitness can lead to a stronger mindset and the discipline required will lead you to a more fulfilling hunting season. After reading this, maybe you rolled your eyes a few times, but in your heart of hearts, you know I am right. Fitness will never get in the way of your successful hunting, it will only improve your overall experience. Hunting is a privilege and we all have to come to grips with the fact that we have a limited amount of time in the field. The season will be here before we know it. If you are carrying around a few unwanted pounds, go ahead and start moving the needle in the right direction in the next few months - you won’t regret it. About the Author: Dan Staton is an avid bowhunter from Spokane Valley, WA. Dan has a Master’s Degree in exercise physiology and owns and operates CrossFit Spokane Valley and ElkShape.com
April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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Kodiak Island - In the Constellation of The Hunter The hunt and the tradition are best learned experience upon experience.
A
Photo by Gary Lewis
By Gary Lewis
few years ago, History Channel released a series called The Hunt, narrated by James Hetfield, songwriter, lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist for Metallica. “Twice a year,” the History Channel press release explained, “on the rugged island of Kodiak, a select group of Hunters head into the wilderness for the ultimate test against the elements and the largest land predator on Earth - the Kodiak brown bear.” On the celestial equator the stars that form the constellation Orion, are known to various cultures to represent the hunter and the hunt. The natives on Kodiak Island, the Sioux on the plains, the Hungarians and the Greeks -they all saw the hunter in Orion. And the memory remains. The Hunt, on the History Channel (http://www.history.com/shows/the-hunt), looks back at the Alutiiq who hunted brown bears for hides then fast-forwards through the centuries to today’s tightly regulated hunts where tags are awarded through a lottery system. The brown bear’s co-existence with two-leggers is one of the most successful conservation stories in scientific wildlife management. James Hetfield, who has hunted bears, tells the story of men and women who sleep with one eye open, clutching the pillow tight, knowing any moment they could become the hunted. By the comments posted online at the frayed ends of sanity, it appears a lot of people think the bear hunting rock star is some kind of monster. Several comments expressed the opinion, “Anyone could kill a bear with a gun.” This is so far wrong it reveals a pitiable lack of cognition. On Kodiak, where there are many bears, the hunt is extremely difficult, the success rate is very low.
Photo by Gary Lewis
His pantlegs duct-taped to keep the burrs out of the tops of his boots, Gary Collison crosses a spit of land on a morning hunt on Kodiak Island.
16 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
A young Sitka blacktail in tall cover on Kodiak Island. A hunter with a guide may not see a bear. Spotting a bruin doesn’t guarantee a shot. Most glimpses of game on Kodiak Island (I’ve hunted it twice) are fleeting. The cover is so thick a hunter has to shoulder hundreds of yards through the Devils club and willows. Every hunt starts at the beach and the deer, goats or bear may be thousands of feet up. The terrain (and fear) defeats a lot of hunters before they start.
Hunting Kodiak Island for Sitka Blacktail Deer
The grass is shoulder high and the willows bristle, thick as the hair on the back of a brown bear. We start at sea level, grab hold of a handful of grass or willows and pull ourselves up. Always, there is the threat of bears, bears that grow to ten feet and beyond. Kodiak bears are conditioned to the sound of gun shots and the partying of the crows that means an easy meal. On the fourth day, our captain dropped me on the beach and I started up and out of the rocks alone. Away from the beach, I crossed a narrow trail with sharp prints in it, then a wider trail. Farther on, I pushed the willows apart and found a bed on the side of a knob. Still warm to the touch. Deer, not bear. Ears flickered in the grass and a head swiveled. Antlers. The buck crossed through a low spot. For a moment all I could see was the line of his back. Ahead of him was a high spot. He stopped there. At the shot, he spun and turned downhill. A doe ran on and vanished into the willows. Below me, a spike stood up out of his bed to watch as I climbed the hill to my prize. At first glance, the Sitka blacktail is smaller than our deer in the lower 48. In most cases, however, it isn’t the deer that is smaller, it is the grass that is taller, so tall the deer has to stand up for the hunter to see its ears. This buck’s ears were 15 inches from tip to tip; its front hooves measured almost three inches long, the same as the buck I had taken two weeks earlier in Wyoming. But Sitka
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antlers are small, primitive by comparison. This one had a fork on one side and, on the other, a malformed beam that grew down toward its chin. In another year, that left side antler might have killed the buck by infection.
Photo by Gary Lewis
Experience upon Experience
I thought of Kodiak Island when I answered the phone one evening. It was a guy ringing from Portland, Oregon. He wanted to become a hunter, he said, he had read my articles. He asked my price for guiding him on his first big game hunt. “I’m not a guide,” I said. And I am not. I don’t have the temperament for it. “I make my living as a magazine writer, book author and television host,” I explained. While I had him on the phone, I tried to offer advice. “Don’t try to be a trophy hunter, that can come later. Learn to be an experience hunter.” It’s a tradition best passed down generation to generation. When that doesn’t happen, it’s incumbent upon the hopeful to find a guide, a mentor or friend to help them along, to become a minor star in the constellation. I suggested he hire a guide, someone who would teach, not just take him for a ride in the truck. I made some suggestions. “I’m not a real good shot right now, how important is that? Do I have time to learn to shoot before huntA Boat-Based Deer Hunt ing season starts?” He asked. For our Sitka blacktail deer hunt, we arranged transport with This is an important thing to master. A rifle Ninilchik Charters aboard the 53-foot Sundy. To explore Uyak hunter should go to the range a few times to shoot Bay, Spiridon and their environs, we would go ashore in an at bulls-eyes, then after that, spend a day shooting inflatable skiff motivated by a small outboard. targets at 50 yards and out to 300. Two weeks before Ninilchik Charters offer lodging and base camp aboard the the season, go back to the rifle range. Make sure the boat. They promise a knowledgeable and experienced captain bullets hit point of aim and group within two inches and deck hand to provide transport, lodging and meals accordat 100 yards. Dry-fire a hundred times to focus on the ing to the definition of a big game transporter in Alaska. On fundamentals of the trigger press. After that, there is a transport hunt, Ninilchik Charters does not provide guide much to learn about deer, bear and elk, their habiservices. The hunter sets the pace and the difficulty on this do-ittats, the wind, regulations, conservation ethics and yourself hunt. etiquette. It all comes in time. For the beginner, one of the best things to do is take - Gary Lewis a hunter education class offered by a state wildlife
On Kodiak Island, ready for the morning flight to Larsen Bay and a week hunting Sitka blacktail deer.
agency. Most states offer these classes in the spring of the year. Check online for class offerings. And if a prospective hunter can find an experienced sportsman to show the way, that helps. The best first big game opportunities are for deer and elk without antlers. Another option is to hunt turkeys. Spring and summer ground squirrel and prairie dog hunts are a good point of entry. Pheasant hunting is another good first-hunt option. Experience builds upon experience. Metallica’s Hetfield, it turns out, learned to enjoy duck hunts first before he graduated to big game with bow and rifle. He recently moved from Marin County, in California, to get closer to nature in Colorado, where he grows his own vegetables, harvests his own honey and hunts deer, elk and turkeys. At the end of the best hunts there is a campfire under an open sky. Those blue-whites and red super-giants, the stars that wink on the celestial equator are the same lights where the northern Blackfeet and the Arizona Apache and so many other tribes saw the hunt and the hero. Around the flames, the differences between grandfather and boy, between guide and client disappear. Each one is a star fixed in the constellation of hunter. Gary Lewis is the host of Frontier Unlimited, a TV show available on Pursuit Channel and Hunt Channel.
Photo by Gary Lewis
On the fourth day of the hunt, Lewis hunted solo away from the beach and bumped this buck from his bed.
18 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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Jerkbait Primer
F
ishermen have been described as “a jerk on one end waiting for a jerk on the other”. In my case, it’s more accurate to say, “a jerk on one end fishing a jerk on the other”, because the jerkbait is probably my favorite presentation for enticing gamefish. From diminutive to gargantuan, floating to Chad LaChance sinking, subtle to gaudy, there are literally hundreds of jerkbaits available to anglers. It’s a good thing too, because predatory gamefish of all description will fall for the charm of a well presented jerkbait. Did you notice I said well presented? It’s because a jerkbait, more so than any other hard bait, derives the vast majority of its fish catching appeal from the angler’s actions. And the secret to success is all in the name. Before we get into the secret, let’s get into the nuts and bolts (or jerks and pauses, hint, hint) of jerkbait fishing by first examining what constitutes good jerkbait conditions for sport fish. First and foremost is water clarity; the jerkbait needs to be seen to work and thus requires good visibility, preferably at least a couple of feet. Generally speaking, bright light and clear water dictate a shallow, fast jerkbait in most cases. Stained water or low light makes a deeper, slower presentation more effective. The next factor in deciding if the jerkbait is the right tool is the depth range my intended bite is in. Jerkbaits are available that will run from the surface to about 15 feet, but if the bite is deeper than that then again, there are better tools. I said bite, not fish
20 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
because deeper fish will often come up to attack the bait in very clear water. Smallmouth and spotted bass in particular will surge from the depths to blast the erratic offering. Again, clearer or warmer water usually means a shallower, faster jerkbait, while colder or more stained water requires the bait to get in their face and stay there. Water temperature is a key factor in all fishing and jerkbaits are no exception. However, water temp doesn’t dictate when and when not to use the bait, rather the speed at which it’s fished. Regardless of clarity, warmer water allows faster retrieves and colder water forces slower retrieves, with “warmer” or “colder” being relative to the species. A jerkbait will produce at nearly any temperature the fish can handle, so long as the speed is tailored to the conditions. Conditions are great, but I already said the secret’s in the name. So how are we going to jerk the bait? Fundamentally, the retrieve is a series of jerks and pauses with variations lying in the speed, cadence, amplitude and length of pauses. The standard retrieve, if there is such a thing, is to pull it down to its running depth with the rod tip, allowing a bit of slack line and then snapping the rod tip down, then immediately throwing a minimal amount of slack line back at the lure. The goal is to make the bait snap sideways and stop which can only happen with a small amount of slack line. Try it while watching your bait and you’ll see what I’m saying. It’s probably the most difficult retrieve to master in that timing is critical – but the rewards are worth the practice. The speed of the retrieve is determined by the cadence and amplitude, with cadence being the combination of jerks and pauses (i.e., jerk, jerk, pause or jerk, pause, jerk, jerk, pause, etc) and amplitude being how hard you actually jerk the rod tip down before allowing slack. In some conditions like warm or very clear water, I may not allow any pauses; rather I continuously bounce the rod tip off the resistance very quickly and rhythmically. In very cold water (again, temp being relative to the species) I may have one jerk followed by pauses of 30 seconds or more on slack line. Amplitude is often determined by the stillness of the water and mood of the fish and can range from a twitch to full on snap. Unless it is very cold, clearer or calmer water or neutral (non-feeding) fish, means less amplitude but a faster cadence and shorter pauses – a high speed retrieve. In this case you’re soliciting the purest of reaction strikes. Tannin-stained or wind chopped water or aggressive fish, means more amplitude and potentially a slower cadence and longer pauses with the goal that your bait be noticed. Keep in mind that the slack line between jerks is at least as important as the jerk itself. My personal jerkbait rig is a 6’8” medium power, extra fast action St. Croix Avid X rod paired with an Abu Garcia Revo spinning reel, spooled with 17 pound Fireline Ultra 8 Braid knotted to an 12” Trilene 100% Flourocarbon leader. I like the extra fast action rod for imparting crisp lure action. The drag should be set very soft to cushion the small trebles from the rod and line. These days I utilize Berkley Cutter jerkbaits in the majority of my fishing. The best part about jerkbait fishing is that not many anglers do it well. With some practice and the right setup, you can catch fish behind other anglers. On those really tough days, you can cover a ton of water and it’s likely you’ll find fish that’ll strike out of reaction.
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It’s Turkey Time By Kent Danjanovich Senior Editor
T
Primos “The Gobbler” Vest
The name of the game when it comes to turkey hunting vests is storage and ease of access. A good vest gives you a slew of compartments, pockets and pouches that are perfect for keeping all of your important ‘stuff’ safe and silent while you wind your way through the woods. Here are a couple of our favorites:
The Gobbler Vest is by no means another vest with lots of pockets and a cushion to sit on. It’s a custom designed call holster. Primos designed the Gobbler Vest around all that turkey hunters want with them in the field, calls, gloves, mask, clippers, water bottle, shells and a deep back pocket to carry out that gobbler. The Gobbler Vest organizes your calls by having specific places designed to hold certain styles of calls, so you will always know where they are when you need them. There is no fumbling through random pockets searching frantically for your calls when it’s crunch time. It utilizes a combination of mesh and TreeHide to bring you the most comfortable and functional turkey vest available. TreeHide is molded waterproof foam that takes on the appearance of a tree’s bark. TreeHide is waterproof and durable, providing excellent protection for your gear. The TreeHide shoulder pads also reduce the felt recoil produced by heavy turkey loads. And the mesh pockets on the inside of the vest allow you to see what is stored in them at a glance.
HS Strut Turkey Vest
Ammo
he turkey hunting industry has undergone the same renaissance that modern culture has had relative to gear. New products come into the market that are hot items among hunters who simply cannot help themselves when they go to a sporting goods store, aka, Sportsman’s Warehouse. Most of us just have to give some of these new products a whirl to see if they up our odds – even if it’s just a little! The following is a list of items that may just need to be part of your turkey hunting gear this spring.
Vests
Features multiple pockets for calls, shells & other accessories as well as a large rear pocket for decoys or a harvested turkey. Adjustable padded shoulder straps as well as sternum and waist straps. The Big Cheeks Foam Seat is attached in the rear for comfort. 300 D fabric stands up to the wear and tear of the turkey woods. Comes in REALTREE Xtra Green camo.
Modern advances in shotshells extend the range in which you can bag a big tom. There are plenty of ammo choices to decipher through and not all are made the same. While you will have to make the ultimate decision, here are a few options, depending on your style, range and skill.
Browning BXD TURKEY
BXD Turkey Extra Distance improves downrange patterns, putting more pellets on target. The buffered/nickel plated shot creates the ideal combination for reducing deformation of shot pellets – leading to tighter patterns, higher velocity retention and deeper penetration. Available in 12ga. 3- and 3 1/2-inch loads as well as 20ga. 3-inch.
Hevi-Metal Triple Beard
The first all-lead turkey load from ENVIRONMetal Inc., Triple Beard is a balanced, effective shell that gives you the best overall performance for your money. The Magnum Blend technology combines shot sizes for a cone of lethality at any range and Speed Ball technology gives you high velocity and tight patterns because it prevents pellet deformation during ignition, which happens with most lead pellets in regular shotshells. A great choice for beginners and recreational hunters alike! Available in 3- and 3 1/2 -inch 12ga. and 3-inch 20ga.
Winchester Long Beard XR
Winchester Long Beard XR Turkey shotshells drop old tom at distances beyond 40 yds. Thanks to Shot-Lok Technology, your shot is protected during in-bore acceleration, launching the round in a near-perfect circle for hard-hitting and extremely tight long-range patterns. The results – 10% greater penetration over standard lead loads beyond 50 yds and twice the number of pellets in a 10” circle out to 60 yds. Available in 2 2/4-, 3- and 3 1/2-inch 12ga. loads and 3-inch 20’s.
Federal Premium 3rd Degree
As turkey loads have been engineered to pattern more tightly and reach farther, they have also become less forgiving at close range, leading to missed birds. 3rd Degree uses a multi-shot, three-stage payload and the exclusive FLITECONTROL wad to deliver forgiving, lethal patterns whether a gobbler is standing 10 yards out—or 50-plus. It's not just a tight-pattern that looks good on paper – it’s a deadlier, more forgiving load for real hunters who need to kill gobblers at any range. Available in 3 ½- and 3-inch 12ga. and 3-inch 20ga. loads.
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April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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26 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
Avian X LCD
Blinds
Blinds can be an important part of a successful hunt, with the main idea being, find where turkeys hang out and go hunt there. Once you’ve chosen the general area, it’s time to pick the optimal spot for a blind. With perhaps the most incredible eyesight of any game bird, turkeys require that hunters take extra steps to create total concealment. Like deer, turkeys will get used to hunting blinds over time, even when placed in the middle of a field. However, if they see any movement inside or around that blind - off they go. Another important tip is - you always want the sun to be at your back when setting up your turkey hunting blind. If that means distinguishing morning and afternoon spots and setting up multiple blinds, then so be it. Sunlight will highlight movement that a gobbler can see from several hundred yards away. There are some great blinds out on the market and if taken care of, will last you a lifetime.
Primos Double Bull Bullpen
The Primos Double Bull Bullpen ground blind is built rock solid. It features their newly designed hub system that makes setting up and taking down the blind easy and prevents rods from breaking. It has plenty of room for multiple people to sit comfortably while remaining concealed. The patented Double Bull silent slide window adjustment system allows hunters to perfectly set up the blind for bow or gun hunting. It offers 180-degree Full Front View with Silent Slide window closures and weighs
in at only 23 lbs. And new for 2018, the revolutionary Primos Double Bull SurroundView 360° Blind is the Blind Without A Blind Spot. It’s constructed with exclusive oneway see-through walls that let you see all of your surroundings without being seen. Now you can spot all the movement you miss with traditional blinds yet remain just as concealed. The SurroundView 360° comes with four, one-way see through walls, with one movable black out wall to place on any wall you choose.
Ameristep Doghouse Ground Blind
Since turkey hunting is additive, you just might find yourself in “The Doghouse” every once- in-a-while at home, so the name’s kind of fitting in this case. The Doghouse spring steel blind travels easily and sets up quickly to conceal two hunters inside. The exterior features a large, open window perfect for firearm hunting, with the option to add provided shoot-through mesh covers to each porthole. The matte finish of the Durashell Plus fabric and 3D Edge ReLeaf trim blend well with the natural environment and an interior ShadowGuard coating helps eliminate shadows and silhouettes. A great option that won’t break the bank.
Decoys
Most hunters rarely hunt without decoys. One of the leading causes of gobbler hang-ups is birds that come to the call expecting to see a hen or tom, but don’t. If nothing else, a hen decoy adds confidence to your calling. Furthermore, it gives the tom something else to focus his attention on besides you when he’s in the “red zone.” Decoy manufacturers have addressed the issue of portability by making decoys light, collapsible and easier to transport in your vest. Three decoys and their stakes weigh only a few ounces and will fit neatly into the game pouch on most vests. Decoys have become so lifelike, that sometimes you have to be careful that you don’t find yourself sneaking up on a fellow hunters’ setup!
Flextone Thunder Jake
Kick aside the old decoys and get ready to put the Lifelike Collapsible Decoy (LCD) Strutter in your turkey hunting gear this year. If your heart starts racing just thinking about in-your-face action of gobblers challenging your decoys, you’ll love the Avian-X Strutter. Incredible detail and superior lifelike realism is sure to bring in that dominant gobbler. The Avian-X Strutter is 15% smaller than a real turkey, so it’s light and easy to pack in the field for any turkey hunting scenario. Comes with a carry bag and collapsible stake.
When realism meets affordability - that’s where the rubber meets the road with the new line of Thunder Series Turkey Decoys from Flextone. The easy-to-pack Thunder decoys feature true-to-life body postures, realistic paint and feather schemes and a fold away, carbon fiber stake system. With his highly visible upright posture, the Thunder Jake is designed to challenge the pecking order, triggering gobblers to assert their dominance. A smart choice for run ‘n’ gun hunting fans, this 1-piece, blow molded decoy packs and sets up easily.
HS Strut “The Flock” Strut-Lite
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Primos Drag Strip
The Primos Drag Strip is a modern version of an old school traditional call. The Drag Strip is made of CNC milled exotic hardwood and Pennsylvania slate. The design, with a built-in sound board and sound ports, fits perfectly in your hand to produce smooth yelps, purrs, clucks and cuts. It’s all topped off with laser engraving and a onepiece CNC turned striker. With the Drag Strip in your hands, you’re ready to head to the woods.
Decoys
Strut-Lite Decoys from H.S. Strut offer a lightweight, foldable hollow body construction for easy transportation and storage. Best-in-class detail in the decoys’ flake-resistant paint job makes for extremely realistic decoys that fool even the wisest old toms. Use individually, as pairs or use all three Strut-Lite Decoys together for the “flock” effect. The included 2-piece ground stakes allow for quick setup and removal when things are happening fast in the woods.
Primos Gobbstopper Combo
The new Gobbstopper Decoy Combo features a high definition paint scheme and a lightweight and easy-to-carry design of the Gobbstopper Jake and the Gobbstopper Hen! The Gobbstopper Decoy Combo offers incredible realism at an affordable price. These decoys in the Primos Gobbstopper Series, are custom designed with lifelike color and detail to fool even the leeriest of toms. These soft-sided decoys are lightweight and packable, designed to allow hunters to fold it and carry it in a turkey vest.
Calls
There are a lot of turkey calls on the market – a plethora of brands, call varieties, price ranges and overall call functions – and that fact can make it difficult for a turkey hunter to pick the “right” calling device. While the tried and true box and slate calls still exist, new technologies have enhanced their effectiveness, which is definitely a benefit for the hunter. Mouth calls and locators are now made to be more consistent and user-friendly, which is always a plus as well. Here are a few of our favorites that you might want to take a look at:
Knight & Hale Strangle Hold
The Knight & Hale Stranglehold Pot Call was designed off the Knight & Hale Long spur pot call. However, Knight & Hale thickened the post base to add depth and rasp to the call. The Stranglehold call is topped with a pure crystal surface and matched with a power tip, all-weather striker. The crystal adds rasp and depth to a call like no other surface can.
Primos Hook Up Box Call
Primos Gobbler “Shaker Call”
This call is so easy, anyone can pick it up and gobble just like a real turkey! The Gobbler is a super loud shaker style call, with one-handed operation for Jake calling and two-handed adult gobbling. The patented silencer cap adds a great safety feature by eliminating untimely sounds while moving through the woods. You’ll be glad you’ve got The Gobbler in your bag of tricks. It’s perfect for challenging or locating the big boys.
The Hook Up Box from Primos is designed to take all the guess work out of getting that perfect box call sound every time you play it. The ultra-strong magnet holds the paddle at the perfect angle for crisp cuts, smooth purrs and soft to loud yelps. When used with the included Gobble Band, the Hook Up produces some of the most realistic gobbles you can imagine! The detachable paddle can also be removed for silent carry. This is one of the most user-friendly calls on the market. April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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Zink Signature Series Pro Pak
This trio of mouth calls includes the Hunter Wallis Signature Series, the Josh Grossenbacher Signature Series and the Matt Morrett Signature Series styles of diaphragm calls. The Hunter Wallis Signature Series triple-reed, W-cut style call was designed by Turkey Calling Champion, Hunter Wallis. This call features a heavy top reed over two thinner reeds. It has a notch in the middle reed, making for easier transitions from clear to raspy notes. A great call for woods and calling stages. The Josh Grossenbacher Signature Series call is a triple-reed, V-Series style call framed in thin red tape, with all reeds stretched to a tighter tension. The unique V-notched top reed and short-notched underreed allow for tones ranging from raspy to clear, while the heavier latex gives the option of incredible volume and distance. The Matt Morrett Signature Series call provides a mix of two reeds of prophylactic and one light latex top reed with a special “snake tongue” cut. With this combo, the call is very easy to achieve great rasp and high-end calling. The Pak includes the Turkey Time University instructional DVD.
Primos Turkey Starter Pak
This pack has everything you need to get started on your next turkey adventure. The Turkey Starter Pak includes a Sonic Dome Mouth Call, Sonic Dome Slate Call, Slim Striker and a double-sided box call. This pack is excellent for beginners and advanced hunters. The included carry case makes it easy to keep your calls organized when transporting them to the field and when storing in the off-season.
30 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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Tales from Turkey Hunting Pioneers
T
urkey hunting tactics have evolved over the years and the equipment we now rely on to close the deal has become much more advanced. At the same time, it’s still just as challenging to sweet talk a wary old gobbler into the back of your vest. The following is what Harold Knight and David Hale have to say about how things have changed since back in the day. Anyone who has ever yelped or cutt on a slate call during the spring is probably familiar with Knight and Hale. In 1971, these two die-hard hunters and innovative call makers transformed a small part-time business into one of the most successful companies in the outdoor industry. They were one of the first call manufacturers to begin filming action-packed turkey hunts to educate hunters and promote their hunting products. As a result, Knight and Hale have accumulated more than 100 years of combined turkey hunting experience in the field. The two men have pretty much seen and done it all when it comes to turkey hunting. In fact, Knight became one of the first hunters to officially tag a gobbler during the historic Kentucky Woodlands National Wildlife Refuge turkey hunts when he was only 16. This event marked the state’s first legal turkey hunting season in more than 41 years. There were only 12 turkeys tagged out of the 337 hunters that season, which made Knight a local turkey hunting legend. In the same neck of the woods, Hale also began building a reputation as a turkeytagging machine in the area known today as the Land Between the Lakes. At the time, Hale relied on his woodsmanship and stealth to stalk and ambush gobblers. However, everything changed once he got his hands on a homemade tube-call made by a local barber named Harold Knight. The realistic sounding call enabled Hale to take his turkey hunting to a new level. Later on, these two Kentucky boys would become business partners and lifelong friends.
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The early days
According to Knight, at one time there were only isolated pockets of turkeys across our nation before the NWTF and state wildlife agencies began the stocking programs that would eventually change everything. “In those days, a hunter would be hard pressed to even find a huntable population of birds anywhere,” Knight said. “Luckily, the area where I grew up was one of the few places that still held some turkeys and from the very beginning I was fascinated by these amazing creatures.” After his first successful hunt, Knight was hooked for life.
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“I immediately wanted to learn more about their vocalizations, habits and routines,” he said. “Unfortunately, this was way before the days of outdoor television and the Internet, which made it very difficult for a young boy to find enough information about wild turkeys. I began spending as much time as possible in the woods and with some of the old timers in my community who grew up hunting turkeys. Some of these older hunters would let me run their homemade box calls and they took the time to answer all of my questions, which helped me become a better turkey hunter.” Hale also remembers the early days of his turkey hunting career and how different things were back then. “Many of today’s turkey hunters just don’t realize how good they’ve got it,” Hale said. “I can remember a time when you went after one turkey and you’d better not mess up on him. There were only small pockets of turkeys, which made the birds extremely tight-lipped and hard to handle, due to concentrated hunting pressure. Now, there are seemingly healthy flocks of turkeys just about everywhere you look, and as a result, the hunting pressure is spread out. It is a tribute to how successful the re-introduction programs have been in recent years. Harold and I strongly feel the NWTF and state wildlife agencies need to be commended for the phenomenal job they’ve done re-establishing wild turkey flocks across the nation. Neither of us would have ever dreamed back then that the turkey numbers and popularity of the sport would have reached the heights they have today.”
34 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
Everything changes
Knight says it’s a really good time to be a turkey hunter. “Without question, the gear we use to hunt turkeys today has improved astronomically,” Knight said. “Everything from calls, decoys, shotguns, extended range shells, rangefinders, bows, clothing and boots are state-of-the-art. And there are more turkeys and better hunting opportunities available for the modern turkey hunter. Most places, it’s not necessary to apply for special quota hunts or drive great distances to get on a gobbling longbeard. Most hunters have quickand-easy access to top-notch turkey hunting on private and public land not far from their homes.” “When I was a young man, most turkey hunters took a very conservative approach in the woods,” Knight said. “Nonaggressive setups and light calling were the norm, because you could not afford to mess up on one of the few gobblers that might be living in your hunting area. Back in those days, if you heard one or two longbeards gobbling you considered it to be a great season.” Hale says today’s turkey hunters are a little spoiled. “Most hunters today expect to get on multiple gobblers every time they step in the woods, which is really not that unusual anymore,” Hale said. “Growing turkey populations have led to more aggressive hunting strategies. Like many other turkey hunters, Harold and I like to use running and gunning strategies that enable us to push the envelope and cover a lot of ground. This is a daylight and dark difference between the way we used to hunt back in our younger days.”
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PRO MEMBER UPDATE k, be honest anglers. Who hasn’t dreamed of going fishing in Alaska? I mean it’s Alaska and we have all heard the stories of rivers teeming with salmon, bays loaded with halibut and other crazy bottom fish and the lodges, those rustic lodges that are quintessentially Alaskan. Now, what could be better than a fishing trip to Alaska? A free fishing trip to Alaska,
of course! That’s exactly the scenario my new friend Randell was in. You see, Randell had the foresight to recognize a good bet when he saw it, prompting him to sign up for the Sportsman’s News Pro Member Sweepstakes. His hunch was right and a few months later, Randell received the call notifying him that he’d won a seven day trip to Alaska’s Boardwalk Lodge, to be accompanied by a professional fishing instructor and TV host, otherwise known as yours truly. And while I had not personally been to the lodge, I was long-time friends with the owner and also the chef. If you only know two people at a fishing lodge, those are two good ones to know! To be honest, I was probably as excited as Randell and I was there on assignment. Randell is a life-long outdoorsman complete with a fair bit of Alaskan experience, some recent even, so he had a pretty good idea what he was in for. His win allowed for a traveling companion and he chose his 20 -year-old son, Treyson, all 6’8” of him, to accompany us. In our communications leading up to the trip, Randell clued me in to his goal of getting Treyson up to speed with fly tackle and asked for my help. Of course, I agreed; it’s kind of what I do and I figured the guides at the lodge may help as well. About 100 fly caught salmon later, I’d say we accomplished the goal. Alaska’s Boardwalk Lodge is tucked into the trees on Thorne Bay, on the east side of Prince of Wales Island, in the southeast portion of the state. It’s a 30-minute float plane ride from Ketchikan’s International Airport, making the region easily accessible yet deliciously remote in feel. Guests have no visible human neighbors, yet plenty of critters about; we saw blacktail deer, mink, sea otters, eagles, and others all from the more than 1,000 linear feet of raised boardwalk transversing the tidal flats that give the lodge its name. Incidentally, these scenic boardwalks make for a fine evening stroll with an adult beverage in hand. Speaking of adult beverages, a range of beer and wine is included along with the copious amounts of delicious food. Breakfast varies with your taste; Randell was inclined
36 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
Alaska's Boardwalk Lodge By Chad LaChance to order a “surprise” each morning and was never disappointed. Lunch is a makeyour-own deal; the staff sets up a bar stocked with all sorts of lunch meats, cheeses, condiments, breads, fruit, chips, homemade cookies, etc and each guest packs a brown bag to their liking to be carried out on their day trip. The days’ fishing trips all return to the lodge in time to clean up and enjoy a fine happy hour with tasty hors d’oeuvres. Randell, Treyson and I especially enjoyed the fresh steamed Dungeness crab, smoked king salmon, poke and ceviche. Dinner. Ah, dinner, even after ample breakfasts, lunches and appetizers, we all learned quickly to find room for dinner. Chef Jeff, the 12-year executive chef at Boardwalk Lodge, outdoes himself daily and every guest I spoke with felt the same way. Our trip included roasted halibut, Asian grilled coho salmon, chimichurri ribeye and chicken marsala accompanying sides ranging from fresh steamed veggies to polenta to a delicious Asian slaw. Do yourself a favor when you go to Boardwalk Lodge and ask for the creme brûlée for desert; best I’ve ever had anywhere and I bought Chef Jeff’s cookbook just for that recipe. Why did I just spend that much time talking food at a remote lodge? Because the food was a consistent topic of conversation among the 18 +/- guests that were at the lodge along with us and it was always complimentary. Randell and I surmised that if you’re going to spend a week at a lodge on an island fishing, great food eaten in a very “family home” feeling setting is a great touch. Make no mistake though, this is Alaska and we came to fish. The Pro Member Sweepstakes winner, like all lodge guests, had options to fish both fresh and salt water. Randell and Treyson decided to start off salty, so the first day was spent in one of their 34 foot traditional Alaskan aluminum boats, complete with twin 150hp outboard motors for speed, enclosed cabins and heads (enclosed bathrooms, for land lubbers) for guest comfort. The small fleet of boats are a nice walk down the boardwalk from the lodge itself on their private dock. All our tackle was set up and ready on the boat; bottom fishing rigs for halibut, cod and rockfish as well as trolling set-ups including electric down riggers for salmon. Our captain for the day was Sean, a 20-something ambitious dude that clearly understood that being a fishing guide ain’t all about catching fish; it’s about entertaining, educating, customer service and catching fish. We spent part of our day trolling and caught coho (“silver”), pink and king salmon. Then we switched it up completely, moved to new spots and dropped bait rigs to the bottom, 250-300 feet below the boat. A couple hours of that yielded a bunch of the previously mentioned bottom dwellers and topped off our harvest for the day. The daily ritual of boats returning to the dock and the staff processing the day’s catches turned out to be really fun. Randell and I enjoyed the distinct camaraderie that was apparent from the first day as each guests’ enthusiastic accounts of their day was shared while pics were taken and fish filleted. Sea otters greeted guests daily and a chocolate Labrador named Bo was in charge of enthusiasm, as well as keeping sea gulls honest. Even for a jaded traveling fishing guy like me, it was a fun scene every day. The next adventure was fresh water fly fishing in rivers and a lake for salmon and dolly varden. We drove, accompanied by the lodge owner, about 45 minutes from the lodge, which turned out to be cool because of the scenery it afforded us, before stopping at an unbelievably scenic and deserted river. I looked over the side of the bridge we parked near, spotted a pile of sockeye salmon and knew this was going to be good. Randell took a more proactive approach; he hopped down into the river and hooked himself to a beautiful fish immediately. I like how that guy thinks!
Backing up a quick step, Boardwalk Lodge is an Orvis outfitter. Before guests head out to the various rivers, they stop by the “shop” to suit up in waders and boots,and grab their fly rod du jour. Orvis Helios and Hydros rods were both available. The guides handle flies, leaders, rigging, etc. while clients concentrate on the important things, like catching fish. All tackle including spinning tackle should you desire it, for your use as well. Full rain gear is on hand for every guest, along with rubber “ditch boots” for salt water boat trips. Guests stay in the main lodge or one of a couple of outbuildings. Laundry service is available, while all fish to be kept are processed, vacuum packed, flash frozen and packed for guests to travel with. For lounging, there are both inside and outside areas, patios and a nightly fire. There is a small shop with sundries and gifts. Back to the river - it was gorgeous, full of sockeyes, pinks and dollys and we had the whole place to ourselves all day, unless you count the black bear. The creek drained into a lake and a huge pile of fish were at the inlet. It was an amazing day of fly fishing for sure and tons of fish were caught and released, including a bunch of them by our fledgling fly guy, Treyson. He was catching on quick. The next day found us boarding another saltwater boat, this time with one of the veteran guides, Bear. Here again the boat and tackle were all clean, prepped and ready. This guide had a systematic approach to icing a limit of each species. He fully recognized that most lodge guests desire to take fish home and he took it personally. We had some funny stuff this day; I got caught with my pants down, literally, by a halibut that destroyed my rig as I was shedding a layer of clothes and later one of the winners (name withheld to protect his, umm, reputation) was using the “after dinner roll” when all three of our trolling rods got hit at the same time, leaving only two anglers with their hands free, pun intended, to fight the fish. Good times! Our last two days of fishing had us desiring more fly time and the three of us were paired with another young guide named Kris, one of the rare female guides I’ve encountered in my travels. Kris is the owner of that Labrador retriever I mentioned above and being dog lovers, we requested his company for the day, too. It was a blast; fish after fish after fish, this time including coho and pink salmon. Kris helped with Treyson’s fly casting and the conversation flowed all day. Bo was the consummate fishing
PRO MEMBER UPDATE
dog, the fish were very willing to chomp our streamers and we all thoroughly enjoyed the amazing day, start to finish. The last fishing day found us on a small creek between two lakes and by this point in the trip, Treyson had found his fly groove. We spread out between the lake and the creek and proceeded to have an epic salmon beatdown; I’m not even sure how many triples we hooked up and released, but it was a lot, all the while laughing and enjoying life in general. It’s easy to do that while standing knee deep in a remote and beautiful Alaskan lake, with fish rolling everywhere and rod bent with yet another salmon and for me, new friends to share it with. It was a great way to end our fishing. But the trip wasn’t over. Our float plane wasn’t picking us up until the following mid-morning, so we still had an evening to reconcile memories we made with the fellow lodge guests, the staff (who all felt like friends in short order) and our personal reflections on an Alaskan adventure, over delicious food in a beautiful setting of course. Randell, Treyson, and I agreed - this trip was definitely about more than the fishing, as productive as that was. Whales, awesome old float planes, positive people happy to be there, family bonding and an amazing setting. Like I said, the only thing better than a week at Alaska’s Boardwalk Lodge is winning the trip in a sweepstakes! Alaska’s Boardwalk Lodge, visit them on the web at www.boardwalklodge. com or give them a call at 800764-3918.
April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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Video Product Reviews
Leupold Mark 5HD Riflescope
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eupold’s top of the line Mark 5HD is nothing short of spectacular. Whether you are looking for a tactical scope for your .338 Lapua or just a great American made long range hunting scope, this unit is a must see. The 35mm tube and the use of the Twilight Max HD Light Management system gives this scope extremely great low light performance. It comes in two different power range options, 3.6-18X44 and our test model is the 5-25X56. Compared to other scopes in this range, the weight will blow your mind (30 ounces). In some comparisons, it is in excess of a half a pound lighter than competing products. Not a big deal if you are talking about a truck gun, but one you would like to haul around on hunting rifle, it’s a big difference. This is a front or first focal plane (FFP) scope, which means that the subtension measurements are the same throughout the magnification range. This gives you the ability to judge known sized objects at distances out past your rangefinders capabilities. This scope is only available in MRAD (AKA Mil Radian) adjustments. If you aren’t familiar with this, no need to freak out. It would be very relative to 1/3 MOA. A Mil is 3.6” and the adjustments for both windage and elevation on this scope are 1/10 MOA or .36 inches per click. This scope gives you an elevation adjustment range of 34.9 MILS which is just a hair over 120 MOA equivalent. This setup gives you 3 complete revolutions of the turret and gives you the ability to shoot out past most people’s ability, (I said most). The M5C3 Zero Lock will ensure that you are back to your zero with an obvious pop out button. This is easily detected even in the dark with the touch of your thumb. For those that have the ability to shoot further than the turrets ability, the vast array of reticles available in illuminated as well as non-illuminated give you precise MIL holdovers and windage hashmarks to get you on target for those extreme long shots. The 5:1 zoom ratio on this scope gives you good top end magnification as well as bottom end field of view for just about any application. The overall length of our test model scope is 15.67”. The 35mm main tube has a limited number of rings available, but Leupold doesn’t leave you hanging in that department either. They build hard core American made rings specific to this scope and the others in the line which have the 35mm tubes. It comes with flip open lens covers and Leupold’s full lifetime guarantee. This means if your product doesn’t perform as promised, Leupold will repair or replace it for free. No proof of ownership or warranty card required and did I tell you it was made in the U.S.A? The complete and detailed video product review on this scope is available on the sportsmansnewstv YouTube channel.
Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view the Sportsman's News YouTube Channel.
38 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
ALPS Crusader X Pack
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hen trekking through adverse weather conditions from the rainy marsh of south-east Alaska, to the blistering heat of southern Texas, you need a dependable bag that will out-last anything nature can throw at it, and ALPS OutdoorZ has made this possible through the Crusader X. This tough-as-nails waterproof duffel bag is designed to fight back against tough conditions, and keep your gear intact and safe, no matter the circumstances. This bag can be found in both standard and extra-large dimensions, spanning from the 46L standard, coming in at only 2-pounds 8-ounces, all the way up to the massive 82L extra-large version, which weighs a mere 3-pounds 1-ounce. Fitting all your essentials, and even a few extra items, was never so easy, and with these bags you get the best of both worlds; easy to pack and fill up, and very easy to carry wherever you explore. The bag features removable, adjustable padded backpack straps, as well as a padded handle wrap, and additional grab handles on each end, making this bag a pleasure to carry and accessible from every angle. The bag is a dark brown color, with
Video Product Reviews
ALPS’ own bright orange accents, so it’s appropriate for every hunting scenario and fits in with almost every terrain, not to mention it fits well as a daily-use bag too. Because of the ease of use that comes with this duffel, it’s ideal for anything from a hardcore hunting situation, all the way down to a bag that you carry your gym clothes in. The impressive combination of the 1680D TPU material (which is a nylon compound found in many military fabrics), welded seams, and a roll top closure all come together to form a completely waterproof duffel that can conquer any situation. The bag also features dual compression straps on top, meaning if you find it difficult to fit all of your gear in a traditional duffel bag, this technology eliminates that problem, making it possible to completely compress your gear, and opens up the door for bringing more items into the field. I can personally vouch for the toughness and waterproofing of this bag, as I brought it with me on a tough 10-day brown bear hunt in Sitka, Alaska, where rain and snow are as common as the oxygen we breath. The conditions were adverse on a daily basis, and some days we had pouring rain for the entire day, yet I didn’t hesitate to bring this bag out on the water with us, and even left it sitting in the rain for hours at a time while we glassed from the boat. The one thing I didn’t try, was literally dropping the bag in the water to test out that waterproofing, but from seeing what this bag is capable of, first hand, I wouldn’t be worried about my gear, should it somehow fall overboard. This bag is a must-have for anyone looking to keep their gear safe and dry, and while many other “waterproof” duffel bags are available on the market, none will compete with Scan this QR Code with the performance, price, and value brought to the table with your smart phone to view the Sportsman's News the ALPS Crusader X. I highly recommend that you pick YouTube Channel. one up on your next trip to Sportsman’s Warehouse.
April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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Video Product Reviews
Sig TANGO6 Tactical Riflescope
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or medium to long range tactical engagements or hunting game with a modern sporting rifle or a bolt action gun, the Sig TANGO6 provides innovative features, high end glass, and a wide range of adjustment to get you on target. Featuring an anodized aircraft aluminum 34mm main tube, the TANGO6 provides excellent light gathering and image optimization. The HDX lenses feature High Definition (ED) and High Transmission (HT) glass for the truest of resolutions and light transmission with unbeatable optical clarity. LENSARMOR and LENSHIELD coatings protect your lenses and keep them from streaking, smudging, or scratching. Additionally, the lenses are fog free and shed gunk to keep your image sharp. The TANGO6 comes with both an illuminated reticle and the Sig LevelPlex technology. A pair of arrows, one on the left and one on the right, let you know when you are canting the rifle beyond 0.5 degrees, which can cause you to miss your shot. The Hellfire Reticle in either MRAD Milling, MOA Milling, Tri-Plex, or Dev-L MOA, makes sure you can clearly see your crosshairs in any level of light. It comes in 9 levels visible to the naked eye and two that are visible to night vision. The power adjustment ring features an
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40 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
elevated dial framed with a pair of fiber optic indicators so you can quickly see where your dial is set without coming off the scope. All of the TANGO6 riflescopes run off of a single CR2032 battery and have MOTAC to power down when motionless, but spring back to life when raised to the eye to save battery life. All of the TANGO6 configurations come with a free Sig Ballistic Turret. Simply provide Sig with your ballistic data, and they will custom laser engrave a turret for your scope and load combination. Each TANGO6 comes with 120 clicks of adjustment per rotation of the turret. The turrets will rotate a full three times, and feature a user-adjustable turret stop. This gives each scope 12 MRAD or 30 MOA of adjustment per rotation. The TANGO6 is available in five different 6-power configurations, 1-6x24 in first or second focal plane and 3-18x44, 4-24x50 and 5-30x56 in first focal plane and your choice of reticles. While this scope can be used on both bolt guns and semi-automatics, it really shines on a modern sporting rifle. We tested it on a custom Hogan AR-10 and it performed better than the shooter. In addition to being IPX7 waterproof rated, and completely sealed to keep out moisture and thermal shock condensation, the Sig TANGO6 comes with Sig’s Infinite Warranty that means no questions asked repair or replacement for the life of the scope, no matter who owns it, when they bought it, and without product registration or receipt. If it breaks, Scan this QR Code with Sig stands behind it; period. Click on the QR Code your smart phone to view to see the full video review of the Sig TANGO6 the Sportsman's News Tactical Rifle Scope. YouTube Channel.
Zeiss Conquest V4
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he Conquest V4 is in the mid-level pricing of the Zeiss scope family, but there is nothing mid-level about this 4-times magnification scope. The 90 percent light transmission will have you clearly seeing targets well past the time when it is legal to shoot. It come in numerous different models as well as reticle options to accommodate every field and tactical situation one could ever imagine. Each scope has a 30mm tube and .25 MOA click values except for the 1-4X24 which is .50 MOA. They are all set with a second focal plane which means that your reticle stays the same size throughout the magnification process. The second focal plane is desired by many long-range shooters due to the fact that the subtensions don’t cover up more of the target in those long -range shooting situations. The 1-4X24 is a great tactical as well as dangerous game type of scope. It has a capped windage knob and either a capped or exposed elevation turret. The ZQAR reticle is one option on this scope which is considered an intelligent reticle design. The hashmarks in the scope are designed around the ballistics of the .223 Remington and .308 Winchester. They provide for easy target acquisition as well as accurate results with these specific calibers. The 3-12X56 is a great everyday scope where extreme long ranges aren’t the focus. It comes with both capped windage Scan this QR Code with and elevation knobs. The your smart phone to view 4-16X44 is one of the most the Sportsman's News popular configurations YouTube Channel.
Video Product Reviews
for field use. The 4-power is excellent for extremely close-up shots in the trees, but the 16-power will bring those thousand yard targets up close and personal for precise shooting. It comes with external elevation turrets which makes for adjusting for that specific yardage quick and easy. When you return back to zero, the Zeiss ballistic stop ensures an absolute and positive return to zero. This zero stop is on all exposed turret option scopes. For the extreme long-range shooter, the 6-24X50 is going to be the go to scope. For the majority of your western hunting situations, the lower end side of the spectrum being the 6-power is going to give you good field of view for those snap shots when you jump a buck or bull out of his bed and he is 25 yards from you. However, when you are setup and waiting for that 600 yard shot, you have the ability to see everything between you and the animal as well as put the crosshairs on the target when you are ready. The ability to have multiple revolutions of the turret gives you the ability to get out well past 1000 yards. The complete and detailed video product review on this scope series is available on the sportsmansnewstv YouTube channel.
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April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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targets that bite back Introducing a target with teeth. Champion’s awardwinning DuraSeal™ Spinner Targets handle rounds from even the largest rifle and handguns and still keeps its shape. Quite simply, it’s a target that bites back.
For more info on DuraSeal and Champion’s paper targets visit:
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42 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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Presents Wild Game Recipes of Steve Mayer "The Wine Guy"
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Razor Clam Cakes with Chipotle Mayo
ileen and I like to go up to the Pacific Northwest in the spring and try our hand at steelhead fishing with our good friends Ben and Trina Dragoo. We venture to their home town of Aberdeen where Ben is a drift boat guide. The weather is a constant foe and more often than not it rains like the dickens and the rivers get blown out. Not a great way to spend some valuable time off work. This year Ben advised us to schedule our trip to coincide with a few days of low “clamming tides”. We took his advice and went up in early February. Sure enough, 4 inches of rain the first day. Not to be deterred we spent a day fishing rainbows in a small reservoir, in the rain. Not quite like catching a chrome steelie, but we caught a few fish and got soaking wet, welcome to Washington! The next day we journeyed over to the city of Ocean Shores to go clamming on the minus tide. We drove out on the beach and joined the multitude of people out trying to get a limit of razor clams. It is not as easy to find them as you might think, but we managed to get the hang of it and limit out. They are great fried and especially tasty in this clam cake recipe.
Ingredients Crab Cakes
• 1 yellow onion, diced • ½ large red bell pepper, seeded and diced • Butter • Canola Oil • 1 ½ cup roughly chopped razor clams
44 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
• 2 eggs • ½ cup chopped Italian parsley • ½ cup seasoned Italian bread crumbs • 2 tablespoons lemon juice • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper • Old Bay Seasoning
Chipotle Mayonnaise
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise • 1 teaspoon Old Bay seasoning • 1-2 chipotle in adobo, seeded and • 1 teaspoon Dijon Mustard chopped • Kosher salt and freshly ground peeper • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Preparation Method
Select a small bowl and a whisk to make the chipotle mayonnaise. Combine the mayonnaise, chopped chipotle, lemon juice, Old Bay, and Dijon Mustard in the bowl. Whisk well until smooth. Salt and pepper to taste. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate while you make the cakes. Sautee the onions and bell pepper in a tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Just a couple of minutes until the onions turn translucent. Transfer to a large bowl and let them cool. Put a quarter of the clams into a food processer and pulse 5 times. This will chop and tenderize the clams at the same time. Drain the juice off the clams and add them to the bowl. Repeat until all the clams are chopped. Beat the two eggs well and dump over the clams. Add in the parsley, bread crumbs, and lemon juice. Season the mixture lightly with salt, pepper, and Old Bay. Gently fold together with a spatula. Do not overwork the mixture. Heat a frying pan over medium/low heat with a 50/50 mixture of butter and Canola oil for frying. Use an ice cream scoop to portion the patties. Mold in your hand and put into pan. Press down slightly to flatten. Add the cakes in batches and fry to a golden brown, flipping once, about 3 minutes per side. Don’t move them until the bottom crust forms. The cakes can be loose and will have a tendency to crumble if messed with too much so just let them fry. Serve the razor clam cakes with the chilled Chipotle mayonnaise. A crisp Sauvignon Blanc goes really well with them, as does a cold pilsner. Cheers!
MOMENTUM
FRANCHIUSA.COM
INTRODUCING THE FRANCHI MOMENTUM RIFLE FLUTED BOLT BODY, 3 LOCKING LUGS
Feels right: like no other rifle before, the Franchi Momentum was created from the ground up on ergonomics, fit and feel. With its 150-year tradition of crafting fine Italian firearms, Franchi knows that when the gun feels right, the day, the camaraderie and the whole outdoor experience will also feel right.
HAMMER-FORGED PRECISION BARREL, THREADED MUZZLE
Features: Contoured stock giving perfect hold in 5 common shooting positions; glass-smooth action; 1-piece bolt body; adjustable trigger (2-4 lbs.); recoil- soaking TSA pad; free-floating, hammer-forged barrel; threaded muzzle.
The Momentum is available as a rifle only or as a scoped package. Available in the following calibers: .243 Win, .270 Win, .30-06, .308 Win, .300 Win Mag & 6.5 Creedmoor.
April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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Adventures On A Budget
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
By Michelle Scheuermann
46 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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xplore an active volcano, see magnificent vistas, offering low-cost-high-value and just a short drive from a major U.S. airport? Yes, please! Mount Rainier National Park, located just south of Seattle, is the perfect weekend getaway or side diversion for a longer stay on the Washington coast. It was recently named one of the “Ten Best National Parks” in 2017 by U.S. News & World Report, but I like Mount Rainier because of my family’s history in the area. My grandfather was a logger in these very woods many years ago and my mom grew up, as she says, gazing at Mount Rainier from the family farm. Now my sister lives in this area, so all the more reason for a visit and adventure. I was in the area for only 48-hours – after flying into SEA-TAC, my sister picked mom and me up and off we went on fairly curvy roads to begin our climb up Mount Rainier (roughly 50 miles south of the airport). Since this is a National Park, there is a car or per person entrance fee. Our destination was the highest we could get at that time, 5,400 feet to Paradise Inn. Technically, you can travel higher to Sunrise at 6,400 feet, but in early June, when we visited, the snow pack was still large and in charge and you couldn’t get through the pass. In fact, they just received 11-inches of show the night before we arrived. You can physically climb higher to get closer to the 14,410-feet peak, but that takes mad skills in navigating the mountain’s 25 glaciers. Paradise Inn is known as one of the “Great Lodges of the West” and while by today’s standards the rooms are tiny, with no TV and absolutely no cell signal, the facility is pretty darn cool. The exposed timbers inside the great lobby area and intricate carved woodwork from a German architect in 1920 look like they were built a few years ago. President Roosevelt actually played the antique piano. And believe me, this place is popular. With Mount Rainier designated as a National Park, it’s not like
Adventures On A Budget Holiday Inn can set up shop at 4,000 feet. There are lodging options, but Paradise Inn is known as the coolest (Note - Paradise Inn is only open May-October and is currently undergoing renovations). If you want it during high season (i.e. July) you better book it in advance or do what we did and go during shoulder season for less crowds and cheaper room rates. For true budget/adventure seekers, there are places to camp with only $20 overnight permits required. This brings me to my first challenge on this trip – how to pack. The temperature change from Seattle to 5,400 feet was dramatic. Luckily, with my sister living in Seattle, I was able to borrow jackets and accessories, but I packed my own hiking shoes. One should never borrow a pair of hiking shoes if one can manage. I wear Irish Setter Vaprtrek with the 400 grams Primaloft Eco insulation, made to fit a lady’s foot. For men, I recommend the Ravine or Drifter for hiking. It’s important to be properly prepared for hiking with the right clothes, shoes and food/water – and maps/guidebooks. Cell service is very spotty on the mountain. My sister is like most Washingtonians and has a very special skill - seeking out hiking trails. Mount Rainier National Park has more than 260 miles of hiking trails ranging from 5- to 100-miles – or do like we did and try shorter jaunts of half mile to one mile. Some of the shorter trails we did crossed rivers and entered 1,000-year-old red cedar tree forests. Yes, 1,000-year-old trees! To say they were massive is an understatement (I am speaking of the Grove of the Patriarchs trail). So, no, you don’t have to hike far to experience very cool sights. If you are seeking a real challenge, then plan for the Wonderland Trail, which encircles the mountain for 93 miles. Eating here is also a challenge; we packed snacks and picnic items as there are many places to throw a plaid tablecloth and enjoy the views. Our biggest food splurge was in the massive dining room at Paradise Inn. I encourage you to take time at the visitor centers to explore and ask questions of Park Rangers. Watch the movies playing non-stop as you will learn so much about the park. For example, did you know when they built the roads for this park, they specifically did it so when you round a corner, boom, there’s a view of Mount Rainier? Pretty amazing feat, considering that was done in the 1940’s. And it wasn’t the cheapest way to build a road as you can imagine. Going during shoulder season in June gives you the advantage of less traffic (meaning you can literally stop in the middle of the road to take a picture of the top of mountain) and with spring in the air, the wildflowers are blooming and the waterfalls are gushing. My mom, the Master Gardener, was amazed at seeing two different colors of trillium and red moss. The multitude of waterfalls along the side of the road was my high point.
After getting our fill of sights, we started down the mountain and stopped in Elbe for the Mount Rainier Railroad. This steam engine train gives a two-hour tour, which includes a stop at a logging museum (this was very interesting for us given our family’s history of logging). Tickets are higher for the first-class car, but I highly recommend it. It’s in the front and less crowded, meaning you can ask the car attendant more questions for a better, personalized experience. My 48-hour trip ended at a hotel near the airport for ease of getting in/out of the area (You don’t mess with Seattle traffic). Altogether, I think I spent only $200 for the weekend. I used miles for my flight and split the cost of meals and rooms with my family. The biggest expense was the train ride. For more information on Mount Rainier National Park, visit https://www.nps.gov/mora/index.htm
April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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Turkey Trot!
When Turkeys Become Fast Food
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By John N. Felsher
s turkey seasons open across the country, thousands of sportsmen will sit still and quietly under trees or in blinds, occasionally calling to bring the wily birds closer toward them, but I bet none of them will use a 3,000-pound call! Growing up hunting ducks and small game, we didn’t know much about hunting wild turkeys, a rather uncommon and mysterious game bird to us back then. With wild turkey numbers not yet restored, few people hunted them around my part of the country. The ones who did usually kept their places secret and their mouths shut. My dad never hunted them at all so we didn’t either growing up, at least not in the normal sense. My older brother bought a well-used 1964 Ford Falcon as his first car. Built like a Sherman tank, it could go anywhere, making it an excellent hunting vehicle. Of course, being the ONLY vehicle available to us at the time also made it an excellent hunting vehicle! Back then, before hunting leases became popular – and very expensive -- paper and timber companies across much of the Deep South typically allowed people to hunt vast tracts of forests for free – as long as we didn’t cut down any trees or start any forest fires. We frequently took that old Falcon to those timberland tracts, cruising logging roads looking for game and new hunting spots. Just about every piece of metal and joint in that beat-up old car squeaked. Kind of like my own joints today. When we rumbled over those rough roads, Ol’ Squeaky started singing. Even the slightest bump in roads, commonly dubbed “washboards,” alerted anything in the woods for miles to our presence. However, it apparently emitted a certain squeak that turkeys liked, or at least aroused their curiosity. Whenever we drove the Falcon through the woods, turkeys would come running up to the edge of the road to see what in the world was coming! When Ol’ Squeaky rattled up a turkey, the only thing we could think to do to bag that bird was stop, grab our shotguns and start running after it as the very startled bird rapidly disappeared into the forests. Of course, that never worked. However, I did almost get a shot at a gobbler one day. Rather than running, this smart gobbler remembered he had broad wings and could fly. He didn’t need to run through the briars, brambles and underbrush like we did. He could fly over that stuff and proceeded to do just that. After flying a short distance, the fat gobbler landed on a branch near the top of a tree just out of the effective range of my shotgun, but well within my view. “Now, I’ve got him,” I thought to myself, racing as fast as I could to cut the distance. “I’m about to bag my first turkey. I’ll be a hero next Thanksgiving and maybe my parents will let me sit at the big boy table
48 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
Sportsman’s News Outdoor Writing Contest Finalist See pg. 4 for entry details.
instead of by myself at the kids’ table,” which was not only embarrassing, but depressing since I was the last of the kids and had to sit there alone. Knowing that I’d never see him again, I needed to take this, my only chance. I kept my eyes keenly focused on that bird as I ran to get into shotgun range before he flew off and disappeared forever. That plan worked amazingly well and I made good progress – at least at first. Just about the time I reasoned that I had cut the distance sufficiently to chance a shot at that bird, I made a rather abrupt and loud stop. With my eyes focused so hard on that gobbler, I didn’t notice the large thicket comprised primarily of brambles and thorny vines coming at me at high speed, relatively speaking for the slowest runner in our neighborhood. I also didn’t notice that the little game trail that I was following, probably made by a rabbit since deer were also scarce in those days, disappeared under that pile of bristling razor-sharp spikes. (Okay, maybe that’s a SLIGHT exaggeration.) Although I was a small child at that time, I was still much bigger than any rabbit. After making my sudden, screaming halt, I struggled to extricate myself from the thorny situation without losing more than a quart or two of blood, which took considerably more time than it did to run this far. I don’t know what happened to the gobbler when I made my unexpected rapid deceleration, but I seem to remember the haunting notes that distinctly sounded like laughter echoing through the treetops where the bird had sat just seconds before. Of course, it might have been the rabbit making that noise too, or my brother who I know was laughing from the road. I suspect a setup! I think that bird planned the entire episode and waited there just long enough to watch the fun – at least for him. Well, that’s my story and I’m sticking to it – just like thorns stuck to me!
April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS
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50 April 2018 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS