Sportsman's News May 2017 Digital Edition

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May 2017 | Volume 13 | Issue 5

Huntin’ Bears With Dakota Fishing Products

We Netted The Best New Fishing Gear Chad LaChance

Learning The Field A big boar like this one is a very majestic trophy and during the spring, the biggest of bears are very susceptible to harvest. They rut in late May and early June, which makes this a great time to hunt. British Columbia is home to some of the best spot and stalk rut hunting in North America.

Dave Canterbury

10 Cs of Survival Cordage

Page 6

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 ARCHERY EDITOR Shane Chuning 435-592-6106 schuning@sportsmansnews.com EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Lisa Deming info@sportsmansnews.com VIDEO PRODUCTION MANAGER Sam Staudt sam@sportsmansnews.com

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May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

WORDS FROM THE PUBLISHER

By Michael Deming

WHAT’S INSIDE

4 Huntin' Bears With Dakota

Pro Member winner shares his experience with his grandson.

6

Cook Outdoors With Camp Chef The definitive name for outdoor cooking.

6

Pro's Tip: Basics of Camping 10 Some simple advice to make you a camping pro.

Platinum Approved Outfitters 14 Choose A Sportsman's News Endorsed Guide For Your Next Trip.

Pro's Pick: PSE Bow Madness Epix 19 More than just a pretty face, this bow packs a punch and performs.

20 Pathfinder Survival: 10 Cs of Survival Part 5: Cordage

I

picked up the phone the other day and a friendly voice said, “I’ve got 20 preference points in Colorado and I really want to hunt this year, where should I go”? I’ve answered similar questions well over a hundred times in the past few month. I felt that it would be good to share these pearls of wisdom with the masses. I’ve accumulated a lot of knowledge over the past three decades of applying for and hunting most of the western states. I spent over 200 days in the field last year scouting and hunting. I also spend a lot of time on the phone with others just like me, sharing information on areas I don’t have time to visit. Believe me, it helps to have a large network of trophy hunters if you are looking to get the most out of your points.

Knowing that this gentleman on the other end of the line had enough points to draw just about any unit in the state, I asked “what units do you know”? He informed me that he hadn’t hunted or been in Colorado for any reason in well over a dozen years. Most people apply for bonus/preference points in a given state for the plain simple reason that it will likely give them a chance of harvesting a bigger animal and hunt with less pressure. Many people are under the impression that if you wait 20 years to draw a tag, there are going to be 190” mule deer walking through camp waiting for you to pick the right one to shoot. Until they have spent their points and visited one of these units, they don’t realize that this is still a hard-core hunt and animals of this trophy quality are hard to find.

These folks usually end up shooting an animal on the last day of their hunt which they could have harvested each and every year in a relatively easy to draw area. Don’t let that happen to you. The way to avoid this is to start learning the units which are managed for a higher age class of animals.

This will tip the odds in your favor of finding and harvesting the animal of your dreams. It is important to find out what the animals do when they are pressured, when they rut, when its’ dry, when its’ wet and when they are forced to migrate. The more you know about these things, the better chance you will have of filling your tag with a true trophy.

It isn’t likely that you can get all of this intel over one season, but you also didn’t build 20 points over one season either. This will likely take a lot of time and money and years to get the most out of your tag. If you don’t have that time, I recommend that you hire the best outfitter in the area, who has years of experience and the answers to all those questions. If scouting the unit over years isn’t a possibility or hiring an outfitter isn’t an option, you might as well pull out a dart and throw it at the map. That’s about as much as your points are worth. Sure, there are units which will give you a better hunt with bigger deer numbers which will ultimately give you a better hunt. However, when you hunt a unit which takes that many points to draw, it usually means every hunter in the unit has 3-10 friends that want to share in the experience. Everyone is looking in different places and putting excessive pressure on those big bucks and bulls and this will often drive them in a hole where they are seldom seen.

There is no magic recipe for harvesting giant animals. It is very basic. Know your unit like the back of your hand. Know what your animals will do when all the different variables are thrown at them. Be in the very best shape that you can be in, come hunting season. Be a very skilled hunter and marksman. This recipe will tip the odds in your favor to harvest trophy animals on a regular basis.

We hunt a unit in Colorado which only takes a couple of points to draw for deer. We have hunted it the last eight years by buying landowner vouchers on the years we don’t draw. We have harvested numerous deer in the 180’s and three in the 190’s by applying these tactics. You are better off to hunt every year or every other year than to sit at home, building points for one hunt in 20 years. Enjoy the experience and as Sportsman’s Warehouse says, “Take it Outside”!

22

22

Crooked Creek Retreat

Expereince the diversity of the Kenai.

24 Vortex Diamondback Tactical

Performance and value with innovative features.

26 Pro Member Sweepstakes

Over $300,000 In Giveaways. Drawing Every 10 Days.

29 Fishful Thinker: Structure Defining the Playing Field: Part 1

32Learning PacWest Outdoors: In The Way of Silence silence, hunting bears, and an historic rifle.

36 Video Product Review

Five new product reviews for your viewing pleasure.

43 Bass Fishing Roundup

Latest gear for the serious bass hunter.

46

Pro Member Update: Steve Jones Backcountry Hunts

43

Aoudad Hunting in Texas.

50 Business Directory 52 Wild Game Recipe

Venison Swedish Meatballs

Adventures On A Budget 54 Bear Hunting On Your Own. Guns Gong Crazy 55 Portable steel rifle target.

Outdoor Writing Contest 56 Lovin' Everything Montana CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Doug Dolph Chad LaChance Dan Staton

Dave Canterbury Gary Lewis Steve Mayer

Jim Kalkofen

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

3

Huntin’ Bears With Dakota

By Doug Dolph

I

Lucky winner Doug Dolph shows

off his legendary Sharps 40/90 rifle ’m sure you have heard the familiar line, “Membership has its privileges.” that he hoped to use in harvesting his Well, it hit me a little bit closer to home when Mike Deming gave me a call early in the spring of 2015 and informed me that I was the lucky winner trophy bear. of the Itcha Mountain Outfitters black bear hunt as part of the Sportsman’s News Pro Membership Sweepstakes. My history in drawing out for anythat he should be the first to feel the rush of pulling the trigger on a big Canadian thing was not a good one, so it was a pleasant surprise to find out that I had won black bear. On this trip, he would be using a .300 Win Mag and I would be trying a trip to British Columbia for a chance to take a big black bear. to take my bear with a 40/90 Sharps, a legendary rifle from days gone by.

As I contemplated who to take along with me on my hunt, it hit me, “This Here is a little side note about my choice of weapon. I am the secretary of the would be a great opportunity to take my grandson, Dakota, along on the hunt, to Sharps Collector’s Association and I truly have a passion for the legendary line spend some quality time with him and give him the chance to experience what of firearms. The rifle that I had with me on this trip was owned by the McGuire most 14-year-olds only dream about.“ Mike Deming was family in Missouri and was shipped from the factory on also supposed to accompany us on the trip, but he called April 23, 1875. The McGuire brothers used it to shoot and mumbled something about not having a current "Holy Cow that is the biggest bear buffalo for the railroad and mining camps to suppassport or something like that. I gave Stewart Fraser a ply meat for their workers over the next few years, in I have ever seen!" call, the owner of Itcha Mountain and he agreed that it Montana. They ended up wearing out the barrel over would be a great adventure for myself and Dakota. We time and it was eventually replaced and resized from worked out the price for Dakota’s hunt and the dates the standard, 40/70 to a 40/90 caliber. I was able to pick it were set for our arrival the last week of May, 2015. up from a gun collector a few years ago, who knew of my passion for the Sharps To say Dakota was a little excited would definitely be an understatement. And rifles. to top it off, I picked him up on his last day of the school year in Colorado and Our first evening found us driving the logging roads of the area in Stewart’s then headed over to his house and we started to round up everything he would need for the trip. We would be driving, so we had the luxury of having plenty of room for all of our gear. The next day we drove back to my place in Billings, Montana, to grab the rest of my gear and then we hit the road the next morning for Canada.

Our first night found us in Canmore, Alberta. The next morning, we headed to Banff and then we took the high road to Prince George, British Columbia. Unfortunately, our journey to this point was full of rain, rain and more rain.

But, with such gorgeous surroundings, it didn’t seem to bother us too much!

Along the last leg of our drive to Prince George, we spotted a young black bear cub along the side of the highway, gnawing on a road-killed calf moose. Dakota and I got a kick out of watching the little guy work over the carcass with all his might. We continued on our journey and after a night’s rest in Prince George, we arrived at Itcha Mountain Outfitters base camp the next day.

Stewart and Sabrina were both away from the lodge when we arrived, but we were greeted at the door by one of their staff and soon we were settling into our room that would be our new home for the next few days. After dinner and a good night’s sleep, we met up with Stewart at the breakfast table the next morning and he filled us in on what would be taking place during our stay. We then secured our licenses and started to get our gear together for our first Dakota Dolph was fortunate enough to have a grandfather willing to give him an opportuevening’s hunt. nity of a lifetime by taking him to British Columbia. Stewart Fraser (owner/outfitter) got him an It was decided that Dakota would be the first shooter. opportunity early in the hunt at this whopper bruin and he connected.

Since this was his first bear hunt, I thought it only fitting

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May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Suburban. After an hour or so, we came around a corner and Stewart spotted a bear in the distance on the side of the road. We continued on, past where we had spotted him and we then quietly got out of the Suburban and slowly worked our way back towards the bears’ last position. Finally, he popped back out of the brush and Stewart whispered, “Good bear”.

Dakota quickly took aim with his .300 Win Mag and slowly squeezed the trigger. His shot from about 60 yards was right on target and at impact; the bear leaped about 20 feet and landed on the other side of the dirt road, dead in his tracks! As Dakota approached his sleek beautiful black bear, his excitement and smile were something that gave his granddad the most gratifying sense of fulfillment. This young man had now become a “Hunter”. After the customary high fives and plenty of photos, we loaded the bear into the back of the Suburban and continued our first night’s search, now for my bear. We did manage to spot one more bear that night, but it wasn’t of the caliber that Stewart had in mind for us.

Day two again found us driving the logging roads of the area, with another bear or two spotted, but one was on the smaller side of things and the other, rubbed a little bit too much for Stewart’s liking.

Our third evening again found us roaming the roads of the area. It didn’t take us long to spot a good bear rumbling down the side of the road. Stewart immediately knew that he was a good one. The only problem was, smoke and steam started filtering out of the sides of the hood of the Suburban as we quickly pulled to a stop. As we popped the hood, we found it to be just overheating and luckily nothing more serious.

A quick look back down the road gave me a view of the same bear back out on the side of the road. Stewart mumbled, “Holy Cow that is the biggest bear I have ever seen!” I quickly grabbed my iron sited Sharps and headed down the logging road toward where the bear was feeding. I then realized that I didn’t have my glasses with me, but with only a few seconds to take the shot, it was now or never. I squinted as I looked down the barrel and through the site at its end and then pulled the trigger. But alas, my shot sailed over his back and he rumbled back into the brush.

To say that I took some heat from Stewart for the next hour about missing the biggest bear he had ever seen, would be another understatement. But, luckily just before dark, as we drove by a clear-cut area, we spotted another nice bear. We parked the Suburban and started our stalk. And for good measure, I had changed over to my .338 Mag, complete with scope to compensate for my absence of spectacles.

As we popped out along the side of the clear-cut, we found our bear still feeding, with no apparent knowledge of our presence after a ¾-mile stalk up the clearcut on the logging trail.

Within range, I quickly lifted my rifle, took aim and pulled the trigger.

My shot from about 100 yards was true and down he went. Stewart told me to give him another one, but I knew that he wasn’t going anywhere, he never moved.

As Stewart and I admired my beautiful, cinnamon, color-phases bear, Dakota ran back to the Suburban and grabbed a tarp. We then rolled the bear onto the tarp and drug it back down the hill and loaded it in.

Jack Russell Terriers are the preferred That night, Stewart choice of tracking dogs by Stewart Fraser took care of my bear and getting them involved with the bears early back at the lodge and in life is a great way to create future trackers measured both mine and Dakota’s trophies. with passion.

Doug Dolph and grandson Dakota were fortunate enough to share time in the woods and harvest two trophy bears. Color phase bears like this one are common in this area of British Columbia.

Dakota’s measured out square at 6’11” and mine at 6’9”. Both my cinnamon bear and Dakota’s pure black bear showed no signs of rubbing, truly trophies that will be with us forever.

I’d like to thank Stewart and Sabrina Fraser of Itcha Mountain Outfitters (250249-5424) for a great adventure. I would also like to thank the guys at Sportsman’s News for the great opportunity of being part of their Pro Membership Sweepstakes. It is by far the best $300 I have ever spent becoming a member and if you aren’t part of it yet, you are missing out, big time! And of course, the best part of the whole experience was spending time with my young grandson, sharing the part of my life with him that has meant so much to me in the great outdoors.

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

5

Cook What You Want From the Backcountry to the Back Patio

I

magine this: You’re headed back to camp after a long day of hunting. You’re muddy and chilly, and your legs ache with every step along the trail. It’s raining, and your stomach is begging for something warm and filling. A huge burger. A bowl of chowder. A steak. But then you remember what’s on the menu—storebought hot dogs. It’s going to be a long night.

Now imagine this scenario: It’s been a successful day of fishing. You’ve reeled in a great catch. You are all headed back to basecamp for dinner, tired, hungry, and ready to chow down. Then you remember what’s on the menu—Philly cheese steak sandwiches hot off the griddle. You’ll be sleeping well tonight.

Camp Chef Red

Food is an essential piece of any outdoor adventure, whether that adventure is on the shore of a remote lake, in the middle of the mountains or right outside your back-

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May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

door on the patio. Food is necessary for survival, yet also one of the most social parts of our lives. Food brings people together, allowing them to enjoy something in common. Food for any outing can truly make or break everyone’s experience.

So if food is so important, why is it often the last-minute afterthought to the weekend plans? It’s because many people think about cooking outdoors and imagine limited space, limited gear, and, therefore, limited options. Thus, you’re stuck eating another meal of charred dogs or ramen noodles.

That’s where Camp Chef comes in. Over 25 years ago, we noticed this problem in the outdoor industry. With all the awesome gear coming out for camping, hunting, fishing, and more, where was all the cooking gear? Outdoor adventurers were limited to tiny stoves with little cooking power and surface area. And that wasn’t good enough—we decided to create a better way to cook outdoors.

A Lineup for Everyone

Today, we provide high quality cooking equipment for every kind of activity because your destination shouldn’t restrict what you eat. From backcountry to back patio, you should be able to cook what you love.

When you hear Camp Chef, you might think of our rugged, durable stoves. Or the huge variety of cast iron cookware, including skillets and Dutch ovens. Or, perhaps, you imagine the pellet grill you have sitting on your back patio. The point is, we have gear for everyone, no matter how you like to feed your outside.

produce only 10,000 BTUs, making these camp stoves three times as powerful as your stove at home. Why that much power? Well, when you’re cooking outdoors, Mother Nature can throw any number of conditions your way. Whether it’s wind, rain, snow, or sun, you need a stove that’s going to stay lit. That’s where the power really matters.

Camp Chef stoves are portable. With removable or folding legs on almost all of our models, it’s easy to break down and set up your stove wherever you find yourself.

Add a carry bag accessory to your collection, and it’s even easier to go from the patio to the campsite. Just break down your stove, pack it up, throw it in the truck, and you’re ready to go.

Finally, Camp Chef stoves are durable. Their steel construction will stand up to the rugged outdoors without breaking a sweat. In fact, we’ve heard of many customers who are still cooking on their stoves that are over 20 years old and running strong. If that’s not durability, we don’t know what is.

Stoves

We first set out to improve the cooking experience for a classic camping scenario.

The result was a stove with four defining features: power, portability, durability, and versatility.

Camp Chef stoves are versatile. Having the ability to do more than boil water has always been important to us. That’s why we’ve designed accessories that convert a basic stove into a grill, griddle, or even pizza oven. So say goodbye to the limited menu and start asking yourself what you’d like to eat. Kebabs? Cinnamon rolls? Mongolian BBQ? You can cook it all on a single stove with your own set of mix-and-match accessories.

Suddenly, your weekend plans are looking much more delicious.

Camp Chef stoves are powerful, producing about 30,000 BTUs on a typical burner.

To help you put that into perspective, your average stove top range at home will

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14" Cooking System

VERSATILE COOKING SYSTEM Expand your outdoor cooking options. Simply mix and match customized accessories to create your own complete outdoor kitchen.

Artisan Outdoor Ovens

Flat Top Griddles

Cookware

BBQ Grill Boxes

Grill/Griddles

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Cast Iron

If you would rather keep things a bit more traditional, try cooking with some of our classic cast iron—a tradition that’s hundreds of years old. It may seem intimidating to start out, but cast iron cooking has its benefits. Even heat distribution, durability, and easy maintenance are just a few.

All of our cast iron pieces—be it skillets, Dutch ovens, pie pans, or more—come pre-seasoned with our True Seasoned Finish. That means you don’t have to worry about a time-intensive seasoning process before you start cooking your favorite foods. Instead, you can start using your cast iron dish immediately.

But the real value in cast iron to outdoor adventurers like you is how versatile the cookware can be.

Going on a camping trip this weekend? Have a big tailgating party? Want to cook on your back patio?

Our cast iron skillets are up for the job. A Dutch oven is also a great option. Both can be used to fry, sear, grill, or even bake. Cook with cast iron over an open flame, on a stovetop, in an oven, or with coal briquettes.

The point is that cast iron is the cookware for you, whether you’re a backcountry explorer or a patio cooker. Choose from our traditional Dutch ovens and skillets, as well as our unique pie irons, pie pans, bread pans, and more. You’ll find exactly what you need.

Pellet Grills

By now, you’ve seen how our gear covers outdoor cooking out at the basecamp, on the trail, or at the tailgate party.

But what about the back patio? A lot of outdoor cooking happens there as well. Don’t worry, we haven’t ignored those who love a good backyard cookout.

When it comes to good food out on your own patio, all you really need is one of our pellet grills. Wood-fired flavor has been making a comeback recently with the pellet grill on the scene. Its versatility, functionality, and consistent performance make it the all-in-one outdoor cooker, whether you want to grill, bake, braise, roast, barbecue, or even sear.

And best of all, anyone can use it.

An automatic auger feeds hardwood pellets into a burn cup at the base of the grill where the wood burns and smol-

ders. The smoldering wood produces heat and smoke, which circulates throughout the grill body. A digital controller tracks the temperature inside the grill and feeds more or fewer pellets accordingly. All you have to do is set the temperature and let the grill do the work.

Lower temperature settings will produce more smoke to infuse your food with wood-fired, smoky flavor, while higher temperature settings can bake breads and pies without smoke flavor. As a final touch, use the Sear Box to give your food a delicious seared finish. It doesn’t get any easier (or more delicious) than pellet grill cooking on your back patio.

Good Food Wherever You Go

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While individual Camp Chef products may seem vastly different, our mission has been the same with each one: provide a better way to cook outdoors. When you have the power and freedom to create great food outside— sometimes even better than what you could cook inside— your entire outdoor experience will change. After all, you can’t control the hunting, the fishing, the weather, or anything else when you venture out into nature. But you can always control the food. So don’t settle for subpar cooking on your next adventure. Eat what you love wherever you go, from the backcountry to the back patio.

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

9

PRO'S TIP

Basics of Camping

By Dan Kidder, The Gear Guru Managing Editor

I

often run into people who tell me that they would like to go camping, but they don’t have the skills, knowledge or experience to strike out on their own. Even within my own family, there are those who have either never been before or haven’t gone in so many years, that they might as well have never gone.

Camping isn’t difficult. One writer described it as paying thousands of dollars to live like a homeless person. While this is perhaps a bit extreme, there can be some truth to this statement. The selection of gear, researching location, development of basic skills and travel to your destination can seem like it will cost an arm and a leg, but basic camping requires very little gear and ultimately, just the desire to get outside and experience all that nature has to offer.

Gear

As a professional gear reviewer, I hear many people comment on particular products; that they suck or are garbage or that they are worthless. In 10 years of reviewing products, I can count on my hands the number of products that actually earned any of those invectives. The issues of these users, is often more of an issue of expectations. If you try to use a lightbulb as a hammer, you most likely will determine the lightbulb makes a lousy hammer. A less enlightened reviewer might claim the lightbulb sucks, but in reality, it is more likely that it is a fabulous emitter of light, even though it does a poor job of driving a nail.

The primary source of dissatisfaction with users of gear is that they have not clearly

10 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

defined in advance what they realistically expect that gear to do. Some gear will perform multiple tasks and other gear is of a single purpose.

It is a matter of determining what you expect the gear to accomplish and weighing its usefulness against the price you are willing to pay for it. In a world of multiple products competing for your consumer dollar, there are some that perform more, but they often will cost more as well. Some users demand features they will never utilize and then complain that the widget costs too much.

For camping, having a clear understanding of where you will camp, temperature, weight and the level of comfort you want to achieve before you go gear shopping, is the best bet to ensure you get the appropriate gear for your trip.

Are you hiking into deep wilderness where a technical pack will be necessary or driving to a campsite in a managed campground? Is it spring, summer, fall or winter and will it be wet or dry? Will you need to care for the needs of yourself or multiple people? Do you want to eat hearty meals or quick and easy calories with minimal fuss?

At the end of the day, there are as many ways to camp as there are ways to make chili. Each camping experience is a unique adventure, which is sort of the point of the entire exercise. These unique adventures make unique memories.

For beginning campers, I suggest basic gear that performs a minimum of tasks, with few features. The more features you get, the steeper the learning curve. Look at a basic tent that will comfortably hold the number of people you need to house. For this, I

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PRO'S TIP suggest halving the capacity listed on the tent by the manufacturer. If it says it is a two-man tent, you know it will fit one comfortably. You need to have room for the occupants and their gear. If a sleeping bag says it is a 30-degree bag, expect it to keep you barely above iceberg status all night if it is 40 degrees out.

The temperature rating on sleeping bags is the temperature you can expect the bag to prevent you from dying of hypothermia, but not necessarily remain comfortable and snug.

When it comes to meal prep, I suggest using what you would normally use at home, until you get a better feel for cooking over an open fire. Cast iron is a great camping companion, if you are not limited by weight.

I am now about to write what could be seen as utter sacrilege for a gear reviewer; don’t get hung up on gear! Focus on the experience. If you are going with others who have more experience, ask them if you will need more technical gear and encourage them to take it easy on you. They may even have gear you can borrow, to see what features you might decide later that you want to incorporate into your own kit. Some of my best nights camping involved me, an air mattress, some blankets, the back of the truck and the open starry sky. Keep your first few trips simple. Stick to an established managed campground or to a state park with basic facilities, like bathrooms. This brings us to our second point.

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How to Poo In The Woods

How To Poo In The Woods, is the title of an entire book on, wait for it, how to poo in the woods. The second most frequent objection to camping I hear from those who have never camped is that they fear or dislike heeding the call of nature in the outdoors. This should never dissuade someone from trying their hand at camping, as it is an easily overcome issue.

People have been taking care of their business in the outdoors for thousands of years before there was even indoor plumbing. Most established campgrounds have some sort of sanitary facilities, whether it is plumbing with running water, chemical toilets or pit latrines. They are quite comfortable, though they can be a bit smelly in the summer months.

Typically, they will have all the necessary accoutrements to accomplish the paperwork, but it never hurts to take an ample supply of TP with you on any trip. I even keep an entire roll in my truck for emergencies, every day. If you want to get a bit further off the beaten path and venture into territory that will be without comfort stations, consider taking a small portable toilet, like the foldable toilet sold by Reliance. Even a plastic five-gallon bucket with a snap-on seat and some plastic garbage bags can serve the purpose. For the ladies, a silicone folding urinal can be obtained for a small price that makes squatting unnecessary.

Just Enjoy

Camping is about getting away from the convenience, distractions, and noise of modern living. It is about building memories with our families and friends. It is about staring adversity in the face and overcoming. It is about disconnecting from the modern and connecting with people or our own thoughts or nature or God or whatever we are seeking to find. As Thoreau wrote, “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life and see if I could not learn what it had to teach and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived.”

Camping, at its most basic, is the act of shifting gears, figuratively and literally, to broaden our scope of experience. And since it isn’t a life or death struggle, we can always call it a day if things get hairy and head home or into the nearest hotel. I have done it when things don’t go as planned. Camping is always about pushing your limits and learning from your mistakes so you can build upon your failures and successes. Since it isn’t the apocalypse, you can always run to Walmart if you run out of coffee creamer or Sportsman’s Warehouse if you need to buy a replacement fuel canister for your stove.

Or simply try to improvise another means to accomplish what you need or learn to do without. If you keep it basic and stay near established campgrounds until your skill level improves, it is highly unlikely that you will perish.

Resources

For those just getting started, the Sportsman’s News Team has created a new YouTube channel called The Amateur Outdoorsman. This channel is new and growing daily and contains basic videos in a 3-5 minute format on the basics of camping from gear selection, to how to pitch a tent. Search YouTube for The Amateur Outdoorsman and subscribe to be updated when we publish a new video and use it as a resource for learning basic skills.

Additionally, let your camping friends know that you are interested in learning and see if they will be willing to take you and teach you the basics. Heck, if you ever come to Southern Utah, shoot me an email. I am always up for a quick overnighter.

Just Do It

At the end of the day, there is really no excuse to avoid camping out. Even if it is some blankets and a pillow, under the tree in the back yard, with the safety of your own home just a quick jog away; shifting gears and getting in tune with nature, recharging with the power of the stars and letting the breeze kiss your cheek through the night will open up a whole new dimension for you. The memories you create will last a lifetime. As we say on The Amateur Outdoorsman, “Don’t just sit there. Do something.”

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PRO'S PICK

2017 PSE Bow Madness Epix

By Shane Chuning

T

his offering packs quite the punch from PSE this year. It’s turning into a real pleasure to shoot and I am sure it will grab some attention when shopping for a new bow.

The one thing I noticed right off the bat was the new angled riser design.

This paves the way for a more rigid and stable platform, giving you greater accuracy down range. The camo option for this particular one is the Skullworks 2. It is clean looking and I liked the subtle breakup of the two-tone black, with the deer tracks throughout the camo pattern. The riser cutouts and added dampeners give it a nice upgraded look compared to the Bow Madness series from 2016. Now, let’s get right into the overall setup and rundown of the 2017 PSE Bow Madness Epix.

After mounting a Qad HDX on it, I gave it a look-over to see where I wanted to start my centershot. For this particular bow, ¾ inch off the riser worked very well and puts the arrow right down the center and also puts it parallel with the riser. From that point, I needed to establish my nock height. Most of the Hybrid cam bows will run anywhere from 1/8 nock high to nock level. Already being familiar with PSE’s hybrid cams, I chose to start this one at 1/16 nock high and arrow running a little high in the Berger hole. This starting point for your rest is a good base to start your tuning from and will get you going in the right direction.

The pre-lean on the top cam, when you lay an arrow on the left side and project it down, should be just intersecting your aim string at the nocking point. This will put you close enough before ever shooting the bow and help with some of the lateral tears you may encounter. I found the pre-lean in the top cam to be extremely close right out of the box.

Peak draw weight out of the box came in a little under at 68 pounds for a 70 pound bow, so I added a few twists to the cables to get peak bow weight back up to where it should be. For this particular bow, five full twists in the cables put me up to 70.7 pounds. The PSE Bow Madness Epix draw length is running about a half-inch long, so take that into consideration when setting up the bow. This can be easily compensated for with the rotating mods that make it very easy to adjust to your desired draw length, without the need of a bow press.

Once all set up with a good starting base for tune settings, it was now time to put some arrows down range and fine-tune even further. I prefer to bareshaft tune everything I setup, so I proceeded to do that at 6 feet. At this point, all I am looking for is bareshaft entry in relation to a fletched

arrow. At 6 ft, preliminary results were looking great. It was now time to move back to 10 and 20 yards. With very little adjustment out of my rest, I could clean up the tail left impact of the bareshaft in relation to the fletched and everything came together perfectly. The PSE Bow Madness Epix was a breeze to tune and I found it rather forgiving, with a variety of different bareshafts shooting quite well at 20 yards.

The Epix is very smooth all the way back to the end of the draw cycle, with no hump at all on the back end.

It only works off of a one cable stop, but even at that, you will experience a nice firm backwall. The grip is very comfortable as your hand seems to slide right underneath the shelf well, making it very repeatable shot after shot. I do prefer a little wider grip that sits into your thumb pad, but I could see me adapting well to this one without any issues. It holds well on target and makes for easy shot execution. I found myself shooting good groups right out of the gate after it was tuned up and sighted in. Even out to 60 yards, it was dropping in rather nicely and extremely consistent.

The PSE Bow Madness Epix specs are: • Axle to Axle: 32 inches • ATA/IBO Speed: 340-332 fps • Let Off: 80% • Brace Height: 6 inches • Mass Weight: 4.0 lbs.

• Draw Length Range: 24 to 30 inches • Draw Weight: 60, 70 pounds • Finish: Black, Mossy Oak Break-Up Country, Skullworks 2

This bow has the value and performance that you would see in some of the higher end bows. I found the upper end 340 IBO still holding true, even at the tested 28.5 inches draw at 70 pounds with a 418gr arrow. With this setup, I had chronograph readings coming in at 300 fps. This calculates to a 343 IBO rating, which is definitely not lacking in performance or down range shootabilty.

So, if you’re in the market for a new bow, I wouldn’t overlook the PSE Bow Madness Epix. The smooth draw and tune-ability along with its great speeds, really makes this bow an overachiever in its class, especially with the everincreasing prices of pro line bows rising each year, putting prices out of reach for some consumers. Thankfully, you now have the mainline box store bows getting better and better, making them worth considering.

Some may feel you are losing quality, but honestly the areas they cut back to bring the price point down do not give you poor performance or inaccuracy down range. With a suggested retail price of $599.99, the PSE Bow Madness Epix will not disappoint and will be a tack driver, with excellent speeds that you see in other high-end bows on the market.

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

19

ral cordages, but again this is more for fun than true practicality. There are several types of cord and rope we can carry and much of this should be dictated by the uses we plan to employ, but also bearing in mind uses we may not plan on. So, this element of our kit should also be as versatile as possible.

Like the other elements, we should probably layer this within our kit and carry it in multiple places, including a hank of it in our pockets, but we should also have multiple types of cord and rope like we have several ways of starting fire or several cutting tools for different tasks.

The type of cord we hear the most about today for use in “Survival Kits” is probably parachute type 550 cord. This is a great choice, but I am pretty certain this choice has been somewhat ingrained into us through military-style survival manuals over the years. And while it has good tensile strength and is very durable, it ne thing that is an undeniable truth when practicing bushcraft or can become quite a pain to deal with the inner fibers of the mantle when attemptworking outdoors, is cordages of some type will eventually be ing to break it down for use as fishing lines and repair threads. For this reason, I needed. There is a reason I have deemed this element important recommend that the majority of heavy cord or rope you carry be a twisted style enough to include in the 5Cs for Survivability (Cutting Tool, Combus- multi strand rope that can be broken down easily to smaller workable fibers. I tion Device, Cover, Container, Cordage). Just looking at this list alone generally have about 25’ of 550 cord in my kit, used mainly for ridge lines when shows its usefulness in creating objects we may damage or loose in an emergency. setting up a tarp.

It could be used to wrap the handle or repair the handle of a tool like a knife. MakThe line I carry the most of and this is generally a 1-pound roll, is called bank ing a primitive friction fire by bow and drill is impossible without strong cordage. line or tarred mariners line. This line is specifically designed for making gill nets Containers made from natural material, like bark, can be laced together with cord- for fishing. It is actual rope, so that is can be broken down easily into smaller age. Cover elements require the lashing and tying of material where cordage is of fibers for things like sewing and repair or reducing the diameter for fishing lines, certain use as well. etc. It comes in multiple sizes, with the #36 what I find the most useful and this is Even if we look at the emergency scenario, cordage is an essential element. Unapproximately 320-pound test. The smaller diameters like #8 and #6 work well for derstanding the art of making cord with natural plants and inner bark is essential main body work in nets, but the #36 works well for lashing structures and makto our bushcraft library, but in reality, for most uses, carried cordage is a much ing camp apparatus, but still can be broken down into three very strong fibers if faster option. Don’t get me wrong, we should all practice the skill of making natu- desired.

Other types of cordages that I sometimes use are things like mule tape and tubular webbing. Mule tape, which is actually a device used for pulling electric wire through conduit, has a tensile strength of about 1,800 pounds and is very lightweight, so 100 feet of this stuff takes up little room and has quite a few advantages, from hanging hammocks to even building rope bridges. The main downfall of mule tape I have found, is it will cut itself if used for rope tackles and requires the addition of a carbineer or similar pulley, to keep the line from direct friction contact with itself. But, for many things, including rope ladders and the like, it is ideal.

Tubular webbing, used for climbing, comes in a 1-inch width and while it takes up more room and has more weight than mule tape, it also has a substantially higher tensile strength and works well for hammock suspensions and ridgelines as well as rope ladders. Natural fiber cordage, like Manila and Sisal and even Hemp, are a good choice, although much heavier than synthetics and much more susceptible to weather and UV damage. It also takes a larger diameter of this cord to achieve the same tensile strength as synthetics. I have found for the majority of short-term use in camp, that a combination of 25 feet of 550 cord and a 1-pound roll of #36 bankline will While it is possible to make cordage from natural materials in a pinch, synthetic rope, cord, or string do just about anything I need, from buildthat you carry with you is more expedient and will hold up to rigerous use better. Natural cordage making is ing shelter, to fishing and primitive trapa useful skill, but it is a time consuming process. ping, as well as using it for gear repair and

O

20 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Part 5: Cordage

Even though 550 paracord is in the spotlight in most survival books and articles, tarred bank line is far more versatile and can be used for everything from lashing, ridgelines for shelter, to weaving a fishing net or hammock.

sewing as needed, when a good sail-maker’s needle is handy.

Whatever you decide, it is easy enough to see that cordage is worth the effort and weight to carry when the alternative is to manufacture it from the landscape.

It is not hard to make a few feet of reverse wrap 2-ply cordage from inner tree bark in a short amount time, but to make 300-400 feet that could otherwise be easily carried in a 1-pound roll of bankline and won’t be near as strong, would take some time for sure.

Part of the reason for these first 5 Cs we discuss is their difficulty to recreate from natural material in a short time as well as the possibility of the necessity for specialized material sources and skills to get the job done. Being prepared is the key to short-term survival and building a kit that meets your direct needs and with items that perform multiple tasks well, is what’s truly important to understand.

About the Author - Dave has been published in Self Reliance Illustrated, New Pioneer, and American Frontiersman, Trappers World, and has appeared on the cover of Backwoodsman Magazine. Dave’s book BushCraft 101 is a two-time NY Times Best Seller.

In addition to writing about survival, Dave is the Co-Owner and Supervising Instructor of The Pathfinder School in SE Ohio, the United States Premier School for Self Reliance.

The Pathfinder School is listed as one of the top 12 Survival School in the U.S. by USA TODAY. Dave holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Wilderness Ministry from Frontier Christian University is certified in Advanced Search and Rescue, Wilderness First Aid/CPR, as an Expert Trapper by the Fur Takers of America, and holds Basic and Intermediate Certificates from the International School of Herbal Arts and Sciences.

Carrying a variety of different types of cordage with you gives you plenty of options for improvising gear, building structure, making fire, gathering food, and much more.

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

21

Diversity of Alaska Best Experienced on the Kenai Peninsula

W

By Michael Deming

ould you like to ocean fish or river fish? Is your passion to troll for your fish, cast a lure like you were bass fishing or bottom fish for halibut and rock fish? Are you interested in doing fly out trips to remote locations? If you would like to experience all of these things, the Kenai Peninsula is for you.

If you have never been to Alaska, you probably don’t know what type of fishing you really enjoy the most. This is another reason to head to the Kenai Peninsula. The diversity of this area gives you the ability to experience all different types of fishing as well as other outdoor activities all in one location.

The town of Soldotna is the hub of the Kenai Peninsula. The world famous, Kenai River runs right through the middle of town and is known for its huge king salmon. This is a big river and the runs of fish that head upstream to spawn are nothing short of spectacular. The Pacific Ocean surrounds the peninsula, giving you many opportunities for all the different types of salt water fishing you could imagine. There are also literally hundreds of small rivers and streams with good runs of salmon and steelhead, which are a short charter flight away. The Kenai

Owner Dorthy Baker is ready to greet you for your fishing adventure.

22 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Lisa Deming with a healthy sockeye salmon landed on one of the many sandbars on the Kenai River.

Peninsula is truly the land of opportunity when it comes to fishing and outdoor activities.

Figuring out where to go, what to do and when to do it, makes for some critical decision making, which is why we usually leave that up to the staff at Crooked Creek Retreat and Outfitters. Dorothy Baker is the sole owner of this operation and after spending an entire career on the bench as a judge, she is just the kind of person to run an Alaskan fishing operation. She knows what it’s like to work hard and what people want and expect when on vacation. She expects perfection from her staff and she makes sure everyone has a smile on their face while doing it. Most importantly, she makes sure that she has the most knowledgeable and best people on her team to make sure you have a trip of a lifetime.

We visited the Crooked Creek Retreat for our first time in 2014 and after seeing this great lodge and its’ staff in action for a week, I chose to take my wife Lisa for a return visit in 2016. I knew that Lisa would love the high-end lodge, gourmet food and the great customer service. However, she isn’t a diehard fisherman and I knew that we could experience all different types of fishing to see what she liked the best. If she just wanted to hang around the lodge and relax, she could do that as well. She could also take the rental car and see the Kenai Peninsula and do some souvenir shopping for the kids back home.

We arrived in the later part of July. I usually pick this time of year because sockeye salmon is my favorite table fare when it comes to Pacific salmon and this is usually when the peak run takes place. It isn’t uncommon to see 30,00060,000 fish head up the Kenai River on any given day during this timeframe. However, you are usually at the tail end of the king salmon run and a bit early for the silvers. Big steelhead are a favorite of many and that can be done early in the spring and late in the fall. Regardless of when you head to Crooked Creek Retreat and Outfitters, there is always going to be some good fishing to be had and a world class meal when you are done every day.

The Crooked Creek Retreat and Outfitters Lodge is located on “Crooked Creek” of course, which is only 15 to 20 minutes from downtown Soldotna and just a few minutes from the famous Kasilof River, which receives its’ fair share of salmon runs. The lodge is nearly 10,000 square feet, with numerous different room accommodations. Everything from a large man cave to accommodate that group of college buddies for their annual get together, to a private suite with its’ own bath and deck like Lisa and I shared.

After meeting Dorothy and settling into our room, we enjoyed a nice glass of wine on the back deck.

To be able to enjoy the view of Crooked Creek meandering through the property while enjoying the seventy degree temperatures was an enjoyable experience, considering we had flown out of Las Vegas where the temperatures were north of a hundred degrees. We were called to dinner to enjoy some of the best Prime Rib anyone could ever ask for with all the trimmings. I could tell that Lisa was Prime Rib is one of the gourmet meals enjoying the experience you will experience at the lodge. already and we hadn’t even started to fish yet.

We departed the lodge earlier than my wife would have like, which might be around noon. However, the guides insured us that we would appreciate the fact that we got settled in on some of the best sand bars early to catch our limit of five sockeye. The dock was a frenzy of boats and tourists enjoying the experience of Alaska and the Kenai River. By the time the sun was peaking over the riverbanks and lighting up the sky, we were set-up and ready to fish or should I say “floss”.

Flossing is a different technique of fishing than most anyone has ever done, unless you have fished for sockeye, that is. Once these fish leave the ocean, they traditionally don’t feed like the other species of salmon. They are running up river to spawn and these little silver athletes are full of energy. This is especially the case when they have only been in the fresh water a few hours or even a few days. As they stage to make another run up the river and catch their breath, they are susceptible to the flossing technique of fishing. By casting up stream with ten to twenty feet of line and dragging it downstream as well as in towards the bank, your artificial fly will stream across the lips of aspirating sockeye salmon waiting for their next big run. When the numbers of fish are high, you can hook up on nearly every cast. But, it is more common to hook up with five or six fish an hour when you get the technique figured out. Fish that are hooked in the mouth may be kept as part of your bag limit. However, this technique also enables you to hook fish elsewhere. This makes for a fun and exciting run for the angler, but the fish must be returned to the water after the fight.

I had our guide provide Lisa with some high-quality instruction on how to master the flossThe Kasilof River is very near the lodge and ing technique. These hosts a good variety of Pacific salmon including professionals are the smaller strain of sockeye. way better at teach-

ing their customers and my wife is way more receptive to listening and learning from a complete stranger than from me. It is also beneficial for the longevity of my marriage to not provide lessons on anything to my wife!

After spending the better part of the first hour getting lessons, Lisa was on her own. Within minutes, she had a nice chrome sockeye hooked in the lips and ripping line. I figured that the fish were showing up from the morning high tide and I would be next to hook-up. However, Lisa and some of the other hotel guests were smashing fish and my technique was lacking. I was consistently foul hooking the fish and having to let them go. By the time I landed my fifth fish for the box, everyone else had been done for over an hour and were working on their tans back at the boat. Everyone got a great laugh at my expense, but it was all in fun and we had a box full of tasty fish to show for our efforts.

During the next five days, we consistently put fish in the box to take home. We got to experience the saltwater fishing for halibut, ling cod and multiple species of rock fish in both the Cook Inlet as well as Resurrection Bay out of Seward.

We exercised the option to take a float plane excursion to a remote area which has an early run of silver salmon and the trip yielded great results as well. I even did a float trip through an area called “The Canyons” on the upper Kenai, which targeted big rainbow trout and Dolly Varden. The views in this area were second to none and I wish Lisa had decided to do this trip instead of catching up on some sleep. The guides said that late August and September is the best time for this trip. The leaves are starting to change and the rainbows and Dolly Varden are as fat and big as they will be for the year. They have gorged themselves on salmon eggs and flesh of decaying fish all summer long. As these resources dry up in September, these giants still need to eat and they do it with voracity. It isn’t uncommon to land 20-40 fish on a half day float and you are likely to get an opportunity at one of those 30” trophies we all dream of.

Regardless of when you make it to Crooked Creek Retreat and Outfitters, you will have a great time, world class service, good food and you will leave as family.

We refer to the judge as Aunt Dorothy and once you make a visit, you will see that everyone there does the same. If you have always wanted to visit Alaska, but you are not sure what to do or where to go, give Aunt Dorothy a call 907-252-9612 or check them out online at www.crookedcreekretreat.com.

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

23

Vortex Diamondback Tactical 3-9X40

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

F

or tactical shooters, 3-gun runners and varmint hunters looking to get more range out of their AR platforms, the Vortex Diamondback Tactical riflescope has the features you need, to reach out there and make rapid adjustments on the fly.

Featuring one of the best warranties in the business, Vortex has made a name for itself for excellent products, great customer service and standing behind every optic they make.

The Diamondback Tactical offers exposed turrets for rapid changes to point of aim/ point of impact. These turrets in themselves are feature packed. Most noticeable is the red fiber optic embedded in the top of the windage and elevation turrets for easily returning to zero without lifting your head from the stock. This visual indicator offers the shooter the ability to quickly rotate back to their re-zeroed location or make a full revolution, which equates to 12 MOA of adjustment. With 80 MOA of adjustment, it was necessary to include revolution marks under the turret so you can quickly

determine how many revolutions you have made. This scope features the ability to make nine full revolutions, even though the marks only go up to six. This factors in revolutions below 0. Lifting up on the cap and rotating lets you reset your zero mark without moving the POA. On the windage dial, marks are denoted in left and right, for those moments when you get varmint fever and forget which way to turn to adjust left or right. L1, L2, R1, R2, etc. clearly indicate which direction to turn to shift your aim. Each turn produces a satisfactory click and positive engagement, so there is no guess work if you are counting clicks. Quarter MOA marks between the main numbers make it so you never have a question as to where on the dial the shooter has adjusted. Beefy ribs knurled into the dials give you a positive grip, even with gloves.

The VMR-1 reticle is a great asset for this optic, quickly allowing on-the-fly Kentucky windage and elevation. A coating on reticle causes it to appear black on light surfaces and gold on dark surfaces, so it jumps out against various contrasting backgrounds. The reticle is on the second focal plane, so it won’t increase in size as you zoom in on your target.

The Diamondback Tactical is built in a single piece, one-inch aircraft aluminum tube and is completely sealed against water intrusion. It is nitrogen purged to prevent thermal shock and internal fogging.

The XD glass is XR coated to increase light transmission and decrease reflective glare, giving you an excellent sight picture. The 3.8 inches of eye relief make it a perfect fit for most AR stocks so you can place it a bit farther forward on your rail, leaving you room over your charging handle. The field of view is about what you would expect from a 40MM objective lens, 33.7 feet at 3-power to 11.3 feet at 9-power, at 100 yards.

All in all, for under $400, the Diamondback Tactical 3-9X40 will have you shooting like a designated marksman, no matter the use you put it to and is a great value for all that it packs into its 12-anda-half-inch tube.

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Defining The Playing Field Part I Chad LaChance

I

n my opinion, fish are not terribly difficult to catch. I mean, geez, they have tiny little brains and great big mouths - how hard could it be to trick them into eating? Not very in many cases, but the real trick and ultimate key to consistent success lies not in getting them to bite. Nope, not even close. The real trick is finding them in the first place. It won’t matter how perfect your bait and presen-

tation are if you’re not deploying it around fish. So, let’s talk about finding fish, fast.

There are lots of things to consider when locating fish. Seasonal effects on their movement must be considered at the macro level, along with daily or even hourly effects caused by weather. Water temperature and clarity must be considered, along with available forage, wind or current direction, water level fluctuation and a slew of other variables. But before any of those decisions can be intelligently made in a real-world circumstance, you have to understand the playing field, otherwise known as the lake or river you are considering. We need a system to apply to the decision making process and to be effective, it needs to be rooted in the lowest common denominator of fish location - structure. If 90% of the fish are in 10% of the water, obviously, you need to locate that 10% pretty quick and it starts with the structure.

Structure “IS” the playing field. It defines the outline of the lake or river, shapes the bottom thereby defining depth and becomes the basis from which all other angling decisions are made. If you don’t understand the structure of a body of water, everything else is conjecture.

How is that? Well for instance, you may know that it’s nearing spawning season for your beloved largemouth bass and even that they like to spawn on flat banks.

But, if you don’t know how to quickly locate those banks and even more importantly (especially on big lakes) how to eliminate some of them based on overriding structural elements, the fact that you know they are thinking spawn is worthless information. Or let’s say you do know exactly where they like to spawn on your lake, but they aren’t quite there yet. Where are they staging or what route might they use to get there such that you can intercept them?

Structure is “NOT” cover and cover is not structure. Despite anglers commonly interchanging those terms, structure is far more important than cover. Structure

The author and his dog out scouting structural elements like this ditch while the water level is down.

He’ll fish it when it inundates.

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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defines the shape of the waterway in three dimensions. It is the actual bottom of the lake and dictates the shoreline at any given water level. Cover is anything that sticks up off the bottom or out from the shoreline. In short, cover gives detail and texture to structure. Structure trumps cover, such that good structure will always have potential, but even the best cover is basically worthless if it’s not located on or very near good structure.

How do we learn the structure of a lake? Topographical maps are the best place. As much as I rely on my Lowrance SONAR and Genesis Insight mapping, I still prefer a paper map for big picture study.

I like to lay it out and get a “feel” for my destination. Is it a canyon style reservoir like Lake Powell or perhaps a highland impoundment like Table Rock Lake or maybe a lowland reservoir like Sam Rayburn? Each have their own structure styles. I like to compare the paper map to online aerial imagery; this is the first chance to see what cover may be around what structure. There might be a dozen similar small pockets just off the main lake, but two of them have boat docks.

I’ve instantly narrowed my fish search. I might be looking for defined creek channels (they are the fish highways), points, breaks or humps based on the habits of my preferred species and their season preferences, but regardless, it starts with the structure.

Once I launch the boat, I can verify with SONAR what the map lead me to. On the water, I can determine which great structure has the best cover and start fishing there. Once I find my target fish, I can then extrapolate to other similar areas I observed on the maps and navigate there using the mapping in my Lowrance unit. Pattern fishing 101.

I’ve often said that river fish are easier to catch than lake dwellers of the same species because the structure of the river bed is so much easier to analyze. In most cases I can see it clearly or at least read it from the current flow. Here again, structural elements can be easily scouted ahead of time with maps and aerial imagery. In this case, I’m looking at runs, flats, pocket water, large pools, falls, etc. Once I determine trout are concentrated in, say, fast riffles, I can easily concentrate my fishing in productive water.

Knowing the structural and cover preferences of your favorite species is a major part of this puzzle. But regardless, you still have to understand the structure first to apply that knowledge. In next month’s column, I’ll address cover; how to assess what makes good cover and how it relates to structure for best results. I’ll leave the fish preference study to you, because once you understand structure and cover, the fun part of the sport becomes the fish hunt.

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Photo by Gary Lewis

In The Way Of Silence A hunt for black bear in cedars with a rifle that belonged to Chub Eastman.

By Gary Lewis

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is name was Charles Eastman. Most folks called him Chub, others called him Grizz. After a career that included Winchester, Leupold & Stevens and Nosler, he was one of the country’s foremost authorities on rifles.

When I heard he was gone, I picked up the rifle again and turned it over in my hands.

It was a Mauser 9.3x62 stocked in figured wood, hand-checkered. It wore a slim 6X Leupold. Its bolt was polished and textured where the hand would contact it. At the grip, there was a hint of swell in the palm. The gun was lively, a bit balanced toward the muzzle.

The 9.3x62 cartridge was developed by German gunmaker, Otto Bock in 1905. Bock started with the robust military 98 Mauser and designed a cartridge that would feed through the standard-length action. The case was nearly identical with the .30-06; the bullet was 9.3mm (.366 inches) in diameter, which with a soft nose, was deadly on kudu and eland and with a solid, it “had enough sectional density to penetrate and do in the big boys,” as Eastman put it.

Eastman compared the 9.3x62 to the .35 Whelen and the .338-06. “Even though the 9.3x62 is a slight bit shorter in length (1mm), its straighter case walls and shorter neck

Photo by Gary Lewis

About 30,000 black bear live in Washington State and the highest concentrations can be found close to the ocean on the Olympic Peninsula. This bear was taken on the Quinault Indian Reservation with a rifle that once belonged to Chub Eastman.

32 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

A Belgian Mauser that Chub Eastman converted to a 9.3x62 give it the advantage,” Eastman wrote.

Together we planned to hunt feral hogs in California. Then in February of that year, Eastman said he couldn’t go. He wasn’t well enough to travel. We met for lunch and talked rifles and the conversation drifted around to the old Mauser. “Keep that 9.3 for awhile,” he said, “and use it for hogs or bears.”

Bears.

When Chub passed, I remembered his stories about hunting black bear on rainy evenings in the spring and fall in Montana. He learned to shoot a rifle early and shot many, many bears to keep them away from the guests in the cabins his parents owned at a resort on a lake.

It was there he learned the way of silence that served him later in the Marines and later still, in hunts around the world. With a Winchester across his lap and the wind in his face, he’d wait under a tree, in perfect stillness. The bear became his totem.

I would take his rifle on a bear hunt and take someone who had known Chub too.

My friend Matthew McFarland and his boys, Chisel (13) and Finney (10), knew Chub from local Safari Club functions. Chub started hunting bears when he was their age.

He would be proud to see the hunt passed down. They would soak in the stillness and learn the way of silence.

North to the Rain Forest

According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, there are approximately 30,000 black bears in Washington. There is no place in the state with more bears than on the Olympic Peninsula.

If there is one place on the Peninsula where the bears are thickest, it might be the Quinault Indian Reservation.

John “Tater” Bryson grew up in those big woods and on that river. He is Quinault and Quileute, a fisheries technician, a fishing guide and the owner of Quinault Bear Commanders.

We first met in the big city where we both are out of place. When we

Photo courtesy Matthew McFarland

Ten-year-old Finney McFarland, proved his patience on a four-day bear hunt. This bruin came out 15 minutes before dark on the last evening. Finney McFarland graduated from a single-shot to a bolt rifle for this hunt. He used a sized-right Remington and a .300 Blackout cartridge and waited for a broadside, behind-the-shoulder shot.

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Photo courtesy Chub Eastman collection.

Chub Eastman with a grizzly. The bear was his totem.

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met again, it was on a riverbank at the Quinault River Inn, on the Quinault Reservation, where the winds off the Pacific blow in the tops of the cedars.

Sam Pyke made the trip north with me and Matthew McFarland, with his boys, Chisel and Finney, arrived the next afternoon.

Bryson maintains 25 bait sites he sets up a few weeks before his first spring clients arrive. For my first afternoon hunt he had one place in mind, a spot not far from the river, in use by several bears, he said. He showed us their tooth marks on the bait barrel and claw marks on the trees.

We freshened the bait site with Northwoods’ Gold Mist, which smells like butterscotch, then Bryson bid us good luck and drove away. We parked the truck a long way out, then walked back. Pyke and I climbed into our blind.

I bolted a cartridge into the chamber of the Belgian Mauser that had belonged to my friend. I tipped Chub’s rifle up and waited. The bait was 70 yards away.

A Stellar’s jay lit on a high branch, then worked its way down to snatch a bit of bread. Two orioles followed, then chipmunks moved in.

Overhead, the clouds marched, shadows leant one way and then another. Somewhere nearby, Chisel and Finney were in their blinds. I pictured what they must be watching, tried to imagine the forest through their eyes.

There was fascination in the play of shadows, in the rainwater that ran down branches, in the speckle-bellied geese that flew ragged Vs against the clouds.

After eight hours, a blackness appeared at the edge of the clearing. It moved left to right at the edge of the trees. When it stopped out in the open, I saw the bear well.

It was on a log three feet off of the ground, its black hair shown like silk. It looked toward our blind. The gun was already up and I found the bear in the crosshair, let the reticle drift to a spot right behind its shoulder. When the bear was still, broadside, I touched the trigger.

In the scope, I saw the bear react to the hit, then twist its body the opposite direction. I waited five minutes and reviewed the shot in my mind, then began the walk toward the end of the clearing, another bullet in the chamber, thumb on the safety.

There was no blood trail, but there were flat spots in the moss where its paws had touched down. Then I spotted its black hair. It had not run more than 50 yards before it piled up on a bed of moss beneath ancient cedars.

The way of the black bear is the way of silence. It was a way Chub knew when he was a kid, watching the bears for hours at a time, all alone with a rifle.

We hunted two days more - one day with Chisel and one day with Finney - then it was time for Pyke and I to leave.

Bryson called Guy Capoeman, another bear guide, 46-years-old, a tribal councilman and historian we wanted to meet. Capoeman met us at the mouth of the Quinault River in the small Quinault Nation town of Taholah. We sat at the base of the seawall near the river mouth and he explained how the black bear numbers exploded after the tribes began to harvest the cedars.

“We needed to do something about them, there were too many,” he said. “It was a hard thing, to let non-tribal members on to the reservation to hunt, but it has proved to be a good thing.”

Capoeman and his son James, 23, brought drums, decorated with the images of their clan. When we were finished talking, they uncased the drums. There was a song they could sing, Capoeman suggested, a song reserved for their family, passed down from generation to generation. Great-great-grandfathers had sung this ancient song their spear song - even before the coming of the bow and arrow.

When it was finished, Capoeman looked out at the river and said, “That song was enough.” He nodded toward the boys and Matthew. “They’ll get a bear tonight.”

There were tracks in the clearing around the bait site, prints that measured five inches across the pads.

That evening, as darkness fell on cedars. Finney, who had steeped in the way of silence, shot his bear.

To order a signed copy of Gary Lewis’ Hunting Oregon, send $24.80 (includes S&H) to GLO, PO Box 1364, Bend, OR 97709 or visit www.GaryLewisOutdoors.com.

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sigsauer.com May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Video Product Reviews

Camp Chef SmokePro Pellet Grill DLX

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moking light, flaky fish, searing hearty rib-eyes, ribs, chops, jerky or pretty much anything you can imagine is easier than ever with the Camp Chef SmokePro Pellet Grill. For those who want a feature packed grill without a premium price tag, the DLX is just the ticket.

With all of the features of the SmokePro line, the DLX has 429 square inches of cooking surface and includes a second 141-inch cooking rack.

The DLX provides a substantial, 18-pound capacity pellet hopper, so you can fill it up with Camp Chef Premium Hardwood Pellets and not worry about it running out of fuel. The 25,000 BTU/hour burner will achieve temperatures up to 500 degrees, which makes it one of the hottest grills on the market and ideal for grilling as well as smoking with a temperature as low as 160 degrees.

With both an internal temperature probe and an included meat temperature probe, the DLX gives you greater control of your cooking and makes it easier to properly regulate your temperature so you can cook faster or slower, depending upon your desired rate. An easy-to-use digital temperature dial gives you exceptional control.

Management of the DLX is also easier, with electronic auto ignition, a hopper cleanout for easily swapping pellets and an industry first ash cleanout so you don’t ever have to use a vacuum to suck out the remaining ash.

While pellet grills can get hot and cook a variety of meats, they don’t provide a direct flame sear to seal in all of the flavorful juices. Camp Chef has solved this dilemma by creating the SmokePro BBQ Sear Box, that easily bolts into pre-drilled and sleeved threads on the side of your pellet grill. Just remove the side shelf and bolt on the Sear Box. The Sear Box features a propane powered, 16,000 BTU burner enamel coated cast iron grill for even grill marks and heating and a heat diffuser to vaporize grease and prevent flare-ups.

With the paring of the DLX and the Sear Box, you can get a professional quality reverse sear by slow smoking your steaks and chops in the DLX and finishing them on the

Sear Box with a hard sear for a restaurant quality, bullseye doneness. There is no way to make a tender steak that is easier or more consistent.

Pairing these two cooking powerhouses in a single unit means only having to fire up one grill and removes the guess work, while improving your cooking. It also gives you the flexibility to smoke tender, flaky fish, cook a full turkey or cook other items that would be impossible on a standard grill or smoker.

Check out the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX and SmokePro BBQ Sear Box, as well as the full line of Camp Chef products at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse.

Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view the Sportsman's News YouTube Channel.

Bushnell Elite CONX 1 Mile Rangefinder

K

nowing the range to your target is only half the battle. Until recently, your typical rangefinder under $1,000 was pretty accurate out to about 600 yards. Bushnell has blown that distance out of the water with the Elite CONX 1Mile Rangefinder.

Boasting distances of up to 1,760 yards (1 mile) with accuracy of up to +/- ½ yard, not only does the Elite CONX 1Mile provide you proper distance, but with the addition of Bushnell’s A.R.C. technology, it will compute and compensate for angle. It will compute holdover for three ballistic curves in MOA, inches, or MIL. With 7x magnification, it will also help you see what you are ranging at those distances.

Its Vivid Display Technology gives you crystal clear viewing whether far away or up close.

Multicoated lenses resist dust and moisture and provide exceptional clarity and contrast. And the lenses are also coated in Bushnell’s Rainguard HD to cause water beading for better visibility in wet weather. The entire unit is also armored in a tough abrasion resistant rubberized skin for a positive grip in damp conditions.

Variable Sight In lets you “zero” at 100, 150, 200 or 300 yards. Three ranging modes let you range to a specific target, scan across the landscape constantly reading range, or pick out the range to something obscured by brush with Bulls Eye, Scan, and Brush modes.

The second generation E.S.P. processor rapidly computes distance and range computation for rapid target ranging.

The Elite CONX 1Mile is more than just a rangefinder, with the ability to connect to your smartphone and the Bushnell CONX app. This will input the range and angle data from your Elite CONX 1Mile and feed it into the Bushnell ballistic calculator for even greater accuracy.

Paired with the Kestrel Sportsman weather station and applied ballistics engine, the Elite CONX 1Mile will wirelessly feed data to the Kestrel, which is also collecting data from the atmosphere, to provide you an exact shooting solution for your environmental conditions, range, and inclination.

About the only thing this combo won’t do for you, is pull the trigger. But it gives you all of the information you need to DOPE your scope, so if you miss, you only have yourself to blame.

May 12 through June 6 is the Bushnell 25 Days of 25 percent off special. All Bushnell products, except for their golf products, qualify for a 25% mail-in Scan this QR Code rebate, so there is no better time to check out the Elite CONX 1 Mile Rangefinder your smart phone to Combo at your local Sportsman’s Warehouse.

36 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

with view the Sportsman's News YouTube Channel.

Video Product Reviews

Nightforce Carbon Fiber 3-in-1 Tripod

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ightforce pulled out all the stops with this compact, yet extremely versatile 3.6-pound tripod. I spent some time with this little powerhouse and I must say, it is sure to be a go-to for many outdoor enthusiasts out there.

One of the first things you will notice is the 3.6-pound package as you take it out of the box. As I carried it on several different outings while testing it out, it proved itself to be ultra-lightweight, with excellent balance.

The multi-purpose design was well thought out with a variety of uses. The most obvious uses are as a tripod or as an ideal shooting rest, but they didn’t stop there. Nightforce made it easily transformable, with the ability to turn into a monopod, not to mention the ability to completely take off two legs that become excellent lightweight, fully adjustable trekking poles. They accomplished this in carbon fiber, one of the most advanced, durable, lightweight materials available.

Whether you are a hunter, shooter, hiker, photographer, or videographer; there are a variety of ways this tripod will become a mainstay on many trips and backpacks across the globe.

The range of adjustability in this standard tripod is phenomenal, with a height range from 23 inches to 64 inches, giving it all around versatility. Then you have the low-profile configuration that can get you down to a stable nine inches above the ground. This makes it an excellent support from the prone shooting position or a low-profile support for your spotter while shooting in the prone position.

Scan this QR Code with The two removable legs make rapidly and easily con- your smart phone to view vert the tripod into into the trekking poles that weigh a t h e S p o r t s m a n ' s N e w s YouTube Channel. mere nine ounces each and give you 16 to 50 inches of

adjustability. When you secure the ball head to one of the removable legs you then have a completely adjustable monopod which gives you a wide range of adjustment from 19.5 inches to 67.5 inches.

One of the items that may tend to get overlooked is the spring hook at the bottom of the center carbon fiber rod. This became very handy during windy conditions, as I would hang my pack or even a full thermos from it to make it steadier as I was glassing with my spotter. Windy conditions are about the only time I wish I had my heavier aluminum tripod. This feature makes for a steadier field of view while glassing and I was no longer wishing for a heavier tripod during windy weather.

With all these amenities packed into this lightweight, ever versatile tripod, it will end up being an indispensable companion for your outdoor activities.

Zamberlan Lynx Mid GTX

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or nearly 90 years, the Zamberlan family has cultivated their tradition of designing and manufacturing boots for the mountain from their home in the foothills of the Dolomites, in northern Italy. Their profound culture for mountain footwear is based in their respect for artisanal boot craftsmanship. Zamberlan boots first entered the U.S. market in 1992 through one retailer and with one model, the legendary Civetta. In 2009, the company opened their U.S. subsidiary and today enjoy robust growth in both hunting and hiking markets. The Zamberlan 1014 Lynx Mid GTX exemplifies their philosophy of making boots in a traditional manner, while leveraging best-in-class technology and design.

The Lynx Mid GTX is a supportive, yet relatively lightweight boot. Ideal for early season backcountry hunting and hiking, the Lynx Mid promises comfort and support while under load during long hauls. Fit and comfort go hand and hand with these boots, with an excellent range of motion. Zamberlan’s Flex System allows the boot to break forward at the ankle, all while keeping great lateral support. This feature makes it less likely for you to encounter rub areas, like you may have experienced with boots that have continuous leather at the ankle areas.

The uppers of the boot feature Zamberlan’s proprietary Hydrobloc Nubuck leathers, which measure 2.4-2.6 mm’s thick. The latest innovation is a unique camouflage blend infused into the leathers, which goes well with a wide range of patterns on the market.

To maintain a lighter weight profile, you won’t find a rubber rand around the bottom of the boot. However, the Gore-Tex Performance Comfort membranes guarantee waterproof protection and great breathability for the life of the boot. The Microtex collars wick moisture away from the lower leg, reducing any possible hot spot areas.

While keeping flexibility and durability in mind, Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view they incorporated their Zamberlan Vibram 3D sole. the Sportsman's News The midsole is a little softer and more flexible than YouTube Channel. you may find on other Zamberlan products, but

doesn’t miss a beat in longevity, all while maintaining excellent traction. The sole system incorporates an exaggerated rocker, the purpose of which is to reduce foot fatigue and assist on uphill climbs, especially when wearing a heavy pack.

The Flex System and Vibram 3D outsole make for a very short break-in period for the Lynx Mid. Additional comfort amenities include the footbed, constructed with 3mm of memory foam and extra padding and circulation thanks to the Zamberlan Air System. All of these design elements create an ideal environment and unbelievable comfort, while maintaining durability throughout the backcountry.

Handcrafted in Italy, the Zamberlan Lynx is one pair of boots that will provide reliable performance over many hunts and scouting trips out in the backcountry. Regardless of the weather or terrain, you can enjoy the Lynx as an early-season boot that will last you through those archery hunts well until early rifle season. You’ll definitely want to put these boots on your list to checkout, as they’ll give you all the comfort, durability and reliability you could ask for in a mid to light-weight scouting and hunting boot.

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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38 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Video Product Reviews

Swarovski X5(i) Riflescope

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ong range shooting is definitely more than just a fad. Whether punching paper, banging steel or putting the crosshairs on that trophy of a lifetime, you must see the target before you can successfully connect when we are talking about long range. Making the correct adjustments to elevation and windage are extremely precise when you are talking about taking a shot at 800 plus yards. Being off by a couple of inches at 100 yards isn’t a big deal, but that same error at 800 yards will put you 16” off target and be a miss or possibly result in a wounded animal.

The X5(i) Riflescope by Swarovski is a precision piece of equipment with the longrange shooter in mind. It is built on an extremely rugged platform and with a 30 mm tube. Tracking on your adjustments for long ranges are crucial. When you adjust for one inch of movement, you must get one inch of movement - no more and no less. The spring retention and lever system in the X5(i) insures that you get the same pressure on

both the elevation and the windage turrets to provide you with unparalleled tracking. The 116 MOA of vertical adjustment will provide more than enough elevation adjustment to get you on target well past 1000 yards for most calibers. The scope has a 5X magnification range and comes in several different models.

The 3.5-18X50 and 5-25X56 which both have 1/4 MOA adjustments for windage and elevation. There is also the 5-25X56, which comes in a 1/8 MOA adjustments. There are multiple Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view reticle options to choose from and both illuminated as well the Sportsman's News as non-illuminated options of each. The illuminated versions YouTube Channel. have 10 different brightness levels to choose from with a quick push of a button. The magnification adjustment ring is oversized and extremely smooth to operate, even with heavy gloves.

Our test model scope is the 3-18X50 and tips the scale at 28.6 ounces. It is fairly compact at 14.4” in total length and packs a whopping 91% light transmission. This precision piece of long range shooting equipment is just what you would expect from a company like Swarovski. See the full video of our testing on this long range scope at the above QR code link.

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May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS 5/3/16 11:40 AM

Video Product Reviews

Green Mountain Grills’ Accessories

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have been using my Green Mountain Grills smoker for a year now without a hiccup. It is extremely hard to mess things up when cooking on it, as it preserves the moisture content within the foods you’re cooking. This year, the focus is on their accessories to go with their popular grills.

One of the biggest additions that stood out to me personally is the WoodFired Pizza Oven. This literally looks like a miniature Brick House Wood-Fired Pizza Oven. Other than size, the only difference is the all stainless steel construction that will hold up for many years of use. This little oven, when placed in your Daniel Boone or Jim Bowie model grills, will heat your pizza stone to an ideal 750 to 800 degrees, which is a perfect temperature to place your favorite pizza. This is sure to be a favorite accessory to go with your Green Mountain grill.

The next item they added is small, but can really pack a punch in the flavor department. Green Mountain Grills’ Thin Blue Smoker will hit the spot for those looking to enhance the flavor of their food. You can use this by simply placing it on the grill while barbecuing to add additional flavor to your meats, fish, poultry, pork, and jerky. On top of that, you can use it to “Cold Smoke” your cheese, nuts, mushrooms, and vegetables. Who doesn’t love a little smoked cheese and crackers?

What a great compliment this smoker adds to the lineup of Green Mountain Grills.

Fortunately, they didn’t stop there and developed their own Grill Mats. These mats are perfect for those more delicate items or smaller foods that you don’t want to fall through the grill, but want to imbue with extra flavor. A non-stick material makes the mats ideal for vegetables, fish, small cubed up meats, and even bread.

They are dishwasher and microwave safe, with a maximum operating temperature of 500 degrees Fahrenheit. These mats come in both large and small sizes to accommodate the Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, and Jim Bowie models.

Why barbecue without rubs and sauces? Green Mountain Grills has a large selection of these items to enhance flavor to any food you can think of. They have eight variation of rubs to choose from, giving you plenty of options to meet all your grilling needs. As much as I like rubs, let’s not leave out the sauces. They knocked it out of the park with these great flavors, giving you six different ones to choose from.

The last item to add to their accessory highlight list, but maybe the most important, is their Green Mountain Grills pellets. Their pellets are produced in a way to naturally enhance your food’s flavor with clean kiln dried sawdust. With this process, you get true wood flavor, unlike your traditional charcoal briquettes. With all that Green Mountain Grills has to offer, it is worth checking out their top-notch grills and outstanding accessories Scan this QR Code with your smart phone to view when looking to enhance the flavor and experience of the Sportsman's News your outdoor grilling this year.

YouTube Channel.

40 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

DESIGNED WITH THE TOUGHEST STANDARDS IN MIND BUILT TO PERFORM IN THE HARSHEST CONDITIONS

Short Takeup Trigger with Positive Reset

Recoil-Reducing Barrel Cam, Low Mass Slide, Low Center of Gravity and Low Bore Axis

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010317

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

41

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42 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS 圀圀圀⸀匀倀伀刀吀匀䴀䄀一匀圀䄀刀䔀䠀伀唀匀䔀⸀䌀伀䴀

圀圀圀⸀匀倀伀刀吀匀䴀䄀一匀圀䄀刀䔀䠀伀唀匀䔀⸀䌀伀䴀

Bass Fishing Roundup

By Chad LaChance

T

St Croix Legend Long Bass Rods

he Bassmaster Classic is the most prestigious tournament in fresh water fishing. It’s a three-day event held on the country’s best bass lakes each spring, where 53 anglers compete for the $300,000 first prize and title of World Champion. Television and social media cover the event for anglers not lucky enough to attend in person and this year’s event drew almost 200,000 visitors to Houston’s Lake Conroe. Due to the large numbers in attendance, the Classic Expo has grown into the largest fishing consumer show in the country, with 300,000 square feet of pure bass fishing goodness presented by all the major manufacturers. Having just returned from the show, here are a few of the products that caught my bass fishing eye.

Abu Garcia Revo Rocket

I’m a speed junkie and I’m not even shy about it, so when I was given the chance to test Abu Garcia’s Revo Rocket casting reel, I jumped on it. Awhile later, the opportunity came up to test the Revo Rocket in the new spinning version and again I was quick to agree. Now both reels are in production and I have a year of use on them. To be short, they are among my favorites of all time. The casting version is available in left or right handed and features 10 stainless bearings and one roller bearing, the proprietary Carbon Matrix drag system and most importantly, has a 9.0:1 gear ratio allowing it to retrieve 37 inches of line per handle turn. The spinning version has a 7.0:1 ratio also recovering 37 inches per turn, along with the bomb-proof K-Clutch anti-reverse bearing, Carbon Matrix drag and Rocket Line Management to handle all line types. Rockets feature a distinctive red and black finish that looks fast even sitting still. If you don’t like to waste time while fishing, get a Revo Rocket.

Trilene 100% Fluorocarbon

The trend in bass fishing for the last decade has been towards longer rods and for good reason. Longer rods give anglers more casting range, hook-set leverage, line control and ultimately fish control. Bass fishing participation is driven by tournament fishing and until this year, tournament rules prohibited rods longer than eight feet. Now that has changed and in typical St Croix Rod fashion, the company is leading the way in developing new, super long spinning and casting rods, perfect for modern bass fishing. The Legend Glass series has been a hit with Crankbaiters since it revolutionized fiberglass crankbait rods and a new 8’8” medium-heavy power model is ready to launch your favorite big crankbait to the moon in search of deeper dives and has the backbone to fight your catch. The Legend Tournament line of graphite rods was blessed with six long additions ranging from two 8’6” spinning rods, to six casting rods, 8’ to 9’11” in length. We’re particularly looking forward to the medium-light spinning rod and 8’11” flipping/pitching rod, along with the over-achieving new Legend Glass.

Lowrance HDS Carbon 16

High tech anglers have been on a constant trend to better their electronics game to the point that many hardcore bass and walleye guys now mount multiple SONAR/GPS. After all, why split screen your SONAR, Down Scan and GPS into tiny little displays when you can just add a whole other head display unit to your console and have nice big images! Well, Lowrance decided to make things easier and supersized one of the new-for-2017 HDS Carbon units - enter the HDS Carbon 16 - 16 inches of pure viewing pleasure.

Now, when the four-way screen split commonly used by today’s anglers is being displayed, we get the same effect as having four 7” screens all at once. Lowrance SolarMAX™ HD display technology features high-definition views and clear visibility in all conditions with a wide range of viewing angles, even when wearing polarized sunglasses. The new displays are engineered to withstand higher temperatures than conventional units, offering enhanced reliability in warmer climates. Carbon 16 features dual core processors for speed and of course, supports StructureScan 3D with DownScan and SideScan Imaging, StructureMap and even SiriusXM weather overlay.

Video game fishing just went big-time, big!

While Trilene 100% Fluoro Pro Grade is technically not a new product, its popularity amongst anglers has steadily grown since its introduction. At the 2017 Bassmaster Classic Expo, it was by far the most popular line of show attendees - nearly 900 miles of it was spooled! Trilene is the #1 selling brand of line nationwide, so when that brand name is applied to fluorocarbon, it better be good.

It starts with a proprietary 100% PVDF formula that is very dense so the line sinks at a fast rate for less “line bow” between angler and lure, better sensitivity and great shock absorption. Abrasion resistance is very high and the line holds knots like a champ. Of course, fluorocarbon’s light refraction is very similar in water’s, making it nearly invisible under water, but it’s also available in green tint just in case. 100% Fluoro Pro Grade is available in 4- through 25-pound test in 110, 200 and 2000 yard spool sizes.

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

43

Twin Falls, Idaho

JUNE 10th 9AM - 4PM Jerome Gun Club

How would you like to try out a new gun before you buy it? Well, the Twin Falls, Idaho Sportsman's Warehouse is excited to again give you the opportunity to do just that at their Annual Outdoor Shooting Expo on June 10th at the Jerome Gun Club.

There will be a variety of Manufacturer Sales Reps in town for the event. Ruger, Remington, Springfield Arms, Mossberg, Savage, Bushmaster, DPMS, Taurus, Walther, Glock and Smith & Wesson, along with Tactical Solutions, Vortex and Eotec and others will all be on site with both new offerings and many of their mainstays as well.

Springfield and Mossberg have donated firearms and Vortex and Leupold have donated optics to be raffled at the end of the event (need not be present to win).

The Twin Falls Sportsman’s Warehouse has been hosting this evening for several years and the management and employees always enjoy working alongside the reps and mingling with the public. Those who have attended the event over the years always look forward to seeing, first hand, what's new and exciting in the firearms and optics world, up close and personal!

So, come on by and bring your family and friends. The Xavier Trap Team will be providing food and drinks this year and the first 100 people will receive a free gift for attending. There is no fee to attend and ammunition will be available on-site for purchase.

Again, the date is June 10th from 9am until 4pm. The Jerome Gun Club is located approximately 15 miles north of Twin Falls on Hyw 93 at mile post 64.

For more information, call:

Steve Clayton or Kim Hunter at 208-737-9900

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44 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Bass Fishing Roundup Berkley Dredger Crankbaits

Every year more bass anglers find out about power of deep cranking and the definition of deep gets pushed farther down in the water column. To answer that push for deeper baits, Berkley added the all new Dredger series of crankbaits to their popular hard bait line-up that already features powerhouses like the Cutter jerkbaits, SquareBull shallow crankbaits and Warpig lipless crankbaits. The Dredger was designed by crankbait legend David Fritts to run on a steep dive curve, track straight and not be overly fatiguing to retrieve. Then the paint shop put some amazingly vibrant colors on the bait and the rest is history. Part of the dive curve success is due to the weighted lip that ensures the lure starts every retrieve nose down and in my testing, the bill has been very durable. The Dredger series is available in five depth ranges from 10.5 feet to 25.5 feet deep and 20 colors - pretty sure you can cover all your deep cranking needs with a selection that varied.

Pelican Elite 20Q Cooler

Ever since roto-molded coolers hit the scene, manufacturers have scrambled to one-up each other in the race for cooler dominance. Pelican, an industry leader in extremely tough cases of all sorts, has once again upped the ante with the Elite series of Pelican coolers. The new series is lighter than previous coolers, but don’t let that fool you, this was the only cooler tested by Popular Mechanics to actually be grizzly bear proof, despite claims of others. The smallest model is 20 quarts worth of cold storage, tall and slender to take up less space, yet holding 15 cans or four bottles of wine upright, all the while retaining ice for three full days.

The largest model boasts 10-days of ice retention! The Elite 20Q has builtin drink holders on top, a bottle opener (genius!), a user friendly handle and the best locking system in the biz. Just ask a grizzly bear!

Costa Sunrise Silver 580P Polarized Lens

Costa and “fishing glasses” may as well be congruent terms, after all, the company has built its entire reputation around helping anglers “see what’s out there” and can be found protecting the vision of many of the best anglers in the world. So, when Costa saw the need for a new lens color for varied low-light conditions, Silver Sunrise was born. Of course, it features all of Costa’s 580 lens technology that blocks harmful high intensity blue light and harsh yellow light while increasing contrast, definition and overall increased sharpness. Silver Sunrise is offered in their polycarbonate lens, bolstered with C-Wall molecular bonding that helps deter scratching and of course, Costa’s multi-patented polarization. This lens is absolutely ideal for morning and evening fishing or anytime the light gets low. Silver Sunrise is available in a variety of frame options to fit any face, including my personal favorite, Corbina.

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

45

PRO MEMBER UPDATE

M

y first thoughts when thinking of west Texas is flat country. Not much in the way of scenery you might say, at least not what I am used to. All the areas I have ever been to in western Texas have been flat with mesquite, cactus and stickers as far as the eye can see.

Well, this road trip had the makings to be exactly the terrain I was accustomed to, while traveling from Utah to Marfa, Texas, to meet up with the Pro Membership winner for a Texas aoudad hunt.

After arriving in Marfa, the only mountains visible were a few off in the distance.

Even as we got to the end of the pavement, about 20 miles outside of Marfa and entered the private piece of leased land by Steve Jones, all I saw was flat Texas country and one peak quite some ways out. Little did I know, after driving down this long dirt road that stretched about 18 miles, it would open into more rolling hills, peaks and drainages.

With Will Kite (Pro Membership winner) coming in the following day, we didn’t waste any time hitting the hills scouting to see what we could find. That evening, Dave Callaway, one of the guides, took us to a place they call “The Nursery”. This was located not too far at all from the accommodations there at the ranch. We found ourselves already spotting some shooter rams as we were glassing into some drainages. Sportsman’s News president, Mike Deming, accompanied us on this hunt as he had a tag also. He was tempted to pull the trigger the first evening, but wanted to wait for Will to get in on the action.

As the first evening ended, we watched the rams feed off over the ridge, disappearing into the beautiful sunset. We then headed back for dinner at the quaint ranch house kitchen and barn. This is where all the meals are cooked and we lay our heads for the night in anticipation of a new day in the mountains of west Texas. Surprisingly, the ranch house sits at 5,000 feet and other mountain tops surrounding it rise to 6,000 plus. Not the terrain your average person would except when traveling to west Texas. The barn was large enough to accommodate our party of four with plenty of room for more. They also have a couple other barn structures there where the guides stay, all within walking distance from one another. This made for great socializing after long days in the field.

The next morning, we woke up to the sound of the generator going off and the lights brightly reminding you it’s time to start your morning. With full meals cooked every day, your morning starts off with a great breakfast, which is well needed as you hit the mountains in search of a shooter ram. After our meal, we set out for a morning scouting trip before heading into town to meet up with the Pro Membership winner, Will Kite, who by the way, not only won this hunt, but also won a world class fishing trip all within an 11-mointh period. Pro Membership gives you these opportunities and more. As we made our way off the ranch, we spotted more aoudad, so this hunt package was looking very promising for our Pro Member winner.

We end up meeting Will in Marfa, which is about an hour and a half drive from the ranch house. I knew from the moment Will was behind us, following us back out to the ranch, he was having the same first impressions of the topography I was having just the day before. Sure enough, as we stop about halfway in on the dirt road so he could park his rental car, Will mentions the same thing I was thinking the day we

Pro Member winner William Kite of Montana harvested a great Aoudad ram on his very first day of his hunt.

46 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Steve Jones Backcountry Hunts

By Shane Chuning arrived. Along the way, we even spotted a younger group of rams, which is always a nice site for the Pro Member winners to see before we start the hunt.

Pulling up back to the ranch house, we were greeted by Steve Jones, the owner of the operation and Dave Callaway, one of his guides. We decided we would head back out to the nursery that first evening to see if we could spot the rams we saw the first evening we arrived. With all the animals we had seen so far, we were confident they were going to be there again. To our surprise, not a single ram was spotted in the nursery drainage that evening, so we headed back for dinner and to close out the night.

The next morning we woke up and went to the place they call “The Lookout” to see what we could glass up. At first light, we spot a shooter ram for Will and discuss if he would like to go after it. Will at that point gives everyone the go-ahead that he wants to pursue the ram. Dave, the guide, makes plans and says we could get in closer by way of the Loop road, so we plan to get a little closer before making our trek in on foot. Knowing this country very well, Dave makes the perfect call on their location as we proceeded in to get within range of a shot for Will. We made the call to take a middle ridge line, just in case they went a little farther to the west than we anticipated.

This paid off big time, as Dave Callaway, the guide, spotted them about halfway up the ridge.

Will’s anticipation and excitement start to pick up, as he gets into position and finds the ram through his rifle scope. With the ram bedded down, we need to wait for him to stand up to give Will a clean, broadside shot. With everything in place and the ram not knowing we are there at all, he finally stands up and starts to feed, working from left to right. With nerves building, Will loses him in his scope and can’t relocate him.

With aoudad blending well in this terrain, it can make for a difficult spot if you are

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May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

47

PRO MEMBER UPDATE not used to them. A few minutes go by and after bringing Will’s riflescope back down to its lowest power in magnification, he has the ram in his sights once again. Now, we are back to waiting patiently for a broadside shot opportunity, with all the time in the world, as the ram has no idea we are there.

Now, everything is coming together and Will is locked-in, ready for the shot, well capable at the 316 yards with his Christianson Arms 7mm RUM, 180 gr. Berger bullet and Leupold scope. With 40 years in the railroad business, Will’s nerves of steel came

Thirty inch rams are the ultimate trophy when chasing Aoudad.

Although, we expect to see some, not everyone is as lucky as William to harvest one.

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in handy, delivering a clean pass through right behind the front shoulder. The ram went about 60 yards before expiring right in view, as we saw it all unfold. Now it was time for the pack out as Will made short order of this one and it was time to celebrate.

With a couple of days still left in Will's trip, we spent time glassing the country for another tag that was not yet filled by Mike Deming. During that time, we encountered 100’s of aoudad, elk, mule deer, whitetail and Del Carmen deer on the ranch. With the last day approaching and time running out, I spotted a group of rams for Mike to make a move on. With everyone split up, I got in touch with Dave, the guide, to take another look at these rams. He said they were rams Mike should certainly look at and decide from there. Since they were feeding away and would shortly be out of sight, I hurried out to an advantage point so I could keep eyes on them. In the meantime, Mike and Sam, our cameraman, walked the next ridge line out to the west, in hopes they could setup for a shot. After a long hike and hours sitting, waiting for them to get out of their beds, Mike closed the deal on a ram at 570 yards. It was quite the pack out in some steep, rocky terrain as we closed out the successful week on the last day.

Steve Jones Backcountry Hunts is quite the little gem in west Texas and Steve Jones makes you feel right at home at his operations. This made for an awesome time to meet our sweepstakes winner, Will Kite and accompany him on his successful hunt, which he never thought Although a guided hunt, would have been possible, if it wasn’t for William wanted to pack out his being a part of the Sportsman’s News own trophy.

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49

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May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

51

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

H

Venison Swedish Meatballs

ave some ground venison in your freezer? How about some sumptuous Swedish meatballs instead of the usual burger!

A great break from what you would traditionally think of as “Wild Game Cooking”, this recipe is really easy to make and the reward is great. Who doesn’t like Swedish meatballs.

Any type of venison will work well. If you are grinding your own meat, be sure to add 20% of some sort of suet or the meatballs will fall apart. Most meat processing facilities do this for you when you ask for burger.

Get your ingredients together, pour yourself a cold beverage and get busy with this recipe, it is a really tasty alternative for your ground venison.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup seasoned Italian bread crumbs • 1 medium brown onion, minced • 2 eggs, lightly beaten • 1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley • 1 ½ teaspoon garlic powder • 1 teaspoon allspice • 1 teaspoon nutmeg • 1 teaspoon kosher or sea salt • 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper • 2 pounds ground venison • Bacon grease

Gravy

• ½ cup flour • 2 ¾ cups 2% milk • 1 ½ cups beef stock • 1 ½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce • 1 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper • ¾ teaspoon kosher or sea salt • ¼ cup sour cream

Noodles

• 16-ounce pack of large egg noodles or • ¼ cup butter, cubed Pappardelle • ¼ cup chopped parsley

52 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Preparation Method

In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, onion, eggs, parsley, and seasonings. Mix thoroughly. Add the ground venison and blend gently, but well. Shape these into 1 ½ inch meatballs. We used an ice cream scoop for consistency and hand rolled them into balls. We ended up with 34 fairly uniform, tasty looking meatballs.

Warm up one to two tablespoons of bacon grease in a large skillet over medium heat. Brown the meatballs in batches, turning them until well browned (they will finish cooking in the sauce). Remove them to a paper towel lined plate when finished and leave the drippings in the pan to make the gravy.

To make the gravy, add the flour to the drippings stirring constantly over medium heat until golden brown and the raw flour taste is cooked out.

Be careful and do not burn it. Whisk in the milk and blend until there are no lumps. Stir in the stock, Worcestershire and the seasonings and bring the mixture to a low boil. Stir and cook for a few minutes to let the sauce thicken. Remove from heat and blend in the sour cream.

Bring down the heat to medium low and add the meatballs back to the pan. Let them continue to simmer, stirring occasionally, for another 15 minutes until they are fully cooked.

Meanwhile, prepare the noodles as per the package directions. Drain, place in a large bowl and toss with butter and parsley.

Plate the noodles and spoon the meatballs and gravy mixture over the top.

Serve with a crispy garden salad and some French bread. Smaklig Måltid!

(Bon Apetit in Swedish) To accompany this satisfying dish, I would recommend a west coast Pinot Noir for a wine and an American Pale Ale as the perfect match.

Skål!

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

53

Adventures On A Budget

Bear Hunting On Your Own

By Dan Staton

S

pring is hopefully arriving where you live and perhaps you’re like me, wanting to get a big game hunt done this spring. Personally, I love hunting bears where I live and chances are there are some bears in your neck of the woods as well. Not a lot of states offer over-the-counter spring bear hunting, but some do. If you have the resources and time, you might look into Canada (you’ll have to hire an outfitter) or head up to Alaska. You can spot and stalk them, bait them and use hounds, depending on the regulations of the ground you’re hunting. I love the state of Idaho for spring bear. Their tags are relatively cheap ($186.00 nonresident) and some units offer a second tag at a reduced rate ($41.75).

Baiting is allowed as long as you abide by the rules. The same goes with hounds or my favorite method - spot and stalk.

DIY

When I first started hunting bears, I planned a DIY hunt in Alaska off Prince of Whales’ Island. My plan was to run a few baits, but mainly to spot and stalk. This trip was incredible because of the location and scenery, not to mention some of the biggest black bears in North America. This hunt meant more because it was up to me to take care of myself and harvest my own critter – on my own. I didn’t know much about tide tables or open water, but after a week, I had fell in love with running baits off my skiff and glassing numerous beach fronts loaded in green grasses. This is one of the easiest hunts to plan and execute without a guide. Alaska doesn’t require you to hire a guide for black bears, but you will probably have to rent some gear and get dropped off via air taxi. I didn’t kill a bear on that trip, but I had enough action to make bear hunting my favorite way to enjoy the spring green-up.

Bear hunting ground in Idaho and the fitness perquisites for that journey are what I know best. However, if you’re going to hire a guide, then the game will change. I have sat in a guided bear camp and it was about the easiest hunt I’ve ever been on. We were in the middle of the north fork of the Clearwater. We road in on ATV’s and sleds and hung out at camp all day, then venturing out until late afternoon and hunting until dark. We didn’t do any of the baiting, we just got dropped off and sat a few hours in the evening each day. I felt like I gained weight on the trip from the unhealthy menu options of camp and the lack of activity throughout the day. This is probably par for the course, unless you’re using hounds. If you’re going to tree a bear, be prepared to keep up with 4-legged dogs that can tame any mountain and negotiate dense bush and tangled terrain. Hound hunting is physical and you better be in shape if you want to keep that bear at bay long enough to earn a shot.

Baiting

54 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

Baiting bears DIYstyle is a ton of fun, but it is also hard work. Usually we start baiting midApril and can end up running baits into June. We bait two times a week and drive over a 100 miles one way – it’s a commitment. Hauling in bait and getting away from roads and easy access is how you find a mature boar.

The harder an area is

to reach, usually the higher quality of bears you will find. When you have a 50-gallon barrel to put on your back, plus grease and grub and a cooking stove, you know you’re in for a great workout. An ATV can only get you so far, so be prepared to make several trips just to bait and set-up your stands and ladders. You might be hauling in a chainsaw as well to create shooting lanes and help guide the bears’ approach to your bait.

You have to find country that has cover, a water source nearby and somehow a way to get the wind to cooperate when you sit the stand. Either way, it takes a couple of seasons to really perfect your set-ups and find areas where big bears want to reside.

We don’t burn vacation time to hunt bears, so a snapshot of our weekly routine midbear season when baiting goes like this: Wednesday – get off work and drive straight to Idaho. We find discount bread stores on the way and load up on pastries – like literally a truckload. When we get to our destination, we unload the ATV, tie down the stove and buckets of bait and ride off in the fading light. Once we get to where we are going, we hike in and cook up some grease and smoke out the surrounding area. You’ll know immediately if your bait is getting hit, but usually it takes a few days for the bears to find it. I strongly recommend putting out some scents in the area and utilizing a trail camera that can be locked up from curious bears.

Some folks put little honey dishes, five or six feet off the ground against a tree, so the bears have to stand up to get into them. If your camera can get pictures or video, you should be able to tell if you have a male or female and also get solid intelligence on the bear’s size. Once you’ve baited in the dark, head back to the truck and bombrun home so you don’t miss work. Remember, we save our vacation time for the fall.

Friday Night – we do the same program, bait in the dark, pull cards out of the cameras and head back to base camp. We usually hunt bears in the morning and evenings, leaving the entire day to scout for bear sign, glass ridges and explore old abandoned logging roads with fresh grass. If you can do this weekend after weekend, you will get your opportunity. It’s a school of hard knocks, so be prepared to cut your teeth on a steep learning curve. Now, let’s talk more about finding bears on their feet for spot and stalk opportunity.

Spot and Stalk

If you want to shoot a bear off of the ground, it takes a special mindset. You need country to pore over and you may have to sit in one spot and glass and grid repeatedly until a bear materializes. Bears can pop-out of nowhere at any given time, so you’re best to glass areas where you are seeing green grass and tons of bear scat. I have found a few magical abandoned logging roads that produce bear encounters every year. These places usually are behind locked gates that require a five- to tenmile mountain bike ride. Logging outfits are notorious for seeding the roads when they’re done logging and this makes for prime bear areas – especially when you have a mixture of cover and a water source.

I’ve found bears pretty easy to sneak on, however I’ve found them much more difficult to locate. You can only stalk a bear when you have it located, so be prepared

Adventures On A Budget for long sessions of glassing and many miles on your boots, ATV or mountain bike. Everything I’ve described up to this point is going to require some fitness – hauling heavy buckets of bait, hiking with a big barrel on your back and hanging stands is a sweat equity endeavor. When you punch your tag on a spring bruin, you have the labor of getting that carcass out of the woods and securing your bear meat. This too is arduous, so my point is that you better be doing a compilation of strength and conditioning prior to the season. Most bowhunters I know spend a lot of time on the spring weekends shooting 3D tournaments with field points. I personally would rather be hunting in the mountains away from people with sharp broadheads – on my own.

Tips for Spring Bear

• Use a trail camera with a lock box to keep intelligence on bears and trophy quality • Study the bear tracks left behind. This will help decipher maturity and if cubs are present • Read through the regulations so you know all the rules that govern each state • Bear meat can be great table fare. Treat the meat well when removing from the field • I only use fixed broadheads on bears. I don’t encourage mechanicals • Watch out for smart bears that circle your baits.

They can detect your presence, so have shooting lanes surrounding your bait site.

Guns Gong Crazy AR500 Steel Target and Stand

By Dan Kidder Managing Editor

N

othing gives immediate positive response like shooting a huge steel gong. The clang of the bullet impacting the large diameter metal disk lets the shooter know that they have successfully scored on the target and the satisfying sound spurs them on.

New in Sportsman’s Warehouse for 2017 is the Guns Gong Crazy portable

target stand and AR500 steel target.

Featuring a tough 18-inch diameter AR500 steel plate, with Kevlar mounting hardware and a folding portable stand, the Guns Gong Crazy shooting system is easy to transport and set up, durable enough to take shots from even the hardest hitting guns and resonates with one of the most satisfying sounds we have heard out of a steel target.

The stand is made of a powder-coated double steel construction that will hold up to 800 pounds of weight. The folding, extendable legs, use key mods as well as carriage bolts to provide double the strength and stability with easier setup and take down.

A carrying handle as well as a removable strap make it very easy to move it around and padding on the top protects your hips and guns while carrying it. When not in use, it all folds up into a neat and compact parcel. Each piece of the stand is easily replaceable in case an errant shot damages them. The stand is sturdy enough to withstand even high winds, but also includes holes for staking it down with the

included metal stakes for uneven terrain.

The gong itself is made of 3/8-inch thick AR500 steel and is 18-inches in diameter. It is powder coated in bright yellow and has an easy to apply magnetic painting template for adding rings to the target face. Heavy duty, 10.9 steel angled hangers are bolted to the gong.

These hangers tilt the gong forward, creating a safer angle of bullet deflection and preventing damage to the target from repeated bullet impacts. The target is attached to the stand by wide Kevlar straps and steel S-hooks. An integrated nylon carrying strap on the gong, makes it a cinch to hook it up and carry it.

The kit even includes a magnetic telescoping flag that can be set on top of the stand to indicate wind direction at the target.

For long-range shooting, this target is large enough to be visible from a great distance, but compact enough to make it easy to transport and set up. It is rugged enough to leave it set up permanently, but portable enough to take it down and store it between uses.

With the Guns Gong Crazy target system, you can have the satisfaction of clanging steel with the ease of set up and transport of paper targets.

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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Lovin’ Everything About Montana!

By Jim Kalkofen

L

ong-time Montana residents might take for granted the scenery, the Big Sky, the rivers and mountains, the prairies and reservoirs, the elk and the trout.

Those of us referred to as “newcomers” remain in awe as we round every bend in the Bitterroot, climb each trail, follow the thousands of scenic byway road-miles, gaze on magnificent herds of elk and bison, and never stop staring at the glorious sunsets.

Moving west was a natural. My wife and I followed our son and his family. They invited us to move near the three grand kids. What we’ve learned is that grandpa and grandma can never get enough of the grand kids. In our case they are 2, 5 and 7 years old. Perfect ages for helping us explore and learn the history, the people and the stories that have made this state a magnet for retirees and other grandpas and grandmas.

56 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

The first very obvious lesson was that everybody seems to love to do “outside.”

That is the part of the equation that really appealed, and outside is exactly where the grand kids and grandpa have been. After an excellent day on a small pond, with the 5-year old catching perch, brookies, browns and pea-mouth chubs, she was hooked.

Most conversations now start with, “Grandpa, when are we going fishing?”

Looking at photos of fish, lily pads, boats, rods, lures, flies, nightcrawlers and so much more keeps their interest (well maybe not the 2-year old), but they have their real “big guy and gal” rods and reels, comfortable PFDs and a burning desire.

That’s great, because in less than a year, I’ve discovered so many lakes that they will explore with me. For instance, living in the Bitterroot Valley, our destinations will be towards Kalispell and Thompson Falls. The lakes are perfect with panfish in McGregor and the sloughs off the Flathead.

The kokanee and perch are loaded in Lake Mary Ronan and Bitterroot Lake. Pike and

bass don’t have to be big, but the lakes in the Seeley and Swan Valley will entice us to launch on many of those lakes. When conditions are right, the Helena-area reservoirs and the Missouri River near Craig will have us checking out the walleyes.

We will explore for smallies, largemouth bass, pike and walleyes in Noxon. Trout on as many small lakes as possible will be targeted with live bait and trolling crankbaits, especially Georgetown and Brown’s Lake.

Fortunately, I have already fished these destinations and know what to expect.

Fishing new waters is a challenge I willingly accept, and consider it a treat to fish new waters. Living in north-central Minnesota with 200 lakes in a 25-mile radius of my house triggered the “check-outthe-new-lake” syndrome. Having fished in more than two-thirds of the states and most provinces only increased my quest to learn new waters.

Here are a couple life-lessons discovered along the way that I intend to pass along to the grand kids. First, you can’t catch fish behind a computer or TV. Sitting on the couch is not the same as sitting in a boat or wandering a shoreline or a creek. Second, they don’t bite until you get there, and with grand kids, we may miss some sunrises.

We may even load-up and leave the water in the midst of a great bite. Mom rules, and if she says be home, we will be on time.

I intend to share the following lessons learned during the first 12 months in Montana. For panfish, we will fish small jigs with 2-inch plastic grubs. Might tip with a tiny piece of crawler, but probably not, for perch, bluegills, sunnies and crappies. Ice fishing showed me where to expect the best catches, and with a solid network of fishing friends, maps and a good sonar unit, these lakes will be dissected with the grand kids in tow. The nice thing about panfish is the jigs can be suspended below bobbers and cast and retrieved around and through the weeds for lots of action.

Bass and pike will be on tap for later in the season when they are really biting. By then, casting and the use of rods and reels will be second nature. With a suspending crankbait like a number 12 Husky Jerk or a Northland spinner bait, they will be casting where the fish live. That’s my job – position the boat and nod toward potential good spots. Can’t wait to hit the sloughs and Noxon!

Most Montana anglers think, breathe and sleep one species: trout. This sport will be in the future, but after locating a few excellent spots, will take one granddaughter at a time to some easily accessed river shorelines. With a floating Rapala, they can cast and retrieve, and expect the tug of a rainbow or brown. Grandpa may even hook a trout and hand off the rod. That’s what happened when their great-grandpa was teaching me.

Nature continues to amaze me after more than 65 years of fishing. The grand kids will find nymphs on the undersides of

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

rocks, watch otters cavort, stand perfectly still and watch as a doe and her fawns slip by just yards away, identify eagles, hawks, songbirds, ducks and geese, and pick up a favorite rock from each trip.

The grand kids’ dad did all that. He got wet, cold, broke fishing lines, laughed, stood in awe at the beaver swimming a few feet away, froze in place while the bluegill on his line became breakfast for a big northern pike. The western outdoor lifestyle is how the grand kids (and all kids) should grow up. My goal is to hasten their love for the outdoors.

May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS

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58 May 2017 | SPORTSMAN’S NEWS