WDNR TEAMS WITH HSUS FOR WILDLIFE
WDNR TEAMS WITH HSUS FOR WILDLIFE PSA
Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that any Department of Natural Resources would stoop to the level that Wisconsin’s has.
In a press release on May 13th, the Wisconsin DNR delivered a pressrelease stating that “The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and Humane Society of the United States have joined forces on a public service announcement (PSA) campaign to educate Wisconsinites about the importance of allowing wild animals to remain in their natural habitat. The PSA’s also inform citizens what to do when they find wildlife truly orphaned or injured. The radio announcements are airing from May 10 through June 13 on stations statewide.”
What amazes me is the absolute ignorance on the part of the WDNR to think that this would be acceptable by the hunting and angling community that is such a large part of the state’s economy. Many phone calls and emails have already been placed to the department stating the general displeasure of the move.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Time and time again the HSUS has proven to be a “lamb in wolves clothing” and will stop at nothing, until all hunting and fishing of any kind has been eliminated. Their polished looks and army of litigators have infiltrated every state in the country in one way or another. With no affiliation to local humane society efforts, they hide behind a name that deceives the general public.
Granted, our economy has led many of us to drastic measures. But to take money from the enemy to save the state a few dollars, may have cost more than they bargained for. All in all, I can only hope Wisconsin’s loss is Michigan’s gain. At the same time, I think our brothers and sisters in Wisconsin eliminate the positions of the decision makers in this process!
WIN A THERMACELL LANTERN
OK. So I normally don’t use the blog for this, but I have to tell you, this is a great item. I used the Thermacell for the first time last year during the early doe season. I had a doe come in about 15 yards from me and stayed for about 45 minutes and ate. When she decided to walk away and present me a shot, it was over. A 40 yard shot produced some wonderful venison.
The interesting thing is she stayed there the whole time that my Thermacell unit was smoking and keeping the miserable mosquitoes away. She did smell something, but it did not bother her one bit. The synthetic chrysanthemum scent that keeps the mosquitoes away is close enough to natural to fool even a wise old doe. In my opinion, the most wary animal in the Michigan woods.
The more registrations we can send, the better. The prizes are great and you even have the chance to win enough for you and all of your friends plus, a huge Bass Pro Shops gift card.
I would never promote something I don’t use or believe in and this I do on both accounts. A great gift, and tool for any sportsperson! Good luck and HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!
-Duran
GONE FISHING
GONE FISHING
If it’s one thing that can bring new people close or old friends farther apart, it’s fishing. As anglers we can talk to complete strangers, ask what the fish are biting on and then go on our way. There are other times that we can go out and end up mortal enemies because one friend constantly “borrows” expensive tackle and then never returns it.
This week I had the opportunity to go out on the Detroit River with Captain Mike Pttiglio of Muskie Mania and Captain Kristov Foksinski of Walleye Mania Charters. Not having much experience on big river systems like the Detroit, I was happy to make my way to the Motor City. With my friend Ron Spencley in tow, we headed out of Lansing at about 4:30 AM.
Having met Captain Mike at the Ultimate Fishing Show earlier this year, I later had him as a guest to talk about fishing for muskie on Lake St. Clair. From then I would run into him at the other sport show and it was there that I was introduced to Captain Kris of Walleye Mania. After talking with them both I decided to book a trip for Walleye on the Detroit River. Originally, the trip was set for late April. But, because of the early warm weather the walleye bite was on early and the fishing was hot. We moved the date up to the 10th, and that is what brought us to this particular entry.
When we arrived at the marina at 6:00 AM, we loaded gear and got ready to shove off. Talking with other anglers at the marina only brought the anticipation level up. But it was talk of the “cow pasture,” “whiskey plant,” and a few other landmarks known to this group that made me tilt my head like the RCA dog.
Having loaded up, we made our way to the Canadian boundary waters to see how the fishing was going to go. It was quite cool in the morning and the water temperature was at 43 degrees. Not an optimum temp but we would see in short time how things were going to work. We stopped off at one area that contained about 20 other boats all with the same goal in mind. We set our lines out and in a short time we had one in the boat. It looked like we were going to be in business. After about another half hour, we pressed on to the next location. After a little while longer, persistent jigging brought in another fish. Finally, I had my first fish on. A good fight and there it was…smallmouth! Not exactly what we were after.
We continued on drifting and jigging, jigging and drifting. After numerous passes and a few jigs lost, we finally ended up with nine in the boat. Nine is always better than zero! To the credit of our guides, no one was catching much of anything that day. Reports of 4 and 6 were quite common.
Jigging 3/4 ounce jig heads with rubber worms and stinger hooks was the preferred method. Natural soft bodies seemed to work, but it was the stinger hooks that really made the difference for me.
All in all I had a great time. I went out on the river with one friend and came back with three. I learned that “staying vertical” was the key to success when jigging a big, fast body of water like the Detroit River. And that a good guide is not only made up of someone with good equipment, but the time and patience to make sure that your technique is right to help you insure success, not only on your charter, but in the future as well.
FINAL THOUGHTS
After talking with my friend Ron after the trip. We both decided on one thing. That neither one of us would ever want to be a fishing guide! Not because it would take time out of our schedule, it’s the pressure to produce. When you book a trip weeks or months in advance, you risk the variables of nature. Wind, sun, rain, weather systems and the ever changing mood of the fish. All things beyond our control.
Make sure to give these gemtlemen a look on thir website at:
MARCH HARE
MARCH HARE
Most of the dogs that I have owned have been of the non sporting variety. When I was a kid we had an Irish Setter, beautiful dog but not trained. We also had a couple of mutts that weren’t around long. My dad actually went and bought an English Pointer but alas, not a hunter either. The first day we brought him home he hunted out a soft place on the couch and that was it. I think our best dog was a Yellow Lab mix that was a great dog, but again, never trained for hunting.
My current dog [Bella] is a mix of half Springer Spaniel and half Coon Hound. I started out training her for birds but after a while realized that I was not very good at it. She has all of the ability and still gets going when she hears the word “bird” or “hunt” but I have yet to get her on any real birds to she how she will respond. I still think there is hope and will be taking he out in the next few weeks for some running.
BEAGLES AND BUNNIES
A couple of years ago my friend Ron Spencely introduced me to hunting rabbits with dogs. Beagles to be more specific. He had a couple that he hunted with and offered to take me out and show me how they worked. From then on, he need not ask twice. Oddly enough, today was twice.
His friend Greg had a piece of property to hunt and with the dogs we went. Ron, Greg, our friend Mark and myself all headed out to a piece of property that was about 150 acres of woods and field. Now the textbook on rabbit hunting says the dogs should have no problem and the rabbits will be enjoying themselves sticking to the sunny, warm portions of the fence row. No one told the rabbits or the dumb animals don’t know how to read. It seems they were not going to move unless they were stepped on. The first one jumped took a loop around and doubled back to Mark and me with itchy trigger fingers. All it took was a quick shot from my Remington 870 and one bunny was in the bag.
If you have never hunted with a good beagle, I encourage you to find someone who does and ask them to take you. Please remember there are a few things when hunting with these great dogs: Wait, wait, wait. Oh yeah, and listen. What I learned on my first hunt it that a good dog(s) will can manipulate a rabbits path back to you. The rabbit jumped from a spot that it probably knows and it will come back to a familiar hiding spot. Or, the will run like hell to the first hole or rock pile and never come out. Much like today. After all was said and done we jumped about five and took two. I was lucky enough to get three shots and take both. Even if we had not been successful, meeting a new friend and hunting with old ones was great! A beautiful day of sunshine howling dogs and fast game beats a day at the mall or watching television anytime.
GONE TO THE DOGS
Aside from the great time with friends, I really should thank the little ones that worked harder than everyone else. So to Ron’s dog Radar and Greg’s dogs, Lucy and Pepo, Thanks!
FINAL THOUGHTS
Looking back to my first real hunt with my dad, it was rabbit hunting. I remember jumping one and it ran for about 15 yards and stopped. Almost like it was waiting for me to shoot. Having not been fast enough to get the first shot on it, I looked down the barrel of my Remington .410 and shot. A quick flip and it was over. A flood of emotion raced through my body having shot my first animal. I can remember standing over it and wondering what next? Quickly I decided to keep hunting and for that I am thankful. Because my dad too the time to take me hunting, I now share the same love of the outdoors with my own daughter. She helps me clean what we kill and is happy to help cook and eat them with equal enthusiasm.
I know I have said it countless times, but please: “Take the kids out hunting and fishing and educate them.” Today’s children are bombarded with bad choices that were once intended to be good choices. Fast food and video games have taken the place of the family meal at home and outdoors time. I am just as guilty of letting myself go but with this final thought, I am going to make an improvement in my own health and hope that I can make an improvement also. Today was the first day of much needed exercise and I hope to have many more with my family and friends.
THE SEARCH IS ON
AMERICAN IDOL
Frankly, I never thought that American Idol would make me want to do much more than change the channel. But it seems tonight, the show that features 24 “wanna be’s” and produces one “maybe” at the end of it’s run at February sweeps has inspired me. Inspired you say? Yes, to write. It seems the FOX network staple has inspired me to lay down another version of my mindless ramblings.
THE NEXT SHOW
Every week a new problem on AM Outdoors rears it’s ugly head. What will the next show bring? Who will I talk to and why? Sometimes I never know. Then, something clicks in my head and away we go. To the phones and computer to make calls and write emails in hopes of a response of any kind. In the past three and a half years, I feel that we have comprised quite a contact list of the best and brightest in the outdoors world. The greatest thing about having a list like that is it keeps my amount of talking to a minimum!
THIS WEEKS SHOW 2/27 - 28, 2010
This week my good friend Steve Gruber joins me in studio as a “co-host” of sorts. Steve is the founder of Wolf Creek Productions which has brought us great television shows such as Outdoor America, The American Archer, American Bird Hunter and most recently Deer City USA. Steve is a great wealth of knowledge and has a bit of a sense of humor as you will hear.
Other guests include Dr. Russ Mason, Director of Wildlife for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment. Dr. Mason will give us information on the deer season that was 2009 and what the DNRE and NRC are working on for 2010.
Bill Parker, Editor of Michigan Outdoor News will fill us in on the next issue of MON and Dr. Gregory Peter of Chelsea offers information on what Michigan’s feral swine problem.
Add some bashing of yours truly and a few good stories from the news wire and you have this weeks edition of AM Outdoors.
WE NEED YOUR PICTURES
I have been asking our listeners for photos of your successful hunts and fishing trips. I am also looking for photos that you may have from years gone by. I would like to update the website with some new content. So pleeeaaasse, send photos. I would really like to show off our listeners proud moments caught in time. If it’s a trophy to you, it’s a trophy to us! Send us an email with your photos to outdoormailbag@gmail.com.
THE TRAIL AHEAD
In two weeks my producer will be taking some much needed time off. It’s bad enough he is a soccer fan, but I can’t have him going crazy and join a curling team! So this show is up to you. Let us know what past show you would like to hear again and we will search the archives for that segment and bring you the best of AM Outdoors.
Thanks again for listening!
-Duran Martinez
PODCASTS ARE BACK!!!
After a brief battle with a down server, AM Outdoors podcasts are back! And with a vengeance, I might add.
Judging by the numbers on our podcast website you have made AM Outdoors the most listened to weekend podcast on the Michigan Talk Network. I am very grateful to all who have taken the time to download them and listen to the show.
Keep in mind also that we will be giving away a brand new 2010 Martin Pantera bow. Listen to hear the codeword to get registered. You can also see a photo of the bow here at http://www.amoutdoorsradio.com/pantera.htm.
Thanks again for helping make AM Outdoors Michigan’s fastest growing outdoors radio program!
-Duran
PODCAST PROBLEMS
12/3/2009
Well, we are having some problems with our podcast server. They said it would be up and running today. Please be sure to check back. We apologize for the inconvenience.
Duran
HARD DRIVE CRASH!!!!
How else can I put it. My 3 year old computer has crashed. No back up, no nothin’!
Please note that the sight will remain, just not updated for a short time. I will be getting it updated as soon as I can get it fixed.
In the meantime, please be patient. We will have the new contest and the updated info soon.
Please email me at outdoormailbag@gmail.com with any concerns. I will be checking email from the library as often as they let me.
Thanks,
Duran
A MONTH OF FIRSTS
FROM PROUD SON TO PROUD DAD
For the past who knows how long, I have closed my air shifts on the FM stations I have worked at (WJXQ/Q106 and Classic Rock 94.9 WMMQ), with the following statement: “Make sure you get out into the Michigan woods and water and go hunting, go fishing, and take the kids with you. Educate them! They are the future of our outdoor sports.” A statement that I live by and am proud to have repeated to me every now and again by someone who has heard it themselves.
Last Sunday I took my daughter Eryn, on her first ever squirrel hunt. She is working on the apprentice program so she learns safety and sportsmanship from me, when I can teach her. A program that I am happy to say, has been made available to folks who can’t always find or make the time for hunter safety classes. If I can actually work one in around her gymnastics and my work, I would love to attend a class with her.
We made it out to the woods in the early afternoon and set up under one of my treestands that has produced many more squirrel than deer. After about a half an hour sit of explaining safety and why we are just sitting still, and there it was. Gnawing on a walnut was our target. She raised her gun and “POOF!” Like Houdini, it was gone! Disappeared. No more than a minute later, he was peering down from his upside down position on the tree. She raised her gun and shot. Her single shot Remington had hit her target and it was down. Right behind it was another one and so I shot. It too went down and the chase was on. As luck would have it, it seems I might have hit underneath it. My Remington 20 gauge seemed to be a little off. The sight may need some readjustment…yeah, that’s it!
After spending another couple of hours looking for more for the crock-pot, we had to call it a day. The true success was time spent with her. Teaching her that hunting is a game of patience and skill. Much like that of everything else in life. Lessons that many of us over 40 were taught by parents that had more time than those of today. I hope you can find the time to share with anyone the joy of Michigan’s outdoors. And the rewards of that you will feel will be immeasurable.
-Duran