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
MY FIRST COYOTE HUNT
SOUTH RILEY, MICHIGAN. SA-LUTE!
NO APOLOGIES
Before I get too far into this entry, I must fairly warn the anti-hunters that I will not apologize for the photo of these fine coyotes taken at the annual Coyote Camp for 2010! I will not waiver in my efforts to promote and protect the rights of Michigan hunters and others alike. If this offends you, don’t look. If my written words offend you, don’t read them. If my radio show offends you, change the channel. If you take a stance to impede my legal right to hunt or to deprive me of my 2nd amendment rights, you better be ready for a legal battle that you cannot afford to win.
COYOTE CAMP
Earlier this week my good friend Kevin called me and told me of the annual Coyote Camp in South Riley, MI this year. A camp that brings folks from as far away as Traverse City and Indiana. Now South Riley is little more than a blip on the radar but is rich in character and personality. The only business in town (that I know of) is a little party store and bar. You literally have to walk through the party store to get to the bar. The food is great and all are treated the same.
Since the inception of AM Outdoors, I have been fascinated by predator hunting. I am intrigued by coyote hunting in particular. The stealth of these animals is unmatched by any other predator in the Michigan woods. The coyote’s keen sense of sight, smell and it’s ability to see the hidden changes in it’s territory make it a more than worthy adversary to even the most experienced hunter. So as an observer, I went. Watching the way coyote hunters worked with their dogs and each other was a true thing of beauty. With technology and fast running hounds, you wouldn’t think the coyote would stand a chance. Wrong! Speed and cunning can even outrun Motorola, believe it or not.
After meeting up with one of the hunters we heard chatter on the radio that they had one on the move and the dogs were in hot pursuit. Much like rabbit hunting with a good group of beagles, you could hear the dogs off in the distance and you knew that the coyote was coming in fast. Seconds later a shot rang out. Then another. Both shots had turned the predator our way and before Suzie (one of the hunters) could get set, it had crossed a different way and it was off to the races. We spotted it high tailing across a field like the wind itself. I knew they were fast but “boy, it was cruizin’.” Driving across foxtail and cut corn back to the road to catch up with the dogs, the rest of the convoy met up to regroup and get the dogs rested and to give others the chance to get on the scent.
When we got back onto the road, we followed some other local hunters around a similar perimeter we were hunting. One particular hunter had a directional antenna on the roof of his truck searching for his dogs. With one coyote on his dog box, I can only imagine that he was out for more. It was that time I had to part and say “Thank You!” My first taste of predator hunting has instilled a passion in me to learn more. I truly can’t wait to get back out and try this again. Thanks to all of the Myszak family and their friends for taking me out and giving me this first taste of coyote excitement.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Seeing how all of these folks from different areas worked together made me think of something. Why can’t we as hunters and anglers get together to protect what we love. There seems to be a constant fight within our own. The most recent argument was with the crossbow. Before that, the dove issue. Why can’t we equally respect the right to pursue legal hunting here in Michigan. For example: As a deer hunter, I will defend the right for you to hunt waterfowl or to trap fur bearing animals. As a compound bow shooter, I will protect the right for you to use a crossbow even though I might not ever own one.
We must protect each others right to fish, hunt and bear arms. Even if it is not within my interests to participate in the exact same sports as you. Anti hunting and gun groups are well funded. They have those who are ignorant to how much sportsmen and women put into our nations economy and protection of our natural resources. “Together we stand, divided we fall.” Let’s work together to protect what we hold sacred.
Good Hunting!
-Duran