By Glen Wunderlich Outdoor Columnist Member Professional Outdoor Media Association
During the welcomed January thaw recently, I had an opportunity to take inventory of my hunting grounds and food plots. There wasn’t enough whitetail yellow snow for me to gather for next year’s cover scent, but the brief excursion proved worthwhile, nonetheless.
In the past it was difficult to understand why wild turkeys didn’t live in and around our luscious brassicas from November and beyond. I have seen them in huge gangs elsewhere, but for reasons unknown to me, they preferred picking remnant beans or corn in farm fields. I always thought that it had to be tougher to find enough forage to survive in the picked fields but whoever said turkeys have the ability to reason things out? At long last, however, they seem to have caught on to my fast-food smörgåsbord.
Late January finds the foliage of the turnips and rape still green, although no longer upright. Most of the fleshy root bulbs have been thoroughly sampled by the local deer population – some hollowed out entirely – but, because we plant several acres, there’s plenty of nutrition to go around into springtime. But, finally I spotted a gobbler. Then a half dozen peered toward me, apparently feeling safe this time of year from a comfortable distance. Before I snuck off, I had counted 13 longbeards.
I then moved to another area where we had planted two different brands of brassicas in parallel plots – one from an out-of-state vendor, the other from mid-Michigan’s Ed Spinnazola, who can be found at (www.deerattraction.com) or telephone at 586-784-8090; the difference between the two plots was startling! Ed’s Brassica mix produced above-ground flesh approximately four times the size of brand X. In addition, his mix still had forest-green foliage in late January (what was left of it), while brand X had long ago turned yellow, then brown, then gone. I am sold on the Michigan blend and will be sure to use only the Special Brassica Blend from Ed from now on. Ed also offers other food plot mixes that may be of interest; all can be found on his web site. Food plotters can also arrange shipment by calling his home number above. Ed will also be conducting a free Deer Habitat Management seminar on March 27th from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM at the Shiawassee Dog & Gun Club, 155 S Vitified Hwy, Corunna. The Shiawassee Conservation District asks that you RSVP at 989-723-8263 ext 3. And, if a free seminar isn’t enough, the Shiawassee River Branch of QDMA is providing a free lunch.
For another option to save on shipping of seed, you might want to consider meeting Ed Spinnazola personally at the Michigan Deer and Turkey Spectacular February 12 – 14at the Lansing Center, where he will be manning one of the myriad exhibit booths.
The Spectacular is a great way to get your questions answered by the pros, including Ed. And, if you go to the show’s website at www.deerinfo.com you can also download a $2-off coupon. Event producer, Glenn Helgeland has done his best to add new topics and speakers and demonstrations to this year’s event. New is a Tech Info Center covering nine topics with some demos, Mini 30- minute seminars, basics of hunting seminars for deer and turkey, and over 225 entries in the deer, elk, bear, and turkey contest are anticipated. A new list of seminar speakers and topics containing more than 40 how-to seminars including food plots and habitat improvement are offered. In addition, a live gun auction will be conducted on Sunday.
Producer Helgeland states, “We’re working hard to keep the show fresh and interesting with solid tech information and new activities. Exhibits and products, the trophy contest, and the seminar program are the old reliables, but even they are constantly tweaked.” Last year’s attendance was over 15,000 and offers something for all of Michigan’s outdoor enthusiasts including the following returning favorites:
Byron Ferguson – International archery trick shot New Products Special Display area, which allows checking out new stuff without salesmen Optics Hands-on Tryout area with expert help Live animal display with wolf, bobcat, black bear, grizzly bear, cougar, and turkeys Venison Butchering demos Hands-on Shooting with laser firearms and archery equipment Flint Knapping of stone arrowheads, knives and axes Deer Skeleton Complete Trail Camera Contest
There’s more to the show and the best idea for complete details is to visit the website mentioned above.
