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Category: Hunting
Amy TrotterExecutive Director
Patterning for Turkeys
By Glen Wunderlich
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association
Anyone using a shotgun for turkey hunting is wise to pattern specific loads before heading afield. Myriad firearms, chokes and ammunition are going to produce various results that require testing to determine a hunter’s best options. Patterning – the act of shooting shotgun loads at large sheets of paper at given ranges – is the only way to know how combinations will perform. No doubt, patterning a shotgun can be an arduous task, but a necessary one for confidence and effectiveness.
Browning Silver Shotgun
EOTech Sight and Winchester Long Beard Ammo Testing
It was only a week ago that a friend and I headed afield for some crow hunting. When the perfect opportunity arose inside the perfect blind, my pal unloaded on an incoming bird at relatively close range. After a clean miss, the questions started: Was it the shooter, the load, the choke or any combination to blame? Without patterning, we’ll never know.
Pattern percentages – the number of pellets striking within a 30-inch circle at 40 yards – will tell the tale regardless of what any manufacturer states the choke is. Simple math makes sense of it all. Simply determine the number of pellets in the chosen, unfired shell based on readily available tables and count how many of them strike within the circle described. For turkey hunting some 70-percent of the shot should be in the circle at 40 yards, which signifies actual full-choke performance.
No. 4 Shot, 50 Yards Winchester Long Beard XR Ammo
For this purpose it is not actually necessary to center the pattern on the target, although to do so is the end game. On a sheet of paper measuring at least 36 inches square, mark an aiming point large enough to see at 40 yards. Take the shot and then make a 30-inch circle around the heaviest concentration of shot. The more shot inside the circle, the better.
A variation is to test appropriate loads through your barrel/choke combination looking for the most even pattern without excessive spacing in the pattern. Doing so will indicate which choke is most effective without counting pellet holes.
Another method utilizes 10-yard patterns, which mimics intended results at 40 yards. For this experiment, a 7-inch circle is used in place of the 30-inch circle, whereas only the pellets outside the circle are counted. This system will give relative performance between different shells, but it is still advisable to test with the 30-inch circle at the longer range, as outlined.
Once you have determined a specific shell and shot size based on results shown on paper, you can adjust your sights accordingly to center the pattern. If you have a shogun with only a front bead and your shots are not striking your point of aim, you may want to consider installing an optic or using another firearm. Otherwise, holding off the target is the only option – and, a poor one at that.
Ever since I discovered how much better patterns are produced at extended ranges with Winchester’s Long Beard shotshells, I’ve had no reason to go through the patterning process anymore. This ammo is reasonably priced compared to other high-end ammo. It will still cost substantially more than run-of-the-mill lead shot, but is purpose built to perform better with its hard, copper-plated pellets, because it deforms less when pushed through the tight chokes designed for turkey hunting. Plus, since the load delivers more shot on target, less shot is needed in the shells, thus making for less felt recoil. And, this is no minor advantage when testing any powerful loads designed for turkey hunting.
Michigan: the expanding mission of conservation officers
The mission of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Division is to, “protect Michigan’s natural resources and the environment, and the health and safety of the public through effective law enforcement and education.”
It is a physically and mentally demanding career that officers and their families commit their lives to.
“Our mission evolves based on how our citizens and stakeholders engage in outdoor recreation,” said Steven Burton, assistant chief of the DNR’s Law Enforcement Division. “Our mission has been shifting for 133 years.”
Early conservation
State historical documents explain that the conservation movement began during a time when most people thought natural resources were in infinite supply.
Michigan citizens then realized there was a shortage of game, fish, timber and land due to human overexploitation and took it upon themselves to preserve what remained. As a result, citizens identified the need for natural resources regulation.
William Alden Smith was appointed the state’s first game warden in 1887, establishing the Law Enforcement Division. Smith was one of the first salaried wardens in the United States and began a tradition of excellence the division continues to adhere to today. Read more
Michigan New Adult Hunter Weekend: Learn to Hunt Wild Turkey
May 8-10 Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in Hastings
Optional range day April 4 at Rose Lake Shooting Range in Bath
The Michigan State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation presents this event for new adult hunters to learn to hunt wild turkey.
Cost is $150, which includes two nights’ lodging at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute (Meadow Lodge Housing Unit), Friday evening dinner, breakfast snacks, Saturday lunch and Saturday evening wild game sampling. Pierce Cedar Creek Institute has 740 acres of prime habitat, managed for all sorts of wildlife.
This event will be limited to 12 new hunters (two hunters per mentor) and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Read more
Michigan Outdoor Life/Field & Stream Expo is this Weekend in Lansing
LANSING, Mich. — The Michigan Outdoor Life Field & Stream Expopresented by Suzuki KingQuad is this weekend at the Lansing Center in Lansing, Mich., and runs from Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15.
The Expo will be filled with the latest products, gear and equipment for hunting, fishing and outdoor enthusiasts from top brands in the industry. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend educational seminars and demonstrations with industry insiders and bring their deer to have it measured and scored.
Many exhibitors will be offering: “Try, Before You Buy” demo opportunities and many will also have special show-only pricing.
Expo Highlights:
- Trophy Deer Contest and On-Site Measurement
- Archery Trick Shooting with Byron Ferguson
- SPECIAL GUESTS: Outdoor Channel’s Chris & Casey Keefer, Ralph & Vicki Cianciarulo
- EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS: Raptors Up Close, Wild Game Cooking with Jean-Paul Bourgeois Presented by Field & Stream Magazine, Live Fishing Demos, Turkey Hunting with Eddie Salter & Much More!
- Try, Before You Buy Demo Opportunities
- World-Class Deer Exhibit from Whitetail Kings
Show hours:
Friday, March 13 2:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 14 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 15 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Single-day tickets for the Michigan Michigan Outdoor Life/Field & Stream Expo are $9/Adults in advance, when purchased online and $3/Youth, (ages 13-17). Kids ages 12-under are free. Adult 2-Day tickets are also available in advance online for $16, with a 2-day Youth/$6 (ages 13-17).
A Family 4-Pack can be purchased in advance online only for $22, which includes 2 Adult and 2 Youth, 1-Day tickets.
At the door, Single-day tickets are $12/Adults and $5/Youth, (ages 13-17). Kids ages 12-under are free. Adult 2-Day tickets are also available for $20, with a 2-day Youth/$8 (ages 13-17).
To purchase tickets in advance online, visit www.FieldandStreamExpo.com.
A 1-year subscription to Field & Stream or Outdoor Life magazine is included with paid admission as well as door prize entry.
The Michigan Outdoor Life/Field & Stream Expo in Lansing is sponsored by Suzuki KingQuad, River Rats Trapping Supplies and “Outdoor Ethics” sponsor: Tread Lightly.
Michigan: 2020 Licenses On Sale March 1
Don’t wait to get your 2020 hunting or fishing license – most licenses and permits go on sale March 1, when the new license year begins.
That start date includes hunting and fishing license sales, except for certain deer licenses and furbearer tags that are sold later in the year. Applications for the 2021 Pure Michigan Hunt also go on sale that day.
Remember that 2019 fishing licenses, base/small-game licenses and ORV permits are valid through March 31, 2020. However, the 2020 versions of these licenses and permits can be purchased as of March 1. With the DNR’s just-introduced new license sales system, anglers have the added convenience of auto-renewing their fishing licenses through the e-license system. Read more
Pope and Young Club Names New World Record Rocky Mountain Goat During Special Panel
Chatfield, MN – On Saturday, February 15th, the Pope and Young Club convened a Special Panel of Judges in Chatfield, Minnesota, for a potential P&Y World Record Rocky Mountain Goat. Rosey Roselands’ goat scored 53 2/8″ and is now the largest bow-harvested Rocky Mountain Goat in North America. This amazing goat was shot on Revillagigedo Island in southeast Alaska, on October 3rd, 2019.
Measurers present at the Special Panel were Steve Ashley of Wisconsin, Bucky Ihlenfeld of Wisconsin, P&Y Director of Records, Eli Randall, and Glenn Hisey of Minnesota. With a final score of 53 2/8″, Rosey’s Rocky Mountain Goat was confirmed as the new P&Y World Record. This goat surpasses the previous World Record shot by Shad Wheeler, taken in Kalum Lake, British Columbia, on February 16th, 2006, with a score of 53 0/8.”
Deer Hunting Statistics from QDMA
By Glen Wunderlich
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association
The Quality Deer Management Report for 2020 has been released and depicts national trends in whitetail deer management throughout its range. It is important to note that most of the information contained in the report does not include statistics from the most current hunting season just finished in 2019. Unfortunately, information from Michigan related to yearling bucks taken was not reported, and therefore, is not available at this time. However, there is still plenty of worthwhile trends being developed.
National yearling buck harvest rates are at the lowest ever recorded, and the percentage of 3½-year-old and older bucks in the harvest is 37 percent of the total antlered buck harvest, which is the highest percentage ever recorded.
In addition, the antlered buck harvest (those 1½ years or older) is at near record levels, and last season’s buck harvest was 5 percent above the previous 5-year average – a very positive sign for deer hunters and managers. On the contrary, antlerless harvest was down slightly from the prior year, and it was 4 percent below the 5-year average. The antlerless harvest has now declined nearly 20 percent in the past decade.
Crossbow harvest exceeds the vertical bow harvest in 11 of 25 states (44 percent) thanks to enlightened deer managers legalizing their use in recent years.
The latest information regarding the 2018-19 total harvest indicates 66 percent of deer were shot with firearms, followed by 23 percent with bows, 10 percent by muzzleloaders, and 1 percent by other means.
State wildlife agency deer project leaders reported spending more time on Chronic Wasting Disease (22 percent) than deer management proposals (20 percent) or education and outreach (14 percent).
Michigan-specific statistics are as follows. Antlered bucks taken for year 2018 totaled 211,754, which is down from year 2017’s total of 226,656. Bucks taken per-square mile were 3.7, which is tops in the nation and 6 percent higher than Michigan’s 5-year average. Of that whopping total, however, is a large percentage of yearling bucks (those 1.5 years old), and although not reported, has run in the neighborhood of 46 percent the past few years. Wisconsin appears to have the dubious distinction of taking the most yearling bucks, which equals some 53 percent of its total bucks taken. In 2018, the national average percentage of the antlered buck harvest that was 1½ years old was 30 percent.
Some states have already issued press releases on the 2019-20 deer season and QDMA includes five of the top headlines here as an outlook for the data you’ll see in next year’s Whitetail Report. If the early results hold true, 2019 was a good year for many deer hunters, as evidenced by the following snapshots: Kentucky had a record gun deer harvest, Missouri’s harvest was down 2 percent but still near record numbers, Vermont had its fourth highest deer harvest in last two decades but Wisconsin’s deer kill was down 14 percent.
There you have it by the numbers courtesy of QDMA.
Michigan: Women’s Winter Ringneck Challenge
Sunday, March 8
8:30 a.m. to noon (lunch and prizes to follow)
Meemo’s Farm and Preserve
12081 3 Mile Road, Evart
Pheasants Forever Montcalm County will sponsor this fun pheasant hunting event for beginners and experienced hunters. The day will include clay shooting and a guided hunt with teams of four women, with lunch and prizes following the hunt.
Cost is $35 per person, which includes lunch, guides and dogs. Individual hunters are welcome and will be placed on four-person teams.
There will be prizes for longest tail feather, heaviest bird and most birds taken by a team. Bring a friend who hasn’t bird hunted before, and you’ll be entered to win a prize.
Limited to the first 16 women who sign up. Read more
Michigan: No license or permit purchases this weekend
In just a few days, the DNR will begin the changeover to a new system for selling hunting and fishing licenses, hunting applications, and ORV and snowmobile permits online and at retail agent locations statewide. The changeover starts Saturday, Feb. 15, and the new system will go live at noon Tuesday, Feb. 18.
During the changeover, all licenses, permits and applications will be unavailable for sale – both online and in retail stores. If you’ve been planning to pick up a license or permit for the coming weekend, don’t wait. Please plan ahead, or plan to wait until after noon Feb. 18. (However, select dealers across the state will be selling preprinted ORV licenses and ORV and snowmobile trail permits while the system is down.) Read more