Category: Hunting

Lucky Duck Releases Collapsible Turkey Decoys for Spring Season

Lucky Duck’s new collapsible turkey decoys are ultra-realistic, lightweight (weighing only one pound each), and completely collapsible for easy transport. You can fold them down to fit into your vest or backpack, which saves on weight and space, making walk-in hunts easier!

The Lucky HD Collapsible Hen is an upright hen that can be converted into a breeding hen by folding in the bottom of the decoy. The Lucky HD Collapsible Jake is a semi strut Jake with a less aggressive head posture, guaranteed to attract those large Toms. Both the Hen and Jake include a foldable metal stake that will also fit in your backpack or vest. Read more

Hunting

Whitetail Status by the Numbers

By Glen Wunderlich

With another deer season behind us, wildlife professionals across the country will be compiling data relative to numbers and health of respective deer herds.  However, the Quality Deer Management Association has published its 2018 Whitetail Report, which compares data from the three most recent seasons available 2014-15, 2015-16, and 2016-17.  This summary will provide details of Michigan’s whitetail management practices and how we stack up with the rest of the Midwest segment.

Nationally speaking and on a positive note, yearling buck harvest rates (deer 1.5 years of age) remain at record low numbers, and the percentage of 3½-year-old and older bucks remains at a third of the total antlered buck harvest.   Conversely, the biggest issues and trends include the continued spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD), which has made major headlines in Arkansas, Michigan and Montana in 2017.

From 2015 to 2016, a total of nine free-ranging deer tested positive for CWD in Michigan in two counties, Clinton and Ingham. In 2017, at least 47 new cases had been identified, including 36 confirmed positives in Montcalm County and 10 in Kent County.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service indicates hunter numbers have declined by over two million from 2011 to 2016.  With regard to expenditures, hunters’ spending dropped nearly $11 billion dollars or 30 percent. Adding insult to injury, the number of hunters is expected to continue declining as baby boomers exit the hunting scene.  Michigan is no exception with hunter participation tumbling 14 percent in the same period.

The top-5 states for harvest of antlered bucks 1 ½ years and older in order are Texas, Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Georgia, with Texas coming in at a whopping 399,487 bucks and Michigan with 196,233.   Although steadily increasing over the past three seasons, Michigan’s buck harvest totals are still down 3 percent compared to the 5-year average. Michigan tops the country with an average of 3.5 antlered bucks taken per square mile.

Allowing deer to mature is a worthy goal of all states and Arkansas leads the way with a mere 5 percent of its buck harvest being yearlings.  Michigan continues to rank near the top (or, bottom, if you will) of states with the highest percentage of yearling bucks taken at 47 percent with Wisconsin hunters killing yearlings at the rate of 65 percent of all bucks taken.

The top-5 states with the highest percentage of 3½-plus-year-old bucks taken last season are Mississippi (78), Arkansas (77), Louisiana (72), Oklahoma (59), and Texas (59).  Michigan is holding steady at 27 percent of its total buck kill being 3 ½ years old or more.          

Michigan’s antlerless take of 145,054 is up 6 percent compared to the previous season but down 15 percent compared to the 5-year average.

Monitoring the percentage of fawns in the antlerless harvest is one method for estimating the fawn recruitment rate (those surviving from spring births), and this statistic is one of the most important pieces of data a deer manager needs when assessing a herd’s growth potential and applying a prescribed antlerless harvest.  Accordingly, Michigan hunters are killing fawns at the rate of 26 percent of the total antlerless harvest – a sign that indicates hunters need a better understanding of distinguishing fawns from adult does.  On the plus side, however, Michigan hunters took adult does of 3 ½ years of age or older at the rate of 38 percent of the total antlerless numbers.   

Archery hunters in Michigan took some 37 percent of the total deer harvest ranking near the top nationally.   Our rifle/shotgun kills are down to 48 percent compared to 60 percent the previous year.  Muzzleloaders, on the other hand, took 15 percent of all whitetails – up dramatically from 6 percent the year prior.

The takeaway continues to be the decline in hunter numbers and the resulting wildlife conservation funding from license fees, as a disturbing trend.  To stabilize, or even increase hunter participation, our best bet is to continue to mentor youngsters and there are lots of programs to do just that.  This strategy is not up to someone else, however; if each of us can introduce a youngster to the outdoors, we will have done our part to further the cause of wildlife conservation.

Hunting, Wildlife

QDMA Releases 2018 Whitetail Report

ATHENS, GA (February 13, 2018) – The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) today released its 10th annual Whitetail Report, a comprehensive update on the status of white-tailed deer including deer harvest trends through the 2016-17 season, the most recent hunting season with complete deer harvest data available from most whitetail states and Canadian provinces.

“There are some very positive tends occurring,” said Kip Adams, QDMA Director of Conservation. “Yearling buck harvest remains at record low numbers, and we took 4 percent more antlered bucks in the 2016-17 season than the year before.”

Conversely, said Adams, other trends and issues are not as positive. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) continues to spread and make major headlines. Also, the antlerless deer harvest has now declined 19 percent in the past decade, potentially ending a nearly 20-year streak in which hunters annually took more antlerless than antlered deer. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Florida Wildlife Commission Approves Air Powered Weapons for Fall 2018 Hunting Season

 Airbow™ becomes legal for harvesting deer and turkey starting in the Fall of 2018. The rule change will allow for lawful use of .30 caliber and above for deer and .20 caliber or larger for turkey.

Florida joins a growing list of states allowing for the use of big bore airguns and/or the Airbow during their hunting seasons. Arizona, Virginia, Missouri, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, and Washington State allow big game animals to be legally taken with the Airbow. Feral hogs can be taken in Georgia, Florida and Texas while coyotes and other predators may be hunted with the Airbow in over 30 states. Georgia and South Carolina allow the Airbow to be used for alligator hunting. Read more

Hunting

First Lone Star Predator Calling Classic a big success

LAMPASAS, TEXAS — At the first annual Lone Star Predator Calling Classic in Lampasas sponsored by the Hoffpauir Group and Lone Star Outdoor News, 103 teams vied for more than $26,000 in prize money. Teams hunted beginning Saturday at noon and had to be present at the noon weigh-in at the Hoffpauir Expo Grounds in Lampasas by noon Sunday.

A cold front had some teams hunting in the sleet, with some teams coming from the north arriving in ice-covered trucks for the weigh-in that featured hot gumbo from Toupsie’s Creole restaurant, a warm fire, door prizes from Lee Hoffpauir and giveaways from Hornady.

In the team competition, the heaviest stringer (coyote, bobcat, grey fox and raccoon) went to the Brush Country Boys team from Falls County, with 91.2 pounds, who won $12,720.50 for their overnight effort. Read more

Hunting

Iowa: Fatal deer disease confirmed in Wayne County

A hunter harvested adult doe taken in southeast Wayne County during the first shotgun deer season has tested positive for the presence of chronic wasting disease (CWD). This is the first hunter harvested wild deer outside of northeast Iowa to test positive for the always fatal disease.

The deer was shot on Dec. 5.

“We contacted the hunter once it was confirmed,” said Terry Haindfield, wildlife biologist and coordinator for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources chronic wasting disease monitoring effort. “The test results are disappointing but not surprising. We are seeing an increasing number of CWD positive deer in northeast Iowa and from our neighboring states.”

Haindfield said there have been seven additional CWD positive tests so far from deer in northeast Iowa that came from the 2017 seasons – six in Allamakee County and one in Clayton County. The Iowa DNR is awaiting the final set of test results from the special collection in Allamakee and Clayton counties in January. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Michigan Elk updates: results of 2017 elk hunting season, winter elk survey

The 2017 hunting season statistics are in, and the winter elk survey just wrapped up, giving the Michigan Department of Natural Resources a clear picture of where the state’s elk population currently stands.

Hunt period 1, which targets elk outside of their traditional range, was 12 days long. From Aug 29-Sept. 1, Sept 15-18, and Sept. 29-Oct. 2, 100 state hunters harvested 74 elk (30 bulls and 44 antlerless elk).

During hunt period 2, Dec. 9-17, all locations in the northern tip of the state were open to hunting. Another 100 state hunters harvested 84 elk (30 bulls and 54 antlerless elk) during this hunt.

Before regulated hunting can take place to assist in management, Michigan’s elk population has to be evaluated.

“Our population goal for elk is between 500 and 900 animals. This has been determined as the best balance for the forests, area agriculture and residents,” said DNR elk specialist Chad Stewart. “Besides having an estimated population, knowing where they are located is also very important.” Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Hunter Safety System Brings Back the Pro Series Harness

Danville, Ala. (Feb 6, 2018) – In response to customer requests, Hunter Safety System—the leader in treestand safety—has announced that a new updated Pro Series harness will be available this year. With new features and lighter, high-tech materials, the new Pro Series is poised to become as popular as the original Pro Series, which was introduced in 2005 and became one of the most popular treestand safety harness of all time. Read more

Hunting

Backyard Exotic Wood Calls

By Glen Wunderlich

The act of calling wild animals holds a high level of intrigue for most hunters. It’s never been easier, either, with remote control electronic callers and battery-operated decoys with the ability to utilize hundreds of stored calls at the push of a button. Everything from squirrels to mountain lions can be tricked into reacting to realistic recordings good enough to fool even the most wary wildlife.

Although it may be easier than ever to produce appropriate audio for the task at hand, closing the deal involves much more than pushing the right button for the occasion. It takes knowledge of the target animals’ vocalizations and when to use them correctly.

In addition, setting the caller up in the proper position relative to the wind and surroundings involves a basic understanding of how a given animal may respond. Other than that, the entire experience has been dumbed down to the point that novices can be successful. Obviously, there is no guarantee that these electronic marvels can overcome inexperience, but they’ve gotten plenty of hunters into the pursuit of predators and other game animals. All it takes is cash.

However, there is always one piece of equipment I will carry afield as an insurance policy against electronic malfunctions: a mouth-blown call. Invariably, battery-operated anything is subject to failure, and when your caller is some 100 yards away and doesn’t respond to your transmitter’s signal, you’re out of business. Enter the hand call.

Closed-reed calls are simple to use, providing the user knows the particular language needed to coax an animal nearer. It’s simplicity itself to hang a number of them around one’s neck on a lanyard and to use them spontaneously – something the electronic caller cannot match.

Over the years, my collection of hand calls has grown to include store-bought calls, as well as custom calls made by some of the most talented woodworkers in the country. More specifically, some of these cherished game calls have been fashioned from wood I’ve found locally while cutting firewood.

Shiawassee County Michigan “Flame” Boxelder custom crow calls

What is surprising is how much exotic wood may be hidden under a tree’s bark.
In fact, my favorite crow calls were turned from wood that most people typically overlook even for firewood: boxelder. Yes, those horrid trees that host those creepy boxelder bugs may contain a silver lining known to custom callmakers as flame boxelder – a red coloration in the otherwise plain, blond wood.

A recent discovery is sure to lead to more unique custom calls, as packages of wild cherry have been sent thousands of miles from my Michigan property to some fine craftsmen in Arizona. The deal provides the callmakers enough “foreign” material to make me a call or two and all they have to pay is the cost of USPS flat-rate shipping. They, in turn, use the remaining wood for works of art destined to parts unknown.

Although I still rely on the electronic caller, I never leave home without contingency plans around my neck.

Hunting , , ,

Coyotes over Baitcicles

By Glen Wunderlich

While there is no way to estimate the number of coyotes that inhabit given areas of Michigan one thing is certain: They’re everywhere. Although our neighbors in the Upper Peninsula can point to wolves as their number one apex predator, coyotes, through sheer numbers, have become an omnipresent danger to game animals, livestock and family pets throughout the state. If ever hunters should be inclined to take matters into their own hands, it is now.

From late January through mid-March is coyote mating season and with it comes a bevy of adventurous males and certain vulnerability for them. Their drive to mate will have them traveling for miles on end in search for satisfaction and wise hunters can use this knowledge to their advantage. Although control strategies include trapping and myriad hunting techniques, one particular method of baiting is worth sharing: baitcicles.

The term “baitcicles” is a coined word used to describe a frozen concoction of table scraps and meat juices within a 5-gallon bucket. It is then released from the container and placed strategically as bait for a varmint hunter. Unlike typical bait, the frozen formula can withstand coyotes’ attempts to carry off or otherwise quickly devour the bait.

Here’s how it works. With temperatures below freezing, a bucket is placed outdoors and filled with aromatic meat products. As the bucket is filled, adding hot water to the mix will create juice that will solidify the contents into a block of delectable ice. When full, the bucket is placed at the site and the contents released by heating the exterior of the bucket. (I like to use a soil torch for this purpose.)

Once in place, it’s basically a hide-and-watch proposition best done from a comfortable hunting blind some 100 yards or so downwind of prevailing breezes. Once located by the targeted predators, they’ll return time after time – and, even after the last morsel is gobbled up.

Obviously, game cameras can provide valuable information as to visiting times, but typically most action will occur near dusk or dawn or at night. However, unlike using vocalizations to attract the demons and trying to scan surrounding areas for motion, the focal point will be wherever you want it to be. And, this is especially helpful when hunting in darkness.

While having a partner to operate a red or green light is helpful, it is not altogether necessary with the proper setup. Gun-mounted lights can be used, but I much prefer not waving a firearm all over creation to spot potential game. Without a partner, a light can be placed on a rest aimed directly at the baitcicle and turned on from time to time as a check.

Remember to check the game laws for allowable firearms, because the laws have changed recently for night hunting. Specifically, .269 or smaller diameter cartridges must be used below the shotgun line (Zone III) on private land only.
Above the shotgun line (Zones II and III) centerfires on state parks or recreational areas are not legal, but they are elsewhere in northern Michigan. It is also important to note that rifles are prohibited from elevated platforms after dark anywhere.

Nothing is easy about hunting coyotes, but adding baitcicles to your bag of tricks may be just the ticket to prey on predators.

Hunting
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