Up North Again

By Glen Wunderlich

Every time one of those “Pure Michigan” spots would come over the radio waves and into my ears, it was as if Tim Allen was speaking directly to me. I simply couldn’t take it anymore and planned that get-away to parts “Up North.” Kneff Lake rustic campground in Crawford County would be the destination and outpost for a few days of exploration, discovery, and fishing.

Kneff Lake is a mere 20 acres, but it is stocked with trout. Some 25 or more years ago, I fished the lake with some friends and once we figured out the technique for catching those cold-water trout, we hauled them in. It was those memories that I sought to relive.

The campground offers dozens of spacious, private sites sprinkled high atop the small lake. However, even with my lightweight, 10-foot jon boat, I gave up on the idea of lifting and carrying the boat and gear up and down the steep and lengthy incline. It was primarily the “up” part of the equation that I did not want to attempt by myself.

Who needs a stair climber?

Either that mountain-like trek was more than I recall or Father Time’s whispering in my ear, “Forget it” changed my plans; it was time to explore other possibilities.

My need for an easier way to launch the boat prompted me to ask a local convenience store worker for a lake more suitable for my plan. Somehow, the convoluted directions brought me to tiny Glory Lake in Hartwick Pines State Park. The launch site was perfect with not one other person on the water. I pulled in a few pan fish including one sizeable rock bass. It was as if I had my own private lake.

Back at camp I searched the county map for other nearby lake access and found K.P. Lake only about 10 miles north. It appeared to be a straight-forward drive and after a camp breakfast, it was time to explore. Stephan Bridge Road was the shortest distance but that seasonal road of sand along the eastern boundary of Camp Grayling made it seem much longer than it was. At first, when I noticed a large tract of cleared land behind a short fence, I wondered who would have removed all the timber. It became patently obvious when I read a prominent sign posted on the endless fence:

At no more than 20 mph it took some time but I located the well-hidden K.P. Lake – another perfect launch site; a Michigan Recreation Passport was all that was required and I had one. Interestingly, a sign was posted with the following:

As I rowed into the stiff north wind, I could see the unmistakable outline of one of the magnificent water birds in the distance. I skirted the rare bird from a safe distance for a better look and did my best to capture the moment on video.  Obligingly, the lone loon belted out its spooky call and dove below lake level for a meal of fresh fish. The sight and sound made my day!

As part of my trip home, one more stop was on the agenda: The Au Sable River in Oscoda County. Just east of the Parmalee Bridge was a public access point for canoes, which doubled as a stream-side place to fish from the banks. Having caught plenty of trout there years ago, it was worth a look. I rigged a red wiggler worm onto a hook and caught a keeper brook trout on the second cast.

Small Brook Trout from the Au Sable River

After catching another one, I continued on my path home well satisfied with the sights and sounds of the North.

It was a trip to test some camping gear and a chance to return to my past. The sound of coyotes howling in the night along with a solitary whippoorwill added some icing on the cake. It was good to be back “Up North.”

Fishing, General, Wildlife , ,

CZ-USA’s New Do-It-All CZ 1012 Shotgun

Kansas City, KS – Whether you are an upland or waterfowl hunter, or just like to break a few clays on the weekends, the CZ 1012 shotgun is your shotgun. With its new gas-less operating system the CZ 1012 is a workhorse that keeps running with minimal maintenance.

The CZ 1012 represents CZ-USA’s next evolution in their semi-auto shotgun line with the 1012’s gas-less spring bolt operating system. Instead of redirecting gas from the barrel to run the action, the 1012 uses a spring within the bolt to store energy during the shotgun’s recoil and expends this energy a split second later to rotate and unlock the twin lug bolt head from the barrel extension to withdraw the spent shell.

The major advantage of this gas-less system is a much less stringent maintenance schedule, unlike gas guns, which require periodic cleaning of the piston and magazine tube.

During extensive testing of this system by CZ engineers and designers, 5,000 shells were fired through several CZ 1012’s, without a drop of oil or cleaning of any sort being done. Results? Zero parts breakage or malfunctions. Try that with your standard gas-operated shotgun. Read more

Firearms

Michigan: citizen tips lead to Gladwin man with more than 1,400 illegal panfish

After receiving multiple tips from local anglers about possible over-fishing on Gladwin County’s Lake Lancer, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers spoke with the suspected man twice in one day while he was at the lake. The second contact of the day led to a voluntary search of the 67-year-old Gladwin man’s garage freezers, where officers discovered a significant number of panfish – ultimately issuing a ticket for illegally taking more than 1,400 panfish.

Conservation Officer Mark Papineau said he had received many reports about a fisherman who frequented the lake.

“The angler’s vehicle often was spotted in the parking lot of a private boat launch and the angler himself was witnessed fishing Lake Lancer several times per day,” Papineau said. Based on the leads, Papineau and Conservation Officer Joshua Wright conducted a marine patrol at the lake the morning of Aug. 14.

When the officers arrived at the boat launch, they saw a vehicle with a boat trailer that matched the reported vehicle description. During their patrol, the officers contacted an angler . The angler presented a fishing license and was found to have 13 panfish in his possession – he was within the daily limit of 25 panfish.

When the officers returned to the boat launch later that morning, the suspect’s vehicle and boat trailer were gone. Checking the area later in the day, Papineau and Wright noticed the angler’s vehicle and boat trailer had returned. After about an hour, the man returned to the dock. Spotting the officers, the Gladwin man immediately said, “I’m not over my limit.” Wright asked him how many fish he had, and he repeated that he was not over his limit.

The conservation officers continued talking with the man and learned that he was in possession of 24 panfish. The angler confessed to the 13 panfish he caught earlier in the day, too, and invited the officers to follow him to his residence to obtain those fish as evidence.

At his Gladwin residence, the man consented to let Papineau and Wright search his garage chest freezers, which held the 19 panfish caught earlier in the day – six additional fish to what the man had originally claimed. Additionally, the officers found more than 70 bags of filleted panfish. The legal panfish daily limit includes 25 per day, in addition to two days’ worth of processed fish. In total, the man exceeded the limit by more than 1,400 fish.

Papineau and Wright confiscated the fish and issued the angler a ticket. Once the fish is no longer needed as evidence, it will be donated to a local food bank or church. Read more

Fishing, Poachers

Federal’s New 224 Valkyrie Loads

ANOKA, Minnesota – – Federal proudly announces two new flat-shooting Premium 224 Valkyrie loads that deliver precision accuracy at long ranges. Shipments of these Federal Premium 224 Valkyrie cartridges have been delivered to dealers.

In 2018, Federal transformed the MSR 15 platform and broke all boundaries of ballistic performance by introducing the 224 Valkyrie cartridge. Now, it’s giving hunters and shooters new loads that stretch the cartridge’s capabilities even farther: 80.5-grain Gold Medal Berger Hybrid and 78-grain Barnes Triple-Shock X.

Like all 224 Valkyrie offerings, the new loads provide extremely flat trajectories and match accuracy at extreme ranges. They offer significantly less wind drift and drop than other loads in their class, as well as less than half the recoil of cartridges with comparable ballistics. Read more

Ammunition

Arizona: As Temperatures Climb, AGFD Assists Thirsty Animals

PHOENIX — Water is the essence of life and it’s just as precious for Arizona’s wildlife.

For that reason, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has trucked or airlifted more than 1.5 million gallons of precious water to catchments throughout the state since January 2018. And trail cameras tell the tale of this important work with footage of elk, deer, bighorn sheep and countless other species leaning over for a refreshing drink at one of 3,000 catchments maintained by the department.

Download photos and video

“Water catchments are used by all wildlife and while badly needed monsoon rains recently returned, storms are often sporadic and large sections of the state do not receive adequate water to sustain local wildlife populations,” said Joseph Currie, AZGFD Habitat Planning program manager, who oversees the department’s water catchment efforts. “By hauling to water catchments, we’re helping to prevent the localized wildlife die-offs that could happen if water simply wasn’t available.” Read more

Wildlife

Winchester Repeating Arms Adds 20 Gauge Models to the Super X4 Line

August 20, 2019— 20 gauge aficionados now have more options to select from with the introduction of several new Super X® 4 models from Winchester Repeating Arms.

Since its introduction in 2017, the Super X4 has rapidly become a favorite among shotgunners, and the new 20 gauge models are sure to be welcome additions to the line. Available in seven Composite, Compact and wood stocked models, the 20 gauges offer reductions in weight and recoil compared to their 12 gauge counterparts, to make them more appealing to smaller shooters, those sensitive to recoil or those who just want a lighter gun in the field.

Like the 12 gauge, the Super X4 20 gauge is gas operated and powered by the proven Active Valve Gas System that combines reliability, low felt recoil and record-setting cycling speed. An oversize bolt handle and bolt release button are both easy to manipulate with cold or gloved fingers. Speed Loading is a feature unique to Super X4 20 gauge models, sending the first shell loaded into the magazine directly to the chamber when the bolt is open. Super X4 20 gauge models tip the scales at approximately 6 ¼ – 6 ¾ pounds, depending on the model. Trim dimensions contribute to the lightweight feel of these fast handling shotguns. Read more

Firearms

SIG SAUER Electro-Optics OSCAR8 Spotting Scope

NEWINGTON, N.H. – SIG SAUER Electro-Optics is now shipping the OSCAR8™ HDX Variable Power Spotting Scope. With more power, magnification, and the latest advancements in technology the OSCAR8 is a premium, angled eyepiece 27–55×80 mm spotting scope, featuring the industry-innovating SIG SAUER HDX optical design, and built specifically for hunters and shooters that demand the best in all-weather performance and durability in the field. Read more

Optics

Savage Scope-Rifle Package Guns in 450 Bushmaster

WESTFIELD, Massachusetts –– Savage is now chambering 450 Bushmaster in the popular 110 Apex Hunter XP and 110 Engage Hunter XP Package Rifles. The cartridge is legal in many previously shotgun slug-only areas and offers improved range, accuracy and power over other straight-walled rifle cartridges and sabots. Shipments of these firearms have been delivered to dealers.

Both of the new package rifles offer a tough, synthetic stock with enhanced ergonomics and adjustable length-of-pull, as well as the user-adjustable AccuTrigger and a 22-inch carbon steel barrel with a ported muzzle brake. The Apex Hunter XP comes with a Vortex Crossfire II 3-9x40mm scope and a one-piece rail, while the Engage Hunter XP features a Bushnell Engage 3-9x40mm. Both scopes are mounted, bore-sighted and ready to shoot. Read more

Firearms

Michigan: DNR Wants Input on 2020 Forest Road Maps, ORV Use

Comments should be submitted by Aug. 31 via the interactive map or email

Michigan residents have until August 31 to help the Department of Natural Resources decide which state forest roads will be open or closed to off-road vehicles in 2020.

The DNR updates its online forest roads map every year on April 1, indicating which roads are open to ORV use. People can share their suggestions at any time throughout the year. Department proposals to change the map are made based on road inventories and that ongoing public input process. Any input received after Aug. 31 would be captured for proposed updates to the 2021 state forest roads map. Read more

General

CWD Testing on Urine Based Scents

Wildlife Research Center® and Tink’s®, the leading manufacturers of quality hunting scents, partnered together to fund a study with CWD Evolution, LLC. that has now led to a CWD testing protocol known as the RT-QuIC test process, that is specifically designed for testing deer urine for CWD contamination. This allows manufacturers of deer and elk scents to test and verify that no CWD is detected in the urine used in their products.

While the risk of urine-based scents spreading CWD is virtually zero, there is a lot of false and misleading information driving policy and regulations regarding urine-based scents and CWD. Unfortunately for hunters, some states have acted on this bad information and actually banned the use of urine-based scents. The test verifies that no detectable levels of CWD are found and provides a final confirmation that the products are safe for use and without risk of spreading CWD. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife
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