ANGLING CURRENTS: Can’t-Miss Techniques for Late-Summer and Early-Fall Walleyes

By Josh Lantz

Walleyes are still largely following established summer patterns in most lakes and rivers come early September, which generally means deeper water. Anglers targeting ‘eyes should start their searches in all the likely areas, namely offshore humps, deep weed lines, mid-depth flats, and man-made cribs in lakes, and at the bottom of the deeper pools in rivers and streams. But they should also be prepared to search shallower whenever the conditions dictate.

“September is a transition time for walleyes,” says Minnesota professional angler and fishing promoter, Joel Nelson. “Most lake walleyes will adhere to summer patterns during warm weather, but any early cold snap can trigger pods of baitfish to move to the shallows. The walleyes won’t be far behind.”

Nelson is a proponent of vertical jigging and pitching in these scenarios. His key offerings include simple 1/8-to-1/2-ounce jigheads rigged with smaller plastics, typically paddletails and shad varietals, fished under the boat in the mornings and evenings, and away from the boat during mid-day. He uses two distinct spinning rods for these presentations.

“For me, a 6’3” medium-light power, extra fast spinning rod is the perfect vertical jigging tool when using up to 3/8-ounce jigs,” Nelson says. “The shorter length is ideal for fishing vertically, and the extra-fast tip is extremely useful in detecting bites from fish still in a lazy summer pattern. St. Croix offers this popular model in several of its rod series, including Eyecon and Legend Elite, which are two examples that will appeal to the needs of a wide variety of anglers.” Personally, Nelson opts for the Legend Elite model and its extremely sensitive SCV carbon blank.

“When fish push shallower – often after a cold snap – and you’re pitching farther away from the boat, moving up in length and power to a 6’8” medium power, extra-fast rod gives you a bit of extra leverage, and it’ll also handle heavier Fireball jigs up to 5/8 of an ounce,” advises Nelson, who says shallower walleyes are often more concentrated. “Big schools of walleyes are typically present in these conditions, so look for ‘can’t-miss’ signatures on your electronics’ side-imaging before wetting any baits.” Read more

Fishing

Sound Suppressor: Taming Big Bore Blast

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

Exactly 10 years ago, then Michigan Attorney General, Bill Schuette, concluded that State law allowed the use of noise suppressors for firearms by private citizens, when authorized by the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.  Said Schuette, “Michigan citizens who comply with federal firearm regulations can use suppressors to protect their hearing and minimize noise disruptions in the surrounding areas.”   Following the issuance of his opinion, suppressors became legal for hunting, as well.

A few years ago, as I sat on stand deer hunting with my extra-noisy, ported Ruger American rifle chambered in .450 Bushmaster, I spotted a good buck and squeezed the trigger.  As a result, my ears have continued to ring 24 hours a day ever since.

It wasn’t as though I didn’t know better; in fact, I had my hearing protection in place for hours.  However, being a wearer of eye glasses, the clamping effect of my ear protection over the frame of the glasses, became a source of irritation.  Subsequently I relieved the pressure by removing them thinking I’d snap them in place, if needed.  Duh!

The sight of the buck made me forget all about my plan to protect my hearing and I’ve paid the price ever since and probably will for the remainder of my life.  My solution was to someday purchase a sound suppressor for that behemoth of a game-getter.  Finally, that day has come – at least the purchasing part.

I checked a familiar online retail outlet, Silencerco, for suppressor models that would fit the bill, but couldn’t formulate an opinion as to the best choice for my needs.  Off I went to Williams Gun Sight Company in Davison – a distributor of Silencerco suppressors – for personal assistance.

After waiting in line for a half hour (yes, it was that busy), an experienced employee showed me a Hybrid 46 suppressor that he bought, because it could be used in conjunction with myriad calibers.   I didn’t even know that using the same suppressor on different firearms was legal; all it takes is switching the end cap to match the caliber.  I was in!

To purchase a silencer the following qualifications apply:

  • Reside in one of the 42 states that currently allow civilian ownership
  • Be a resident of the United States
  • Be legally eligible to purchase a firearm
  • Pass a BATFE background check
  • Be at least 21 years of age to purchase from a dealer
  • Be at least 18 years of age to purchase from another citizen

 

Stepping to the Silencerco kiosk in the store, the process began with answering questions that coincide with the same questions when purchasing a firearm.  Fingerprints were taken on the screen of the kiosk and within the hour, the process was complete.

The next step was to pay for the suppressor and the particular end cap needed for the Ruger rifle.  Following that, the suppressor was put back into the box, where it would be stored by Williams Gun Sight for the next six to nine months, as the U.S. government does whatever it does with my application.  Oh, yes, the cost?  Let’s just say it was three times the cost of the firearm, including the $200 federal tax extracted from me. 

It may be a heavy price to pay but so is hearing loss.

Firearms, General, Hunting

California DFW Officers Shoot Mountain Lion After Calabasas Attack

Mountain Lion Dispatched After Attack Near Calabasas

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) confirmed that a mountain lion shot and killed by a wildlife officer was the one responsible for injuring a five-year-old boy Thursday near Calabasas in Los Angeles County. The boy is in stable condition.

On Aug 26, 2021, approximately 10:45 a.m., a 65-lb. mountain lion attacked the boy in his front yard, inflicting wounds to his head, neck and upper torso. The boy’s mother fended off the lion by striking it multiple times. The boy’s parents transported him to a hospital where he was treated for his injuries. He remains in the hospital in stable condition.

Upon learning of the attack, CDFW’s law enforcement division immediately began an investigation both interviewing the victim’s family in the hospital and visiting the scene of the attack. During a protocol clearing of the family’s yard, the wildlife officer at the home discovered an aggressive mountain lion crouched in the corner of the property. Due to its behavior and proximity to the attack, the warden believed it was likely the attacking lion and to protect public safety shot and killed it on site.

Approximately 20 minutes after he shot the mountain lion, two more mountain lions appeared. One was a full-grown adult with a radio collar around its neck. The other was a smaller mountain lion about the same 65-lb. size as the dispatched lion. After confirming with the boy’s mother that the attacking lion did not have a collar, the wildlife officer used a non-lethal tranquilizing rifle to capture the other non-collared lion. Read more

Wildlife

Alabama: Hog Wild License Package Available Today

The “Hog Wild” license package will be available for sale on Monday, August 30. ADCNR

By DAVID RAINER

Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Beginning on Monday, August 30, the Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division will offer a one-click solution for those who want to hunt feral swine at night.

The new law that allows nighttime hunting of feral swine and coyotes went into effect on July 1, 2021. When the 2021-2022 licenses become available Monday, hunters can choose from a variety of all-access packages, including the “Hog Wild” package that gives hunters all the license privileges needed to take advantage of the new nighttime hunting opportunities.

“When the nighttime feral swine and coyote hunting license was passed, it seemed like a good idea to create a new license package,” said WFF Assistant Director Fred Harders. “In that package, residents and non-residents will be able to click one button and purchase a small-game license, a bait privilege license, which would allow folks to use bait while hunting feral swine at night, and the nighttime license. We felt that those three licenses would be what most people would like to purchase. Read more

Hunting

Taylor’s & Company Gunfighter Nickel Revolver

Winchester, VA – Taylor’s & Company, the world’s leading marketers and importers of state-of-the-art historical firearms utilizing the latest innovative designs, is pleased to announce the addition of “The Gunfighter Nickel” revolver to their Lifestyle Series for 2021.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring this classic firearm to the modern gun enthusiast,” said Rob Girard, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Taylor’s & Company. “The Gunfighter Nickel is a cool addition to our very popular Gunfighter Series. The nickel-plated revolver has a flashy look with its charcoal blue screws and hand polished action not to mention its available with the unique Taylor Tuned action.”

The Gunfighter model is the perfect solution for any shooter looking for more grip to hold on to. Taylor’s installed the favorite 1860 Army grip onto the new model frame cattleman to accommodate the larger-handed shooters. The Army grip is longer and slightly wider than the smaller Navy grip that is usually found on 1873 single action models. It also features a case-hardened forged steel frame, blued steel parts, and a smooth walnut grip. Read more

Firearms

Angler’s Best Tool Kit: 3 Essentials No Angler Should Be Without

Danville, AL (August 30, 2021) —Today’s fishermen are gearheads, no doubt about it. There are a myriad of specific rods, reels, lures, terminal tackle, and accessories to help them be successful in freshwater and saltwater, no matter the targeted species. Regardless, there are three tools all anglers should always have – pliers, scissors, and a hook remover. The Anglers’ Best Tool Kit conveniently combines all three, each of the highest quality designed to last a lifetime.

The scissors are razor sharp, with a non-slip handle and are perfect for trimming everything from line tag ends to jig skirts and more. The needle nose pliers are designed as a multi-purpose tool, ideal for everything from crimping to removing lure hooks of all sizes. To accommodate the different types of lines, the pliers are crafted with a special place to cut braided line. A non-slip handle provides a perfect grip at all times. The hook remover in this kit is an oft-overlooked tool that not only makes hook removal quick, safe, and simple, it also helps you remove the hook from fish without hurting the fish itself. It creates less wound and increases the chance of the fish survival rate in water almost significantly. Thus, a fishing hook removal tool helps you to save fish and enjoy the fun of angling at the same time. Read more

Fishing

SAF Challenges ‘Assault Weapon’ Ban in Cook County, Illinois

BELLEVUE, WA – The Second Amendment Foundation today filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois challenging a prohibition in Cook County against the possession, acquisition, gifting, transfer or carrying of so-called “assault weapons.” The case is known as Viramontes v. Cook County.

SAF is joined by the Firearms Policy Coalition and three private citizens, Cutberto Viramontes, Rubi Joyal and Christopher Khaya, all Cook County residents. Named as defendants are Cook County, Toni Preckwinkle, president of the Cook County Board and the county’s chief executive officer; Kimberly M. Foxx, state’s attorney and Sheriff Thomas Dart, in their official capacities. Plaintiffs are represented by attorneys Christian D. Ambler of Stone & Johnson. CHTD in Chicago and David H. Thompson, Peter A. Patterson and William V. Bergstrom with Cooper & Kirk, PLLC, Washington, D.C.

“The county has enacted and enforced a prohibition on semiautomatic modern sporting rifles, which they erroneously describe as ‘assault weapons,’ even though such firearms are in common use all over the country,” said SAF founder and Executive Vice President Alan M. Gottlieb. “As a result, the county is denying our individual plaintiffs their rights under the Second Amendment to keep and bear arms.” Read more

Gun Control

Late-August Michigan Crows

By Glen Wunderlich

Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)

It’s been a while since I’ve done any crow hunting, until this morning.  My pal, Joe, came over and we took a fixed stand on the edge of burgeoning food plots.  I waited about 30 minutes before calling, all the while hearing them discussing what they might get into this day.

I changed the discussion with a low-volume, crow-in-distress call and it got their attention immediately.  Joe was toting a side-by-side 20 gauge, and since he was on my right, he would concentrate on anything to the right side of our small, upward shooting lanes.

A group of the black marauders came in low and looking for trouble.  I managed to drop one with my old Remington 1100 in 20 gauge with modified choke and another in a second aerial rush.

Late-August Michigan Crows

The ammo was some factory old stock 8-shot with a K-Mart price of $2.99!  Joe came up empty and we called it quits after two volleys.  Good to get rid of the old ammo, while it was still good.  And, good to get rid of a few varmints on a sunny Saturday morning in Mid-Michigan.

Hunting

Lake Huron Red Tails — Recovering Michigan’s History of the Tuskegee Airmen

Memorial dedication ceremony Saturday in Port Huron

The first African American pilots trained by the United States Army Air Corps earned their wings at Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama during World War II. Beginning in the spring of 1943, fighter pilots from Tuskegee received advanced training in Michigan.

The relative safety of Midwestern America, along with weather and geographical conditions that approximated what aviators could expect to encounter in Europe, encouraged the military to use airfields at Selfridge northeast of Detroit, and at Oscoda on the shores of Lake Huron.

Upon completion of training in Michigan, many Tuskegee airmen were immediately deployed to combat and bomber escort missions in Italy, North Africa and the Mediterranean. Read more

General

Michigan: New “Notify Me” feature alerts you if camping opportunities open at state parks

Just in time for Labor Day holiday weekend, the new “Notify Me” feature on the Michigan State Park & Harbor Reservations website lets you sign up for an email notification when a site becomes available for selected dates.

It’s easy! If the campground, overnight lodging facility or shelter you’re looking for is full, click on the “Notify Me” button for the dates you’ve selected in your search.

notify me button

Then, just follow the prompts and you’ll receive an email notification when a reservation opens up.

Please note, this feature is not currently available for harbors. For assistance with this feature, use the Live Chat option located at the bottom of MiDNRReservations.com under “Contact Us.”

General
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