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 , , ,

Pulsar Digisight Ultra N355

(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Continuing an unwavering commitment to quality night vision technology, Pulsar introduces the latest innovative scope in the Digisight series; the Digisight Ultra N355 (PL76370Q). Ideal for night or daytime predator, hog and varmint hunting, this digital night vision riflescope is a major improvement over previous Digisight models, which already revolutionized the night vision industry when they were introduced, and adds many welcomed features that are becoming standard for Pulsar optics. The N355 combines a high-resolution 752×582 CCD sensor and 640×480 AMOLED display to produce a nighttime detection range of 545 yards.

Perfect for shooting at all hours of the day, the Digisight Ultra N355 boasts Pulsar’s popular proprietary Picture-in-Picture digital zoom function, allowing a zoomed wide field-of-view image at the same time. In addition, the Digisight Ultra N355 offers continuous and 2x/4x stepped digital zoom, 3 rifle profiles with 15 total zero saves, 13 variable electronic reticles, one-shot zeroing with freeze function, modular IR illuminator, stadiametric rangefinder, color modes and more. Read more

Optics

Michigan Arctic grayling habitat better understood following research project funded by Consumers Energy Foundation

Last year the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians and Michigan Technological University received a $117,175 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation to support Michigan’s Arctic Grayling Initiative, an effort to reintroduce Arctic grayling into the state.

Recently completed work supported by this grant addressed two immediate needs for a successful Arctic grayling reintroduction. The first was to collect stream habitat and fish community data in the upper Manistee River. This data collection allowed for both the evaluation of current stream habitat conditions and the development of criteria to determine which other streams may provide suitable habitat for Arctic grayling.

Additionally, funds from the Consumers Energy Foundation grant supported collaboration among interested partners, including the development of the initiative’s official action plan, which was released in July 2017. This document provides direction for all activities related to Arctic grayling reintroduction, including research, management, fish production and outreach. Read more

Fishing

Springfield Armory Announces M1A Gear Up Promotion

GENESEO, IL.   – Springfield Armory® is pleased to announce the M1A Gear Up Promotion. Buyers who purchase any new Springfield Armory® M1A™ rifle between February 1, 2018, and May 31, 2018, are eligible to receive $165 worth of magazines from the company.

The M1A Gear Up Promotion offers consumers three additional steel, mil-spec 20-round magazines for their new rifle. This includes all M1A models, and includes Match rifles.  For consumers in restricted states, you are eligible to receive three additional steel, mil-spec 10-round magazines compliant with your state. Read more

Firearms

Addressing deer disease: DNR, MSU collaborate on deer movement study in south-central Michigan

Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources will be placing location-tracking collars on white-tailed deer in south-central Michigan as part of a multiyear study of deer disease, including chronic wasting disease.

The study will assess deer movement and distribution patterns, and their influence on disease spread in and around Clinton and Ingham counties. This is one of a series of aggressive actions to address CWD in Michigan’s deer population and to maintain healthy wildlife for current and future generations.

Chronic wasting disease attacks the brain of infected animals, creating small lesions, which result in death. The disease is transmitted through direct animal-to-animal contact or by contact with saliva, urine, feces, blood or body parts of an infected animal, or infected soil. CWD first was detected in free-ranging deer in mid-Michigan in 2015.

The disease can spread through the deer herd and, once established, could – over the long term – significantly reduce the number of deer in the region and/or depress numbers of older age-class deer.

Presently, there are no known health risks posed to humans by CWD. As a precaution, however, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends animals infected with the disease not be eaten.

A scientifically based understanding of localized deer dispersal rates, timing and direction, seasonal movement patterns and basic population characteristics is critical for developing effective disease control strategies.

“We know that that CWD may be spread through direct deer-to-deer contact and by the shedding of CWD proteins, or ‘prions,’ into the environment. By understanding where and why deer are moving across the region, we can better understand the role deer play in moving the disease,” said Dr. Sonja Christensen, postdoctoral research fellow in the Boone and Crockett Quantitative Wildlife Center at MSU.

This study will improve the ability to proactively manage CWD, particularly in areas where the disease is just being discovered.

“Understanding how local deer populations change with the presence of CWD and associated management actions will help us measure the effectiveness of disease control actions and anticipate future disease management needs,” said Dr. Dwayne Etter, DNR research specialist.

Another benefit of this research is the ability to measure how deer move during different seasons and to track movement in real time. Importantly, it could help the DNR and partners focus efforts on areas with high probabilities of disease risk.

This work is part of a larger collaborative effort between the DNR, MSU, the Hal and Jean Glassen Memorial Foundation and the Boone and Crockett Club, aimed at improving wildlife disease surveillance and management statewide.

“CWD is a serious threat to the state’s deer population and conservation efforts. No single stakeholder group has any hope of tackling that challenge alone. The Boone and Crockett Quantitative Wildlife Center and our Michigan Deer Disease Initiative are uniquely positioned to partner with hunters, wildlife watchers, natural resource managers, veterinarians and scientists across the country to tackle the challenge of CWD in Michigan so that our kids and grandkids can see and hunt healthy deer,” said Dr. David Williams, principal investigator of the study and assistant professor at MSU.

For more information on deer in Michigan, visit www.mi.gov/deer; for more on chronic wasting disease, visit www.mi.gov/cwd. Information about the deer movement study can be found at www.bcqwc.org/cwd.html.

Wildlife

Elk Habitat Protected, Hunting Access Improved in Colorado

MISSOULA, Mont.—Thanks to a conservation-minded landowner and a key state funding program, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation joined Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to permanently protect 2,677 acres of vital elk habitat in northwest Colorado.

“We are grateful to Rick Tingle, a RMEF life member, for placing a conservation easement on his Louisiana Purchase Ranch,” said Blake Henning, RMEF chief conservation officer. “Additionally, this project highlights the critical need for the Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP) and its Habitat Stamp which supplied important funding to help push things through to the finish line.” Read more

Wildlife

Henry Repeating Arms Patriot Series

BAYONNE, NJ –– Following the release of several new models last week Henry Repeating Arms is introducing the Patriot Series- a new category of firearms and products available through their eCommerce store celebrating America, patriotism, and the Second Amendment.

The God Bless America Edition Golden Boy is a .22 S/L/LR lever action rifle built on Henry’s time-honored and award-winning Golden Boy platform known for its smooth action, American walnut stocks and blued steel octagonal barrel. Intricate floral scrollwork engraving on both sides of the nickel-plated receiver cover frames iconic images of America’s heritage like the American flag, the Liberty Bell, and a bald eagle, all of which have details highlighted in 24-carat gold. A banner on the right side of the receiver cover contains the words, “Home of the Free Because of the Brave.” The stock is engraved and hand-painted with the Statue of Liberty’s torch, and in similar colors, the rifle’s forend displays the words, “God Bless America.” Henry is also introducing a centerfire version, the God Bless America Edition Big Boy, featuring similar imagery on a rifle chambered for .44 Magnum/.44 Special with a 10. The God Bless America Edition Golden Boy, model #H004GBA has an MSRP of $1,208, and the Big Boy version, model #H006GBA has an MSRP of $1,523. Read more

Firearms

Michigan: DNR Stocked 834,000 Fish in 76 Locations

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced the totals from its 2017 fall fish-stocking efforts. The DNR stocked nine different species totaling 834,175 fish that weighed nearly 11.5 tons. Fish were stocked at 76 locations throughout the state.

“It was another outstanding fall fish-stocking season that will provide enhanced opportunities throughout Michigan,” said Ed Eisch, DNR fish production manager. “When added to our successful spring and summer stocking efforts, that brings the total for 2017 to more than 26.4 million fish put into Michigan’s waters.” Read more

Fishing

Mauser Introduces New M18

The ‘People’s Rifle’ Brings Mauser Back to the Masses

San Antonio, Texas – The dream of owning a Mauser is now more accessible than ever, thanks to the launch of the iconic German gunmaker’s newest rifle: the M18. Like its well-known stable mates, the M18 combines heritage, experience and state-of-the-art technology, and has been designed with the manufacturer’s core principles at heart to inspire confidence and adventure.

Thanks to its ultra-rugged synthetic stock, the M18 will withstand daily use in even the harshest hunting environments.  A three-position safety allows you to safely carry a round in the chamber without fear of the bolt being nudged out of battery. The steel receiver provides core strength and reliability to protect the action, and a cold-hammer-forged barrel gives further peace of mind that the rifle will perform consistently, round after round.

For optimum grip, the stock features two areas of soft-inlay.  The five-round magazine enables fast, fuss-free follow-up shots, and an adjustable trigger allows you to set your own preferred pull weight. Clean lines and high-quality materials result in a premium appearance, so that overall, the M18 has the look and feel of a rifle twice its price. Read more

Firearms

Chickadee: Tiny and Tough

By Glen Wunderlich

A most popular bird across the northern United States and southern Canada is the black-capped chickadee. Weighing a scant one-half ounce, its acrobatic behavior and friendly demeanor make it one of the favorites at feeders everywhere.

black-capped chickadee

These tough little critters don’t migrate and when Mother Nature bears down on us all with sub-zero temperatures, mere survival is a testament to their fortitude. Imagine going to bed and waking to find that you’ve lost 70 percent of your body weight; waking up would be miracle enough!

But, the little chickadee is up at the crack of dawn in search of some food that it can turn into energy. However, unlike blue jays and mourning doves, for example, the chickadee does not fill its craw with seed and carry it away. Rather, it can be seen taking a single sunflower seed and darting off. One begins to wonder just how much energy is burned up navigating the air space back and forth and if all the work is worth the effort.

They’ll eat as much as 20 times more food in the winter than in the summertime. Accordingly, providing various forms of feed such as seeds, suet, peanut butter, and mealworms may be just what keeps them going. Supplemental feeding can more than double the survival rate of the feathered foragers from 32 to 69 percent.

My daily routine includes a trip to a galvanized trash can turned seed-storage container each morning. There, the lid is removed and a scoop of seed is taken to refill feed stations. My feathered friends begin to gather in the overhead branches of conifers, as the can’s contents are exposed to the peering eyes of inquisitive onlookers. Before I return with the empty scoop, the little creatures are helping themselves right from the open can.

If they are not present, a little whistling seems to elicit a response for them to come near. Although I’ve hand-fed them at times, most of them will wait for me to back away a few feet before they fly in for some fast food.

At times, they seem oblivious to humans. I’ve had them land on my boots, while deer hunting but one particular experience always comes to mind, while recalling their fearless antics.

Deer hunting in Charlevoix County, I spotted a whitetail buck among a stand of pines, but had only seen it for an instant before it vanished into cover. Within a minute or so, a hunting partner emerged from the same trees and I got his attention in an attempt to alert him to what I had seen. With my fingers stretched apart to imitate antlers, I placed both hands on my head to signify that I had spotted a buck. I dared not speak so as not to frighten the hidden deer and pointed to where I had seen the legal buck. My hunting partner pulled his rifle to the ready position, when a chickadee found a perfect perch on which to land: the muzzle of the gun’s barrel completely blocking the front sight. The hopeful hunter gave the gun a few quick shakes, but the bird held tight. There was nothing we could do but laugh.

If there’s a youngster in your midst, introducing him or her to the wonders of wildlife can be facilitated through these cooperative creatures – and, you can leave the binoculars home.

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