Wisconsin Tip-Up Rule Stands

SuperUser Account — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:17:12 GMT

WAUSAU, WI — The Wisconsin Court of Appeals recently reinstated a ticket issued to an ice fisherman in 2005 for fishing with an unattended line, ruling that failure to check the tip-up rig for more than an hour on a frozen lake constituted a violation.A Forest County Judge had initially thrown out the ticket, ruling that checking tip-ups every hour did not violate a state law that requires a fisherman to immediately respond when a fish bites the hook.According to court records, walleye angler Troy Westphal was ice fishing at night on Lake Metonga when the violation occurred.A Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources warden noticed early the next morning that two of the six tip-ups had flags up, indicating that fish had bitten the hooks. Westphal was ticketed for fishing with an unattended line when he arrived to check them about 15 minutes later, court records says.Westphal told the warden he had last checked the fishing holes about an hour earlier.The three-judge appeals court says state regulations make it clear that anglers must be able to “immediately respond to a line upon indication of a bite. ... Whatever short period of delay may be allowed, Westphal exceeded it.”

When Nature Calls

SuperUser Account — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:16:02 GMT

SULPHER SPRINGS, TX—Matt and Kirk Smith, father and son fishermen from North Texas, think they’ve come up with a product that may prove popular among anglers who find themselves aboard their bass boat and out in nature when, uh, nature calls.The Smiths have created a portable privy—called The Bassroom—they say that can be assembled atop a bass boat in two minutes or less.Father Matt Smith says the Bassroom is “environmentally better” than the alternatives and addresses a growing concern among anglers--especially pros--over liability issues.“With a growing number of houses around lakes, and with more folks having cameras on their cell phones, exposing oneself to take care of personal business can land one in trouble,” he says.The Bassroom system includes a domed cover, stool with full toilet seat, and black, zip-up plastic bags for waste.The Smiths say their product has received an enthusiastic response—especially from female anglers.“I’ve had some of the lady pros tell me something like this has been needed for a long time,” says Matt.

Ugly Stik Foils Robber

SuperUser Account — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:14:21 GMT

GASTON, NC—A North Carolina angler gave a whole new meaning to the term “fighting rod” when he used his fishing gear to subdue a would-be robber who threatened him with a knife.The Gaston Police Department says an unnamed man and his young son were fishing at a city pond when the perpetrator brandished a knife and demanded the twosome’s money.The father equally grasped the basic geometric disparity between a 4-inch blade and a 6-foot fishing rod and simply proceeded to beat the heck out of the bad guy using the business end of his fishing rod, including the lure, which hooked deeply into the unfortunate thug’s hide.Gaston police says a man fitting the description of the alleged assailant was seen fleeing the scene, with a bright orange jig embedded in his arm.

The Upside Of Droughts

SuperUser Account — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:13:32 GMT

Orlando, FL--Florida faced drought; Texas faced floods. How did fish fare?While fish kills occurred in Florida last summer, short-term droughts are probably helpful to Florida’s freshwater fish, Florida officials say, by exposing lake bottoms and promoting vegetation that provides fish habitat. Anglers were largely cheering the long-term benefits, for example, of the drought on Lake Okeechobee.For Texas anglers, the higher-than-normal rainfall was good news, officials say, because fish can move to new habitats and re-colonize areas, such as upstream of small dams. Floods also add stream nutrients, clean them out and restore habitat.

Skywalking Sturgeon!

SuperUser Account — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 15:11:58 GMT

GANIESVILLE, FL—Leaping gulf sturgeon continue to raise a ruckus on Florida’s Suwannee River this year, after a record 10 people were injured by the airborne fish last year.Already in 2007 a jumping fish broke a 6-year-old girl’s leg and left her aunt with cuts and bruises.Taylor Lane Owen was a passenger on a 20-foot vessel when a three-foot sturgeon leapt out of the river about nine miles west of Chiefland. It was the third confirmed sturgeon strike and fourth injury for 2007.Earlier this year a woman was knocked unconscious by one of the protected fish when the boat in which she was riding passed a bridge near Rock Bluff. In April a sturgeon severely injured a 50-year-old woman riding a personal watercraft on the river. She suffered a ruptured spleen and had three fingers reattached by surgeons, but she lost one finger and a tooth.After a record ten people were injured by jumping sturgeon in 2006, signs were placed at boat ramps and other points along the Suwannee, warning boaters of the river’s famous flying fish, which can top 8 feet and weigh up to 200 pounds.A protected species, gulf sturgeon enter the Suwannee River from the Gulf of Mexico and spawn there during the summer months.

Seatrout Number One In Saltwater

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:11:58 GMT

WASHINGTON, DC—Saltwater anglers caught more than 37 million spotted seatrout in 2006, making it the top catch for the third consecutive year.Data included in “Fisheries of the United States–2006”, report issued the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service showed the seatrout was the most popular catch among marine recreational anglers in the Gulf of Mexico. The top catches in other regions were striped bass (North Atlantic), summer flounder (Mid-Atlantic), spot (South Atlantic), chub mackerel (Pacific), black rockfish (Pacific Northwest), and yellowstripe goatfish (Western Pacific).The report showed the 2006 catch of 475 million fish was up 11 percent over the previous year and marked the highest recreational catch total in the last ten years. Overall harvest levels also increased, nosing up 18 percent to nearly 214 million fish.Interestingly, while anglers are keeping about 20 percent more fish than a decade ago, they are also releasing their catch more often. Of the 475 million fish caught by anglers in 2006, 262 million (55 percent) were released alive.In 2006, more than 13 million Americans fished along the Atlantic, Gulf, and Pacific coasts, roughly the same number as 2005. These anglers took 89 million saltwater trips in 2006, a 5 percent increase over the previous year.

Online Boat Ramp Locator

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:11:12 GMT

Anglers have better access to more water thanks to the free, online Boat Launch Ramp Locator now being offered by BoatU.S. The locator provides over 25,000 locations to launch a boat, including municipal or state boat ramps, marinas, boat clubs, private sites and other locations that offer fishing boat access. Now, you can easily plan a fishing adventure on new water from the comfort of your own home.Access this valuable resource by visiting www.BoatUSAngler.com/trailering.asp. Be sure to take advantage of the detailed launch site descriptions, including parking information, hours of operation, boat size or motor restrictions, water depths, docking facilities, camping information, local services available, and contact information including website links and phone numbers.Also included are fishing tips and species information as well as information on water depths and stocking programs.If you know of a boat ramp location not listed, you can easily submit the information and get a free trailer ball hitch cover.BoatU.S. Angler is an organization from the nation’s largest association of recreational boaters whose mission is to protect the interests of boat-owning freshwater anglers, increase boating safety, provide consumer assistance and ensure fishing remains worry-free. For more information, go to www.BoatUSAngler.com or call (866) 906-0013.

Kayaks And Hammerheads

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:10:05 GMT

TAMPA, FL—Following a close encounter with a hammerhead shark while fishing, a Florida kayak angler says the next time he goes out, it will be in a significantly larger watercraft.Frank Sargeant, fishing writer for the Tampa Tribune, reported that Michael Rementer hooked a big tarpon off Sanibel Island earlier this year. As he was fighting it, the kayaker spotted the mass of a huge 14-foot hammerhead shark protruding from beneath his craft. Hammerheads are a common sight in the tarpon-heavy waters off Florida’s west coast.The angler says the huge shark bumped his kayak two or three times while the tarpon found refuge under his partner’s kayak.The tarpon subsequently broke off and no one was hurt in the incident.“It was the scariest day of my life,” Rementer says. “I won’t be near a hooked tarpon in the Gulf of Mexico in a kayak ever again.”Sounds like good advice.

Ice Fishing

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:09:00 GMT

New Shelters Eskimo also introduced the Quickfish 2, 3 and 6, all of which are lightweight, easy-to-transport, quick to set up, and incredibly roomy. They use a unique hub system you pull and pop into place, letting you set up in minutes. The 2 is a two-person that measures 60x60 inches with a 70 inch height; the 3 is a three- person that’s 70x70 inches with an 80-inch height; and the 6 is a gigantic six-person that’s 140x70 inches with an 80-inch height. All come with carrying bags, ice anchors and tie-off ropes for high wind conditions. Eskimo also gave the Quickfish a new C style door which makes it much to easier to enter and exit, and have also gone to a more durable coil-type zipper. Suggested retails $159.99, $179.99 and $349.99.Otter has also taken the Cabin and Lodge from its regular lineup and made them available as a special limited edition. Those models sport two new high-back padded seats that swivel and fold down, plus an Ice Camo 900 Denier poly cover. Both have redesigned frame tubes that are larger and have thicker sidewalls for increased strength. Available options for the Wild and Ice Camo shelters include hyfax wear runners and a heavy-duty hitch. Ice Camo setup sizes are 66x84x70 1/2 inches and 74x98x77 inches, respectively.Underwater CamerasMarcum Technologies (maker of the VS460 and VS560 under water viewing systems) has added three new units to their lineup with two LCD displays including one that does it in living color. First up is the VS380 which has a seven inch high resolution black and white CRT monitor with front controls and collapsible viewing shroud. It utilizes the new Manta camera that has “Darkwater Technology” which provides for much improved viewing under lowlight conditions. It comes with 60 feet of cable, soft pack, video out, battery, and two-stage charger. Suggested retail $249.The VS820 has an eight inch black and white LCD flat panel screen with a resolution of 800 by 600 and has a swivel ratchet and gimble mount. It comes with the Manta camera, 75’ of cable, video out, soft pack, battery, and a two stage charger. Suggested retail $499. The VS825C comes with the Manta camera, 75’ of cable, video out, soft pack, battery, the charger, but has an eight inch flat panel color LCD screen with a resolution of 800 by 600. The camera is matched with super high intensity bright white LED’s with a dimmer control that are designed to enhance the screen’s color capabilities. Suggested retail $599.Also available from Marcum is the new Camera Compass which is designed to work in conjunction with an underwater camera. It’s a molded plastic cover with a slit for the cable and a cleat to secure it. You can turn the cover with the finger grips to position it and will hold the camera in that direction. The cover also helps to keep an ice hole from freezing up. Suggested retail $12.99.The Aqua-Vu Dt-7 with Explorer Lighting has a 7” black and white widescreen LCD that is daylight viewable and has greatly improved nighttime capabilities. It also includes an on-screen digital temp, camera direction, and camera depth. The Dt-7 comes with 100 feet of cable, battery and charger. Suggested retail $899.99

Grandson Fingers Poacher Grandpa

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:07:52 GMT

ST. PAUL, MN—Here’s a gem from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Game Officer Report.During a routine license check, Conservation Officer Nikki Shoutz of Pine River busted an angler when his accompanying grandson happily indicated that his grandpa kept some illegal bass and hid them nearby in the weeds.“Grandpa says that he could get in trouble if he put them in his bucket since they were largemouth bass,” the boy gleefully told the officer, who promptly issued a citation for taking bass in closed season. Shame on Grandpa.

Cheater Slapped With $23K Restitution

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:06:55 GMT

LAKE BARKLEY, KY—One of two men who admitted to planting fish during Kentucky fishing tournaments received a probated 5-year sentence providing he pays $23,000 in restitution.Brian Thomas of Dawson Springs was sentenced to one year each for theft by deception over $300 and theft by deception under $300. As part of his sentence, Thomas was also banned from holding a fishing license or participating in fishing events during his probation.Kentucky State Police began investigating Thomas and his fishing partner, Dwayne Nesmith, in April 2006, after witnesses says they saw the pair take five bass from a submerged fish basket and subsequently weigh them at the Relay for Life Buddy Bass Tournament on Kentucky’s Lake Barkley.A month earlier, in March 2006, the fraudulent fishermen won a $30,000 bass boat in the Lake Barkley Superbass Championship, allegedly using the same deceptive practice.Nesmith pleaded guilty to identical charges and his sentence is pending.

Best Gear for 2008

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:56:57 GMT

Shear GeniusTake a length of superline, hold it a few inches back from the end, then try to snip off the last 1/8-inch of it with your run-of-the-mill line clipper. I’ll save you the suspense—it’s not going to happen. But it will if you use Berkley’s new TEC Superline Shears. The things are obscenely sharp, letting you make crisp, precise cuts that are all but impossible with superlines. Even better, Berkley designers had the sense to make them spring-loaded and eliminate the thumb loop on the handle, making them faster and easier to handle. Call Berkley at (800) 237-5539, or visit berkley-fishing.com. Cool SpoolPowerPro braid is strong, tough, casts well and delivers plenty of hooksetting power—but that’s not news. The news is that the company’s new Ez Spool packaging makes it easier than ever to fill your reels and store when you’re done. The spools spin within the hard plastic housing, letting you spool reels directly from the box, which includes a built-in line cutter. Call PowerPro at (970) 242-3002, or visit www.powerpro.com American Beauty Ardent’s new s400 spinning reel is smooth and well put-together, but it’s also 100 percent American-made. And what other company can say that? It features a one-piece A360 aluminum frame, four stainless bearings and Ardent’s Strike Saver Drag. Email: company@ardentoutdoors.com, or visit ardentreels.com.

Bad Day For Tarpon Angler

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:54:40 GMT

BOCA GRANDE, FL—An avid Florida saltwater fly angler experienced a near miss with tragedy when he tumbled overboard while fighting a 90-pound tarpon, accidentally slicing an arm vein on his boat’s spinning trolling motor propeller. Before the injured fisherman gave up the fight with the silver king and motored to shore for help, doctors says he lost nearly a pint of blood.The Lakeland Ledger detailed the amazing story of 54-year-old Rick Cannon, who went tarpon fishing alone on what he thought might be his lucky day—Saturday, July 7 (7-7-07). In fact, it was around 7:07 in the morning when a tarpon nailed Cannon’s offering as he fished in upper Pine Island Sound.When he turned on the trolling motor, the backward momentum pushed the upright angler overboard, in to about 8 feet of water. Cannon says he felt the trolling motor bump his right arm as he treaded water, but didn’t realize he was injured until he climbed back into boat and saw his arm covered with blood.“I put my finger on it, and thought, ‘How am I going to fight this fish and not bleed to death?’ I pumped on the fish twice, but I couldn’t let go to reel,” he says.Cannon remained calm, broke off the line, and headed to shore as quickly as his 175-HP outboard would take him. In less than 10 minutes--before 7:30--he was at a Boca Grande marina, where EMTs applied tourniquets to his wound and sped him to a nearby hospital. So what thought made him head to shore instead of landing the tarpon?“My wife’s (would) be really mad if I died out here fighting this fish,” he says.

Anglers Don’t Buy License…Plate

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:33:09 GMT

ST. PAUL, MN—Last year, when the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced the winning design for a state vehicle license plate featuring the image of a fish, some anglers accused the state agency of genetic engineering.The painting depicted a fish leaping—quite bass-like--from blue water into a beautiful Minnesota sunset. At first glance it appears to be the favorite species of Northern filet knives, the walleye. Then, upon close scrutiny, pectoral fins and other irregularities point to more unusual genetics.“Was it a bass-eye?” bewildered Minnesotans queried. Apparently walleye and bass aficionados made sufficient noise to send the DNR back to the drawing board—well, at least back to the artist’s drawing board.“We talked to the artist, Sam Melquist, and he was willing to revise it,” says DNR spokesman C.B. Bylander. “He provided us with a largemouth bass, and we think that’s great.”

Angler Cuts Off Fingers To Free Himself

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:31:41 GMT

SEATTLE, WA—Surgeons successfully reattached the fingertips of a Washington drift boat angler after he used a pocketknife to free himself as his craft was rapidly sinking in a swift current. William Messenger, 51, was steelhead fishing on the Wynoochee River in a 16-foot drift boat with his daughter’s boyfriend when the side of the boat slammed into a logjam, wedging his left index and middle fingers between the boat and an alder tree. The current held the boat in place.When his companion swam to shore and went for help, Messenger worried he could drown before rescuers arrived. That’s when he took drastic measures.Help arrived minutes later.“Hindsight is 20-20,” says Grays Harbor County Undersheriff Rick Scott. “If he’d have known help was not that far away, he might have held off taking the steps that he did.”Emergency medical personnel recovered Messenger’s severed fingers from the logjam and took them to Harborview Medical Center, where reattachment surgery proved successful.

Angler Catches 200th World Record

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:30:35 GMT

CORAL GABLES, FL—Well-known fly angler Dr. Martin Arostegui has surpassed an incredible fishing milestone by becoming the first person to list 200 world record fish with the International Game Fish Association (IGFA).In a press release, the IGFA noted that the retired physician’s first world record fish was caught in the summer of 1994, a 10-pound triple tail on 4-pound tippet near Flamingo in Florida’s Everglades National Park. His 200th, also on a fly rod, came nearly 14 years later with a mullet snapper caught in Costa Rica.“Dr. Arostegui’s accomplishment of achieving 200 world records is truly a remarkable feat,” says IGFA President Rob Kramer. “Through careful planning, detailed preparation and steadfast perseverance, he has taken world record game fishing to an all time high.”Last spring, Arostegui made waves in the fishing community when he caught the heaviest fish ever recorded on a fly rod, a 385-pound lemon shark off Key West, Fla.“When it opened its huge mouth, I say to myself this shark could eat half of me in one bite,” joked the 5-foot, 125-pound former emergency room doctor.

A Time To Kill

SuperUser Account — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 17:29:27 GMT

HAYWARD, WI--After years of promoting catch-and-release fishing, some largemouth bass anglers and biologists are actually encouraging anglers to put a fillet knife to the nation’s favorite freshwater fish.The result can be some tasty fish nuggets--and bitter debate. In northern Wisconsin, the second annual “You Hook ‘Em, We Cook ‘Em” fishing event brought out 400 anglers to Nelson Lake, where Wisconsin officials encouraged anglers to catch and cook bass between 10 and 14 inches. Nelson Lake suffers the same problem as many northern Wisconsin lakes--a statewide 14-inch minimum size limit has caused an overabundance of small bass, which often die of old age before reaching 20 inches.The overabundant bass are also consuming Nelson Lake’s walleyes, and biologists say it’s time to start killing some bass. About 400 bass were harvested during the event, but fisheries team leader Dave Neuswanger and others got an earful on the Internet. Writing in a local newspaper, Neuswanger said anglers and sponsors were called “killers,” “uneducated morons” and other nasty words in Internet chat rooms.“Wow. Take a breath, folks,” Neuswanger wrote. “This is not Baghdad.”He explained that strict catch-and-release fishing is not appropriate all the time. Other biologists agree-a movement is afoot to lift the bass size limit on dozens of northern Wisconsin lakes, giving anglers the green light to eat a bass.

Year-Round Hunting

SuperUser Account — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 13:15:23 GMT

I remember the good ol' days well. You know, those years when we had well-defined hunting seasons and those of us who live to hunt could actually catch up on our sleep and reacquaint ourselves with our families during the off season.Those days are as long gone as two-dollar-a-gallon gasoline. These days, the serious hunter can find plenty of adventure if he's willing to travel and explore new possibilities.The following are North American Hunter's picks for some of the finest hunting trips you'll ever encounter, regardless of the time of year. Some are bowhunts, some gun hunts. But please, before you jam the switchboard and crash the e-mail servers here at Club Headquarters by telling us how dumb we are for overlooking one of your favorites, understand that we know we missed a lot of great hunts. With a guideline of listing only a first choice and a runner-up each for each month, that was bound to happen. We also know that some of the hunts we listed overlap into adjoining months. Further, we also know there are many outfitters who offer good hunts for some of the species listed, it's just that when recommending an outfitter is appropriate we've limited ourselves again by listing only those outfitters we know and have hunted with personally.If you read the following and only dream, we've done our job. But we hope instead to get you thinking about how, someday, you might extend your own hunting season. Now go get 'em!ARTICLE PHOTOS April: Wild TurkeysApril: Coastal Alaska Black Bears September: Elk October: Pre-Rut WhitetailNovember: Rut-Crazed Whitetail January First Choice: Bowhunting Arizona Muleys And Coues Deer It might be snowing in much of the country, but during January in Arizona the sun is shining and the deer are rutting. Both muleys and Coues whitetails are available to hunt in good numbers, there is a ton of excellent public land and both a nonresident hunting license and any buck archery deer tag are available over-the-counter for a season lasting the entire month. Quail season is still open, and the bird shooting is terrific, too. Try the southern tier of the state with the desert muleys found at lower elevations, and the Coues deer found in the mountains and foothills. DuWane Adams ((520) 385-4995; arizonabiggamehunting.com) is the best glasser I've ever hunted with. He guided me to my first-ever Coues buck, and he's still one of the state's best at finding quality bucks of both species.Runner-Up: Deep South WhitetailsThe rut might be over in Minnesota, but not in Mississippi where the bucks are feeling spunky and the hunting can be excellent. There are lots of excellent lodges and outfitters, but it's hard to beat Giles Island ((877) 944-5374, gilesisland.com). Located only 15 minutes from Natchez, Mississippi, 2,000 of the 9,400 acres here are designated as “bowhunting only” and this management program has resulted in the average buck scoring near 140 Boone & Crockett Club or Pope & Young Club points. Both firearms and archery hunting are available and a big bonus is that the food and accommodations are deluxe.February First Choice: Mountain Lions When it's bitter cold and you're bored to death, why not limber up those legs and follow the sound of the hounds in pursuit of a big mountain lion in the snow-covered Western mountains? Lion hunting is poo-pooed by some as a slam-dunk, unsporting hunt, but I've been three times—taken one cat—and been physically tested by the steep terrain and deep snow each time. As a bonus, lion meat is some of the best I've ever eaten. There's good cat hunting in many Western states like Montana, Colorado, Utah, and Idaho, as well as farther south in Arizona and New Mexico. My friend Rick Wemple ((800) 725-4306; huntinfool.com/rickwemple) is one tough cookie and all about adventuring. He's a hunting fool who guides for elk, muleys, black bears and pronghorns, and he also knows how to catch cats for his clients.Runner-Up: CoyotesCoyotes are found coast to coast, in big numbers. In much of the country the “song dogs” kick last year's pups out of the pack about now, meaning there are a fair number of young, uneducated dogs running about. That's good news for those hunters who want to try and call them in. A bonus in some areas is the fact that many times landowners who are shy about letting newcomers hunt their land have no problem with sportsmen trying to thin out coyotes. Check with your local game and fish department for regulations and recommended hunting areas.March First Choice: Musk Ox Oomingmak is a prehistoric beast inhabiting the frozen arctic, drawing the adventuresome sportsman back into time. March is a great time to pursue them, as the winter days are lengthening, hide quality is superb and the hunting excellent. Expect temperatures anywhere from minus 10 to minus 50 degrees—not as bad as it seems with the right clothing, which is often supplied by the outfitter. While some musk ox hunting occurs in Alaska, the best bet for the nonresident is Canada's Northwest Territories. Fred Webb & Sons ((250) 577-3708; http://fordinfo.com/fredwebb) has been conducting highly successful arctic hunts for decades. My musk ox bowhunt with Fred was one of the most exciting trips I've ever made.Runner-Up: Florida Wild HogsIn addition to great whitetail, Osceola turkey and exotics hunting, Cracker Swamp Hunting Preserve ((386) 328-6111; crackerswamp.com) offers incredible spring hunting for wild hogs ranging between 250-450 pounds. These folks will make you feel right at home—and the hogs are big and mean!April First Choice: Wild Turkeys With more turkeys in North America than ever before, the hunting opportunities are almost endless. For current conditions and population updates, check with both your local fish and game department and the National Wild Turkey Federation (nwtf.org.) Brian Gilliland of Smoky Ridge Outfitters ((270) 885-8141; huntingkentucky.com) has 6,000 acres overrun with wild turkeys, with both greenfields to draw strutting toms to your blind and decoy, or oak-studded hills to chase them around.Runner-Up: Coastal Alaska Black Bears This is a pure spot and stalk adventure based from a comfortable boat with a near 100 percent chance you'll stalk at least one big bruin with a 7-foot or better hide. Add the great food and you can't go wrong. I think so much of this hunt that I often guide here myself, just for the excitement! My friend Jim Boyce (Baranof Expeditions, (907) 747-3934; baranofexpeditions.com) has been doing it for more than a decade with near-100 percent success.May First Choice: Alaska's Giant Brown Bears There is nothing in North America that compares to the adrenaline rush of stalking to within spitting distance of 1,000-plus pounds of fang and claw. There are many excellent Alaska brown bear guides and one who I recommend highly is Tracy Vrem of Blue Mountain Lodge ((907) 688-2419; bluemountainlodge.com). Vrem hunts near Becharof Lake on the Alaska Peninsula and has a superb track record of producing excellent bears and near-100 percent success.Runner-Up: Baited Black BearsIn many areas of Canada baiting bears is still legal, and many outfitters take it quite seriously. I love to hunt over bait, and for the nonresident a trip north of the border will help cure spring fever. To help sort the wheat from the outfitter chaff and find a small outfitter who specializes in personalized service and very high success rates in a two-bear area, contact booking agent Wade Derby ((925) 679-9232; crosshairconsulting.com) who works hard for his clients and has personally checked out all the outfitters he recommends.June First Choice: California Barley Field Wild BoarsThere are more free-ranging wild hogs in California right now than ever before, and while the season is open all year, when the barley crops begin to emerge in late May and June the hogs swarm the central California fields, making it possible to often see more than 100 hogs a day. Two-day guided hunt packages run anywhere from $500-$800 and on the best operations success is near-100 percent. I've hunted with Doug Roth at Camp 5 Outfitters ((805) 238-3634; e-mail droth@charter.net) near Paso Robles (halfway between Los Angeles and San Francisco) since he first began guiding during the late 1980s, and have never been disappointed.Runner-Up: Bowfishing Tired of shooting 3-D targets and hitting golf balls? Maybe it's time that you tried your hand at some bowfishing, which can be much more fun and challenging than you might originally think. It doesn't cost a lot to gear up, and most states offer some sort of bowfishing opportunity. Check with your local game and fish department for regulations and recommended bowfishing areas.July First Choice: Yukon Territory Dall's SheepSummer hunting is never more exciting than when stalking a majestic Dall's sheep ram in the Northwest Territories. Clients hunting with South Nahanni Outfitters have been scoring at virtually 100 percent on rams averaging about 38 inches for a maximum of 12 clients a year. Though this is a backpack hunt, helicopters are used to access the area, and most hunters find these hunts relatively easy, physically. It's an awesome hunt, and Wade Derby of Crosshair Consulting ((925) 679-9232; crosshairconsulting.com) does the booking and can fill you in.Runner-Up: Prairie DogsHot summer days were made, it seems, for honing your long-range shooting skills on prairie dogs, rock chucks and ground squirrels. Many ranchers and farmers will grant you permission to shoot these pests, and there are also many commercial hunting operations catering to those who prefer packaged deals. Bring lots of ammo!August First Choice: Caribou There's so much good hunting to choose from in August, yet if I had to pick just one hunt it would be stalking caribou bulls across the tundra. While good, Quebec can be a hit-or-miss affair—one reason I prefer Alaska. The huge Mulchatna herd hasn't started migrating yet, meaning you can often fly around and find thousands of animals that aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Both guided and unguided drop-off hunts are popular. Gary, Louise and Steve Pogany (Osprey Lodge; alaskahuntfish-osprey.com; (907) 688-1511 or (696) 2390) run a super program featuring both guided and unguided hunts from a spacious lodge located less than 2 hours by small airplane from Anchorage. The price of their trips includes bush plane service, which is a hidden savings.Runner-Up: Western PronghornsPronghorn are awesome to bow hunt. I love sitting in a blind waiting for the right pronghorn buck to arrive, trying to sneak within arrow range of bedded bucks – a huge challenge! -- and decoying rutting bucks into early September. Any way you cut it, it is great fun.September First Choice: Elk When the leaves begin to turn in the Rocky Mountain West, is there a better place to be than trying your hand at seducing a mature bull elk into bow range? There's absolutely nothing like it anywhere in the world! With tons of public land available and more elk than at anytime since the turn of the century, the chances for do-it-yourself success are as good as ever. However, far better odds occur on the right guided hunt—especially those conducted on private land or on public land where tags are limited. Van Hale's Trophy Outfitters ((928) 333-5290; trophyoutfittersonline.com) is a small outfit specializing in arguably the top two trophy states in the West: Arizona and New Mexico. He can help you apply for the very best tags as well as with some private land hunting.Runner-Up: Moose Like elk, moose are rutting in mid- to late September, and if you think calling an elk in is something, try keeping it together when 1,500 pounds of love-crazed Alces charges toward you! While you can hunt moose on your own in Alaska, if you have no experience in moosing, hiring a guide is highly recommended. And if you're going moose hunting, why not try your hand at the continent's largest bulls? My friend Terry Overly of Pioneer Outfitters in Chisana, Alaska ((907) 734-0007; e-mail pioneer-outfitters@worldnet.att.net) has a long track record or producing nice bulls and high success rates on horseback moose hunts. October First Choice: Mule Deer The thing about mule deer hunting is, unless the deer live in an area conducive to making a successful stalk, they might as well be living on the moon, and that eliminates much of their home range. Chad Schearer of Central Montana Outfitters ((406) 799-7984; centralmontanaoutfitters.com) specializes in elk and muley hunting and prides himself in personalized service—but best of all, the ranch he has leased is ideal for locating, then stalking, quality mule deer bucks. Chad's hunters seem to always get shots with either bow or rifle. Runner-Up: Pre-Rut Whitetails It's starting …. and we all want to be in a tree when the bucks begin their rutting ritual. Near the end of October is the time to break out the deer calls and rattling horns and begin sitting in those stands along traditional rub lines and among dropping acorns. Need I say more?November First Choice: Rut-Crazed Whitetails Most of America's hunters live for the whitetail rut, when those nocturnal monsters finally show themselves during legal shooting hours. Where will you be this November? If you're looking for an outfitter who's dedicated to quality, keeps hunter numbers low and has some truly monster deer, Dick McCormick's Central Illinois Outfitters ((217) 452-7945; centralillinoisoutfitters.com) hunts The Grigsby, located 25 minutes northwest of Springfield in west-central Illinois. His area comprises 12,860 total acres and is the largest contiguous privately owned tract of land in the state. I've been there, and I will be back. It's that good.Runner-Up: Oregon Blacktails Speaking of nocturnal, no deer is more so than the Columbia blacktail of the northern California/western Oregon and Washington state coast. The biggest bucks of all come from near Medford, Oregon, where my friends Doug and Janet Gattis of Southern Oregon Game Busters ((541) 770-5050; blacktails.net) have produced some monsters for both firearms and archery clients. The best hunting occurs from mid-November to season's end in early December when the deer can be hunted from a treestand, by spot and stalk or by rattling and calling. It's extremely challenging—and incredibly fun.December First Choice: Texas WhitetailsIf you haven't been to Texas, you owe it to yourself to make at least one pilgrimage to a land where the deer hunting is a world unto itself—and where it can be superb during mid- to late December when the bucks are starting to rut and the big boys show up. Much of the hunting is done from a treestand set over, or near, a feeder—a turn-off to many, but something I have found both fascinating and not as easy as it sounds. The Perlitz Ranch ((210) 494-6421; perlitzranch.com) has been featured often on the “Realtree Monster Bucks” video series for a reason—it's awesome!Runner-Up: Winter Rabbits In snow country, both cotton-tailed rabbits and snowshoe hares are romping about, leaving tracks to follow and making spot and stalk hunting a great excuse to get out of the house and get some shooting in. Bunny hunting is also a super way to introduce a young or novice archer to bowhunting; the fact they make an awesome stew is a bonus. Check with your local game and fish department for regulations and recommended hunting areas.

Web Links October/November 2007

SuperUser Account — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 21:17:11 GMT

Best Gear For 2008Berkley: www.berkley-fishing.comMinn Kota: www.minnkotamotors.comRapala: www.rapala.comPflueger: www.pfluegerfishing.comXCalibur: www.lurenet.comCosta Del Mar: www.costadelmar.comBlakemore: www.tticompanies.comQuantum: www.quantumfishing.comFenwick: www.fenwickfishing.comTru Tungsten: http://www.tru-tungsten.com/e21: www.e21fishing.comShimano: http://fish.shimano.com/Nutri Shield: http://www.nutritekinc.com/nutrishield.htmlLowrance: www.lowrance.comSnag Proof: www.snagproof.comLucky Craft: http://www.luckycraft.com/luckycrafthome/home.htmXTools: http://www.xtools.us/EChip: http://www.theechip.com/Stren: www.stren.comRattle Head Baits: http://www.rattleheadbaits.com/Plano: http://www.planomolding.com/content/index.cfmOkuma: http://www.okumafishingteam.com/Irish Setter: www.irishsetterboots.com Sporting VehiclesPolaris: www.polarisindustries.comArctic Cat: www.arcticcat.comYamaha: www.yamaha-motor.comKawasaki: www.kawasakiHonda: www.powersports.honda.com/atvs/Moose Utility Division (MUD): www.mooseutilities.comParts Unlimited: www.parts-unlimited.comKolpin: www.kolpinpowersports.comXtreme Products: www.xpatv.comHigh Lifter: www.highlifter.comRocky Mountain: www.rockymountainatv.comMattracks: www.litefootatv.comATV Tracks: www.atvtracks.netDaystar: www.daystarweb.comBlack Rhino Performance: www.blackrhinoperformanceATV Parts Depot: www.atvpartsdepot.comCar & Truck Accessories: car-truck-accessories.comRubicon 4x4: www.rubicon4x4.com Fishing AdventuresAmistad Reservoir, Texas, bass: http://www.ar-guide.com/www.tpwd.state.tx.us Manitoba walleyes: http://www.trailendcamp.com/main/fishing.htmhttp://www.winnipegriver.net/ New Jersey muskies: www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/index.htmwww.muskiedaze.com Ohio-Lake Erie walleyes: www.badmancharters.com/reservations.htm Pacific Silvers and Chum Salmon: http://wdfw.wa.govwww.dfw.state.or.us Tennessee River smallmouths: www.outdooralabama.com/fishinghttp://www.state.tn.us/twra/fish/fishmain.html Sonar SavvyFugawi: www.fugawi.comNavionics: www.navionics.comLowrance: www.lowrance.comHumminbird: www.humminbird.comBruce Samson’s Sonar Interpretation Tactics: www.hightechfishing.com AlmanacState-Fish Art Contest: www.statefishart.com Hottest Gear On IceFrabill: www.frabill.comClam Corp. www.clamcorp.comOtter Outdoors: www.otteroutdoors.comLowrance: www.lowrance.comNature Vision: www.naturevisioninc.com Shappell: www.shappell.com Vexilar: www.vexilar.com Fishing Tactics: Reverse PsychologyFairbairn Motor Rigging: http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/motors/detail.asp?pg=fem

North American Fishing Club