Still learning after 40 years

Recently on a Facebook group page, a member posted a question that went something like this: “I’m about to get my first hunting dog. What are some things I should know?” Some pointers easily came to mind, given that I have been raising bird dog puppies for 40 years....

Fisheries chief casts for new strategies

Give Randy Claramunt a boat, a rod and reel and some time, and he will teach you a thing or to about inland lake fishing as well as his hopes and plans for the state of Michigan’s fisheries programs. Claramunt, recently appointed Fisheries Chief of the DNR, shared his...

Every Pup Deserves a Second Chance

Every few minutes, from his metal crate sitting on the concrete floor of the clubhouse at Haymarsh Hunt Club, Murphy, the 18-month-old Irish setter, plaintively whined to get Mike Mapes’ attention. His confinement, it seemed, was part of the process of training him to...

Hooked on the First Cast

Henry M., as he’s known in school, slipped his fly into the hook keeper on his new fly rod, stepped from the Rogue River and started walking briskly up the trail. “I’m glad we’re going back to the car,” Henry said, “because I packed a snack.” Annnnd…that’s just about...

Woodcock help on the way?

A 60-year-old problem for a Michigan game bird could be eased a bit if the Michigan Legislature enacts a recently introduced bill. In December 2021, Michigan House Bill No. 5631 was introduced by Reps. Cherry, Haadsma, Sneller, Green and Cynthia Johnson. If passed,...