The Detroit River Fishery

by | March 31, 2023 | Current Issue | 0 Comments

For my money, there’s no better place to fish for walleyes this time of year, anywhere, than the Detroit River. It’s no secret. I swear, at times you could almost walk across the river going boat to boat and never get your feet wet. There’s a reason: The river is full...
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The pain of loss for a 15-year-old eased with a special elk hunt

by | March 31, 2023 | Current Issue | 0 Comments

It is said the chance of getting drawn for an elk hunting permit in Michigan is .01-.06%. What are the odds that a teenager could be the recipient of a bull-elk permit and then fill that tag with an amazing 5 x 5 bull? Couple that with the recent loss of his beautiful...
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Wake-Up Call

by | March 31, 2023 | Current Issue | 0 Comments

As I turned onto the gravel road, an entire flock of turkeys jaywalked in front of me to the opposite side, where a large stand of mature white pines covered the landscape. It was late winter, so the flock consisted of a mixed bag of jakes, longbeards, and hens. There...
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Tricks for Opening Day

by | March 31, 2023 | Current Issue | 0 Comments

The weather on the last Saturday in April can be fickle. You might be blessed with a glorious sunshiny day and temperatures in the 60s or more. Or it could be spitting snow or sleet with temperatures below freezing. That’s just the way April is in Michigan. Chances...
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Randy Claramunt named Fisheries Chief

by | March 31, 2023 | Current Issue | 0 Comments

On February 22, acting DNR Director Shannon Lott announced the appointment of Randy Claramunt as the new Chief of the Fisheries Division, one of Michigan’s most important natural resource positions. He will fill the position vacated by long-term fisheries chief Jim...
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RECENT EDITIONS

Reel Maintenance

Reel Maintenance

by | Feb 1, 2023 |

The thought of disassembling a fishing reel to thoroughly clean it brings on something close to a panic attack. I live with haunting memories of prior DIY reel cleaning attempts. While taking a reel apart, I’ve had the tiniest pieces fly off with such velocity that...

MY TROPHY BUCK!

MY TROPHY BUCK!

by | Dec 30, 2022 |

The story of my experience with this buck began in late August of 2021. My wife and I had purchased five acres of alfalfa farmland in the spring of 2021 and were in the middle of constructing our new home by that summer. One evening, after the skilled trades workers...

Finesse tip-up fishing

Finesse tip-up fishing

by | Dec 30, 2022 |

Tip-ups have been around forever, but their use has transformed...   It’s that time of year when almost all Michigan anglers can agree on one thing – they won’t be doing much fishing in the next couple of months unless they cut a hole in the ice to start. Ice...

Calhoun County 190” Nontypical

Calhoun County 190” Nontypical

by | Dec 30, 2022 |

Like the year before, thirty-four-year-old Dominic Simmons planned on hunting the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) land located in southern Calhoun County. The NHBP distribute sections of hunting land on a first come, first served basis and according...

“New Year” Resolutions

“New Year” Resolutions

by | Dec 30, 2022 |

The first of a new year is when countless Americans do some soul searching. Based on this self-study, many decide it’s time to improve things in their lives. That’s a good thing. Resolutions to stop smoking, lose weight, drink less and eat healthier rank high on the...

DUELING WOODPECKERS

DUELING WOODPECKERS

by | Dec 30, 2022 |

In addition to Michigan being home to pileated woodpeckers, the largest woodpecker in North America, we are also home to the downy woodpecker, the smallest woodpecker on the continent. With winter weather taking firm hold, now is the time to watch for both species if...

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