Michigan Out-of-Doors Summer 2020

Summer 2020
www.michiganoutofdoors.com
MICHIGAN’S PREMIUM OUTDOOR JOURNAL SINCE 1947
Public Lands in
Well-Washed
Public Hands
Duck Tacos and pickled heart |covid-19 and conservation: splintering systems
Legends of conservation: Keith Charters | Hex: Worth the miles
$5.99 US | Summer 2020
Please Display Until Sept. 1
Official Publication of Michigan United Conservation Clubs

Conservation
in action.
Find a VOLUNTEER WILDLIFE HABITAT project near you and sign up at

www.mucc.org/on-the-ground
VOLUME 74, ISSUE 2
Each Michigan Out-of-Doors magazine features
one or two cartoons drawn by Michigan's-own
Jonny Hawkins. I hope they make you laugh as
much as they did us.
contents

7 DIRECTOR'S DESK
8 ON PATROL
12 CANCELED EVENTS LEAVE SHORTFALL DREW YOUNGEDYKE
14 COVER: PUBLIC LANDS IN WELL-WASHED PUBLIC HANDS CHARLIE BOOHER
18 THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP IN CONSERVATION MAKHAYLA LABUTTE
22 THE VENTURE ROBERT KENNEDY
28 THE PINERY BLAKE SHERBURNE
32 BUILDING NATURAL ALLIES THROUGH WILD FOODS SHANE MAHONEY
36 FROM DUCK TACOS TO PICKLED HEART CHRIS LAMPHERE
40 BUILDING CONSERVATION ETHICS ZACH SNYDER
44 LAND MANAGEMENT SHAWN STAFFORD
50 COVID-19 AND CONSERVATION: SPLINTERING SYSTEMS CHARLIE BOOHER
58 SURFACE TENSION STEVE GRIFFIN
62 LEGENDS OF CONSERVATION: KEITH CHARTERS ALAN CAMPBELL
66 WHAT'S IN A NAME? MAKHAYLA LABUTTE
68 HEX: WORTH THE MILES ANDY DUFFY
72 TROUT DHARMA CALVIN MCSHANE
76 SMALL STREAM, BIG YIELDS ANDY DUFFY
80 A COOPERATIVE DECADE MORGAN JENNINGS
82 HARRY WHITELEY: ADVENTURER AND ADVOCATE RICK FOWLER
86 LET'S DOUBLE-DIP SUMMER-RUN FISH JIM BEDFORD
88 MICHIGAN HYDROELECTRIC RELICENSING COALITION CHARLIE BOOHER

STAFF REPORTS & MISC.

92 RECREATIONAL ARCHERY IS CREATING HUNTERS SHAUN MCKEON
94 THROWBACK: GO DEEP FOR BASS JIM BARTA
96 ONE LAST CAST NICK GREEN
2 | www.michiganoutofdoors.com
bAsecamp Nick Green, Editor
WELCOME TO MICHIGAN OUT-OF-DOORS

MICHIGAN'S PREMIUM OUTDOOR JOURNAL
The value of Michigan's public lands was cast

into the spotlight in late March when the novel
coronavirus sparked "stay home, stay safe" mandates.
For many of us, things probably didn't change
much in terms of our outdoor pursuits. With the
exception of a short ban on motor boats (MUCC can
be thanked for quelling that), many of the outdoor
endeavors we need to keep our sanity remained
available.
However, to the state's majority that don't read
this magazine and might not have their finger on
the pulse of Michigan's natural resources, the "stay
home, stay safe" orders were probably the catalyst for
Editor Nick Green fishes from his duck boat on a Central
a feeling of hopelessness and condemnation.
Michigan Lake. Photo: Abraham Downer
Feeling lost, many new Michiganders ventured
out onto our State Game Areas, State Forests, trails paths, invasive species removal and so much more.
and waterways. Turkey license sales skyrocketed Our outdoors are for everyone to enjoy. The
for the first time in more than a decade. And, if folks public lands we are all indebted to for our sanity, our
were lucky, they were able to find the heralded morel food and our well-being shouldn't be devalued. And
mushroom — I know I put a few in the frying pan. they should be a point that brings us all together.
Folks unlike us seemed to also enjoy the rich, If we learned anything from the cornonavirus
natural beauty that our state provides after years of pandemic, it is that our will to better things does
staying inside in front of their screens or partaking in not subside — no matter the hurdle we face. Like
the rat race to that next raise or promotion. the outdoor world, we need to change, evolve and
This pandemic devastated our state. And it likely remember our history so as to not repeat the worse
still will through this magazine's shelf life. However, parts of it.
many in Michigan have a reinvigorated sense of what For those of you who were expecting limits of
our outdoors is, why it is important and why it needs trout on stringers, big bucks and walleye sandwiches,
to be protected. this issue might seem strange. This summer, we took
For folks like us — hunters, anglers and trappers a deep dive into the conservation stewardship and
— we need to be cognizant of these different, new ethic that we all share — whether we know it or not.
users and embrace them. We need to shepherd them We tackled the pandemic's devastating effect on
through what it means to be stewards of Michigan's what the conservation world will look like moving
natural beauty and the wildlife that lives here. We forward, and we showed how you can give a little
need to patiently remind them that those of us in piece of yourself back to the resource.
camo or with rod and reel or who set trap lines in the Like most of you, I long for the cool, crisp autumn
coldest of winter storms are the keepers of this fire. days spent in a deer stand, trailing my dogs in search
We are the funders of conservation. of ruffed grouse or watching mallards circle the sky
While many don't understand how federal excise overhead. For now, we have to remember, though,
taxes on firearms or fishing gear work, they can why we have these beautiful places to enjoy. We need
certainly appreciate that the purchases we make to remember that they are here for everyone. Our
pump millions of dollars for conservation into public lands are in well-washed public hands.
Michigan. Furthermore, it behooves die-hards like
us to remind, in a polite, positive manner, other Yours in Conservation,
users of our natural resources that license dollars
fund bird watching towers, tree plantings, wetland
management endeavors, habitat restoration, walking
DEAR EDITOR,
Just finished reading my fall edition

of Michigan Out-of-Doors, and
wanted to get with you on the new
design of the magazine.
Call me old school, but I enjoyed
MOMENTS of MEMORY
the magazine better the old way.
When I normally read the mag-
azine its from cover to cover,
although my passion is mostly deer
hunting ,and fishing I enjoy reading
about some of the other passions
as well.
The bedrock of conservation is taking care of our natural resources so that they can be passed down to future generations. The
And I likedresources
natural it better with
that the
we shorter
conserve today were conserved for us by generations of conservationists preceding us, and these
stories
generations
that I could
are ever-changing
read in just a and ever-flowing. Here we honor the passing of one generation of conservationists to the next.
few minutes in the morning before I
head off to work.
In memory of
I do like the larger print now that
the years have been added to my Alan Edwards
birth date, and the eyes don't do from
so well. But that could be obtained East Lansing Roller Derby
by reducing the picture sizes. I have
been reading the magazine for In memory of
probably over 40 years now, and Fred Koster
hunting, and fishing the out doors from
for probably 10 years more than Greg & Nancy Myers, Laura & Jeremy Smith and Lisa & Travis Swihart
that, and still find them both to be
refreshing, and joyful. I also liked
the smaller paper size of the old Dr. E Crosby Tompkins
magazine, and soft covers for this from
allowed Mrs.
youDianna
to fold Tompkins,
the pages The
andLombardos, The Tompkins Families, Mr. Randy Reed, Mrs. Laurie Stokes, Mr. Jim Curry,
hold it in one had comfortably. Mr. I & Mrs. John & Margie Stone, Dr. Bob Boyd, Mr. Larry Poynter
know I'm only one person and like
your final story different from all
others, but I really like the old mag-
azine much better. And truly If you
agreehave recently lost someone you would like to honor here,
to Hunt Your Own Hunt. please contact Sue Pride at spride@mucc.org.
But do it ethically and honestly.
Sincerely, DeLoy C. Clark

Muckegon, MI
DEAR SIR,
Having recently finished reading the

new format magazine, my first im-
pression in a word is "slick". Upon
LIFE MEMBER
Thank you to the following conservationists who have made a lifetime
commitment to conserving, protecting and enhancing Michigan's
natural resources and outdoor heritage by becoming Life Members
of Michigan United Conservation Clubs:
Keith Shafer of Central Lake, MI

Kevin VanDam of Kalamazoo, MI
Aaron Phelps of Cedar Springs, MI
Man Town Citizens of White Cloud, MI
If you are willing and able to make a lifetime commitment to conservation, you can become a Life Member of
Michigan United Conservation Clubs with a $1,000 contribution to the organization.
Life members receive a lifetime subscription to Michigan Out-of-Doors, a Life Member MUCC ballcap,
a Life Member patch and a certificate commemorating your commitment to conservation.
Contact Sue Pride at spride@mucc.org or visit www.mucc.org/join_mucc and select "Life Membership."
PUBLISHER
AMY TROTTER
EDITOR
NICK GREEN
editor@michiganoutofdoors.com
ADVERTISING
NICK GREEN Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is a 501(c)(3)
edtior@michiganoutofdoors.com nonprofit organization founded in 1937 by sportsmen's clubs
from around Michigan to protect conservation from politics.
PRESIDENT Representing more than 40,000 members and supporters and
GEORGE LINDQUIST
approximately 200 affiliated conservation clubs, MUCC is
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
the largest statewide conservation organization in the nation.
THOMAS HERITIER MUCC members determine the organization's conservation
policies through a robust grassroots process, which MUCC
VICE PRESIDENT staff works to implement by working with elected officials, state
GREG PETER and federal agencies, its members and the public. MUCC has
published Michigan Out-of-Doors since 1947 and operates
TREASURER the Michigan Out-of-Doors Youth Camp in Chelsea, MI. Learn
FRAN YEAGER more about the full range of programs MUCC uses to advance
conservation in Michigan and become a member at www.mucc.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS org.
PATRICK HOGAN
ED MOORE
JAY MAKI
JANE FINNERTY
CAROL ROSE
MUCC Staff
DAWN LEVEY AMY TROTTER KIRK RILEY
CHUCK HOOVER Executive Director Deputy Director
RON BURRIS atrotter@mucc.org kriley@mucc.org
SAM MORELLO
DOUG KRIZANIC MORGAN (WARDA) JENNINGS LOGAN SCHULTZ
DAN MACUT Wildlife Co-op Coordinator Systems Manager
mjennings@mucc.org lschultz@mucc.org
TERRY VUKSANOVIC
MAKHAYLA LABUTTE SHAUN MCKEON
Habitat Volunteer Coordinator Education Director
Michigan Out-of-Doors (ISSN 0026-2382) is the official publication of mlabutte@mucc.org smckeon@mucc.org
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), 2101 Wood St., Lansing
MI 48912, and is published quarterly. Telephone: 517.371.1041.
Receipt of this publication is through membership in MUCC. For SUE PRIDE MAX BASS
membership information, call 1.800.777.6720. Single copies available Membership Relations Camp Director, Educator
to the public for $5.99 each. Periodicals postage paid at Lansing, spride@mucc.org mbass@mucc.org
Michigan, and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send address
changes to Michigan Out-of-Doors, PO Box 30235, Lansing MI 48909.
All advertising communications should be sent to PO Box 30235. IAN FITZGERALD EMMA NEHAN
Views expressed by freelance writers are their own and do not nec- Policy and Special Events Assistant On the Water Coordinator
essarily express those of Michigan Out-of-Doors or Michigan United ifitzgerald@mucc.org eneehan@mucc.org
Conservation Clubs. Copyright 2020 by Michigan United Conservation
Clubs (MUCC). The Copyright Act of 1976 prohibits the reproduction of
Michigan Out-of-Doors without written permission from Michigan United
NICK GREEN JOE DEWAN
Conservation Clubs. MUCC members may reproduce one copy for Public Information Officer Huron Pines AmeriCorps Member
personal use without permission. For permission to reprint a specific ngreen@mucc.org americorps@mucc.org
article, and for inquiries, contact the editor at editor@michiganoutof-
doors.com.
COVID-19, Lawsuits: MUCC Today and Yesterday Director's Desk
Amy Trotter, MUCC Executive Director United States District Court for the Western District of
Michigan alleging that Governor Gretchen Whitmer
My days, as of this writing, have started with and Department of Natural Resources Director Daniel
one or two media interviews or phone calls from my Eichinger's application of Executive Order 2020-42 to
basement storage room while still in my pajamas. prohibit motorboat use was unconstitutional.
Usually, I am balancing online school, recess, being Judge Paul Maloney acknowledged that the
a short-order cook and childcare while working from boating ban "confusion puts members of MUCC in
home. Sometimes, I end the day with virtual happy a precarious situation" and set a formal hearing
hours with friends, family or my fellow conservation for April 29; however, by April 24, Gov. Whitmer
colleagues at similar organizations across the country. announced that she was rescinding the motorized
These are the weird days of working remotely boating ban.
during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Who knows Charter guide, avid angler and owner of Teachin'
where we will be at the time you read this? Hopefully, Fishin' Lance Valentine said MUCC's actions reinforce
we will be doing the work of conservation with fewer the organization's worth and value to the angling
ZOOM meetings. community. Valentine was one of the first industry
MUCC closed its doors to the public on March leaders to call for action from MUCC.
23 and shifted to remote work among our 13 staff "Anglers need a group like MUCC to lead the
members across Southern Michigan. But, MUCC has charge in Lansing and be the watchdog over the DNR,
never stopped working for you! legislature and governor's office," Valentine said.
Back in the old "Tom Washington days," which our "My livelihood is at stake, and I feel better knowing
members and nonmembers love to reminisce about, no someone has anglers' best interest at heart when we
one could have imagined this organization functioning can't be there."
during a "stay home, stay safe" order from the state. We Nearly 500 of you are new to our organization
had large printing presses, a dark room for developing since our last magazine published. We welcome you
pictures and nearly 50 staff (not to mention several to a diverse group of hunters, anglers, trappers and
animals for our Wildlife Encounters program we conservationists that put their money and their
traveled across the state with) all at our headquarters Saturdays where their mouths are to be part of
at 2101 Wood Street in Lansing; but, no website. Tom something bigger than themselves. In this issue of
was also known for his physically-large presence — a Michigan Out-of-Doors, you will learn so much about
"mountain of a man" with a booming voice that helped all the things we do for conservation in Michigan, and
hone the state's reputation as a leader in protecting hopefully, you will share what you learn with friends
natural resources. and family — because the sportsmen and women in
Today's MUCC thrives on technology and elec- Michigan need a strong MUCC. And as the nation's
tronic communications, even as we have maintained largest statewide conservation nonprofit, that means
our traditional premier outdoor journal, Michigan members and donations.
Out-of-Doors, for the last 73 years. During the shut- For those of you returning to us — welcome —you
down, we communicated breaking news via email and will find our organization is much leaner now than it
social media, and TRACKS magazine was released used to be. MUCC no longer owns Michigan Out-of-
free online for April and May for the thousands of Doors TV, we don't maintain a legal hotline or employ
closed classrooms needing materials to share. We have lawyers, Wildlife Encounters is gone, and while we still
hosted online challenges to keep people engaged in the attend and help to promote Outdoorama, it's not ours
outdoors and conservation. And our staff and board to stress over. We may have had disagreements among
members have adopted ZOOM calls as the only way to friends in the past, but there is no one else watching
do business. and working for you come hell or high water — even
Compared to Tom Washington, I would consider through the newest plague upon our planet.
myself, at 5-feet, 1-inch, less physically-dominating but Since 1937, we have been standing up for our
just as demanding of respect from those in Lansing members, for our natural resources and for our
who seek to undermine our natural resources or our outdoor heritage. And with your help, I hope that will
outdoor heritage. But my approach is much more in continue long into the future.
line with diplomacy and coalition-building than my
well-known predecessor. Yours in Conservation,
But sometimes, a watchdog needs to bite. And just
like the old days, we did.
On April 19, MUCC filed an initial complaint in
Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 7

ON
PATROL
In each issue of Michigan Out-of-Doors, we highlight
some of the recent cases our brave Michigan Department
of Natural Resources conservation officers handle. You don't
want to find yourself on this list.
January 26 to February 8, 2020 Dispatch referencing several

Time flies when you're hunting subjects who were ice fishing
A big catch on private property in southern
COs Joseph Deppen and Muskegon County.
CO Todd Thorn checked Brad Silorey received a baiting The property is well posted
some ice anglers at Hawk Island complaint in Macomb County. and gated in multiple locations.
in Lansing and encountered a The COs responded to the area CO Cullen, along with an area
subject who could not produce a and found the hunter in his stand officer, responded to the location
license and was providing false with his firearm still loaded well and were escorted to where the
identification information. after shooting hours had ended. men were fishing.
The angler became argumen- The hunter claimed he fell Unavoidably, the anglers saw
tative and wouldn’t give CO Thorn asleep in his hunting stand. The CO Cullen’s truck during the
his real name. CO Thorn placed hunter was also hunting over a escort and attempted to flee from
the subject under arrest for large quantity of bait. the ice.
fishing without a license. The hunter said, “I thought Noticing this, CO Cullen
As he walked the man back Governor Granholm repealed the rushed to their location and
to his patrol truck and off the ice, baiting ban.” pursued them on foot through the
the man stated CO Thorn had The COs pointed out that woods.
“captured a good one.” He told former Governor Granholm left The men, listening to CO
CO Thorn that he would have office in the mid to late 2000’s and Cullen’s commands, hesitantly
ran on him if CO Thorn wasn’t she did not repeal the baiting stopped their escape.
wearing ice cleats. ban in 2019 or 2020; neither did The anglers all admitted that
CO Thorn found an identifi- current Governor Gretchen they knew they were trespassing,
cation card in the angler’s pocket Whitmer. and even walked by several “No
and learned he had three felony When questioned about his Trespassing” signs upon their
warrants, two misdemeanor hunting license, the hunter entry.
warrants, and a civil warrant for was unable to produce his deer Enforcement action was taken
child support. combination license. The hunter with all three individuals, and
The felony warrants were for was cited for hunting after hours, their fish were seized.
obstructing police and assaulting hunting over bait, and hunting
a pregnant woman. without license. Snowmobiles have stop signs too
The man was ticketed and
lodged at the Ingham County Jail Make sure to read the signs COs Zachary Painter and
until he could be picked up by Ethen Mapes worked a late-night
Mecosta County to answer to his CO Anna Cullen received a snowmobile patrol in Gogebic and
charges. complaint from Muskegon County Ontonagon Counties. The COs were
8 |www.michiganoutofdoors.com
targeting careless operation and violation. personal flotation devices (PFDs) and
drunk drivers. the subject stated he did not have
COs Painter and Mapes stopped any on board. The subject was given
a large group of snowmobilers who Big trucks can mean big problems a warning for the registration and
all had failed to stop at a stop sign, cited for failing to provide PFDs.
some not even slowing down. While patrolling rural county
COs Painter and Mapes roads, CO Freeborn noticed a Level heads prevail
conducted standardized field propane truck that appeared to be
sobriety tests (SFSTs) on two of the stuck trying to get up a driveway. CO Nicholas Ingersoll received
snowmobilers. CO Freeborn contacted the a call from Monroe County Sheriff’s
CO Painter arrested one of driver who appeared to be exhausted Department of a snowmobile that
the snowmobilers for operating a from attempting to get the truck struck a residence in Monroe.
snowmobile while intoxicated. unstuck. CO Ingersoll along with
CO Mapes wrote two citations The driver advised he had been the Monroe County Sheriff’s
and gave multiple verbal warnings stuck for over three hours and that Department responded to the
to the group for carelessly operating he attempted to call his company to scene where the rider had collided
snowmobiles. advise he was stuck, but his phone with a rock, ejecting him from his
While CO Painter was lodging lost service part way through the call snowmobile.
the intoxicated snowmobiler in and was unable to call out. The snowmobile had continued
Gogebic County, CO Mapes patrolled Due to the location of where he and collided with the residence after
the White Pine area, where he was stuck, he was 15 miles from the the rider was ejected.
stopped a group of seven snowmo- nearest town and CO Freeborn was The snowmobile rider and the
bilers for failing to stop at a stop the first vehicle he had seen since he homeowner were able to deal with
sign. had been stuck. the damage to the residence civilly.
CO Mapes conducted SFSTs on CO Freeborn allowed the driver While talking with the rider, CO
one of the snowmobilers and found to use his phone and cell booster so Ingersoll noticed that the snowmo-
them to be impaired and over the the driver could make a call. A tow bile was not registered and did not
legal limit. truck arrived on scene and pulled have a trail permit.
CO Mapes arrested the snow- out the truck. CO Ingersoll also advised the
mobiler for operating a snowmobile rider that his actions were careless,
while intoxicated and issued one No PFDs should not float your boat and that Monroe County is closed
other snowmobiler a citation for to snowmobile use on the county
careless operation. While on patrol in Ionia County, roadways.
CO Jeremy Beavers checked for CO Ingersoll issued the rider a
Gloves off, off of the rink waterfowl hunting activity in the citation for not having a trail permit
Ionia State Recreation Area. During and issued warnings for the rest.
CO Josiah Killingbeck was on his patrol, CO Beavers checked The rider learned a valuable
snowmobile patrol when he was Steven’s Point and observed two lesson that night and he advised CO
passed by a sled that was displaying subjects in a boat on the Grand Ingersoll that he would not be riding
an expired registration. River. on the roadways again.
CO Killingbeck was able to CO Beavers watched as the
contact the group and, upon stopping subjects came to shore, noticing
the operator of the snowmobile with the boat did not have current These reports are
the expired registration, the subject registration.
took his helmet off and threw it on Contact was made and the randomly pulled from the
the ground along with his gloves. subjects stated they were goose DNR Law Enforcement
CO Killingbeck was able to calm hunting but did not have any luck.
the upset subject down, who said CO Beavers checked their
Division's bi-weekly
that he was up here with friends hunting equipment and then reports.
riding and had jumped on a sled to identified the owner of the boat. CO
go for a quick ride. Beavers told the subject his boat’s
The subject said that he knew registration was expired.
the sled was displaying an expired The subject stated he did not
registration but figured no law think he needed registration with
enforcement would be out on a just a trolling motor.
Sunday morning. CO Beavers informed that elec-
CO Killingbeck educated the tric motorboats need to be registered
subject on snowmobile regulations as well.
and a citation was issued for the CO Beavers then asked to see his

For more than 25 years Mike Avery has
informed and entertained hunters and
anglers across Michigan. His experience
and common sense philosophy have made
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Woods-N-Water News
Michigan’s Premier Outdoor Publication
www.woods-n-waternews.com
MUCC's award-winning On the Ground
(OTG) program is in its eighth year, with multiple
projects planned across all ages and experience
levels throughout the state. Volunteers participate
Improving Michigan's Public Lands Since 2013 in a variety of wildlife habitat projects on public
land and are provided an opportunity to engage
Impacts
in hands-on conservation while learning about
wildlife habitat needs.
About 3,000 volunteers have improved fish
2,245 3,066
and game habitat through weekend projects that
involve building brush piles, removing invasive
trees, restoring grassland habitat through native
flower and grass plantings, hinge-cutting
Acres Improved Volunteers trees for deer and snowshoe hare, installing
wood duck boxes, regenerating aspen stands,
14,555
performing river clean-ups and planting a
variety of trees for wildlife food and cover.
Volunteer Hours In June, we hope to be building a wildlife-

viewing platform at the Rose Lake State Game
Area (SGA) (6/12). July finds us improving
aquatic habitat on the Manistee River (7/25),
and in August, OTG heads to Pigeon River
Country for additional habitat improvement
efforts (project TBD; 8/22). Please note that
these events are subject to be rescheduled
or canceled depending on the COVID-19
restrictions.
For more event details and to register, please

visit www.mucc.org/on-the-ground,
www.facebook.com/muccotg or contact MUCC
Habitat Volunteer Coordinator Makhayla
LaButte at mlabutte@mucc.org or 517-346-
6456.
Canceled Events Leave Shortfall in
Conservation Funding Nationwide
and outdoor industry partners outlets which sell their products
throughout the country. are either shut down completely
The COVID-19 quarantine went or receiving dramatically-reduced
into effect right in the heart of traffic. Additionally, the conserva-
conservation banquet season, when tion banquets are a source of
local chapters of national conserva- marketing as they donate products
tion organizations and independent to conservation organizations
By Drew YoungeDyke local conservation groups host the to raffle. When the banquets are
Manager of Sporting Communications gatherings that often raise a signifi- canceled, the companies which
for the National Wildlife Federation and cant portion of what funds either have donated products are out
Board of Directors, 2% for Conservation their local conservation projects or either the wholesale or discounted
the national organization’s mission. cost of the product without the
Amid the chaos and uncer- It also occurred amid the sport marketing return. To the credit of
tainty of the COVID-19 quarantine, show season, when many of these the companies certified by 2% for
one significant impact has mostly organizations rent booth space and Conservation, though, Frasier said
flown under the radar: the loss thousands of hunters and anglers he has received no reports of any
of conservation funding due to buy or renew their memberships. of the companies asking for their
canceled events like banquets and The loss of both of these sources of products to be returned.
sport shows. While the priority revenue for conservation organiza- “We’re talking about almost
was, is and should be on preventing tions means that there is less they a million dollars that 2% brands
the loss of human life, justifying have to fund the on-the-ground are leaving on the table, specifi-
the stay at home orders and bans conservation work they do for cally around canceled banquets,”
of large gatherings, conservation wildlife. Frasier said.
organizations will be struggling The outdoor industry is taking The state agencies also take a
with the fallout for the foreseeable a hit, too, as many of the retail hit from these canceled banquets
future. Individual conservationists
Volunteers from Consumers Energy remove invasive honeysuckle during an
can mitigate the damage, though.
MUCC On the Ground project at the Rose Lake State Game Area near Lansing.
I recently spoke with Jared
Frasier, executive director of
2% for Conservation. 2% for
Conservation is a national
nonprofit based in Missoula,
Montana, which certifies busi-
nesses which donate at least 1% of
their profits and 1% of their time to
benefit conservation organizations
working on recruitment and reten-
tion, wildlife and habitat improve-
ment, access and opportunity, and
education and outreach. Certified
businesses include national brands
like First Lite, Hunt To Eat (which
both support the National Wildlife
Federation), Sitka Gear and Stone
Glacier, and local companies,
including Michigan-based Flint
Ridge Rifles. In this position,
Frasier has frequent contact with
both conservation organizations
or renew your membership to
the organization online. This also
applies to sport shows; if you
normally attend, for instance, the
Ultimate Sport Show in Grand
Rapids and usually renew your
Michigan United Conservation
Clubs membership at their booth
there, go online instead and renew
your membership on their website.
3) Estimate the total amount
you were going to budget for the
event and donate that to the orga-
nization. Do you normally buy a
few drinks, buy a few raffle tickets
and bid on a few auction items at
the conservation banquet? Do you
normally travel from out of town
to the sport show, rent a motel and
eat dinner out? Consider estimating
the amount you would have spent
on gas, food, lodging and the event
itself, or a percentage of it, and
donate that amount to the conser-
vation organization.
Volunteers participate in an On the Ground event at the Shiawassee River In addition to these three
State Game Area near St. Charles. levels of donation you can provide
to conservation organizations
because, often, the conservation he said. “Roughly a third to half of struggling from the cancellation
dollars raised go to projects all dollars that go to conservation of events, don’t be shy about doing
completed in partnership with the work in the United States are not it. 2% for Conservation is tracking
state agency. It might be a collab- coming in.” the hashtag #HelpTheEvents to
orative wildlife habitat or fisheries There are some things that we, encourage others to take similar
project or the purchase of private as individual conservationists, can action. It’s not about bragging
land wildlife habitat or fisheries do to help, though. Understanding about the donation you’re making;
access, which is later donated that the COVID-19 pandemic has it’s about encouraging other
or sold to the state to become affected us all in different ways conservationists to step up, too.
public land. In some cases, the both medically and financially, Being a conservationist takes more
volunteer hours or funds provided Frasier recommends taking these than buying hunting and fishing
by the project count towards the actions only to the extent that your licenses and equipment that get
state’s match to receive its full budget allows. taxed for the Pittman-Robertson
allocation for Pittman-Robertson 1) If you bought a ticket to a and Dingell-Johnson funds. Those
funding from the sale of hunting conservation banquet or event are the bare minimum actions
and firearms equipment. If the that was canceled, don’t ask for a required by law to participate in
banquets don’t raise the conserva- refund. The conservation organiza- our pursuits through systems
tion organization’s funds to partner tion is likely still going to be out set up generations ago. Being a
in the project, then the project the cost of renting the venue and conservationist takes more. Now,
doesn’t happen, and the match isn’t items it already had to purchase, so when organizations small and large
there, potentially costing the state letting them keep the cost of your need it most, is when we have the
millions that would be put to use ticket can help them cover some opportunity to step up and earn the
conserving wildlife and habitat. of that expense. If the ticket also title of conservationist.
Using his local community of included your membership for the If your conservation organiza-
Bozeman as an example, Frasier year, stay a member, and let the tion has had to cancel a fundraising
noted that banquets could average organization keep your member- event due to COVID-19, you can
$30,000 to $55,000 in revenue. “Now ship dues. report it to 2% for Conservation for
let’s take that and multiply it across 2) If you planned to attend inclusion in their estimate of total
all the events not happening… and purchase a ticket at the door, losses on the “Contact” page at
We’re looking at stupid numbers. donate that amount to the conser- www.fishandwildlife.org.
I mean numbers that sound fake,” vation organization or purchase

Public Lands in
Well-Washed
Public Hands
By Charlie Booher
“I am glad I will not
be young in a future
without wilderness.”
Aldo Leopold
A
s of this writing in early April, the world is fundamentally different from just a few weeks ago.
Schools are canceled, parents are working from home and people are practicing social distancing
on a scale bigger than we have ever seen in our lifetimes. While there are a number of concerns
for human health and public safety, there are things that make this time more bearable — notably places
to go outside that are free and open to all of us. From city parks and trails to national forest lands and
wilderness areas, the wild places of this country are areas where we can all go to escape the monotony
of our homes and apartments. They are places for our kids to play, for us to escape and for everyone to
enjoy.
In this time, I have had the privilege to recreate on local, state and federal lands — places that would
not exist without the foresight of those who came before us. Walking on well-maintained trails, rabbit
hunting on state game areas and looking for sheds in local conservancies would not be possible without
significant financial support from multiple authorities. As I travel to these places on foot and by car, I
notice my familiar haunts are as full as I have ever seen them. People appear to be using public lands —
keeping six feet apart — at rates that far exceed normal visitation.
It is in these times that the importance of our public lands shines through.
I am immensely grateful to live in a county, a state and a country where some of our leaders empha-
size and prioritize public lands at the local, state and federal levels.
Before all of this got started, that exist for all of the people in contiguous undeveloped land in the
I voted in a local election where a Michigan and in the United States. Lower Peninsula. This public land
number of millages were up for As I walked and hunted in these provides innumerable opportuni-
renewal. Where I attend school in times, I could not help but notice ties for recreation, but it is also the
Ingham County, citizens have voted the signs that kept appearing — birthplace of one of Michigan’s
in huge proportions to continue simple reminders of the programs great tools for conservation.
a millage of nearly $3.5 million and accounts that allow people In 1976, this state land was
annually to provide for improved like me to use lands held in the ensnared in a great debate over the
parks, trails and public places. On public trust. Here in Michigan, the development of oil, gas and mineral
March 10 of this year, more than Michigan Natural Resources Trust reserves. These practices would
55,000 people (of a total near 75,000) Fund (MNRTF) and the federal undoubtedly change the state of
voted to prioritize the maintenance Land and Water Conservation Fund this ecosystem, but growing tension
of county trails and parks. In (LWCF) appear throughout. Both in the Middle East led U.S. leaders
the next three years, this will of these programs are unique in to increasingly tap into domestic
connect existing trails and create a that they utilize royalties from the energy resources.
contiguous route through many of development of public oil and gas At this time, the leaders of
our parks and conservancies. I have resources for public land acquisi- Michigan United Conservation
spent a great deal of time in these tion and improvement. Clubs, along with other organiza-
places over the last few weeks, and More than one hundred years tions, organized to ensure that
I anticipate spending even more ago, the “Pine Barrens Country” there would be a mechanism for
time there in the coming months, so that a young Ernest Hemingway these extractive industries to
I am continually grateful to those called “wild as the devil” and provide for outdoor recreation and
who had the foresight and willing- “the greatest I’ve ever been in” to safeguard Michigan’s natural
ness to set these places aside. became the Pigeon River Country resources. Thus, out of these
While these local measures are State Forest. Today, it is home to negotiations, the MNRTF was born.
excellent and impactful for me, they one of the largest free-roaming To this day, Michigan is the
only benefit my close neighbors and elk herds in the eastern United only state in the country with such
I. There are a number of programs States and is the largest block of a program. Since its inception, the
A trail through the Pigeon River Country State Forest (PRCSF) leads to this scenic view. In 1976, the PRCSF was ensnared
in debate over the development of oil, gas and mineral reserves. It became the birthplace of the Michigan Natural
Resources Trust Fund. Photo courtesy of Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
funds provided countless hours of
outdoor recreation for me during
the time of social distancing, in
places that will be maintained
in the public trust in perpetuity
because of these funds.
I certainly hope that by the
time you are reading this we are
in a different stage of this global
pandemic — one in which we might
return to restaurants, bars and our
offices. When we do return, please
think about the places that we so
often take for granted. Go enjoy
them when you have the time. And
remember, when they are under
threat, do whatever you can to
support and defend them. Call your
member of the state legislature
to support robust funding of the
MNRTF or email your Member of
Congress and express your support
for full funding of LWCF. MUCC
continually advocates for all of
these programs through advocacy
fund has contributed more than $1.1 North Country National Scenic work at the local, state and federal
billion to more than 2,300 projects in Trail. Over this 50-year history, levels, as well as memberships in
every one of Michigan’s 83 counties. LWCF has funded land projects in important coalitions that gather
These unique funds are used every every state and has supported over diverse stakeholders on behalf of
year to provide better access to 41,000 state and local park projects. this cause.
Michigan’s public lands, making the All told, nearly $19 billion has been As conservationists, we benefit
trust fund one of the greatest tools appropriated from this fund since from these programs every day,
for conservation and providing for its creation — monies well spent to and we must continue to create and
so many of the opportunities that I practice conservation and maintain protect them for the sake of our
have had and will have during this our strong outdoor heritage. These future.
time of social isolation. The Natural Resources Trust Fund allocated more than $750,000 to aid in
Federal funding through the infrastructural development of Hawk Island County Park in Ingham County.
LWCF also compliments these
state and local dollars. Established
by Congress in 1964, LWCF was a
majorly-popular, bipartisan commit-
ment to protect natural areas and
water resources and to provide
opportunities for outdoor recreation
to all Americans.
Every year, this fund uses
royalties from offshore oil and gas
development to buy land for outdoor
recreation. LWCF has provided
money to help conserve some of
Michigan’s most special places and
create access for hunting, fishing
and other outdoor activities. To
date, Michigan has received nearly
$342.4 million from LWCF, funding
projects at the Sleeping Bear
Dunes National Lakeshore, within
the Huron, Ottawa and Hiawatha
National Forests and along the

The Power of Partnership in Conservation
By Makhayla LaButte Where one individual views the with the Michigan Department of
restoration of native grasslands Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife
A
as a win for popular game birds Division.
t first glance, it might appear
like ring-necked pheasants and Through this program,
that we all may have a
wild turkeys, another may see the more than 3,000 volunteers have
separate stake in the effort
revival of native floral species that improved wildlife habitat on public
to conserve and protect Michigan’s
benefit pollinators, songbirds and land during weekend projects
natural resources. It’s quite natural
contributes to air and water quality that involve building brush piles,
to assume that birders and bird
improvements. Both of these removing invasive trees, restoring
hunters couldn’t be farther apart
perspectives are correct. So why do grassland habitat through native
on the spectrum when measuring
many people view them as separate flower and grass plantings,
conservation goals, or that anglers
accomplishments? installing fish-spawning structures,
and kayakers share little more
The truth is that successful hinge-cutting trees for deer and
than the water they recreate on
conservation stems from the snowshoe hare, installing wood
in common. However, to take
combined input and effort of duck nest boxes, regenerating
such a narrow view towards the
unique and independent stake- aspen stands, performing river
conservation of Michigan’s natural
holders that often have different clean-ups and planting a variety of
resources not only creates an
priorities. However, like all great trees for wildlife food and cover.
unnecessary, harmful rift between
conservation success stories, both The OTG program provides
different user groups, but it
large and small, it takes collabora- outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds
becomes detrimental to the health
tion and compromise to reach a the opportunity to practice good
of the very resources we claim
common goal. stewardship of their public lands
to love by leading to inaction and
The On the Ground (OTG) and give back to the resources
disengagement.
program is an excellent example of that have provided them with so
Even if we were to separate
the power that comes from diverse much. The work completed by
ourselves as consumptive and non-
partnerships in conservation. OTG MUCC volunteers and DNR wildlife
consumptive users (in other words,
is Michigan United Conservation professionals shows the general
hunters, anglers and trappers and
Clubs’ (MUCC) volunteer wildlife public that Michiganders are true
non-hunters, anglers and trappers),
habitat improvement program. conservationists. We benefit a wide
we would still have an abundance
This program is funded through variety of game and non-game
of common ground to stand on.
a Memorandum of Agreement wildlife species, enhance local
ecosystems and demonstrate how to come out and take care of my
hunting license dollars are put to land,” Wayne said, referring to the
use. public land the project was being
As many are aware, the OTG completed on. “[OTG] is a good
program’s volunteer events are way to get out and meet people you
rarely easy or convenient. They might not associate with when
require driving to distant and often you’re out hunting, and it’s a
obscure locations, performing good way to see how your
manual labor and, sometimes, hunting dollars are
even braving the elements. All this being spent.”
is done in the name of conserva- To achieve
tion. Volunteerism is one of the its conservation
most selfless acts an individual mission, OTG part-
can participate in, and the OTG ners with the DNR
program seems to bring out the and groups like
most dedicated and passionate
outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen
that Michigan has to offer.
When being interviewed for
a Michigan Out-of-Doors TV
episode showcasing the OTG
program this February, one of
OTG’s veteran volunteers and
an avid outdoorsman, Wayne
Hanson, discussed why he has been
involved with the program since its
inception in 2013. “I spend all that
money buying licenses, so I have

Metro-West Steelheaders, Steelhead what makes the OTG program so heritage, but teaching them to give
Manifesto, the National Wild successful. back to their natural resources is
Turkey Federation, the Rocky During OTG projects, hunters, paramount.
Mountain Elk Foundation, the anglers, trappers, birders, hikers, It is not uncommon to hear
Ruffed Grouse Society, the National kayakers, foragers, naturalists and hunters and non-hunters engage
Wildlife Federation and MI Birds; countless other conservationists in exciting discussions, sharing
business and media partners such of all ages join forces to improve stories and a passion for Michigan’s
Mike Avery Outdoor Magazine, wildlife habitat on public land that wild places that remind us all that
Consumers Energy and the helps sustain their way of life. conservation is as diverse and
Michigan Wildlife Council; and Oftentimes, volunteers bring family complex as the individuals who
numerous local conservation clubs, and friends to projects and use the participate in it.
land conservancies, conservation day to connect with fellow conser- Even after 151 habitat improve-
districts, college environmental vationists. In order to continue the ment projects impacting more than
clubs, local school districts and legacy of conservation, including 2,200 acres, the OTG program is
youth groups. As you can imagine, one’s family and friends in proudest of its role as a unifying
each of these stakeholders brings conservation-minded activities is force for the entire conserva-
unique goals and ideas regarding critical. Teaching them to hunt, fish tion community. Since 2013, this
conservation to the table. And or trap are all important compo- program has grown from six pilot
the diversity of its volunteers is nents of preserving our outdoor projects with the DNR and local
conservation club chapters to a
statewide example of the strong
unity between various natural
resource user groups and the
conservation ethic that unites all
of us.
As we move into a future filled
with uncertainty regarding the
health of many of our natural
resources and a declining hunting
community, it is more important
than ever before that we invite
our fellow conservationists to play
an active role in the caretaking
of our natural resources. Today,
I encourage you to extend a
welcoming hand to your fellow
conservationists, new and old,
consumptive and non-consumptive,
and take part in volunteer oppor-
tunities that benefit the wildlife,
lands and the waters you love.
A large thank you goes out to
the many volunteers and conserva-
tion partners the OTG program
has had the privilege of improving
wildlife habitat on public land with
— from the remote wilderness of
the Upper Peninsula to the bustling
suburbs of Southeast Michigan,
and all points in between.
Are you interested in getting
involved? Visit mucc.org/on-the-
ground, facebook.com/muccotg or
contact MUCC Habitat Volunteer
Coordinator Makhayla LaButte via
email at mlabutte@mucc.org.
20
| | www.michiganoutofdoors.com
20 www.michiganoutofdoors.com
Michigan United
Conservation Clubs
Yes! I’d like to become a
member of MUCC!
Mail this to:
2101 Wood St., Lansing, MI 48912
Date__________________________________
New Member
Renewal_______________________________
Name___________________________________
Address_________________________________
City____________________________________
State___________ Zip_____________________
Phone (_______)__________________________
OUR HISTORY
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is the largest statewide Email___________________________________
conservation organization in the nation. With more than 200 affiliated clubs
and 40,000 members, MUCC has represented millions of conservationists
since 1937. Whether it’s the halls of the Capitol or on your favorite stream, Membership Categories
MUCC is the insider for your outdoor traditions. All members will receive a subscription to Mich-
igan Out-of-Doors magazine.
OUR MISSION 1 Year______________________________ $35
Uniting citizens to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan’s natural
resources and outdoor heritage. 2 Years_____________________________ $60
Life Membership (per person)_______ $1,000
OUR FUTURE Method of Payment
MUCC protects our natural resources while educating the next generation Check enclosed (payable to MUCC)
of conservation stewards.
Visa MasterCard Discover
WHY SHOULD I _______________________________________

JOIN MUCC? Card No.
• Receive one year of MUCC’s _______________________________________

official publication, Michigan CVC Exp. Date
Out-of-Doors.
• Support MUCC’s education _______________________________________
programs. Signature
• Support efforts to conserve
Michigan’s natural resources. Please call 1.800.777.6720
• Support efforts to pass policy based or visit www.mucc.org to sign up online
on sound science.
Fall
Summer 2019| |Michigan
2020 Out-of-Doors 2121
MichiganOut-of-Doors
The
Venture
By Robert Kennedy
T
he hot meal of fire-roasted it would be a captivating venture Overlooking the Two Hearted
pheasant and sliced — no matter the results of my from a bluff, I decided to fish for
potatoes cooked in a cast stringer. a short time without any results,
iron pan after a long day of I was immediately surprised and as it was getting close to dark,
fishing had left me feeling full and to find a few vehicles parked along I decided to start supper. The
happy. I laid on the bank of the Two the dusty dirt road near the bridge roadkill pheasant I had picked
Hearted River in Michigan's Upper crossing at the first river I stopped up two days prior with some
Peninsula. The sun was slowly at. A little deterred, I still put my redskin potatoes, garlic, butter and
dipping below the slow-moving waders on and began brush-busting asparagus all cooked over the fire.
current of the river, and the tops through the alders. I found a small It was a gourmet meal with a scenic
of the white pines emerged like opening along the bank and began background. My expectations for
small mountain peaks against the to fish listening to the drumming the day to land a steelhead had
tranquil skyline. My breath became of the grouse in the distance. The come up short, but my outlook and
more visible as the chill began to male ruffed grouse's slow, low spirit were still high as I absorbed
set in; I reflected on the day and all drumming accelerated in speed as all of the beauty and the glory of
the treasures and experiences I was he searched for a mate. It was the creation that surrounded me.
able to witness — my soul was at only thing that kept me entertained Curling up in my sleeping bag
peace. while working that section of the in the darkness of my truck cab,
I began the overnight venture river. The spot was a bust, and so I could feel the chill of the brisk
many weeks prior by researching were the next two creeks and rivers spring air on my face as it was
possible locations to chase trout I ventured to before reaching my the only exposed part of my body.
throughout the Upper Peninsula. overnight destination. Being tightly wrapped up like a
"Many men go fishing all their lives without

knowing that it is not fish they are after."
Henry David Thoreau
With Michigan Department
of Natural Resources (MDNR)
stocking records, public land access
points and historical forum data,
I drew up a plan to hit as many
rivers as possible in a short amount
of time. It was to be a nearly
300-mile drive and would take
48 hours to accomplish the trip.
Determined, I set my sights and hit
the busy highway headed north.
As I covered countless miles
driving, I reflected on my goal of
landing some UP steelhead. With
it being the opening weekend of
walleye season and trout opener,
I knew the pressure in the area
would be focused on other streams.
I had many rivers I wanted to try,
and the anticipation of traversing
ground with little fishing pressure
made me giddy. Even though I
didn't know if the time I put into
the research would pay off, I knew

"The morning brought forth a
glorious spectacle of tranquil red
light that radiated through the
haze off the water. "
monarch caterpillar in a cocoon, I I slowly retrieved it through the carrying on its breeding cycle.
gave thanks for the experiences of current. Despite the glory of nature Not only was it just one steel-
the day. No fish were had, but being and serene settings that were head but countless numbers that
engrossed in nature left a lasting witnessed, discouragement began were partaking in their natural
imprint in my mind. taking hold. reproductive cycle. The creek that
The morning brought forth a There was one last stop was no wider than a one-lane road
glorious spectacle of tranquil red remaining as I began my drive back was host to a minimum of 100 fish
light that radiated through the south towards home and all the within a 100-yard stretch of stream.
haze off the water. I absorbed it responsibilities that waited for me I had stumbled upon a spectacle
all as I brewed a cup of hot coffee there. At the final fishing spot, with that many people never witness.
with my Jetboil and ate a protein the sun fully overhead, I began With the intention in mind to
bar for breakfast. Reinvigorated by fishing and searched for pockets of catch brook trout in the creek, I
the display of the landscape and shade along the bank across from had not taken into consideration
food in my stomach, I packed up me where I anticipated the trout to that it was a tributary of Lake
and headed to a different location be hiding from the heat of the sun. Michigan. Being unable to use
with a change of plans. Steelhead The first couple hundred my nine-foot steelhead rod due to
had let me down the day prior, but yards yielded nothing other than the narrowness of the stream and
the opportunities for brook trout familiarities of hours prior, but the multitude of alders, I elected
remained. then an oddity happened. Creeping to try and catch just one on my
Perched on the bank of a along the bank shore, I noticed it five-foot light action rod and reel
tributary of Lake Superior, I began shallowing with the creek bottom combination.
trudging upstream into the copper- structure transitioning from sand I stayed downstream of the
stained water. Miles of streams into gravel, and on the edge of fish so I didn't spook them and
were covered within the course the shade, I could see a sizable slowly lowered my feet into the
of half a day. During the time trout. The sun shined through the water where I sat on the bank
of traversing swamps, stands of tea-stained water radiating on the shore. I removed my spinner that
alders, log jams and mature stands gravel, making it appear as though had been used for the brook trout
of white pines, only one trout was they were nuggets of copper — and and replaced it with a small, pink
witnessed chasing my spinner as there, in all its glory, lay a steelhead bead pegged two finger widths
24 24 | www.michiganoutofdoors.com
| www.michiganoutofdoors.com
away from my size-10 hook. With sing. I took my time with the it is not fish they are after."
one split shot on the line nearly battle savoring the moment, and I was elated to catch the fish.
two feet above my bead, I began as I slowly brought him towards I knew before setting out on my
to awkwardly cast and drift my me within arms reach, I flipped solo trip that exploring new waters
set up through the pod of fish that him on to the bank shore where I can prove difficult. However, the
hung out downstream of the female celebrated my accomplishment. I full intent of the excursion was to
trying to spawn. felt no shame pumping my fists in find peace in a world full of chaos.
After a few drifts through the the air out of joy for a fish of this Covering hundreds of miles while
fish, I had my first hook up on a caliber and the tribulations that absorbing countless natural spec-
nice steelhead. The male easily came with it. tacles on a stream's edge or around
bent my rod completely over as it I promptly put him out of his a campfire was the main course of
ran downstream past me — only to misery and then sat back and the odyssey. With our lives continu-
break my line off within seconds. stared at the trophy. He was a ously being structured around
I replaced my bead and hook and radiant silver with a shimmering modernization, we can slowly lose
continued the previous process. I hue of purple scattered throughout. sight of the consistencies that
was able to hook a few more fish He was the cherry on top of the surround us. Engrossing ourselves
with the same results until I finally adventure, and it was going to make in the wilderness can help us
hooked into an 18-inch steelhead. a delicious meal for me. Though I rediscover those consistencies as
My undersized rod and reel setup was elated at the accomplishment, well as find peace, heal souls and
was perfect for battling this smaller it was during this moment the rejuvenate our being. A single trout
fish. He went flying through the words of Henry David Thoreau was caught on the trip, but the
air acrobatically multiple times came to me: "Many men go fishing memory and an everlasting impres-
and made the drag of my reel all their lives without knowing that sion can never be erased.

Getting off the Sidelines
My First Real Experience with MUCC

By Jack Ammerman
M
y wife cleaned out a drawer from an old desk ammunition to help me argue the case that affiliation
the other day and handed me a slip of paper. with MUCC is absolutely in my organization's best
"I guess it's safe to throw this away," she interest.
said. I looked and saw that it was a Michigan United Mr. Fitzgerald urged me to attend an upcoming
Conservation Clubs membership card from 1991. I MUCC Conservation Policy Board meeting (CPB). After
know that I had been a member as far back as the giving it some thought, I realized that there was one
mid-80s, but those membership cards are long gone true way to show my organization how strongly I felt
and didn't get tucked away in a drawer and forgotten. that we needed to maintain affiliation – I would volun-
The timing of finding this card couldn't have been teer to be the point man and also be very active with
better. I had just returned from my first real involve- MUCC.
ment with MUCC. My organization's governing board approved the
At the time, a statewide organization that I belong move, and I was committed. A Board of Directors
to was reconsidering their involvement with MUCC. It Trustee volunteered to attend as well, which made me
wasn't a financial decision — it was a matter of being a feel better about walking into a large meeting with a
longtime affiliate member but not doing anything with bunch of strangers!
that affiliation. One might argue that the financial help The day of the policy board meeting came and I
to MUCC is "doing something," but that is a whole other made the two-hour drive, arriving ten minutes before
story. There were also discussions put forth that the the committee meetings began. I signed in and took one
policies that MUCC has don't align with our organiza- of each of the handouts that were available. I started
tion's values. I had read too many Michigan Out-of- to look for some guy named Ian Fitzgerald. He smiled
Doors magazines to know that this couldn't be further when I introduced myself and gave me the rundown on
from the truth, so I decided to make a call to the MUCC what was in store for the day. I looked around and saw
office to verify my thoughts. that there were many tables with signs posted of the
I spoke with Ian Fitzgerald, the MUCC Policy various MUCC committees. The Sport Shooting/Ranges
Assistant, and told him of the concerns. It wasn't a long Committee table was nearby, and Ian suggested that we
call, but by the time the call was complete, my email might want to sit in on that. A fellow with a name tag
box was loaded with examples of MUCC policies that sat at the end of that table, and I introduced myself. He
supported my organization's interests. It was great was Dave Van Lopik, the committee chairman.
26|| www.michiganoutofdoors.com
I could see the pleasure on Dave's face because we raised my hand and pointed it out. What happened next
were interested in his committee. I didn't want to domi- seemed to me to be a mess. People were offering amend-
nate the conversation, but I had a million questions ments, volunteering language changes and several
about the MUCC policy process, how his committee votes were taken. To say that I was just a tad self-
works, what his committee had accomplished and what conscious is an understatement. Without me speaking
his committee looks to do in the future. Dave answered up, there's no doubt that this man's proposal would
all my questions with great patience and made me have been advanced. Instead, it was voted down, and he
feel like I truly belonged. He asked if I had any goals vowed to reword it and bring it to the next meeting for
or ideas and said that he'd be happy to work with me. reconsideration.
Being new to this side of MUCC, I was just happy to be The rest of the meeting was rather uneventful, with
learning the way things work! all the other proposals being accepted for advancement.
Some committees were crowded and busy, while When the meeting was adjourned, I casually spoke with
others were rather quiet and sparse. Since deer hunting a voting member of the policy board and told him that
regulations had major changes the past year, there was I felt bad about speaking up. Without hesitation, he
a lot of action at the Wildlife Committee table. I vowed said, "Oh no! These people want their proposals to be
that I would visit that committee next time if things right. They would rather see it happen here than at the
worked out for me. Annual Convention where it may not pass. He has time
After the two hours of committee meetings, the CPB to reword it and get it right. If you think about it, you
meeting began. During this meeting, MUCC members did him a favor. Don't ever hesitate to speak up."
presented policy proposals that they desired to have With that, I realized I had left the sidelines and was
MUCC take up as positions. If a policy proposal gets now squarely in the arena. There wasn't a person that
approved at one of these quarterly meetings, it is then I spoke with (and I talked to a lot of people) that didn't
presented at the MUCC Annual Convention for approval welcome me or even thank me for participating. MUCC
or denial by the membership. is not a good ol' boys club. The members truly have
The first policy presenter got up and read his a say in the way things work. I drove home with my
proposal, and the audience was asked for comments. A mind reeling as to how I can help MUCC in the future.
motion was made to approve, and the voting members It's apparent to me now that the sidelines are okay,
of the CPB voted to advance the proposal on to the but if you really want to help MUCC advance, getting
Annual Convention involved is the way to go. It's as easy as driving to a
Several proposals later, there was a call for discus- meeting and introducing yourself. The rest takes care
sion on a particular proposal, and I saw a discrepancy. I of itself.
Spring
Summer202020
19 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 27
| MichiganOut-of-Doors 27
The Pinery
By Blake Sherburne
T
he Pinery is what I grew this piece of land, being only futile attempt to stay dry.
up calling the State Forest half-grown up as I am. My dad took In my teens, the Pinery became
land along the Manistee me fishing on the Manistee, which a place to sow wild oats. My
River upstream from flows through that state land. We parents, likewise the parents of
Mesick, Michigan. At one time, also fished the creeks that flow all my closest friends, somehow
like much of Northern Michigan, into the river all throughout the were brave enough to take a grunt
the Pinery was covered in large area. I started camping out there (thanks, Google) of teenagers out to
white pines. After they were logged as a small child when my paternal the camping spots along the river
off, the area was also called "The grandparents took me as part of to camp for the weekend. Starting
Choppins," but the Pinery is the their horse camp weekend. My at the age of 13, we were set free for
name that stuck. My family has cousins, sister and I rode the couple several weekends every summer,
lived within sight of the Pinery for of miles from my grandparents' trusted to prepare our own meals,
well over 100 years, and family lore farm in a wagon pulled by my deal with strangers who drove
tells of being able to watch brush grandfather's team of draft horses. through our camps and not drown
fires roll along the logged-off river Occasionally, while driving my ourselves. If it was warm enough,
banks from their front windows. truck out to that same spot, I think we did not leave the water for
The land was once owned of my grandpa's "gees" and "haws" entire days, gathering firewood by
by Consumers Energy and was that were his commands to the flashlight every evening because
purchased when the company team at each turn. I had my first we were often too short-sighted to
was looking for good sites to build cup of coffee, campfire coffee no round it up before we had spent the
hydroelectric dams. In a wonderful less, that weekend, and we stood day wearing ourselves out.
bit of foresight, the land was then on a high bank along the river and In my adulthood, the Pinery has
either deeded to or sold to the State watched a fantastic thunderstorm become a place to fish, camp, walk
of Michigan. roll in from the west before we the dogs, bird and squirrel hunt,
I feel like I half grew up on retreated to our tents in a mostly and sometimes just jump in the
truck and go two-tracking down the
same trails I have traversed thou-
sands of times. Occasionally, my
son comes along now, and he gets to
get out of his car seat and sit in the
front like a big boy while we idle
through mud puddles and crunch
through acorns, keeping an eye out
for deer and squirrels.
Mesick is amongst the poorest
towns in Michigan, and sometimes,
the Pinery looks like it. It is not
terrible, but with hundreds of
unmarked campsites and no real
supervision, the litter occasionally
starts to pile up. Items that are a
little expensive to get rid of, like
tires and household appliances,
show up along the trails and
campsites each year. Popular party
places tend to gather trash, too.
Beer cans also mysteriously appear
along the two-tracks like morels in
April. from someone's bathroom remodel, can- and trash-spotting from the
My dad is a saint and dragged from the Pinery and took it to the truck became a game, and my kids
me along bird hunting and fishing dump. We decided to do it again enjoyed being able to ride slowly
in the Pinery. We often pulled this spring, but social distancing around the two-tracks out of their
the boat over to log jams or the surrounding the novel coronavirus car seats. My daughter is only two,
bank to grab a returnable can or would not allow anyone outside of and the look on her face when I put
bottle — he called them "dimes" my family unit to accompany us. the truck back into gear without
due to Michigan's 10-cent deposit So, my wife and I took our children buckling her back in for the first
law, which he always revered as out to do the dirty work. time was priceless. My son is
one of the best rules the state ever I knew of a couple sites that four now and was already making
instituted. Most days that we spent needed some attention. One held comments about trash on the
small game hunting, we came home an abandoned tent that I thought ground before we took this trip, so
with the game pouches of our vests someone had cleaned up, but last I think we are headed in the right
filled with as much garbage as bird season, I noticed that it had direction.
game. just collapsed and was not visible Anyone who has or has had
A year ago, one of the original from any of the main trails. We young children knows that any
camping buddies turned life-long also focused on one of the gravel activity involving them takes
friend, Kenny, my wife, my son and boat launches where canoeists approximately 800 times longer
I decided to do our part in that we and boaters seem to abandon their than it should. Once my children
would make a trip out onto state empty liquor bottles, beer cans figured out what we were doing,
land with the sole intent of picking and fast food cups. Odd how these hopping out to grab a beer can
up trash. We removed an entire items seem to be light enough to took about as long as it would have
truckload of trash, including three carry in, but once they are empty, taken my wife and me to do all the
old CRT televisions and the waste too heavy to carry out. Beer clean-up we were able to get to by
"Their unbridled enthusiasm to jump out of

the truck to pick up some piece of trash that
someone was thoughtless enough to pitch out
their window shamed me a bit."
ourselves, but that was beside the around in the Pinery, which is the attention locally that our family
point. I mitigated some of the lost something I love to do anyway. I garnered. I am thinking of making
time by telling my children that if maybe, more importantly, am not the third annual Pinery clean-up
the offending trash was on my side embarrassed to admit that I learned day a social media event, complete
of the truck, I was the one to get out a valuable lesson from them, too. with invites and a request for small
and get it. If they spotted something Their unbridled enthusiasm to donations to get rid of said trash,
on their side, they got to get out and jump out of the truck to pick up including the items, like tires, that
grab it. Still, we were not able to get some piece of trash that someone require a little more care.
to all of the ground that I wanted to was thoughtless enough to pitch out Tomorrow, my family and I are
cover. their window shamed me a bit. I am going to venture out in the Pinery to
The point, I think, was taken. sure I am not alone when I acknowl- go sucker fishing. I am going to take
We came home with about 30 beer edge that I have driven by garbage a garbage bag along, and I am going
cans, uncounted wine and liquor while having the thought — you to take different routes in and out.
bottles, vehicle parts from around know, I should stop and pick that Hopefully, my wonderful babies will
the more serious mudholes, fast up. The zeal with which my babies continue to inspire me to hop out of
food cups, junk food wrappers, picked up other people's trash made the truck every once in a while to
miscellaneous other garbage and me vow to keep a few grocery bags pick up something that should not
a busted tent, complete with a (the poor man's garbage bag) in my be there, and I hope you will do the
foam mattress. So far, neither of truck for those days when I just feel same. We may not be able to stop
the children have come down with like going for a ride. some from sullying those places
poison ivy, tetanus or COVID-19, and When we got home, I made a that we love, but we can jump out
I think they even learned a valuable social media post that was generally of the truck to grab the occasional
lesson while having an absolute just me patting myself on the back. dime or fast food cup — and that
blast with mom and dad, cruising What I did not expect, though, was may just be enough.
The Wild Harvest Initiative®:
Building Natural Allies
through Wild Foods
By Shane Mahoney
P
ublic attitude surveys The most recent U.S. Fish funding models are developed,
remind us that the large and Wildlife Service Five Year hunting and conservation all across
majority of Americans Survey on Hunting, Fishing and North America face precarious
supports recreational Wildlife-Associated Recreation futures.
hunting. Indeed, since the 1950s, shows a net loss of roughly 2.2 Given all of this, we must ask
such surveys have consistently million US hunters between 2011 ourselves: Why, if the public is
reported that more than 75 percent and 2016 alone. Furthermore, so supportive of hunting, do so
of American citizens, in general, the average age of hunters has few – less than 5 percent of citi-
support the activity, especially if a significantly increased in recent zens – choose to participate in the
primary objective and motivation years, forecasting continuing and activity? Moreover, if most people
is to secure food. This stable trend escalated rates of decline into the truly support hunting, why do
in support is certainly remark- future. These declines pose an ever- aggressive anti-hunting campaigns
able given the vast social changes growing threat, not just to hunting flourish? Indeed, why have some
that have occurred over this long itself, but to wildlife conservation, hunters gained public notoriety
period of time. Yet, regardless of since the current system relies simply for being hunters? We all
this general support, hunting (and disproportionately on hunter and recognize that public acceptance
fishing) license sales continue to angler dollars to fund state wildlife is critical to hunting’s future;
decline across the United States conservation programs in the and certainly it is important
and Canada. This is true despite United States, and to a lesser extent that people respond positively
significant efforts and financial in Canada as well. If these trends when asked directly about their
investment from public and private continue, and unless alternative opinions of wild animal harvest.
entities to encourage recruitment
and retention of new and existing
participants, respectively.
In some instances, such
declines in participation have actu-
ally worsened in recent years. In
Michigan, for example, in the 1970s
and ‘80s, and even into the early
‘90s, annual hunter numbers held
steady at about 1.2 million partici-
pants. But, by 2018, only about
675,000 Michigan state residents
annually purchased a hunting
license. Participation in recre-
ational fishing has also declined in
Michigan, though the decline is not
yet as dramatic. Between 2013 and
2018, fishing license sales dropped
by 5%, while hunting license sales
decreased by an alarming 18%.
Summer
Summer 2020
2020 | Michigan
| Michigan Out-of-Doors3333
Out-of-Doors
But clearly this is not enough.
What is required is for citizens to
show their support for hunting in
everyday life and discourse. This
is what is so obviously missing
when debates over hunting
arise. Seemingly, asking citizens
in a survey about whether they
support hunting is one thing; but
expecting them to publicly support
it otherwise is quite something else.
Hunting’s proponents need to be
aware of this distinction.
It seems apparent to me that
hunting needs to be re-normalized
in modern society. That, essen-
tially, is our challenge. But, like
it or not, the hunting community
has frequently encouraged just the
opposite. By making sometimes
excessive arguments concerning
hunting’s importance to conserva- organizations and their leadership but also with the right arguments.
tion – in order to defend the activity refer to attacking hunting’s oppo- Hunters need to be realistic, as well
– and by appearing to disregard nents as an effective way forward. as passionate. Fewer people today
other conservation contributors, While this might make some people participate in recreational wild
these arguments have tended feel good, it will do little to build harvest and there is limited aware-
to exceptionalize hunting and broad-based support with the ness of the benefits it provides
alienate some erstwhile allies. public, will likely have the opposite to society at large. Hunting is no
Exceptionalizing hunting could be effect, and should be discouraged. longer mainstream and hunters
the forerunner to ghettoizing the It is, at very best, a short-sighted need to acknowledge this as we try
activity, leaving only its resident strategy and, at its worst, poten- to build support for the activity.
participants to defend it. Clearly, tially very damaging for hunting Today, sportsmen and women have
as hunter numbers fall, this will in the longer run. Communicating to explain not just why hunting
not be enough and, clearly, this is effectively does require speaking matters to them, but why it should
the situation we increasingly find with passion and conviction, of matter to non-hunters, as well –
hunting in today. course; but without becoming whether or not those individuals
Of course, we cannot expect defensive or demeaning of others. ever choose to participate. And this
nor aspire to convert all non- The target audience for hunting’s may be a difficult sell.
hunters to become sportsmen and messages are the citizens who are Remember, as hunters, we
women. However, I believe there currently supportive of the activity are incentivized users; and that is
are many who would participate or who openly and honestly ques- the basis of our North American
if given a better understanding of tion the relevance of hunting – not system of wildlife management.
the health and nutritional benefits committed anti-hunting groups. What we need are incentivized
of hunting. And for the majority Keeping in mind who our allies who share our belief that
who would remain non-hunters, real audience is and having and hunting is of wider value than to
I believe we can do better than expressing the right attitudes are the individual harvester alone, and
simply keeping them away from critical components of effective that its benefits extend well beyond
the so-called anti-hunting camp. I communication. Hunters are the dollars amassed from licenses
believe we can make some of them called to be conservation leaders, sold or taxes paid. These financial
allies. But hunters must take the and as leaders, must maintain an contributions alone will not
lead in developing these relation- even keel in the face of skepticism, convince the public that hunting
ships and, to do so, must learn to or even hostility; and hunters is relevant in a wider sense; and
communicate more effectively. And must consistently demonstrate a recent public opinion surveys
this does not just mean ceasing to willingness to listen to those whose confirm this. And why is that
post inappropriate images of dead, opinions differ from our own. argument losing its effectiveness,
bloodied, and disfigured animals, Perhaps most importantly, effective if it really ever had any? Well,
although this is certainly a step in communication requires that the it appears to the broad public as
the right direction. hunting leadership be prepared, self-serving: hunters pay to protect
Frequently, hunting not only with the right attitudes, what they want to pursue. Big deal.
We need society to understand and health matter greatly to every natural social connections of
that hunting is not just good for human being. Why not build the mutual support. Hunters and
hunters, but for everyone. We need big tent? Why not move with social anglers need to communicate a
to lead with a new narrative, one change, instead of always trying to straightforward message to a wider,
that will again normalize hunting confront it? empathetic public constituency.
in modern society. To accomplish We need to reframe the debate Fortunately, when it comes to
this, we need to find something about the modern relevance of valuing the outdoors, benefiting
that matters to everyone, hunters recreational hunting and angling directly from nature and harvesting
included – something like healthy – that much is clear. It is also clear wild products, hunters and anglers
food. We need to establish a basis that hunters and anglers need are not alone. They are joined by
for discussion that is inclusive, not natural allies, people who can millions of people who harvest
exclusionary. readily understand their perspec- nature in other ways and who, like
One significant attempt to do tives but who may not participate hunters and anglers, delight in
so is the Wild Harvest Initiative®, in these activities directly. But sharing their natural bounty with
launched by Conservation Visions who might these allies be? The family, friends, and colleagues.
and supported by a widening group Wild Harvest Initiative® will Hunters have to move beyond
of state agencies, outdoor industry align hunting and angling with preaching to the choir. That has
leaders, individual philanthro- other natural resource use tradi- been evident for decades. We must
pists, and NGOS. A research and tions such as berry-picking, wild all become not just advocates, but
advocacy program designed to fruit gathering, wild mushroom ambassadors for our wild harvest
capture society’s increasing focus foraging, and medicinal plant and traditions. We must learn to
on healthy living, the Wild Harvest firewood gathering. These activi- connect with the broader commu-
Initiative® is evaluating the ties are commonly practiced by nity of natural resource harvesters
combined economic, conservation, millions of citizens and are widely and effectively exchange ideas
and social benefits of recreational accepted as appropriate uses of with an even broader community
wild animal harvests in American nature’s products. Through its of beneficiaries. By shifting our
and Canadian societies. By communication efforts, the Wild message toward health and food
establishing the amount of wild Harvest Initiative® will present security, we have an opportunity
meat and fish secured and shared hunting and angling as philo- to secure hunting’s future in our
by recreational harvesters in both sophically consistent with these lifetime, and that’s no small thing.
countries, this work is exploring accepted practices, helping build There may not be many more
the sustainable use of wildlife in lifetimes to do so.
the much wider contexts of rural
economies, human health, fitness,
and food security. The Initiative Top Left: Participants in a Learn to Hunt
will deliver a new story of wildlife event co-sponsored by MUCC learn
use to the general public, one that to clean a deer. Left: Chef Dan Nelson
emphasizes social concerns for demonstrates how to clean a turkey for
healthy lifestyles and the mounting MUCC's Gourmet Gone Wild Program.
evidence of the importance of
nature experiences to human
well-being. By doing so, it will
demonstrate the natural alliance
between hunting and angling and
prominent social trends, including
the Locavore Movement, organic
eating, homesteading, and “green
living.”
As humans, we are inclined
to protect and maintain
that which has value to us
personally. While concerns
for wildlife management,
cultural traditions,
conservation, and
public and private
land use policies are
certainly relevant to
some individuals, food
From Duck Tacos
to Pickled Heart:
By Chris Lamphere
It’s hard to return to ‘boring’

foods after trying wild game
T
here's a special feeling that comes with "What you're offering is an immersive experience,"
harvesting wild game meat, then transforming Mason said. "And each hunting season is potentially a
it into a culinary masterpiece that even the different immersive experience."
most discerning foodie would appreciate. Blake Sherburne has been hunting all his life but
It's not just the feeling of exhilaration one gets at the didn't get into preparing his own wild game dishes until
conclusion of a successful hunt, or even the full, satis- the advent of the foodie movement.
fying feeling one gets after eating a delicious meal … it's "It's just another way to enjoy the food," Sherburne
something else — something, perhaps, more significant said. "And with the internet, it's all at your fingertips."
than the sum of its parts. Sherburne said it seems like dishes from his grandpar-
Russ Mason, DNR Executive in Residence and ents' generation are becoming more in vogue today as
Adjunct Professor at the College of Agriculture and hunters grow adventurous in the types of meats and
Natural Resources, believes the growing interest that organs they'll try out.
people have in knowing where their food comes from For instance, you rarely see pickled heart, liver or
could be capitalized upon by those who are trying to tongue offered in most restaurants nowadays, but those
increase hunter participation rates. are exactly the types of dishes that Sherburne and
As a result of various historical factors, Mason said others have developed a taste for.
hunting interest has, in recent years, been somewhat "I almost never buy plain chicken breast anymore,"
parochial, with people choosing a preferred game Sherburne said. "White chicken is like Wonder Bread to
species and rarely venturing outside their comfort zone. me."
However, recent surveys indicate that interest may be Abraham Downer concurs that without the subtle
shifting to a more holistic level — a throwback to the variety and flavor packed in wild game meats, meals are
hunter/gatherer ethos of early man. "kind of boring."
"It's kind of retro, when you think about it," Mason "I absolutely prefer wild game to store-bought now,"
said. "There's something to be said for holistic participa- Downer said. "It's something just a little bit different
tion. You see the complexity of the ecosystem. There are and special."
a bazillion things to try, and you can never say you've A professional cook and sous chef for many years,
mastered them all." Downer started experimenting with wild game by
While past programs aiming to tie food preparation substituting harvested meat into traditional dishes.
with hunting didn't lead to a quantifiable increase in "Find a dish you like, then find a wild game species
hunter participation or retention, Mason said he doesn't that will fit into that recipe," Downer said. "It's really not
think the idea should be abandoned outright. that big of a stretch."
"It was a good idea," Mason said. "The time just Downer said wild meats have characteristics that
wasn't right." make them well suited for particular kinds of dishes.
One of the reasons why such an initiative might For instance, grouse is a lot like chicken, whereas venison
prove effective in the future is the propensity among and duck can easily be used as a substitute for beef steak.
younger hunters to place a lot of value on the overall "It's really simple to do," Downer said. "And you enjoy it
"experience" of hunting, rather than solely the end that much more, plus you have a whole story behind it."
result, Mason said.
Recipes on page 38
Downer and Sherburne agreed to share some their
favorite recipes with Michigan Out-of-Doors
Duck Tacos — Recipe by Downer tortilla. I know, really? The tortilla? Yes. A properly
fried tortilla shell can make or break a taco — literally.
I prefer to use a basting brush and spread a little olive
oil on a yellow corn tortilla before placing it in a pre-
heated cast iron pan on medium heat. You will want
to have them brown just slightly on each side. If they
bubble up, that is ok, just pop the bubble and press
the tortilla into the pan with a spatula. Load up each
taco with some duck meat, a pinch of course salt and
garnish with cilantro, onion, radish and a lime wedge.
Some folks will like a dash of hot sauce on theirs;
I prefer Cholula, but again, I would suggest trying
these and taste the duck with the other flavors before
dousing in hot sauce.
Ginger Venison — Recipe by Downer
Who doesn't like tacos? No one I've ever met. These

are so simple to make, and it is hands down the dish
that I get the most requests to make. You aren't doing
too much to the meat. You are just providing the
perfect medium to deliver the duck to your palate with
a couple of bright flavors that accentuate the duck
rather than mask it.
Ingredients (serves 2-3)
Breasts from 1 mallard duck or equivalent amount of

breast meat
1 tbsp coriander
1 tbsp cumin
1 tbsp paprika
Soy, ginger, and garlic are the base for so many
¼ cup olive oil
Asian recipes. However, they can mask the flavor of
1 bunch cilantro
some meat. Wild game is special to all of us, and I,
1 radish
for one, like to be able to taste it in my dishes and not
½ cup onion diced
cover it up with a bunch of heavy seasoning. Luckily,
1 lime
venison is distinct enough that it can stand up to these
bold flavors. You can omit the Sambal (chili garlic
You can cook the duck any way you prefer. My
paste) if you don't like things too spicy. If you can't find
favorite is to roast a whole duck on a charcoal grill
Sambal, you could also substitute a small pinch of red
with oil salt and pepper until medium-rare, then carve
chili flakes or a squirt of Sriracha.
the breasts off and cube them. But you could also
do a quick marinade and pan sear the breasts. I like
to make a mixture of equal parts cumin, coriander, Ingredients (serves 4-6)
paprika and oil, then add to a freezer bag with the
breasts and let sit for an hour or two. Season with salt 3-4 lbs. venison loin in 1" cubes
and pepper before searing in oil until medium-rare. Cornstarch for dredging
How you choose to cook the meat is entirely up to you, Sesame seeds
and you really can't go wrong. Just remember to keep Green onion
it on the rarer side. 1 lime
The most important thing about this dish is the 2 cups jasmine rice cooked
The ginger sauce: It's straightforward, doesn't require a lot of ingredi-
4 garlic cloves minced ents, yet results in a buttery and savory bird that is
1 medium-size knob of ginger minced sure to please anyone. I like to breast the pheasant out
2 tsp sesame oil and then make a stock from the carcasses to use in the
½ cup tamari or soy sauce (I prefer low sodium dish. Any basic stock recipe will suffice.
tamari)
½ cup brown stock (beef or venison if you have it) Ingredients (serves 2-3)
¼ cup rice wine vinegar
¼ cup honey 2 pheasants (breasted)
2 tbsp hoisin sauce Flour to dredge
2 tbsp Sambal or other garlic chili paste 1 cup mushrooms halved (any mushroom will do, but
2 tbsp brown sugar of course I prefer morels.)
4 medium cloves of garlic sliced
Mix ingredients for the sauce in a small mixing bowl ½ cup dry marsala cooking wine
and set aside. Heat an oil of your choice (vegetable or ½ cup pheasant stock
peanut oil works well) in a cast iron pan over medium/ Salt to taste
high heat. You will want about a quarter-inch of oil 1 pint cherry tomatoes
filling the pan. I like to refrigerate my venison and pull 1/2 lb. Green beans
it out right before I dredge it. This allows you a better Unsalted butter as needed
chance to get a crispy outside without overcooking the Olive oil as needed
inside. Dredge venison cubes in corn starch and shake
free any excess (I drop small handfuls into a sieve and First, filet the breasts from two pheasants. Use a
shake). Gently add your venison to the pan. Let fry on meat hammer or a wide, heavy sauté pan to pound
one side and then begin to roll the pieces around to out the breast filets until they are even, but not falling
get an even coloring. This should only take a minute apart. Be careful here: pheasants are not like domestic
or two. Remove the venison and set aside. Drain the chickens and have much thinner filets. You just want
oil from the pan and add in the sauce. Let simmer and the meat to lay and cook evenly in the pan. I like to
reduce the sauce slightly. The sugars will help aid in leave the meat out for a little bit while I get everything
thickening. Do not let it reduce too much, though, as else ready. This allows the meat to come up to room
it will burn the glaze. Once slightly reduced, add the temperature a bit, which I prefer when cooking this
venison back in and let the glaze coat the meat briefly. dish.
Serve over jasmine rice and garnish with sesame seeds Heat several tablespoons of butter in a cast iron pan
and green onions. I like to micro-plane or zest some over medium heat. While the butter is beginning to
lime on to the dish as well. froth, dredge your pheasant breasts in the flour and
add to the pan. Brown on both sides and remove. Do
Pheasant Marsala — Recipe by not crowd the pan with too much meat at a time. This
will cause the pan to cool, and you will not get a good
Downer sear.
Once you finish browning the breasts, pour out the
excess fat and add a few fresh pads of butter. Add the
mushrooms, garlic and a pinch of salt. Sauté for a few
minutes until the mushrooms are cooked and garlic
just begins to turn golden. Add the stock and marsala
wine and let reduce while scraping any of the brown
cooked bits that have stuck to the bottom of the pan.
Taste the sauce and add more salt if necessary. Add
the pheasant back to the sauce and remove from the
heat to keep warm or serve the sauce over the finished
breasts. I like to mix with blanched green beans and
some cherry tomatoes that have been blistered under
the broiler with some olive oil and salt.
For Sherburne's pickled

I can remember cooking chicken marsala in more
heart recipe, please see 'One
restaurants then I care to forget. However, there is a
reason that this classic dish has stood the test of time. Last Cast' on page 96.
Building Conservation
Ethics
By Zach Snyder
40|| www.michiganoutofdoors.com
W
e set out on a Sunday afternoon to get out we're outside. She replied, "Because people leave it
of the house and give my wife a little bit there and never pick it up, and that's littering". She
of a parenting break during COVID-19 is wise beyond her years, and that untouched enthu-
restrictions. I packed the basics one would siasm to make things better was inspiring.
typically take for a short hike with a four-year-old Eventually, we had to head back to the truck. Riley
child: some snacks and a couple of drinks. Riley, of and I continued to point out various tracks and game
course, filled her backpack with toys, a couple of books sign to one another and picked up whatever garbage
and even more snacks — a girl after my own heart. we found. By the time we reached the truck, the bag
Living in the Downriver area, the Pointe Mouillee I was carrying was pretty full. Riley was carrying
State Game Area tends to be our go-to for hiking and a feather she had found and couple rocks that she
getting out into the woods. So naturally, that's where thought were cool. As is typically my luck, we did not
we ended up. The day was exceptionally windy, so find any sheds. But, a couple of hours afield with a
a dike hike would not have been very enjoyable for little girl that seemed to be gaining an understanding
either of us. Instead, we took to one of the lightly-
wooded field areas adjacent to a large creek and
marshlands.
With hopes of finding a shed antler or two, we
started walking along. Riley noticed and pointed out
tracks and scat from various animals. She asked,
"what kind of animal made that?" if she didn't already
know. Along the way, we saw the all-too-common
random garbage blowing around. As always, I keep a
couple of garbage bags in my pack. I pulled one out,
and as we continued along, we proceeded to fill it up
with what we had found — beer and liquor bottles,
fast-food wrappers, etc.
Unfortunately, a lot of what we picked up that
day, and on many other cleanups, came from fellow
outdoorsmen. Buck bombs, doe in estrus, shotgun
shells, hand warmer wrappers and fishing tackle
packaging; all items left behind from an outdoors
person who was no doubt out enjoying the beauty that
the outdoors has to offer, but subsequently leaving it
just a little bit worse for the next person to come along.
We can be better than that, and we should be better
than that.
We decided to take a break behind a couple of large
dirt mounds — a temporary refuge from the wind —
likely remnants of a previous farm or habitat work.
We had some snacks, Riley played with a couple of the
toys she had brought, I read one of her books to her
and we just kind of hung out there for a bit. We just
laid still in the windswept grass, watching the birds,
listening to the strong west wind rip above our little
chunk of dirt. Riley climbed to the top of the mound,
leaning into the wind, excitedly shouting about how
this was the “windiest wind” she had ever seen. While
sitting there, I asked her why we pick up garbage when
While sitting there, I asked her why we pick up

garbage when we're outside. She replied, "Because
people leave it there and never pick it up, and that's
littering."
of the importance of taking care of and respecting burn up the trash we came across during our outing.
the natural world is a fair trade in my book. Setting examples like that has been something that
Being an avid hunter and angler, I would love stuck with me throughout my life and is now one that
for my children to become as passionate about those my wife and I strive to set for our own children — and,
activities as I am. But too often in the outdoor commu- honestly, anyone else who is paying attention.
nity, I see people waiting entirely too long to get their
kids involved in the outdoors. Short of a little fishing,
many times a young person's first foray into the
outdoors isn’t until they are old enough to tag along
on a hunt or maybe come along to deer camp. That's
fine and all; but in my opinion, the seeds of conserva-
tion can, and should be, sown at a much younger age
through fun, lower-pressure activities.
I believe that if we start off by simply working to
instill a love and appreciation for all thing’s nature,
with proper examples and the right encouragement,
the passion for the outdoors will kind of fall into
place. It's about exposure: just get them out there, go
for a hike, go mushroom hunting, look for sheds, go
bird watching, whatever. It all starts with exposure
and teaching them that the natural world is ours to
protect and manage. Teach them to pack it out, even
if they weren't the one who packed it in. By doing so,
we will be setting ourselves up to bring more stewards
and conservationists into the fray, not just occasional
hunters or anglers with no real knowledge or concern
for the bigger picture.
Looking back, whether he knew it or not at the
time, I have my father to thank for instilling a conser-
vation mindset in me. I honestly do not remember a
time while growing up where we went on a fishing trip
or spent time in the woods that we didn't pack out or
Land
Managment By Shawn Stafford
H
aving been geographically and our access to them. Without times. I made several road trips
affiliated with Michigan, public lands, I can tell you I would and had multiple discussions with
whether for work, the have missed out on a majority various agents, and I was getting
location of my first home of my outdoor experiences up to frustrated.
purchase, marriage or recreation, this point. However, there is also Eventually, though, I found the
I have come to appreciate the a desire to own your personal right number of acres, at the right
Great Lake State. Not being a playground and the challenge of price, in an area with many lakes,
native Michigander, I have fallen making it everything you hope it good schools, solid deer densities,
in love with the outdoor sports and could be. For me, I had to set some open ground for food plots, swamp
activities that the state has to offer. criteria and be patient for the right and heavy timber for bedding and
With that being said, the conver- moment to make my move. The a nice creek running right through
gence of several factors in my life property I was to purchase had to the center of the property. This
presented me with an opportunity offer good hunting opportunities, all translated to fall deer hunting,
to purchase my own little piece of be three hours or less of a drive spring turkey hunting, summer
heaven in the mitten state last year. from my home, needed to offer camping and swimming in the
Over the next couple thousand or all-around family recreational fun creek. Since that time, I've also
so words, I'd like to take you on a and it needed to be in an area that hunted squirrels, seen many ducks
trip explaining how I landed on would offer some investment value and have a racoon population that
this piece of property and what my in the event I wished to sell at some I'd like to try my hand at curbing by
plans are to turn it into my own point. learning to trap.
wildlife mecca. Believe it or not, it took a lot The other "must" I alluded to
Being a lifelong hunter and of looking at real estate websites, is on top of the activities that the
angler, owning my own land has cross-referencing listings with property itself offers — it puts me
always been a dream. Don't read onX Hunt (onxmaps.com) to look within 30 minutes of public beaches
into this negatively, though, as I'm at property lines and aerial shots, on Lake Michigan and right in the
a huge proponent of public lands then get driving distances and midst of several other all-sport
"Being a lifelong hunter and
angler, owning my own land has
always been a dream."
lakes which I can use to keep were in agriculture country, and the animals and watching the
everyone in the family happy while portions of them were commer- foliage transition through seasons.
maintaining the property as a base cially farmed as was the majority I've still been pouring through
camp. of land around them. My Michigan my onX Hunt app matching what
Going through the detail and property is going to be different. I saw on the ground with what
thought process about purchasing There are no corn or beans on the can be seen from the air. I've been
this particular property wasn't so property and not much within documenting existing and potential
you would think that I'm boasting several miles. There are, however, stand locations and the types of
about the perfect piece of heaven. lots of woods and a fairly large, terrain and vegetation I'd seen. I
Rather, it was to make sure that open field. Some may see this as a also used the outdoor show season
if you're ever in this situation, you problem, but I like to think of it as this past winter to go and talk to
consider all facets. If not all facets, more of an opportunity. I can turn some experts.
at least the ones that matter most my place into a location that wild- After speaking with multiple
to you. life really wants to be with respect seed vendors and habitat improve-
Perhaps you only care about to other land offerings in the same ment consultants, I was drawn to
giant bucks? Or maybe you want general vicinity. Newell Phebus and Double Tine
to be right on a lake? Maybe you As bad as I wanted to, I didn't Innovations (doubletine.com).
wanted to be up north in the rifle immediately jump in feet first. Newell and his team took the time
zone? UP? Adjacent to public land? I'm still fighting the urge and to listen and understand what my
The point is, decide what you want forcing myself to take a systematic objectives were and had multiple
out of your property and be diligent approach to land management and options for me to choose from. I
in your search. habitat improvement. I spent the also liked the fact that they are
So now that I have some dirt to end of the summer, the first fall based within reasonable proximity
stand on, what's next? This isn't and even some of this early-spring to my property, so their seeds and
my first soiree as a landowner. getting to know the place by laying understanding of the area should
However, my previous lands down some boot leather, observing be beneficial to my cause. Their

knowledge far exceeded mine on into account that Newell brought to producers, chestnut and persimmon
the subject of creating an ideal loca- my attention was dividing my food appear to be the best choices for
tion for wildlife to flourish, so I took plots with some thicker offerings me. (I have to admit I was excited
the chance to quiz Newell. Specific such as Upland and Antler Blend to hear them recommend the
to my situation, I have one large or Pods and Blooms. This will not persimmon as I'm a big fan of
open area that I intend to pack full only separate the plots, but it will persimmon pudding.) With today's
of various goodies. Unfortunately, give bedding cover for multiple hybrids, planting trees may not
it gets very wet in the spring. species and a wider variety of be the long-term investment you
This is where consulting a food options for all types of native might think. Some of the chestnuts
professional comes in handy. wildlife. Lastly, I recently sent my and persimmons I'm researching
Newell gave me a couple of recom- soil sample off to have it analyzed. bear fruit in only two to five years.
mendations, including DTI's Shady The results will tell me what, if Granted, this isn't instant gratifica-
Buffet, because it handles moist anything, I need to do to better prep tion, but if you're investing in your
soil and full sun (please note, as the the soil, such as add lime. It will property and potentially the future
name indicates, it is also recom- also allow Double Tine Innovations of hunting (think getting kids
mended for shady woodland plots). to adjust their recommendations if involved), then two to five years
The other option he suggested was I run into pH issues. isn't that big of a deal. The other
going with their Fall Forage annual I have an area earmarked allure to planting trees is the timing
because I can plant it in my fields for the addition of some mast- of their fruits. While you want to
when they dry out in the summer producing trees. These will help provide a year-round smorgasbord
and be ready to go for the fall expand and transform the area by for your wildlife, let's face it, you
hunting season. giving some variety to the wildlife. also want to harvest some deer
Another thing that I didn't take After speaking with several tree this fall. Different varieties of
An existing blind faces what could be a very promising area. With a little hard work, this will be a fantastic location for
Stafford's secluded food plot.
Game on!
Are you looking to take your outdoor experience to
the next level? We can help! GreenStone offers a
variety of loan options for recreational land of any
size. Contact your local branch office to learn more!
800-444-3276
www.greenstonefcs.com
Spring 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 47

potentially get ahold of somebody
with the ability to brush hog and
piece it all together trying to save
a buck. Of course, this would take
me quite a while to accomplish —
likely years. These are the details
that will unfold as the seasons
progress. Once these areas are
cleared, then it will be time for
round two of spraying and prep-
ping the ground for the "hidden"
food plot and getting the new trees
in the ground. Whew!! Who's still
with me?
The thing with my land and
my plan is that it's all part of the
journey. I've learned so much up to
this point and will continue to do
so until I'm no longer here. We do
it because it's fun and gratifying.
We do it to share unforgettable
moments with friends and loved
ones. We do it because we love the
A creek bisects the property providing water for wildlife and will offer plenty land and animals. Don't lose sight
of exploration opportunities for Stafford's children in the coming years. of these things; in the end, they are
trees start dropping in August and During the outdoor show, I what really matter.
continue into December. Imagine came across one company that If you've been on the fence
being able to target specific groves specializes in doing exactly that. about purchasing your own land or
at specific times, knowing that the Their machine was onsite and making improvements to land you
deer will be there because, quite quite impressive. Of course, their already own, I hope I've motivated
simply, the food they crave is there work doesn't come free, which is you. If you were looking for a
and readily available. completely understandable. It ends place to start, hopefully I've got you
This has been my dream. up being all dependent on the time pointed in the right direction. Use
Moving forward is all a part of the and money I have to invest. I could your resources, and don't be afraid
plan that is yet to be executed. This rent a bobcat, break out a chainsaw, to ask questions. Most importantly,
is where the rubber hits the road don't wait — make it happen!
and sweat equity begins. I could Fall Forage from Double Tine Innovations was one of the recommended seeds
hire a land consultant and manager for Stafford's needs. Stafford hopes his crop looks this good in the fall.
to do it for me. Which honestly, if
it fit into my budget, I absolutely
would. Instead, I'll be running
and gunning on my own, which
will give an even greater sense of
satisfaction when it's all said and
done.
I've once again utilized onX
Hunt to lay out my strategy,
calculate area sizes and denote land
features. My next steps will be to
spray the weeds in the large food
plot area and a couple of weeks
later work up the ground to prepare
the seedbed. I'm also contemplating
how I would like to establish the
small, wooded food plot, clear a
spot for a camp and even clear an
area for some additional mast-
producing trees to further diversify
my offerings.
Q & A with Newell Phebus
While researching 'Land Management,' Stafford was
able to spend some time talking with various seed
suppliers and property managers. Newell Phebus, the
owner of Double Tine Innovations (doubletine.com),
took some time to answer many of Stafford's questions.
What are the keys to successful habitat for the specific plot you're planting.
improvement for wildlife?
What are the biggest mistakes you see?
Knowing in what areas your property might be
deficient is critical. If you have adequate cover, do Biggest food plot mistake: Planting seed varieties at
you lack food? If you have sufficient food, do you have the wrong time or improper seed rate.
sufficient cover to hold the deer you're attracting? Biggest hunting mistake: Putting too much pressure
There's a balancing act between bedding, food and on your woods. Creating a property that involves
water that every property needs, and figuring out what hunting the outside edges rather than the interior is
areas need improvement is the ticket. In most situa- what we aim to do.
tions, creating a bedding sanctuary where no deer will
ever see, hear or smell you has been the best habitat What did your best plot or habitat manage-
improvement we have implemented. ment stories do that caused them to be so
successful?
Does that differ from just wanting to draw
more deer come hunting season? Creating secluded pockets of food and bedding have
been a game changer for small-acreage hunters. One
Against what many others say, I am creating my of our own properties, which is 10 acres in total, has
property to hold deer all season. I am trying to create produced opportunities at 140-plus-inch deer every
bedding areas and fawning cover to hold does. I'm trying season for the past four seasons. We've implemented
to give those deer high-quality food sources from woody Defender Screen borders for tree stand entry, tall
browse, native forbs and food plots. Giving these deer growing plots such as sunflowers and sorghum to
everything they need means they don't have to leave. separate plots to create less stress and continuous buck
Does can feel safe from predation; they are producing movement, pockets of Native Grass to provide bedding
the most milk for their fawns. Bucks are getting the close to the food sources and away from our stand
protein and calcium needs they need to provide antler locations so we aren't bumping deer. The biggest bucks
growth. Note: Obviously, deer have an extensive home may not always be bedding on our parcel, but when the
range, but offering everything they need on one parcel rut comes, they know exactly where the does are going
with very little stress will always appeal to mature deer. to be.
Do you have an easy checklist of things to do Why food plots?

when planting a food plot?
In the Midwest, we see a high level of ag production. In
If we are developing a new plot, we are spraying when most situations, the food sources are gone during the
our weeds hit 6 inches in the spring. After a week or most important times of the year. Having diversity is
two, we will work up the soil. Three to four weeks critical. Brassicas are phenomenal for late-season, and
later, we will spray any new vegetation that is coming cereal grains and clovers are great early and mid-
up. Around one week later, we will broadcast our seed season food sources. If you're in a dense timber location
and culti-pack it in. We try to time our seed and fertil- with little ag, developing a food plot may be a game-
izer within 24 hours before a rain. This is a generic changer for your property. Hiring a forester for select
answer for those who broadcast their seed with a hand timber harvest or a clear cut may be a great option.
seeder and have smaller food plots, which is around 75 Food plots are just one of many habitat improvements
percent of property managers. We always encourage a property manager can make to increase deer move-
anyone to contact us to set up the proper planting plan ment and nutrition.

COVID-19 and Conservation:
Splintering
Systems
T
he world is in the midst of a public By Charlie Booher
health emergency, but the health of
the conservation community is failing,
too.
This is a tragedy that has not been seen in
our lifetimes, and we hope that it will never
repeat itself. During this crisis, many pundits
talk about "returning to normal," but it is
becoming clear that normalcy will be redefined
in the coming months and years. As our society
wades through drastic changes, the field of
wildlife management will inevitably be altered
in fundamental ways.
The system we have in the United States
was built, in large part, during the 1930s, and
it hasn't changed very much since. As a "user-
pay" system, it relies on people buying firearms
and hunting and fishing licenses to support
state wildlife agencies — organizations that
manage, conserve and protect a wide range
of fish and wildlife species, not just those that
are hunted or fished for. However, without the
active, annual participation of these consump-
tive users, the system begins to run dry.
It isn't lean. It isn't responsive. It isn't
working. We've known that for a while now
— the stress of the COVID-19 outbreak hasn't
created flaws in the system as much as it has
exacerbated them. These stressors exist at
the state level through a reliance on license
sales and state general funding deficits and at
the federal level through uncertainty related
to excise tax collection. This issue extends
far beyond what is known colloquially as the
“hook and bullet” crowd, and it will jeopardize
programs that benefit endangered species,
songbirds, state parks and Michigan’s beaches
that we so love.
This pandemic represents
a potential crisis for fish and
wildlife agencies, said Michigan
Department of Natural Resources
(MDNR) Executive in Residence
at Michigan State University Russ
Mason.
"In a nutshell, the first concern
is that many agencies are experi-
encing a drop in license revenue
because 'point of sale' licenses in
stores are mostly unavailable,"
Mason said. "The second threat
is that the amount of Pittman-
Robertson and Dingell-Johnson
[both excise taxes, more to come
later] funding each agency can
get depends in part on each states'
number of unique license buyers.
Fewer buyers translate into fewer
federal dollars."
In addition to the decline and leadership had the foresight
The First Losses in license revenue, the State of to protect game and fish through
Michigan as a whole faces budget the creation of the game and fish
On the state level, hunting and deficits to the magnitude of protection account of the Michigan
fishing license sales have been several billion dollars. So it is not conservation and legacy fund in
falling steadily for the last two unlikely that general funds from 2006.
decades and will likely see an even the state budget will be repurposed "While budgets may be
further decline with the impact of for COVID-19 response efforts. stretched thin as a loss of general
COVID-19. Demographic trends These are likely to include a wide fund monies, game and fish protec-
mainly drive this drop as members variety of medical supplies and tion account funds cannot be used
of the baby-boomer genera- other healthcare needs, as well as for purposes outside of fish, wild-
tion age-out of hunting and are unemployment insurance claims life, research and law enforcement
replaced by fewer and fewer young and workforce training programs. without changing the Michigan
people. Still, the magnitude of the Expenditures like these will hope- state constitution," Trotter said.
repercussions due to COVID-19 fully preserve the health and safety If there is a rescission of state
are mostly unknown. As we lose of the people of this state and the general funds, it could be the case
traditional users like hunters and country, but this rescission will that the MDNR will be required
anglers, the funding system will likely leave agencies like the MDNR to use these funds to operate
continue to break down. Some underfunded. programs that are unrelated
states have been able to patch "During the COVID-19 crisis, to active fisheries and wildlife
their hemorrhaging budgets by there are huge expenses that are conservation. While the MDNR will
selling licenses online and working necessary to sustain human lives," likely still be working towards the
to market licenses differently; said Michigan United Conservation conservation, protection, manage-
however, these are only temporary Clubs (MUCC) Executive Director ment, use and enjoyment of the
solutions to this long-standing Amy Trotter. "We at MUCC state's natural resources, it is likely
problem. This issue also extends sincerely appreciate our healthcare that they will have fewer financial
far beyond the state of Michigan, workers and strongly support resources from the state to use.
as many western states close down them in this time of great need, but So, instead of going into food
drawn hunts and withdraw gover- we can't let fisheries and wildlife plots, wetland management struc-
nor's tags, budgets will continue to management fall to the wayside. tures and landscape-scale timber
be slashed. Losing these big-ticket, Unfortunately, the expenses management, some license dollars
out-of-state revenue streams required to deal with this crisis will could be put towards other costs
will create gaping holes in the leave much, much less in the state like conservation officers and their
accounting of state wildlife agen- budget for fisheries and wildlife vehicles, fuel and equipment. While
cies that will need to be filled or management and natural resource these individuals are critical to the
we risk conservation efforts for all conservation." operation of the department, this
species falling behind. One silver lining Trotter move would take resources and
noted is that MUCC members effort away from scientific wildlife

MDNR Budget
This graphic outlines

the MDNR budget.
“General Fund” monies
may be subject to a
rescission, “Federal”
funds may be impacted
by a deferment of
excise tax payments
or an inability to match
funds, and “State
Restricted” money
is collected through
licenses and fees, which
could suffer during the
COVID-19 crisis.
management. efforts is collected and distributed fish and wildlife agency budgets,
Given the great funding at the federal level. In 1937, the and hundreds of millions of dollars
challenges that the conservation Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid are collected under these levies
community will likely be facing, in Wildlife Restoration Act (PR) annually. For reference, the MDNR
it is critical that the state strongly was passed through Congress. received over $75 million from these
support our biologists, managers This piece of legislation levied an funds in fiscal year 2019.
and conservation officer corps with 11 percent excise tax on firearms State fish and wildlife agencies,
general fund monies to ensure the and ammunition, dedicating that like the MDNR, use this money
MDNR can continue to manage funding to wildlife management, to hire staff, manage habitats and
the natural resources of the Great conservation and restoration. With purchase land for conservation
Lakes State. The ways in which the the evolution of bows and arrows, — especially State Game Areas
Michigan government reacts to this Congress later moved to levy the (SGAs) in the southern portion
crisis will also have an impact on same excise tax on archery equip- of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.
the state's ability to take advantage ment as well. The apportionment and dispersal
of federal funds. PR was mirrored by the Dingell- of this funding is determined by
Johnson Federal Aid in Sport Fish the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
A Conservation Nation Restoration Act (DJ) in 1950, which (USFWS) by using the number of
— Unstable placed a similar tax on boats, tackle unique, individual hunting and
and marine fuel for the purposes of fishing license buyers to determine
funding fisheries management. funding eligibility. Once eligible,
While wildlife management Collectively, these federal states must match 25 percent of
remains largely a state issue, a monies fund a huge portion of state PR and DJ funds. If the state loses
great deal of funding for these
these individual license buyers or is
unable to meet the match criteria,
then the MDNR will forfeit this
federal money.
Here's where the problems
start to multiply even further:
some members of the archery and
firearm manufacturing industry are
trying to squirm out of these age-old
excise taxes during the economic
crisis brought on by COVID-19. The
federal government has already
issued a deferral of the collection
of PR funds from firearm manufac-
turers for one fiscal quarter, and
it appears likely that members of
the Archery Trade Association will
receive the same benefits.
This will provide some tempo-
rary financial relief for some of
the businesses associated with the
outdoor recreation industry, but it
could leave state fish and wildlife
agencies high-and-dry. Of course, still unclear what the future may will likely help state agencies stay
there are a number of industries hold for this money and how these afloat through this financial uncer-
seeking relief from government funds may ultimately be delivered to tainty. While measures are being
tax liabilities, but this deferment fisheries and wildlife managers. It considered at a high level to help
comes in the midst of one of the best is essential that these taxes are paid these agencies in the short-term,
periods of sales in the last 25 years. in a timely fashion for the current there are a number of things that
March 2020 and the onset of the system to hold up and so state fish individuals can do to help as well.
COVID crisis accompanies the elec- and wildlife agencies are able to
tion of President Barack Obama and remain operational, but it seems to
the month following the shooting
Lifeblood
be only holding on by a thread.
at Sandy Hook Elementary School We have now come to a point This system needs people like
in Newtown, CT for the highest where the system — built on the you to continue buying hunting and
monthly firearm sales since 1998. backs of travel-restricted, license- fishing licenses — and to support
Friday, March 20, 2020 shattered buying baby-boomers and firearm non-governmental, nonprofit
the record for the highest number enthusiasts — is failing. conservation organizations who
of firearms background checks For now, state, federal and often carry the excess load of
conducted nationwide in a single industry leaders need to make conservation habitat, R3 (recruit-
day: a total of 210,308 — a number moves to ensure that state fish and ment, retention and reactivation of
higher than any during the Obama wildlife agencies are well-equipped hunters and anglers), and natural
administration. in the short- and long-term. The resource policy work.
"It is bitterly ironic that even Association of Fish and Wildlife "The most important thing
while gun sales are surging and Agencies (AFWA), a group repre- every hunter, angler and conserva-
excise taxes are pouring into the senting all 50 state natural resource tionist can do is to buy a license,"
federal coffers, states may be denied agencies, and many other conserva- Mason said. "As well, if you can,
access to the critical conservation tion organizations are working continue to financially support the
funding upon which our nation's with Congress and the USFWS to community of non-governmental
wildlife populations rely," said provide temporary financial relief hunting, fishing and conservation
Safari Club International CEO to state fish and wildlife agencies. organizations. It's up to us – liter-
W. Laird Hamberlin in a recent As of right now, this reprieve could ally – to make sure that the wildlife
editorial. last for a period of up to six federal and fish resources we enjoy are
It is important to keep in mind fiscal years, beginning with funding healthy and available for future
that as long as this deferment is not apportioned in fiscal year 2020. generations."
lengthened — or forgiven — state Using funding allocation formulas With so many fundraising
fish and wildlife agencies will be from previous, more stable fiscal events canceled around the
able to continue to take advantage years and reducing the non-federal country, these nonprofit organiza-
of these record sales. However, it is match requirement for PR dollars tions need you to continue your

role in wildlife and human health
and redefine the importance of fish
and wildlife to the citizens of this
country."
Traditional conservation
organizations, made up of hunters
and anglers, will likely play a role in
crafting this new policy framework.
"Hunters are North America's
original conservationists, and
they, and other consumptive-user
groups like trappers and anglers,
will continue to play a fundamental
important role in wildlife manage-
ment," said Cyrus Baird, regional
manager of state government rela-
tions for Safari Club International.
"Moving forward, the role and
influence of hunters will be one of
leadership — a position that will
lead us into a system of conserva-
tion suited to meet the needs of the
21st century and beyond."
"The most important thing every hunter, Expanding the Base
angler and conservationist can do is to However, with hunters and
buy a license." — Russ Mason anglers on the decline, these groups

can likely no longer withstand being
the only people propping up the
memberships. Ducks Unlimited, Nonprofit organizations spend system. State wildlife agencies will
the National Wildlife Federation, hundreds of millions of dollars need to broaden their missions to
the Ruffed Grouse Society, Quality annually on projects that benefit reach the non-hunting and non-
Deer Management Association, the fish and wildlife on public lands and angling publics as these constituen-
National Wild Turkey Federation, waters across the country. However, cies inevitably shrink. In this way,
Michigan United Conservation they cannot do it without the agencies will be able to expand
Clubs, MUCC's affiliates and many individual support of thousands of their traditional bases of support
other nonprofit organizations and members. Now is the time to stand and build crucial partnerships
their employees are all hurting together and do the right thing for with a wide range of stakeholders.
in the midst of this public health all of these groups. Furthermore, agencies will also
catastrophe. Once there are stopgaps in need to expand their areas of focus
"As a result of COVID-19, fund- place, leaders in the conservation to encompass topics that are of
raising events have been postponed community need to put their heads concern to a wider public audience.
around the country during the together and figure out a funding A key area of interest to leaders
height of our fundraising season. mechanism and a way of doing busi- in the conservation community is
These events bring in the majority ness that is suited to the needs of a the relevance of wildlife health,
of our revenue and memberships post-COVID world. AFWA Executive especially in assessing and
to the National Wild Turkey Director Ron Regan predicts that mitigating threats of zoonotic
Federation. While we have encour- the state fish and wildlife agencies diseases. With the massive spikes
aged our members to stay engaged across the country will need to be in COVID-19 cases in 2020, leaders
and give online, we are not alone," lean and adaptive to modern threats. are worried about the potential for
said Becky Humphries, CEO of the "State fish and wildlife agencies wildlife to serve as pools or vectors
National Wild Turkey Federation. will face new challenges to remain of disease. State agencies, working
"Other conservation groups are relevant to 21st-century constitu- with universities, hospitals and
experiencing similar challenges. ents, especially following this public federal agencies, have a role to
Unfortunately, without members or health crisis," Regan said. "The next play in doing research on disease
revenue, we will have less to invest decade will see new opportunities ecology and in human health.
in conservation delivery in the for these state agencies to engage Wildlife disease laboratories will
future." new partners, assume an enhanced likely be further stressed to give
policymakers the crucial informa- chronic problems. research and could use a whole lot
tion needed to make informed deci- of time that we simply do not have.
sions. Yet, this important research An Uncertain Future This new approach must encompass
and innovative adaptation relies on local, state and federal government
the same, old funding model. These are truly scary times entities, as well as industry and
One mechanism for a new for all of us. As a future natural nonprofit leaders. It must be agile
system could be through the resource professional, it is unclear and adaptable to the problems that
Recovering America's Wildlife the direction in which my field we face in this century and beyond.
Act (RAWA; H.R. 3742). This bill of study will take in the next six It will need to bring groups to the
is the product of the Blue Ribbon months; nevermind the next thirty table that have never had a seat
Panel on Sustaining America's or forty years. or an invitation before. It requires
Diverse Fish & Wildlife Resources, I have been reminded many true, unhindered innovation and
which was chaired by Bass Pro times during our social distancing widespread support from everyday
Shops founder John L. Morris and orders that character is not created Americans to succeed.
former Wyoming governor Dave in a crisis — it is simply revealed. In thinking about the develop-
Freudenthal. This bill has been The same is true of our commu- ment of this new system, I am
introduced in the last two sessions nity, and this crisis is revealing reminded that the conservation of
of Congress, would appropriate fundamental flaws in our systems. the fish and wildlife of this country
dedicated funding for states to fulfill However, I see this as an inflection require a system more efficient than
federally-mandated State Wildlife point for conservation. We have government, more empathetic than
Action Plans. These plans outline reached a critical point at which industry, more interconnected than
blueprints for the recovery of a hunters, hikers, anglers, boaters, contemporary academia and more
wide range of species and identify trappers and paddlers will need to insightful than any one individual.
projects that are ready to be put into join with local, state and federal As I graduate from Michigan
action. Thus, this legislation has the policymakers to build a system that State University in May, that is the
potential to be good for our national our grandchildren can rely on. charge that I take into my career —
economy, habitat and the species I'm not sure how we are going and a question that faces all of us
that depend on us. to do it, but I do know that building concerned about the conservation
"The COVID-19 crisis has under- this new reality will certainly of wildlife and wild places. But not
scored the importance of wildlife take a great deal of thoughtful one of us can do it alone.
and the outdoors for millions of consideration, ambition, analytical
Americans," said Drew YoungeDyke,
manager of sporting communica-
tions for the National Wildlife
Federation. "The recovery of our
country and the recovery of wildlife
go hand-in-hand — a recovery that
can put people to work immediately
implementing shovel-ready plans
that state wildlife agencies already
have through the Recovering
America's Wildlife Act."
This potential solution would
also reduce state fish and wildlife
agencies' reliance on monies from
licenses and fees and may reduce
the extent to which they are
beholden to firearm and ammuni-
tion sales that are increasingly
unrelated to hunting. It is one
way out of this funding disaster
and may play a role in a financial
recovery package after the peak
of the COVID-19 pandemic. I
certainly hope that it gains enough
political capital to move its way
through Congress, but the leaders
of this field must also be open to
other innovative solutions to these

Due to COVID-19...
Michigan United Conservation Clubs Annual,
in-person, Convention has been canceled.
A total of 23 resolutions were slated to head to convention in June. Each of

these resolutions had passed through a rigorous process to arrive at this point —
passing one of the three MUCC Conservation Policy Board meetings, which have
occurred since the 2019 MUCC Annual Convention.
The MUCC Executive Board and staff are working to develop creative solu-
tions to continue the grassroots policy process. We realize that the in-person
debate and amendments that happen at convention are an important step in
creating sound policy stances that MUCC works to implement.
A committee has been formed to discuss all possible options moving forward.
MUCC is proud of the grassroots process that gives its members a platform and
voice.
CALL THE
HOTLINE
REPORT
FERAL
SWINE
TO REPORT FERAL SWINE OR
FOR
MORE INFORMATION PLEASE
CALL: USDA WILDLIFE
SERVICES AT
517.336.1928
OR
WWW.MICHIGAN.GOV/
FERALSWINE
FERAL SWINE
DAMAGE AGRICULTURE,
NATURAL RESOURCES,
PROPERTY, PEOPLE AND
CULTURAL SITES
This project was funded by the Michigan Invasive Species

Grant Program (www.michigan.gov/invasives).
Surface
Tension
By Steve Griffin
a teacher tried to impress upon

you the fantastic way water bonds
across its surface: it gives it a glassy
look, helps a boat plane, even floats
a needle in that old science experi-
ment? That’s basic, and essential,
science.
But surface tension to me is
something else: that heart-in-
mouth feeling as a lure gurgles
along toward you — something
wild’s going to happen, and happen
soon, and you’d best be ready, and
you’re probably not going to be…
And then it happens, a whoosh
of a splash as your lure disappears,
and maybe this time you wait long
enough, or just get lucky, and the
hooks find a hold, and the fight’s
A surface bait caught this Wixom Lake largemouth. on — if not entirely on the surface,
I
knew better. then likely returning to it in a
I laughed.
The blanket of lily pads in thrashing battle.
After all, I’d known better.
this little upstream corner of Most flyrod trout fishers will
Just about everybody who
Wixom Lake looked all but tell you that across time you’ll
fishes the surface for bass will
impenetrable: a creature might be catch far more trout by fishing deep
tell you – over and over, since you
able to scamper across the canopy, or even middle-depths than you will
need reminders – that you must
but no way, it seemed, could a on the top. And then they’ll tie on
delay the hookset as long as you
predator from beneath get to it. a delicate little something that will
can, if you hope to boat the fish.
But, I knew better. float on the film — yes, thanks to
The splash is just the leading edge
So, I skittered the white plastic scientific surface tension — and try
of the bite. And then your advisor
mouse from pad to pad, pausing for the little splash that makes their
will usually laugh, knowing how
from time to time, making it hop a day.
quickly the heart overcomes the
bit, dart a bit. And when at last the When you move from that to
brain when a fish attacks some-
pads parted and the mouse disap- bass fishing, it’s like changing from
thing on the surface.
peared into what looked like an classical music on earbuds to rap in
That’s why we go back, time
empty coffee can, I instantly pulled a woofer-rigged lowrider. You feel it
after time. It’s the thrill I call
back like my life depended on fast all over.
"surface tension."
action – and brought the fish-less You remember moments in this
Remember that junior high
lure flying back at me. game, like the lily pad episode at
or high school lesson in which
the start of this tale. I gave it a couple of tugs, and raised the bait from it for another
Or the cast on a river near my somehow it flipped back and over cast.
home that sent a red-and-white the branch, twice, and finally fell This night was different: We
Creek Chub Knuckle-Head Jr. free — and into a new-made crater learned to listen for the rattle of
toward the shoreline, and the way in the water like the one in the hooks as an attacking smallmouth
a hole opened in the water and the smallie story I just told. But this leaped from the water because if
lure fell into it the way a fly ball hole was even bigger — the maw of we somehow waited for the splash-
drops into a fielder’s open glove. a 6-pound, 4-ounce largemouth bass down and then a second or two
I was so stunned it took a second that put us in the money overall more, we had much better odds of
to recover, and that’s how I was and took big-bass honors for the hooking it.
able to set the hooks into the jaw tournament. Clutching the A buddy still talks about the
of a smallmouth that then spent trophies and checks was a thrill — day on a big, deep, clear northern
more time out of the water than in but nothing compared to seeing the Michigan lake, when the small-
it until I was able to lift it into my lure fall into that hole in the water. mouth were eager to swim up from
boat, unhook and release it. Sometimes not seeing provides 15 feet down to smack a Pop-R.
Two pounds of smallie, a few the thrill. Jerry VanderMeer At the other extreme, I’ve caught
minutes of fight, and a memory I’ll of Newaygo and I were on the largemouths that measured six
not forget was upon me. Hodenpyl Dam backwaters of the inches back-to-belly, in what was
Or, fishing a bass tourna- Manistee River late one night, no deeper than that six inches.
ment with friend Don Fillmore of having tied on Jitterbugs like those Surface lures won’t work every
Coleman. The cast, toward a little my dad had talked about so often. time. Nothing does. But when they
pocket in shoreline brush, flew a Dad had warned us of the tension do, I argue they produce fishing at
few inches too far. My white rat — how he’d nearly jumped out of its best.
wrapped twice around the limb and the boat a few foggy nights when Some principles can boost your
dangled, about 18 inches above the he’d become mesmerized by the odds.
water, and I was sure I’d blown a soft gurgle of the timeless plug, and Remember that terrestrial
cast to great cover. a bass erupted from the water as he things in nature seldom do the
A selection of proven topwater bass baits. Topwater baits are available from a variety of manufactures in a variety of
different colors and patterns.

Zara Spooks, Rattlin’ Chug Bugs,
Tiny Torpedos, floating Rebels and
Rapalas, plus some surface lures
whose names have been worn off if
they ever bore them.
I prefer baitcasting gear to
spinning gear and braided line
for largemouths, mono for small-
mouths; the level-winds are more
accurate and more fun. Braids are
a sure way to set hooks and pull
largemouths from brush and lily
pads; mono is a bit less visible to
smallmouths. And if ever there was
a time to sharpen those hooks, this
is it. (Some old-school plugs come
with hooks so stout, and difficult to
sharpen, that I swap them out for
lighter, sharper ones.)
Fish the prime times of dawn
and dusk, but don’t neglect after-
dark hours. And more than once,
we’ve found bass hunkered down
under thick cover on hot mid-
days.
There may well be better, more
productive ways to fish, and plenty
of folks pursue them. (I do too,
and often.) Some people may even
claim their chosen method is more
The author and a Sanford Lake smallmouth bass. exciting than popping or gurgling a
topwater plug.
same thing for very long. They silver Pop-R — they’re my go-tos But in the heart-racing flush of
move, they watch, they run, they — but I’ve had some great days on surface tension, I know better.
stop, they pause…. It’s the same those lures in other colors, and on
underwater and at the surface: vary
your cadence, wobble the retrieve, A Knuckle-Head Jr. was the (temporary) undoing of this smallmouth bass.
act natural.
Throw to likely spots – but try
the unlikely, too. Bass may not have
read the book about where bass are
supposed to be. They could be out
shopping.
Be ready. Many of my catches
— like the river smallmouth and
the under-brush largemouth
described earlier — have come as
the lure lands or in the first few
seconds (wait a bit to begin your
retrieve) or first few feet after it.
Tie on your all-time best-
producing lure — but if it doesn’t
do the trick, try something you’d
consider tossing into your young
niece or nephew’s tackle box
during a thinning of your collec-
tion. It might be the ticket that day.
White rat, black Jitterbug, red
and white Knuckle-Head, blue and
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Legends of Conservation:
Keith
Charters More than
'an outhouse named'
after him
By Alan Campbell
K
eith Charters has a quarter-mile of sandy beach along
Grand Traverse Bay named after him, has his name on the
Distinguished Service Award bestowed by the Traverse City
Chamber of Commerce and was appointed by two governors as
chair of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission (MNRC).
So you might think Charters has made a point to rub elbows with
friends in high places.
Naw. Charters doesn't care whether you drink top-shelf bourbon or
Old Milwaukee. His time holding the gavel at more than 170 MNRC meet-
ings — by far the most of any chairperson — was spent ensuring that
outdoors people from all walks and persuasions could speak their peace.
"I always felt at those meetings that sportsmen drove many miles to
give their opinions," said Charters, who now winters in Florida but enjoys
his time at home in Traverse City and deer camp near West Branch.
"We owed it to them to listen. Even though we may have heard the same
question a hundred times prior, they came to give their opinions, and they
were our constituents. I felt like we should hear them."
Charters' legacy may have more pages about how he related to people
than dealt with crises. Shirley Tracey was in her mid-20s working as a
young waitress at Billy's, a hopping bar in Traverse City, when she met
Charters. He was a business partner at Billy's.
"He is one of the kindest, most
decent human beings I've ever
met," recalled Tracey, who now
"I always felt at those meetings
owns restaurants near Kalkaska
and in Mancelona. "I hadn't met that sportsmen drove many miles...
We owed it to them to listen."
him for years, and then he stopped
in and asked my maiden name.
The fact that he knew me blew me
away. I was shocked. He must have
had a thousand employees over the over something boring like study," the Traverse City Chamber of
years." Charters conceded. Commerce when Charters was
Charters makes himself avail- After teaching three years in recognized for his work in a project
able whenever Tracey seeks advice Lincoln Park, an Embers partner to emphasize "smart growth" in
or needs an ear to test business asked if Charters would return local planning. The platform is
choices. to Mount Pleasant to take on now being taught at Michigan State
a management role. Charters University, Luciana said.
jumped at the chance, eventually "None of that would have
Restaurant: a 'means to an end'
opening a second restaurant named mattered if we didn't have a way to
Embers on the Bay in Acme. Now reach out to the 93 governments in
Charters grew up in
married to Carolyn and helping to the region," Luciani said. "He did it
Whittemore, where he recalls that
raise their children Elizabeth and out of passion, and he has a passion
"if you didn't play sports or hunt
Jeffrey, the Charterses decided to for natural resources. I never
and fish, you pretty much had a
sell their Traverse City restaurant detected an ounce of arrogance or
boring life." He developed a love for
to Mountain Jacks and became partisanship or favoritism when I
the outdoors watching his father
landlords. would appear before the NRC board
train English setters and cast flies
They also sold their business for things. He always seemed very
over the East Branch of the Au
share in Billy's and The Embers. curious, which I think is a great
Gres, Rifle and Au Sable rivers. "He
Although highly successful attribute for a leader."
cast with a poetic motion," Charters
with his restaurants, Charters Charters supported 22-year-old
reflected.
now refers to them as a "means to John Engler, who grew up on a
Charters needed money while
an end." He took an active role in cattle farm near Beal City, during
studying to become a teacher at
serving his communities, filling the budding politician's first run
Central Michigan University,
chairmanships on the Traverse for state office to the House of
so he walked one block from his
City Convention and Visitors Representatives. Engler sought
dorm to sign up as a busboy at The
Bureau, Mount Pleasant Chamber out Charters after being elected
Embers Restaurant. He quickly
of Commerce and Traverse City governor in 1990.
moved up the ranks, splitting his
chamber. He was also elected to a "He said right after he got
time among schoolwork, waiting
seat on the Isabella County Board elected, 'I want you on the commis-
tables and outdoor pursuits. "I
of Commissioners. sion.' I said, 'There's no way I can
always managed to pheasant hunt
Doug Luciani was CEO of go on the commission because we
were still adapting to the season-
ability of the Traverse City restau-
rant, to put it lightly.'"
Charters did accept a nomina-
tion to serve on the Michigan
Natural Resources Trust Fund
Board, for which he held a seat for
20 years and served briefly as chair.
But four years after the initial
invite, he took up Engler's offer
to sit on the NRC. Starting in 1996
and extending until 2010, Charters
chaired the commission that sets
policy for the Michigan Department
of Natural Resources.
Balancing voices of users, staff
Fellow MNRC member John

I thought should be on the commis-
sion. You had to have a split between
Republicans and Democrats. When
we had to replace a Democrat, I
said I had the perfect guy. What
about Bob Garner? He was one of
the co-authors of the Kammer trust
fund, and everybody knows him
from television."
"I called (Garner) up and asked
him if he'd meet me at a bar in Fife
Lake."
The pair's strengths played off
each other. Garner was and remains
good friends with many MDNR
staffers. He put weight behind their
science-based decisions, while
Charters brought out voices from
hunters and fishers whose outdoor
activities were directly affected by
policy changes.
Charters' steady hand rose
above partisan politics. In a move
unlikely to occur today, Gov.
Madigan said Charters wanted to remember them saying that they Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, in
hear from all sides in an issue. would probably get an outhouse 2008 asked Charters to stay on as
"He made sure people who named after them," he recalled. chair through the first two years of
didn't have all the assets in the Fast forward a few years to her administration.
world were fairly heard and repre- 2011 for the renaming of Keith J. Former lieutenant governor
sented. He provided the balance Charters Traverse City State Park. John Cherry of Montrose said it was
between the 'haves' and the 'haves It was Garner who called Charters the right decision.
not'," said Madigan, who served on a Florida golf course to tell his "He came highly recommended
nearly three terms. "Heads of long-time friend of the decision from the conservation community,"
public bodies often come to believe made by the NRC after Charters had Cherry said. "He brought good
that it's their job to leverage deci- resigned. Charters had been kept common sense judgment to the job
sion making. Humility is required out of the loop. regardless of who was governor,
for a chair to allow the democratic "All of a sudden, the phone and I mean that in a partisan way.
process to work as it was designed." goes dead, then there is sobbing. He For Keith, it was about what was
"He didn't get carried away with can't believe anybody would do that right for the resource, not partisan-
the gavel. He wanted to make sure because he's that humble. It was a ship."
all opinions had a fair hearing," significant amount of time before he
Madigan continued. could talk," Garner said. United front, divided minds
Madigan recalls traveling to a It was Charters who helped out
dedication ceremony with fellow Garner, starting the groundwork While chair, Charters led the
Natural Resources commissioners for their professional and personal NRC through a relatively quiet time
Charters and Bob Garner. "They relationships. in terms of outright disagreement
were talking back and forth, and I "Gov. Engler would ask me who within the conservation community.
Cherry gave Charters some of the
"All of a sudden, the phone goes dead, then there

is sobbing. He can't believe anybody would do
that because he's that humble. It was a significant
amount of time before he could talk."
many of them," Charters said.
He remembers being asked
by a reporter shortly after being
appointed commissioner about his
priorities. They were recruitment,
mentoring and retention of fishers
and hunters, whose numbers were
dropping 2 percent annually — a
trend that has continued.
The MDNR embarked on a
program to provide every fourth
grader in the state a packet that
talked about, among similar activi-
ties, why good conservation had to
include culling forests and control-
ling the deer herd.
"Quite frankly, I failed, but
so did everyone else across the
country," he said. "We tried to avoid
the word 'kill.' In my opinion, it was
good, it was helpful, but you needed
more."
Keeping true to his ways,
Charters stayed out of the public
discussion that followed Granholm's
decision to switch authority for
choosing the MDNR director
from the MNRC, whose makeup
is designed to be apolitical, to the
governor.
"With the director being hired
by the governor, it becomes political.
credit. baiting was ended," Charters said. We didn't ask (former directors)
"You look at the source for The NRC banned baiting in the if they were a Republican or a
clashes. It could be a partisan one, Lower Peninsula for three years Democrat. Well, now the director
it could be personality clashes starting in 2008 after a captive deer can be a political appointee,"
between the chair and the director, in Kent County tested positive for Charters said.
or the chair and commissioners, or CWD. Charters resigned shortly after
the chair and staff — it just seemed "We were talking about ways to the MDNR director was picked by
like he was a guy that worked hard prevent its spread, and there was a Granholm, about one decade ago.
to avoid clashes. Keith kept drama to lot of dancing around the Michigan He said it was time.
a minimum. You would hope that is deer breeders association with "Toward the end, I would start
a common-place talent, but it's not," some heavy lobbying. And the Ag thinking, 'I've heard this argument
Cherry said. "And when it emerges, Department thought they should be a thousand times.' It was time
it's probably under-appreciated." in control because captive cervids for fresh thinking. Besides, I was
There were plenty of opportuni- represented farming, the farming of getting old. I think I was 69 when I
ties for battles, if not all-out wars, to deer," Charters recalled. got off," he said.
dominate meetings while Charters His views at times clashed with Although his time following a
led the NRC. bureaucrats. setter through cuttings is now rare,
"Anything related to deer "Every now and then, and I don't Charters has no misgivings about
hunting was controversial, espe- say this egotistically, some of the spending much of his adult life
cially when we started getting into rules they were putting forth were attending meetings and listening to
TB (bovine tuberculosis) and CWD a little contradictory. For instance, the public.
(chronic wasting disease). The there was no baiting but farmers Said Garner, "He's given up so
TB thing was going on during the were leaving round bales in the much of his time and energy for the
Engler administration in northeast field … I never thought you should natural resources of this state, and
Michigan, where there were private hear the controversies in public. he's done it all pretty cheerfully."
(deer hunting) clubs. They had I thought they should be heard
pretty much all been baiting, and behind closed doors, and there were

What's in a Name?
The difference between native, non-native and invasive species and why it matters
By Makhayla LaButte captivity, released intentionally or environmental harm, or cause
MUCC Habitat Volunteer Coordinator to act as an ecological manage- harm to human, animal or plant
ment tool (i.e., erosion prevention, health. A non-native organism’s
With all of the disagreements predator to an invasive species) or ability to cause harm is the key
surrounding the management given the ability to pass through a distinction when determining
of our natural resources and the natural barrier (i.e., via shipping whether or not to identify it as
role of specific floral and faunal canals, ballast water). invasive.
species in the ever-changing notion The non-native species that Michigan has invasive species
of “ideal” ecosystems, it is more are able to survive and establish of all kinds: mollusks, mammals,
important than ever before that we are either managed intensively by birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians,
use precise and accurate language humans or have very few physical, crustaceans, plants, insects and
when engaging in such discussions. dietary or ecological limitations diseases. The type of harm inflicted
that prevent them from doing well by an invasive varies depending
Understanding the Difference in the new area. Non-native species on the species, but usually, more
are also sometimes referred to as than one harm stems from an
Native species are those found “alien,” “introduced” or “exotic” invasive species’ infiltration of an
naturally in a specific region and species. ecosystem.
are adapted to the environmental One of the most common For example, one of the most
conditions and ecosystem there. misconceptions is that non-native harmful invaders of the Great
Non-native species, on the and invasive species are inter- Lakes region impacts far more
other hand, are those that are changeable terms. To label any than just the waters in which
not naturally found in a region floral or faunal species as invasive it resides. The introduction of
that they inhabit. Typically, these simply because it is not normally invasive zebra mussels to the Great
species are able to move to an area found in a specific ecosystem Lakes via ballast water discharge
outside their natural range by or region is not correct. To be from international freighters
human involvement. This includes considered an invasive species, led to a disruption in ecosystem
being unintentionally transported an organism must be non-native function that spanned the entire
as cargo, released accidentally from to an area and cause economic food web. The mussels filter out
See if you can determine which species are native, non-native or invasive. Answers at the end of article.
Ring-necked pheasant Mute swan Chinook (King) Salmon
64
| www.michiganoutofdoors.com
Double-crested cormorant Sea lamprey Earthworm
and feed on excessive amounts Future Management version of Michigan’s natural

of phytoplankton, zooplankton Perspectives resources looks like, it is more
and bacteria. These microscopic important than ever before that
creatures are also critical food Often, some of the most heated you understand the history, science
sources to small, growing game debates in conservation are about and emotion behind the presence
fish and other fish species, which the management of invasive species of some of Michigan’s most infa-
are outcompeted by zebra mussels that threaten the well-being of mous—and expensive—species.
due to how efficiently they filter Michigan’s iconic waters, lands and Only then can you begin to have
their food from the water. As the wildlife. While some non-native and truly effective conversations about
small fish starve and die off, so do invasive species have filled a niche the current and future manage-
larger predator fish that rely on the in the ecosystem and native species ment of our resources.
smaller fish as their food source. have adapted to their presence in Whether you hunt, fish, hike or
This cycle continues wherever the the food chain, others continue to simply admire the natural world,
invasive zebra mussel establishes, threaten the integrity of our state’s there is one critical rule all conser-
stunting fish growth and limiting natural resources. What’s worse is vationists should turn to when
population sizes. Other nega- that some of our greatest ecological making decisions about natural
tive ecological impacts abound, threats are still on the horizon. resources: “Examine each question
including increased toxic algal This has led to intensive and in terms of what is ethically and
blooms. These algal blooms can expensive management efforts in aesthetically right, as well as what
lead to avian and fish die-offs. Michigan and across the United is economically expedient. A thing
Aside from their aggressive States. As we move forward is right when it tends to preserve
ecological impact, zebra mussels and face continuously new and the integrity, stability, and beauty
can also wreak economic and changing threats across ecosys- of the biotic community. It is wrong
recreational havoc. They adhere tems, we must ask ourselves what when it tends otherwise.” — Aldo
to hard surfaces underwater like an “ideal” ecosystem really is. Leopold, The Land Ethic, A Sand
water intake valves and clog them. Often, what makes one non-native County Almanac.
The annual cost associated with species more preferable than
these removals in the United States another is human perception of
alone has exceeded $1 billion. Ring-necked pheasant – non-native
its value. Where some individuals Mute swan – invasive
Additionally, the sharp edges of value the economics and novelty
zebra mussels and their tendency Chinook (King) salmon – non-native
of certain non-native species in the Double-crested cormorant – native
to build up on hard surfaces make Great Lakes region, others prefer
them a nuisance for swimmers and Sea lamprey - invasive
native species be made the priority Earthworm – invasive
boaters alike. in our natural resources manage-
ment efforts.
No matter what your preferred

By Andy Duffy
Hex:
Worth the Miles
I
t was the middle of June 1990. would probably have stories to tell has faded away, anglers used to
I stood at the registration about Bishop. call a Hex a caddis or a Michigan
counter at a campground Bishop was a World War II caddis.
where I was checking in and veteran. While serving in Africa, When I started fly fishing,
asked the clerk for directions to he was wounded in action. He lay though, it was still common enough
the South Branch of the Au Sable. I on the battlefield all day in the hot to hear an angler talk about the
wanted to do some fishing. sun not knowing if he would live or caddis hatch and to know he was
The guy behind the counter die. He decided that if he ever made talking about the big mayfly, not a
told me he didn't know much about it home, he was done with seeing kind of caddis.
the river, but he could give me the world. He wanted to travel the Somewhere in Michigan, the
directions to some lakes where the United States. And that's what he mayflies will be emerging from the
bluegill fishing had been good. did. He made it home and, after he middle of June through early July.
I'm sure my jaw dropped. I was retired, he chased insect hatches They'll begin emerging earlier in
at a campground four miles from across the country. He made an the lower portions of a stream (the
Grayling, the epicenter of eastern annual pilgrimage to Grayling to hatch gradually moves upstream to
trout fishing, and some guy was fish the Hex hatch. cooler waters), the southern part
talking to me about bluegill? As fun Ah, the Hex hatch. The Hex of the state and the warmer rivers.
as they are, I hadn't traveled 2,000 is a large mayfly. Entomologists They'll emerge later in cooler rivers
miles to fish for panfish. call a Hex a Hexagenia limbata. such as the Jordan and in Upper
I made it clear that I wanted to I've heard them called the giant Peninsula streams
fish for trout. The guy's eyes looked Michigan mayfly. A lot of people When weather conditions are
beyond me. I turned around to see just call them mayflies as though normal, they begin emerging when
an old gentleman standing there, they're the only kind of mayfly darkness falls. Still, although they
listening to the conversation. That that exists. Whenever someone hatch under cover of darkness,
was my introduction to, if I have approaches me in June and tells even non-anglers know when the
the name right, Harry Bishop. Even me mayflies are hatching, I know hatch begins. Flies will congregate
now, 30 years later, if a person were the person is talking about Hexes. at street lights and porch lights.
to ask around Grayling, people Although I think the designation They'll litter streets in spots. A
68
buildup of dead mayflies has even extend my enlistment for another In Polly Rosborough's Oregon,
made roads slick in places and has year and take my family with me. for example, it is the big yellow
been blamed for some car crashes. I didn't want to leave my wife and may. Everywhere it lives, though,
On that June day in 1990, I had two young children for two years; fish feed on it — bass, walleye,
never seen a Hex. I'd read about neither did I want to wait for trout — it makes no difference.
them, though. And I was lucky untold months for them to join me Because Michigan has very few
enough that my leave time fell in Germany while we waited for a green drakes and salmon flies,
during the hatch. I traveled from place to live. Then, a third option Hexes offer Michigan anglers their
Fort Irwin, California, the Army's arose. best chance to catch a trophy trout
National Training Center, to fish Because of the collapse of the on a dry fly.
the hatch. Soviet Union, the United States The South Branch of the Au
Bishop offered to take me decided it could reduce the size of Sable is justly famed for its great
fishing with him that evening. the military. Suddenly, the Army Hex hatches and large trout. The
We got on the river somewhere in decided it had too many TAMMS silt beds that line so much of
the Mason Tract upstream from clerks. Anyone who wanted to take the river are perfect Hex nymph
a couple of huge log jams. And a discharge could have one. I took habitat. Plus, with the river being
that makes sense. When the flies one, moved to North Carolina and such a high-quality stream and
emerge from the silt beds along the then to Michigan. The Hex hatch having no-kill regulations, it is
shore, they float down to the giant certainly played some role in my home to some monster fish. Anyone
trout that have been hiding among decision to settle here. I've been interested in fishing the Hex hatch
the sticks all day long. The trout chasing the hatch ever since with should someday fish the South
will come out and take up feeding moderate success. Some years, I Branch.
positions. can hardly get away to fish. I always The thing is, everyone wants
Days are long in June, and a try, though. to fish the South Branch. It gets
little light was still illuminating the Back then, I thought the crowded, especially on weekends.
northwestern sky when the hatch Hexagenia limbata was a mayfly Rivers all across Michigan, though,
began. Still, I couldn't see any flies of the Upper Midwest. Actually, have stretches with excellent Hex
without the aid of a flashlight. The it's found across most of North habitat. And rivers all across
trout could see them, though. And I America. It goes by different names Michigan have some big trout, too.
could hear the trout slurping down in other regions, though. Now I try to visit the South Branch
the flies.
Bishop told me I shouldn't try
to make long casts in the dark.
Instead, if I heard a good trout
rising, I should wade close to it. The
trout aren't so spooky in the dark.
By wading close, a person can get a
better fly drift, and he's less likely
to get hung up in the streamside
brush. We both caught fish that
night. I don't know how big Bishop's
best one was, but I caught a nice
18-incher. It was relatively puny
by hex-hatch standards. Anglers
often catch fish far larger than
that during Hex time. That was my
introduction to the hatch, though.
I can't remember if I made it
back to Michigan for the hatch in
'91. In November of '91, the Berlin
Wall came down, and I got orders to
go to Germany. Those coming back
from Germany said it had become
nearly impossible to find family
housing there. That was a problem
for me. I didn't want to go without
my family. I had two choices,
though. I could go to Germany
unaccompanied for two years or

Hex hatch in Michigan from South Branch, though, the flies are
mid-June through early-July, almost always emerging around
usually. The hatches can be so the time of the summer solstice.
prolific that they coat roadways One year I remember, the solstice
and black out streetlights. If an arrived on a Friday. I had the
angler is lucky enough to catch weekend off work, and I went to
one of these hatches in full- Grayling to do some camping and
swing, they will have a chance fishing. A cold front moved in,
at big, voracious browns. though. Nothing hatched Friday
evening. At Gaylord, thirty miles to
Grayling's north, there was a frost
that night. People were covering
their gardens. Tomatoes froze. I
was camped at a campground with
no showers. I filled my solar shower
with water from the river, put it on
the hood of my car and waited until
midday to bathe. Even then, both
the air temperature and the water
were cold. It was one of the coldest
showers I ever took in my life.
a
time or two each
summer on weeknights, and
I look for other waters to fish on
weekends. Because Hex habitat is
scattered on many rivers, visiting
anglers often need the inside scoop
regarding where to go. Either that
or they need to fish or float the
rivers often enough to know where
the good habitat is.
Anyway, the list of good Hex
rivers reads like an honor roll: The
mainstream of the Au Sable, the
South Branch of the Au Sable, the
Pere Marquette, the Big Sable, the
Jordan, the Little Manistee, the
Boardman, the Platte, the Escanaba
and many others. Even lesser
waters can get crowded during
the hatch, though, especially on
weekends. Still, the hatch is worth
fishing if a person can find it. But
sometimes finding it is difficult.
The flies don't emerge every
night. A cold snap, for example,
will bring the hatch to a screeching
halt. The hatch tends to move
upstream on many rivers, so a little
guesswork is involved. Anglers
need to try to guess how far up
the river to move from evening to
evening. It becomes a game.
Somewhere on the Au Sable's
Many years, though, the days complete, the males die. Females into the water, so fly anglers have
are hot and steamy when Hex lay their eggs, and then they die. lots of angling opportunities. If an
season comes around. The weather When the dying mayflies fall on the angler misses the Hex hatch, it's not
seems to spark thunderstorms. One water, trout feed on the spinners. really the end of the world. That's
year, we were besieged with storms During the Hex hatch, a spinner what I always tell myself.
all through the time the Hexes fall often comes soon after a hatch. I can't really make myself
should have been emerging. The spinners are generally the flies believe that, though. June comes
I took an evening and went to that emerged the previous night. A around, and my mind keeps taking
the South Branch with my 10-year- person new to fly fishing who wants me back to so many memories: that
old son anyway. We made our way to experience a Hex hatch should night 30 years ago when I met Harry
through the swamp that adjoins the make certain he purchases both dun Bishop, the tugs of large trout I've
river only to find the water danger- and spinner patterns. Associates at caught and the boils feeding fish
ously high. We found a little shoal any fly shop can give a novice fly leave on a river's surface. And I
where we figured we were relatively angler some good pattern advice. remember Bishop's words: "wade
safe and waited for the flies to Anyway, in Michigan, aquatic a little closer." The Hex hatch is
emerge. And, despite the conditions, insects will be hatching from March something I'm always willing to
there was a good hatch that night. clear into October. Trout will rise wade just a little bit closer to.
Big fish were all around us. to emerging bugs. Trout will rise to
We caught a few, and then my terrestrials, too, when they blunder
son hooked a leviathan. He was
inexperienced at playing fish. His
hand was wrapped around both his
rod and his line so the fish couldn't
run. His rod was bent over in a huge
bow. His leader was stout, but I told
him he would have to give the fish
some line or it would break off. He
let the fish take line and it raced
to the nearest log jam and broke
the leader. Perhaps it would have
broken off anyway, or perhaps it
would have broken his rod if he
hadn't given it some line. I don't
know. I felt terrible, though, about
giving him bad advice.
While flies were still emerging
that evening, a huge thunderstorm
began approaching. We could see
flashes of lightning everywhere.
We decided we needed to get off the
water immediately. Before we got to
the car, the storm arrived. We got
soaked. That's just the way things go
during the Hex hatch.
Experienced fly anglers know
the difference between duns and
spinners, of course, and anglers
will want to wait around for a
spinner fall before leaving the river.
A dun mayfly is one that has just
emerged from its nymphal shuck
and is riding the current drying
it wings. The flies that escape the
fish and the birds fly to streamside
brush, shed their skin, and are then
sexually mature. After that final
molt, anglers call the flies spinners.
The spinners return to the water
and mate in the air. Once mating is

Trout Dharma By Calvin McShane
D
owntown Grand Marais assortment of tourists claustro- hours of solitary fishing, he under-
resembles a pop-up phobically roamed the aisles. In stood where I was coming from.
carnival between usual fashion, I got in and got out The more people on the stream, the
Memorial Day and Labor — undetected by any of the local more the trees and water have to
Day. Logging and commercial mischief. move aside from the ego. Get two
fishing died a long time ago, and Dry pavement has a way of egos close enough and sparks begin
now, without tourism, the quaint being enticing after it goes unseen to fly. I feel bad for the wilderness;
town nestled on a small Lake during the doldrums of winter. I one fumbling idiot is enough for a
Superior bay might not exist. The headed south and west roughly 30 stretch of water to tolerate.
village has traded chainsaws and miles. Hemingway had been where The hike in was a race. The
gillnets for digital cameras and I was going; probably Traver, too. quicker you get to the stream,
tourist traps. To some, it may be Perhaps their astute literary sense the quicker the world improves.
just the eastern end of the Pictured was born in the river, and I too was I bushwhacked my way through
Rocks National Lakeshore, but for on the righteous path. The sun the brush, much like Jon Kuhn,
others, like it was to the long-ago peaked an hour before and began formerly of the U.P.'s true football
fisherman and loggers, it is the its long-winded descent towards team. I kept my head low, fore-
gateway to all that is wild and pure. the western horizon, while clouds arms in front and patience mute.
I circled the one and only gas lingered as an anomaly. We hadn't Between my truck and the stream
station twice looking for a parking had a drop of rain for at least six were a series of obstacles. There
spot. I had my eyes on a candy bar days, the aridity evident in the is a patch of easily-navigated high
and a six-pack for some post-fishing heavy dust clouding the shoulders ground, to start. From there, the
respite. The chaos of the store's of the only highway headed out of drop into the flood plain becomes
exterior transitioned seamlessly Grand Marais. increasingly difficult with each
into the nearby shops and bars. I usually like to brook trout step. Six-foot high entanglements
The parades of people, goods fish alone. The summer before, I of Canada wildrye and switchgrass
and services contrasted starkly worried I insulted my best friend hop scotched thickets of alder and
with the backdrop of sterile-blue when I suggested we split up at the bog for nearly two miles. I was
Lake Superior. On the interior, an truck. When we met up after four amazed to see bear scat littering
72 || www.michiganoutofdoors.com
the minimal bits of open ground or worry. Living is when you have water humbles my bravery to that
— how can anything live in such a three keepers in the creel and the of 10-year-old me.
place? The sweat beading down my slightest thought of heading back When I got to the final hole,
forehead reminded me of the satis- to the truck for a beer, but all the I sat on the same sandbar I have
faction that comes from working while knowing it's practically been sitting on for 16 years. You
hard on something you love. suicide to pry yourself off a trout can wiggle your legs out into the
I first came to this stretch of stream on a day as exquisite as I current, letting them get slightly
water when I was ten. My father was having. pulled downstream, totally
first fished it when he was just 16 — I wanted to get to the last bit relieving any weight from your
in 1972. He brought me here during of deep water where you can't hips and back. All that is left is to
a family vacation that primarily wade any further. The thought of put your elbows in the chilled sand
concerned beach bumming, swimming further downstream and press your face against the sun.
sightseeing and a deep meditative- crossed my mind, but there are two I took out my pocket knife and the
like relaxation on the part of my perfectly good reasons to leave it keepers from the creel, slitting cuts
parents. I didn't appreciate the be. First, there are some things best from their vents up to the gills. I
stream in its totality at the time. left alone, unknown and untouched. used my index finger to excavate
The deep, trench-like water intimi- They exist in a world amongst the guts, gills and entrails. A few
dated me. Crossing seemed like an themselves, only appearing to rattle rinses in the water, while I held the
impossibility. Every noise was a in daydreamed imagination. And trout's body in my hands, are all
bear, a mountain lion, an unknown second, the turbulent unforgiving that is needed to clean the fish. I
creature like the one hiding in my
closet. It was all so overwhelming
until a nibble came, and a nibble
was followed by a bite. Then, some
head throbbing and stream-wide
unpatterned darting came next. All
it took was an 8-inch brook trout
to finally peel my attention away
from the delusions of youthful
ignorance.
Even today, the water looks like
a man-made tunnel built for kayak
racing — oddly straight, deep, dark,
fast and endless. The changes to
the river are minor from 16 years
ago. The big hole two bends above
the doorstep used to have a skinny
maple stuck perpendicular to the
current a few feet underwater, but
recently, it's sunken and accumu-
lated sand and silt. Better now to
fish it from above rather than the
side. Just downstream from where I
hopped in, a few feeder creeks must
have dammed in the Spring, but the
holes at their confluences still look
daunting and, as expected, hold
plenty of hungry trout.
A semi-regular summer breeze
swept up the subtle valley from
the south. The switchgrass swayed
gently back and forth like the
effortless movements of a woman's
gorgeous blonde hair. I dunked
my ball cap in the water, and the
ice-cold shock made it feel good
to be alive. This is what it means
to be alive — not in an office or
answering an email, not in anger

blues, oranges and blacks that can
persist on a body without life. It
looked so inhuman and reaffirmed
my thought that all great knowl-
edge of the sublime comes from
the things furthest from
civilization.
The hike out was
brutal. If there
was a path, it was
impossible to stay
on. My father charged
through these woods
with reckless abandon,
using decade-old
broken limbs
hogtied
and mounds
you at the knees.
of dirt to
New drops of sweat crept from
show him
under the brim of my cap and
where he
dampened my flannel. I felt
came from. I
alive, but in a different way than
would trail close people. before — I almost thought about
enough behind him that his abrupt The high ground is cloaked with heading back to the steam, building
stops plunged the tip of his rod into stands of jack pine that are easy a small fire and never coming out.
my eyes. enough to spot from one another. Back at the truck, I turned up
On that day, though, I walked The dips between them, however, the radio and popped the aluminum
back with a brisk pace very much can be confused with torture lid on a less-than-desirable cold
ready to settle on my tailgate with a chambers equipped with alders bottle of beer. I took the melted
beer. I found no signs of a path, and so thick it feels like someone has ice water from my mini cooler and
it pleased me. No path means no
tossed it into a small bucket with
the catch. The slime was still thick
on the trouts' bodies, and even
though their color had faded, they
still emanated a sense of severity.
With my waders off and back to
the ribbed tailgate, the fresh air
swept across my legs, and I looked
to the newly-forming clouds in the
northern sky.
I told my girlfriend I'd be back
around seven, but it was already
eight, and the D.J. said they were
going to play Springsteen after the
commercial break — it didn't seem
right to leave. I decided I would
leave when the sun started to dim
and the trees strobed shadows
across my windshield on the
way home. The radio fluttered in
and out once, and I was 15 miles
from home. I was alone with my
thoughts, and unfortunately, my
ego. Thankfully, my ego was a
little weaker than when I left that
afternoon. It was poisoned by trout
and bludgeoned by the dharma
of woods and water — it's death
is slow, a battle counted with fish
rather than years.
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72 | www.michiganoutofdoors.com Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 75

Small Streams
Big Yields
By Andy Duffy
T
he evening was hot, and the water was low that evening at that river in that pool. When it’s good,
when my son-in-law and I stepped in the little it’s phenomenal
river. Often when we think of smallmouth bass fishing,
The river, at least as far down as I’ve ever we think of big waters. Those are the ones that seem
fished it, is small and intimate. A person armed with a to get the most publicity – Lake Erie, Saginaw Bay, the
fly rod will find wide-open casting in spots. Casting can Detroit River and others. And anglers fish other major
be tough at times, though, even for an angler with spin and well-known bass rivers — the Manistee and the
gear. Escanaba and the St. Joseph and the Muskegon, the
People haven’t been very kind to the river. It has lower Au Sable rivers and others. Because those rivers
been impounded several times just in the 30 miles or so are deep and wading can be iffy, anglers hire guides or
that I’ve fished it. The impoundments warm the water use their own boats and go on float trips that may take
and ruin it for trout if, indeed, it ever was cool enough more time than an evening. And they miss fishing a lot
for trout. The stream offers smallmouth bass habitat. of easily-waded water while they’re at it — water they
The river is full of bass. can fish after they get off work in the afternoon and
My son-in-law, Evart’s Matt Hildebrand, is an avid still make it home in time for a late dinner — because
angler and loves both small streams and smallmouth the only way to get access to it is either by boat or by
bass. He’s a former Buckeye and fished a lot of Ohio’s getting permission to access private land. But small
small bass waters in his youth. Since he moved to rivers are found all across the state. I bet I’ve fished
Michigan, I’ve taken him to numerous rivers. I’d never a dozen of them, and I’ve never looked very hard for
taken him to that one, though. I knew he would love it. them.
I hadn’t fished it in several years. Then, a week or Some of my “small” streams have familiar names.
two before I took Hildebrand with me, I’d fished it and Former Buckeye Matt Hildebrand with a smallmouth
had success. That evening, though, we were going to bass he took from a typical, small, Michigan smallmouth
fish a stretch of water I’d never fished before. bass stream. Smallmouth bass are found in small streams
The way I’d figured it, we would wade upstream a across the state.
little way and turn around and fish back down. Private
land lay on either side of the river, so we had to stay
in the water. And I figured I would rather start out
wading upstream and getting the tough part out of the
way. Fishing back down to the car would be easy.
That meant, though, we would be wading right
through pools we hoped to fish later. And, as it was late
in the summer, the water was thin except for the pools.
I was bent on ignoring the thin water and just
getting upstream as far as I wanted to go as fast as I
could. I planned to work back down and focus on the
pools. Hildebrand, though, couldn’t wait. He’d tied
on a tube jig, and he began casting it upstream as we
waded.
“That water is too thin to hold bass,” I kept telling
myself. But Hildebrand kept fooling me. He was
catching fish. Naturally, they were small. They were
little seven-, eight- and nine-inch things, but he was
catching them.
Then we came to a spot where the water deepened.
It was loaded with structure, too. It looked as if a
group of giant loggers had played jackstraws with full-
grown trees. Logs lay in jumbled masses. Were they
remains from Michigan’s lumbering days? Maybe. The
river seems too small to have ever hosted log floats, but
I couldn’t think of any other explanation. The spot was
loaded with bass, too.
That was where I wanted to begin my fishing. I
maneuvered into position some fifty feet or so away
from Hildebrand. We stood at that pool for the better
part of the evening and reeled in fish after fish. Some
of them were good fish, too, 14- and 16-inch fish
with a couple of even larger ones thrown in. That’s
Michigan smallmouth bass fishing. At least it was on

Simple tube jigs such as these are excellent smallmouth bass baits. Simply cast them out and let them tumble along a
stream’s bottom. Anglers should be ready to set their hooks as soon as anything interrupts the jig’s drift.
I put several major rivers in my small-stream comfortable than I am wading in deep water. On the
category because they are small where I fish them. Go backside of an island, though, I found perfect water
far enough upstream on a major river, and a person for me. It was no deeper on me than the mid-point of
will find a small stream. Some of them will have my thighs, and it was calm. The bass must have liked it
mostly trout in their upper reaches. Others, though, as much as I did. In a 100-yard stretch, using big, ugly
have poor trout habitat but offer phenomenal bass streamers, I caught several nice bass.
fishing right up to their headwaters. And many major Anglers have their preferred times to fish. When
Michigan rivers have smaller tributaries with good it comes to small bass rivers, I like to wait until the
bass fishing. The Little Muskegon River is just one high waters of spring have dropped to normal levels.
example; I’ve spent several memorable afternoons Many of the state’s rivers fish better in late-summer
fishing it. and fall than they do early in the season. After the
Some of the Wolverine state’s bass waters have water falls a bit, fish often stack up in pools. The rivers
been publicized by famous fishing writers. Ernest are easier to fish, then, and not just because an angler
Schwiebert wrote a fascinating account of his early can more easily pinpoint where the fish are. They can
experience with the Huron River, for example. He was get baits closer to the bottom more easily, too, and
just a tot, then. He had a small carving of a steam- near the bottom near the structure is where the bass
ship his parents had crossed the ocean aboard. He hang out. Also, as everyone knows, bass like structure.
accidentally dropped it in the water and watched a Look for fish near log jams and hugging the bottom of
fish, probably a smallmouth bass, engulf it. That’s just deep pools. They seek out hydraulic cushions. They’ll
one example of a famous fishing writer paying homage lurk around rocks. Where water flows along a bridge
to Michigan’s bass waters. A lot of Michigan’s great abutment is a great spot to find a bass. During the dog
bass water, though, goes unheralded. That’s OK. When days of summer, bass also lie below the confluence of
nobody talks about them, rivers go unfished. It’s nice creeks and larger rivers.
to have water to ourselves. Smallmouth bass angling remains good from
Even though this article is focused on small summer right into the fall months. A friend of mine
waters, some major rivers have all the attributes I’m was once an avid bow hunter. After an arm injury
discussing — easily-waded water chock-full of bass. made it difficult for him to draw a bow, he began bass
Once a person learns a river, he can often find an easy- fishing. That is how he now spends his fall months.
to-wade portion perfect for an evening’s fishing. And bass streams are nearly deserted once salmon
I have found and fished such waters on both the begin entering our rivers and hunting seasons open.
Kalamazoo and the Grand rivers. On the Kalamazoo, What lures should a person use?
I was fishing with a buddy who is much more Mark Tonello, a Michigan DNR biologist, likes
Rapala husky jerks and crawfish-imitating lures such
as tube jigs. I concur. Bronzebacks seem to have a
particular affinity for crayfish.
How long into the fall will bass keep hitting?
According to Tonello, the bass angling improves as
the water cools, and they will keep hitting well until
the water sinks down into the 50-degree temperature
range somewhere. I believe that.
People love bass, of course, for their savagery.
Trout will often sip tiny insects off the surface of a
river. Bass, like pike, often attack things. But bass
can also be gentle hitters. Anglers should remember
that. When an angler is letting the current roll a tube
jig along the bottom, for example, he should strike at
the slightest hesitation in the drift. The lure was very
likely picked up by a bass.
During the summer months, I like to wade wet. I
just pull on an old pair of blue jeans and an old pair of
tennis shoes and wade right in. That’s the thing about
small streams. Fishing them seems like a fun, relaxing
thing to do. There’s no need to make a big deal about
fishing them. We don’t need a boat or any fancy gear.
A lightweight rod is nice because one makes detecting
strikes easier. Given a rod, a handful of lures and an
old pair of tennis shoes, though, everything else is
superfluous. Michigan has lots of great activities to
enjoy, but I can’t think of anything more fun than
going out to a small stream and cleaning up on small-
mouth bass.
Right: This bronzeback hit a tube bait fished in an
easily waded small, Michigan stream. Good streams are
numerous in Michigan. When the water requires boats,
anglers can still catch bass as Erin Hildebrand proved.
Still, we can find lots of bass in small, easily waded
waters.

A Cooperative Decade:
Southern Mecosta Whitetail Management Association
By Morgan Jennings Co-op guidelines are not meant (SMWMA) for their long-term
MUCC Wildlife Cooperative to be regulatory in nature but efforts to improve whitetail deer
Coordinator instead help members reach their health and hunting in their area.
management goals most efficiently SMWMA was chosen for this
The Michigan Wildlife while simultaneously enhancing feature after participating in and
Cooperatives Program was started wildlife habitat. As a state that is winning a doe harvest contest that
in 2015. Since its establishment in 72 percent privately owned, the was held in the CWD core coun-
Michigan, over 130 co-ops have been proper management of wildlife on ties that were part of an antler
created, totaling 352,000 acres of that land is critically important to a point restriction (APR) field study.
private land. This property includes species overall health at a statewide The contest was initiated by the
all land being managed under a level. Co-op goals can include program to encourage doe harvest.
wildlife co-op's guidelines, which improving neighbor relations, iden- Adequate doe harvest is a critical
can vary between each group. tifying and implementing habitat component to having a balanced
These guidelines are set according improvement projects, improving deer herd and can be important in
to the best management practices buck-age structure, increasing disease management areas where
for the wildlife and habitat in the the number of pheasants on the deer density can affect transmis-
area and usually with the help of landscape, completing habitat and sion rates. Entry required proof
conservation professionals and population surveys to get a better that the doe was turned in for CWD
organization leaders — especially understanding of the landscape and testing. The core counties for the
those that financially support the harvesting an adequate number of 2019-2020 deer season included in
program. These supporters include does. this study were Mecosta, Montcalm
Michigan United Conservation Oftentimes, co-ops will and Ionia.
Clubs (MUCC), Michigan participate in activities that Harold Wolf, leader of
Department of Natural Resources accomplish more than one of these SMWMA, and his father planted
(MDNR), Pheasants Forever (PF) goals at one time. This article the co-op seed in 1998. They held
and the Quality Deer Management features the Southern Mecosta a meeting at their cabin, invited
Association (QDMA). Whitetail Management Association the four bordering neighbors and
shared a bowl of venison chili. that he thought "it was a fun way to better land stewards by utilizing
Their intent was to open the discus- incentivize their group to meet the the resources around you.
sion to starting a co-op, but it didn't MDNR benchmark in order to keep On a final note from the SMWMA
take off. APRs in the county." founder, "I would like to start a
"My father passed away in 2000. "Co-ops are a microcosm in the 'congratulations movement.' I am
Starting a co-op was something state — we have hunters that will a proud QDMA member, and as
important to both of us, so in disagree on issues like baiting and a co-op leader, I support quality
the spring of 2009, I put together CWD management. It all comes deer management as a tool, but
another meeting," Wolf said. "This down to respect. We, as hunters, just like anything else, there are
time, I invited everyone within a have to respect each other," Wolf unintended consequences. I believe
2-mile radius, and we had about 20 said. deer shaming is the number one
in attendance. SMWMA was born." Wolf also explained that staying threat to our hunting future and
Over a decade later, Wolf says positive as a leader, especially in hunter numbers. In order to recruit
that it really is unbelievable how the face of disease, is important. and retain hunters, we have to stop
the co-op has changed every aspect "CWD is awful, but I believe we this. If we take the fun and joy out
of hunting. "Before our co-op, we have the knowledge to deal with of the hunt, we all lose. I believe
didn't even communicate with our it as long as we work together. I when we encounter a hunter with
neighbors. Now, I couldn't even believe in a scientific approach. I a legally and ethically harvested
count the friends I've made." don't really care what is best for deer, one word should come out
"In the last 11 years, we have me or you as a deer hunter: I want of our mouths — congratulations.
averaged eight doe a year and two what's best for the Michigan white- Respecting each other through all
bucks a year. We haven't harvested tail deer herd." our differences is the only way we
a 1.5-year-old buck in that 11 years. SMWMA is certainly making will grow this incredible past time
As far as management goes, being a positive impact on conservation we all love."
cognizant of our deer herd and after completing 2,000 acres worth Co-ops have proven to be a
our responsibility to manage and of habitat improvement projects, lifeline in connecting hunters of
maintain it really makes hunting a including food plots, timber stand different ages, backgrounds and
year-round process," Wolf said improvement, grassland plantings even interests while providing a
As of January 2020, SMWMA and providing edge cover. They secure platform for individuals to
totals 15,000 acres between their have also collectively mentored express themselves and learn new
100 members and 75 landowners more than 100 youth hunters, 50 methods of wildlife management.
involved. adult hunters and donated 500 The SMWMA is a perfect example
SMWMA excels at bringing pounds of wild game throughout of the Wildlife Cooperatives
people together — which is, by their 11 years of existence. Program at work and positively
definition, what a co-op is all about, The power of cooperatives impacting wildlife and hunting
and it has certainly contributed to comes from a willingness to in Michigan. Thank you for your
their success. Members engage at embrace your strengths, weak- efforts!
multiple annual events, including a nesses and your neighbors and
coyote hunt, a turkey photo contest, challenge each other to become
a co-op banquet, a 3D target shoot,
a September youth buck pole
and a November buck pole. On a
professional level, the group has
completed browse surveys with
the co-op coordinator, hosted a
pollinator workshop, attends the
annual Deer Rendezvous event and
works closely with DNR biologist,
Pete Kailing.
The co-op is also involved at
a community level paying for
the National Archery in School
Program (NASP) in local schools
and purchasing trail cameras for
their county's DNR Conservation
Officers.
Wolf was an active participant
in the doe harvest contest, along
with other co-op members, saying

Harry Whiteley:
Adventurer and Advocate
By Rick Fowler
M
ichigan has cleaner
water, more fish, better
parks, more game for
hunters and a more
conducive environment due in
large part to Harry Whiteley's
unselfish devotion to these vital
elements and our quality of
life. Whiteley's drive to better
Michigan's outdoors coincided
with his 25 years of service on the
Natural Resources Commission
(NRC), including six terms as
Chairman, which is more than
any other person in the 97-year
history of the commission. With
those 25 years on Michigan's top
conservation body, Whiteley carried
on a family legacy. Indeed, his Uncle
Harry had served 21 years on the
same commission and is the "father"
of Warren Dunes State Park. Also,
his Grandfather Paul Hoeft donated
300 acres of land on Lake Huron,
which is now a state park, too.
Whiteley once wrote, "The
happiest people are those who are
more concerned about other people
than about themselves." With the
DNA of public service instilled in
his pedigree, it is no surprise he
led the way for so many positive
events in Michigan's recreational
pursuits. The late Grand Rapids
Press newsman Ray Voss stated,
"Harry Whiteley is the real balance
between the preservationists and the
exploiters. He reduced complicated
problems to basics." Harry will
tell anyone that, "My stint on the
conservation commission was indeed
an adventurous and educational
part of my life. I made wonderful
friends and learned a great deal
about our state." This says nothing
of the regulations, improvements
and legislation introduced to make
Michigan's outdoors desirable for newspapers and various other of thinking instead of reporting the
all. We have these magical places to memorabilia that adorn his walls news." Harry, in fact, did reach the
visit, to hike, to hunt and to fish due and on the desktops of his current century mark late last fall, yet his
in large part to Whiteley's leadership home office. memories and reflection remain
during his commission tenure. Another significant event in abundant to this vibrant writer,
Harry was an accomplished Whiteley's long life was being a statesman, politician and caretaker
journalist, of course, with hundreds member of the Michigan Outdoor of Michigan's outdoors and adven-
of articles appearing in a variety Writer's Association (MOWA). "I was turer. "I feel all my experiences were
of magazines and papers. In fact, so proud to be president. I made so made possible by being in the right
his family owned the newspaper in many wonderful friends with this place at the right time. I had more
Rogers City for decades. Yet, Harry organization. The people I hunted great experiences then anyone could
was also a salesman, a politician, and fished with for so many years imagine." Six years ago, when he
a devoted friend, a caring family were these outdoor writers. This completed his book, he offered this
man and son in addition to being organization made possible many statement, "It's been a long journey
an advocate of outdoor recreation long-lasting friendships and perhaps and a great ride, but it's not over."
and protecting Michigan's natural some accomplishments, and of It is abundantly clear to me
resources. These traits would course, some fun times." that I am far luckier than Harry
eventually take him on a myriad Harry has been a MOWAN since 1969 Whiteley after our conversation.
of adventures in his lifetime. and is a deserving lifetime member I had been able to accompany him
Today, he can reflect back on of this outdoor association. on these adventures through our
serving five Michigan Governors: Whiteley retired from the interview, our many visits and
John Swainson, George Romney, newspaper business in 1984 and the viewing his archives. Harry still
William Milliken, Jim Blanchard Michigan Conservation Commission writes a monthly column. Many
and John Engler. He was invited in 1985. Yet, he wasn't going to retire months ago, he published one
to hear the address that General and do house chores. "Instead, I titled "A Fighter to the End." It
Douglas MacArthur gave at the rented a small office, had a phone, was a tribute to a very good friend
Press Association in East Lansing, my typewriter and the morning who had recently passed. Ever the
attended Dwight Eisenhower's press newspaper delivered and a plush constant, he is still concerned more
conference in Detroit and showed chair. I was very content, kept about other people than himself.
his support for President Nixon at a involved in community affairs and As another generation, we need
convention in Chicago. In 1962 while never looked back." to realize that thousands of these
a board member of the Michigan In his book, "My Memories libraries are closing daily. We need
Press Association, he was invited 1919-2014 A Lifetime of Adventure," to tap into them. Harry Whiteley
to a White House luncheon hosted Whiteley explains that he has is a proud man who needs few
by President Kennedy. Harry did observed so many things in his accolades. Indeed, men like him are
indeed embark on many memorable century of life. However, two are ordinary people, but yet the founda-
adventures. very important to him: "It saddens tion of the American way of life.
Yes, he has met a lot of people, me to see the breakdown of our Our job is to listen to their stories,
made a lot of friends, traveled culture, which has been the root learn from their experiences and
extensively and has served his state of many troubles for the younger know what they are teaching us
and its populace admirably, but one generation. Secondly, I am irritated needs to be passed on to another
of the highlights of his career was the way commentators and news generation of hunters, anglers and
being appointed to the Great Lakes reporters have become politicians outdoor enthusiasts before it's too
Fishery Commission by President swaying the populace to their way late.
H.W. Bush. "It was a surprise when
the FBI checked me out. I guess
that's routine." He also explained
"how wonderful it was to be given
a Lifetime Achievement awards
from both the city and Chamber of
Commerce. Plus to have the Natural
Resources Commission name one
of the state buildings after me
(the Harry Whiteley Educational
Building) at the RAM Center in
Higgins Lake in 2013 was a pretty
humbling experience for which I
will always be grateful." That says a
lot considering the plaques, photos,

Q&A With MWC Chair Matt Pedigo
Members of the Michigan Wildlife Council attend the unveiling of an exhibit at the Michigan History Center in Lansing.
The exhibit highlights a number of important wildlife conservation success stories, such as the Kirtland’s warbler and
elk. From left to right: Kristin Phillips, Matt Pedigo, Hank Stancato, Beth Gruden, Nick Buggia and Carol Rose. Not
pictured: Jeff Poet and Ed Roy.
A
sk your neighbor about wildlife management and conserva- $1 from every hunting and fishing
the importance of tion efforts. license. Our message has reached
hunting and fishing in MWC Chair Matt Pedigo every corner of Michigan, but
Michigan and you’ll likely discusses the council’s ongoing especially in Southeast and West
get a more positive reaction than work and how it’s helping change Michigan.
you would have received five years hearts and minds across the state:
ago. What are you trying to
That’s thanks, in large part, Tell us about the Michigan accomplish?
to the Michigan Wildlife Council Wildlife Council
(MWC). Over the last five years, Let’s face it: Not everyone in
the council created a first-of-its- The Michigan Legislature Michigan gets hunting and fishing.
kind public education campaign created the council in 2013 Maybe they never had the chance to
in Michigan and is steadily with overwhelming bipartisan wade into a trout stream. Or walk
building the case that scientifically support from lawmakers. We were through a field with a retriever at
based conservation and wildlife entrusted with educating the public their side. And that’s OK.
management practices – including about the importance of wildlife But it’s also why the Michigan
regulated hunting and fishing – are management and conservation and Wildlife Council’s work is so impor-
essential to preserving Michigan’s — the key role that sportsmen and tant: Because the more the public
cherished outdoor resources. sportswomen play in preserving understands the vital role hunting,
The MWC shares its message Michigan’s great outdoor heritage fishing and wildlife management
across the state through unique for future generations. play in protecting Michigan’s
billboards, TV and radio spots, Our board is made up of water and woods, the more likely
social media posts and newspaper volunteers from all walks of life they are to accept those activities.
stories that explain the many who love the state of Michigan and And acceptance is key to growing
ways Michigan’s quality of life is the outdoors. The public education overall appreciation for our wildlife
inextricably tied to our world-class campaign itself is funded through and natural resources – ensuring
Michigan’s outdoor heritage will recognition of the positive impact What’s next for the Michigan
remain for generations to come. hunting and fishing have on Wildlife Council?
Our mission is not to recruit Michigan.
new sportsmen and sportswomen. New research we commis- We’re excited by the numbers
Our focus is helping non-hunters sioned shows growing appreciation we see and how hunting and fishing
and -anglers understand the impor- among the general public for the are widely accepted as part of
tance of what hunters and anglers conservation and economic benefits Michigan’s heritage and culture.
love doing. sportsmen and women generate for But there’s still a lack of under-
We’ve also worked really hard the state. The survey also showed standing about:
to explain to people that it’s the that 73% of state residents correctly 1) The connection between
sale of hunting and fishing licenses identify hunting and fishing licenses hunting and fishing and the
that pays for the vast majority of as the largest sources of funding management, conservation and
conservation work in our state. That for wildlife management work in protection of the state’s natural
money does not come from state Michigan. resources
taxes, which even many sportsmen About three-quarters of 2) The economic impact of
don’t realize. people also said they believe that hunting and fishing
And the council routinely points the hunting and fishing industry 3) The role of hunters and
to Michigan United Conservation contributes significantly to anglers as conservationists
Clubs’ research showing that Michigan’s economic well-being. I believe the more our target
hunting and fishing activity gener- Other key survey findings audiences understand these
ates more than $11.2 billion annu- include the fact that approval important topics, the more likely
ally for the state’s economy. of hunting and fishing remains they are to appreciate the benefits
high across all geographic and of hunting and fishing and the
Is it working? demographic groups, with 86% of role hunters and anglers play in
Michiganders approving of recre- Michigan.
We’re moving the needle, for ational fishing and 83% approving I’m proud to be part of the
sure. Since the campaign launch of legal, regulated hunting. solution.
in 2016, we’re seeing a great That’s pretty amazing.
Let's Double-dip
Summer-run Fish
By Jim Bedford
Michigan has never shown much interest in
summer-run anadromous salmon and steelhead. We
imported the toolie strain of chinook salmon because
it was known as strictly an ocean-sport fish species.
These salmon would turn dark in the Pacific and be
ready to spawn when they arrived in the tributary
rivers. There was even talk in Michigan of the
state trying to harvest these fish when they started
upstream in Michigan.
The DNR stated correctly that these fish don’t feed
in the tributary rivers. And this belief, sadly, led to
the allowing of snagging of these fish. This was a big
black mark on our sportfishing ethic.
These fish can’t swallow or digest food on their run
up the rivers, but they sure can protect their territory
by annihilating lures. They also will take in and hold
on to the fish eggs that were important to their diet as
they grew to smolting size.
Mother Nature came to the rescue for us river rats
as over many generations, a summer run of chinook
developed. Through natural selection, more and more The author poses with a summer-run steelhead on an
of these fish ran earlier and earlier. Apparently, the orange spinner before releasing it back into the river.
earlier running fish were more successful at repro-
ducing themselves in our northern Lake Michigan winter-run steelhead is evidence that is probably not a
tributaries. There will be fishable numbers in July in big concern.
the Little Manistee and most other northern rivers by I believe summer water temperatures probably
the second half of August. play the most important role relative to inconsistent
Right now, summer steelhead are only planted in runs of these fish.
the Manistee River by Michigan DNR. Indiana plants As stated above, both the St. Joseph River and
the St. Joseph River and, of course, those steelhead Manistee River, where the entire Michigan stocking
have to travel through Michigan to get to the Hoosier goes, are often too warm. Despite several years of
state. The problem is that both rivers are too warm attempting to cool the water discharged from the
for the steelhead. Cool weather is needed to allow turbines at Tippy Dam by upwelling colder water from
steelhead to run these large rivers. This is especially the bottom of the impoundment with compressed
true for the St. Joe, where the water temperature air, the water temperature often remains in the low
often spends time in the 80s. The Manistee is cooler, 70s around the clock for weeks at a time. Summer
but once the Tippy Dam impoundment warms up, the steelhead can survive water temperatures in the lower
steelhead are faced with a 24/7 water temperature in 70s for periods of time, but it is very stressful on them
the low 70s. There is no overnight cooling to give the when this goes on for weeks. And, stressed fish don’t
fish a break. Michigan DNR has never shown much bite very well.
interest in expanding summer steelhead stocking. My suggestion for an initial new river to stock
They cite inconsistent returns and the concern that Skamania strain steelhead would be Bear Creek, a
they might interbreed with wild Michigan steelhead tributary that flows into the Big Manistee below Tippy
and dilute their special adaptive qualities. I think the Dam. The advantage here as we look for new places
continuing modest run of wild summer steelhead to for this fish is that the first step would not be in a new
the Pere Marquette River without affecting the wild river system. Bear Creek is not an especially cold
stream, but it would be a rare event for it not to cool
into the 60s overnight. It already supports strong
runs of wild steelhead and chinook salmon. It is also
undammed, and that seems to be especially advanta-
geous for summer steelhead. These fish seem to do
much better when a dam doesn’t force them to stack
up. While the spring run of steelhead into Bear Creek
is usually consistently strong, the fall run is another
story. Adding summer steelhead to its waters would
help make the fall steelhead fishing here much more
dependable.
Another prime candidate for summer steelhead
would be the White River if, and it is a big if, we could
finally remove the Hesperia and White Cloud dams.
Like the low head Homestead Dam on the Betsie,
we could do the same at Hesperia as a barrier to sea
lamprey. Cooling the river will also be a real positive
for resident trout, especially between the two towns.
The expansion of the stocking of Atlantic salmon
in Lake Huron should also add another anadromous
fish for the summer river angler. But so far, the new
sites for these great river game fish have been harbors
or the too warm lower Au Sable River. There is a fall
fishery for Atlantics in the Au Sable, but it would great
if stream anglers got a crack at these fish when they
are silver, fresh-run fish in July and August.
The East Branch of the Au Gres and the Rifle
River would seem to be possible stocking sites for
Atlantics. While the lower parts of these rivers can
be a bit warm during hot weather, the upper parts of Lynda Hayslette admires a summer-run steelhead in her
both are cooler, and there are many cold tributaries in net.
each. I also strongly believe that we should consider
these streams for summer steelhead. They are both to make up a proportionally larger part of the Lake
free-flowing and under fished in the summer. Michigan catch of steelhead. If this is true, and I think
Another point to make is that as Lake Michigan it is, more summer steelhead will help the Big Lake
follows what happened in Lake Huron and transitions fishery too. Of course, they will also be important to
to a new food chain — from a plankton-alewife- the trollers as they zero in on the spawning tributaries
salmonid one to a plankton-quagga mussel-goby- during the summer, not well into the fall like our
salmonid chain, steelhead may become the primary winter-run steelhead.
silver target in Lake Michigan since we already know Let’s take advantage of these anadromous salmo-
that chinook salmon are very dependent on pelagic nids and increase the chances of catching them in
bait fish like the alewife and are rapidly trending tributaries in the summer. We need to double-dip on
downward. Summer steelhead have always seemed these special fish.

Michigan Hydroelectric
Relicensing Coalition
By Charlie Booher
Boardman River near Traverse City, MI
M
ichigan anglers are on anglers and conservationists. Commission (FERC) by the Federal
the water again this The coalition allied itself with Power Act. This New Deal-era
summer, but our lakes the resource scientists of the legislation brought control of these
and rivers are always Michigan Department of Natural waterways onto the federal stage,
in need of a watchdog. Michigan Resources (MDNR), the U.S. Fish where it has stayed ever since.
United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and Before this, states determined
is on the front lines, defending the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). which companies could build
the robust fisheries resources of All of these groups sought a more dams and where on an individual
the state of Michigan for your environmentally-friendly manage- basis, creating inconsistencies
enjoyment in a variety of ways— ment structure for these hydro across watersheds. FERC has
through the Natural Resources projects that would be favorable to since expanded as an independent
Commission, the Michigan legis- these rivers' ecosystems — and the agency to oversee all interstate
lature, in Congress, and through fish that rely on them. transmission of electricity, natural
unique partnerships. For the last 29 Hydropower dams were once gas and oil with a mission of
years, some of our work behind the lauded as a source of renewable creating and distributing a reliable
scenes has been through a coalition energy and are found on many supply of energy for consumers.
of MUCC and fishing groups known of our nation's rivers; however, FERC oversees a process
as the Michigan Hydroelectric they are not without impact. of maintaining balance among
Relicensing Coalition (MHRC). While hydropower is considered a the needs of our homes and the
The MHRC is a coalition of renewable form of energy, it also economy, as well as the health
four statewide, nonprofit conserva- has the potential to alter river flow and vitality of the rivers. While
tion groups who are dedicated to regimes, block the migration of the Federal Power Act allows
responsibly managing the waters fish, injure or kill fish entrapped in federal and state agencies to make
of the state. The group was formed the turbines, impair downstream recommendations to benefit fish
in 1991 when Consumers Energy water quality through warming and wildlife in the hydropower
sought to renew licenses for its and fragment riverine ecosystems. licensing process, many of the
hydroelectric dams on the Au Today, there are more than 50 original licenses gave production
Sable, Manistee and Muskegon hydropower projects on Michigan the highest priority. These prac-
Rivers. At the time, Michigan rivers. tices often harmed the fisheries
United Conservation Clubs joined With these trade-offs in mind, of Michigan's rivers, especially
forces with Trout Unlimited, the it is essential that these facilities by changing the fluctuations
Anglers of the Au Sable and the are regulated in some way. In 1935, in streamflow. The practice of
Great Lakes Council of Fly Fishers this responsibility was delegated "peaking" was often employed,
International to give a voice to to the Federal Energy Regulatory where utility companies would
hold back water during periods formal "intervenor" in the process and angler priorities at Consumers
of low demand for electricity and of licensing of hydroelectric dams Energy's 11 hydropower projects
release it later to generate elec- in Michigan. Being an intervenor on the Au Sable, Manistee and
tricity during high demand. While gives the MHRC legal standing in Muskegon Rivers. This partnership
this met the needs of consumers, the FERC licensing process, as the led to the negotiation of a land-
the daily cycle of flooding and outcome may affect the interests of mark settlement agreement with
de-watering was not good for the the public who use and enjoy our Consumers. Through this settle-
fish, as it caused erosion, destroyed rivers. ment, FERC issued new license
stream habitat and created water MHRC has been involved in the terms that adopted:
conditions that were not livable for relicensing of 86 hydroelectric proj- run-of-river operations,
a lot of aquatic life. ects affecting 26 rivers, including water quality improvements to
FERC typically grants 30-year Consumers Energy hydroelectric offset downstream warming,
licenses to utilities to use public projects on the Au Sable, Manistee, erosion control to address former
waters for energy generation. Thus, and Muskegon Rivers, Eagle Creek peaking impacts,
when a utility seeks to renew a Renewable Energy projects on mitigation for turbine fish
hydropower license, it presents the Thunder Bay River, Upper mortality,
an opportunity to balance power Peninsula Power Company's Bond recreation facility improvements,
generation with restoring healthy Falls projects on the Ontonagon protection of riparian lands for
rivers and providing quality recre- River and WE Energies' Menominee the benefit of sensitive species and
ation by including provisions in the River basin projects. The MHRC heritage resources, and
license for the protection of water has also been a critical player in the removal of Stronach Dam, a
quality, fish passage and protection the license surrender, decommis- defunct hydro project on the Pine
of federal lands. MUCC and our sioning and subsequent removal of River tributary to the Manistee
partners in the MHRC come to the three dams on the Boardman River. River.
table to advocate for this balance In 1991, in the first case with This landmark settlement also
and for the maintenance of robust MHRC at the table, the coalition laid the foundation for ensuing
fisheries in Michigan rivers. joined state and federal agencies to hydropower relicensing settlements
The MHRC participates as a advocate for a number of fisheries on other Michigan river systems.
Fall 2019 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 89

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st C
reek GRAND TRAVERSE 66
H il lto p R d Vo ice R d
re ek
Par
ker
Cree
Boardman River Natural River System
nC
Yo u k e r R d k
st o
K n ig h t R d
ain
B an
Sw
M ille r R d
Kingsley
Legend
c ro
113 F e n to n S t
Jac k son Cre ek
ft C
186 Designated Natural River

reek
S c h e ll R d
Lakes and Rivers
Fife Lake
To w n lin e R d
Highway
W C e n te r R d E C e n te r R d Major Road
Manistee Other Road
Watershed W a lto n R d
Railroads
C o u nt y R o a d 6 3 3
Watershed Boundary
S u m m it C ity R d
B la c km a n R d
Cities
An d e
County Boundary
rso
n Creek
W C o u n ty L i n e R d N u m b e r Tw o R d
0 0.5 1 2 Miles
d
WEXFORD 131
N 2 9 1 /2 R d
R
Buckley
2
1/
2
N
Since 1991, the coalition has partici- restoration and conservation work opportunities for recreation along
pated in every settlement reached on the rivers. Implementation the river and better supports the
in Michigan over the last 29 years, teams ensure that hydropower ecosystems that rely on its flow —
and we will be involved in every project compliance requirements from the tributaries near Kalkaska
one in the future. These settlements are adhered to, oversee the to the mouth in Grand Traverse
are advantageous to all parties distribution of mitigation funds Bay. This 28-mile river is a living
as they provide a measure of for needed restoration work and testament to the ability of the coali-
certainty, especially for the utility resolve issues that invariably arise tion to work for the betterment of
that owns a hydro project. Like over time regarding the operating fish and anglers in Michigan.
any business, utility companies licenses. The MHRC remains a
want as much certainty as possible, The MHRC also encourages strong coalition of grassroots
and this process helps to provide the removal of dams that are not organizations giving voice to
an agreement between all of the consistent with good stewardship everyday citizens with interest
parties involved. of a river system. MHRC was a key in Michigan's rivers, and MUCC
In addition to these negotia- player in the Boardman River resto- provides leadership and fiduciary
tions, the coalition is also a member ration and worked with the project support. Through the coalition's
of the implementation teams for owners, state and federal agencies, Executive Director Bob Stuber and
the hydro relicensing settlement and Tribes to remove three hydro members, MHRC has raised the
agreements, joining the state dams that were no longer economi- public's awareness of river issues
and federal agencies, Tribes and cally feasible to operate. Through and supports the state and federal
project owners. While settlement this settlement, approximately five resource agencies and Tribes
agreements secure the commit- miles of the Boardman River were entrusted with the stewardship
ments to protect and restore rivers, restored to a free-flowing state. of our rivers. In addition to these
implementation teams facilitate This has opened up numerous regular members, the C.S. Mott
Hardy Dam Impounds
the Muskegon River
Foundation generously supports remember the important work Below: The South Union
the work of the coalition and is a that MUCC does to maintain and
proud partner of MUCC to ensure conserve those experiences. Street Bridge over the
the long-term conservation of Boardman River.
freshwater ecosystems by strength-
ening the conservation community
and informing the development of
water policy. The MHRC is a well-
established, professional member
in the hydropower relicensing
process and has built strong
relationships with members of the
industry, state and federal agen-
cies, and Native American Tribes
over the past 29 years. Foremost, it
remains a passionate advocate for
addressing conservation, environ-
mental, and recreation concerns at
hydropower projects on Michigan
rivers. This work continues to
protect our passion for angling and
for the fish that we so enjoy. So, as
you float down a river in a canoe
this summer or troll for trout or
salmon on one of the Great Lakes,

Conservation Through Education
Recreational Archery is Creating Hunters
By Shaun McKeon instructors. The success of their know many of the staff from partic-
program has grown over the years, ipating in previous programs. The
MUCC Education Director
and it is due primarily to the vision barrier to entry for a seven-week
The previous two columns I he and his coworkers have shared. program is low, and it allows class
have written have talked about the From 2011 to 2013, the recreation participants to learn techniques,
importance of recruiting, retaining department offered basic archery build skills and try equipment before
and reactivating new people into instruction and camps anywhere deciding to continue by purchasing
the hunting community. They have they could. Classes took place in their equipment. Based on survey
highlighted programs with a more schools, gyms and sports fields. The data collected, Brian began to see a
traditional approach through the department knew to grow it the trend in people trying recreational
model: recruiting youth and people program would need a permanent archery and wanting to continue
who may have already found their home. to learn. They introduced archery
way into hunting and fishing on their In 2015, through a community camps, where participants learn
own. For this article, I am going to park millage and several sponsor- about archery, hunting and conserva-
focus on the recruitment side from a ships, including that of the George tion. They also created a bow-fishing
F. Riley Foundation and SCI-Novi program to continue to add ways to
less-traditional gateway — your local
(who also sponsors 80 youth to the expand people’s opportunities.
Parks and Recreation Department.
The city of Farmington Hills and Michigan Out-of-Doors Summer In 2017, with support for the
Camp), Farmington Hills built a Archery Trade Association, Easton
its Parks and Recreation department
has been welcoming and encour- state-of-the-art permanent archery Foundation and USA archery,
aging people to become part of the range to give its archery program a an archery focus area began in
hunting community through their home. With a range established and Michigan through the Michigan
archery program for the better part programs that continued to grow, Parks and Recreation Association.
of a decade. This archery program Brian began to think about how he The trade group and manufacturers
began when a few staff signed up could branch out and help introduce provided 10 recreation departments
to become USA Archery trained more people to archery. In his mind, with all of the equipment necessary
instructors in 2011 to run local “Parks and Rec are one of the best to run programs. The initial upfront
programs. Throughout several years, recruitment opportunities to reach investment was $120,000.
more people directly in communities, Two years later, those 10
the program morphed into a regional
as that is where people look for programs have grown to expand into
leader in spreading community
the activities of interest in most 15 programs. At the end of 2019, these
archery throughout the state.
communities.” departments provided their program
Brian Farmer is the Deputy
Municipal recreation depart- members a survey with a focus on
Director for Parks and Recreation
ments serve as a gateway for trying participation, and a snapshot of their
for the City of Farmington Hills,
new activities. Residents are familiar results follow:
and he is one of the original archery
with their programs and may even
9,640 people participated in parks
and recreation archery programs
throughout fifteen communities in
Michigan.
6,970 (72%) people had never shot a

bow before or had not shot a bow in a
long time. 2,670 (28%) people shoot a
bow regularly.
4,754 (49%) participants purchased

target archery or hunting equipment in
the last 1-2 years, spending a total of
$2,684,726.
7,653 (79%) people are interested in

target archery or competitions.
4,298 (49%) participants are interested
in hunting. Only 1,465 (15%) of those
people currently hunt.
5,210 (54%) people are interested in

bow-fishing 522 (5%) people have
bow-fished.
4,894 (50%) of the people said that they

want more information about hunting
and bow-fishing opportunities.
Based on the success in funding to construct a range in 2020. for long-term recruitment goals. As
Farmington Hills and the archery With the support of Lori Burford of the data from this program shows,
focus group, “The ultimate goal Michigan DNR and the funds from community recreation is helping to
is to build archery ranges in local PR dollars, the plan is to build two to connect people to hunting. A closing
parks, which will lead to more people four more ranges in local parks each thought from Farmer: “Parks and
hunting. Marshall will be building year,” Farmer said. rec must continue to connect with
a range like the one in Farmington Increasing the opportunity for outdoor/hunting organizations to
Hills this year, and we expect that local communities to support their show that people will become hunters
one other community will receive residents through archery bodes well if we give them the opportunity.”.

Throwback: This article was originally published in July 2000
Go Deep for Bass

By Jim Barta
I'd wager that the largest can be jigged, popped, dropped
areas.
portion of most bass angler's or crawled through weeds, rocks,
Although weedless spoons,
fishing efforts is spent target wood or open water. Few lures
spinnerbaits and Texas-rigged
casting to shallow-water structure. are more versatile than tube baits
plastic worms often are preferred
There are times, however, when the and few are easier to fish. When
by anglers in these locations, such
vast majority of largemouth and changing from shallow-water
lures can't provide an angler with
smallmouth aren't in the shallows. techniques to deep-water tactics,
the important deep-water informa-
In fact, much of the time, most simply going to a heavier lead jig
tion that a jig can. Naturally, jigs
large, mature bass can be located head can be all that's required.
with exposed hooks will foul up in
along deep points, submerged river One of bass fishing's oldest
weeds, but that is precisely why
channels or holding within deep- techniques, the Carolina rig, is
they are of great value to anglers
water structure. normally associated with 6-inch
seeking deep-weed bass. By using
This is supported by biol- plastic worms or lizards ahead
these jigs, astute anglers learn to
ogists, bass guides and many of the standard weight, bead and
map deep edge contours of vegeta-
of Michigan's top bass anglers, swivel. Adding a 3-inch tube bait
tion and discover productive bass
including Wes Strickland, who in place of the longer plastic worm
hangouts. Learning to pinpoint
has logged hundreds of hours and shortening the standard
distinct breaks between thick
documenting fish patterns and Carolina-rigged leader from 36
weeds and open water can give
targeting bass at different stages of inches to only 12 can be incredibly
anglers a definite advantage over
the season. effective for deep-holding small-
those who simply cast blindly over
"Working shallow water for mouth bass. They are instinctively
a location.
bass can be a lot of fun as long as drawn to the clicking noise of the
With large schools of mature
you're able to find them there," weight tapping small rocks along
bass often found along these deep
said Strickland, an experienced the bottom. Upon investigation, the
edges, anglers will want to present
Lake St. Clair guide and member first thing bass see is the trailing
their jig in a manner that allows
of Wonderland Marine West's tube and what they perceive as an
it to spend the greatest amount of
Team Stratos. "Shortly after a brief easy meal.
time in the strike zone. Thus, casts
spawning period in the spring, most The most effective way to use a
made parallel to the edges are the
of the largest bass tend to move off jig or tube along a deep weed line is
most productive.
their shallow-water beds and work from a boat with its bow positioned
When a typical stand-up style
their way into much deeper water. a few yards out from the weed edge.
jig hangs in the weeds, a sharp snap
I believe that boating pressure Ideally, as the boat drifts perpendic-
of the rod tip frequently jerks it
quickly drives them into areas ular to the vegetation, two anglers
free. A 6 ½-7-foot heavy, fast-action
that give them a better sense of cast jigs parallel to the edge.
rod is best in these circumstances.
security." To locate the weed edge, cast
The stiff action in the rod's tip
Unfortunately, when bass are and retrieve to find where the
quickly snaps the jig clear of any
deep, most people have a tough time weeds are thickest, then cast deeper
weeds that cling to it and hang
locating and catching them. That to find where the weeds are sparse.
up. Short, quick jerks should be
doesn't have to be. By pinpointing Continue until you locate a defined
attempted at first and gradually
key structures that attract and hold edge between weeds and open
increased until the jig falls free.
deep bass, and then presenting water. This is where most bass can
Often, this darting of the lure from
lures and baits correctly, anglers be found and where anglers should
the weeds will trigger bass into
can dupe these fish into striking as concentrate their effort.
striking. An exposed hook also
readily as in shallow water. Crankbaits are among the most
increases the number of hooked
Deep weed edges are prime versatile deep-water bass lures.
fish per hit when compared with
locations for bass waiting in They can be worked slow or fast,
baits such as a weedless, Texas-
ambush for the schools of bait- deep, or even deeper. They come
rigged plastic worm.
fish found skirting these edges in an inconceivable variety of
In recent years, anglers have
throughout the summer. Points and sizes, weights, colors and actions.
had success with tube baits in bass
areas where weeds form pockets Generally, the larger a crankbait
fishing. Tubes are particularly
are especially good bass-holding and the bigger and wider its lip,
effective on smallmouth. The baits
the deeper the lure
will dive during the
retrieve. Also, the
crankbait's big lip
enables the lure
to dig, bump and
bounce off deep
cover such as
brush, logs and
rocks, which
are all typical
bass-holding
structures.
To get maximum
depth from deep
divers, long casts
are essential.
Tests of crank-
baits in tanks
have shown
that deep divers
often require
one-third the
length of a
cast to reach
maximum depth when
often
retrieved at medium speed.
have overlooked
In recent years, lure manufacturers
these baits. Spoon and blade baits allowing
have started producing crankbaits
can be especially deadly on bass the spoon to fall freely.
with lips that make them dive at
suspended along deep river chan- Most strikes will come on the drop.
steep angles. This allows them
nels or manmade structures such It's important to maintain contact
to reach their maximum depth
as channel markers or breakwalls. with the blade as it falls to detect a
quickly. These lures are especially
Because they usually have treble strike.
important when it's necessary to
hooks, these lures are poor choices Proper spoon/blade jigging
maintain bottom contact while
as bottom-probing tools. They will is a matter of timing. Lowering
working certain deep structures
easily hang up in deep cover and the tip too quickly causes you to
such as submerged humps, long
are difficult to retrieve. lose contact with the spoon and
points, underwater roadbeds or
Fish spoons and blades on a miss trikes. Lowering it too slowly
rocks.
6- to 7-foot medium- to heavy-action diminishes its desired fluttering
Such lures as the Luhr Jensen
baitcasting rod with a reel spooled action. Try to visualize the lure
Brush Baby, Storm's Lightnin'
with 10- to 14-pound test line. Use falling as you lower your rod. This
Shad and Normark's Down Deep
a ½- to ¼ -ounce lure under most often improves your ability to
Rattlin' Fat Rap are superb tools for
conditions and attach the lure to detect strikes.
probing deep-water structure. The
your line with a split ring or snap. Whether working the tourna-
key to success with these lures is to
To work these fast-sinking lures ment circuit for that paycheck and
crank them fast until you feel them
for suspended bass, position your trophy or simply looking for an
bump cover. Stop the retrieve, and
boat directly over your target exciting day of pleasure fishing,
the lure will rise and back away
area, noting on your electronics your time on the water will be
from the structure. Wind the reel,
the depth at which the bass are better spent when it's used in areas
and the lure again surges forward
suspending. These lures are best holding the majority of fish. Deep-
until it bums cover. Repeat this
when worked at or just above the water fishing may seem difficult,
reel-and-pause technique until you
fish zone. Holding the rod tip at 8 especially when you can't see the
have worked the lure away from
o'clock, sharply snap the tip up to structure you're casting to. But the
the cover. Be particularly alert for
11 o'clock. This will pop the spoon fish are there – and in abundance.
strikes as the lure backs away from
or blade upward. As the lure falls, Next time you're on the water, head
the structure it has just struck.
lower the rod tip back to 8 o'clock. for the deep water and try one of
Walleye anglers have effectively
The most critical moment is when these tried and proven tactics.
used metal spoons and blade baits
the spoon is falling. Try to keep the
for years. Bass anglers, however,
line as taut as possible while still

One Last Cast
few days a year I get to head north, leave the policking
and grind of Lansing behind and remember how I
ended up where I am.
The recipe represents nights around the fire in
the Pinery and evenings huddled in Blake's garage
watching fly fishing films while we dream of days
we might get to travel to Argentina, Belize or New
Zealand.
By Nick Green, Editor Soon enough, Blake and Wade, we will enjoy some
pickled venison while a big brown slurps next to the
For me, hunting and fishing started at a young boat and Wade looks over with that smirk saying, "just
age. But, I didn't really have that "ah-ha" moment, the be patient, nicky."
catalyst for my career, until my early 20s.
At the time, I was a 23-year-old Christmas tree Tight Lines,,
trimmer with not much too worry about except where
I would find my next libation or scrape up a few dollars
for gas in my truck.
My employers, Wade (the dad) and Blake (the
son) Sherburne, were avid fly anglers. I remember
watching them come into work at 7 a.m. on late-June
mornings looking like a truck had hit them. They
weren't galavanting the countryside the night before
like me, though — they were chasing brown trout
eating hex flies through the dark of night.
Eventually, I somehow made my way into their
boat one of those June nights. Blake had taken me on
a few trips before looking for dry-fly eaters on a small,
local stream where I cut my fly fishing teeth. But, that
night — oh, that night — something inside me ignited.
I didn't sleep that night or the night after that; or,
the six nights after that, in fact. I had found a purpose
— chasing brown trout with a fly rod and reel. It was
a purpose that eventually led me to bow hunting,
bird dogs, a love for conservation and this job. I owe
a significant portion of what I have become to the
Sherburnes.
Wade and Blake have taught me more than they
•1 venison heart
ever will realize. They taught me not only to cast a fly
• 1 head of garlic
line, but how to have humility in the face of disaster.
• 2 small onions
They taught me to appreciate the stepdad I had come
• 2 quarts of apple cider vinegar
to blows with and to understand that his hard work
• 2 tablespoons of salt
and tough love was the only way he knew how to be the
• 1 tablespoon of pickling spices
best dad anyone could ask for.
• 1 head of garlic,
The Sherburnes reaffirmed self-worth in me and
• finely diced hot pepper flakes to taste
helped me to realize that what I was offering the world
• 1/2 cup of water
was petty compared to what I was capable of.
Now, I hug these gents when I see them. Blake's big
Put the heart in a pot with seasoned salt and turn the
claw pats me on the back and knocks the air out of me.
heat on, bringing it up to a boil until the foamy-blood
Wade's gentle smirk reminds me of stories and years
rises to the top of the pot. Then I turn it off and let it sit
past where he, too, ran a little faster than his boots
for a few minutes. The (original) recipe says to boil all
could handle.
ingredients together. I don't think this is right because
Blake was the best man in my wedding. Him and
you want the onions to be crispy when they come out
his dad stood next to me before I became a conser-
of the pickling. Arguably, they’re the best part. Once
vationist, editor of this magazine or fly angler. And
done boiling, take the heart and rinse it under cold
they still aren't afraid to kick me in the butt when it's
water. When cool, slice the heart in quarter inch slices.
needed, and I appreciate that.
Put the sliced heart in an jar and cover with the pick-
I saved the pickled heart recipe from earlier in the
ling fluid. Let it sit in the fridge for a week. I also add
magazine for this page because it is special. Not only is
uncooked jalapenos and they are fantastic, too. Makes
it simply fantastic, it is Blake's recipe. It represents the
great game day finger food with crackers and cheese.
Michigan United
Conservation Clubs
Yes! I’d like to become a
member of MUCC!
Mail this to:
2101 Wood St., Lansing, MI 48912
Date__________________________________
New Member
Renewal_______________________________
Name___________________________________
Address_________________________________
City____________________________________
State___________ Zip_____________________
Phone (_______)__________________________
OUR HISTORY
Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) is the largest statewide Email___________________________________
conservation organization in the nation. With more than 200 affiliated clubs
and 40,000 members, MUCC has represented millions of conservationists
since 1937. Whether it’s the halls of the Capitol or on your favorite stream, Membership Categories
MUCC is the insider for your outdoor traditions. All members will receive a subscription to Mich-
igan Out-of-Doors magazine.
OUR MISSION 1 Year______________________________ $35
Uniting citizens to conserve, protect and enhance Michigan’s natural
resources and outdoor heritage. 2 Years_____________________________ $60
Life Membership (per person)_______ $1,000
OUR FUTURE Method of Payment
MUCC protects our natural resources while educating the next generation Check enclosed (payable to MUCC)
of conservation stewards.
Visa MasterCard Discover
WHY SHOULD I _______________________________________

JOIN MUCC? Card No.
• Receive one year of MUCC’s

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official publication, Michigan CVC Exp. Date
Out-of-Doors.
• Support MUCC’s education _______________________________________
programs. Signature
• Support efforts to conserve
Michigan’s natural resources. Please call 1.800.777.6720
• Support efforts to pass policy based or visit www.mucc.org to sign up online
on sound science.
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Summer 2020

MICHIGAN’S PREMIUM OUTDOOR JOURNAL SINCE 1947

Official Publication of Michigan United Conservation Clubs

Find a VOLUNTEER WILDLIFE HABITAT project near you and sign up at

WELCOME TO MICHIGAN OUT-OF-DOORS

The value of Michigan's public lands was cast

Just finished reading my fall edition

Call me old school, but I enjoyed

But do it ethically and honestly.

Sincerely, DeLoy C. Clark

Having recently finished reading the

Keith Shafer of Central Lake, MI

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 7

January 26 to February 8, 2020 Dispatch referencing several

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 9

About 3,000 volunteers have improved fish

Volunteer Hours In June, we hope to be building a wildlife-

For more event details and to register, please

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 13

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 17

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 19

WHY SHOULD I _______________________________________

• Receive one year of MUCC’s _______________________________________

"Many men go fishing all their lives without

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 23

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 25

My First Real Experience with MUCC

"Their unbridled enthusiasm to jump out of

It’s hard to return to ‘boring’

Ginger Venison — Recipe by Downer

Who doesn't like tacos? No one I've ever met. These

Ingredients (serves 2-3)

Breasts from 1 mallard duck or equivalent amount of

For Sherburne's pickled

While sitting there, I asked her why we pick up

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 45

Spring 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 47

Do you have an easy checklist of things to do Why food plots?

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 49

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 51

This graphic outlines

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 53

buy a license." — Russ Mason anglers on the decline, these groups

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 55

A total of 23 resolutions were slated to head to convention in June. Each of

This project was funded by the Michigan Invasive Species

a teacher tried to impress upon

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 59

Get Michigan Out-of-Doors

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 61

Balancing voices of users, staff

Fellow MNRC member John

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 63

"All of a sudden, the phone goes dead, then there

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 65

and feed on excessive amounts Future Management version of Michigan’s natural

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 67

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 69

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 71

Summer 2020 | Michigan Out-of-Doors 73