Driftwood Outdoors

We are gliding across glass flat water along the rocky shoreline of Norfolk Lake by the light of a crescent moon. Darrell Binkley, a.k.a Bink, owner of Bink’s Fintastic Guide Service points to a hardly noticeable finger of rocks and tells Kevin Eastwold to throw his 6-inch surface plug directly at it. Eastwold obeys and a split second later it sounds as if someone has dropped a bath tub in the lake.

The Missouri state record striper.

Eastwold’s rod doubles over. He puts all his might into just holding on. He rears his large body backwards trying desperately to gain control of the monster fish running like a freight train from the boat. Excitement buzzes all about. I grab for the net. Bink shouts commands, none of which I recall. I’m lost in the moment. And then it’s over. Gone is the monster striper.

Eastwold retrieves his plug and lifts it up to examine what’s left. Just as Bink had figured, the hooks didn’t hold out. The rear treble hook is bent flat by sheer power. The fish won, costing us success and a much desired photo opportunity. (more…)

I’m lying in a Motel Six hotel room about two hours from my house. I’ve been on the road for over a week and there is nothing I want more in this world than to sit on my couch with my wife and kids and kick-up my feet. But my traveling partners, all more than 30 years my senior, wanted to stop for the night based on their shared philosophy of, “Why push it?” And so it goes when on the road with old-timers. The lessons learned though, make the slower pace something to appreciate.

At 84 years old, Thayne Smith (right) remains an active journalist. Bobby Whitehead looks for a photo in the Badlands National Park.

We were attending a conference of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers in the Black Hills of South Dakota. There were about 40 people in our group. All were hunting for turkey or fishing for trout. Everyone is somehow affiliated with the outdoor industry. The age range consisted of folks in their early 30s to Thayne Smith, who is 84. (more…)

Walking through a blooming spring woods with a bow in hand searching for wild morel mushrooms brings a sense of closure to winter. And this past winter, having been as long and hard as any in recent memory, is one I’m particularly glad to see go. My longbow has been pulled off the elk feet rack where it spent the last few months collecting dust and is strung. My mesh mushroom bag is riding shotgun in the truck. Let the stump shooting mushroom hunts begin.

Traditional bows are great for stump shoo

Stump shooting is nothing more than walking through the woods and firing arrows at anything that catches your fancy. Stumps, rotten logs, clumps of grass and lone leaves tangled in the grasp of multiflora rose are all prime targets. Not only is it just plain fun to shoot arrows, it is a skill building exercise. The hand-eye coordination that comes from repetitive shooting year-round becomes quite valuable when a buck walks into range during bow season. (more…)

Sitting here on the brink of my oldest daughter’s first hunt, I worry there is something I have forgotten to do. The bags are packed, so to speak, and she is as ready mentally as she’s going to be, so maybe it’s just the nerves of father trying to hook a kid for life. Hopefully, by the time you read this column, Bailee, who is seven and in second grade, will have taken her first turkey.

Looking over decoys. Waiting on a gobbler.

Preparing for youth season has reminded me of how excited I used to get as a child right before the first hunt of the year. I’d lay my stuff out on the bedroom floor and inspect it again and again before the big day. Nowadays, as one season melds into the next, every species has its special section of the barn and things stay pretty organized, for the most part.

Thinking on it now, though, I believe it maybe a little dangerous to live such an organized sporting life. A little clutter scattered about, allows us to sporadically flame the fires of passion that drive us from our beds hours before daylight on our only days off. So keep a few arrows on the work bench, a call or two in the truck console and some camouflage in the closet.

As April 15, opening day of the regular Missouri spring turkey season, bears down on us, consider these few tasks as necessities of preparedness. (more…)

With 2012 wrapped up, the first year of Hunting Works for Missouri is officially in the books. The initiative, which exists to shed light on the positive economic impact hunters have on the economy of our state, has been a success.

Brandon Butler, Co-Chair of Hunting Works for Missouri, addresses the crowd at Roger’s Sporting Goods.

News articles, television segments, radio spots and social media posts have been wide spread and played an important role in educating the public about the positive benefits hunters contribute to their local area. Hunters’ dollars are spent on so much more than bows and guns. We buy gas, food, lodging, and so much more.

“Hunting supports some 24,000 jobs in Missouri and has an overall economic impact of $1 billion. This impact extends beyond sporting goods and outdoors stores. Businesses ranging from gas stations and convenience store to hotels and restaurants have their bottom lines positively impacted by hunting,” said Tony Reiss, program manager. (more…)

A new campaign called “Hunting Works for Missouri” was recently launched to help educate the general public about the positive economic impact hunting has on the state of Missouri. Hunters live in every major city and every tiny town in Missouri. And aside from camouflage clothing and shotgun shells, we buy trucks to drive hunting, gas to get us there, groceries to keep us there and so much more. If you own or work for a business in Missouri, then undoubtedly some of your customers are hunters.

Brandon Butler and Dan Mehan listen as HWFMO Co-Chair Shannon Peisert talks hunting economics.

According to Tony Reiss, a public relations representative for the campaign, “Hunting Works for Missouri (HWFMO) is a local grassroots partnership of organizations focused on hunting and the economics derived from these activities. HWFMO members are advocates for public policy who support jobs and economic prosperity. As a grassroots organization we explain the role that hunting and shooting sports play in both the heritage and economic health of Missouri.”

There are three state co-chairs: Shannon Peisert, General Manager of Rogers Sporting Goods; Dan Mehan, President/CEO of the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and myself. I can’t tell you how honored I am to stand shoulder to shoulder with hunters from across this great state and serve the cause of voicing our importance.

Peisert kicked off a press conference at Rogers Sporting Goods in Liberty, MO last Wednesday by saying, “As most Missourians know, hunters and hunting seasons are important to us. Right now gas stations, convenience stores, restaurants, motels, hardware stores, sporting goods stores and countless other retailers across the state are welcoming hunters to their cash registers as we’re in the midst of spring turkey hunting. The revenue that hunters produce now, and in the fall, is the lifeblood for many individuals, businesses and communities across Missouri.” (more…)

I learn lessons the hard way. Normally, I just charge in and learn as I go. When I first started backpacking, I had no idea how to properly prepare for an extended hike with extra weight on my back. After many blisters, lacerated shoulders, and enough chigger bites for one lifetime, I’ve learned a few lessons.

In my opinion, a backpacker’s most critical piece of equipment is their boots. I would rather have sore shoulders or a worn out back, than blistered, broke down feet. In today’s world of high quality, technologically advanced footwear, there is no excuse for having foot trouble on the trail. Buying quality boots is the first step, but understanding what you’re wearing is detrimental to reaping all of the rewards of spending a few extra dollars. A BMW won’t drive itself.

Backpacking boots can be intimidating. Words like crampons, footbed, Gore-Tex, Cordura, midsole, outsole, shank and rand are just a few of the many high-tech terms that can confuse a person. The most important aspect of any boot is that it fits you perfectly. It can’t be too tight or too loose, or else blisters will most likely end your adventure. You need a boot that is durable and versatile. Your boots must be able to handle multiple terrains, from mud to steep rocky inclines. (more…)

Not many people associate Indiana with trout. We don’t have many waters at all that stay cold enough to actually support cold water fish. The DNR does recognize the appeal of trout, so each year they stock certain waters with fish that everyone knows won’t last long. The goal is for anglers to catch and keep.

This spring, Indiana trout opportunities are expanded on five northern Indiana streams, due to additional stockings from the DNR Division of Fish & Wildlife. The five streams are Pigeon River in Steuben and LaGrange counties, Turkey Creek in LaGrange County, Little Elkhart River in Elkhart County, Little Kankakee River in LaPorte County and Potato Creek in St. Joseph County.

Pigeon River, Turkey Creek and Little Elkhart River will be stocked for the weekends of May 12-13 and May 26-27, Memorial Day weekend. The DNR will stock Pigeon River at Steuben County Road 175 North and at County Line Road. Turkey Creek will be stocked at LaGrange County Road 150 North. These locations are in Pigeon River Fish & Wildlife Area. The Little Elkhart River will be stocked at Bonneyville Mill County Park. The Little Kankakee River is being stocked at LaPorte County Road 100 South and State Road 4.
The Little Kankakee River and Potato Creek will be stocked only for Memorial Day weekend. This makes for an incredible opportunity to mix camping and fishing. Growing up, my family spent many weekends at Potato Creek State Park. After nearly 30 years as a regular camper at Indiana state parks, I can wholeheartedly say, Potato Creek State Park is my favorite.

Sure, part of the reason why I love Potato Creek is because of the nostalgia I feel towards the place. Yet, even if that wasn’t the case, Potato Creek is an outstanding destination for a number of reasons. First of all, it is a diverse campground. Worster Lake is a 327-acre fishing gem that offers excellent bass, catfish and panfish. There is a swimming beach, boat rentals, a paved bike path, a nice creek, great playgrounds and so much more to do at the park.

If you wanted to head up northern Indiana to try your hand at fishing for trout this Memorial Day weekend, a trip to Potato Creek State Park would be an excellent option. You’ll want to check on campsite availability, because the park is usually full on weekends, and especially on holiday weekends. If you showed up earlier in the week, such as Thursday, there is a good chance you’ll find an available spot.

Potato Creek will be stocked in Potato Creek State Park near the paved bicycle trail creek crossing. Parking is available at the West lot. Anglers targeting trout in Potato Creek must hike or bike about one mile along the bicycle trail to get to the fish, but will be rewarded with unrestricted access along a naturally scenic stream. (more…)

Not to beat a dead horse, but this weather has been crazy. Mid-March 80 degree days aren’t normal. Factor in the week long rain shower and it feels like we should be flipping the calendar to May any day now. With the warm temperatures and wet weather comes one of nature’s finest bounties…morel mushrooms. Reports from the field confirm that folks are already finding them.

Mushroom hunting is something I greatly enjoy for a number of reasons. First and foremost, I absolutely love the taste of morels. I don’t care if you fry them, bake them, sauté them, or whatever, I think they taste incredible. Secondly, mushroom hunting is something the whole family can participate in together. My five and six year olds aren’t too good at sitting still and keeping quite. Luckily, mushrooms won’t spook at the screech of a little kid like a deer and turkey will. Third, mushroom hunting is active. Walking through the woods is my favorite type of exercise, and after months of winter inactivity, it feels great to get out and stretch the old legs.

Good areas to look for morel mushrooms include south facing slopes, around fallen logs, and certain types of trees. South facing slopes are prime spots early in the season because they warm up first. Decomposing logs are generally worth a second look. If you have any elm and/or ash trees on your hunting grounds, be sure to finely comb those areas. Apple trees, especially apple orchards, are always worth a look, and are often hot spots. (more…)