Illinois Spring 2016

WAKE UP YOUR TASTE BUDS WITH GLORIOUS GARLIC MOOSE ROAST RECIPE

LIVID LARGE

FISHING THE GREAT LAKES

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ILLINOIS OUTDOOR EVENTS FREE

Morel Mushroom HuntingTIPS & TRICKS

SCREAMIN DRAG SPORTFISHING CHARTERS

LIVID LARGE10 YEARS OF PERSISTENCE IN BOTH MUSKY

FISHING AND LURE MAKING PAYS OFF!

WAKE UP YOUR TASTE BUDS WITH GLORIOUS GARLIC MOOSE ROAST RECIPE

Spring 2016 - ILLINOIS

+FISHING

THE GREAT LAKESHUNTING SEASON DATES

TO REMEMBERHUNTING SEASON DATES

TO REMEMBER

AmericanAmerican

Magazine

www.AmericanOutdoorsMagazine.com | 1

CONTENTSSPRING 2016

3EVENTS One-Of-A-Kind family events

6FEATURE FISHING, CAMPING, & HUNTING MAP

8TURKEY DECOYS Help or Hazard

12MOREL MUSHROOMS Passing down an American tradition

155 USEFUL TIPS ON TROUT FISHING The best techniques to bag these crafty fish

18LIVID LARGE Learn all about the Livid Fish lure

23BEST WAYS TO GET YOUR KIDS INTO HUNTING & FISHING Great ideas to help you meet your kids’ expectations

27THE SCIENCE BEHIND HOW DEER SEE Why the vision of a deer is greater than a human’s

30FISHING THE GREAT LAKES Learn all about Screamin Drag sportfishing charters

35THE HISTORY OF FOX HUNTING Learn about this traditional equestrian sports

AmericanAmerican

MagazineMagazine

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Jennifer Arnold

PROJECT MANAGER Marissa Nalley

For customer service call 309-966-1098

www.americanoutdoorsmagazine.com

38TAKING THE PERFECT TROPHY HUNT PHOTOS Make sure you preserve the best moments of your hunt

43EASY SURVIVAL SKILLS TO REMEMBER Survival skills for backpacking

46INDIANA CAMPGROUND AMENITIES Explore Featured Campgrounds

49GLORIOUS GARLIC MOOSE ROAST RECIPE Amazing Starla’s Seasonings, Dips & Mixes

51INDIANA HUNTING SEASON DATES

55INDIANA FISHING REGULATIONS

56INDIANA FUN FACTS State Symbols and Emblems

2 | American Outdoors Magazine

AmericanAmerican

MagazineMagazine

American Outdoor Magazine P.O. Box 6262 | Peoria, Illinois 61601 Phone 309.966.1098 • 877.245.4780

[email protected]

www.americanoutdoorsmagazine.com

While every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained within this edition, American Outdoors Magazine or its advertisers will assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. American Outdoors Magazine makes no warranties regarding the information contained herein. All information provided herein is subject to change without notice.

Copyright 2016. All rights reserved.

Myers Equipment & Repair .......................... 40

Nature’s Head. ................................................ 53

Neoga Package Liquor Store, Inc. .............. 45

Night Vision 4 Less......................................... 39

Pine Mountain Outfitters, LLC ...................... 28

Plus 5 Electricians Referral Service ........... 28

Precision Tree Service, Inc.. ........................ 41

Rossi Construction & Painting, LLC ............ 17

Sand-Paper-Pistol-Grips. .............................. 53

Schrock Repair, Inc. ...................................... 39

Shew’s Kitchen & Home Design .................. 17

Shooting Bench USA ................................... IFC

Sisson’s Country Inn ...................................... 28

Star Metal Art, Inc. ........................................ 48

Stuckey Dozing & Excavating ...................... 28

Superior Game Ranch ................................... 11

Talkin Stick Game Calls ................................. 50

TDK Safaris. .................................................... 54

The Atlanta National Bank ........................... 39

Tom Kumler Taxidermy .................................. 36

Top Notch Triggers, LLC ................................ 36

X Steel Targets ............................................... 25

Zippel Bay Resort ..................................... 11, 26

ADVERTISER INDEXAdvanced Foam Insulation ........................... 48

Adventure Bound Gundogs .......................... 33

Affordable Mini Storage ............................... 48

American Timber & Veneer Trading, LLC ... 34

Barely Roughing It, Inc.................................. 16

Barns N Boards .............................................. 50

Boondocks Food & Spirits ............................ 50

Bullet Trap, Inc. .............................................. 39

Coffeepot High Country Outfitters, Inc. ...... 53

Creative Stone Specialists ........................... 53

D.B.A. Winds RV/ Four Winds of America . 53

Del’s Rod & Reel Repair ................................ 16

Double Spear Ranch, LLC ............................. 42

Edwardsville Auto, Inc. ................................. 45

Eureka Locker ................................................. 48

EZ Kut, Inc. ............................................ 5, 22, 41

Galesburg Area Convention & Visitors Bureau ............................................................. 17

Get Hooked Charters, LLC............................. 36

HB Forge .......................................................... 45

Hunan Fine Asian Cuisine ............................. 14

Joe’s Guns ....................................................... 40

Keithsburg Riverside Campground ............. 25

Kodiak Russian River Lodge ......................... 42

Koenig Body & Equipment, Inc. ................... 42


APRIL23

EARTH DAY 50K 431 WALKUP RoadCrystal Lake,IL60014. Celebrate Earth Day by running through the woods, enjoying nature, and making new friends! Join MUDD for our 5th annual race at the hidden gems of Veteran Acres and Sternes Woods in Crystal Lake, IL. The beautiful course features winding single track, rolling hills, blossoming spring flowers, open prairie, and pine forest. The Earth Day trail races make a perfect goal race or last long run before Ice Age 50 & 50k.

29-30

NORTH AMERICAN VINTAGE DECOY AND SPORTING COLLECTIBLES SHOW 4051 E. Main StreetSt. Charles,IL60174.This is the “granddaddy” of all shows and It’s open to the public. For a discount coupon go to the website. One of the largest shows of its kind in the entire country. All types of hunting and fishing memorabilia. Buy, sell and trade. On Wednesday there will be two decoy seminars for collectors and the public. There will be a major exhibition featuring Louisiana Decoys. This exhibit will coincide with the show and is located in the Mega Center.

MAY3-7

REND LAKE WATER FESTIVAL Benton Public Square Benton, IL 62812. The Rend Lake Water Festival is 5 fun filled days of carnival food, rides, and games, with a grand parade and much more - all at the unique Benton Public Square! 618-438-2121

6-7

CRAPPIE MASTERS OZARK RODS OPEN ON REND LAKE 13277 Freeway Lane, Whittington, IL 62897. This national qualifying tournament on Rend Lake will be fishing excitement for any Crappie Tournament anglers and those who just like to be there for the festivities. Weigh ins will take place at the Lake Zone Bait and Tackle for followers of the national tournament. Includes a Kids Casting Contest! 618-629-1400

7

CENTRAL ILLINOIS CRAPPIE CLUB TOURNAMENT Lake Shelbyville at Bo Woods from 7 to 2 “CLUB” tournaments will always pay back 100% of entry money received. Times may be adjusted to accomodate daylight hours. Email questions to: [email protected] or for Details, Rules & more visit: www.centralillinoiscrappieclub.com

7

MIDWEST MOREL FEST 111 Lincoln Place, Ottawa, IL 61350. Learn, hunt and buy morel mushrooms during Ottawa’s Annual Midwest Morel Fest. This unique festival offers everything mushrooms for the morel enthusiast to the curious observer! All events take place at Jordon Block Park (Main & Rt 23/71N). One day, two hunts, enjoy a large variety of handcrafted vendors, home brewers tasting tent and competition, food and music. And don’t forget Morel University where you can learn to identify morels then take off for a guided hunt. We have set aside land just for you! The championship hunt boasts the largest cash purse in the nation. Both hunts have limited availability. 815-434-2737

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CENTRAL ILLINOIS CRAPPIE CLUB TOURNAMENT Lake Shelbyville at Bo Woods from 7 to 3 “OPEN” tournaments will payback 90% of entry money received. Times may be adjusted to accomodate daylight hours. Entry fee: $65 per boat (Includes big crappie) Open to non-club membersMore boats=more money.Fishing from 7am-3pm

ONE-OF-A-KIND EVENTSSAVE THE DATE


21

CRAPPIE USA TOURNAMENT Lake Shelbyville, Shelbyville, IL 2016 Local Event. Tourney Date: 05/21/16 Late-Fee Deadline: 05/06/16. Off Limits: You may not fish from midnight until 6:30 am on tournament day. From 6:30am till 3:00pm Weigh-In: 4:00pm (anyone not in line by this time will be disqualified from the tournament) Legal Waters is Lake Shelbyville

21

STARVED ROCK STATE PARK GUIDED KAYAK TOUR Meet at Lone Point Shelter, Starved Rock State Park. This trip is not to be missed! If you have been to this wonderful state park you know how beautiful it is. With its majestic St. Peters sandstone bluffs towering over the Illinois river to the canyons carved out deep along the shore line this state park has been consistently rated #1 in Illinois. For this trip we will be kayaking for aprox. 3 hours. We will kayak back into Illinois canyon(water level dependent). The views from the water are amazing! Wear water shoes(no flip flops). We will launch from lone point shelter, which has plenty of parking. This is an out and back trip which means we will be returning to our starting point. No shuttle is needed.

22

59TH ANNUAL DES PLAINES RIVER CANOE AND KAYAK MARATHON 15562 West Oak Spring Road Libertyville, IL 60048. This is the second oldest continual canoe race in the United States. The race is 18½ miles on the beautiful and historic Des Plaines River. There are numerous classes to accommodate people of all ages and levels, with a new 5.25 mile Minithon, starts at the Potawatomie Woods in Wheeling, option possible for non-competitors seeking a shorter course that ends at the customary Finish Line. Note that while, as in the past, Marathon paddlers may still take out at the halfway point at Rivershire Park in Lincolnshire, you must now arrange your own car

shuttle to or from this site! Everyone is welcome to participate. Registration ends May 14th. Visit the website for complete information. 847.604.2445

28

CLINTON LAKE CATFISH TOURNAMENT SERIES Clinton Lake at Marina with fishing times from 6pm to 1 am. Sign ups start at 4pm and must be signed in before 5:30pm. For more info contact Matt Lamb 217-855-8406

JUNE4

CENTRAL ILLINOIS CRAPPIE CLUB TOURNAMENT Lake Shelbyville at Bo Woods from 7 to 12 Fishing and 1 to ??? Cook-out. Times may be adjusted to accomodate daylight hours. Email questions to: [email protected] or for Details, Rules & more visit: www.centralillinoiscrappieclub.com.

12-17

GRAND ILLINOIS TRAIL AND PARKS BIKE TOUR 2403 E. EmpireBloomington,IL 61761. The 14th annual GITAP bicycle tour provides a fully-supported, bicycle-based vacation for up to 225 registrants. This year’s ride starts and ends at Coal City High School, with overnight stays in Oglesby, Washington, Bloomington-Normal (two nights), and Pontiac. Participants average 50 miles per day on quiet country roads and some off-road trails, while their luggage is transported to the next overnight destination. Riders choose between camping at designated in-town locations or staying in nearby motels. The event is not a race. Individuals ride at their own pace touring the countryside and visiting towns, restaurants, and convenience stores along the way. Breakfasts and dinners are provided. Registration costs $460 (extra for motel option) with no pledge fundraising involved. 630-978-0583

16-19

PRAIRIEFEST US Route 71, Oswego, IL 60543. This festival is attended by approximately 50,000 during the course of the weekend. PrairieFest events are held throughout Oswego with the main festival grounds located at PrairieFest Park, 91 Plank Road. The event features main stage entertainment, children’s performers, expo village, petting zoos, pony rides, camel rides, children’s activities, parade, bed races, touch a truck event and more. The event is free, compliments of our generous business sponsors. (630) 554-1010

11

RELAY FOR LIFE 9TH ANNUAL OPEN BASS TOURNAMENT on Lake Bloomington with lunch & refreshments provided after tournament. For full details, contact info & Entry form please visit: www.larrysfishinghole.com/Relay_for_LifeEntry2016.pdf.

17-20

ILLINOIS FREE FISHING DAYS When you go fishing this summer – whether you are an experienced angler or first-timer – be sure to take someone with you. Introduce another person to the sport of fishing this year. During this time, no fishing license is required. It is a great opportunity for families to try fishing, without needing to purchase a license immediately. For more details, call 618-786-3323 or check the website at: dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/parks/R4/PRM/PMTwo_Rivers_Fish_Fair.htm.

24-26

9TH ANNUAL CRAZY HORSE BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL 2117 Crazy Horse Rd., Ashland, IL 62612. The fun starts Friday night at 7 p.m. Two shows on Saturday and a gospel show on Sunday. Lots of fun and great music. Tickets can be purchased at the door if not camping. Line-up will be announced around March/April 2016. Everyone is welcome! 217.886.2089



Clinton Lake State Recreation Area 7251 Ranger Rd, De Witt, IL

Shelbyville Shelbyville, IL

Middle Fork Forest Preserve 3433 County Rd 2700 E, Penfield, IL

Jim Edgar Panther Creek 10149 County Hwy 11, Chandlerville Township, IL

Kinkaid Lake Kinkaid Lake, IL

Marshall State Fish & Wildlife 236 IL-26, Lacon Township, IL

Moraine View State Park 27374 E 900 North Rd, Le Roy, IL

H U N T I N G

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Prophetstown State ParkPark Ave Prophetstown, IL

Timberline CampgroundTimberline Rd Goodfield, IL

Camp Lakewood Campground 1217 W Rickelman Ave, Effingham, IL

Evening Star Camping Resort23049 US-136, Topeka, IL

Crazy Horse Campground, L.L.C.2113 Crazy Horse Rd, Ashland, IL

Robin Hood Woods Campground & Resort2151 IL-16, Shelbyville, IL

D & W Lake Camping & RV Park411 W Hensley Rd, Champaign, IL

Hide-A-Way Lakes8045 Van Emmon Rd, Yorkville, IL

Keithsburg Riverside Campground400 3rd St, Keithsburg, IL

C A M P I N G

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Spring Lake Savanna Township, IL

Rend LakeRend Lake, IL

Silver LakeHighland, IL

Heidecke Lake Goose Lake Township,

Taylorville Lake Taylorville, IL

Newton LakeNewton Lake, IL

Cedar LakeCedar Lake, IL

Lake SpringfieldSpringfield Lake Shore Improvement, IL

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Rockford

Peoria

Arlington Heights

Aurora

Champaign

Cicero

Decatur

Des Plaines

East St. Louis

Elgin Evanston

Joliet

Mount Prospect

Oak Lawn

Oak Park

Schaumburg Skokie

Waukegan

Chicago

Springfield

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OUTDOOR RECREATION AREA MAP

IILLINOIS

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Turkey Decoys Help or Hazard

by Tyler Wilson & Bill Bernhardt


SETTING UP THE HUNT

In the spring, you are likely to run into hoards of camo clad men checking out the new turkey hunting gear at your local sporting goods store and, without fail, the aisle that draws the most attention (and the most argument) is the aisle that holds this year’s newest turkey decoys. There, the top manufactures in the business display their newest products in fancy boxes whose contents are not only guaranteed to draw a mature tom into gun range, but whose packaging is designed to draw in buyers.

In fact, most turkey hunters look at the decoys they use as a necessity that is as important to their hunt as their box-call or their shotgun. Also, there are countless different types of decoys and it seems that all of the companies that make them claim that they make the best and/or most realistic decoy on the market. Thus, unless it is illegal (and in some states it is), just about every turkey hunter you encounter will be carrying a “deek” or two. Furthermore, while some hunters prefer to use a lone hen decoy, others prefer to set out entire flocks of these foam impersonators. Consequently, there are scores of companies that produce realistic hen, jake, and even strutting tom decoys and they use everything from foam bodies to real feathers to help the lowly

woodsmen entice a long beard into gun range. Also, although the style and number of decoys used in any given set is up to the hunter, flocks of turkey decoys are not necessary as one or two will usually do the trick. In addition, there is something to be said about not only the realism of a decoy, but its pack ability and durability as well. So when you choose a decoy, make sure you take these things into consideration.

In addition, when used properly, hen decoys can be very effective, as long as the situation allows for ease of set up and there is a slight breeze to give the decoy some movement because, similar to duck hunting, the lack of movement in your decoy or spread of decoys can raise a red flag that will alert any savvy long beard to the fact that something is just not right. But, when used in conjunction with other hen decoys, a flock set up can be extremely effective at luring toms into gun range and these types of setups are especially successful in open country where the flock can be seen at a distance. In fact, for some really hot action, try using a small jake decoy as part of your hen flock set up. This will often cause dominant, and even subordinate, satellite toms to approach your set because both absolutely detest the sight of jakes in the midst of a rafter of hens. Thus, a great deal of the time, approaching toms will ignore all the hen decoys in a flock and proceed directly to the lone jake in the setup. For this reason, it is paramount to place the jake decoy closer to the hunter than all the other decoys. However, there is one caveat to hunting over a jake or tom decoy: it is best not to use either type of decoy on public land because it is simply too dangerous.

In addition, the introduction of full strut tom decoys a couple of years ago really revolutionized turkey hunting. In fact, when they first appeared, there were scores of DVDs and outdoor shows playing clips of toms flogging and destroying these strutting decoys mere feet from hunters and camera men and this exciting, in your face action, made for some great

In the spring, the countryside starts to wake up from a long winter’s nap and hunters who have long since put away their bows and guns start to get the itch to go hunting.

continued ~


TV and, of course, it produced the results the decoy manufactures anticipated. Consequently, the sale of full body strutting decoys skyrocketed but, it didn’t do the average turkey hunter justice. The reason for this is that it has been my experience that the use of full strut tom decoys actually scares the majority of birds and causes them to turn tail and scat rather than bringing them closer. Therefore, full strut tom decoys work great when there are one or two dominant birds in an area and you can set up on those specific birds but, more often than not, those birds are tending their harems and are not easily found. Consequently, the satellite toms (2-year-old birds that hang out around flocks of hens but are not the dominant bird) are the turkeys that most hunters take because these birds will come to calls more readily than a dominant bird that already has a harem of hens. But, they are easily spooked by

the strutting decoys because the decoys are displayed in a dominant fashion with their tails up and their wings down and, having gotten their tail feathers ruffed up more than once during the spring mating season, these subordinate birds usually shy away from a fight and will leave your strutting decoy (and you) alone.

However, regardless of which type of turkey decoy you choose to employ, remember that every decoy has a time and a place that makes it most effective. Therefore, it is best to do your homework the next time you’re faced with the choice of purchasing a new decoy and decide how and when you will use it or if you even whether or not truly need it.



It’s the time of year again when the temperatures start to rise, and the sun comes out a little brighter. The hardware stores put out their gardening displays, and the lawn mowers are tuned up for the start of the season. It’s my favorite time of year for so many reasons. Chiefly among those reasons is because March brings with it the beginning of morel hunting season. Those perfect and delicious wild mushrooms start to spring up in late March, and you can find them until the end of May. As the season changes, so do the morels. They will start out small and dark and as the temperatures rise they will transform into larger, yellow-tinted mushrooms.

Don’t worry, they all taste the same when you fry them up in butter. Before you fry them, leave them to sit in a tub of water for a few hours. This bath gets rid of any dirt and bugs living inside. If you

MorelsPassing down an American tradition

With the warm air moving in, morel mushroom hunting is the perfect excuse to get outdoors and enjoy the weather and spend time with family and friends.

continued ~

By Leah Foraker


want to be sure you got everything out; you can slice them in half before dropping them in your pan. I like mine naked; with just a little salt after a good fry. It’s a juicy, meaty and pure flavor that takes me back to my childhood. My husband likes them a bit more adventurous. He will toss in fresh green peppers, onions and garlic from our garden if the season is right. One thing is true across the board in our home, use real butter. Anything else just kills the flavor.

As a parent of two adventurous little boys, spring is the perfect time to take them out into our little twenty-four-acre plot and start hunting morels. You can start your hunt about the same time the kids start saying, “but mom! I don’t need a coat!” They start popping up when the night’s stay above forty degrees and the days are reaching sixty degrees and up. For those who want to jump right in as soon as you see that first temperature spike, start looking where the sun is going. Early bloomers are going to start on hillsides that get more sun (south facing slopes).

The old saying that ‘you should only look where trees are dead’ is, well, a dying fable. Morels like dying trees but they also enjoy living ones. Especially poplar, ash, and elm. I have even found a few by our old apple orchard. If you’re thinking about hunting morels while you and your significant other go for a walk in a pristine forest, think again. The more damaged, the better. Our property had one area of it logged a few years

ago and after that, the mushrooms shot up like crazy. They love distressed areas where nature has gone wild; like forests that have had wildfires and flooding.

For me, the best part about mushroom hunting is the time we get to spend as a family. Do my kids actually look for mushrooms? Sort of, for about three minutes. Then they disappear, and our black lab runs laps between them and me. For those first three minutes, though, I get brought every single thing that looks like it might be a mushroom (being a parent is fun like that). Identifying morels is simple, which is wonderful if you’re just starting out. Watch out for the ‘half-morel’ though. This little guy’s cap only goes about halfway down the stem whereas a true morel will have the cone shaped cap almost all of the way down the stem. If it doesn’t have those signature deep pits, don’t risk it. Some wild mushrooms can cause mild toxicity.

If you are worried that these little pieces of heaven aren’t in your area, guess again! Morels cover most of the United States, making them an excellent source of food and even income. Their delicious flavor and seasonal availability make them pretty popular to those who don’t hunt. In my area, you can buy them for about $15 per pound. My brother who lives in New York has paid as much as $30 per pound. If you have land or know someone who does, cash in on the crop. As always, good luck and happy hunting!



FISHINGTROUT5 USEFUL

TIPS ON


For brook trout, the native habitat includes the territory from Labrador westward to the Saskatchewan, while the rainbow trout is a native of the Pacific slope from Alaska to California.

On the other hand, brown trout has found its way into the waters of every state in the United States except Florida, Arkansas, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas. It has been reported in the waters of some of these states, but according to conservation officials, no authentic reports have been received. It is also found in many parts of Canada.

In trout fishing, there are some factors that need to be considered in order to have a successful catch.

1. For trout fishing, the leader should not be greased. It will not sink far enough to cause any difficulty when picking the line and lure from the water, but if it is allowed to float; it will cast a shadow on the bottom of the stream which may scare the trout.

2. The trout is one of the fishes that are usually secured through the use of the dry fly. For trout, the current as well as the pools should be fished. It may sometimes be a bit difficult to

keep the fly from sinking or dragging because of the various conditions of the current, but this is a matter that the angler will have to figure out for himself.

3. It is not good practice when fishing for trout to fish directly upstream so the flies, line, and leader will float directly over fish. The fisherman should make the cast from one side of the stream so the fly will only float over the fish.

4. It is important to make the first cast the best. A feeding trout will usually strike the first lure presented if it is cast so that it will float over his private domain. The angler should never fail to fish the lower end of the pool first even if the trout are rising in the middle or upper end.

5. Trout are sometimes very moody or selective and will try the patience of any angler; hence, possibly a fly with less hackle will do the trick or it may be necessary to use a spent-wing fly or a fan wing.

Indeed, catching trout fishes can be lots of fun. The anglers just have to remember these tips in order to have a happy catch.

In fishing, trout are one of the favorite fishing friends of most anglers. These crafty fish are abundant anywhere. The native habitat of these crafty fish depends on the type of trout.



Though the basement is still an integral part of the romance associated with our small company, we are finding ways to grow, scale the lure making process, and reach customers around the world.

Our flagship lure, the Livid Fish has seen a surge in interest in recent years. More and more musky anglers have turned to this lure as their go-to crank bait, and even more so the trolling bait that provides the perfect set of characteristics for trolling big water for those solitary monsters.

Originally a wood lure, over time we found enough interest in the Livid Fish that it warranted seeking out a Wisconsin-based injection molding company to manufacture our lure. The ease and durability of plastic allowed us to take the critical next step in the growth of the business.

When I tell people that I “make” musky

lures, I imagine they envision me

huddled over a pile of wood shavings in

a dark corner of my basement, whittling

away at an indeterminately shaped

creation. I am always happy to explain

that Naze Baits is a business that has

evolved into something a bit more.

LIVID LARGETen years of persistence in both musky fishing and lure making is starting to pay off...big.by Corey Nazer


As more lures sell and my connections with customers grow, I have occasionally had the good fortune of fishing with anglers who use the Livid Fish. On a recent trip to a big water lake in the upper Midwest, I finally accomplished something I have personally been wanting to do for a long time--land a true trophy fish on a “Livid”

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED

Dave, a customer and now friend, had been trolling the Livid Fish for almost two seasons with a few truly noteworthy catches. In 2014, he had landed about a dozen muskies on the Livid Fish, all measuring 46 inches or more. The largest was a jaw dropping 55 incher that was taken in late fall. 2015 was off to an equally fast start. Dave had a streak of several weekends with at least one musky measuring 50 inches or more in the boat. When we finally set plans to fish together, it was late July, and the fishing was great. In eighteen hours of trolling, we landed four muskies. A 36-inch, a 43-inch, a 47-inch and a 50-inch all caught on a Livid Fish and released to fight another day. There was no doubt I would come back to fish with Dave again.

Dave graciously invited me back for a September weekend to troll with him, giving me an opportunity to not only land another big musky, but also to employ the Livid Fish during a full moon—a situation that Dave had seen success with over the past couple years. For a bait maker, this was both valuable research and time on the water. I was excited to say the least.

Saturday at daybreak, we found ourselves set-up and trolling open water in an area that Dave had confidence in. I am not a troller by nature, so at times I can find my mind wandering. An angler can let the monotony of the landscape and the hum of the outboard lull him to a numbed and careless mindset. This, however, was not one of those times. Knowing that the biggest fish of my musky career could bite at any time kept me focused and alert. Because of the full moon, we felt it

was worth our time to continue fishing into the night. Having a monstrous lake almost entirely to yourself for a day and into the night might give a novice fisherman the feeling that their approach is flawed. An underconfident musky fisherman can talk themselves out of the tactics they know are best. Dave, and subsequently I, knew better.

Our attempt in the end, however, was fruitless. Saturday came and went without a bite. As many anglers know, this is the reality of musky fishing; though it is never easy to accept a fishless day. We knew that the next day the winds were going to be upwards of 20 to 25 miles per hour, potentially keeping us off the water. For me, there was a bit of a sinking feeling that I would not get another shot in 2015 at a monster musky. Dave and I agreed we would assess the weather conditions in the morning and determine what we would do then.

Peering outside in the morning, the wind had the American flag in camp standing straight out. I suspected Dave would call it on account of wind and I would have to start packing for my four-hour drive home. Instead he suggested we attempt to avoid the wind by trailering the boat to the other side of the lake and fish where the waves were bearable. As long as it got us on the water, I was game for anything.

Livid Fish Lure

continued ~

50 inch musky caught trolling

the Livid Fish


After a half hour drive, landing the boat, and getting the baits dragging in the water, I was happy to be trolling and still watching the sun come up over the horizon. That meant we were still potentially able to take advantage of those precious few minutes remaining between the full moon that just set an hour earlier and the sun that was making it’s way higher by the minute. Suddenly the drag screamed, stopped, and screamed again. Having landed fish together in the past, Dave and I had some assemblage of a routine, so we went about our business preparing to land our first musky of the weekend. As soon as I grabbed the rod, felt a tug, and started to reel to gain some tension, I could tell this was not an enormous fish. When it surfaced, we both saw a healthy mid-thirty inch pike that had courageously consumed a Livid Fish for breakfast. We landed it, snapped a picture, and released it. Though it was the wrong species, it broke the ice and got us both thinking that this multi-day dry spell was coming to an end.

We set up once again and settled in, now fighting bigger waves. The sun was over the horizon as we watched the poles pulsate with Livid Fish swimming behind and below the boat. The outboard revved as Dave steered the boat back into oncoming waves, preparing for another loop. The drag screamed again. We quickly replicated our previous routine, preparing the boat for another fish. The drag

continued to sound off, letting us know this was a fish that had size. I grabbed the rod as Dave very selflessly managed the boat and the wind. It was difficult to stand in the boat as the waves lifted us up and down. The drag continued to scream. We both cautiously speculated on the size of the fish, knowing that only big fish continually pull line out for this length of time. Finally the drag slowed, indicating on the line counting reel that I had nearly 200 feet to retrieve. I felt the far off head shakes immediately. They sent a message loud and clear that this was a powerful fish. Each time the fish gave me any indication it was coming my direction I turned the handle quickly. I knew it was going to be a lengthy fight and that any slack in the line could give the fish an opportunity to shake free. The angle of the line also indicated that the fish was starting to get closer to the surface. Perhaps he would break through the waves and perform one of those somersaults that muskies are so well known for. I prayed that it stay down, though I desperately wanted to see the fish. I could control slack in the line, but not if he was flying through the air. Suddenly, he made another run. The drag screamed again. The careful work of getting the fish closer to the boat had been lost as the line once again quickly left the reel.

AN EPIC FIGHT

Musky fishermen always envision an epic fight. They can see it in their mind’s eye. It is as big a deal as holding the fish itself. Understanding what might be on the line, both literally and figuratively, I wanted this fight to be over and this fish to be in the net. Again, I started the slow job of getting this fighter back to the boat while trying to maintain my balance, as the waves had not subsided. The story unfolded as it had the first time; a few feet at a time, pausing for head shakes and another brief ten foot run. I began gaining on the brute, and I could feel it was starting to tire as well. Little by little the fish was both coming up and getting closer, but there was still no sighting. Each time I thought I would see a flash of a tail, the reel counter indicated I had plenty of fight left before that would happen.

Corey Nazer hoists his largest musky taken on a Livid Fish, a 52-1/2”, 27-inch girth brute


Finally, I got the line counter down to less than 50 feet and knew I would see it soon. I also was getting cautiously confident that we had the hooks squarely in the fish’s mouth. Internally, I started to recognize that I had never before fought a fish this long.

I saw a streaking flash beneath the water a ways from the port side of the boat, then a violent head shake still not showing itself fully nor breaking the surface. Again another submerged flash, this time revealing much of its profile just below the surface of the water. This was a very large fish. The adrenaline began pumping. Selfishly, I wanted this fish in the net.

The boat side struggle that so many musky fisherman are accustomed to began in earnest. Back and forth it swam, seemingly dodging attempts to move the net in. Nervous about additional runs, I thumbed the spool and gave the fish back some line. Reeling again, I tried to pick an end of the boat so Dave could net at the other end. I knew Dave would pick the right moment to put the net in the water, but getting the fish to the side of the boat was the problem. Working with only about 15 feet of line out and attempting to tame a thrashing fish that was breaking the surface more than it was swimming, I pulled the rod tip awkwardly to my left. Dave, on the deck of the boat to my right, timed his movements well. The fish slid past boat side, and

the net quickly emerged out of the water and surrounded the fish. It was done.

I knew it was the biggest fish of my angling career.

Just observing it in the net, we knew it was heavy. The belly was so much bigger than any I had ever seen. Bringing it into the boat was a two-man job. As we laid it on the bump board to get a measurement, its belly was as impressive as its length. Almost 52 ½ inches! Easily the biggest I had ever landed. Dave and I congratulated each other and continued to marvel at the size of the fish. It was almost impossible to lift the fish for a picture. I struggled to get the slimy, heavy creature out in front of my body. I made several attempts to hoist it, struggling with the girth and pouring belly. I had to brace it against myself before I could muster enough sustained energy to support the weight and manage a grimacing smile.

Before I knew it, my time with the fish was done, and we had to get it back in the water. The satis-faction of catching my biggest musky on my own lure was starting to set in. Dave stopped me briefly, “Let’s get a girth measurement quick.” He hurriedly grabbed the flexible tape measure and pulled it tight around the largest portion of the musky’s belly. 27 inches! Even Dave, who had caught many large muskies before, was impressed. “You might catch a longer fish in your life, but you won’t catch a fatter one,” he exclaimed as I hung over the boat, placing the giant musky back in the water.

I always take stock of my blessings as I hold the base of a big musky’s tail, releasing it back to its home. It happens so infrequently that you have to be in awe of the moment.

As I drove home that evening, I reflected on the decade of lure making that was behind me. I was so excited about that fish, the weekend, the sport of musky fishing, and the Livid Fish with teeth marks on it as it lay on the passenger seat next to me. My hope is that the lure brings other anglers the satisfaction it brought me that day. I think it will.

A 55-inch, late fall monster taken trolling the Naze Baits Livid Fish



BEST WAYS TO GET YOUR KIDS INTO

HUNTING & FISHING

by Michael Smith


With the advancements in technology these days, it’s getting harder and harder to get our kids out to enjoy the great outdoors. If you’ve decided it’s time pull them away from their devices and get a taste of hunting or fishing, you’ll need to do it a little differently than usual if you want to do it more than once.Your years of experience mean that you know the adventures to be had and memories to be made when hunting or fishing. But a poorly thought out trip with the kids can mean it may be their last. Here are some great ideas to help you make sure that you get the most out of the experience, and more importantly, that the kids will want to do it again.

YOUR EXPECTATIONS VS. THE KIDS

Let’s put this out on the table early as it is probably the biggest hurdle to making sure they trip goes as planned.

Their expectations are probably far from the idea of patiently waiting in a blind for hours. This hunting or fishing trip is about them and it’s your job to make sure that this is an exciting adventure that they will remember. That probably means that this won’t be like your usual hunting or fishing trips.

If they’re not enjoying themselves, you can be sure that you won’t either. So make sure you meet their expectations, not the other way around.

PREPARATION AND PLANNING

There are a few things you can do upfront to give the kids a taste of the joys of hunting and fishing.

1. Plan TogetherIt might seem logical to want to plan the whole thing yourself. After all, you’ve done it all before and know what works. But there’s a lot to be said for planning with the kids. Not only will you get an idea for what they might like so you can plan around that, but it will help to keep their expectations realistic.

Don’t forget how much you enjoy planning these trips, the kids will too and will increase their excitement and anticipation. If they’ll be the only child going, let them invite a friend to share the experience.

2. WeatherMake sure that you keep an eye on the weather forecast and that the kids are prepared for the event that the weather doesn’t work out and you may have to reschedule. You can avoid this by happening with some careful planning.

Aim for a season that has the most reliable weather. If the kids are cold and shivering in the woods, it’s not going to make for an enjoyable experience for them. Children are more easily affected by weather conditions than adults and it can be dangerous to assume that they will be able to handle the conditions.

Moderate temperatures with a low chance of rain are best.

3. Location and DurationYou may love spending a whole day in the woods or on a boat but the kids might not. Most kid’s attention spans are pretty short. You don’t want to spend hours just getting to the perfect location, only to find out the kids are bored and want to go home.

Pick somewhere close by, or if it’s a trip over a few days, make sure that the good hunting fishing spots are close by so to keep it short. For your first outings, you’ll want to try and keep it under an hour.

continued ~


4. SAFETY

So the trip is planned, everyone is excited and you’re feeling confident. Before you even get started, you need to think safety, and keep on thinking safety the whole time.

If your child has never fired a gun before, make sure that they are used to the rifle and to use it safely before you even head out. If you’re spending the day on the boat, fiddling with hooks isn’t a great idea for younger kids. If they’re a bit older, make sure you show them how to bait their hook safely. Make sure that the kids are dressed in layers so they can cope with unexpected changes in temperature. If you’re on the boat, always keep the life jackets on.

Most importantly, don’t take any safety shortcuts yourself. You may teach the kids about safety, but if you display a different behavior, they’ll likely do the same.

5. MAKE IT FUN

If you’re heading into the woods, make it an adventure. Don’t expect to sit in a blind all day long. Instead, make the hunt active by walking through the woods. It will feel like an adventure. Teaching the kids about local plants and animals and playing simple games like “I Spy” are easy to do and can distract from the boredom if there’s not much happening.

If you’re heading out on the water to do some fishing, make sure that you have the right gear for their size. Lightweight rods and line will stop them from tiring out too easily. The fish aren’t always biting, so make sure you can keep them entertained. Getting in the water can ensure that the day is still fun, even if you don’t make a catch so make sure you grab the swimming and snorkel gear.

The best thing you can do is to listen to your kids. They’ll likely tell you if they don’t want to do something. Don’t force it. If a child is forced to make a shot and kill an animal, it will be incredibly upsetting and almost guarantee that it will be their last time. If all goes well, listening to what they liked will help plan for next time.

Just remember, this is about creating an experience with your kids and building lasting memories. If you plan to get outdoors with the goal of having fun, then you probably will.



HOW DEER SEETHE SCIENCE BEHIND

AND HUNTING TIPS

Vision is the most investigated human sense, owing to the magnitude of its importance. Vision can be defined as the physiological response to an objective stimulus generated by the physical nature of the object viewed.



MUCH LIKE A HUMAN EYE

The eye has a simple working mechanism; basically, light is either reflected or passes through an object and enters the eye. Once in the eye, it is concentrated at the back on a structure called the retina. The retina is full of light sensitive cells that are connected to the optic nerve. Once the light is absorbed by the photo sensitive cells, it is sent to the brain for interpretation. As a hunter, understanding how your prey sees can be the difference between you having a good kill and you going home empty handed. A deer’s eyes are very similar to human’s eyes in terms of the structural components that help it to perceive light. Various scientists have suggested that the vision of a deer is greater than a human’s due to the following features.

A LARGE FIELD OF VISION

The pupil, this is the part of the eye that appears to be at the very center. Deer’s have a horizontally slit pupil which is in contrast to the human pupil which is not slit. This means that the deer has a wider field view of about 270º. The location of the eyes on the sides of the head also enhances a larger field of view. This being true, deer however, have low visual acuity of about 20/40 meaning they can only make out fine details of an object within the range of 20-40 meters. This is great news for hunters since even if the deer sees you it will not differentiate you from a tree if you aren’t within its visual scope. This ‘problem’ can be dealt with by ensuring that during the hunt you are not directly located in the direction of the deer’s nose since they will attain a binocular view which is more accurate.

The deer sees better during the night. The retina has two types of photo receptor cells; rods and cones. Rods pick up low intensity light while cones pick up colour which is high intensity light. The concentration of rods in humans is lower

than in deer they are thus able to see better during the night. Deer have a reflective substance at the back of their eyes on the retina called the Tapetum lucidum. This reflective part of the eye is important since it allows a kind of double vision through light perception. When light enters into the deer’s eye, it goes through the lenses and onto the tapetum which reflects the light back to the lenses. The lens in turn reflects the light to the retina. This means that the retina is given a chance to perceive and transmit the light twice.

ADVANTAGES IN VISION

The deer has two other advantages in terms of vision. Namely; it has no UV filter and it perceives some wavelengths better than others. Lack of a UV filter means a deer can perceive UV light. The deer’s eyes have two kinds of cones as compared to a human’s which has three. The cones present can only perceive short and middle wavelengths of the light spectrum such as violet and blue. This means that colors such as red which have long wavelengths are perceived as being grey in a deer’s eye. Hunters can thus be on the safer side by avoiding clothes washed in UV based detergents and dyes.

The other basic things that a hunter can do to make a kill are being still and to musk his scent using scent blocks or replacers. Despite their questionable sense of sight, deer have a great sense of smell and sound. Due to their ability to perceive light of shorter and middle length wavelengths, deer perceive the color blue perfectly. They are also able to perceive yellow quite well. Beware hunters; it is not a good day to wear blue. Try wearing colors such as red, green, and orange as studies suggest they appear gray to them.


FISHINGTHE GREAT LAKES

THERE’S NOTHING LIKE IT!

Screamin Drag Sportfishing Charters


With so many ports that are available around the Great Lakes, and so many Charters to choose from, where do you start? Let’s face it, not all Charters are created equal. For as many great experiences out there that have been had, there have been

some bad ones too. We had a chance recently to sit down with Screamin Drag Sportfishing Charters, a reputable charter service and accomplished tournament angling team, and discuss some of those concerns.AOM: Wayne, welcome to American Outdoors Magazine. Tell us a little bit about Screamin Drag Charters.SD: Thank you Melissa, it is a real honor to be here. Screamin Drag Charters is a Christian family owned and operated Charter service as well as a professional tournament team. We had our first tournament win just two years into fishing the trail. We run Charters out of Sheboygan, WI from May through September and focus primarily on whatever our clients are looking for. At Screamin Drag we don’t just book a date and hold you to that date regardless of the weather or how the fishing is. We try to book a trip around whatever is going to make our clients happy. If what they are looking for are rainbows, we target rainbows. If they want every fish to be a king, we try to plan a trip around that. We even do tutoring sessions so you can take the information back to your own boat and catch fish. Our clients’ happiness is what is most important to us! To be honest, we are just a bit different than

Fishing the Great Lakes can be one of those experiences that will leave you wondering why you waited so long to try it. It will bring you back year after year in search of that fish of a lifetime—or just some big fillets for the grill.

your normal Charter service you find on Lake Michigan. We let you know ahead of time how the fishing has been and the weather forecast. So if it isn’t up to your expectations, we can either reschedule or cancel all together. We don’t even take a deposit. We treat our clients with respect and they treat us with respect in turn. Just have fun, that’s what it’s all about. We have had so many clients that come out and tell us horror stories of being charged when a line breaks and the bait is lost. Getting yelled at when they lose a fish. That’s not what fun sounds like to us at Screamin Drag. We like to have fun. We are a low stress, low-key, family owned business that prides ourselves on our clients’ happiness.AOM: That sounds great Wayne! What is it about the Great Lakes that draws so many fishermen/women to it?

SD: Well Melissa, the Great Lakes is a fishery that draws people from thousands of miles in search of that fish of a life time. As a matter of fact, one of our clients

that come back year after year is actually from Russia. It is a fishery that every time a rod goes off, it could be that “one” and that really excites people. So many people are smaller lake fisherman and have a hard time picturing a rainbow trout that can break the surface and leap 3 feet in the air, or a King that literally rips out 150’ of line in mere seconds. It’s just so different and there is only one place to find it—here in the Great Lakes!

continued ~


AOM: Fishing out of Sheboygan, what kind of fish do you catch?

SD: Actually, we get this question a lot. Sheboygan is primarily known for being a large king salmon fishery, but we also have very good numbers of

rainbow trout, brown trout and lake trout. Certain years we find good numbers of Coho salmon as well. Our season normally starts out in April to May for brown trout, but once the water warms enough to snap the fish out of winter mode, boats are headed off shore looking for that big king or lake trout. The water continues to set up developing thermoclines and we are in action! June and July are normally very good months for double digit catches. The season can continue like this all the way into the end of August, when the bigger kings begin to stage for the fall spawning run. This can be another very popular time as fishermen line the piers looking for mature kings weighing up to 30 pounds. And boats work the harbor area and out front. The 2015 season brought us our first 20-pound lake trout, a 15-pound rainbow trout and several large kings. Our largest king salmon came in 2003 at 29.11 pounds and was 42 inches long... a hard fish to beat.AOM: What advice do you have for someone who is thinking of heading out on their own to try their luck at catching those BIG ones?SD: That question is a little more complicated. So many people look at us and think, “God I wish I could fish and get paid to do it”. What they don’t understand is all of the hard work it takes to be successful. The best piece of advice I can give is just submerse yourself in every bit of information you can find. Research; learn what baits to run, how to run those baits and then why you run those baits. Watch what the weather does and the water temperatures. When I first started I had a used

boat, a couple rods, and big dreams. I found a respectable web site that posted fishing reports and downloaded hundreds of fishing reports that spanned years. I laid them out and analyzed all the similarities. Water temps, depths of water, baits used, colors for the baits, what those baits caught, etc. Next, I hooked up with a reputable Charter Captain and booked some trips. That same Captain is the one who gave me the idea to be a Captain myself. Lastly, and probably the hardest for the average guy to do, take notes. Building that knowledge is a large part of being successful. That is also why we decided to become a professional tournament team. We take it to the next step, learn the newest tactics and learn the latest gear that is out there. This is information most Charter boats don’t really do. We incorporate those tactics into our Charter fishing to be even more successful. AOM: Wayne, we really appreciate this time you spent with us answering our questions. We just have one more. If our subscribers want to book a charter, what are some of the things they should look for in a Charter Service?SD: There are a lot of reputable, honest, hardworking Charter services out there. Unfortunately, there are some that are not. This past spring, we were at a sport show when a couple came to our booth and asked us if we were the “best” Charter on Lake Michigan. Lol—I was really surprised by that. Our answer was pretty simple. We would never claim to be the best, but we can promise you that we will work our tails off to give you the best experience that we possibly can. In reality, fishing is fishing and I think most fisherman already realize that. But there is a difference between that and knowing ahead of time the fishing is poor, not saying anything to your clients and taking them anyway. Finding a reputable, honest Charter service isn’t


difficult. You just need to ask the right questions and really listen to the answers. “If we need to cancel last minute for good reason, will we get our deposit back?” If you get the “oh yeah, oh yeah, not an issue there” you may want to ask more probing questions. If the Captain is taking the time to explain to you the ins and outs of getting a deposit back, in my opinion, they are more reputable because they are willing to treat you like a person and take the time to talk to you. If they don’t take a deposit at all, like we do at Screamin Drag, that’s even better. “If fishing is slow, will you allow us to reschedule for a better time?” Everyone likes to talk about all the fish they catch. Most Charters don’t like to talk about the bad days. Ask them about the bad days and see how they respond. Everyone has them. Even the “best” Charter Captain has had bad days—whether or not they post it on Facebook. Fishing is fishing, but how are the Captain and his crew going to treat you? You are the most

important thing! The fish will be there, the boat will be shiny and the bait pretty. But if you are not going to be treated well, if you’re going to face hidden charges or have a first mate yell at you because you lost a fish—does it really matter how many fish you end up with if you don’t enjoy the experience?AOM: Thank you again for spending this time with us. If our readers would like to get more information, what’s the best way for them to contact you? SD: Thank you for having us! It is a real honor to be part of American Outdoors Magazine. If readers would like to know more about us they can reach us either by checking out our website or liking us on Facebook. www.ScreaminDragCharters.com



Animal rights activists find the blood sport to be barbaric. However, its participants and proponents see it to be a traditional equestrian sport, as well as an important aspect of England’s aristocratic history. In fact, even though it does take place in several countries, its roots can be traced to the British.

HUNTING TRADITIONS

Known as venery, the use of scent hounds to track prey dates way back to Assyrian, Babylonian, and also ancient Egyptian times. But, it was in England, using the Agassaei breed of dog, that fox hunting was really popular, taking place before the Romans even arrived.

THE HISTORY OF FOX HUNTINGFox Hunting has always been seen as a British activity during which highly trained dogs, as well as human hunters on horseback, pursue the red fox.

Animal rights activists find the blood sport to be barbaric. However, its participants and proponents see it to be a traditional equestrian sport, as well as an important aspect of England’s aristocratic history. In fact, even though it does take place in several countries, its roots can be traced to the British.

HUNTING TRADITIONS

Known as venery, the use of scent hounds to track prey dates way back to Assyrian, Babylonian, and also ancient Egyptian times. But, it was in England, using the Agassaei breed of dog, that fox hunting was really popular, taking place before the Romans even arrived.

continued ~



Later, the Romans brought over the Castorian and Fulpine breed of hounds, as well as the brown hare and several species of deer to use as quarry. Wild boar was also known as a hunted animal.

Norman hunting traditions began when William the Conqueror arrived, using Gascon and Talbot hounds. In fact, the cry of tally ho is the Norman equivalent to the French il est haut, meaning he is up.

1534 marks the first known attempt at fox hunting, taking place in Norfolk, England. Farmers used their dogs to chase foxes as a way of pest control.

It wasn’t until the 17th century that organized pack began to hunt hare and fox, while it those used specifically for the sport of fox hunting weren’t used until the 18th century.

MODERNIZED CHANGES

The Industrial Revolution saw people moving out of the country, instead settling in towns and cities where they could find work. Even though roads, rails, and canals split up the hunting land, it made it more accessible to people who wanted to hunt. Also, the improvement of shotguns during the 19th century allowed for game shooting to gain popularity.

Even though it is viewed as a usually typical rural British sport, hunting using hounds does take place all over. Those hunts in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, and also India are considered to be, to some extent, a British Empire legacy. However, some do claim that the first pack that was used solely for fox hunting was in the United States.

Other countries, influenced by the Greek and Romans, also have a tradition of fox hunting using hounds. For example, both France and Italy still have fox hunts. But, in countries such as Switzerland and Germany, fox hunting has been outlawed.

As of 2004, 170 registered packs found in the United States and Canada were included by the Masters of Foxhounds Association of America, as well as many more farmer, or non-recognized, packs.

When fox hunting is done in the United States, the pursued fox is often not caught. In fact, they are trained so they aren’t caught during the fox hunt.

During the late summer, young hounds are taken on hunts called cubbing, during which puppies are taught to hunts while the young foxes are taught to give chase. The proper season usually begins in early November.


You’ve just spent all day stalking that buck or sitting in your jon boat waiting for that giant bass. And now that you’ve emerged victorious after a hard day’s work, you need to make sure you properly preserve this moment!

1. PREPARATION

First and foremost—clean the animal and make it presentable for the camera! This doesn’t necessarily require a proper field dressing but you will want to make sure that you don’t gross out Nana too bad when you show off the photo.

You should have some wipes with you, and if you don’t, even a rag and some water will work. Clean all that blood off of the animal’s face, especially around the nose and mouth. Tuck that tongue back in the mouth and keep the mouth shut with either a small piece of string or strong rubber band (avoiding the bright blue and pink rubber bands!).

PHOTOS

TAKING THE PERFECT TROPHY HUNT

Follow these simple steps for taking the perfect trophy hunt photo.

continued ~

by John Peltier



Back lighting should be avoided if at all possible. The camera will have a difficult time choosing the proper exposure when the sun is at your back and you will get some messy and unpredictable results. Either you & your kill will be dark while your background is properly exposed; or you will be exposed correctly and your background will be bright white. You just don’t know, and none of those sound good, right?

Another consideration on lighting, one that will really make your photos pop. Have you heard of the “golden hour”? It’s that hour before & after sunrise and sunset. If you can afford it, try to take your photo in the hour before sunset or hour after sunrise. You’ll get some great colors in the sky and a nice warm glow on your trophy!

If you must take your photo around midday, use passing clouds to your advantage. Clouds will diffuse the light and soften the shadows some, providing a more even spread of light throughout the scene. This will help you avoid hard shadows and too much contrast. Also, if the sun is high, be mindful of shadows that a brimmed hat might cast on your face – you’ll want to avoid these shadows.

3. POSING

Things you want to consider while setting up the pose with your trophy: capture the environment, the size of your kill, and of course make yourself look good too!

Note the side of the animal that’s injured and focus on the opposite side for extra cleaning—that’s the side that will face the camera. You don’t want a bloody puncture wound right in front of the camera.

2. LIGHTING

This may not be something that you think about but it’s time you start! In order to bring out all of the details and show proper depth and dimension, it’s important to consider where the sun is while taking your trophy photo. These are your priorities for lighting, in descending order:

• side light

• front light

• back light

Side lighting, with the sun 45-60 degrees off to the side, will do a few things in your favor. It will light up both you and your kill but it won’t blind you. It will also cast some slight shadows across the surface of both you and your kill, giving it a “three-dimensional” look. And it will also light up and add some dimension to the background.

Front lighting will do many of the same things as side lighting except that it won’t cast as many shadows. You and your kill may appear “flat”. You may have noticed this phenomenon when a camera flashes—there’s not much dimension to the photo. Fortunately, it shouldn’t be difficult to rotate slightly to put the sun off to an angle.


If you caught that trout in a wide blue river surrounded by majestic mountains, show it off! Don’t take the picture in front of your tent or car! If you used a boat, include the boat in the photo too (sit in it?).

Photos of fish and small fowl work best while standing, with the camera at or just below eye level. This will show off the environment in the background, and having the camera slightly lower will make your catch look a little bigger.

With large game, it’s best to kneel next to the animal and get more of the sky. For example, if you can photograph the rack against the sky, it will look bigger than if it were in front of trees and grass. These photos should also be taken from a slightly lower angle – never be kneeling for a photo with the camera at a standing height.

And as discussed earlier, make sure your animal is clean and hide the puncture/kill wound.

If you have a camera with a zoom lens, shooting at the widest angle possible will also make your trophy look larger. This is because the animal will take up the same amount of space in the photo but more of the background will show, creating the illusion of a larger trophy.

Finally, don’t forget to include your equipment! Many people will sling their rifle or bow over their shoulder, and that’s fine, but you don’t want it to be completely hidden behind your body. Instead

of slinging it over your shoulder, try holding it in front of you, letting it rest on the “shoulder pocket”. This will even work if you need both hands to hold up the head of your trophy. If this won’t work, you can as a last resort rest it on the ground or lean it up against the animal.

4. GETTING THE SHOT

Are you by yourself? If so you’ll need a way to hold the camera, and a self-timer. Small portable tripods work best with DSLRs and point-and-shoot cameras, like the Gorillapod or Ultrapod. These are best for those low-level shots. For camera phones you can get creative by propping them up on your backpack, or using a bungee to lash them to a tree branch.

Don’t take just one photo! The guidelines above are just guidelines. Experiment to see what works best for your specific situation. You will want to remember this day, and after all you did for it, why only take one photo?

If you took the photo with a camera phone or camera with wifi connection, email the photos to yourself before you even get home. If something happens to your camera/phone on the way home, at least you’ll have the photo waiting for you when you get back. And when you do get back, download the photos right away.

Use these tips and watch the “Facebook likes” start flooding in!



EASYSURVIVAL SKILLS TO REMEMBER


EASY SURVIVAL SKILLS

1. Put dried moss or milkweed fuzz in your pocket as you walk, so you’ll have dry tinder to start a fire, just in case it’s raining later. Cattail fuzz works well too, and you can experiment with different materials.

2. If it looks and tastes like a blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry – it is. There is no berry in North America that looks like a blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry, and can hurt you from one taste. Take a taste, and just spit it out completely if it doesn’t taste right.

3. Make a pile of dry leaves and dead grass to keep warm in an emergency. People have slept warmly without a blanket, in below-freezing weather, in a pile of dry grass.

4. Put a stick upright in the ground, and mark the tip of the shadow. Mark it again fifteen minutes later. Scratch a line between the first and second marks, and it will be pointing east. Techniques like this can save you when your compass is lost.

5. Clouds form in the Rocky Mountains just before the afternoon storms in summer. Lightning in Colorado regularly kills hikers. Birds often fly lower before storms. Learning to read the sky and the behavior of animals can keep you out of trouble.

Survival skills just for backpacking? Why not? For ultralight backpackers, skills replace gear, and therefore weight. If you spend any time in the wilderness, it also just feels good to know you can deal with whatever comes up.

6. The biggest wilderness killer is hypothermia, and getting wet is the biggest cause. Get in the habit of watching for ledges or large firm trees to stand under when you think that rain may be coming. Learning to stay dry is one of the more important survival skills.

7. To stay warmer, sleep with your head slightly downhill. It takes some getting used to, but it works.

8. Get in the habit of filling water bottles every chance you get, and you won’t have such a hard time with any long dry stretches of trail. Drink up the last of your water right before you fill the bottles too.

9. Break a “blister” on the trunk of a small spruce or fern tree, and you can use the sap that oozes out as a good antiseptic dressing for small cuts. It also can be used to start a fire, and will burn when wet.

10. Bark from a white birch tree will usually light even when wet. In a jam, you can also use it as a paper substitute if you need to leave a note in an emergency.

The above are just a few tips and techniques you can easily learn. But here are many more, and they can make backpacking not only safer, but more interesting. Why not practice one or two of these survival skills?

Survival means staying warm and dry, hydrated, uninjured, and finding your way out of the wilderness. Of course, eating is nice too, but not crucial if the situation is just for a few days. Here are some survival skills you can learn easily.



ILLINOIS CAMPGROUND AMENITIES

Featured Camping Spots

STARVED ROCK STATE PARK Oglesby, ILCHAIN O’ LAKES STATE PARK Spring Grove, ILFOX RIDGE STATE PARK Charleston, IL

WORLD SHOOTING & RECREATIONAL COMPLEX Sparta, IL

TRAIL OF TEARS STATE FOREST Jonesboro, IL

JIM EDGAR PANTHER CREEK Chandlerville Township, IL

KICKAPOO STATE RECREATIONAL AREA Oakwood, IL

CLINTON LAKE STATE RECREATION AREA De Witt, IL

REND LAKE Benton, IL

WELDON SPRINGS STATE PARK Clinton, IL

MORAINE VIEW STATE RECREATION AREA Le Roy, IL

GIANT CITY STATE PARK Makanda, IL

JUBILEE COLLEGE STATE PARK Brimfield, ILELDON HAZLET STATE RECREATION AREA Carlyle, IL

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American Outdoors Magazine expressly disclaims any warranty of the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance upon the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Any person who relies upon such information obtained from this does so at his or her own risk.

Please be aware that some anemities offered may not be listed, please contact the campgrounds for more information.



Starla’s Gourmet Seasonings, Dip and Mixes is your one stop shop for all your seasoning and dippy needs!

Starla’s seasoning blends are as unique as their names and are certain to complement any event. Whether you’re hosting a party, looking for a gift for a special friend, tailgating or just in the mood for flavor—we are here for you!

We are a Wisconsin family run business. Every package is made with the finest quality ingredients we can find, hand packed and labeled.

All of my dip mixes and seasonings have no MSG and no gluten. Easy recipes are on the back of each package for a variety of appetizer, main course and dessert options. Visit us at: www.ilovedip.com or like us on Facebook!

Starla’s Seasonings, Dips & MixesFrom savory to sweet, there is a seasoning or dip mix flavor to please every pallet!

Try this amazing recipe today!GLORIOUS GARLIC MOOSE ROAST Serves 4 to 6

1 (3-4 pound) moose roast*

1 envelope of onion soup mix

1 teaspoon of Glorious Garlic Seasoning or Peppercorn Ranch

2 cans of Coca Cola

Add moose roast to crock-pot, sprinkle with onion soup mix and Glorious Garlic or Peppercorn Ranch Seasoning.

Pour coke all around base of roast.

Cover and cook on low for about 7 or 8 hours.

Remove, and let stand before slicing.

*Also works great with beef, pork, bear, venison and chicken!

See more at: www.ilovedip.com

GREAT RECIPE



ILLINOIS HUNTING SEASON DATES

2015-2016 HUNTING SEASONS

Small Game Dates (Inclusive) & Zones Hours Daily LimitPossession

Limit

Rabbit (Cottontail & Swamp)

Nov. 7, 2015 - Feb. 15, 2016 (Statewide)

Sunrise to sunset

4 10a

Cock Pheasant Nov. 7, 2015 - Jan. 8, 2016 (North)Nov. 7, 2015 - Jan. 15, 2016 (South)

2 6a

Hungarian (Gray) Partridge

2 6a

Quail (Bobwhite) 8 20a

Squirrel (Fox and Gray) Aug. 1, 2015 - Feb. 15, 2016 (Statewide) 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset

5 10a

Woodchuck (Groundhog) June 1, 2015 - March 31,2016Closed Nov. 20 - 22 and Dec. 3 - 6 in counties open for firearm deer hunting

Sunrise to sunset No Limit

For the hunters who need to plan in advance, here is a list of when you can hunt particular animals during their allotted hunting season. Please note this is the 2015-2016 hunting seasons, for the 2016-2017 seasons when posted visit: www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting

Deer & Turkey Dates (Inclusive) & Zones Hours Limit

Firearm Deer (Handgun) Nov. 20 - 22; Dec. 3 - 6, 2015

1/2 hour be-fore sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset

One deer per firearm permitf

Deer (Muzzleloading rifles only) Dec.11 - 13, 2015 (also allowed Dec. 3 - 6)

One deer per muzzleloading rifle permitf

Special CWD Deer Season

Dec. 31, 2015 – Jan. 3, 2016 andJan. 15 - 17, 2016

One deer per valid deer permitg

Late-Winter Antlerless Deer Jan. 15 - 17, 2016 1/2 hour before sunrise One antlerless deer per permit (Hand-gun, Muzzleloader & Shotgun)

One antlerless deer per permit

Deer (Archery in counties with a firearm season and west of Rt. 47 in Kane County)

Oct. 1 - Nov. 19, Nov. 23 - Dec. 2, and Dec. 7, 2015 - Jan. 17, 2016

One deer per archery permitf

Deer (Archery in Cook, DuPage, Kane Oct. 1, 2015 - Jan. 17, 2016 [east of Route 47] and Lake counties)

Oct. 1, 2015 - Jan. 17, 2016

Youth Firearm Deer Season Oct. 10 - 12, 2015 and Nov. 20 - 22, 2015

One deer

Youth Turkey Season (1 permit per year)

March 26 - 27, 2016 (South)April 2 - 3, 2016 (North)

1/2 hour be-fore sunrise to 1 p.m

One gobbler or bearded hen, counts toward maxi-mum of 3 spring permits

Turkey (Spring Shotgun or Archery) April 4 - May 5, 2016b (South)April 11 - May 12, 2016b (North)

One gobbler or bearded hen per permit, maximum of 3

Turkey (Fall Shotgun Season) Oct. 24 - Nov. 1, 2015 1/2 hour be-fore sunrise to sunset

One either-sex turkey per permit, maximum of 2

Turkey (Fall Archery) Oct. 1, 2015 - Jan. 17, 2016, except closed during firearm deer season in counties open to firearm deer hunting

1/2 hour be-fore sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset

One either-sex turkey per permit, maximum of 2



For all other season & species regulations please see the state DNR

Migratory Game Birds Dates (Inclusive) & Zones HoursDaily Limit

Possession Limit

Dovec Sept. 1 - Nov. 14, 2015; Dec. 26, 2015 - 15c 45c Jan. 9, 2016

Sunrise to sunset15c 45c

Teal (tentative) Sept. 5 - 20, 2015 6 18

Early Canada Goose Sept. 1 - 15, 2015 North & Central 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset

5 15South Central & South 2 6

Rail (Sora & Virginia only) Sept. 5 - Nov. 13, 2015 Sunrise to sunset 25 75

Common Snipe Sept. 5 - Dec. 20, 2015 8 24

Woodcock Oct. 17 - Nov. 30, 2015 3 9

Crow Oct. 28, 2015 - Feb. 28, 2016 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset

No Limit

The season dates for Migratory Waterfowl seasons that occur after Oct. 1 will be available in September. See 2015-2016 Digest of Waterfowl Hunting Regulations.

Furbearers - Hunting Dates (Inclusive) & Zones Hours Limit

Raccoon & Opossum Nov. 5, 2015 - Feb. 10, 2016 (North) Nov. 10, 2015 - Feb. 15, 2016 (South)Closed Nov. 20 - 21 & through 6 p.m. Nov. 22 & closed Dec. 3 in counties open for firearm deer hunting

Unrestricted except Nov. 5 (North) & Nov. 10 (South) opens at sunrised

No LimitFox (Red and Gray) Nov. 10, 2015 - Jan. 31, 2016 (Statewide)

Closed Nov. 20 - 21 and through 6 p.m. Nov. 22 and closed Dec. 3 - 5 & through 6 p.m. Dec. 6 in counties open for firearm der hunting

Unrestricted except Nov. 10 opens at sunrised

Coyote and Striped Skunk Year round (Statewide) Closed Nov. 20 - 21 and through 6 p.m. Nov. 22 and closed Dec. 3 - 5 and through 6 p.m. Dec. 6 in counties open for firearm deer huntinge

1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hr. after sunset; open 24 hours Nov. 10, 2015 - March 15, 2016e

a On the 2nd day of the hunting season, you may possess no more than twice the daily bag limit.

b South — 1st season — April 4 - 8; 2nd season — April 9 - 14; 3rd season — April 15 - 20; 4th season — April 21 - 27; 5th season — April 28 - May 5North — 1st season — April 11 - 15; 2nd season — April 16 - 21; 3rd season — April 22 - 27; 4th season — April 28 - May 4; 5th season — May 5 - 12

c The daily bag and possession limits include mourning doves and white-winged doves in the aggregate. There is no bag limit on Eurasian-collared doves and ringed turtle doves, but they may be takenonly during the established season dates and hours and using only legal methods for mourning doves. Hunters may not remain in the field for the purpose of taking Eurasian-collared doves or ringedturtle doves after they reach their daily bag limit for mourning/white-winged doves.

d During the Archery Deer Season bow hunting hours for coyote, striped skunk, raccoon, opossum, red fox and gray fox will be 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

e Hunters with unfilled firearm deer permits may take coyotes during firearm deer season by shotgun with slugs, muzzleloader or handgun from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

f No hunter, regardless of the quantity or type of permits in his/her possession, may harvest more than two antlered deer during a year, including the youth, archery, muzzleloader and firearm seasons.

For the purpose of this bag limit, deer seasons are considered to be in the same year if their opening dates are within the same 12-month period that begins July 1.

g Antlered deer bag limit does not apply to this season.





This is not a full regulation table. For complete information and more regulations please visit: www.dnr.illinois.gov/fishing/Pages/FishingInformation.aspx

ILLINOIS FISHING REGULATIONS

FISHING REGULATIONS

LARGEMOUTH BASS, SMALLMOUTH BASS, SPOTTED BASS

Daily harvest limit is 6 bass, either singly or in the aggregate, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. In streams and rivers (excluding the mainstem of the Mississippi, Ohio, including the Golconda Marina and Wabash Rivers) the daily harvest can contain no more than 3 smallmouth bass. In rivers and streams and their tributaries statewide, except for the Mississippi, Ohio (including the Golconda Marina), Wabash and Illinois Rivers, all smallmouth bass must be immediately released between April 1 and June 15

MUSKELLUNGE, NORTHERN PIKE AND THEIR HYBRIDS

All muskellunge and muskellunge hybrids (tiger muskie) taken must be 36˝ in total length or longer, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. No more than 1 muskellunge or muskellunge hybrid (tiger muskie) may be taken per day, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations. All northern pike taken must be 24˝ in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River and Ohio River where there is no size limit. No more than 3 northern pike may be taken per day, except as specified under Site Specific Regulations.

CRAPPIE (WHITE, BLACK OR HYBRID CRAPPIE)

There are no harvest or size limits except in those waters listed under Site Specific Regulations.

BLUEGILL AND REDEAR SUNFISH

There are no harvest or size limits except in those waters listed under Site Specific Regulations

PADDLEFISH Daily harvest limit is 2 paddlefish.

STRIPED BASS (OCEAN ROCKFISH), WHITE BASS,YELLOW BASS AND HYBRIDS

There are no daily harvest limits or minimum size limits for striped bass (ocean rockfish), white bass, yellow bass and their hybrids, which are less than 17˝ in total length, except in those waters listed under Site Specific Regulations. For these fish 17˝ in total length or longer, the daily limit is 3 fish, either singly or in the aggregate, except in the Mississippi River between Illinois and Missouri where there is a 30 fish daily harvest limit for all striped, white, yellow or hybrid striped bass. In the Mississippi River between Illinois and Iowa, there is a 25 fish daily harvest on striped bass, white bass, yellow bass and their hybrids, either singly or in the aggregate

TROUT AND SALMON Daily harvest limit is 5 trout or salmon, either singly or in the aggregate.

WALLEYE, SAUGER OR THEIR HYBRID

All walleye, sauger, or their hybrid (saugeye) taken must be 14˝ in total length or longer, except in the Mississippi River, Ohio River, Wabash River, or as specified under Site Spe-cific Regulations. Daily harvest limit is 6 walleye, sauger or their hybrid, either singly or in the aggregate, except in those waters listed under Site Specific Regulations.

INJURIOUS SPECIES For injurious species, as described in 17 Ill. Adm. Code 805, there are no harvest or size limits. Possession of live specimens, progeny thereof, viable eggs, or gametes isprohibited.

COMMON SNAPPING TURTLES AND BULLFROGS

Season: June 15 to October 15, both dates inclusive. The daily harvest limit for common snapping turtles is 2 with a possession limit of 4. The daily harvest limit for bullfrogs is 8 with a possession limit of 16. Indigenous Amphibian and Reptile taxa (excludingcommon snapping turtles and bullfrogs) possession limit is 8 collectively with no more than 4 per taxa

*The above are statewide sportfish regulations. Specific water areas may have sportfish regulations which differ and are more restrictive. Please check the Site Specific Sportfish Regulations at the DNR and are posted (at boat launches and at site offices) at each water area where applicable. State Endangered and Threatened Species may not be taken for any purpose.


Illinois is a place you know you’re always welcome. Where locals share hidden gems. Festivals happen at the drop of a hat, and generations of families make memories. Here are some of the state symbols.

State Amphibian: Eastern TigerSalamander

State Flower: Violet

State Animal:White-tailed deer

State Bird: Northern Cardinal

State Snack Food: Popcorn

State Mineral: Fluorite

State Butterfly: Monarch Butterfly

State Fruit: Gold Rush Apple

State Folk Dance: Square Dance

State Fossil: Tully Monster

State Nickname: Land of Lincoln

State Fish: Bluegill

State Prairie Grass: Big Bluestem

State Tree: White oak

State Motto: State sovereignty, national union

ILLINOIS FACTS



P.O. Box 6262Peoria, Illinois 61601

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAID PEORIA, IL

PERMIT NO. 365

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