Saturday, February 23, 2008

Ice Fishing and the Outdoor Show

The winter months outdoors have been slow for me.  I am now ready for spring and the turkey hunting and fishing that comes with it.  The highlight this last month has been an ice fishing outing on Lake Wilhelm for crappie and bluegill.  I don’t consider myself a hardcore ice fisherman, however, I do enjoy getting out in the dead of winter and possibly catching a few fish.  Though I typically ice fish alone, the area I usually go has no shortage of anglers searching for the winter panfish.  The atmosphere is typically social and friendly.

Equipment
All the equipment, packed up and ready to go.


Equipment
My shelter and all the equipment


This entry actually began the day before my trip to the lake.  My first trip of the year on the ice usually involves trying to gather all my equipment scattered from one end of the garage to the other… heater, ice fishing rods, tackle, auger, lantern, ice scoop, fold up chairs, and finally the ice fishing shelter.  After re-spooling my rods, spending a couple hours gathering my equipment, and making sure everything is in working order, I was finally ready to hit the hard water.

Ice Shelter



The next afternoon I arrived at the lake ready to lay full assault on the panfish.  My spot would be a trench along an island, in the stumps on Lake Wilhelm.  After drilling a couple trial holes to find the right depth (9 – 10 foot), I was settled in, optimistic for an evening of action.  Within the first hour, a couple of gentlemen came to my shanty to chat.  They had been at the lake all day and their report of so far had been that the action was slow.  This didn’t bother me as my best luck on this lake, usually came within the last two hours of the day.  We talked for about ½ hr about hunting and past ice fishing trips.  During that time, I did not have a bite.  As “prime time” rolled around, I had only caught 1 tiny perch.  As day light was fading the bite started, but unfortunately the fish were small and the bites were few.  As the last light faded, I decided to throw the white flag up and call it a day.  The final tally was 5 small bluegill and 2 baby perch.  It was time to break down and make the long trek back to my truck.

As I arrived back at the parking area, I had the chance to talk with three other fishermen out that night.  It turns out they didn’t do very well either, so I checked the trip up as a slow days fishing.  I would love all of my entry’s to contain big fish, bucks and turkeys, but this is not reality in my outdoors.  Any trip outdoors is a rewarding experience and worth sharing.

Interior
The interior of my ice shelter

Ice Poles



The first time out on the ice is a special day every year.  The experience is different than any other outdoor venture I take part in.  It is a time to slow down, relax, and enjoy the outdoors… anything else (fish) is an added bonus.  Though I didn’t catch many fish, I got the opportunity to get out and enjoy the outdoors when many people are cooped up inside.  Because of this, there is no such thing as a bad day on the ice.

Bluegill



Ice Contest
An entry in the 2008 PSP Ice Fishing Contest

The 2nd part of my journal entry involves the opportunity to participate in the Eastern Outdoor Show.  One of the highlights of the show was meeting the people who make this site possible.  I had the opportunity to meet Andy and though I didn’t get a chance to talk to him at length, I can tell you he is very passionate about this site and the outdoors.  I’ve grown up with Jason and enjoy every chance I get to spend time with him.  I had a great time putting faces with many of the names on this site and would like to welcome the new members.  I also had the chance to meet John Bulgrin of Wisconsin Outdoor Adventures (check out the outfitter directory in the forums on this site).  He is a good guy, and it was nice to put a face with the name I’ve heard so much about. If you get a chance, look through the archives on this site and check out the PSP coverage on the Outdoor Show.  As always, good luck in your outdoor ventures and most important, be safe.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

The Ice is Nice!

Like most of the hardwater anglers in PA, I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of solid ice so I could get out of the house and do some fishing. The reports of two, then three, and finally four inches of clear ice couldn’t come soon enough. Some folks say that two inches is thick enough to hold fishermen, but personally, I’m not comfortable until there’s at least four inches.

Ice Fishing
The first layer of ice at Kahle Lake in Clarion County; Six inches of clear ice is more than enough to ensure safe angling opportunities.


My hopes were high as I set out with a truck load of gear on my first trip of the year. Lake Arthur in Butler County was my destination, and I’d had good luck there in the past. Ice fishing can be tough, and despite my optimism that day, I got completely skunked. The only fish I took home were the shiners I brought for bait. Still, I was happy for the excursion and my cabin fever was beginning to subside.

Ice Fishing
Yellow perch are a favorite among ice fishermen; A spring bobber helps with detecting light bites.


My next trip to the lake was a windy day, so I spent most of my time in the shanty with my jigging rod. The fish were pretty tight-lipped, but I still managed to coax a few decent bluegills with some waxworms. I also caught a small crappie on a tip-up baited with a minnow, but the rest of my flags flew low.

Ice Fishing
A look inside my ice shanty; Trap doors allow easy access to the ice below.


An ice shanty can be a real blessing if the weather is foul, and since I bought mine last year, I’ve been able to spend more hours on the lake than I ever would have without it. Most of the new models can be assembled in a couple of minutes and fold up into compact sleds. If you’re thinking of buying one, check the sporting goods stores for end-of-season sales in March.

Ice Fishing
A tip-up stands at the ready for what lurks below; Vince Hoover holds up a small northern pike from Lake Arthur.


I hoped the “third time’s a charm” rule would hold for my next trip to the lake, and I wasn’t disappointed. My friend Vince and I arrived at the lake just before sunrise as a storm front approached on the horizon. Shortly after setting out two rows of tip-ups, the flags began to fly. Within the first hour, we landed several bass, including a couple of keepers, as well as a nice perch. The bluegill were also feeding and kept us busy between sprints to waving flags.

Ice Fishing
A sprung flag will bring anglers running; Hot soup makes a great shanty lunch.


I’ve always found ice fishermen to be some of the friendliest individuals I’ve encountered in the field. One such example was a fellow we met that day named Jeff. He complimented us on our choice of locations and kindly asked if he and his sons could fish nearby. We had no problem sharing our spot and welcomed them to join us. After getting set up, Jeff fired up his grill and cooked us all hot sausage sandwiches. That was the first time I’d ever had a complete stranger bring me breakfast, and it just goes to show the caliber of folks you’re likely to meet on the ice.

Ice Fishing
Keeping gear organized is easier with a bucket modified with PVC pipe (design credit goes to the Fertigs Ice Team); A nearby angler named Mick landed these two trophies in the shallows of Lake Arthur.


The flags kept flying into the afternoon, and although I wasn’t keeping track, I know we landed over 15 bass and also a small northern pike. Another nearby angler named Mick also had a fantastic day, hauling in 18 bass and a nice northern. His largest bass was 23” long and weighed 6 ½ pounds. He said it was his largest bass to date, and I was happy to snap a few photos for him.

Ice Fishing
Largemouth bass often fall victim to a tip-up rigged with a shiner; A few keepers taken from Lake Arthur


The current weather forecast is calling for more cold temperatures and most of the local lakes should allow for hardwater opportunities well into March. If you’ve never tried ice fishing, it’s a great way to ward off cabin fever and pass the time until the turkeys start talking. Good luck and stay safe!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

A Day of Tools, Tips and Tactics

Last Friday I stopped by to see my Friend Shirley Grenoble to talk a little “turkey”. Shirley has been hunting turkey for over 40 years now. She is an avid outdoors woman and outdoor writer for the Altoona Mirror and contributor writer to the Pennsylvania Outdoor Times. Shirley has written for various magazines and newspapers over the years. Her knowledge and experience are impressive to say the least. Shirley was one of the first members of the NWTF in Pennsylvania and helped establish the PA NWTF as one of the most influential conservation organizations in the Country.

While we were sharing hunting stories she invited me to her Seminar over the weekend at the Blair County Convention Center and Outdoor Times Sports Show. I was also looking forward to going, being that I had various friends and acquaintances who would be working at the show. Plus Shirley wanted me to meet an absolutely extraordinary woman in the outdoors, Joanie Heidel. I was eager to finally hear Shirley talk some more about her strategies in hunting turkeys.

Magazines
Just some of the many magazines Shirley has written for over the years.


Saturday, Don and I headed out for the show and our first stop was with the owners, Jim and Debbie Faith of East Coast Gun Sales. East Coast was holding a Taser seminar that I wanted to attend. We had some time before the Seminar started so we headed over in hopes of possibly getting a chance to meet or speak with Bob Foulkrod.

East Coast Gun Sales
East Coast Gun Sales, (LtoR)Scott Henck, Jim Faith, Owner, myself, Debbie Faith Owner.


Bob was at the show holding various seminars over the weekend. Let me say that getting a chance to speak with him was no difficult feat. Bob was very approachable and welcomed the opportunity to talk to fellow Pennsylvanians about whatever it was you wanted to speak about. He was more than happy to snap a few photos with me and was very professional and personable.

Bob Foulkrod


Foulkrod is a PA native and still has property up in Troy, Bradford County, PA. There he said he operates a ranch where he holds a bow school and archery camp. This man is one of the most accomplished hunters of all time. Bob started his personal hunting dream. His “Obsession Quest” 5 years ago. This quest includes all 50 big game animals in North America, the African big 5 and the Grand Quest on wild turkey. If you don’t think that is hard enough…he is doing each hunt in front of a camera. Bob has one animal left on his Quest to complete his dream mission. The muskox. He is heading out the end of March to complete the task. Each of the animals Bob has taken will be mounted life size and placed on display at various Bass Pro shops for the public to enjoy.

While sitting in Bob’s seminar later that afternoon, I found while listening to him not only was he inspiring and knowledgeable but his opening was like déjà vu’. He stated some of my exact thoughts that I too tried to portray in a previous journal entry I submitted, “Why I (we) hunt!” Bob said that hunting was more about the memories and reminiscing than the actual kills. Yes, Bob Foulkrod kills animals and a lot of them, but his most memorable times of hunting weren’t of actual kills or world records he took. They were of fun times, practical jokes at deer and bear camps. Bob smallest caribou ever taken is even more memorable than his world record because, as he stated, “Someone will ALWAYS come along that will kill more animals than you, kill a bigger buck or break your record.”

His mission in speaking to people is to spread his knowledge so that others can become better hunters. So what does Bob think we need to do to become better hunters? Well for starters, be more respectful of other hunters. Bob said if you see a guy sitting down near where you want to be and they were there first, move to a different spot and don’t sit 50 yards from them. Just because you find a tree stand in the woods and no one is in it doesn’t mean you can just sit in it. Next, Bob stated “Do I think PA has a problem with the hunting situation? Yes I do.” Bob feels that we are losing both the younger generation and the older generation of hunters. With the younger generation he feels it is hard to expect them to go out and sit in the woods all day long and for a “MAYBE" they will see a deer. They get cold, can’t go as far and it’s hard for them to sit very long. With the competition of sports, video games, and other activities it’s hard for kids to get excited about hunting deer if they don’t see any deer to hunt. Again, it’s not about the kill, but about the excitement of hearing the rustle of leaves and seeing a deer approaching.

The older generation….well, Bob says, “They get cold, can’t go as far, and it’s hard for them to sit as long too.” What is happening is that they aren’t going hunting. Why? Because they, like the children need our help. We as hunters sometimes don’t want to be bothered and they don’t want to BE a bother. Like Bob said, “What we need to remember was that when we were that kid, the now older generation, didn’t give up on us when we maybe couldn’t walk as far. We need to be patient and considerate to their needs.” We as hunters need to stick together and continue the sport with both the younger generation and the older generation who passed that tradition on to us. For that is what hunting is… memories and reminiscing, sharing dreams with family and friends.

Bob said that our legacy as hunters will not be determined by the amount of racks we have hanging on the wall or records we have had. But by the memories we leave behind to our hunting companions of good times shared with us during those hunts. Will they remember a laugh or joke? Perhaps a memory shared of a difficult hunt that took longer than normal to harvest an animal, and the victory being shared with a loved one. That is our legacy as hunters. That is what makes you a successful hunter. After speaking, Bob took questions and signed pictures. There is not enough to be said about this man’s passion and love of the sport. It was obvious his roots were from Pennsylvania and he is a fine representative of our State.

Next we stopped to see my friends at Barnes Puppy Love Kennels.

Puppy Love



Denise and Dave are great people and produce AWESOME retrievers. This is where my dog, Drake, who I am sure you all saw maybe once or twice on the site, came from. I always welcome the chance to talk to Denise and Dave and see their new puppies and resident dogs work their hunting skill magic.

Lab Working
Dave working “Gauge” their chocolate lab during a dog retrieving seminar.


Tasers


Above C2 personal Taser


The East Coast Gun Sale Taser seminar began with Scott Henck, Sales Consultant, Law Enforcement Division and Taser Instructor introducing East Coast Gun Sales for those that were not familiar with the Company. East Coast Gun Sales is a full service gun shop that believes in 3 things; Give the Customer what they want, at the right price and provide new and innovative products. East Coast carries a full range of firearms and products for both hunters and law enforcement. After only 2 years in existence they will be opening a new 40,000 square foot gun shop, distribution center with an underground shooting range. Scott then began talking about the C2 Personal Taser from Taser International. The C2 shoots 50,000 volts from up to 15 feet away through 2 inches of clothing. The C2 will incapacitate an assailant for at least 30 seconds. More activation can be used if needed. The Taser once activated can help the victim to either run to get away from the assailant or call the police. If the assailant isn’t completely incapacitated you can reactivate the unit by depressing the trigger. The Taser has an anti-felon id system. Tiny coded discs are emitted once the cartridge is activated.

Taser Prongs
Taser prongs that are shot into the assailant.


Coded Discs


Coded discs.


These discs are individually coded for each cartridge and allows the police to identify where the cartridge was purchased and by whom. Taser International will replace the cartridges if utilized and an official police report is filed. The C2 is an excellent personal defense weapon that can end a frightful or dangerous situation without deadly force. It is very lightweight and compact. I was volunteered to demonstrate the ease of operation of the C2. The ease and operation would be perfect for those who are not comfortable or familiar in carrying a firearm.

Taser Demo
Above, me shooting the C2 at the Taser target.


Taser Demo


Scott Henck, East Coast Gun Sales explaining in detail how the C2 works on an assailant.


The end of the day was spent listening and learning from a very knowledgeable, accomplished yet humble woman, Shirley Grenoble. Shirley introduced me to her good friend, and in Shirley’s words, another “powerful woman the great outdoors”, Joanie Heidel. Joanie is from Dayton, Pennsylvania and not only is she a skillful woman in the outdoors, she also makes her own turkey calls called Joanie’s Beard Bustin’ Turkey Calls. This girl can call a turkey like I have never heard before. She is amazing. I was in awe! Matter of fact the whole audience was in awe!

Turkey Calling Demo
Joanie Heidel demonstrating various turkey sounds with one of her Beard Bustin calls. Shirley is watching on.


Shirley as always, captivated her audience with her casual humble self. This is a woman whom I admire for her courage that got her where she is today. Shirley has been hunting for about 55 years.

Turkey Legs
Just a few of the gobbler remnants that have fallen to Shirley’s hunting skills.


She hunted when it was “forbidden” or taboo for woman to hunt. Not that it bothered her, she was hooked the day her husband took her along rabbit hunting. And it’s been a blessing to all of us that she has remain so dedicated to hunting. Shirley was able to help with some tough turkey scenarios and strategies she has used over the years in bagging those challenging gobblers in PA. She can recall stories from many years ago like it was yesterday and all those there agreed, Shirley knew what she was talking about. I was grateful to have learned some of her tricks of the trade. In Shirley’s words, “It never hurts to have a few tricks in your hat to pull out on those smart old birds." Any time I have spent with Shirley I leave with a smile on my face for she is truly a mentor to all of us outdoors women. I look forward to keeping in touch with her and sharing our stories of the upcoming spring gobbler season.

Three Ladies
Joanie Heidel, Shirley Grenoble and myself after the Seminar.



United Bowhunters of PA
Dad and I at he United Bowhunter’s booth talking with the Singer’s of Hollidaysburg.


Puppy 1
“Bob” one of the Barnes’ puppies, is the new mascot for the Altoona Curve this year.
Puppy