Friday, March 9, 2012
Ruffed Grouse Society to hold annual fund raising event
The Keith Davis Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) will host its 31st Annual Sportsmen’s Banquet on Friday, March 16, 2012 at Genesys Banquet Center, 805 Health Park Blvd., Grand Blanc, MI, beginning with a reception party at 5:30 p.m. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m.
As is the custom at this event, the evening will feature a live and silent auction, games, drawings and door prizes; highlighted with the finest selection of quality firearms, artwork and collectable’s.
According to Brad DePottey, individual membership and dinner tickets are $65. There is also an optional family membership package for $95 which includes two dinners. Additional family dinners are available at $30 each. Banquet, Conservation and Sustaining sponsorship packages are also available at $275, $500 and $1,000 respectively
As with all RGS fundraisers, proceeds from this event will be used to restore and protect grouse and woodcock habitat.
For more information and/or tickets contact DePottey at 810-744-6508 or by e-mail at: bradandpeggy.depottey@gmail.com<mailto:depottey@gmail.com> .
Information on the RGS, its mission, management projects and membership can be found on the web at:www.ruffedgrousesociety.org<http://www.ruffedgrousesociety.org/>.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Leave raking, general clean up, other spring signs
It's amazing how much junk is left behind after the winter months. You don't notice much until you go outside and start raking all the leaves that have spread across your lawn from last fall and winter.
Roadsides aren't the only places revealing debris. So are many yards. I wonder where all that stuff comes from.
Papers partially disintegrated, empty bottles and cans-not too many of those so far-and all of those leaves that have blown in from other yards and vacant lots.
This time of the year everything looks so gray, so lifeless. But as the saying goes, March winds give way to April showers that bring May flowers.
Some color outside can't come soon enough for me. Time to begin the annual spring clean-up.
Roadsides aren't the only places revealing debris. So are many yards. I wonder where all that stuff comes from.
Papers partially disintegrated, empty bottles and cans-not too many of those so far-and all of those leaves that have blown in from other yards and vacant lots.
This time of the year everything looks so gray, so lifeless. But as the saying goes, March winds give way to April showers that bring May flowers.
Some color outside can't come soon enough for me. Time to begin the annual spring clean-up.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Red Winged blackbirds and maple syrup-signs of spring
More signs of spring. For the past week I've noticed several red-winged blackbirds at our feeders. For many, this sight of these birds is a better indication that spring is here than the annual sighting of robins.
Auburn hills resident and avid bird watcher Larry Baum told me last fall that many robins hang around throughout the winter.
Next time you get outside and are near swampy area with lots of reeds and cattails, listen for the calling of the red-winged blackbird.
March is also the month that begins tapping of maple trees for sap that is turned into maple syrup. You can see maple syrup demonstrations at both Indian Springs Metropark (248) 625-7280 and Kensington Metropark, (800) 477-3178.
If you happen to be up north around Grayling, Hartwick Pines will offer demonstrations and a history of maple sugaring March 24, 10a.m.-4p.m. For information call (989) 348-2537.
Auburn hills resident and avid bird watcher Larry Baum told me last fall that many robins hang around throughout the winter.
Next time you get outside and are near swampy area with lots of reeds and cattails, listen for the calling of the red-winged blackbird.
March is also the month that begins tapping of maple trees for sap that is turned into maple syrup. You can see maple syrup demonstrations at both Indian Springs Metropark (248) 625-7280 and Kensington Metropark, (800) 477-3178.
If you happen to be up north around Grayling, Hartwick Pines will offer demonstrations and a history of maple sugaring March 24, 10a.m.-4p.m. For information call (989) 348-2537.
Friday, March 2, 2012
Mentored Hunting-chance for cheating?
A mentor is hunting with a 10-year-old. The mentor is charged with teaching not only hunting skills, but ethics in the woods and field.
It goes back to "what do you do in the woods when no one is around," that helps to account for the reputation you get as a conscientious outdoors person.
Bend the rules by taking game out of season, having too many limits in possession, or using illegal methods to take game gives one the name of poacher.
Friends, hunting and fishing companions and others who enjoy the outdoors and follow it's traditions in an ethical way wouldn't be caught hunting or sharing a boat with you.
But back to the hunting scenario. Now a deer wanders into the shooting area. Will you take the shot to fill your tag, or use your companions tag to take a deer that should have been the youngsters shot?
Charlie Mann from Hunters Creek Club hit the nail on the head when he said they hunt should be about the kids and not the mentor.
"They have to leave their chance to hunt at home and be sure this is a day and time for the person they are mentoring," he said.
Teaching a youngster how to hunt safely and intelligently are important. But so is being ethical and doing this right. Big lessons and huge responsibility for those that take it seriously.
It goes back to "what do you do in the woods when no one is around," that helps to account for the reputation you get as a conscientious outdoors person.
Bend the rules by taking game out of season, having too many limits in possession, or using illegal methods to take game gives one the name of poacher.
Friends, hunting and fishing companions and others who enjoy the outdoors and follow it's traditions in an ethical way wouldn't be caught hunting or sharing a boat with you.
But back to the hunting scenario. Now a deer wanders into the shooting area. Will you take the shot to fill your tag, or use your companions tag to take a deer that should have been the youngsters shot?
Charlie Mann from Hunters Creek Club hit the nail on the head when he said they hunt should be about the kids and not the mentor.
"They have to leave their chance to hunt at home and be sure this is a day and time for the person they are mentoring," he said.
Teaching a youngster how to hunt safely and intelligently are important. But so is being ethical and doing this right. Big lessons and huge responsibility for those that take it seriously.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Election history-so are unwanted phone calls
Finally a little piece and quiet here in Northern Oakland County. For the past several weeks our phone has been ringing off the hook with calls from this or that candidate.
Like any unwanted call, these are such a pain when one is taken away from this task or that just to answer a recording.
Use your caller id you might say. We do. The problem is these political calls resemble two we get from our children overseas.
That is the caller id shows up exactly the same. While it doesn't identify the called, the term "out of area" usually means one of our kids is calling.
If we let it ring, instead of cutting off after a certain number, it actually goes to voice mail. Later, when you see the lights flashing indicating new messages it's more time going through them to delete those not important while listening for messages you care to hear.
The "do not call" initiative is great. Too bad it doesn't take in these robo calls.
Like any unwanted call, these are such a pain when one is taken away from this task or that just to answer a recording.
Use your caller id you might say. We do. The problem is these political calls resemble two we get from our children overseas.
That is the caller id shows up exactly the same. While it doesn't identify the called, the term "out of area" usually means one of our kids is calling.
If we let it ring, instead of cutting off after a certain number, it actually goes to voice mail. Later, when you see the lights flashing indicating new messages it's more time going through them to delete those not important while listening for messages you care to hear.
The "do not call" initiative is great. Too bad it doesn't take in these robo calls.
Monday, February 27, 2012
Response to mentored youth hunt
Like any new program, the Mentored Youth Hunt recently approved by the Natural Resources Commission has it's share of doubters that this is a good thing.
My concern is the mentors. We live in a day and age where dad's aren't typically in households due to divorce or other considerations.
In other words, there are a lot of single family/parents homes where mom is doing the parenting, and in many cases trying to fill in where dad's would normally be.
True, there are females who pursue outdoor sports. But are there enough to mentor children? And if dad is in the home, there's a good chance he's working two jobs tying to make ends meet. That doesn't leave much time for a mentored hunt.
While I'm glad that something is being done to get more young people interested in the outdoor sports, I'm not absolutely sure this is the way to do it.
Charlie Mann from Hunters Creek Club brings up a good point: Mentors are going to have to know their children well enough to determine whether they are responsible or mature enough to be in the outdoors with a firearm.
Yes, there are ten-year-olds who definitely are mature enough and will do fine under the proper supervision along with a good upbringing.
Hopefully, mentors will realize that just because a child has reached the age of ten doesn't necessarily mean he or she is ready to hunt.
My concern is the mentors. We live in a day and age where dad's aren't typically in households due to divorce or other considerations.
In other words, there are a lot of single family/parents homes where mom is doing the parenting, and in many cases trying to fill in where dad's would normally be.
True, there are females who pursue outdoor sports. But are there enough to mentor children? And if dad is in the home, there's a good chance he's working two jobs tying to make ends meet. That doesn't leave much time for a mentored hunt.
While I'm glad that something is being done to get more young people interested in the outdoor sports, I'm not absolutely sure this is the way to do it.
Charlie Mann from Hunters Creek Club brings up a good point: Mentors are going to have to know their children well enough to determine whether they are responsible or mature enough to be in the outdoors with a firearm.
Yes, there are ten-year-olds who definitely are mature enough and will do fine under the proper supervision along with a good upbringing.
Hopefully, mentors will realize that just because a child has reached the age of ten doesn't necessarily mean he or she is ready to hunt.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Mentored Youth Hunt puts kids in the field
Just prior to the National Resources Commission approving a mentored hunt for youth under 8 years of age I had a conversation with some long time hunters who were expressing concern that there were too many opportunities for youth to hunt.
Their concern was largely about deer hunting and the chance that too many hunters in the woods would severely deplete the deer herd.
Eldon Montross, Michigan United Conservation Club liaison for the Oakland County Sportsmen's Club doesn't see it that way.
Montross feels this a good way for dads to get out and connect with their children while at the same time teaching them how to hunt safely and conduct themselves in the outdoors.
He thinks that once in awhile a kid will shoot a deer, and that isn't enough to wipe out the deer herd. Montross began hunting when his dad took him along as a youngster. "I didn't carry a gun, but went with my dad a lot," he said.
With good, proper mentoring, this program should get more kids outdoors learning more than how to hunt.
This is a golden opportunity to teach kids how to be reliable, trustworthy, courteous and responsible.
Their concern was largely about deer hunting and the chance that too many hunters in the woods would severely deplete the deer herd.
Eldon Montross, Michigan United Conservation Club liaison for the Oakland County Sportsmen's Club doesn't see it that way.
Montross feels this a good way for dads to get out and connect with their children while at the same time teaching them how to hunt safely and conduct themselves in the outdoors.
He thinks that once in awhile a kid will shoot a deer, and that isn't enough to wipe out the deer herd. Montross began hunting when his dad took him along as a youngster. "I didn't carry a gun, but went with my dad a lot," he said.
With good, proper mentoring, this program should get more kids outdoors learning more than how to hunt.
This is a golden opportunity to teach kids how to be reliable, trustworthy, courteous and responsible.
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