Lack of food sources put young deer at risk

   More and more young deer, many still in spots are being reported in and around Oakland County. Some without spots are terribly thin for this time of the year. When deer should be putting on the feed bag in preparation for the upcoming winter they are finding pickings are thin.
   Forget apples. In fact the deer that normally frequent small stands of apples aren't giving them another look focusing instead on other browse.
   While in Glen Arbor last week I did notice that the acorn crop seemed to be in good supply which is a needed plus for deer as it's one of their main dietary choices.
   If deer can't find eats in the wild, they surely will take advantage of those vegetable and flower gardens we like to plant. Certain types of shrubbery come in for part of the deer diet too.
   If you are out and about on a fall walk, take a look around you for deer sign. Particularly tracks or droppings.
   I hope to be in the woods this next week for a close up look see of a couple areas I plan on hunting. Stay tuned.

Fall brings activities galore

   You don't have to hunt or fish to enjoy all that fall has to offer. For openers, your favorite cider mill is busy frying donuts to eat with a glass of cider. Despite a shortage of apples this year, you can bet cider will be available.
   You gardeners will want to start getting the ground in order for next year's planting. That may mean; as in my case, digging weeds that have gone on far too long.
   Chew the ground up or till it to loosen it in preparation for adding compost, manure or a combination of both.
   Some gardeners plant annual rye in the fall, tilling it under in the spring. It helps add nutrients to the soil and is a benefit in keeping the ground loose.
   A lot of transplanting can be done this time of the year. Perennials that have grown to large can be separated and re-planted.
   Give shrubbery a trimming. When all of the clipping and moving of plants is done, clean up the leftover debris disposing of it in the compost or some other approved method.
  Ponds and water features need to be winterized. I like to clean things up before putting them away so they are ready to go next spring.
   If you have some spare time, take a drive to one of the nearby state, county or Metroparks for a day hiking, or getting in one last picnic before the cold sets in.
   Fall is a great time to be outside. Make the most of it.

Open house set for waterfowl hunt areas

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      The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today that its Managed Waterfowl Hunting Areas (MWHA) will host open houses in late September and early October to celebrate the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy.
   The DNR invites the public and hunters to join the staff at various MWHAs to tour the areas and learn about the possibilities for hunting and other recreation.

Open houses will be held at the following locations:

Fish Point MWHA (Tuscola County) – Sept. 26 from 5:30-9 p.m.
Nayanquing Point MWHA (Bay County) – Sept. 27 from 5:30-9: p.m.
Shiawassee River MWHA (Saginaw County) – Oct. 2 from 5:30-9 p.m.
Harsens Island (St. Clair County) – Oct. 3 from 5:30-9 p.m
Pointe Mouillee (Monroe/Wayne counties) – Oct. 4 from 5:30-9 p.m

   “The open houses will provide an opportunity for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts to learn about the areas and interact directly with DNR personnel,” said Joe Robison, wildlife biologist supervisor for the DNR. “These areas offer first-class waterfowl hunting opportunities and various recreational activities that many outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy.”
   Guided tours will include observation of habitat improvements conducted to provide optimal habitat for waterfowl plus other wildlife management techniques that make these areas attractive to a host of wildlife.
   The public can learn about the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy, a program intended to improve conditions for waterfowl and people who enjoy interacting with them.
   Waterfowl hunters will learn about how the area is run and what to expect when they come in for a hunt drawing, and visitors will have a chance to have questions answered during a Q&A period.
    Each open house will also feature information on this year’s Wetland Wonders Challenge, a new hunting contest that the DNR has developed to highlight the exceptional waterfowl hunting opportunities available to the public in Michigan.
   Taking place at the seven MWHAs throughout the southern Lower Peninsula,  the contest will begin Sept. 15 with the Youth Waterfowl Weekend (only at MWHAs that are conducting drawings) and will close on Jan. 22, 2013, with the Allegan County Goose Management Unit season. Multiple winners will be selected on Feb. 15, 2013.
   More information about the Michigan Waterfowl Legacy can be found at www.michigan.gov/mwl and information on the MWHAs and the Wetland Wonders Challenge can be found at www.michigan.gov/wetlandwonders.

Kayak angling-Tricky if you hurry

   Despite putting in a fair amount of time paddling a kayak and fishing from one, something always seems to bite me when I least expect it.
   This weekend, fishing out of Glen Arbor, I managed to turn my boat nearly over; once during launching, and another time landing in heavy surf.
   Thinking I had everything tied down or otherwise secured, I seemed ready to launch. Pushing the boat into shallow water, I moved to one side of the yak and started to sit sideways to begin entry.
   With too much weight on one side, over the boat went. Things I had forgot to secure began floating on the water.
   Rods came out of the holders and so did a couple tackle trays. Embarrassed, I collected all my equipment, stored it again and this time made a successful launch.
   Later that day, returning to shore, I headed into the beach along with a couple other boats. The surf was up so it was important to have things out of the cockpit, stored and secured to the boat.
   Going through surf was not new to me. Even landing in rough conditions wasn't much of a factor. But getting out of the yak proved to be a challenge. Swinging my feet over  one side, I started to stand up and over the boat went.
   Tackle, rods, glass case, drink bottle; you name it and in the water it went. Since I was out of the boat I began retrieving equipment from the surf.
   Momentarily forgetting my boat, the surf caught it and began taking it back out into deeper water. Fortunately, several of my buddies arrived and helped with the boat and stray equipment.
   Others in our group had similar adventures over the course of the weekend. The moral is no matter how experienced you are, there are still some surprises awaiting those that aren't expecting it.
   For more info on kayak fishing visit www.kayakfishthegreatlakes.com. 

Enjoy fall colors, golf from Tree Tops Resort

      Seeing fall colors, shooting a round of golf, hunting birds, or rafting on the nearby Indian River are some of the activities awaiting you at Gaylord's Tree Tops Resort.
   The "Golf 'til you Drop"fall getaway begins after October 2. That means after checking in until you leave, play as much golf as you can get in.
   How popular is golf at Tree Tops? "We may set a state record for rounds played," Barry Owens,Tree Tops general manager said. "We are nearly at 90,000 rounds for the year."
   If you tire of the links, take a guided rafting trip on nearby Indian River, or go bird hunting or fishing. Special fall rates are in place for both the golf and Couples weekends.
   For more information visit www.treetops.com. 

Upland bird hunting, coming soon

   Upland bird hunting-pheasants, ruffed grouse and woodcock-fall into that category will be here soon. Woodcock season is from September 24-November 7. The ruffed grouse season has two seasons; September 15-November 14 and December 1-January 1.
   Check the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/dnr for pheasant seasons. It's also a good place to read and here upland game specialist Al Stewart discuss the new pheasant initiative that is on-going.
   Where should you bird hunt? Well, on your fall drive to the cider mill or north to see the colors, keep an eye peeled for young stands of poplars.
   Woodcock and grouse really like the thick stuff that look like even a hunting dog can get through not to mention a hunter with a shotgun.
   You'll work for these birds. And the flushes are spectacular. Many are of the in your face variety that can catch even the seasoned hunter unawares causing shots not to be fired or completely missed.
   And woodcock won't flush to give you a shot. Wary birds, they tend to fly right into the thick stuff so shots need to be quick and accurate.
   I should know. In the years that I have hunted woodcock, I can probably count on one hand the number I've taken.
   Being in the field and getting those shots is the best training. Miss too many and the dog you hunt over may turned around and look at you as if to say, "You didn't miss again, did you?"

Thumbfest - Huge success

Thumbfest

   I spent all day outside. I wasn't camping, fishing, hiking or kayaking. However, I did enough walking at Thumbfest to qualify for training in preparation for the Appalachian Trail.
   Thumbfest is a yearly, Labor Day weekend celebration of folk music and the many groups and individuals that bring it to us. Presented by the Blue Water Folk Society the event was a success from the beautiful weather, to the crowds attending, and the people performing.
    The event takes place in Lexington, a small town just north of Port Huron, on the shores of Lake Huron.
   There is one problem for attendees. That's in the selection of which performers they want to see. The Saturday schedule is absolutely loaded with entertainment from 10a.m. straight through until 6p.m.
   Toss in jam sessions and workshops and you have a full day. My wife and I would leave toward then end of one performance to the next and find a seat. Sometimes it was a scramble.
   The best kept secret about Thumbfest is there is no charge. It's free. Festival organizers pass a bucket for donations to defray costs but that's the only time you'll reach in your pocket unless you are buying a commemorative T-shirt, paying for food, or performers cd's.
   Thanks to all those volunteers that work all day and half the night setting up and tearing down, and to the performers who play because of their love for folk music.
   Mark your calendars for next year. You'll definitely want to attend and hear all the talented musicians from the area.