01-25-2018 Outdoors

Fishing The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fishing Tip Line reports that ice fishing continues around the state and some of the inland lakes are in better shape after some of the snow cover melted. Rivers across the state should be fishable after the recent warmer temperatures. Watch for changing ice conditions with the warm up and the rain. Overall in the Southwest Lower Peninsula, ice conditions on most of the lakes in this area did get better after most of the snow melted. The Bluegill bite has been fair with most fish coming from 10 to 20 feet near the drop-offs. Ellinee Bait & Tackle on Paw Paw Lake by Coloma reports good ice, but not many going out to fish. Those going out are getting plenty of action from Bluegills and Crappie. One angler even got a nice Perch. Those targeting Pike are doing well with nice Pike, but no real large ones. On Gull Lake the report is that the Smelt fishing has been poor. The Grand River at Grand Rapids at both Millhouse and Bruce’s Bayou seem to be the reliable Bluegill spots. The Steelhead action was due to pick up with the warmer temperatures we had. The DNR fishing tip for this week is: Using a Bass technique to target Steelhead. If you are a Bass angler, a standard technique you use may be perfect for catching Steelhead in the winter. Some experts suggest choosing medium-diving crankbaits (popular colors would include variations of gold or chrome) and be sure to use braided line, which will aid in navigating obstacles under the water. Cast across the current and retrieve just fast enough to get the lure under the water but not so fast that it will snag the bottom. During the retrieve, let the lure swing downstream. Another successful approach may be to take position directly upstream of a deep hole and cast straight downstream. Retrieve the lure directly through the hole. Again, make sure to retrieve the lure fast enough to get it under the water but slow enough to keep it from snagging up on the bottom. Many times, an angler can perform an extra slow retrieve and let the current do most of the work for them. Changing weather conditions prompt the DNR to remind anglers of ice safety. If you do break through the ice, try to remain calm. Here are a few additional tips for survival: Don’t remove your winter clothing. Heavy clothes won’t drag you down, but they can trap air to provide warmth and floatation. This is especially true with a snowmobile suit. Turn your body toward the direction you came from, as the ice is probably the strongest. If you have ice picks or ice claws, dig their points into the ice while vigorously kicking your feet and pull yourself onto the surface by sliding forward on the ice. Once out of the water roll away from the area of weak ice. Rolling on the ice will distribute your weight to help avoid breaking through again. Get to shelter, warm yourself, change into dry clothing and consume non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated drinks. Call 911 and seek medical attention if you feel disoriented, have uncontrollable shivering or notice any other ill-effects that may be symptoms of hypothermia. To learn more about staying safe while in the water or in the woods, visit the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/recreationalsafety. Hunting The DNR reminds hunters that they have until February 1 to put in an application for the Spring Wild Turkey hunt. Drawing results will be posted online March 5. Leftover licenses will be put on sale at 10:00 a.m. March 12 for unsuccessful applicants and at 10:00 a.m. on March 19 for over the counter sales. At last week’s regular monthly meeting of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission in Lansing, the Chronic Wasting Disease Working Group (a panel challenged by the commission to explore actions that could substantially mitigate or eliminate CWD in Michigan) presented its recommendations to strengthen the fight against this neurological disease that threatens Michigan’s deer population. Their five recommendations include: Pursuing the help of an outside marketing agency to develop messaging for Michigan’s vision for CWD surveillance and management; forming a consortium of states and provinces to seek federal, state and private funding to share research on CWD surveillance methods, diagnostic tools, transmission pathways and management practices; working cooperatively with the Agriculture and Rural Development Commission to assess the effectiveness and direction of privately owned cervid facilities, with an emphasis on biosecurity and CWD risk factors; continuing to employ a science-based strategy for CWD management; developing statewide, science-based management plans based on regional prevalence of CWD. Coloma Rod & Gun Club The Coloma Rod & Gun Club will hold their monthly CCW class on Saturday, February 10, 2018. Class registration is held on Sunday, February 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The class is taught by a certified NRA and RSO instructor and the cost of the class is $100. For more information or to be put on the list, please call (269) 621-3370

Watervliet Rod & Gun Club The Watervliet Rod and Gun Club will hold their monthly CCW classes on February 8 and February 10, 2018. Registration is on February 4, between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. and cost of the class is $100. They will have a lawyer explaining the law pertaining to concealed carry during class. Please call (269) 468-3837 or (269) 470-9191 for more information.

17th annual Hunting Heritage Banquet On Saturday, February 24, 2018 doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the 17th annual Hunting Heritage Banquet. The banquet is hosted by the Berrien County Trophy Toms, members of the National Wild Turkey Federation and held at Pebblewood Banquet Hall, 9794 Jericho Road in Bridgman. If you have any questions, contact Dale Jasper at 269-921-3474. B.C. Animal Control offering rabies shots Berrien County Animal Control will be hosting several Rabies Shot Clinics in the upcoming weeks. The cost is $20 for a one-year rabies shot, $25 for a three-year rabies shot and $25 for feline/canine Distemper. County licenses will also be available for purchase at the same time. Bring the license renewal form to the clinic. Pets must be at least 1 year 3 months old; and have had a rabies vaccine prior in order to receive a 3-year rabies at a clinic. AVID Microchips will be available in a first come first serve basis at the Jan. 27 and Feb. 10 clinics only. Cost is $25 and will include lifetime registration. There are a limited number of chips available. The clinics are open to both dogs and cats so make sure your pets are on a leash or in a carrier for their safety. Preregistration is available online at http://berriencounty.org/302/Rabies-Clinic-Registration or by calling Animal Control at (269) 927-5648. It is important to note that preregistration is recommended but is not required. Also, walk-ins will be welcome and only cash is accepted at the clinics. The dates and locations are as follows: Saturday, Jan. 27, and Saturday, Feb. 10, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Berrien County Animal Control, 1400 S. Euclid Ave., Benton Harbor; and Sunday, Feb. 25, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at Eau Claire Fire Department, 6265 W. Main St., Eau Claire.

A yellow-bellied sapsucker was heard at the nature center last week. This bird should be down south with the other sapsuckers that migrated through Michigan last fall. Although uncommon, some individuals attempt to overwinter in the southern part of their breeding range. Mid-Michigan is at the edge of this range which extends north into Canada. Sap, when it isn’t frozen in the trees’ cambium (aka, the water and sap tubes), is only a part of a sapsucker’s diet. Like other woodpeckers, the bird also eats insects… especially the ants that are attracted to the sap-filled holes drilled by the sapsucker. It will also chip off bark pieces to find spiders and other insects. Individuals that stay north can substitute bird feeder suet for insects. However, unlike their compatriots (the red-bellied, downy, hoary and other woodpeckers), they won’t be interested in the seeds. Some will also seek out any berries that weren’t devoured during the fall migration. Poison ivy berries may be a lifesaver. Yes, there is a redeeming quality for that plant! Kids ages 4 to 6 can listen to a reading of A Walk Through the Winter Woods by Michael Glenn Monroe then complete a craft for $1.00 on Saturday, Jan. 27 at 1:00 p.m. Adults are welcome to stay. Non-member admission is $3. Please call (269) 927-4832. With all the weather fluctuations, be sure to call to check snow conditions.