KUDOS TO MOMS/DADS LIKE THIS ONE

I've always had a big interest in KDWPT's Pass It On Program.  Hunting and fishing have been an important part of my life since I was a youngster.  The great outdoors is indeed a great place and I've enjoyed my time there. 

My Dad was the first one to take me hunting.  He was a weekend-warrior of sorts, pheasant hunting with his buddies from work a couple times a year.  Once I got old enough at  9 or 10 years old to tag along I would get to be "one of the guys."  My Dad didn't hunt anything other than upland birds but the bug had bit me and I took it from there.  I now hunt many species near home and afar.

But the world is now full of Dads who are busy, or aren't hunters themselves.  There's no shame in the latter as some just haven't ever been exposed to it.  So what's a kid to do who thinks he or she might have an interest in hunting?  A good bet would be to check out one of KDWPT's special hunting opportunities.

Many of these are geared towards helping kids, or adults with limited experience.  The perfect example was the 13th Annual Harper County David Berry Memorial Youth Deer Hunt.  I was paired with a youngster, 11-year-old Adam Hall of Hutchinson, and his Dad, Mark.  Mark had never hunted but was intent on spending time with his son who had developed an interest in hunting after receiving a bow and arrow as a gift.  I admire parents like Mark who take the initiative to make time to take their child hunting, despite their own inexperience.  Adam had never been deer hunting and his very first hunt would go from near-tears to jubilation in minutes.

We climbed into a tower blind overlooking a crop field.  It wasn't long and we spotted several does and fawns off  in the distance.  A short time later, two does stepped out from our left.  Adam got the gun up and ready and I could tell he was excited.  My confidence was high as his shooting back at the range was spot-on.  However, Adam's shot missed it's mark and the youngster was understandably dejected. 

But I told Adam and Mark that our chances were good to see another deer before shooting time was over.  I tried to console Adam and I chatted with father and son about the highs and lows of some of my experiences to help ease the pain.  Everyone misses at some point or another and that's part of the game.  Adrenaline is a complicated beast. 

It wasn't long and four more does walked out in front.  I did a better job this time of getting Adam calmed down prior to the shot and reminding him to SQUEEZE the trigger and stay steady.  I had binoculars on the big doe when he shot and at the sound I told Adam he just bagged his first deer as she piled up after a short sprint. 

Adam was now fired up and ecstatic.  We walked to his doe and a big, wide smile on Adam's face said it all.  His Dad was admiringly proud, too.  I was glad to help Adam get his first deer and even more importantly show Mark how much fun it was to share the outdoors with his son.  My hats off to Mark and other Moms and Dads just like him.     

WHITE-WINGED WONDERFUL

The Kansas dove opener is a season I've always cherished.  It signals a time to get together with friends and kick off the fall hunting seasons.  And my anticipation this year would be no different and despite not even firing a shot it may have been my most memorable ever.

My 15-year-old nephew, Dylan, has fallen head-over-heels in love with hunting and fishing.  His parents had signed him up for a couple special youth deer hunts near their home in Topeka and he killed a doe on each hunt.  And he's killed a couple turkeys, too.  However, he's never hunted flying game but was more than anxious to try when I suggested he come down to hunt with his cousins and I. 

He didn't waste any time and started practicing his wingshooting the week before coming down.

"Hey Uncle Marc, I broke 18 out of 20 clay targets last night," Dylan said in a cell phone call. 

"Really?  Were they still sitting in the box?" I kidded him.

I told him that was a great start but warned him that doves might be just a bit more sporting.  He found out opening morning that statement would prove very true. 

Dylan and one of my boys, Cody, and I headed out to a KDWPT managed sunflower field.  My other twin, Brandon, had opted for a KU football game with one of his friends instead.  Ouch.  I mean the fact he cheers for KU, not that he didn't go with us (I'm a K-State alum if it's not obvious).  We arrived to find the field surrounded by others with the same idea so we eased into position.

I had stools for Dylan and Cody and they would sit in front of me with their 20 gauge shotguns.  I didn't plan to hunt but wanted to stand behind them and just make sure they were safe and took good shots while providing a bit of wingshooting instruction.  As it got light shots rang out and both boys got excited. 

Cody was first on the board and I held his gun as he ran to his first downed bird of the season.  He was all smiles on the way back and grabbed his gun and sat back down in the ready position.  Both boys were getting plenty of shooting and Cody managed to connect on another five birds while Dylan was still looking for his first one.  He'd never boast or mention it but I think Cody was quite proud of himself in front of his older, by a couple years, much larger cousin. 

"So how do these doves compare to those clay targets?" I asked Dylan.

"A LOT HARDER!!" was his reply laughing. 

We had been seeing a few white-winged doves mixed in with the normal mourning doves.  A single white wing came wheeling by and Dylan finally connected on his first bird and ran to pick it up.  I was probably more excited than Dylan and Cody offered his congratulations, too.  It took him about a box of shells to get his first bird, but the smile on his face was worth every shot.  I told him I'd shot hundreds of doves and never SEEN a white wing, let alone shot one.  I think that made his first bird ever even sweeter.

Dylan was a quick study.  His next empty box of shells had eight birds laying beside it and he added another white-winged dove.  He listened to what I said and learned quickly about swinging, keeping both eyes open and on the target.  I was proud of him.  Cody must have been listening as well as the most birds he'd killed prior to this year was five.  He shot a limit (15) of doves with about two boxes of shells and he, too, killed a white-winged dove. 

The boys talked non-stop on the way home and couldn't wait to call moms, sisters, brothers and cousins.  We hunted the next evening, despite the thermometer on my truck reading 105 degrees.  It wasn't near as good but the previous morning was a wonderful way to start the 2012 hunting season.  Despite never popping a cap, I'll remember that hunt forever and I'm betting my nephew and son will, too.       

 

SUMMER COMES TO A CLOSE

I don't know that you can really say anything good about the drought we've endured the last two summers.  Between that and the 100-degree days summer has been a bit relentless.  But as the saying goes if life gives you lemons make lemonade.  It's cliche, but about the only way to justify anything good about a drought.  If you're a bowfisherman, the last two summers have provided buckets of lemonade. 

Low water levels in many of Kansas' rivers have allowed plenty of access (the big three, Kansas, Missouri and Arkansas) are public within the normal water marks.  Access points allow bowfishermen plenty of latitude and miles and miles of opportunity to shoot species such as carp, gar, river carpsuckers, buffalo and several species of catfish.  An ATV is helpful to haul gear, drinks and supplies.  It's not uncommon to travel miles searching for schools of roaming fish.

I've never been a big bowfisherman, but enjoyed several trips this summer with friends.  The first one found us traveling miles and miles before we ever found water deep enough to hold any fish.  One hole about knee-deep was home to a handful of carp and it was literally like shooting fish in a barrel.  Fortunately, for some of them, my aim was horrible as I hadn't practiced and many escaped unharmed. 

On another trip a friend who is an avid bowfisherman invited me along.  He and his friends had literally shot until they were too tired on numerous trips and had great action for weeks prior to my arrival.  Our action was fast and furious, too, but once again my aim sucked.  While I shot a couple dozen fish, my buddy could have filled a small pick-up with his bounty.  It was fun just watching him as he was a fish-shooting machine. 

A cooler-full of rough fish all chunked or ground up makes for great coon bait come trapping season.  Buffalo are tasty and not a bad way to feed a bunch of folks for a fish fry.  Regardless, the drought made for some excellent bowfishing adventures for many Kansans.  I hope next summer isn't like the last two, but if it happens, head to the rivers and lap that lemonade!

LAST DAY OF SUMMER VACATION

Kids all over Kansas are heading back to school this week.  Summer vacation is over and the days of sleeping in, swimming, camps and the like will soon be a distant memory.  Younger kids tend to like school while older ones would rather it be summer year-round.  I've got a couple right in the middle as they still like school, but sports camps, a chauffeur (my wife is a school teacher so she's off in the summer, too) and a flexible sleep schedule make it hard to say so-long to summer.

My son, Cody, has been asking about going squirrel hunting the last couple weeks before school started back up.  We planned to go yesterday morning but were greeted with the first decent rain showers we've had in months when I walked outside at 5:30 a.m.  The forecast the night before had a 10 percent chance for showers but most of central Kansas was green with radar rain.  I sent Cody back to bed and although he was disappointed he didn't mind a little more shut-eye.  

Our plan was to try it again this morning on Cody's very last day of summer vacation.  As we climbed in the truck it was a cool 63 degrees.  I told Cody we would likely leave with the seat heaters on and return with the A/C blasting as the forecast was for 98 degrees today. 

We pulled into our spot at 6:15 a.m.  Although legal to shoot, it was still a bit too dark to see well in the timber so we waited a few minutes.  As we stepped into the woods I knew it was going to be a beautiful morning.  Light winds and cool conditions make for great squirrel calling.  I carried a 20 gauge shotgun and my .22 rifle.  Cody was intent on using the .22 but I had his back-up plan, too, if the squirrels wouldn't sit still. 

Our first stop with the calls didn't elicit any response.  The next few spots we caught glimpses of a couple squirrels but couldn't get any shots.  It seemed many of our calling locations early had squirrels responding, but they were too far away and didn't move towards us much.  Undaunted after 45 minutes we eased through more timber.

On the next stop I was about 5 seconds into a calling sequence when Cody tugged on my shirt and pointed up.  I hadn't heard or seen the squirrel but he was going ballistic and on a dead run down the tree next to us.  I handed Cody the shotgun and he made a nice shot as the squirrel wasn't slowing down. 

We were on the board now and Cody was excited.  A couple more close calls and the next spot found us with a squirrel barking across a small creek about 50 yards away.  Cody had the .22 and was trying to maneuver into a good shooting rest.  I reminded him about his breathing, squeezing the trigger, etc., to make an accurate shot and told him to shoot when he was on him.  The rifle cracked.

"That's a dead squirrel," Cody said a bit nonchalantly and seemingly not surprised as the squirrel tumbled to the ground.

I was shocked.

"Good shot, buddy!" I said.

We had a couple more encounters but didn't add any more squirrels to our day's total.  Just for fun Cody spent 15 minutes shooting at hedge apples and other targets and his marksmanship was impressive.  Maybe the long shot wasn't too lucky after all. 

As we walked back to the truck I asked Cody how many other 13-year-old boys likely spent their last day of summer vacation hunting squirrels with their Dad.

"Probably none," he laughed.

I was certainly glad there was at least one. 

    

DROUGHT IS ROUGH

Drought conditions have persisted for much of Kansas for the last two summers.  You wouldn't think that last year's problems could get worse but water-wise they may have done just that this summer.  We're seeing the first rain in some time as I write this but it won't be enough to call an end to dry conditions over much of the state.  But it's a start.

Drought affects all kinds of wildlife, either directly or indirectly.  Obviously, species like fish need water to survive.  Pheasants need adequate nesting cover.  Pheasant chicks need protection from the elements in ground cover, as well as the insects utilizing those same plants.  Dry conditions are a one-two punch for pheasants.  Add an early wheat harvest and it doesn't look promising.

And despite a better-than-most-years prediction for migrating waterfowl numbers it isn't looking good for the home team.  Ducks need water and that's at a premium in many parts.  A buddy and I went to check out a spot we hunt on the Arkansas River recently to assess the situation.  Wow!  That pretty much sums up what we found.  Riding ATV's for about 7 miles of river we found 95 percent of the water measured in inches.  The deepest was just over my knees and I'm short.  Sad indeed (the lack of water, not that I'm short).

Standing where we normally sit to hunt I remembered past photos with smiling duck hunters and ample water.  I tried to guess as to the composition of those photos for comparison.  I got surprisingly close.  If you look at the treeline in these two photos I'm within a couple feet of the same location where I took each photo.  Oh what a difference a couple years makes.

Granted, rivers like that are constantly changing.  New sandbars form from one season to the next and log jams change places.  As duck hunters we adjust to those conditions but as long as there's water we're good to go.  But when things dry up that's not good news for ducks or duck hunters.  Here's hoping we get a couple toad stranglers between now and opening day.    

SARAH'S FIRST FISH

It's not uncommon for friends of my kids to show an interest in the outdoors.  Many of them have never hunted, fished or trapped.  I've never turned down one of their requests to tag along and several of them have grown to love the outdoors.

My daughter's friend, Sarah, just graduated from high school.  She's been a regular around our house for the last year or so.  She accompanied Ashley and I on several trapping expeditions last winter and enjoyed it as we caught beavers and raccoons. 

One day earlier this summer Sarah made the comment she'd never caught a fish.  I couldn't believe it and told her we'd make sure she could check that off her list of "Things To Do Before I Go Off To College."  She was excited at the prospects.

Sarah actually caught her first fish without my help.  She'd accompanied some of her friends to a pond one evening where they caught "perch."  I told her they were likely green sunfish and only inches long shouldn't count as her first "real" fish. 

It was hard to schedule an early morning trip as both Ashley and Sarah worked summer jobs during the week and weekends were busy.  We loaded up the boat and headed to the lake one evening hoping to tangle with some big channel catfish.  It was 103 degrees when we launched at 5:30 p.m. so the evening was far from pleasant. 

Unfortunately, we fished until about 9:30 p.m. and while others in the boat caught only a few fish Sarah never had a bite.  I told her we'd do better in a couple weeks when she went camping with us.

Our wake-up call was at 5:30 a.m. but Sarah said she was up at 4:30 a.m. and wide awake.  I teased her that she was too "exthited to thleeeep" like that little kid on the commercial going to Disney World.  We loaded the boat with gear and were off as it got light.

It didn't take Sarah long to catch her first "real" fish.  She set the hook and the pole didn't budge and I knew she had a nice channel cat on the other end.  With a little coaching she had the nearly 5-pound fish flopping at the surface in no time.  She was excited and her smile said it all as she posed for photos.

Sarah's luck was good that morning and she caught another half-dozen just like it.  Our boat ended up with 20 keepers in just a few hours so it was indeed a productive trip. 

We weren't even back to the ramp when Sarah asked if I'd text her those photos so she could send them along to friends and family.  She couldn't wait to download them to her Facebook page.   

Sarah will remember that fishing trip for a long time.  I will as well.  It's always nice to see someone discover the joy of the outdoors and I was glad to be a part of it.       

SPOON FED

Summer is definitely here.  Temperatures are scorching now and it's really not unexpected for July or August in Kansas.  Another given for fishing this time of year is a tactic that gets as hot as the afternoon sun.  Spooning for various species of white fish is a killer technique and works well.

Spoons of assorted sizes and styles work well.  The shad hatch has been going on for weeks now and anything that resembles this dead or dying bait fish is a good choice.  An old standby is the Kastmaster which has been around for decades.  Others work similarly well when fished vertical or pitched and retrieved.  Much of it is personal preference.  As long as it has some flash and a good treble hook it will surely catch fish.

I headed out one evening recently to El Dorado Reservoir with my twin 13-year-old sons, a buddy and his 19-year-old son for a pleasant evening on the water.  I graphed a nice break and some fish in about 18-feet of water and dropped a marker.  Before I could get my boat turned back around fish were being caught from several seats.  The action was fast and furious as spoons were fished and jigged on or near the bottom.  Most fish were small wipers, but the occasional decent fish was tricked, too.  We caught 40 fish in the first 30 minutes.  Regardless of size, my boys were having a blast and I was having fun watching them.

The action slowed so we motored around looking for more schools of fish.  It wasn't long and we found some, but nothing compared to the first action we encountered.  We fished for another few hours and caught more wipers and white bass, crappie, walleye and some monstrous drum on our spoons.  Our final tally stood at 87 fish.  We didn't have many really nice fish and I wasn't interested in cleaning any anyway, so all were returned to the water.  

The spoon action will remain good for weeks.  It's a great way to beat the heat and an evening on the water is a perfect ending to any day.  Give it a try.  You might be surprised how simple it is and most of the time it really works!