Tri-State
Magazine
! e e Fr
March/April 2017 • Warricknews.com
Inside Outdoors Reel Deal Newburgh resident Wade Taylor shares his passion for fishing.
4
14
Backyard Beauty
Spring is a perfect time to plan a backyard habitat to enjoy year-round.
6
Spring is a great time to catch nice crappie if you know where to look.
March is the month to go with jerkbait for bass fishing.
8
18 Seeing Green
How to revive your lawn after the long winter.
Setting Your Sights
Live firing at shooting ranges can improve accuracy.
Trail stewards, riders have more in common than differences.
Catching Crappie
Lure & Simple
2
Riding with Respect
20 10 T R I - S T A T E
Advertising
O U T D O O R S
index
—
22
From
W
The
elcome to the newly designed Tri-State Outdoors Magazine. The look may be different but the high value we place on stories remains the same. Whether it’s fishing, biking, hunting, gardening, or hitting the shooting range, Tri-State Outdoors Magazine features content that strives to appeal to both
Editor:
the avid and casual outdoors person. Many of our contributors are professionals in their outdoor fields and bring years of experience to their stories. It’s one of the main reasons why this magazine has sustained for so many years. But ultimately, the success of any magazine resides in the readers who take the time to
read it — hopefully from cover to cover. I also want to invite any of the Tri-State Outdoors Magazine readers to contact me (dwilkins@messenger-Inquirer.com or 270-691-7299) with any feedback for this and future editions. Again, thank you for picking up a copy of the Tri-State Outdoors Magazine. We sincerely hope you enjoy it.
DON
WILKINS EDITOR
Tri-State
Magazine DON WILKINS, EDITOR DWILKINS@MESSENGER-INQUIRER.COM MARISA PATWA, STAFF WRITER MPATWA@WARRICKNEWS.COM
CONTRIBUTORS: KEN MCBROOM JULIE LOCKHART BRAD SCALES
DESIGN: JOHN SHELTON
A SPECIAL PUBLICATION OF THE WARRICK COUNTY STANDARD
The Standard Your Warrick County news since 1875
WWW.WARRICKNEWS.COM • SERVING ALL OF WARRICK COUNTY
TO ADVERTISE: KAREN CRAIG HULLETT AD SALES WARRICK COUNTY STANDARD (812) 642-2001 KCRAIG@WARRICKNEWS.COM
T R I - S T A T E
O U T D O O R S
3
l e e R The
Deal
Newburgh resident makes fishing his passion
BY MARISA PATWA
“Every year they seem to do roughly the same migrations,” the 27-year-old angler said. “Many of these movements or Newburgh resident Wade Taylor, fishing isn’t just a pastime, are triggered by exact temperatures. Others movements are activated by it’s a lifestyle. certain amounts of water flow. If an “No matter what style fishing I have angler understands the migration loop of encountered there is always something each species, they will be able to pursue of interest to learn from,” Taylor said. with accuracy.” “No matter how well you understand Taylor said the best way to target a fish, you still have to figure out each fish is to look for structure and cover. day’s changes.” “In any given body of water, look for It all started as a baby, when his structures such as points, rock piles, parents would stroll him out on the dropoffs, deep holes, islands, humps, fishing piers in Florida before turning saddles or any point of interest that into family fishing and surfing trips differs from its surroundings,” he said. to different beaches. It then evolved “Once you get to these structures, look into big fishing trips with his dad and for cover.” siblings. Taylor said examples of cover are “We would take boats offshore until aquatic plants, driftwood log jams, we could no longer see land,” he said. rocks or any place on a structure that a “Pursuing big fish game in dangerous predatory fish may hide in ambush. He ocean waters changed me forever.” said both structure and cover can change Taylor is so passionate about fishing water movement and that displaced that he keeps notes on different species water can cause drifting food to funnel of fish in not only Warrick County, but anywhere else he fishes — whether it’s a into certain locations such as an eddy or seam lines. different state or country. “Many fish stay in these areas eating He researches the habitat anything that drifts past,” Taylor said. preferences, food preferences, migration “No matter where you are, fish look at patterns and how temperature and what’s going on. Change tactics based off conditions change fish behavior. Taylor said one of the most interesting of the conditions encountered that day.” Taylor said one thing that continually things he has discovered about fish is amazes him when it comes to fishing that each species is on a loop.
F
4
STAFF WRITER
T R I - S T A T E
is how many fishermen neglect to understand proper catch and release methods and that learning how to successfully catch and release should be practiced by every angler out there. He said some anglers live by a rule they call CPR which stands for catch, picture and release. Taylor said people should use a no-knot rubber coated net to reduce the chance of removing a fish’s protective slime, damaging scales, gills or eyes. “If at all possible keep the fish in the water during the unhooking process,” he said. “A larger net makes it easy to keep the fish boatside until hooks are removed. Keep your camera easy access so you minimize the time period the fish is out of the water.” Taylor said once you’re ready for a quick picture, take the fish out of the net and make sure to support the fish’s body weight evenly and do not damage the gills or any other body parts. “Firmly hold the fish so it does not flip out of control in the photo process,” he said. “Do not squeeze the fish too hard because you do not want to damage their bones.” Taylor sad it is best to wet your hands or to wear a protective glove so you do not remove the fish’s protective slime. As soon as the photo is taken, immediately get the fish back in the water.
O U T D O O R S
“If the fish is stunned from the catch, it may need to be revived,” he said. Taylor said one of the most common catch and release mistakes made by anglers is while reviving the fish. “Many people push the fish forwards, then pull the fish back towards the boat,” he said. “This stuns the fish even farther because fish anatomy is not made for water to pass in through the gill plate out the mouth.” Taylor said water needs to come in the mouth and out the gills the way it does in nature. “Instead of yanking the fish backward in the water, just hold it in the same spot,” he said. “While keeping control of the fish, rock it from side to side like you would a door knob.” He said twisting your wrist left and right, will allow water to naturally flow into the fish’s anatomy and that pointing the fish upstream helps get water through it’s gills as well. “Hold the fish in the water until it kicks it’s tail and can swim off on its own,” Taylor said. “Remember this process and repeat every time you plan to release a fish.”
He said he is planning to get his fishing guide license in the future and start his own educational fishing channel on YouTube. Taylor said he wants to keep his videos more educational rather than bragging about the largest fish he’s ever caught. “Many anglers are competitive and let bad ego ruin this beautiful recreational sport,” he said. “I enjoy self control and don’t want to let bragging ruin my image as a decent human.” Taylor said he knows many anglers that are more skilled than him but that he has a true passion for fishing and just wants to share his knowledge with others because it’s a great outlet for anybody trying to get away from unhealthy habits. “It gets the youth involved in outdoors recreation and keeps them out of trouble,” he said. “And (it) provides a playing field for family and friends to create memories.”
Newburgh resident and bonafide fisherman Wade Taylor shows off the muskie he caught in Ontario, Canada in September 2016.
Johny Ray Auction & Realty Specializes in: •Gun Auction License •Farm And Machinery •Real Estate Equipment •Personal Property •Traditional Listings •Consignments
Johny Ray
Auction & Realty
812-598-3936 Auctioneer/Owner Lic.# AU10800006
T R I - S T A T E
O U T D O O R S
5
Backyard Beauty Spring an ideal time to plan habitat BY JULIE LOCKHART
S
pring awakens nature. The plants begin to sprout from the ground, to form buds on the branches, and to fill the days with color. Insects to mammals emerge once again bringing more wildlife to see. This is a perfect time to plan a backyard habitat to enjoy year-round. For a simple design for a backyard habitat or for a small yard a garden area can offer habitat for wildlife in many ways. Native plants sustain wildlife by supplying food, shelter, and places to raise young. Many of these plants help to filter air and water and to retain soil. A simple or an elaborate backyard habitat benefits from including native plants; they require less maintenance, and they are easy to grow. Wild columbines attract beneficial insects and hummingbirds with their beautiful flowers. The columbine flowers form little vase shaped pods filled with round black seeds that will feed other birds. Butterfly weed, sunflowers, coneflowers, and cardinal
6
flowers also offer a natural food source for pollinators and birds. By choosing native shrubs and trees to enhance a garden area, you can provide more food and cover for more wildlife species. Elderberry and spicebushes can work nicely to accent a small yard or garden space. Redbud and dogwood trees are reasonably sized. Both of these trees have trunks with pleasing structure, and they display stunning flowers in spring. Habitats supply native wildlife with natural food sources maintaining the food chain; native habitat is best. Another way to provide for wildlife is to include a bird feeding station in or near the garden area. Black oil sunflower seeds are good option. Birds frequently perch and seek cover on trees and shrubs located near feeders. Nesting boxes for bluebirds can be a wonderful addition to a backyard habitat. It is ideal to locate nesting boxes a good distance from the feeders; bluebirds tend to prefer their privacy. There are easy options for supplying a water source. If you choose a large
T R I - S T A T E
bird bath consider adding a rock in the center of the bath that slightly rises above the water level; this will give the birds more surfaces to perch and land. A garden pond is attractive in the landscape, but a pond does require more maintenance and cost. A simple saucer can supply water for butterflies, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. You can quickly make a water feature for the garden by turning a large flower pot upside down and placing the saucer on top to hold water. A small fountain can be used to create the sound of water to attract wildlife. Placing rocks in the garden constructs more habitat. Butterflies and skinks use rocks to bask in the sun. Rocks also provide cover for many amphibians. Create a little rock pile by stacking and leaning rocks together to form several shaded cavernous nooks and cavities. Leave some leaf litter along tree lines and shrubs. You may want to construct a brush pile for a larger yard with acreage. On wooded acreage consider leaving some dead fall and dead trees or snags.
O U T D O O R S
The Indiana Wildlife Federation has and excellent website where you can find a list of native plants complete with pictures and species information. The site makes it easy to choose the right plants for your needs. You can also check out what type of wildlife the plants will attract. The IWF is a great resource for purchasing native wildflower seeds, native trees, and native shrubs. The returns are endless when we create habitat using native plants. A backyard habitat benefits wildlife while bringing us closer to nature. The learning opportunities abound in a backyard habitat. Experiencing nature gives children first hand lessons in stewardship, biology, ecology, science, and more. The same type of plan used for a backyard habitat can be applied to a schoolyard habitat. Please consider starting one for your child’s school. The IWF has a comprehensive Schoolyard Wildlife Habitat Program available to all schools. After establishing a backyard or a schoolyard habitat the IWF can help you get the habitat certified.
Black-eyed-Susans and other native flowering plants create beautiful landscapes. Contact the IWF at 1-800-347-3445 or go to www.indianawildlife.org for more information. Habitat is a valuable natural resource. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser vice has an overall view of habitat conser vation at www.fws.gov that
stresses the use of native plants. Native habitat is as important to us as it is to endangered species. Julie Lockhart is a freelance writer and photographer. She can be reached at julielockhart13@wowway. com or julielockhart69.jl@gmail.com.
Own Property?
We sell farms & hunting properties of all sizes. If you have property that you no longer need or would like to sell, contact us. We have buyers looking for property in Warrick, Spencer, Dubois, Orange, Pike and Gibson Counties. The purpose of ProCore Outdoors is to bring land and property buyers and sellers together. By working to achieve this goal, we are greatly increasing the markets available to those who have rural, unique and what might be considered recreational properties. We are dedicated to connecting sellers and buyers through the use of our leading-edge strategy and marketing.
We specialize in buying and selling the finest recreational, hunting, fishing, farm and ranch properties and target those who are interested in the type of rural lands and properties that we feature on our website. We distinguish ourselves from other companies through customer service, loyalty, integrity, confidentiality and results.
Recreational | Investment | Farm 3341 Pomona Dr. Evansville, IN 47715
CONTACT: Charlie Garrison ProCore Outdoors, LLC charlie@procoreoutdoors.com
812.480.6265
www.procoreoutdoors.com Procore Outdoors, LLC | Charlie Garrison, Broker - Licensed in IN
T R I - S T A T E
O U T D O O R S
7
Lure & Simple Jerkbait ideal for spring bass fishing BY KEN MCBROOM
M
presentation you need.
arch is the time of year for jerkbaits and when the urge to go fishing becomes overwhelming just tie on a jerkbait and hit the water. The air is a little warmer and sometimes will even break the 50 degree mark and the temptation is just too great. That’s when you find yourself launching your boat after months of sitting unused in the garage. March can be tough on bass anglers and especially bass anglers who try the typical springtime techniques like jigs and crankbaits. These baits can work great, but for March, when bass are beginning to suspend outside spawning bays, the best bait for bass is the jerkbait. There are many jerkbaits to choose from today and you might have your favorite. But whatever jerkbait brand you prefer there are several things to consider that can improve your chances of catching more bass this time of year. Listed below are just a few things to consider when throwing a jerkbait in March and ways to modify them to get the
8
WHEN TO THROW A JERKBAIT
As the water begins to warm, during early spring, bass will begin to come out of those deep winter sanctuaries and position themselves along steep banks leading to spawning areas. Bass will begin this move earlier than you may think. Bass will notice the increase in water temperature and instinctively begin migrating toward their springtime spawning areas holding along steep shoreline areas. These areas are known as staging areas and will hold pre-spawn bass for several weeks leading up to the spawn. Bass tend to suspend in these staging areas and choose steep banks so they can easily move from shallow water to deep as the water temps change expending the least amount of energy to do so. While bass are lethargic and sluggish this time of year they instinctively know they have to begin feeding to prepare for the rigors of the spawn. This situation is prime time for a jerkbait. The jerkbait will work all season long under the right circumstances, but
T R I - S T A T E
winter and early spring are the best time to throw it.
WHERE TO THROW A JERKBAIT
As mentioned above, the best place to throw a jerkbait is along steep banks close to spawning areas. There are a lot of different situations during the winter to early spring transition and you must change your presentation accordingly. Knowing where the bass are staging is half the battle, the other half is patience and presentation. Bass can sense a change in water temperature of just a few degrees and during early spring will move up shallow as the water temps rise even throughout the day. Rocks will help warm the surrounding water, especially after a few days of sunshine and creeks will carry slightly warmer water into the lake and warm the entire area enough to make a difference. This should be considered when looking for the most active bass during early spring. To further fine tune your search for an early spring jerkbait bite look to north facing shorelines. These
O U T D O O R S
head, however, is nearly always pointing up during this pause. This is why I prefer a jerkbait that suspends with its head up. There are several ways to modify your jerkbait to get it to suspend with its head up. Some will suspend this way HOW TO WORK out of the box, but many will A JERKBAIT not. The easiest way to get the There are many ways to head up on your jerkbait is work a jerkbait but during with Storm SuspenDots. Apply early spring when the water one, then test the jerkbait in temps are still below 50 the water and add a SuspenDot degrees the best presentation is a suspending jerkbait so you until you get the head to point can work the jerkbait through up when it suspends. You can also wrap lead wire the suspended bass and entice around the back hook or add them to strike. It is important to pause your a split ring to the rear hook eye. You can also replace the jerkbait during early spring. back hook with a heavier one. When the water temps are All of these mods will work, below 50 degrees the best but be sure that your jerkbait cadence I have found is a continues to suspend and not twitch, twitch, pause, twitch, sink from the added weight. pause and repeat. A slow sink is The length of the Jerkbaits are great OK. But if it sinks pause is vital and too fast, it will you have to let the baits to throw bass tell you what anytime, but when be more action than a sluggish they want that day. the water temps bass wants and Another can effect the are below 55 vital part of the amount of strikes cadence is the degrees the get. It is the amount of action jerkbait is the go to you stationary and still you give your bait for many bass presentation that jerkbait. Some triggers the bass fisherman. days bass want to want to eat it so a very quick and keep this in mind. erratic action The jerkbait takes a lot of while on other days a slow and patience to master. And while subtle action is the ticket. You I have thrown a jerkbait since can control this action with I was a kid, I am far from your rod tip. Quick twitches mastering the presentation. of the rod tip with slack in the There, however, is nothing like line will impart a quick and a hard strike from a big bass violent action on the jerkbait when you least expect it and while a slow steady pull and that feeling alone keeps me pause is a much more subtle throwing it. presentation. When the water is cold Another important and bass are making their consideration when fishing move during early spring to a jerkbait is the position of pre-spawn staging areas the the bait on the pause. Some jerkbait is hard to beat even if it suspending jerkbaits suspend is hard to master. level while others suspend head or tail up. During early About The Author: spring oftentimes there is a Ken McBroom is a shad kill. This is common and a freelance outdoor writer and natural occurrence and for the photographer based in Indiana. jerkbait angler it is a time to For more information please land some really good bass. visit www.ramblingangler. When a shad is dying, it will dart a short distance, then stop com send comments to ken@ and slowly rise or suspend. Its ramblingangler.com shorelines warm quicker because it gets the most sunlight throughout the day. Combine all of these with the presence of baitfish and you are in business.
T R I - S T A T E
Photo by Ken McBroom
Ken McBroom and his favorite jerkbait for early spring bass is the Rapala Shadow Rap. It has the perfect action to trigger more strikes.Â
Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5, Saturday 8-12, Sunday Closed (all times are EST) Starting April 1st Monday-Friday 8-7, Saturday 8-4 Sunday 11-4
O U T D O O R S
9
SETTING YOUR SIGHTS Live firing improves accuracy
Y
BY TOM FULLER
ou’ve learned the safety practices for firearms, you’ve done some dry fire at home, and you’ve prepped your range bag with all the necessities. Now it’s time for live-fire shooting. Going to a shooting range is great fun and an excellent way to spend time alone or with friends and is a also a great way to meet new friends. Whether an indoor or outdoor range, the action remains the same — we’re going to shoot a firearm at a target with live ammunition. But what are we really doing when visiting a live-fire range and how do we make the most of our time? When receiving my instructor accreditations, the National Rifle Association training counselor stated that “Dry fire gets it right, live-fire checks your sights.” He was saying that if you have spent enough time working on your fundamentals at home with dry fire, the only thing live fire does is prove your sights are in correct alignment. Why is
10
this? Because six of the seven fundamentals of marksmanship all occur before the bullet leaves the barrel. Grip, position, sight alignment, sight picture, breathing, and trigger press are all easily managed and practiced at home. By understanding that idea and mastering those skills, you’ll recognize that live fire simply checks how well your sights are aligned on the firearm. If you perform all six of those fundamentals consistently, your shots will
T R I - S T A T E
all land in the same place and you’ll be able to make adjustments to your firearm’s sights to make your point of impact coincide with your point of aim at a specific distance you desire. This process is called zeroing the firearm. Zeroing is a process that is relatively simple but will vary from firearm to firearm based on each one’s individual sights or optics and your preferred zero distance. Check your owner’s manual or consult a gunsmith for more information
O U T D O O R S
on adjusting (if possible) your firearm’s sights. The one fundamental that requires live fire to fully understand is follow-through. Whereas a double-action revolver lets you get a complete trigger reset every time the trigger is released, most semi-automatics will require some sort of additional manipulation of the firearm (i.e. racking the slide) to reset the trigger. When using live ammunition, the explosive force of the powder ignition racks the slide for you.
Therefore, the only way to work on follow-through is to experience live fire. Remember, with follow through, we want to hold the trigger to the rear all the way through the firing cycle and release pressure on the trigger only enough to feel the trigger completely reset. We want to maintain contact on the trigger to allow for a quicker follow up shot if desired. We want to regain our sight alignment and sight picture as well. For every string of shots, we will always have one more sight alignment and sight picture at the end. When I instruct new shooters I use the same target setup I use for myself which is a plain white target and a single two-inch black dot in the center. For new shooters I set the distance at three yards. There are a lot of fun targets out there to use and I don’t entirely object to their use, but I don’t always appreciate the extra visual noise when I am focusing solely on marksmanship fundamentals. What is the goal of live fire marksmanship training? To put holes in the target where we want them to go. Let’s not give ourselves any free passes here. The common mantra is “Aim small, miss small,” and if we use a target with a dinner plate sized ring on it, we’re giving ourselves a lot of room to be sloppy. I encourage you to avoid the easy gratification of large target centers. Even as a beginner, it is perfectly acceptable to aim at a small point. You’ve been doing that already with your dry-fire practice, right? If you miss the two-inch dot, and assuming your sights are correctly zeroed and you understand the required holdover, ask yourself which of the fundamentals you are doing incorrectly.
LIVE-FIRE PRACTICE
One point that I like to make with new shooters is that they will likely start off shooting very well and then progressively get worse through the session. Shouldn’t they be getting
better? Understand that there is an environmental change here substantially different from dry fire. The noise, smoke, flash of the powder, and transfer of energy from the explosion to the shooter (recoil) makes the cave-man part of our brain react in such a way that we begin flinching. We begin doing bad things with our form that we weren’t doing during dry-fire practice. We start shoving the firearm downward and to one side right before we break the trigger. We begin to compensate for the recoil by fighting against it. Suddenly, a right hander’s shots are all low and left. How do we stop that? More dry-fire training. You must make the absence of flinching a stronger instinct than the body’s initial reaction that created the flinch. If you don’t believe you are flinching or you have a buddy that insists their shots are low and left because “something’s wrong with this ammo,” there’s an easy way to prove it. The non-shooter should load a dummy cartridge into a magazine (or into a revolver’s cylinder) and not tell the shooter where it is. As the shooter progresses through their shot string, they’ll eventually come across the dummy round and only get a “click” instead of a “bang.” They will then see how far they are dogging that pistol down when there is no recoil pushing against them. It’s a very eye-opening and humbling experience but worthwhile for every shooter to go through. How much shooting is enough? Well that depends on your goals. For new shooters focusing on true marksmanship based fundamental practice work I would say limit the round count to about 50. But don’t let me discourage you from shooting more — I only want to warn you that you will likely see a degradation in your performance. You can adjust your round count as you see fit, but your focus shouldn’t be on the number of holes you’ve punched in the target T R I - S T A T E
but instead on the quality of the marksmanship. Don’t confuse high round counts with better practice or training. Start with the target at three yards and when you can keep all those holes inside the two-inch black dot, set a fresh target at seven yards and see what happens. As you work yourself out to 10 yards you might see that tight two-inch grouping open up even further. This may reflect the need for more dry fire practice since even the slightest wobble begins to show up with wider shot groups. This is also good to see how your particular firearm behaves at incrementally increased differences. With a two-inch barreled revolver, don’t expect as tight of a group at ten yards that you could get at three yards. Set goals for your training and work towards those goals. Make every pull of the trigger meaningful and purposeful. Stay safe, shoot smart, and
focus on that two-inch black dot. At the end of a session, you shouldn’t be able to tell how many shots you fired because you should only see one rough edged hole in the target. When 50 shots are all inside a two-inch dot, the next step is obvious: smaller dots. As always, remember that firearms safety is your responsibility.
Tight target shooting shows accuracy.
NOT ALL GREAT EXPERIENCES ARE OUTDOORS. Try Uncle Rudy's, the Tri-State's Only 5-Star Rated Indoor Range! • 5-star customer rating • State-of-the-art shooting simulator • NEW Mobile SimRange • 10 lane indoor rifle + pistol range • NASP compliant archery range
O U T D O O R S
11
Get Serious
about your Outdoor Power Equipment with
Simply the Best brands around
Payments As Low As
$84.
00 00
Model: M oddel: SFZ48-22KT SFZ48-222KTT
/M MO O†
Payments As Low As
$76.
00
Model: SZL48-22KT
/MO†
†Estimated Monthly Payments — Offer subject to credit approval and may change or terminate without notice. Payments based on 1.99% for 60 months. Excludes sales tax and other fees. See dealer for details or visit www.scag.com for complete details.
12
T R I - S T A T E
www.SCAG.com
O U T D O O R S
GT-225 25
®
CURVED SHAFTT TRIMMER
$149.
99
PB-250LN
HANDHELD BLOWER
$149.
99
CS-310 CHAIN SAW
$199.
99
www.ECHO-USA.com
T R I - S T A T E
O U T D O O R S
13
Trail stewards, riders have more in common than differences
T
BY BRAD SCALES
wenty years ago in Boonville, there was a trail that headed north from the dead end on First Street. This trail led to Sunlight Woods and a network of great trails. Traveling by ATV, Tom Shoulders did much of the work with just a chainsaw, mattock, and shovel. I would often see him on these trails, working hard and always with a smile. These days, it is not enough to just work on trails with a smile. With social media, public scrutiny is at an all-time high. On every level, including
14
GREAT NEW SELECTION!
2501 Newton St - Hwy 231 N Jasper, IN 47546
www.obcycle.com
LOCATION! 866-YAMAHA-6
T R I - S T A T E
O U T D O O R S
trail work, people are upset and posting it online, turning everyday activities into a soap opera. I am guessing that Tom had to deal with issues working with others on the trails in Sunlight Woods but I also assume they were less frequent, less petty, and in private. Trail stewards of the communication age are now learning to deal with these issues. Typically, meeting in person and talking through them is an easy solution. For other issues the root of the problem runs much deeper, pun intended. In many aspects of our lives, social media seems to be exaggerating differences between us. For example, trail stewards are typically very proud of their work. Sometimes this pride, or other personal issues, can affect how they react to people who use trails when they are muddy. Online outbursts that bash people who ride on a rainy day does not help anyone. If we are to be stewards then we must control our emotions and educate riders in a more effective and respectful manner. Meanwhile, trail stewards should be smiling while
T R I - S T A T E
Since 1959
812-649-4941 Call today!
www.tylerboats.net
3179 S. St. Rd. 161, 4 Miles North of the Old Owensboro, Ky., Bridge, Rockport, Ind. PONTOONS
O U T D O O R S
15
fixing the ruts left by others. like Tom Shoulders and If they are not then perhaps Rodney Harris strengthened they are missing the point of my passion for the sport of trail work. mountain biking. History has shown that Just as their work has American riders have the proven, doing great things ability to work together to for the community can do rad things. For instance, inspire youth to do the the movie Rad featured same. Helltrack, an With the kids enormous display of of Boonville Bike Online creative BMX genius Club, I share this outbursts integrating freeride passion along that bash features well ahead with a respect for of their time. people who everyone involved More recently in in our sport. You ride on a Tennessee, the city see, riders are not of Knoxville built the rainy day just spandex vs. does not help baggies. Devil’s Racetrack, a gnarly freeride trail To me, we’re anyone. integrated into a Lycra and mesh, cross country trail skinny jeans and system. On a more local sweats, single and geared, level we have adult riders name brand and weird, building amazing trails at racers and drinkers, shop Scales Lake Park along with wrenches and tinkerers, kids helping to build the clipless and flat, skinny area’s first mountain bike and fat. Let’s respect our skills area. differences, work together, There is no doubt that and make America rad the work of local stewards again.
16
T R I - S T A T E
O U T D O O R S
Bicycle Safety Tips
Bicycle riding is one of the best things a person can do for the environment and his or her personal health. Riding a bike requires only the power of the body and does not produce any noxious emissions. It’s quiet, and bikes are able to gain access to places where cars are not permitted. According to Glumac, a full-service engineering company specializing in sustainable design, using one gallon of gasoline in a car produces about 20 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions directly, or 26 pounds if you account for processing the fuel. Opting for a bike instead of a car can have profound environmental benefits. Bicycles are most useful and efficient when they are properly maintained. Failing to maintain a bike means it could be relegated to a dusty corner in the garage. To keep bikes in ideal working order, consider these bike maintenance tips. • Keep the bike clean. A bicycle is a collection of moving parts. Over time mud and debris can get lodged in gears, tires and other components, impacting the performance of the bike. Regular washing ensures that the bike will operate at peak capacity whenever you decide to go for a ride. High-pressure hoses may damage sensitive bearing systems, so it’s better to use a damp rag to carefully clean the bike. Brushing or buffing away debris can be handy as well. Consider how frequently you ride the bike and where you ride it when determining how often to clean the bike. • Maintain proper tire pressure. Much like with car tires, air pressure in bicycle tires can impact the ride and likelihood of damage. According to the CARE Exchange, a group of riders involved in
T R I - S T A T E
fundraising cycling events, too little air in tires can increase the likelihood of punctures to the inner tube. Low air pressure can put more pressure on bike components and accelerate wear and tear. Plus, it can make for an uncomfortable ride. Similarly, too much pressure can cause the tires to blow out or provide a less enjoyable ride. Always keep tires at the pressure rating listed on the tire’s sidewall. • Keep the chain well lubricated. One of the most crucial steps to maintaining a bicycle is to keep the bike chain and other moving parts lubricated. This reduces excessive wear caused by friction and can prevent gears from ceasing up. Lubricants also can help prevent rust and corrosion. Apply lubricant to the chain, brake and derailleur levers and cables. But too much lubricant can be a bad thing, attracting dirt and reducing performance. Use only as much as the bike needs and wipe away the excess. • Get a tune-up. It’s beneficial to periodically have an experienced bike mechanic look over your bicycle. Bearings may loosen slightly, and brake and gear cables can stretch. Take the bicycle into a bike shop so the staff can give it an overhaul, addressing any areas that may need a little finetuning. Bike shop employees typically are knowledgeable in bicycle maintenance, and they can provide a wealth of information on other cycling-related subjects. Bike riding is a popular pastime and an activity that is beneficial to the environment. Maintaining a bicycle is a great way to ensure it operates as efficiently as possible.
O U T D O O R S
17
Extend your season for prime panfish BY KEN MCBROOM
A
pril is a great time to catch some really nice crappie if you know where to look. Crappie instinctively feels when the time to spawn is nearing and will begin to ease into and near spawning grounds in preparation. Many anglers focus on water temperature as the trigger that starts the spawn, but science tells us that even more than water temperature, the “photoperiod” or length of
18
daylight actually causes this migration from deep water to shallower flats to spawn. This photoperiod is the main trigger to the spawn and has been proven scientifically and some will argue that water temperature has little to do with the crappie spawn, but there are many anglers including myself that still rely on it, maybe it’s the warmer air that triggers more crappie anglers to get on the water. In any case, regardless of when the spawn begins there is always plenty of slab crappie T R I - S T A T E
to be had even during even the coldest springs. My initial approach to early spring crappie fishing is to check shallow cover for spawning crappie. I usually do this even when I’m sure they’re not up shallow yet. I guess it’s just habit because that’s where we always looked when I was a kid. We never fished deep for crappie but crappie fishing has come a long way since then and serious crappie anglers know that the deeper water holds the slabs when the water O U T D O O R S
temperature is cold. Some anglers never fish shallow claiming that the big females are only shallow long enough to lay their eggs, then migrate back to deeper water and knowing this along with a few other tips and techniques will help you load the cooler with more slabs this spring. April is always a hit or miss month for shallow water crappie anglers, but deep water crappie anglers have been enjoying some good crappie catches all year long. If you are a fair weather angler,
as many of us are, then waiting until the crappie move into the shallow cover is normally the way to go. But if you want to add a few more weeks to your springtime crappie fishing, read on. The males are the first to move into shallow cover to build the beds that attract the female crappie. This activity is triggered by the photoperiod and can begin to happen earlier than you might expect. While there is definitely a peak spawning time when you catch crappie one after another there is also a lead and a lag when the fishing is a little slower but can easily fill a limit if you know where to look. There are little things that will let you know where the big crappie are and with a little practice you can target those bigger fish while others are catching countless little ones up shallow and here is how to do it. The extended length of daylight, or photoperiod, triggers the instinct in crappie to spawn. The spawn is going to happen regardless of the water temperature, at least to some extent, so getting out there searching for these activities is key to extending your season. The initial indication that the spawn is near is a wave of males moving into the classic cover in the shallows. Trees, brush, rip rap, stake beds will all attract spawners. Paying attention to what is going on is key to locating those elusive slabs this spring. If you start in the shallows and are catching smaller fish this tells you that the males are up but the females are still hanging back in deeper water. The females won’t be far from this spawning activity so look for deeper water nearby. You can locate crappie with your fish finder or just fish the deeper areas. These fish are hungry and will bite a jig or minnow dangled at their depth. Once you have determined
that the female crappie are not yet up
increase your search range. By tying two jigs or minnows to each rod you can probe four different depths with just two rods and help you locate the school that wants to bite. Oftentimes there is a certain depth that hold feeding crappie so seeing them on your fish finder is only a shallow starting point. a great It is important to locate the preferred depth in which they are feeding. Many times anglers will fish the depth technique where they see large numbers for locating and fail to get bites. those There are times when the transitioning depth you see one fish here slabs out deep is the spider rig. two fish there is the depth that you need to fish to get The spider rig is several rods spread out in front of your boat your limit. Be sure to fish all the depths that you’re seeing by using several rod holders. fish and you can narrow down This allows you to search where the more aggressive many different depths, colors ones are holding and get more or baits. Use your trolling bites. motor to slowly ease out from Searching for those larger the shallows adjusting the females in deeper water isn’t depth you’re fishing as you go just for those with boats. If into deeper water. you are a shore angler the This technique allows slip bobber is a great way to you to keep your baits at the probe the deeper water near depths you are seeing fish the shallows. I could write an on your locator. Once you entire article on slip bobber get a bite just note the depth types and techniques, but for you had that bait and set the this application just rig up your other baits at that depth. If you favorite slip bobber and begin continue to catch fish on one to search the different depths certain bait or color, then use until you locate that magical that on all your rods and have depth that are holding bigger fun. females. If you don’t have a spider By using a couple of rods rig set up on your boat you you can incrementally adjust can just set a couple of rods the depths of each one to over the side of your bow. You search. While jigs will work can tie on the double jig rig to for this slip bobber technique
most anglers prefer minnows. It helps to study a lake map to find deep water near spawning areas. It is important to set up on the shore where a creek or river channel swings in next to a spawning cove. This gives you plenty of deep staging water to fish within casting distance. I hear so many anglers complaining about the long winter and how long it will be before they can go fishing but remember that the photoperiod really sets the spawn into motion and the crappie will begin to feed a lot earlier than you might think, even in cold water. Waiting for warmer air temps will offer you plenty of action in the shallows but you might be surprised just how good the fishing can be both before and after the peak of the spawn. By learning to read the signals of the winter to spring transition you can enjoy more fishing time this spring and more fillets in the freezer this winter. Break out the windbreaker and stocking cap and get out there and shake those cabin fever blues with a day on the water catching our favorite panfish this spring and extend your spring crappie season. About The Author: Ken McBroom is a freelance outdoor writer. For more information please visit www. ramblingangler.com
Tim Cron, Owner
FREE
S ESTIMATE
Call us today!
INSURANC E WORK WELCOM E
Body Work/Glass Work On All Types Of Vehicles
812-897-2284
815 W. Main • Boonville, IN • Behind DQ T R I - S T A T E
O U T D O O R S
19
Seeing Green L
awns are exposed to the elements throughout the year, and each season brings its own unique set of challenges. Summer heat waves can make it hard for lawns to maintain their lush green appeal, while the falling leaves of autumn can threaten root systems if not handled properly. Winter frost and snow also can pose a threat to lawns, leaving homeowners with some work to do when spring arrives. Spring is a season of revival, and that spirit of rejuvenation extends to lawns. When the last vestiges of winter begin to disappear, homeowners can dust off their gardening gloves and start taking steps to revitalize their lawns for the months ahead. • Look for signs of damage. Winter can be hard on lawns, so it’s important for homeowners to look for signs of damage before they begin planning any springtime landscaping projects. Salt damage can occur in areas that received heavy snowfall over the winter. Many communities use rock salt to de-ice snow- and ice-covered roads, and that rock salt is largely made up of sodium chloride, which can draw moisture from grass and cause
20
T R I - S T A T E
How to help your lawn bounce back from winter it to brown. Salt trucks used during winter storms often spit salt out onto lawns, so don’t be surprised if you notice brown spots on your grass, especially in those areas closest to the road. Winter lawn damage may also be caused by voles, burrowing mouse-like rodents that make paths beneath the snow to hide from predators and feed on grass blades and roots. Lawns with distinctly matted areas may also have been damaged by snow mold that can weaken turf. • Consult a professional landscaper. Homeowners with considerable experience tending to damaged lawns can no doubt identify and address problems on their own. That’s because many problems are a result of the weather, which tends to be similar and produce similar problems from one year to the next. But inexperienced homeowners should consult professional landscapers before attempting to address problems on their own. Winter lawn damage may be caused by a variety of factors that can produce similar symptoms, and professional landscapers can identify the culprits behind such damage and provide the most effective solutions to restore the lawn. O U T D O O R S
• Remove debris. A light raking can help remove any debris that accumulated over the winter. Such debris, which may include fallen branches and fallen leaves left behind from the final days of fall, can prevent lawns from getting the sun and water they need to thrive. Remove this debris, but make sure the grass is not frozen when you do, as walking on frozen grass can cause further damage. • Let the grass grow. Mowing the lawn is a chore that’s reser ved for spring, summer and maybe early fall, but it’s important that homeowners don’t jump the gun and mow too early after winter. A patient approach allows the grass to reestablish itself, so let it grow a little higher than you normally would before the first cut. When the grass is roughly 4.5 inches high, you can cut it down to three inches and then maintain your normal mowing routine throughout the rest of spring and summer. Revitalizing lawns in springtime is a priority for many homeowners, who should always consult landscaping professionals if they feel uncertain about addressing any damage they discover during their post-winter lawn inspections.
Bucks & Jakes Outfitters was founded with one simple goal in mind - serving the tri-state's outdoorsmen and women. Being locally owned and operated gives Bucks & Jakes the great privilege and opportunity to give back to the community, supporting groups such as the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP), Archery Camps USA, and Archery Across North America.
Firearms Lowest Lowest Prices Prices Around Around
venient n o C o Tw cations Lo
bucksandjakes.com
|
3655 Hwy 62 W Boonville 5525 Pearl Dr Evansville 812-897-4285
T R I - S T A T E
O U T D O O R S
812-402-1140
21
Advertising Index John Ray Auction & Realty. . . . . . . . . . . 5 Newburgh Powersports. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 ProCore Outdoors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Jenkins Family Greenhouse. . . . . . . . . . 9 American Whitetail Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Uncle Rudys. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Midwest Equipment Co . . . . . . . . . 12,13
22
T R I - S T A T E
Obermeyer Honda Yamaha Suzuki. . 14 Tyler Boats. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Hillside Gardens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Cron’s Body Shop. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Bucks and Jakes Outfitters . . . . . . . . . . 21 Faith Music Radio. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Misty Morn Safe Company. . . . . . . . . . 24
O U T D O O R S
T R I - S T A T E
O U T D O O R S
23
24
T R I - S T A T E
O U T D O O R S