Floating Lines

The DNR has gone ahead and banned baiting in the Lower Peninsula based on one case of CWD found in a deer in a private, commercial enclosure.  Eric Sharp, over at the Free Press, offers up this gem (ahmm request) pushing for an increase in fines for baiting violations.  In the piece he goes on to make statements that are a little troubling  to say the least and disturbing if you don’t give him the benefit of the doubt.

Mr. Sharp offers up the following narrow minded observations:

“Shooting a deer on a bait pile is no different from shooting a rat at a garbage dump, except that we don’t eat the rat.”

“And maybe during the next couple of deer seasons a lot of people will learn that there is an alternative to throwing vegetables out in the woods to rot and hoping that deer will come to feed on them.

It’s called learning how to hunt.”

“It’s a sad commentary on the state of hunting that the most common question to the DNR is: “How much is the fine if I get caught violating the ban?”

But hunters don’t break game laws. There’s another name for people who do that — violators.”

I wanted to take a moment to remind Mr. Sharp of just a few things.  Please be careful with the rat comment.  Baiting was legal only a few short months ago and for years before that.  I would not be so quick to compare a bait hunter to a rat shooter and I would not disrespect the game animal or the hunter by comparing the two.  Baiting bear is still legal so basically they would be shooting a rat from a garbage dump, but legally in this case.

Also, be careful with the rotting vegetables as they are biodegradable and someone might draw a parallel to a person who dumps trash out in the woods.  In the same quote, the learning how to hunt thing stings a little; remember these were license buying (contributing) brothers only a few months ago.

I would suggest that the commentary on hunting has been pretty sad in Michigan for some time.  I am not sure that a lot of that rests with hunters as much as it does the managers and leadership of this fine state.

I would also tread lightly when it comes to drawing a line between hunters and violators as that line can be fine.

In conclusion a few suggestions to Mr. Sharp; just because someone tells you that something is law doesn’t necessarily mean they are correct.  Blind faith can cause a whole lot of trouble.  Also, you might try actually reporting the news instead of constantly expounding your opinion for public review.

The sky finally filled with clouds and the rains came, not only to the Detroit area but also to the woods and waters in the north country.  Reports of good numbers of fish pushing up stream are trickling in.  The guys over at BBT report upwards of 4″ of rain and waking kings heading up while the guys over at PM Lodge continue to hold out on the mousing season.  However, kings throughout the system should put a pretty good end to the mousing this year.  Jeff at Outfitters North is also reporting good fishing.  The season was off to a slow start but then the rains came, just when they were needed.  The river is setting up very nicely for salmon camp and it should be a successful one.  But then again, it is fishing and not catching.  The October issue of TCS will no doubt tell the story of Salmon Season 2008. 

The warm water fishing isn’t dead yet though.  A fine friend of TCS, Frank Wloch, sports a nice tan and one hell of a nice late season bass.  He mentioned that he had a good net man but I have fished with Mel Kensinger and I have my doubts about his ability (just kidding Mel).  Anyway, it is a great way to cap off a nice summer that probably isn’t over just yet.  

Also, a photo showed up in my in-box from our resident fly tier (Chris Therssen).  A buddy asked if we could post a shot of this young man with a mid-season bass that he landed.  There is nothing better in our eyes, being the fathers of young children, here at TCS than kids with fish.  Congratulations young man and thanks for carrying on the tradition. 

The fast approach of salmon camp has gotten me thinking about the places that we stay when we are away from home, chasing fish and game. 

So, this is our digs when we are out after the trout during the summer months.  Is sure is not fancy; a nylon tent with plenty of ventilation and a couple of camp chairs.  If you pull pack the door you will find only sleeping bags with pillows on the floor.  That should change next year as our aging backs can’t really take that any more.  There is a small charcoal grill and a 5 gallon jug of water.  The cooler is stored in the back of the truck.  It is a fast, simple camp that allows us plenty of time for other pursuits (fishing and drinking beer). 

We change it up a little for the salmon camp as the possibility for cooler weather pushes us into the pop-up camper.  There is still a tent or two around though but those get larger, with thicker canvas, and cots to prop the boys off of the cold ground.  It is still a fast, simple camp though designed for maximum fishing time.  Look for photos of camp in upcoming October issue that will highlight salmon camp 2008. 

We get even fancier for deer camp, but as they say that is another story. 

So, TCS readers I open the comments section to you and your camps.  There might even be some tips in there that the rest of us can use to make our camps even more efficient.