Now that we are a little over a month from the ATA show that was  in Indianapolis last January, I have had time to reflect on the new items that were on display there this year.  I have to say the one thing that created the most excitement for me this year was the new Trail Camera System from Leupold!

     This system is like nothing you’ve ever seen before!  The central part of the camera system is the exclusive hand held USB controller/viewer that plugs right into the trail camera!  Yes this camera has its own GUI (General User Interface), trail cameras have gone hi-tech!  You can now check your cameras without even touching them other than to plug in the USB cable to see what trophy animals you have on your SD card! 

     The controller offers more than a simple plug and download feature for your camera, it also gives you a real-time look at your camera’s field of view.  How many times have you placed your camera only to get an obstructed view photo of an animal you would like to see more of?  With the controller you can go into live mode to see that your camera is placed correctly through its 3″ LCD c0lor display screen.  If your camera alignment is off, simply adjust it and re-secure it where it needs to be to give you those perfect photos.

     With the controller you can also manipulate the camera’s settings to what works best for your situation in the field.  It also allows you to view, download, and reset your SD card photos in your camera.  Then take the controller home and download those photos onto your PC!  With this controller you will no longer have to take your camera down to get your SD card out to swap it out with a fresh one only to have to realign the camera again!  It makes your trips to the field to check your cameras quick, easy and hassle free!

     Leupold has put as much thought into their cameras as they have the controller!  They offer two models of cameras that will work with the controller, the RCX-1 and the RCX-2!  The RCX-1 comes with basic features that will allow any outdoors man to obtain surveillance photos of the game that is in his hunting area!  The RCX-1 offers an 8 mega-pixel camera with a 54° wide angle lens with a 45° sensor area that can be triggered up to 45 feet away!  It offers 36 Infrared LEDs for catching those nocturnal bucks and a trigger speed of less than one second!  The RCX-1 additionally has a video setting if you want moving pictures instead of stills!  No more ears and rears, you can now catch more photos of racks to see what’s tearing up your area! 

     If your looking for a camera that has more adjust-ability built in, then the RCX-2 is for you!  The RCX-2 has a 10 mega-pixel camera with dual trigger area adjustment on a 54° wide angle lens.  Set it for 10° sensing area for those long narrow runways or 45° sensing area for those wide food plots!  The maximum trigger range is from 45 feet on the wide angle to 90 feet on the narrow angle.   The Infrared system has an additional 12 LEDs on the 10° setting for a total of 48 for those night shots!  Wish you could have both the narrow trigger area and wide trigger area views available?  Well the RCX-2 is the only camera that has a dual-trigger system that allows for both simultaneously!  As for the video, do you wish you had audio to go with that clip of a huge buck tearing up a tree near your camera?  Well this camera has the audio to go along with the video to complete the clip of that trophy animal!  The RCX-2 is truly a customizable camera that you can adjust to fit your needs in the field!

     Both cameras run on 8 AA Lithium batteries for months on end.  An optional rechargeable battery kit is also available.  The RCX-2 comes with a Lock-Down Security Plate that allows for heavy gauge cable locks to be used for security and it is available for purchase for the RCX-1 models as well.  Both camera models and the controller interface are made of ABS/polycarbonate outer shells that offers strength and protection against the weather elements.

     By now you’re probably saying, “OK this is a great system, but a camera that offers that many options has to be expensive?”  Wrong!  This camera system is very affordable for anyone wanting a quality set up like this!  The RCX-2 system with the Controller Interface is going to retail for $299.00.  Every additional RCX-2 Camera that you want to add to the set up will be at a cost of $249.00 each.  You say that you don’t need that much adjust-ability?  Then the RCX-1 system with the Controller Interface is going to retail for $249.00 and every additional RCX-1 camera is going to be $199.00 each.  With this system you can truly mix and match camera models to fit your price range and needs!  Look for the RCX Trail Camera System to start showing up in your Leupold dealer sometime near June.

     It is obvious that Leupold has taken the time to put the same quality and dependability into their trail camera system as they do their optics!  I’m truly excited about putting these cameras into the field this year to see just what animals are running through my area!  Thanks to Tim Lesser, Product Line Developer at Leupold for taking the time to show us another great product from Leupold!

For immediate release

Contact: Tom Huggler, Publicist (989) 714-1407

Henri Boucher, show producer

Adam Starr, show manager

(800) 328-6550 / (616) 447-2860

Here once a year, OUTDOORAMA is Michigan’s No. 1 show for family fun and conservation education

February 24 to 27 event features Big Buck Night, Wildlife Encounters

NOVI — Outdoor enthusiasts look forward to the shortest month of the year because that’s when Outdoorama, sponsored by RAM Trucks, comes to town. The 38th annual edition of Michigan’s most popular show is February 24 to 27 at Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River Avenue in Novi.

Many of the state’s more than one million anglers and hunters will pack what used to be called Rock Financial Showplace for great deals on boats and sporting gear, for conservation education and dozens of free seminars, and for family entertainment and features.

Returning to crowd fanfare are favorite attractions like “Big Buck Night,” “Wildlife Encounters” and “Ultimate Air Dogs” with Milt Wilcox hosting daily demonstrations and weekend competition.

Although hunting and fishing are at the show’s core, Outdoorama has long appealed to Michigan’s huge core of conservationists, those lovers of nature who also hike and camp, boat and canoe, and who pursue bird watching, wildlife photography and other outdoor pursuits.

“Outdoorama is all about celebrating our state’s outdoors heritage while keeping in mind our responsibilities toward the environment,” said Adam Starr, show manager. “That’s why the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, which started the show nearly 40 years ago, still plays a major role.”

Adding to the show’s broad appeal is the 4th Annual Cottage & Lakefront Living Show, which runs concurrently at Suburban Collection Showplace. Patrons to either event receive free crossover admission. “We’ve kept the admission fee low again this year,” Starr said. “It’s $10 for adults and $4 for children 6 to 14. Kids 5 and under get in free.”

A large number of lodges, outfitters, guides and charter boat captains from Alaska to Africa have reserved space in the show. Great values on fishing boats, duck hunting boats, pontoons and pleasure boats will be at the show along with docks and other accessories.

Besides Ultimate Air Dogs, family fun activities include a Trout Pond with live rainbows, pellet shooting range, free Casting Kids Contest hosted by the Michigan B.A.S.S. Federation NATION, a video fishing simulator, and the Sportsman’s Grill with fried fish all four days of the show.

Many specialty vendors with hunting equipment, fishing gear, and camping supplies had already reserved space before the show sold out for space in late December.

Dozens of sport clubs and organizations, many of which are MUCC affiliates, will staff booths with volunteers to hand out literature and explain club programs.

Ray Eye, considered by many to be America’s top turkey-hunting expert, heads a stellar seminar lineup of top hunting and fishing experts. Eye, a radio-show host and former national champion caller from Missouri, tantalizes crowds with “Chasing Spring,” his popular multi-media presentation. Other speakers include Greg Abbas on turkeys, white-tailed deer expert Fred Abbas, and food-plot teacher Ed Spinazzola.

Tim Fox from Shooting the Breeze Hunt Club, will demonstrate basic bird dog training tips. Fishing seminars are headed by Mark Martin and Mark Romanack on walleyes, David Rose on panfish, and Don Miller on muskies.

Traditional skills expert Jim Miller offers demonstrations on building birch bark canoes, making fire with a wooden stick, and tanning hides the Native American way.

The Huron Valley Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host a calling contest on Saturday. Experts from Country Smoke House in Almont will demonstrate how to field dress and butcher a deer. Among the nearly 100 seminars, all free with admission, are several on outdoor photography at the Cottage & Lakefront Living Show.

Terry McBurney from Ada will head up a major display of collectible gear for outdoor sport. Patrons can bring their artifacts to the show for a free appraisal. There are even vintage boats and collectible outboard motors, thanks to expert Dick VanRaalte from Grand Haven’s Starboard Marine Restorations.

The first 500 attendees on Thursday and Friday receive a free, collectible Dardevle spoon from Eppinger Manufacturing Co. in Dearborn.

The show that celebrates Michigan’s great outdoors is February 24 to 27. Bring the kids and grandchildren.

Show hours are Thursday and Friday, 2 to 9:30; Saturday, 10 to 9; and Sunday, 10 to 5. For more information, call 800-328-6550 or go to www.Outdoorama.com and www.CottageandLakefrontLivingShow.com. Follow us on FaceBook and Twitter.

     This past weekend a new initiative was launched in Michigan to increase the number of pheasants along with hunter numbers in the state.  Looking back at my beginnings of hunting, I can remember chasing a few pheasants in the brush as a youngster.  Those days here in Michigan are long gone due to the building boom in the 60′s, 70′s, and early 80′s.  Loss of habitat and predation lead to the reduction and almost complete loss of pheasants here in Michigan.  It is good to see outdoor groups and our government officials step up to the plate and try to fix a long standing problem, which will hopefully restore the wild pheasants back to what they once were!  Take a look below at the initiative to repopulate pheasants here in Michigan!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saturday, January 15

Contact:

Miguel Ayala, Sen. Stabenow – (202) 360-0929

Mary Detloff, Michigan DNRE – (517) 335-3014

Mike Parker, Pheasants Forever – (517) 896-4178

Erin McDonough – (517) 775-9500

“Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative” launched

Stabenow, Stokes, Creagh join conservation groups and state agencies to kick-off wild pheasant initiative that promises to improve habitat, increase hunter opportunities

BATH, MICH – U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Michigan Department of Natural Resources director designate Rodney Stokes, and Michigan Department of Agriculture director designate Keith Creagh today joined together with a partnership of Michigan conservation organizations and representatives of federal and state agencies to kick-off the “Michigan Pheasant Restoration Initiative,” a partnership geared toward restoring wild pheasant habitat in Michigan. The growing partnership currently includes Michigan State Council of Pheasants Forever, Michigan United Conservation Clubs, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan Association of Conservation Districts, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency and Natural Resource Conservation Service.

“I strongly support this program, which we included in the most recent Farm Bill,” said U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. “Hunting and outdoor recreation is part of our way of life in Michigan. This program lets our farmers and landowners get added value from their property while opening up access for hunting. This will allow sportsmen from across our state to enjoy all that Michigan’s outdoors have to offer.”

By providing quality habitat to support the long-term recovery of wild pheasants in Michigan, the Initiative will also benefit other grassland species and create significant opportunities for small game hunters in Michigan. “There are more than 50,000 hunters who pursue pheasants annually in Michigan, and we can do better at meeting their demand for opportunity,” says Mike Parker, Pheasants Forever’s Regional Wildlife Biologist in the state. “It’s a given that when you have quality and quantity habitat, you have pheasants. Revitalizing habitat – nesting cover, escape cover and food and winter cover – is the key to revitalizing pheasant hunting in Michigan.”

Newly appointed Director for the Department of Natural Resources Rodney Stokes applauded the Initiative as a fresh example of good governing for Michigan’s new state agency structure. “This initiative is a great showing of partnership between state and federal agencies and conservation groups, and a good example of how the new Quality of Life executive group will work together,” said Rodney Stokes, director designate for the Department of Natural Resources. “It will increase and diversify hunting opportunities in our state, help with hunter recruitment and retention, and the habitat work will benefit many other species. We are very excited to be a part of the effort to rebuild and strengthen pheasant hunting in Michigan.”

Two primary goals of the plan are to double Michigan’s current pheasant harvest and to increase access to quality hunting lands. The plan will also have a tremendous impact on hunter retention and recruitment in the state. According to Parker, the key difference between past efforts and the new Pheasant Recovery Initiative is the broad landscape scale. “Previous efforts have been successful on smaller scales, improving 40 acres for a landowner here, and 40 acres for a landowner there,” Parker said. “But to maximize pheasant hunting, we need to broaden the focus.”

Michigan United Conservation Clubs Executive Director Erin McDonough heralded the Initiative as a gateway to recruiting and retaining new hunters. “Many first time hunters’ experience comes from hunting small game,” said McDonough. “You’ll hear from many hunters in Michigan that they got started hunting and appreciating its place in conservation from hunting pheasants when Michigan actually had a good pheasant population. With Michigan ranking last in the nation in hunter recruitment and retention, MUCC is proud to be a part of this Initiative that will help improve hunter opportunities, hunter recruitment and retention and preserve the future of conservation in Michigan.”

Along with the Initiative, Michigan DNRE will also be expanding opportunities for public hunting on private lands through the Hunting Access Program. Outreach and education to youth about pheasant hunting is also a priority within the Initiative. The conservation partners will host youth events to explain pheasant needs and habitat as well as an opportunity to share their pheasant hunting heritage with others.

     After selling some outdoor gear a couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to purchase another piece of gear to use in the outdoors.  I’ve been wanting to purchase an underwater fish camera for quite sometime now and I finally made a purchase this past week.  After some research and debate I purchased the Marcum vs 380 underwater camera system.

     I wanted a color system at first but I couldn’t justify spending another $250 – $300 for color viewing!  So I opted for a name brand system that was within my budget and the Marcum fit the bill.  There were a couple of other cameras that were in that price range but I knew the Marcum name and that is what sold me on this unit.

     It is simple to put together and understand all the functions on this unit and it was also ready to go with the battery already being fully charged.  I hit a local lake with it along with my oldest son with an ice shanty in tow.  

     The  first problem we encountered was trying to decide how far away to put the hole for the camera from the holes we would be fishing from.  We opted for about three feet away since all three holes would be inside the ice shanty.  That was our first mistake.  It was too close to view both of our ice lures in the water.  We concentrated the camera on his lure at first and then hooked the video camera up to the video out on the monitor.  Everything rolled along nicely and the monitor provided some fun watching how the fish reacted under the water to our lures and bait. 

     After spending a half hour or so in the first location we moved to a deeper spot on the lake.  This time we put the camera hole about 6 feet away hoping it would provide a wide angle view of our fishing lures.  We were only about 2 – 3 feet apart with our holes we were fishing from but the camera could still only pick up one of our lures.  We didn’t have much luck at this spot so we ventured to one more location and this time I had an idea for the perfect set up!  Instead of putting the camera directly in front of the two holes I put it to the side of the two holes on about a 15° angle.  This way both of our lures could be seen in almost a straight line but slightly offset.  It worked perfectly this time! 

     The only other problem we encountered while we were using the camera was that it was hard to get the camera pointed in the correct direction.  This will take a little time at getting use to how to set the cable as it is going down to the correct depth and settling it in the proper direction.  I’m sure I can come up with a rig to hold it in the proper direction if I put my mind to it.  Other than that it worked flawlessly!  I was quite pleased with it and it’s performance.  I just wish my video camera would have recorded the video I had plugged into it!  I think the record head on the camera was dirty and I wound up with garbled video on the tape.  I know it came into the camera clean since I saw it on the video camera’s flip out viewing screen.

     All in all I’m happy with the unit, the only thing I would change is the location of the plug ins for the video out cable and the underwater camera cable itself.  They are both on the back of the unit and it seems to put a small bind on the cables by having to route them through the carrying bag to the front of the bag to access them.  Other than that I can’t wait to get back out on the ice to use it again!  I hope this helps anyone making a decision on purchasing this camera or any other camera for things to look for before purchasing a unit like this one.  I hope to have some video posted soon that I will link to this story.

     What I thought was going to be the start of a great day on the ice to do some ice fishing turned sour quickly.  My oldest son Mikey and I headed to our local state part to do some morning ice fishing with some new gear we had gotten right after Christmas.  We were eager to try out our new underwater fish camera to see what it looked like under the ice.

     As we pulled through the park entrance I could see what looked like vehicle tracks in the snow off to both sides of the road.  They all resembled the usual donut shaped outline as if someone had purposely drove into the prairie grass area and proceeded to tear it up!  Likely some bored youth out on the night before with nothing better to do.  I thought well the grass will grow back next spring.  Then driving a little further in I could see where it looked like a truck had gotten stuck off of the side of the road.  You know that is going to leave some deep ruts in the grass.  Not thinking any more about it I drove on into the park.  We were approaching the guard shack that had been closed since waterfowl season and I could see the window frame hanging by a thread on the side of the shack along with the glass broken out of it! 

     Seeing this set me on fire!  Doing a few donuts in a restored habitat area is bad enough, but when you start destroying property you’ve taken it to a new level.  To go and destroy something for the simple fact of being bored is simply asinine!  The photo below is after the park workers closed it up with a piece of plywood until spring repairs can be made.  What these people don’t understand is that these parks will eventually close if things of this nature keep happening.  Budgets are strapped as it is, they don’t need to be using what little money they have to fix and replace things that other people feel the need to destroy!  These parks and rec areas will be gated and closed if these types of things continue to happen.

     This same park previously let waterfowl hunters use a small lake at the campground after the camping season closed.  That was until someone decided to shoot up one of their out buildings!  Now the access to that lake is gated off and is off limits to hunting.  I’ve seen signs in the park shot full of holes as well.  I don’t consider people like this to be hunters, anyone who would destroy what they are using isn’t an outdoors man in my eyes.  Not only do we need to worry about the youth who get bored, but we need to watch for so called hunters who like to destroy our outdoors as well! 

     It is our money that pays for these parks by purchasing state park passes, outdoor gear (Pittman Robertson Act 1937), hunting and fishing licenses, etc….  It is our money that restores ares of habitat and pays for the wages of park workers and CO’s.  I know that this was only a window that was broken and a few donuts in some restored habitat area, but it is continuous acts of outdoor vandalism that will spark the beginning of some of our favorite outdoor places to being closed!  If you see someone destroying property, habitat, trees, or even littering say something and report it!  This is your land too!

If you’ve run out of ideas for gifts for that hunter in your family, I might have just what Santa ordered!  I just recieved an email from Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries that has a special going on right now!  If that hunter on your Christmas List is into planting food plots and providing habitat for the wildlife, might I suggest you get them a “Wildlife Tree Package” that includes 24 rapid mast oak seedlings for $59.99!  It includes six seedlings of Nutall Oaks, Sawtooth Oaks, White Oaks, and Shumard Oaks each.  Order now and you can have them to your door by December 20th!  This is a great way to give back to nature and give a gift to that hunter on your list.  If you hunter isn’t the type to chase whitetails, but instead chases waterfowl, or turkey no need to worry because they have other wildlife packages available for those types of hunting as well!

On this week’s show, I take you out into the field on a Turkey Hunt with me.  We have a great interview with Wildlife Deer Biologist Dr. Grant Wood of GrowDeer.tv about how to maximize your hunting on small plots of land and how a public land hunter can maximize his hunting potential, something for everyone!  Mikey covers the Game Bag this week with a little bowfishing and finally I take a stand on the new Montana state law that outlaws trail cams!  Just visit our website at:  www.upnorthjournal.com and click on the audio player to listen to this week’s show.  Don’t miss next week when we interview Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo of Archer’s Choice!

     I just received an article from one of our Up North Journal Pro Staffers about trail cameras being illegal in the state of Montana!  I was sure this was a joke, but after reading the story I was blown away with the fact that this is 100% true!

     According to the Field & Stream blog article by Scott Bestul Montana’s Dept. of Fish and Wildlife has decided that trail cams or game cams as they are often called are subject to the following:

“It is illegal for a person to possess or use in the field any electronic or camera device who’s purpose is to scout the location of game animals or relay the information on a game animal’s location or movement during any Commission adopted hunting season.”

     What bothers me even more is the chatter that this has created on F&S’s comments below the article.  Once again we see an elitist faction criticizing anyone for using a camera.  If you don’t want to use one that is fine, but don’t slam someone for choosing to do so.  If it is legal then I have no problem with it.  What I do have a problem with is the groups of so called hunters attacking each other!  This serves no good what so ever.  Once again something as simple as a camera is coming between us and dividing us!  Instead of banding together for the common good we find it necessary to tear each other apart!  When is this bull going to stop?  Our outdoor heritage is slipping away right through our fingers and we are the ones to blame!  There is no one else to point the finger at!

     Back to the law at hand, how can the state tell someone on their own land that they cannot use a camera to catch a trespasser, keep an eye on predators that might be killing their livestock, tell biologists that they cannot use them to do studies, see if a deer you took a shot at and couldn’t find is still around the area, watching the progression of growth on a deer’s antlers, or simply taking photos to enjoy them, etc…..?  This stupid law has more far reaching ramifications that I feel no one has even given any consideration to see what ill affects this might have on good law abiding outdoors men!

   For more information on this law, NRAhuntersrights.org has their take on it as well!

We finally made plans to hit the woods with the AR for a little coyote hunt this past weekend. I got with our Pro Staff Member Chico Lopez to see if he wanted to ride along and spend a day in the woods chasing the devil dogs. I picked him up around 1:30am and headed north, after a 2 and a half hour drive we arrived at our northern Michigan destination around 4am! After a little sleep we got our gear ready and hit the woods. As we were getting ready to take to the field, I noticed a beautiful bald eagle flying over a clearing next to the lake. I thought to myself, this is a good sign of things to come, or so we thought!  Read More

The Michigan DNRE issued a press release Feb. 11th about wanting the public’s help with sightings of gray wolves in Michigan’s lower peninsula.  Below is the statement issued by the DNRE!

Contacts: Jennifer Kleitch 989-785-4251, ext. 5430 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014 DNRE Asks for Help From Public to Detect Presence of Wolves in the Lower Peninsula The Department of Natural Resources and Environment today announced it will conduct a survey in the northern Lower Peninsula Feb. 16 through March 12 to detect the presence of gray wolves in this area of the state. Survey teams will be searching areas where the public reports observing a wolf or wolf tracks during the survey period. Priority will be placed on the most recent reports and reports with potential wolf evidence. “The purpose of the survey is to both verify the presence of wolves where we have previously confirmed animals and to detect new occurrences in other areas,” said DNRE Wildlife Biologist Jennifer Kleitch. “Given the low probability of observing a wolf or tracks in the Lower Peninsula it’s helpful to have as many eyes looking as possible. That’s why public reports are important.” The DNRE is asking the public to report wolf sightings that occur during the survey period to the Gaylord Operations Service Center at 989-732-3541, ext. 5901. Observation reports can also be submitted online year-round at www.michigan.gov/wolves. The Web site also contains identification information for wolves. “It’s imperative that observations are reported in a timely manner so we can work with fresh evidence. If the public finds what appear to be wolf tracks, they should preserve the physical evidence and disturb it as little as possible or take a photo of the tracks with a ruler,” Kleitch said. “If someone has a photo or video of a wolf in the Lower Peninsula, we’re interested in that as well.” Wolves began naturally returning to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula via Canada and Wisconsin in the early 1990s. Since that time populations have increased and continue to expand their range. Evidence of range expansion into the Lower Peninsula came when a gray wolf was accidentally killed in Presque Isle County in 2004. More recently, the DNRE verified two wolf observations in 2009 in the northern Lower Peninsula as a result of a video and trail camera photo taken by Michigan citizens. The DNRE is partnering in this survey effort with USDA Wildlife Services, the Little Traverse and Grand Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and Central Michigan University. The DNRE is committed to the conservation, protection, management and accessible use and enjoyment of the state’s environment, natural resources and related economic interests for current and future generations.