USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

[Gurtholfin]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

My buddy got one today a few miles from where I was btw.

His land and apparently a buck that they wanted to cull coz his rack isn't big enough... get him out of the gene pool.

Cool! Love getting venison.

 

[Painted_Bandit]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

And you're worried about someone shooting you bow hunting if you don't wear orange?

What about the pheasant hunter or waterfowl hunters? as he said it doesn't hurt to be seen.

 

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

What about the pheasant hunter or waterfowl hunters? as he said it doesn't hurt to be seen.

I suppose not but shutgun rounds aren't going very far...bullets go miles and gun deer hunters can act pretty stupid when seeing a little bit of brown or movement. There is nothing wrong with being seen but I'm not going to be worried about pheasant or small game hunters because they need to be within 50ish yards of me to cause damage and they're not looking for something on the ground or in the water...they're looking up at something flying.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

What about the pheasant hunter or waterfowl hunters? as he said it doesn't hurt to be seen.

Let them have their moment of telling me something about bow hunting that I already know.

I thought that the big smiley would have clued that I was mostly joking.

I wasn't concerned going out there or I wouldn't have gone. I did wear orange though so that anyone that I'd encounter would see me coming. Didn't need camo for fishing.

I was far more concerned of wandering through someone's active area and screwing it up for them. Was scanning the tree tops for anyone harnessed in but seemed unlikely as the sporadic tree line that covered parts of the river was never more than 50 yards wide. Saw no one.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

Let them have their moment of telling me something about bow hunting that I already know.

I thought that the big smiley would have clued that I was mostly joking.

I wasn't concerned going out there or I wouldn't have gone. I did wear orange though so that anyone that I'd encounter would see me coming. Didn't need camo for fishing.

I was far more concerned of wandering through someone's active area and screwing it up for them. Was scanning the tree tops for anyone harnessed in but seemed unlikely as the sporadic tree line that covered parts of the river was never more than 50 yards wide. Saw no one.

We had a scary moment a few years ago deer hunting. Making a drive, and suddenly, some in our group came across 3 Hmong guys, with rifles, in full camo, during deer season. They were on private property, and had no sense of property rights, didn't think we could tell them to leave. This was right after that Hmong guy shot the hunting group in western WI a few years back. We just got out the woods, and back to the truck as quickly as we could, and called the game warden. The game warden found their cars, and was waiting for them, and cited them/confiscated their weapons, since they were breaking several laws. But I don't think anything major ever happened to them.

 

[goldy_331]

We had a scary moment a few years ago deer hunting. Making a drive, and suddenly, some in our group came across 3 Hmong guys, with rifles, in full camo, during deer season. They were on private property, and had no sense of property rights, didn't think we could tell them to leave. This was right after that Hmong guy shot the hunting group in western WI a few years back. We just got out the woods, and back to the truck as quickly as we could, and called the game warden. The game warden found their cars, and was waiting for them, and cited them/confiscated their weapons, since they were breaking several laws. But I don't think anything major ever happened to them.

And your zone is shotgun only, right? So even the rifles were illegal.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

And your zone is shotgun only, right? So even the rifles were illegal.

Yes, it was a shotgun only zone.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

We had a scary moment a few years ago deer hunting. Making a drive, and suddenly, some in our group came across 3 Hmong guys, with rifles, in full camo, during deer season. They were on private property, and had no sense of property rights, didn't think we could tell them to leave. This was right after that Hmong guy shot the hunting group in western WI a few years back. We just got out the woods, and back to the truck as quickly as we could, and called the game warden. The game warden found their cars, and was waiting for them, and cited them/confiscated their weapons, since they were breaking several laws. But I don't think anything major ever happened to them.

That sucks.

Hadn't even thought of running into something like that, but once again, to my benefit if they see me coming so they can avoid me if they are poaching and know that they are poaching.

The areas of the stream that I'm going to are less than 100 yards from county roads and often less than 30, so unlikely, but anyway...

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

Here's something I don't know about hunting though...

Would hunters generally avoid river and stream areas so that they're target couldn't end up in the water should it be able to run a bit?

Was watching a bow hunting show a couple days ago and the kill shot was so perfect that the buck didn't even lurch - just fell right over. Obviously that's the goal, but doesn't always happen.

 

[bigblue_dl]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

Here's something I don't know about hunting though...

Would hunters generally avoid river and stream areas so that they're target couldn't end up in the water should it be able to run a bit?

Was watching a bow hunting show a couple days ago and the kill shot was so perfect that the buck didn't even lurch - just fell right over. Obviously that's the goal, but doesn't always happen.

I would guess the opposite, animals like to be near water, hunters would be more likely to setup near where a water source is.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

I would guess the opposite, animals like to be near water, hunters would be more likely to setup near where a water source is.

Definitely were a few deer paths down to the water where I was. Like I said though, checked for anyone in a harness and they would have been easy to see in the lightly wooded area.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

In other hunting news, gonna get my license next year and go for a turkey.

I'm not opposed to hunting - just never took it up as I don't come from a hunting family.

Have several buddies who have been after me for years and had wild turkey last year and would definitely eat that again.

One buddy has land near Fennimore and assures me that he'll be able to call in a Tom for me. I just have to hit it.

Former green beret and an outstanding hunter - should see his trophy room. I have no doubt that I get a chance.

Maybe go for deer next fall.

 

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

I would guess the opposite, animals like to be near water, hunters would be more likely to setup near where a water source is.

That's what I would do. My dad and I setup near cedar swamps and ravines with a creek for years. Deer especially like ravines and big pine stands - it allows them to sneak through a stretch of land without getting seen, until they pop out of them.

 

[Painted_Bandit]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

Successful opening weekend of gun deer season for putting venison in the freezer, I got a nub buck last night and tonight my dad got a doe, both came from the same stand

 

[fritz]

Re: USCHO Outdoors: The Fishing and Hunting Thread

Shot a 7-pt. 1-1/2 YO buck right away at 7:00 AM last Saturday's Wisconsin gun opener.
Nice to get the venison in the freezer early. I still have a doe tag which is non-weapon
specific and my bow-buck tag so may go out after the gun season is over.
The highlight of my hunting experience this year though was a BADGER sighting running
alongside the road at 4:15 AM last Sunday while driving to the farm where I hunt in Iowa Co., WI.
That's first for me. I've never seen one in the wild before. I was stunned and of course said 'hi BUCKY', ha!
Happy Thanksgiving to all.

 

[MichVandal]

Don't be alarmed, this 10 year old thread revival is real. Before starting a new one, I searched for an old about fishing.

Two showed up, and I figured to let the hunters have an outdoor thread, too. So here it is back.

So I grew up fishing, using equipment that my parents bought me or something that got handed down from me- I have a pretty cool vintage reel that I got from my grandpa.

And my style was mostly using a spinning reel with spinning lures, so cast and retrieve. Lots of time fishing rivers in Idaho and getting some fun trout. Then I went to school and fishing went away. And now that I'm retired, and we camp a lot- we go out on lakes with a 2 person kayak and I fish. My wife got me a cool telescoping rod set up that is really handy since space is light in a small kayak.... I still fish the same- using lures for cast and retrieve- using spinning lures (like a Roostertail) and crank baits (like Rapala). Catching isn't an issue.

Here's the question- what makes any equipment better? Like there are spinning reels that are in the hundreds of dollar out there- more than I've spend on the sum of everything I have. And I'm honestly trying to figure out what makes them worth the money, or even effort to get if it's a "deal" kind of reel. It's not the money, it's that I just don't know what makes things better.

On the reel, the one feature that I really understand as an improvement is sealing- especially for salt water fishing. But I only fish fresh water, so it's not a big deal. And the other feature I see bragged about is "bearing"- which as an engineer, I see as roller bearings, whereas a shaft sliding in a hole is a bushing. I just can't see where any more than 4 actual bearings would be worth the money. The only feature that I can *really* understand as an improvement is weight- since that's pretty obvious.

And for rods- I use telescoping rods, and I'm not really sure why they are not more popular to use. Let alone what you shop for getting a new rod. And it's not as if I can't feel the fish- it's not hard to feel fish bumping into the lure, to the point where I down size the lure so a small fish can bite it.

Anyway, for those of you who have lots of experience, what really makes a rod and reel better or worse for fishing? Or at least what do you think makes things better or worse. I just want to know if I ever decide to go out and get replacement stuff.

 

[Proud2baLaker]

Don't be alarmed, this 10 year old thread revival is real. Before starting a new one, I searched for an old about fishing.

Two showed up, and I figured to let the hunters have an outdoor thread, too. So here it is back.

So I grew up fishing, using equipment that my parents bought me or something that got handed down from me- I have a pretty cool vintage reel that I got from my grandpa.

And my style was mostly using a spinning reel with spinning lures, so cast and retrieve. Lots of time fishing rivers in Idaho and getting some fun trout. Then I went to school and fishing went away. And now that I'm retired, and we camp a lot- we go out on lakes with a 2 person kayak and I fish. My wife got me a cool telescoping rod set up that is really handy since space is light in a small kayak.... I still fish the same- using lures for cast and retrieve- using spinning lures (like a Roostertail) and crank baits (like Rapala). Catching isn't an issue.

Here's the question- what makes any equipment better? Like there are spinning reels that are in the hundreds of dollar out there- more than I've spend on the sum of everything I have. And I'm honestly trying to figure out what makes them worth the money, or even effort to get if it's a "deal" kind of reel. It's not the money, it's that I just don't know what makes things better.

On the reel, the one feature that I really understand as an improvement is sealing- especially for salt water fishing. But I only fish fresh water, so it's not a big deal. And the other feature I see bragged about is "bearing"- which as an engineer, I see as roller bearings, whereas a shaft sliding in a hole is a bushing. I just can't see where any more than 4 actual bearings would be worth the money. The only feature that I can *really* understand as an improvement is weight- since that's pretty obvious.

And for rods- I use telescoping rods, and I'm not really sure why they are not more popular to use. Let alone what you shop for getting a new rod. And it's not as if I can't feel the fish- it's not hard to feel fish bumping into the lure, to the point where I down size the lure so a small fish can bite it.

Anyway, for those of you who have lots of experience, what really makes a rod and reel better or worse for fishing? Or at least what do you think makes things better or worse. I just want to know if I ever decide to go out and get replacement stuff.

I used to do a lot of spin fishing myself but had pretty much given it up. The only "spin" gear I have is for ice fishing. Otherwise I am exclusively fly fishing currently,

But, I think there are a few different things that have improved. Weight as you mentioned is one. Composites and other materials that are hopefully more durable and longer lasting are common. Though I found that when I got some inline ice reels that had composite spools, I HATED them vs the ones with aluminum. Seem like the line was more likely to slip around the spool and not "engage" making reeling the line in a pain. Drag components have likely improved as well. Number of bearings has always been interesting. I have seen reels with 3 or 4 work great and then some with a ton not be so great. But that may be more due to brand and construction quality. Hard to say what else beyond those three things there was to improve (other than seals like you mentioned).

I have been using the same reels for ice fishing for quite a while. None seem to be too fancy. I tend to buy affordable midrange stuff when it comes to reels.

Rods is probably a lot of the same with small improvements here and there. Though many are now carbon fiber vs fiberglass. Probably one of the bigger changes. Ability to create more sensitivity without sacrificing (and in some cases probably improving) strength. Really going to depend on the type of fishing you are doing. With ice fishing for me for example, sensitivity is huge. Even large panfish in the winter can barely bump or mouth a lure to the point where you may not see or feel a change in anything. So a good sensitive rod that can show that slight lift or let you feed that tiny bump is huge. If you are fishing the type of stuff where a fish might just pick it up and not run (basically a lot of the soft plastics type presentations) sensitivity can be important. Casting a spinner or a crank bait or topwater, you obviously would not really need that.

I've never really used the telescoping rods because they were never something I really liked or needed so I can't speak to that much. If you are looking to upgrade/replace with new stuff, I would look at something more general purpose. A medium-light action rod. 6'6" or so. Fiberglass or carbon fiber would both be fine but I am betting fiberglass is more common in the "affordable / all purpose range. Probably can find a decent combo that would come with a reel. Shakespere's Ugly Stick combos are still pretty good options. Daiwa, Pflueger, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia are all pretty common and make decent affordable stuff

 

[MichVandal]

I've never really used the telescoping rods because they were never something I really liked or needed so I can't speak to that much. If you are looking to upgrade/replace with new stuff, I would look at something more general purpose. A medium-light action rod. 6'6" or so. Fiberglass or carbon fiber would both be fine but I am betting fiberglass is more common in the "affordable / all purpose range. Probably can find a decent combo that would come with a reel. Shakespere's Ugly Stick combos are still pretty good options. Daiwa, Pflueger, 13 Fishing, Abu Garcia are all pretty common and make decent affordable stuff

Right now, this isn't anything I'm actually looking for, but just wanted to clarify how I fish. I just got a cool rod on our recent trip to Portugal, a 1.8m carbon rod that ends up being a vintage German rod that matches perfectly with my vintage German reel. And I prefer shorter ones because of the clearance on streams and whatnot.

The real question is why so few telescoping rods? I have found that they work fine, and even the cheap Chinese rod is sensitive enough to feel when a fish bumps the lure. I've even thought about getting a rod blank and making my own.... But that's not going to happen.

And thanks for the rest of the explanation. BTW, you know were Palisades Reservoir is? When I was in HS, friends of mine loved going there for ice fishing.

 

[Proud2baLaker]

Right now, this isn't anything I'm actually looking for, but just wanted to clarify how I fish. I just got a cool rod on our recent trip to Portugal, a 1.8m carbon rod that ends up being a vintage German rod that matches perfectly with my vintage German reel. And I prefer shorter ones because of the clearance on streams and whatnot.

The real question is why so few telescoping rods? I have found that they work fine, and even the cheap Chinese rod is sensitive enough to feel when a fish bumps the lure. I've even thought about getting a rod blank and making my own.... But that's not going to happen.

And thanks for the rest of the explanation. BTW, you know were Palisades Reservoir is? When I was in HS, friends of mine loved going there for ice fishing.

I couldn't say why telescoping is not popular. Just one of those things I guess. I would venture that they are not viewed as being the go to for anything other than like backpacking or having in the car for a lot of people. I also feel like back in the day, the telescoping stuff was seen viewed as the "as seen on TV" type of stuff along with some other lures and stuff. Which, for better or worse, may have made some folks view them as a gimmick keeping sales low (even when they weren't the as seen on tv versions). The standard rod manufacturers probably didn't see any demand for them and so they didn't make them.

I've made a few of my own ice rods. Its fun. Getting started can cost a bit. Decent blanks are all over the place. Mudhole.com is the go to site for getting the kits that include the tools for actual rod making. Then they also sell all kinds of all-in-one kits for the rods (blanks, guides, grips). Most of my ice rods come from a smaller company out of I think Minnesota or North Dakota? Can't remember where they are located. I have done one fly rod which was a bit of a pain as it was 4 pieces and I did not have the room to set up a 9' rod and do the epoxy spin all at once so I had to do it in 2 batches. I want to do more. Just wish I had a better area for it.

I have not been to Palisades but I know it. I hit up the Southeast ID area around Preston most years. American Falls when it's good. A few other smaller ones to the north of Twin Falls. Need to try Cascade some year as its considered the best place in North America to catch a jumbo perch (2.5-3+ lbs. is not uncommon). I have also wanted to try Henry's Lake now that they increased the season (used to close completely in Jan/Feb, now open to catch and release)

 

[MichVandal]

I have not been to Palisades but I know it. I hit up the Southeast ID area around Preston most years. American Falls when it's good. A few other smaller ones to the north of Twin Falls. Need to try Cascade some year as its considered the best place in North America to catch a jumbo perch (2.5-3+ lbs. is not uncommon). I have also wanted to try Henry's Lake now that they increased the season (used to close completely in Jan/Feb, now open to catch and release)

Almost all of the river fishing I mentioned was in the Snake River in the canyons downstream of the dam up to about Haise. The fishing we did near American falls didn't get anything, but we had some good spots way upstream of that. Man, that was a long time ago.

Since I now have 4 good rods, I'll probably not bother for a while, but who knows if the reels will last. That was my biggest thing that I would like more knowledge to- understanding what experienced anglers like in spinning reels. The only thing that makes me against a really expensive reel is dropping it in the water....

I also have a Tenkara fly rod, which is really nice when you are wading through the forest in the UP and not worrying about fouling the rod on all the freaking trees.