Backwoods Bound Bullet

ARTICLE: FISHERIES BIOLOGISTS CLOSELY WATCHING WATER TEMPERATURES IN LAKE CUMBERLAND

  Frankfort, Ky. - The cold air that blankets Kentucky each December, January and February is uncomfortable for most people. Few of us enjoy pulling on extra clothes, driving in snow or being cooped up inside during winter.

  Although we might not like winter, the cold water being stored in Lake Cumberland at that time of year is important to the health and survival of trout, striped bass and walleye in the lake and its tailwater the following summer.

  "That winter water stored in the lake is the habitat for the trout in Cumberland tailwater and for the striped bass and walleye in the lake," said Dave Dreves, fisheries research biologist for the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. "There is a finite amount of this winter-stored cold water after April."

  Fisheries biologists are concerned about the amount of winter-stored cold water that remains in the lake this year. Heavy rains in May and June have drained a significant amount of cold water from the lake, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers siphoned water from the Lake Cumberland's colder lower reaches in an effort to prevent the lake from rising too high.

  Corps officials are keeping the lake at an elevation of 680 feet above mean sea level to relieve pressure on Wolf Creek Dam while repairs are underway. The normal summer pool for Lake Cumberland is 723 feet.

  The lower water level effectively reduces amount of important cool water being stored in the lake. Releasing colder water and replacing it with warmer water compounds an already delicate situation.

  John Williams, southeastern fishery district biologist for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife, said fish are already reacting to the change. "According to the fishing guides, the striped bass are already moving down toward the dam - where there is better water quality in the summer," Williams said. "This usually doesn't happen until August."

  This situation worries Williams because the worst part of the year isn't here yet. "We are still two months away from the critical time," he said. "That deeper, oxygenated, cool water gradually depletes as you go through summer. Fish and other organisms consume it."

  Typically, September is the critical month for maintaining oxygen levels at the temperatures preferred by trout, walleye and striped bass. These fish cannot survive without enough dissolved oxygen in the water. Fish also prefer a certain temperature range. If the water grows too warm in the lake, the walleye and striped bass could seek deeper water that does not have adequate oxygen. In the tailwater, trout can overstress if the water temperatures climb too high.

  Williams fished earlier this week for striped bass in Lake Cumberland and did well. The fish he caught were in good condition.

  The rainbow and brown trout living in the Cumberland River below Wolf Creek Dam also utilize similar water temperatures as striped bass in the lake.

  During the past two summers, water temperatures in the lower section of the Cumberland River from roughly Burkesville downstream to the Tennessee line warmed to the point of stress for trout.

  Water temperatures are better so far this year. "The water temperatures recently were 56 degrees at the dam and 62 to 63 degrees at Burkesville," Dreves explained. "If it stays like this for the rest of the summer, it will be good for the trout. It was above 68 degrees at Burkesville at this time last summer." Trout stress in water greater than 70 degrees. The warmer water in the lower part of Cumberland River pushes trout upstream toward to dam to find cooler water. This concentration of fish is good for anglers, but bad for growth of trout.

  "There are some skinny fish in the river right now, and some that look okay," Dreves said. "We are doing really well on catch rates, but growth rates and body conditions are down a little from 2006."

  As the weather becomes drier, water temperatures in the river could become a problem. Dry weather increases water temperatures in Cumberland River because less water is released through Wolf Creek Dam.

  "If we continue to have a cool summer, that would help tremendously," Dreves said. "Everything is good right now. We just hope it holds out."

  For more information on the great fishing and hunting that awaits you in Kentucky, visit the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources web site at: http://fw.ky.gov .

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ARTICLE: RED OAK TURKEY by David L. Falconer

- The gobblers just wouldn't come to a call, but we were seeing them all through the day, each of them with a harem that followed, admiring the big Toms as they would strut among their entourage. Several young jakes were among the different flocks we had seen. Grandpa had killed one the week before that had came to the call after gobbling one time during the middle of the day. The gobbler had stepped out in the old logging road and gobbled one last time before grandpa sent the load of # 5s through the jake's head and neck.

- We were spring turkey hunting Oklahoma in the early 1990's near Red Oak, a small town in southeastern between McAlester and Poteau. We had been hunting this area for several years and had many successful hunts. The birds were plentiful and most would answer a call, even if they had a dozen hens around them already.

- It was the last week of season and the single jake was all we had managed to harvest up to this point. We had two different flocks patterned though. We knew this one group of turkeys was coming up from the south side of the mountain and cross right next to the largest pond on the mountain and they were doing it before 8 AM. Another flock of birds was coming out of this old logging road into an abandoned gas well road less than a half mile away before 9 AM.

- Since we had no luck calling the birds, Grandpa and I decided an ambush was in order. I chose the turkey at the pond. He decided he would try the turkey on the logging road. We spent the evening up on the top of the mountain, moving along the edges and calling with no luck. We decided to go try this huge field with a triangular patch of woods in the center that always had turkeys around it.

- As we drove up to the pond and slightly past it, I hollered for grandpa to stop. Where the road dropped off the mountain was 4 big gobblers feeding along the side of the road, walking around the edge of the crest one at a time. We knew they had seen the truck. We also knew that side of the hill had a natural flat on it and the thick pine and cedar across the top opened up to the south and there was a really good chance those turkeys would follow that flat.

- Shouldering the single shot ten gauge, I headed toward the opening in the pines at a trot. The top of the hill was mostly pasture-like and I could move quickly and quietly at the same time. Hunkering down as I approached the opening, I had the big shotgun in my hands. As my eyes looked over the edge of the hill one of the big gobblers stepped out about 20 feet away and I shot him. He went down in a flop of wings as I struggled to get another shell in the gun, but the other three birds hit the air and sailed down the mountain.

- Walking up to the big Eastern gobbler laying at my feet, I grinned at the 10-inch beard and the mature spurs on its legs. Picking it up, grandpa pulled up in the truck.

- • Was it the biggest? he asked with a grin.

- • It was the first one I saw, I answered truthfully.

- Grandpa laughed. Yeah, that's what I thought. He looked over my bird and I could tell he was happy with it. • That's a good turkey!

- We had killed a lot of turkeys over the years, but we appreciated them all. We decided to take the turkey in and check it and get some rest so we could start plenty early in the morning. The bird weighed 20 lbs., 10 inch beard, 1 inch spurs.

- Grandpa decided on the way home that he was going to sit down the hill from where those three turkeys were headed. If he did not see anything by 8 AM, he would head over to the logging and gas well road.

- We were sitting on top of the mountain well before dawn. I walked down the old road across the top of the hill in the dark, my boot steps soft in the moist dirt. The dew had the grass as well as if it had rained and I was trying to decide how I was going to set up when I got near the pond.

- The pines around the pond had caught the dew and I found that the inside bank of the pond was dry. A gentle slope and a small dip made a very comfortable hollow for me to fit in and I lay on my stomach, watching over the pond dam. I checked my watch and it was a quarter to 7. I set my call to the side, vowing not to even use it unless I saw turkeys too far to shoot.

- The morning was pretty and I love the sound of a forest waking up. The last calls of the whipporwill before he quiets for the day. The many caws of the crows waking up all over the mountains almost seemed like human communication. Somewhere in the far distance I could hear a cow bawling, probably over a calf. Then the parade came around the end of a cedar thicket.

- Mesmerized, I watched as 19 hens came around the edge of the thicket before the tall, stately boss gobbler made his appearance. He was in full strut, the power brush of his wings audible at the 50 yards distance he was from me. I took a deep breath, wishing I had the 10 gauge over top of the pond.

- Moving back down the bank, I crawl to my right about 5 yards and come up behind a big pine, easing the 10 gauge over the top and toward the big time. There are more hens than I can count and I can hear some of them just to the other side of the pond dam as the gobbler moved to within 35 yards.

- The gobbler was still strutting, his head close to his body and I did not want to take that shot. Suddenly it was no longer my decision as a hen walked right into my face.

- With a startled putt, she hit the air and I came to my knees, the big gobbled standing up straight, neck stretched as the world became a million flying turkeys. The 10 gauge boomed at the bead settled an inch below his head and he was down. I was up and running, the 10 gauge breaking open and the 3 1/2 inch magnum shell ejecting over my shoulder as I slammed another one home.

- He wasn't going anywhere. I walked up to him and he was beautiful. He was almost the twin of the one I had killed the day before. Later I would find out this one had a 10- inch beard and he weighed 20 lbs. too. I could hear the truck coming up the road and I met grandpa at the road with my turkey. I quickly filled out the tag and we headed over to where the other flock of turkeys should come out.

- I didn't even think about going with grandpa as I sit there, watching him walk through the woods, a tall lanky man with the 12 gauge Browning auto-5 hanging from his hand like it was an extension of the man. I fished a brown sack from the back seat of the truck and found a can of smoked Vienna sausages and some crackers. In another sack I found a semi-cool soda and opened it, holding it out the window as it foamed.

- As I was eating the last sausage with a cracker I heard the 12 gauge boom and I got out of the truck, leaving the 10 gauge in the truck. I met him coming up the road, the turkey over his shoulder.

- Quietly, the way hunting men talk in the woods, he said • They were coming out as soon as I got there. I counted 16 hens before he came out. I just sat there and they walked right past me until I shot this one.

- I looked it over and it was a good turkey, but it was not the big one we had seen before. I looked at him with a grin and he said, • This one came by first and when he saw me I was gonna shoot him and then get the big boy.

- • What happened? I asked. I had seen grandpa kill five quail on a covey rise before and I knew he had let that bird get close enough.

- Grandpa shrugged. • I expected him to fly when I shot this one. He ran and I wouldn't shoot at him through the woods. He deserves better than that.

- Grandpa and I walked out of the woods, headed for the truck. He had told me the best hunt is to hunt all season and to make your kill on the last day in the last light of the day. This was the last full weekend of that turkey season and I can tell you right now that it had been one heck of a hunt.

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In this issue:

BACKWOODS TRIVIA: - Try this one on for size.

• What does the word astronaut' mean?

Find the answer at the end of this newsletter. Send your trivia questions to [email protected].

RECIPE: SQUIRREL PIZZA

* Place squirrel legs in a crockpot. Add the onion and cover with chicken broth.

* Cook until tender. Remove and let cool.

* Once cool, remove meat from the bones.

* Cut bread in half lengthwise and spread liberally with the butter.

* Sprinkle both halves with 1 lb of the cheese.

* Spread on the meat and sprinkle with pepper.

* Spread on the sauce and then the rest of the cheese.

* Place on baking sheet and cook at 325 degrees until hot and the cheese is melted.

Thanks to Glenn Starkey for sending in this easy to make recipe for squirrel season. For more great tasting squirrel recipes to try this season go to www.backwoodsbound.com/zsquir.html.

Send your favorite recipe to [email protected] and we'll post it on the site or use it in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.

** WILDTKY'S WILD OUTDOOR SPORTS **

Wildtky's Wild Outdoor Sports featuring tips, tactics, books and gear up to 50% off. Fishing, hunting, camping, skiing and more.

Visit our web site at: www.wldky44.com.

FUN FACT: • According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration guidelines there can be an average of 30 or more insect fragments and an average of one or more rodent hairs per 100 grams of peanut butter.

Send your Fun Facts to [email protected]. For more Fun Facts visit www.backwoodsbound.com/funfacts.html.

RECOMMEND AND VOTE FOR THE BULLET

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To vote for The Bullet follow this link: www.ezinefinder.com/backwo-vote.html.html.

Thanks for your help.

** YOUR TROPHY WILL BE READY SOON! **

Just because it is fishing season is no reason to forget that your trophy will be ready at the taxidermist soon and will need a plaque to hang on. Also those antlers lying on your work bench are in the way so why not give them a home on one of our State Shaped Trophy Plaques. And let's not forget that trophy trout also needs a place to hang.

We have a complete line of plaques for all of your trophies! We offer sizes for mounting your antlers, trophy fish, full shoulder mounts, plaques for your memorable photos, plaques for awards and plaques for European Skull Mounts!

All of our plaques are handcrafted from solid oak not plywood or particle board. They all come with hangers installed and the Picture Plaques come with glass and picture backing for your 4" x 6" photo.

Don't settle for an ordinary looking plaque hanging on your wall! Go one better and order your Backwoods Bound State Shaped Trophy Plaque today. Prices start at $24.95. Don't wait, order today!

Visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/antlrplaq01.html for photos and information on how to order your plaque.

And remember, "It only takes a little more to go first class."

** KAREN'S KREATIONS **

Whatever your wish is, Penguins to Puppies, Postman to Poker, we can kreate a charm for you!

We do special charms for weddings and graduations and any occasion you can come up with. Give us a call for more information! From pets to lawyers, grilling fun to tennis - we can do any theme you can imagine!

We can change hair and skin colors as well as outfit colors for wedding charms and any other charm we make. Let us design something for you! We also offer fundraiser pricing.

Our products are all handmade from polystyrene plastic to your specifications. They are not made until you place an order - so any theme or mix of themes in any color is a possibility!

Visit our web site for this month's specials. www.karensglabels.com or e-mail us at [email protected].

"If you can think it, we can shrink it!"

FISHIN' TIP: - "When fishing for any kind of fish, dynamite works good. Just light a stick and throw in a deep hole. Plug your ears and stand back." to Bill

Obviously this tip is a joke. Don't try it!

Send your tips to: [email protected] and we'lll post them on the site or use them in a future issue of The Bullet

INTERESTING QUOTE: "Real happiness is when you marry a girl for love and find out later she has money." to Bob Monkhouse

If you'vee seen or heard an interesting or humorous quote send it in and we'll post it next month. Send them to: [email protected].

RECIPE: • BAKED WILD DOVE

* Season the doves inside and out with the seasonings.

* Place in a baking dish. Lightly cover with the bbq sauce.

* Cover with foil and bake for 35 minutes at 350 degrees.

* Remove from oven and let set a couple of minutes.

* Pour the juices that cooked out over the birds when serving.

Thanks to Nathan Dew for sending in this recipe. For more dove recipes visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/zdove.html.

HUNTIN' TIP: - Here's another tip from Cody Presley. Thanks Cody. "When trapping for coons, use a piece of PVC pipe about four inches long and drive it into the bank and put your bait inside the pipe. Then set your trap in front of the pipe. The white attracts the coon, and also holds the lure for a longer time."

Send your tips to: [email protected] and we'lll post them on the site or use them in a future issue of The Bullet.

WHAT'S NEW

• We'lll be closed from August 1 - 14 for vacations. It has been a few years since we all left at the same time so things are really going to pile up while we are gone. But that doesn't mean stop sending in your stuff. We want to see some real e-mails when we get back instead of all spam. We still want recipes for elk and buffalo so we can create new sections for them. If you or anyone you know have any, send them in to us. As for now you can find our Recipe Home Page at: www.backwoodsbound.com/recipe.html.

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** ART OF NATURE COLLECTIBLES **

Art of Nature Collectibles by Rustic Originals has fast become the source for custom rustic picture frames. Browse through our Spirit Series, One-of-a-Kind, Rustic Collection and Special Edition Collections of unique, hand-crafted, real wood rustic frames. Each one is a collectible!

Each frame comes complete with glass, hanging hardware and a Rustic Originals Wildlife photo for your enjoyment or add your own special photo to the frame for years of admiration. We have frames to fit most sizes of photos.

Hurry to our site at www.rustic-nature.com or www.rusticoriginals.net for the best selection!

RECIPE: DEER POT PIE

* Heat some oil in a large cast iron skillet.

* Coat the deer with 1/4 cup Bisquick.

* Cook in the hot oil until done. Remove the meat and drain the oil.

* Add the soup, water and bouillon to the skillet. Stir together. Add the meat, veggies and potato. Season to taste with the seasonings.

* Mix the 2 cups Bisquick, milk and egg together. Pour over the top of the meat mixture.

* Place in oven and bake for 25 - 30 minutes at 350 degrees or until the top is golden brown.

* Let set for a few minutes.

Our many thanks go to Sarah Sterner for sending this recipe to us. Visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/zdeer.html for more tasty deer recipes.

Send your favorite recipe to [email protected] and we'll post it on the site or use it in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.

** BENEFIT BBQ/BEER DINNER AND BAKE SALE **

The Dover, Delaware chapter of Whitetails Unlimited, • Smoke dem Whitetails' will be hosting a bbq - beer dinner and bake sale to raise money for the Muscular Dystrophy's annual Walk-a-Thon in the name of • Team Tristan' on August 15, 2009.

There will a lot of outdoor related stuff raffled off as well as other great items. Plus we'lll have the best bbq you'lll taste that day and tasty baked goods all washed down with cold beer and soft drinks. The event starts at 3:00pm at Leipsic Fire Hall, 318 Main Street in Dover.

For ticket information or info on how to donate an item contact either Don Baggett at 1-302-981-7262, [email protected] or Scott Campbell, 1-302-384-1121, [email protected].

** LAST MINUTE STUFF **

We received this from Steve Neifert sometime back and thought we'd share it with all. Some have probably seen it hopefully most have not. Either way we hope you enjoy reading,

The Twenty Reasons Why Fishing Is Better Than Sex

20 - No matter how much whiskey you've had, you can still fish.

19 - A limp rod is still useful while fishing.

18 - You don't have to hide your fishing magazines.

17 - It is perfectly acceptable to pay a professional to fish with you once in a while.

16 - The Ten Commandments don't say anything against fishing.

15 - If your partner takes pictures or videotapes of you fishing, you don't have to worry about them showing up on the internet.

14 - Your fishing partner doesn't get upset about people you fished with long ago.

13 - It's perfectly respectable to fish with a total stranger.

12 - When you see a really good fishing person, you don't have to feel guilty about imagining the two of you fishing together.

11 - If your regular fishing partner isn't available, he/she won't object if you fish with someone else.

10 - Nobody will ever tell you that you will go blind if you fish by yourself.

9 - When dealing with a fishing pro, you never have to wonder if they are really an undercover cop.

8 - You don't have to go to a sleazy shop in a seedy neighborhood to buy fishing stuff.

7 - You can have a fishing calendar on your wall at the office, tell fishing jokes, and invite coworkers to fish with you without getting sued for harassment.

6 - There are no fishing transmitted diseases.

5 - If you want to watch fishing on television, you don't have to subscribe to the Playboy channel.

4 - Nobody expects you to fish with the same partner for the rest of your life.

3 - Nobody expects you to give up fishing if your partner loses interest in it.

2 - You don't have to be a newlywed to plan a vacation primarily to enjoy your favorite activity.

1 - Your fishing partner will never say, "Not again? We just fished last week! Is fishing all you ever think about?"