Take A Kid Squirrel Hunting In Pennsylvania

Took my son out for his first squirrel hunt of the year. Decided to go with a 16 Ga single shot. Loaded up with high base 4s. Was able to get close to a beauty. Son made out with a nice squirrel. Some pointers. Squirrels are tough. They have thick hides and I feel it is better to use a lower shot size and more powder with these animals. My son hit a few last year with a 410 and low base but the squirrel escaped. This year we upgraded and he had his first squirrel kill. Look for sign and sit quietly. If no action, move. We did three moves before locating this guy. Beechnut was the key. Found a large mast and posted up. It didn't take long. Was very enjoyable and he has a trophy tail to forever remember this special outing.

Ringneck Pheasant Hunting On PA State Gamelands

Went out for a late season pheasant hunt on a Northwestern PA state gameland. Birds were scarce and tough to find. Took my young bird dog for a long days hunt. She did well and flushed two cock pheasants. If you put some time and determination on gamelands, they will produce. I found these birds in heavy cover. Not in open fields or by parking lots. Work the edges and find birds on the inside curtain of woodlots. I pushed thickets and and went through heavy cover. Birds this time of year are pressured and become quite educated. You must go after them, and search good hiding places. Allow your dog to work the cover thoroughly. I often hit spots of thick cover several times at different wind angles. Most importantly, watch your dog. Your dog will lead you to birds if you take them to good habitat and thickets. Go where most hunters stay away from. Take that long walk and fight the thorns and briars. It will pay off.

Channel Catfish And Smallmouth Bass On Lake Erie

Took my son out for an evening trip fishing Lake Erie. Anchored in 49 foot of water off the Point of Presque Isle. The perch pack was much deeper. Found a nice pocket of fish on the fish finder and decided to stay several miles from the pack. Caught many jumbo perch, a nice channel catfish, and a nice smallmouth. I rarely ever head towards a pack of boats. Scan the area and find your own fish. Many times these fish will cooperate more and you will do good. Look for structure, baitfish, and marks on the finder. If you spend some time scanning the Lake, you will be rewarded.

2 Man Limit Of Lake Erie Yellow Perch Off Point Of Presque Isle

Took my son for an evening of perch fishing on the boat. Went out to 57 foot of water off the point in Lake Erie. Fished with emerald shiners and landed a 2 man limit of 60 yellow perch. Calm lake and a beautiful evening. Fish were turned on right before a front. Jigged off the bottom with spreaders. Lots of fillets for the deep fryer!

.17 Cal Savage Deadly On Woodchucks

Took my son for an evening woodchuck hunt in North East, PA. Son saw two chucks, and dispatched them both with his Savage .17. Two great head shots at 150 yds. Very accurate firearm. Would recommend it for varmits anywhere. Was a fun and exciting evening teaching him ballistics and stealth shooting.

Shallow Water Lake Erie Fishing Reels In Action

Tried to venture out to the perch schools today in deep water. Strong West winds kept me away. Instead of giving up, I fished shallow water with safer waves. I caught a limit of Perch and several nice bluegill. All you have to do is focus on structure. I scan the shallow water with my finder and find areas of dense structure. Drifting over them, with light tackle, produced amazing results. These areas held a nice variety of panfish. I worked jigs tipped with minnows and covered many small areas of structure.

Presque Isle Bay Erie PA Spring Crappie Bull Bluegill Action

Went for an evening trip on Presque Isle Bay in Erie PA. Found a sweet spot loaded with nice size panfish. Flipped a minnow over the wall and landed Crappie, Perch, Big Gills, Rock bass, and Smallies. Nice action and kept some for the freezer. Fished a cold front, NW winds howling. Water temp 65.