theoutdoorsguy

June 11, 2013

Great Outdoors Trivia Contest – Question #2

Sorry it has taken so long for the next trivia question, and in case you missed the first one which appeared in May 3rd SUN Outdoors Column, here it is:

Question #1:

OK folks, put your thinking caps on, here is question No. 1 in the Great Outdoors Trivia Contest. The tarsal, interdigital and preorbital are all types of what? A) Range-finder settings; B) Trail camera settings; or C) Type of deer glands. Watch for question No. 2 coming up in my Outdoors Guy Blog.

Question #2:

According to the Centre for Occupational Health & Safety, in recent years most Rabies infections in British Columbia and Alberta have been reported in bats; in Saskatchewan and Manitoba, in has been skunks; and in Ontario and Quebec rabies has been reported most in bats, skunks and what other wild animal?

Is it A) Red foxes; B) Raccoons; or C) Eastern chipmunks.

The final question in this year’s Great Outdoors Trivia Contest will appear in next Thursday’s(June 20) Pembroke Daily Observer. (Link to that column will be provided in case you can’t find it, and you don’t live in the Ottawa Valley)

Winner of this year’s contest will receive a nice scent package courtesy of Tink’s!

Outdoorsguy

May 29, 2013

Outdoors Guy Cookbooks featured by Canadian Press

Ok, I’m not saying I hit the big time or anything, but I am quite pleased with my interview last week with Susan Greer of the Canadian Press.

Susan contacted me to discuss the June 1^st release of my Canadian Fishing Cookbook and Canadian Outdoor Cookbook, but specifically focused on the fishing one.

The whole experience was a tad intimidating since I don’t really consider myself a fabulous cook, but I am happy to not have made a fool of myself!

What can I say…I love brain food!

The article appeared this week in about 15 publications across the country….

http://www.brandonsun.com/lifestyles/breaking-news/hooked-on-fish-and-seafood-author-pursues-passion-travelling-coast-to-coast-209050691.html?thx=y

http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Hooked+fish+Author+pursues+passion+travelling+coast+coast/8440535/story.html

Outdoorsguy

May 27, 2013

Outdoors Guy Annual trout trip solves mystery

(Sr. Outdoors Guy with a nice cold water brook trout we caught, with surface temp ranging from 49 – 54 degrees F)

My annual trout fishing trip to Temiscaming with my Dad and brother-in-law’s is a time I look forward to all year long..regardless if we catch a lot fish, mystery or otherwise.

This year certainly was a great trip fishing-wise, and a very poor one weather-wise, with bitter cold daytime temps and even 3″ of snow on the tent one morning!

Oh well, when you’re catching fishing like this, who cares!!

(Photo of ‘mystery trout’ now beleived to be an Aurora trout)

(Here’s Bruce with a great looking male brookie pulled from ‘Lac Perdu’)

This year we released 12 trout(10 brook, 2 mystery) – the most trout we ever have released; including one fish well over 3 pounds!

(Not a bad looking camping spot!)

(Not a bad tent set-up too!)

(The boys working on breakfast inside the tent)

Mystery solved!!!

Ok, thanks to Maple(& others) for their assitance in finally identifying our mystery trout!

What I had always considered to be ‘Quebec Reds’ appear to be the endangered species called Aurora trout. Although we only caught two this year (both released) we have probably caught more than 20 of these special fish over the years.

In our secret lake we call Lac Perdu, brook trout and Aurora trout appear to live together(& spawn) in harmony. The brookies account for probably 90% of the lakes population with Aurora accounting for maybe 10%.

Now that we know what they are, and after reading up on this rare fish, we will no longer keep any of them from this lake. According to what I read, the Aurora experts are not coming out and labelling the Quebec Aurora’s with that name, as they claim all Auroras’ are found within Ontario waters.

The QC Aurora’s currently found in only 2-3 lakes(I gues 4 now), at the moment, appear to be a mystery. The original Aurora’s were distributed only in lakes around Sudbury, and most of those fell victim to acid rain.

Just one more reason I enjoy my annual trout fishing trips. You never know what you’re going to catch!

Here are some close-up shots of the QC Aurora we caught two years ago. The ones from this year were released safely at boatside and no photos were taken:

You can see how they differ from regular brook trout with a lack of ‘halo’ spots and lack of vermiculation on the fins and upper half of their body.

Outdoorsguy

May 26, 2013September 5, 2017

2013 Ford Explorer Sport – fancy fish hauler

Thanks to Maxine Patenaude of Ottawa’s Thornley Fallis for putting me behind the wheel of this new Ford product.

My two weeks with the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport included a trip up the Ottawa Valley and across the river to Témiscaming, Quebec, followed by a jaunt to our trailer up in Cobden.

The new Explorer is more than roomy enough for the whole family or group of full-sized trout anglers, with comfortable seating for 7 passengers, although I put the back two seats down to increase storage space for our fishing and camping gear.

My first impression of the Explorer Sport was ride quality, and my second impression was power, I mean big time power, and the 365 hp twin turbo had a lot to do with it!

With a 6-speed transmission and 0 to 60 mph rating of 6 seconds flat, it is easily the fastest vehicle in this class I have tried yet.

The new Explorer Sport is also being dubbed as the most fuel efficient High Performance SUV/CUV on the market(est 16 mph city and 22 mpg highway)

Since the Explorer’s redesign in 2011, this classic SUV was magically transformed into a modern-day Crossover vehicle. Gone is the traditionally stiff truck frame; now replaced with crossover-style unibody construction.

The ride is smooth and silky with smaller bumps being soaked up like a sponge in the vehicle’s suspension. And trust me, the dirt roads in NW Quebec had more than a few bumps and curls.

Off-road purists may be disappointed with the new CUV Explorer and lack of typical 4X4 features like high and low range and ladder frame construction; however, modern day families and weekend campers will appreciate the roominess, comfort and ride quality.

Instead of high and low range of traditional 4X4’s, Ford has included a new ‘intelligent 4WD system’, featuring different settings for conditions like sand, snow or mud.

The Sport model also boasts a ‘sport tuned’ suspension for a more solid and stiffer ride over uneven ground. Ground clearance is still decent however a low hanging front scoop could hinder rougher off-road driving. It; however, did not cause any problems for me on the rough northern roads.

The Explorer’s interior layout is a must see and feels more like the cockpit on an F14 fighter jet. (I nearly forgot I was on an up north fishing trip) The interior is laid out in a functional and classy manner with every luxury detail considered. Such safety features as ‘blind spot’ indicators take the guess work out of passing, and Ford’s Sync voice command system is a wonder to behold, once you practise with it a bit of course.

FM 106.1 please!

Most every aspect of the Explorer can be monitored from with the Sync System: navigation, heating & cooling, sound and so on. You can use the touch command screen, or really take charge of this beast with the voice command!

I managed to Sync my cell phone and my daughter even Sync’ed her iPod.

The Explorer tells you how many KM’s left before you need to fill up which isn’t a new feature for 2013, but I really like it on long trips, and it also boasts a wide assortment of modern day necessities like MP3, USB, SD memory card slots and even a 11o power outlet.

For those who aren’t used to it, though, this vehicle does carry a good-sized footprint and requires care in parking and manoeuvring into tighter spaces. It is considerably larger than Explorers of days-gone-by and feels more like a luxury vehicle in many ways.

With perhaps the nicest overall look on any SUV/CUV I have seen yet, there are few remnants of the old Explorer left. This vehicle is definitely a head turner, with its sleek look and 20-inch mag wheels.

In the end, the 2013 Ford Explorer Sport was a great experience and a vehicle very comfortable to drive. I have never travelled north in such luxury, and it is so fast that I feel fortunate to have returned home speeding ticket-free.

For those looking for modern day convenience and luxury in a full-size crossover combined with off-road ability, this is the vehicle for you.

And for the avid angler, this is one fancy fish hauler indeed.

Outdoorsguy

May 15, 2013

Ontario petition for Lyme Disease

Most outdoorsmen have heard of Lyme Disease, and some of them might even understand the life cycle of the deer tick involved in spreading this much misunderstood ailment.

Back in the early 1990’s, my hunting pal Jim returned home from the deer hunt with a large ‘bull’s eye’ like red welt on his forearm. Luckily for Jim, the Doctor knew right away he had been bitten by an infected female deer tick.

Jim was treated right away and suffered no ill-effects from his brush with the dreaded Lyme Disease.

I also have another friend, her name is Kelly, and I’ve worked with her for 15 years. Kelly, her husband and their two kids love the outdoors and camping is an activity they all share. About 2 years ago, Kelly and her family made the mistake of spending time at a campground on Big Rideau Lake. Evidently, there were signs indicating the presence of deer ticks, but they never noticed them.

Poor Kelly returned home from that trip with more than just memories, and unlike my pal Jim, there was no telltale bull’s eye rash to indicate anything was wrong.

Somehow she was bitten by an effected, blood engorged deer tick and contracted Lyme disease without even knowing it. Over the next few months strange things began happening to her – memories loss, lack of energy, general confusion.

The local Doctors were baffled. At one point, they felt very strongly that she had developed MS, but it was Lyme Disease all the time and it had been left untreated for nearly a year before they could finally pinpoint a diagnosis.

Kelly is a beautiful person inside and out and one of the nicest girls I ever met, and in no way deserves the horrors that go along with this terrible disease. She has been on disability from her government job for more than a year now, with regular visits to the United States and 10’s of thousands of dollars spent on meds to help control the disease.

It is felt that eventually she will be rid of this terrible condition but what will it take? With two young children at home and her husband struggling to keep up with the exorbitant costs of meds not currently covered by OHIP.

Please, I urge you all to sign the Petition for Lyme Disease, for people like Kelly, and for the 20-30 others who will contract Lyme Disease in Ontario this year.

Get well soon, Kel..we all miss you and are praying for your full recovery…

A Petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario

WHEREAS, the tick-borne illness known as Chronic Lyme Disease, which mimics many catastrophic illnesses, such as Multiple Sclerosis, Crohn’s, Alzheimer’s, arthritic diabetes, depression, Chronic Fatigue and Fibromyalgia is increasingly endemic in Canada, but scientifically validated diagnostic tests and treatment choices are currently not available in Ontario, forcing patients to seek these in the U.S.A. and Europe; and

WHEREAS, the Canadian Medical Association informed the public, governments, and the medical profession in the May 30, 2000 edition of their professional journal that Lyme Disease is endemic throughout Canada, particularly in Southern Ontario; and

WHEREAS, the Ontario Public Health system and the Ontario Health Insurance Plan currently do not fund those specific tests that accurately serve the process for establishing a clinical diagnosis, but only recognize testing procedures known in the medical literature to provide false negatives 45 to 95% of the time;

WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, petition the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to request the Minister of Health and Long-Term Care to direct the Ontario Public Health system and OHIP to include all currently available and scientifically verified tests for Acute and Chronic Lyme Disease in Ontario, and to have everything necessary to create public awareness of Lyme Disease in Ontario, and to have internationally developed diagnostic and successful treatment protocols available to patients and physicians.

Sign here: http://www.randyhilliermpp.com/lyme_disease?recruiter_id=15406

May 2, 2013

Ethical treatment of animals my ass!!

(A Police detective in a hazmat suit prepares to bury a puppy killed by PETA)

The wheels seem to be falling off for our good friends over at the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)

A recent Expose of Animal Shelter practices by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) has produced some shocking results.

The report indicated that approximately 2,000 animals pass through PETA’s front door every year with the vast majority of them – 96 percent in 2011 – heading straight out the back after they have been killed.

(Photo of PETA ‘death kit’ confiscated by Police from the organization’s van in Ahoskie, North Carolina)

Last year, 733 dogs entered this PETA Animal Shelter. They killed 602 of them. Only 12 were adopted. Also in 2012, the oganization impounded 1,110 cats. 1,045 were put to death. Seven of them were adopted.

Among the other shocking discoveries was a dumpster full of garbage bags, where Police found the bodies of dead animals all killed by the Organization. PETA described these animals as “adorable” and “perfect.”

A veterinarian who naively gave PETA some of the animals, thinking they would find them homes, and examined the dead bodies of others, testified that they were “healthy” and “adoptable.”

So I ask you, is this an Organization you want to support? Where are all the Millions in donations going?

The whole thing makes me sick to my stomach yet still not surprising given some of the antics we’ve seen, over the years, from these clowns.

Outdoorsguy

April 30, 2013

Keebler's Wild Turkey Hunt

Our buddy Keebler enjoyed a nice start to his 2013 Wild Turkey season…check out the story of his hunt:

So my buddy’s land is in between 2 farms. The turkeys travel back and forth throughout the day, but don’t roost there so I opted for a late opening day hunt.

I set myself up and gave one hen assembly call. Normally I make a call, wait a minute or 2 so I can hear any responses then set up my camcorder.

That didn’t work this time. I was just reaching for my camcorder when I heard something walking. A bearded hen came out! I let her go – no sense shooting the poult breeder. She looked for turkeys, but didn’t see any (I didn’t use decoys) and she left.

I waited 3 minutes and assembly called again. Waited 5 more minutes and gave 1 gobble. Nothing in response whatsoever. Since I knew there was at least 1 turkey in the area, I didn’t set my camcorder on. No sense getting busted because I couldn’t see how far she had walked away.

Then I heard more walking coming from the direction in which the hen left. I turned my head cam on and waited.

And out stepped this beauty of a tom. I saw the beard, the redhead, my safety was off and I slowly moved my 12 gauge for a shot. He wasn’t fanned out…just walking with his head pivoting looking for the gobbler (which was me!) He stood there and took a few steps back the way he came, his head was up the entire time looking around. Bang, he was down instantly. 22 lbs 8″ beard 1.25″ spurs. Great colour to him.

Not bad for a 20 minute hunt…

Keebler

April 24, 2013

Ladies and gentlemen start your gobbling!

This Thursday marks the beginning of Ontario’s 2013 Spring wild turkey season – a week that many hunters have been waiting for with baited breath.

I predict some good calling weather ahead for the weekend.

What are your plans and where are you headed?

Drop me a line, and be sure to check-out this Thursday’s Ottawa SUN and Pembroke Daily Observer(now online) Outdoors Columns dedicated to the pursuit of this province’s favourite fowl!

Outdoorsguy

April 12, 2013

When beavers attack!!

A man in Belarus is dead following an attack by a beaver

That’s right, I said beaver!!

The man was on his way to a lake with some friends when, he spotted one of the flat-tailed critters on the side of a road and tried to take a photo.

Apparently this fur-bearer was not impressed with being the center of attention, and it attacked the man with the fury of 1000 beavers… (I couldn’t even type that with a straight face but this way no joke)

The fisherman was bitten several times in the upper thigh which severed a major artery. First aid was administered and an ambulance operator said the man died from blood loss.

Spring is an especially difficult time for beavers around the world. The young adults are pushed from the lodge to fend for themselves. Oftentimes you will see beavers (in this region) dead along the side of the road which are, no doubt, these young adults seeking out new territory.

Evidently these animals can get rather testy at this time of year as well..

Outdoorsguy

April 2, 2013

Muskie Day this weekend at Valley Sportsmen and Outdoor Show

Don’t forget the Valley Sportsmen & Outdoor Show this weekend in Carp and, courtesy of my friends at Muskies Canada, here are details on ‘Muskie Day’ which runs all day Saturday:

Muskellunge are the largest freshwater predators in our waters. They are rare, elusive and magnificent to see in the wilds. Some anglers have had close encounters with a big muskie. Catch-and-release has been very effective in producing a world-class, sustainable fishery for muskie in the Ottawa area.

On April 6, Muskies Canada will put on a full day of information, workshops and seminars on muskie fishing at the Valley Fishing and Outdoor Show at the Carp arena. Muskie Day is included with general admission to the show. How-to workshops will cover all aspects of equipment and baits, casting and trolling techniques and how to handle, photograph and safely release these important fish.

There will also be keynote presentations throughout the day about the muskie fishery on the Ottawa, Rideau and St. Lawrence River systems. Several announcements will be made during the day that will benefit the muskellunge fishery in the Ottawa area.

The event is being held by Muskies Canada and will feature six chapters located throughout eastern Ontario and western Quebec. Muskie Day partners include Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Ottawa Riverkeeper, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority and Parks Canada, and Ottawa River Muskie Factory. John Anderson, a well-known Ottawa River guide will be a keynote speaker.

“Muskie Day will help everyone better appreciate the muskies that inhabit our local waters”, says Peter Levick, Chair of the Ottawa chapter. “We need to be able to catch and handle these fish in a way that ensures their long-term success. We also want to help everyone see how healthy watersheds support more dynamic fisheries, ensuring a place for muskies which are at the top of the food chain”. Muskies Canada promotes catch-and-release to ensure a sustainable muskie population and we are also involved in important initiatives that improve habitat and monitor water quality.

	Muskie Day Outline	Saturday April 6 Valley Fishing & Outdoors Show, Ottawa (Carp Fairgrounds)

Timing	Session	Speaker

8.00	Doors Open
8.00 – 8.15	Intro & Welcome	Peter Levick, Chair
8.15 – 9.30	Muskies Canada Workshop 1– Rods for Muskie Fishing- Reels for casting & trolling- Lines, leaders & terminal tackle	Retailers, Pro Staff Experts& Muskies Canada specialists
9.30 – 10.15	Managing for Muskies in the 21^st Century in Ontario	Dan Taillon, OMNR Ministry staff, FMZ 12, FMZ 18 reps
10.15 – 10.30	Break & discussions
10.30 – 11.30	Keynote Presentation: Ottawa – The Greatest Musky City in the World – Resource overview, musky movements in the system (telemetry studies info), proper handling, tactics	John Anderson, Ottawa River Guide & Muskie Expert
11.30 – 12.00	Muskie Hot Stove – Experts in an armchair session	John Anderson, Hedrik Wachelka, Jim Hutchings, MNR staff
12.00 – 12.30	Announcement:Muskies Canada & Ottawa Riverkeeper Partnership	Peter Levick (Muskies Canada) & Alexandra Brett (from Ottawa Riverkeeper)
12.30 – 1.00	Lunch Break
1.00 – 1.45	Workshop 2– Casting – spinners, jerk-baits, gliders, plastics- Precision trolling tactics- Hot baits	Muskies Canada Experts

1.45 – 2.15

Workshop 3– Catch, Photo, Release- Release tools- The advantage of Fishing Barbless

– Photo tips

– Ensuring a good release

Muskies Canada Experts

2.15 – 3.00

The St. Lawrence Muskie Fishery– Resident Muskies- Young of the Year studies- Catching the late season giants

– New 54 inch limit

Jim Hutchings, Muskies Canada Gananoque chapter & Josh Van Wieren, Parks Canada

3.00 – 3.15	Break
3.15 – 4.00	Muskies & the Rideau system– Muskies in the Lower Rideau watershed- Restoring Muskie Habitat – Chapman Mills Project – NEWS – Brewer Pond Project for 2013	Hedrik Wachelka – Muskies CanadaJennifer Lamoureux, Rideau Valley Conservation Authority
4.00 – 5.00	Muskies Canada – Making a DifferencePanel discussion about Muskies Canada, our projects and special initiatives to sustain the Muskie fishery and how you can help make a difference.	Chris Purdy (National President); Peter Levick, (Ottawa); Jim Hutchings (Gananoque); Tyler Duncan (Upper Ottawa Valley); Marc Pitre (Sudbury); Denis Gravel (Montreal) Tom McCutcheon (Kawartha Lakes)
5.00	Closing Remarks	Peter Levick, Muskies Canada