Scouring for Sheds Increases Bowhunting Success- Mike Koper
Timeless treasures on cabin-fever induced Saturday strolls

Leave no stone unturned…

At this time of the year, the winter winds have set in and the forest is encased in an Artic cold. Even though it might be cold outside… ‘There’s treasures of antlers in them there hills.” Now is the time to break away from the TV and remove your body off the couch to go out into the woods on a warm Saturday afternoon seeking the sheds (antlers) from the ones that got away. Typically, bucks lose their antlers in late February thru early March. Ironically finding the wiley old buck’s sheds may in fact be easier to find than the buck himself. Why?.. Because bucks like any other animal in the midst of a cold winter need food, survival is paramount and those food sources are more apt to hold the monarch’s lost head gear.  Don’t delay, unknowingly you’re in race with the critters in the woods like squirrels, chipmunks and opossums who gnaw on the antlers to siphon off the calcium.

Some of the best locations to find sheds are the buck’s heavily used trails to and from bedding locations. Once a primary food source or bedding area is found, take every trail in every direction until a secondary thicket is found. Check out the center and perimeter of the thicket, if no luck, take that trail to other suspected food sources. The nice thing about hunting for sheds is that the trails are easy to find. Tromping around the woods won’t affect your fall hunting plans plus it can turn into a two-fold win. You may discover a great new hunting location or find sheds. On one occasion, a Farmer’s wife from the farm I hunt was walking the field edges in March and discovered a very heavily used trail used as ingress and egress by the local whitetail herd. Upon finding the trail she walked into the woods encountering a small stream, after stopping for a moment before crossing the stream she caught a white colored object in the leaves across the stream. When she crossed the stream she could see another snow white object only a few feet from the first. She picked up the first antler shed it was a large heavy beamed 5 point, walking only a few steps further picked up the other heavy beamed antler it also having 5 points. When held together as if fitted on a monarch buck’s head the spread could easily reach 22 inches or more. A true treasure uncovered during a cabin-fever induced Saturday stroll. So just as we get days and days further from last season and days closer to the upcoming season some fun walks in the woods can uncover travel routes that may have been overlooked. Not to mention the walk can be a family event with prizes for the kids who find the largest shed(figure 3). Whether it’s a 3 point shed (figure 1) or a 5 point shed (figure 2) each and every one is a prize for the glass cabinet......

MOOD TV 2-4; Rabbit Hunting

Calvin “Rusty” Gates, Jr. (1955-2009) was born the son of a Michigan music teacher. In 1970, his parents Calvin (Cal) and Mary Gates, purchased a lodge from the Borcher family with their retirement money. The now called Gates Lodge was originally called the Canoe Inn. It is located on the south bank of the Au Sable River, 8 miles east of Grayling, on the “Holy Waters.”

Rusty’s career on the river began in his teens with responsibilities around the lodge. Also, while in his teens he began guiding and tying flies. His father, an accomplished fly fisherman, in his own right, taught Rusty the art of fly fishing and instilled in him the deep respect he’s always had for the river and the fish.

When ‘Cal’ Sr. finally retired in the early 80’s Rusty and his wife Julie were running the lodge full time. The premier lodge, situated on the banks of the river has 14 fully equipped units, a pro shop, professional guide service and a full restaurant, serving 3 meals a day.

Rusty was a professional fly tier, a guide with 30+ years of experience, a proficient fisherman and an author. He was considered by many as the guardian angel of the
Au Sable River watershed. A title he righteously earned.

He was the founder and president of the Anglers of the Au Sable. This environmental conservation organization that was founded in 1987 and boast of a membership in excess of 900. Rusty was the epicenter of their many accomplishments which include the establishment of a ‘no-kill,’ flies only regulation for the Holy Waters. They’ve stopped oil and gas drilling along the Mason Tract and stopped the pumping of contaminated water into the Au Sable. The organization also conducts water monitoring projects and river clean up projects. They’ve raised thousands of dollars for stream improvement projects. Their constantly monitoring the activities of Camp Grayling and are fighting for better easement regulations on the river.

Rusty was nationally recognized conservationist. To that end he was honored in 1995 by Fly Rod & Reel Magazine being given the “Angler of the Year” Award. In 2009 he was honored by receiving the Michigan Environmental Council’s, “Petoskey Prize for Environmental Leadership” award.

Rusty’s recent publication of Seasons on the Au Sable reflects his deep love and passion for the river and all it has to offer. If you’ve ever fished the Au Sable, reserve a place on your bookshelf for this love story.

Calvin “Rusty” Gates passed away December 19, 2009. He was truly an environmental icon and steward of the mighty Au Sable. He will be deeply missed by his family and many friends.