RGS set on wildlife diversity

 

MIKE McKEE - outdoors


 

It's good for the grouse and hundreds of other forest dwelling wildlife.

 

Habitat diversity, that is. And it is the prime focus of the Ruffed Grouse Society, which will host a Sportsman's Banquet on Feb. 11 at the Michigan City Holiday Inn.

 

“This will be the sixth year for the Hoosier chapter banquet,” chairman Tony Hofstetter said.

 

“Proceeds are primarily used to develop habitat, which is the only way to maintain a viable grouse population now and in the future.”

 

Hofstetter mentioned a court decision to allow timber harvest in the Hoosier National Forest, as well as the Allegheny National Forest in Pennsylvainia (after a 20-year legal squabble), was supported by RGS.

 

Of course, just about everyone loves big trees, but the only thing better than a big forest is a big, healthy, sustainable forest. And properly managed clear cuts are good for the long-term health of trees.

 

The clear cuts also provide critical grouse habitat as well as living space for all types of other wildlife from ever-increasing wild turkey to rare eastern towhees.

 

RGS literature and its Internet site has a bunch of information and links that can assist landowners in improving the variety of wildlife in their woodlots.

 

Tickets for the banquet, which starts at 6 p.m. on Feb. 11, are $50 ($75 with spouse) and includes dinner, annual RGS membership and magazine subscription along with access to the evening's silent and live auctions and raffles of firearms, art work and outdoor gear.

 

“Also, Deer Creek (an exlusive shooting facility at nearby Three Oaks, Mich.) will again offer discounts on pheasants, trap and skeet during the day of the banquet,” Hofstetter said. “Last year, we probably had 35 guys up there before the banquet and they all had a great time.”

 

For more information, call Hofstetter at 872-8556.

 

€ Fishing report.

 

For January, its good. The stretch of “March” weather we've been in for the past month has allowed plenty of anglers to get out, and although catches have been spotty, you can't complain for the time of the year.

 

The pier has produced steelhead, brown trout, whitefish and the occasional coho when the weather has allowed with fish grabbing everything from shrimp and nightcrawlers dunked under a bobber to spawn or waxworms plunked on bottom.

 

Spoons have taken some fish, too.

 

Steelhead, browns and walleye have been caught in the harbor and lower stretches of Trail Creek with the trout taking bait and the rare 'eye grabbing crankbaits after dark.

 

The middle stretches of Trail have produced decentsteelhead catches within a few days of rain and/or snow melt episodes.

 

€ The Indiana Hunter Education Course will be held from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 11 at the Izaak Walton League chapter, 0682 N. 850 West, Michigan City.

 

To register for the class, call 1-800-810-1450, ask for Ed Bohle, and leave message with number of students attending.

 

€ The Michigan City Fish & Game Club is hosting one of their famous all-you-can-eat breakfast fundraisers from 7 a.m. until noon on Sunday (Jan. 29).

 

Homemade biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, eggs, pancakes, potatoes and beverages are available at $6 for adults and reduced prices for children.

 

For more information, call 879-9741.