First ice is nice!

[Mike Frisch]

Spent an evening ice fishing on a small lake here in western MN and enjoyed very good "first ice" action. Caught several walleyes in the 13-17-inch size range. I used a small Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon tipped with a minnow head and fished it very aggressively with short, erractic snaps and shakes. I was able to entice nearly every fish that I saw on the locator into biting. When fish would come close to the bait, I'd slow my jigging motion to a pause followed by a subtle nod and that really seemed to trigger the bites. Did have 3 bites on my "deadstick" but at early ice it seems like jigging is definitely the way to go. Ice thickness was about 4-inches of good, clear ice. Hope to get out again soon, though I'm still attempting to arrow a good buck before the season closes. Too many outdoor opportunities and not enough time!

[NickLusk]

Where did you fish in Western MN, and what color sppon did ya use? Sounds like it was a good night out-

[Mike Frisch]

NickLusk - I would rather not say the specific name of the lake on a public forum like this as it is a small body of water that could really be hurt by fishing pressure. I did hit the ice again tonite and a partner and I landed a couple of dozen fish ranging in size from 12-20-inches in length. My fish have been coming on a one-eighth ounce Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon in the Super-Glo Perch color tipped with a minnow head. The other nite the bite was all but done by about 5:30 p.m. Tonite, however, the fish bit past 6:00 p.m. As I said in my last post, short, but very aggressive jigging motions seem to call in the fish and then they can be triggered into biting by slowing the jigging motion. Tonite I got a couple of sniffers to bite by quickly raising the lure 18-inches or so. Also, "glowing" the lure by using a Glo-Buster Bluelight seems to help once the sun sets and darkness sets in.

[gloomisman]

I don't think if you name the lake you're fishing by next weekend they'll be so many fisherman there that you won't be able to find a spot.

[Gary Korsgaden]

Arrow a good buck? what would be wrong with arrowing a nice doe instead.....let the bucks go unless he is a biggy 10 or over..what do you think.

[Bob Jensen]

I spoke with Mike recently. The "good buck" he is after is definitely a "good buck", even by Iowa standards. He has had the opportunity to take several small and medium bucks, but passed on them. In conversations with Mike, it is apparent he understands the importance of holding out for a larger buck, even if it means passing on small and medium bucks. Mike has also indicated to me that he would much rather take a doe than a small or medium buck.

The really good bow and gun hunters that I know generally don't take the first deer that walks by. They enjoy the total experience and killing a deer isn't their only goal. They learn so much about the animals by spending time in the deers "living room" and thus become better hunters.

I do wish that more hunters were more interested in taking the "right" deer, and much of the time, that means passing on a non-trophy buck and taking a doe instead.

If you kill a six point buck, it will never be a ten point buck. Same is true with fish: Kill a five pounder and it will never be a ten pounder.

Good to see you back Gary.

Best Fishes,

[Gary Korsgaden]

I am glad to hear and wouldn't expect anything less from Mike. We all need to encouage the harvest of antlerless deer, this season more than any, unless it is a personal, trophy class animal. Thanks for the response...means others feel the same.Remember sportsman are a important tool for wildlife management....we all need to take this role seriously. Outdoor meda needs to set an example too and not always portray that they are always harvesting bucks for validation of their success or season.

Thanks Bob.

[Mike Frisch]

Guys - Thanks for the interest concerning deer management. With that in mind, here's an update on my current hunting status: I have a regular archery tag and a "management" tag that requires the taking of a nonantlered deer. My goal going into the season (my season really didn't start until Nov. 1 as I am a football coach with limited hunting time during early fall)was to try to take a doe and then hold out for a mature buck. However, I have not had a real good opportunity at a doe yet, and recently, I have devoted a lot of time to the pursuit of a good ten-pointer I spotted on the property I have permission to hunt. I first saw this deer three weeks ago, so he obviously survived the gun season. With 5 days to hunt in the season, I still hope to get an opportunity to take him and hope a doe presents an opportunity as well. However, if I don't shoot a deer that's okay too, I've had a great time being in the woods enjoying nature and wildlife and, if the 10-pointer never shows this season, he might be a 12-pointer next year!

I hope everyone has a great holiday season.

Mike Frisch

[Gary Korsgaden]

Mike, you do not need to explain yourself. You are perfectly right in your rational. I want to clarify one point that I think is missed. Yes I was talking about deer management but want to stress that all of us need to educate others on what is right the deer to harvest during any given season. I feel the outdoor media of which you are a part of need to educate and set a example. While the media is first to share how and where rarely do they enter into the mix of educating that hunting is management tool and as sportsman no matter what poison
we choose rifle, bow, black powder or shotgun we need to try and make the right choices. The antlerless deer issue in the State of Minnesota
draws alot of fire and is a politically motivated issue that, for some that should share their opinion, choose to be quiet. The exchange that Bob, you and I had points out some of the correct processes. Thanks

[Box]

If you shouldn't take a medium buck (6 pointer) then why should you take a 10 pointer? Won't it get bigger too? And won't the 10 pointer breed his bigger genes than the 6 pointer, even if just one season more? Then, if he lives longer, won't he get bigger yet? I guess my question is who calls a buck good enough, and is it truely better for the herd to take the biggest? Isn't that similar to taking a trophy female walleye out of a lake?

Just some questions, since you asked for some thoughts from quiet people as well. This year we shot 7 deer with 2 nice 8 pointers, one big and funky non-typical 12 pointer and 3 does and one fawn/button buck. (9 guys, I didn't shoot one, as my doe didn't give me a good shot)

Next year will be my first bow season, and I plan to take a doe or a bigger buck, as you guys mention, and did even before I saw this thread ;)

Thanks, and nothing above was meant with any disrespect.
-Box

[Bob Jensen]

Thank you for the post Box. Your thoughts are appreciated.

Here's my simplistic take on the topic. If you're looking for horns, shoot a deer with big horns. Let the little ones go so they can maybe grow big horns. If you're interested in venison, shoot a doe.

If you're interested in herd management, shoot a doe in most situations.

Virtually all of the management people that I speak with recommend, for the health of the herd, that we need to take some does out of the population. It is better to take a doe than a small buck. That's what the experts say, and I believe them in this case.

With that in mind, I understand that some bucks will never be big due to genetics. It's an imprecise science.

Thanks again for your interest and input

Best Fishes,

[Gary Korsgaden]

Bob,

Your right on...when I first purchased our property we had alot of small bucks and alot of anterless deer. I would go out in late December and into early January and still find fresh rubs and scrapes.
Bucks eat 50% less food in the rut and become run down. Why having alot of anterless deer especially young ones that go into season late pushes the bucks into the rut during some pretty adverse weather conditions and when their bodies are very run down. Fortunately we have had some mild winters so this isn't a issue and most survive. I might add that older mature bucks are far better breeders, consquently they complete the rut earlier. Helps prevent late season born fawns. I piece milled this from big game experts. Since we have been agressive in the harvest of does it has helped. My rules are this, I only allow harvest of anterless deer on our property. If you take a buck it better be a trophy and one you want on the wall..but I discourage shooting any horns. I think sportsman need to realize their importance as a tool in wildlife management instead of satisfying a desire of ones ego to shoot a buck. Unfortunately we humans and the outdoor media has instilled the only true successful hunter or season one must shoot horns for bragging rights. I feel if we educate we don't need to regulate. It would be nice to manage fish and game in vacuum where one process will bring about positive change,
unfortunately it is a combination of a variety of processes that really make the change. Then to further complicate the issue you bring in social concerns and wants, such as only shooting bucks.

[Mike Frisch]

Guys - Just an update on my hunting: I shot an adult doe late yesterday afternoon to fill my intensive harvest tag. Today's the last day and I will spend the afternoon in a stand in hopes that a big buck walks by. If not, that's okay too as I've gotten a great deal of enjoyment out of my hunts this fall.

Mike Frisch