Outdoors: Thanksgiving hunts stir vivid memoriesThanksgiving

<<<<<<< Jason Johannes of Ransomville took this buck from a Niagara County cornfield during opening weekend of the regular season with his Remington muzzleloader.

Outdoors: Thanksgiving hunts stir vivid memories– a time for giving thanks, sharing a bounty of food and making outdoor experiences. I thought about all of that and more this past weekend while big-game hunting on the hills of southern Steuben County for the regular-season opener. It’s a magical time of year for sure. It’s a tradition that started for us more than five decades ago – the same hill; the same tree in some cases.

There were five of us huddled under different trees in the Town of Greenwood when the sun finally came up on Saturday morning. It was unusually mild out, making for more favorable conditions for the “veteran” hunters in the group like Bill Hilts, Sr. of Sanborn. Just a month shy of his 85th birthday, the elder Hilts shared a little excitement and spark when preparing for this year’s hunt. Health issues kept him out of the woods last year. This was another chance to chase whitetail deer again … and share memories of other hunts. Camaraderie is an important part of every hunt.

One memory involved a big 11-point buck that “Big Bill” took on Thanksgiving Day decades ago. However, his reflection was still as vivid as if it was yesterday. Listening to the stories were Rick Hilts of North Tonawanda, Thure Larson of East Amherst, and, new to the group, Carl Mottern of Kenmore. Brother Dave Hilts of Burt was on call for road patrol in Newfane driving a snow plow so he couldn’t make it. Don Starkey of Lockport, another long-time member of the group, passed away last year after a bout with cancer. Art Hartley of Niagara Falls, one of the original members hunting this hill, also passed on to the happy hunting grounds this past year.

While those missing members were not there in body, they were there in spirit. In fact, I hunted from a favorite tree of Starkey’s on Saturday afternoon while the wind was whipping up from Argos. Earlier in the morning I hunted from my Dad’s favorite hemlock – the same tree that he took that 11-point buck from (and many more over the years). It produced a doe this year. The spirits of past hunts live on as we remember these outdoor adventures and give our thanks as only a true hunter can.

Growing up in a hunting family, we never had Thanksgiving on Thursday. We spent our time hunting, giving thanks in a different way. Our special family dinner would always take place on Sunday, following the hunt. While times have changed for us, every family, every group, settles in with their own ways of giving thanks. Here are some other ways sportsmen in Western New York pay homage on this special day:
 

Old Kinderhook with Tahoe; and golf course view from our room

Ruins at Ha Ha Tonka

Attractions Abound Above - and Below – Missouri’s Surface

Photo - Casey Scanlon with a nice Ozarks largemouth.

Leaving Alhonna Resort on the shores of Lake of the Ozarks was bittersweet. We felt we had only scratched the surface and we begged for more as we pulled away in our Chevy Tahoe. The Tahoe was made for this terrain. Every driveway seemed perpendicular along the lake, dealing with the tops of the hills that now surrounded the lake after the valleys below were flooded back in 1931. We were driving the 2016 LTZ version, a perfect fit for two couples with lots of luggage. Of course, with a third seat in the back, it’s also a great vehicle for the family. The 5.3 Liter V-8 VVT with direct injection and cylinder deactivation gave us the power we needed. We could have trailered up to 8,600 pounds had we wanted to … and the next trip we just might have a pontoon boat fully loaded.

Our first stop for the morning was a breakfast that legends are made of. Kyle Stewart (no relation) who had put together an itinerary for us, recommended a place in Lake Ozark called Stewart’s. We were told to order their famous cinnamon rolls, as big as a “catcher’s mitt.” Sandy and I ordered one to split; Joe and Laurie Calvert split one as well. No exaggeration, they were bigger than a catcher’s mitt! More like a soccer ball! And they were delicious. I also ordered their famous pork tenderloin smothered in gravy (if my doctor is reading this, I did have plenty of exercise to work it off as you will read about). It covered the plate. Not your standard dinner plates … one of the big oval ones! Hash browns and toast rounded out the monster platter. Yes, I’m a food guy and I appreciate quality.

As we stuffed ourselves back into the Tahoe, we realized we wouldn’t need lunch. The next part of the lake we would visit was the area in and around Camdenton. The first attraction we came to was Bridal Cave ( www.bridalcave.com ), one of the largest caves in the state. Missouri has a wealth of caves and caverns, hitting the 7,000 mark just recently. When it’s all said and done, the Show Me state will be number one when it comes to overall numbers within Missouri boundaries. This cave was cool – literally and figuratively. Calcite deposits with stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws and so much more mesmerized folks on the tour. There was a connection with Western NY where they announced the “Frozen Niagara” calcite formation. More than 2,500 couples have been married in Bridal Cave or renewed their vows – another connection with the Honeymoon Capital. This is a must see for the entire family.

Geologically speaking, Missouri is littered with a “karst” topography, a landscape that is filled with sinkholes, caves, natural bridges, large springs and underground streams. Many of the caves in the state can be found on private land. However, there are many on public land, too. For example, nearby Ha Ha Tonka State Park – recently named by USA Today readers as the fourth best state park in the country – has 19 caves recorded within its boundaries … so far ( www.mostateparks.com ). It was a beautiful park and we even hiked up a castle trail that took us up to old ruins on a bluff overlooking the Niangua arm of Lake of the Ozarks, a spot we would be fishing the next morning.

When we stopped into the Visitors Center at Ha Ha Tonka, we immediately found out that there is no admission fee into any of the state parks in Missouri, thanks to a dedicated funding source (with the exception of camping sites). The public land was just that, for the public to use. What a novel idea. With 88 parks in the state, they will be celebrating a milestone next year (2017) – 100 years of the state’s natural and cultural attractions. Pick up a copy of the state’s Parks Centennial Passport. Earn a stamp by visiting each of those parks and the first 1,000 people receive a prize. Five grand prizes will be up for grabs, too. Last year, some 19 million people visited Missouri parks ( www.mostateparks.com ).

Next stop was our accommodations for the evening – Old Kinderhook ( www.oldkinderhook.com ). If you are looking for quality in the way of lodging, golf, fishing and dining options, this facility was top notch. The golf course is ranked second in the state and our fishing guide was none other than Casey Scanlon, a Bassmaster Elite Series Pro who lives on the lake. If you want to treat yourself to something special, this place was amazing – really! After checking in, we enjoyed one of the best meals we’ve had in a long, long time in the Trophy Room – fine dining at its best. Accolades came pouring out after that meal from all four of us.

Bright and early the next morning, Scanlon picked Joe and me up at sunrise to fish the lake. This is his home waters and he won the Bassmaster Open on nearby Table Rock Lake a few years ago. Originally from Kansas City, he’s been fishing the Elite Series for five years now. In fact, he had just returned from the Elite Series event on Cayuga Lake in New York in June.

“This is a great body of water to fish,” said Scanlon as he reeled in his first fish, a largemouth, five minutes into the trip. For this time of year, large rubber worms on a jig head was a favorite enticement. “The lake is over 90 miles long, great for largemouth and spotted bass. My favorite time is November and December when spinnerbaits and top waters work the best. April and May is also excellent when suspended jerk baits will dominate as a favorite technique. To give you an idea about how this lake fishes, it consistently takes 20 pounds or more per day to win a tournament here. There are lots of three and four pounders here and you can catch fish up to and over 10 pounds. In fact, two 10 pounders have been weighed in already this year. Fishing has really been great this season because of the added water flow coming through the system because of the heavy rains earlier.”

Almost on cue, Calvert’s rod doubled over and he fought a monster under Scanlon’s Nitro Bass Boat. When it finally came to net, it was over four pounds – Joe’s personal best. After a couple of quick pictures, we released the fish to fight another day.

Primary forage in the lake for these bass is gizzard shad and the preferred food source. There are also threadfin shad. An underrated fish in these waters is walleye … and no one fishes for them. If someone came in here and targeted walleye, the potential is very good. Night fishing could be a way to approach old marble eye, but there may be some competition. Because the lake has turned into a recreational playground for watercraft during the middle part of the day, some bass tournaments are now being held at night to deal with the mid-day turbulence and battle the heat. Heat index during the hottest part of the day would hit over 100 degrees and one day it hit 108. It didn’t stop us from enjoying ourselves though.

Back to the hotel for breakfast and check-out. Again, we didn’t want to leave. Next stop on our Ozarks experience was Holiday Shores Resort  www.holidayshoresresort.com ), another quality experience but entirely different from the other two accommodations we sampled. Owner Lori Piedt runs an excellent operation, featuring 26 cottages overlooking the lake at Osage Beach. It was like living in an exotic fully-equipped tree house for a few days! Again, the facility was well equipped as a one stop shop for families to enjoy the waters of the lake or relax in the uniquely-shaped cottages. Every cottage has an outside deck with a grill and one night we cooked up burgers as the sun set. What a relaxing time.

Holiday Shores offers visitors the opportunity to rent one of its 20 covered and fully electric boats slips at a nominal price. There is a boat launch available for guests if you bring your own boat or jet ski. They also rent paddleboards, paddleboats and chill rafts. There is a swimming pool or you can take advantage of a swim dock in the lake. Our last part of the trip will wind down next week … with a personal best largemouth bass! Check out the Ozarks Convention and Visitor Bureau’s website at www.FunLake.com ; 1-800-FUN-LAKE.

 

New York’s 1000 Islands – Food for Thought for Vacationing

<<< Early A room with a view ... from the hotel at first light

It was time to revisit the 1000 Islands again. This favorite area has been filled with outdoor memories since I graduated from high school. Camping and fishing top the list of past activities, but the list of things to see and do have expanded over the years. The Thousand Islands Region of New York State has a long, storied history as a premier vacation destination – combining a picturesque setting with a lengthy tradition of outdoor enjoyment, especially as it relates to the St. Lawrence River as it carries the fresh water from the five Great Lakes out into the Atlantic Ocean. While the past may conjure up a mystique of monster muskellunge and a bonanza of bass and other fish species, it is what the present offers that helped enhance a recent visit to Clayton this spring – based out of the amazing Thousand Islands Harbor Hotel for a second time. What a difference from tent camping over four decades ago!

The new hotel was outstanding yet again  www.1000islandsharborhotel.com , offering up 105 deluxe guest rooms and suites to visitors to the area. The facility was designed in such a way that a majority of the rooms face toward the majestic river. My favorite aspect of the hotel was the Riverside Patio that even allowed for a meal despite a little cooler temperatures … and a perfect place for a sunset. Open air gas fire pits burned brightly in the fresh air as we relaxed and sampled some great food options. Throughout this Hart Hotel complex, there were pictures of “the good old days” that reminded guests about those times gone by – but not forgotten. The Clayton area is one that remembers its roots very well, a lesson we can all learn from. All visitors have an opportunity to learn about the rich history the area offers.

One of our side trips was an afternoon casting some new Yo-Zuri hard baits at Lucky Star Lake, a standout attraction at Lucky Star Ranch in Chaumont, just a short drive away from historic Clayton. This 2,000 acre wildlife preserve offers both hunting and fishing for customers. Angling action takes place on a 100-acre lake that’s loaded with bass, pike, crappie and other panfish. We were greeted by “Bird,” a friendly black lab who lives for retrieving. While her specialty is rocks and dropping them on your feet (steel-toed shoes are advised), this time around it was sticks. The first one was over 8 feet long and difficult to throw. We broke off a smaller piece and started the process of throwing to Bird. My wife Sandy and I alternated stick-tossing with casting and my better half did great reeling in largemouth bass that kept her busy. I was keeping Bird busy … or maybe it was the other way around. Either way, we had a great time outdoors that left my wife saying, “When can we go fishing again?”

Lucky Star ( www.luckystarranch.com ) was recently acquired by Otis Technologies ( www.otistec.com ). Doreen and Jody Garrett were wonderful hosts. This was a company that was started by Doreen when she was just 16 years old. For those of you not familiar with Otis, it’s main focus was on firearms cleaning – a low cost, lightweight and efficient gun cleaning system that you can take into the field with you should you encounter a mishap … like she did all those years ago when she was hunting with her father. The company, based out of Lyons Falls, NY has many more products and the newest focuses on hearing protection. One example is the new Ear Shield. The Sound Reduction Chamber Technology does not require any kind of batteries and it does everything you need to protect your ears. I think they would be great around the house, too, for my wife when she is mowing the lawn or using the chain saw.

A second form of hearing protection was called Flugz. They are form-fitted ear plugs that you perform the work yourself – easily and efficiently – to personalize the reasonably-priced plugs to your own ears. Check these things out because there is something there that will work for you … and your wife.

Back to the fishing. The St. Lawrence River has a long, storied history with angling. This is the place that Arthur Lawton caught his impressive 69 pound, 15 ounce muskellunge back in 1957 – a record that still stands today in the Empire State. On this weekend, it was the opener of walleye and northern pike. However, this area is also more laid back than many tourist destinations as far as the guiding community. When I contacted Allen Benas with 1000 Islands Fishing Charters, he didn’t have his boat in and he couldn’t find anyone else that did either. That’s not to say there isn’t good fishing available this time of year. There is. For walleye, some of the best action is around the horn near Henderson Harbor and around the mouth of the Black River. With the Lake Ontario Counties Trout and Salmon Derby going on at the time, anyone targeting walleye will need to fish there if they want the best chance to win. In fact the winner was an 11 pound, 14 ounce ‘eye caught from there on opening day. Check out www.loc.org  to see the final leaderboard.

Local wineries are making a name for themselves, too. This time around it was the Thousand Islands Winery ( www.thousandislandswinery.com ) that we took a taste of. If you like dry whites (to go with your seafood of course), you’ll want to sample their Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio or semi-dry Riesling – all approving to our palate. There are many other things to sample there, an operation in the shadow of the 1000 Islands International Bridge.

An important part of all my getaways – short or long – is the food. Anyone who knows me knows that I like to even use dining establishments as important waypoints and landmarks for giving directions or to know where I am at all times. This time around was no different, starting with The Clipper Inn in Clayton. This was a fine dining establishment that I’ve never had the pleasure to sample, a restaurant that has been in the Simpson family for 35 years. However, the Simpson family is native to the 1000 Islands area and goes back even further. Mary was our waitress and she gave excellent recommendations, starting with our Seafood Pate appetizer and on to our entrees. My salad was slathered with, of course, 1000 Island dressing. I had a king crab and Delmonico steak combo that was to die for; Sandy had a Boston cod that was exquisite. As is usually the case when the food is this good, I ate way too much. If you are in the area, this comes highly recommended. Check out www.clipperinn.com . You will need reservations.

Our Saturday evening dinner was also exemplary, with the icing on the cake being on the water as the name suggests: Channelside. The view is mesmerizing; the food very good. We started things out with some Channelside Chips that were reminiscent of nachos, but with a personalized touch/flavor. We also had Bang Bang Shrimp that was a great treat. Dinner was a perch dinner for me and a haddock fish fry for Sandy, both would have left us begging for more … if we could have finished both. Another must-eat location and you can check it out at www.thechannelside.com . Our waitress was Lori, also a great server. This can make or break a meal no matter how good the food is.

Breakfasts were at the Koffee Kove Restaurant where owner Laurie runs a tight ship with more good eats. While muskellunge fishing was out of season, the Musky Breakfast wasn’t. Give it a try. The Everything Omelet was their version of a garbage plate that was also very appealing if you have a hearty appetite in the morning. They’ve been around for 44 years so they must be doing something right. We love finding new restaurants that we can find our way around town by. And let’s not forget the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel either – more good food to chew on if you want to stay close to your lodging.

No stop would be complete without a visit to the 1000 Islands River Rat Cheese shop. Their aged cheddars are scrumptious and there’s always something new that ends up in our cooler for the trip home. The fresh cheese curds are to die for (at least if I listened to my doctor)! To see the wide selection of products go to www.riverratcheese.net .

This is only the tip of the iceberg (lettuce – with Thousands Islands dressing of course) when it comes to what the area has to offer. You can find out more offerings at the Chamber of Commerce website at www.1000islands-clayton.com. This area is also part of Jefferson County, featuring other locations like Sackets Harbor, Henderson Harbor, Watertown and Alexandria Bay. Ask for a travel guide at www.visit1000islands.com  or by calling 800-847-5263. I can think of thousands of reasons to spend more time there, making return trip after return trip!