PATIENCE REWARDED
Turkey season tested my patience this year ! I did a lot of preseason scouting and speaking to landowners this spring . I gained permission on some land with good potential but watched as it filled with other hunters .
I took my dad out to my new area and we were outsmarted 4 trips in a row by a big old tom , I was on my last nerve ! But on day 5 dad made a great decision and outsmarted the smarty , taking him at 15 yards as opposed to the toms previous 60 yard display distance .
After his hunt , dad took our Ameristep blind to another landowner ’ s property and set up a great little area under a low hanging tree . We snuck in at dark , set up our Dave Smith Decoys DSD hen and got comfy in the blind . I clucked a few times with no response , clucked again and the thunder gobble exploded not more than 30-40 yards away ! He strutted in to the hen decoy but something about us caught his attention . We sat as still as statues and he turned his attention back to her . That ’ s when he made the mistake of starting to fan with his back to me . I drew my Mathews bow , knocked with my new DirtNap Gear - Shred Head broadheads ! Thwack at 20 yards and he took off ! I was worried my shot was low but we found him approximately 60 yards away under some poles . He ’ s a beauty with a 9 inch beard and 5 / 8 of an inch spurs ! ~ April Burdeny
ASSINIBOINE MONSTER
I recently had the opportunity to catch my first monster catfish on the Assiniboine River in Manitoba . While on a work assignment in Brandon MB , I was able to go fishing with a local friend , Hudson Kowerchuk . We met at the Canadian Tire in Portage la Prairie and then headed off to the overflow dam . Not having any experience with these unique , sizable creatures , I was all ears to my local guide . It ’ s really simple in fact ; I needed a 7ft super heavy rod and 50lb braided line with single heavy 3 / 0 hook & a 2oz weight . Decorate that with a slab of belly from a sucker caught previously and toss it in about 15ft from shore . What was most exciting was when I watched the first hit on the rod and it bend into the shape of a banana . But that was just the beginning . I was on to the thrashing resistance of the well known catfish of these waters . After 5 minutes or so and burning arms from this awesome battle we netted it for a landing and quick picture and measurement . 33 ” inches and more than a ton of fun . Highly recommend anyone who has not experienced this to make sure you put it on the list .
63 Wild Guide . Fall 2017