Posts Tagged ‘Outdoors’
Schuck on a Truck: Talking hunting season, fall weather and family memories with Schuck’s dad
QUINCY — Growing up, the best part of the calendar rolling into October meant hunting season was upon us and I had the opportunity to spend more time with my dad. No matter what we did outdoors, I was right by his side. That hasn’t changed in adulthood. With the archery deer season in full…
Read MoreLearning to rig duck decoys from your grandpa is perfect way to spend a Sunday
FOWLER, Ill. — The pride and sense of accomplishment Butch Crowder saw in the sparkle in the eyes of his 10-year-old grandson Michael and the smile stretching across the youngster’s face is all the 61-year-old wanted to see. It was nearly enough to bring a grizzled hunter to tears. “Dusty,” Crowder said. “I told him…
Read MoreWood duck banding shows kids importance of building and sustaining population
HULL, Ill. — How much wood, would a wood duck duck if a wood duck could duck wood? A bunch of kids at Gardner Camp probably didn’t learn the answer to that question, but they learned plenty more during a Wildlife Encounter Series session. Youth from around the area attended a wood duck banding seminar…
Read MoreCountry music artist Clayton Anderson bringing taste of outdoors to Gem City Music Festival
QUINCY — Country singer/songwriter Clayton Anderson feels the outdoors and country music go hand in hand. Growing up in Bedford, Ind., about 30 miles south of the Indiana University campus in Bloomington, his family spent many an hour in the wild. “We’d always go down to Salt Creek or the White River and fish around…
Read MoreMore than decade after study, Asian carp populations in Illinois rivers continue to grow
BEARDSTOWN, Ill. — A 2008 study conducted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources showed more than 320,000 silver carp thriving near the La Grange Reach of the Illinois River. And the populations continue to grow. “We’ve had one big carp female that had around 3.2 million eggs in one batch and they can put…
Read MoreOpening of Illinois squirrel hunting season is another chance to spend time outside together
QUINCY — Jeff Remington’s 6-year-old son, Noah, noticed the gun case leaning against the cabinet near the garage door and became instantaneously curious. “Is it time to go hunting?” he asked. Not yet, but it was time to get prepped, which is why the Ruger .22 rifle was in the hard travel case. Remington made…
Read MoreSchuck on a Truck: Glenn Sanders talks about outdoors projects and MVHFA
QUINCY — Glenn Sanders has been synonymous with the outdoors and the opportunities afforded to youth anglers and hunters his entire life. A retired sergeant with the Illinois Conservation Police, Sanders currently is the president of the Mississippi Valley Hunters and Fishermen’s Association and arguably West-Central Illinois’ strongest advocate for wildlife resources. Sanders and Muddy…
Read MoreFinding perfect fishing hole makes experience catching catfish infinitely better
PIKE COUNTY, Ill. — The road morphs from asphalt to gravel to dirt as it winds between corn fields and through the trees lining the Mississippi River bottoms. You begin to wonder: Where am I? At the moment you start to think the directions are wrong and you consider turning back, you navigate a final…
Read MoreSpending holiday weekend gigging makes for delightful trip home for frog hunters
EWING, Mo. — About an hour before Bryce Cooper left his office on a Thursday afternoon, several of his co-workers became disinterested in their daily tasks and started chatting about their weekend plans. It didn’t take long before Cooper found himself sucked into the casual banter. While most of the conversation hinged on bar hopping…
Read MoreSpotting watersnake changes plan, but cannot ruin joy of day spent outdoors
TIMEWELL, Ill. — Elise Bethel jumped out of her dad’s truck and rushed toward the lake, bouncing past some wildflowers and chasing after a butterfly she’d never catch. Jack Bethel smiled. “It couldn’t have been a more perfect moment,” he said. While his daughter dashed after the yellow butterfly, Bethel and his 12-year-old son, Ethan,…
Read MoreShot of the day: American bison
Lone Elk Park in Saint Louis County, Mo., is one of the few areas in the Midwest where the American bison roams and park visitors can view them in close proximity. This photo was taken within 20 feet of the bison from inside a vehicle. Do you have a Shot of the Day you would…
Read MoreShot of the day: Snow goose looking for a watering hole
Do you have a Shot of the Day you would like to submit? Send it to Muddy River Sports Editor Matt Schuckman at mschuckman@muddyrivernews.com.
Read MoreShot of the day: Spring turkey season approaches
The Illinois spring turkey opens April 11 in the North Zone, which includes Adams, Brown, Hancock and Pike counties, and runs through May 12. The Missouri spring turkey season opens April 18 and runs through May 8. Do you have a Shot of the Day you would like to submit? Send it to Muddy River…
Read MoreShot of the day: Pelican swimming in Art Keller Marina
Time to prepare for fishing season is now, not when the weather warms up
FOWLER, Ill. — The hinges creak as Buster Elliott swings the wooden door open. “I better bring some WD-40 out here with me next time,” he said. “That sounds awful.” Sure, lubricating the hinges will help, but in zero degree weather, some creaking is expected. “Don’t be afraid of the cold,” Elliott said. “You’ll be…
Read MoreMDC naturalist reminds outdoorsmen ‘no need to rescue wildlife during wintertime’
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. — Missouri Department of Conservation naturalist Alex Homes said though the motivation may be sincere, “there’s no need to rescue wildlife during wintertime,” as each species knows how to endure Mother Nature. “They each have their own time-tested method of surviving,” he said. “The season is indeed difficult for some, but they…
Read MoreGrandson’s request to go fishing again is music to a grandfather’s ears
The water rippled and the 6-year-old sitting on the bow of the boat jumped. “Fish! Fish! Fish!” he screamed. His grandfather laughed. “Yep, that was a fish,” Bruce Robinson told his grandson, Briar. “And it’s going to happen again.” A moment later, on the opposite side of the boat, another fish hit the water’s surface…
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