Park Profile: Proud Lake Recreation Area

Every day we grind away at work, itching to get to the weekend so we can do something we love.  If you're reading this post then kayak fishing is one of the things you love and you can't wait to get on the water whenever possible. But when you can go kayak fishing, where do you go?  Do you fish in your normal haunts or do you try some place different? Maybe turn your fishing day trip into a kayak camping trip?  Possibly you try someplace where you can target some new species of fish.  No matter what you choose, you have to decide where you'd like to go fishing.

If you're in southeast Michigan, Proud Lake Recreation Area might just be the place you try out next.  With 104 acres of fishable water between upper and lower Proud lakes there are plenty of opportunities for you to land some fish.

Every spring the D.N.R. stocks brown and rainbow trout into the Huron river just below proud lake which draws quite a few anglers eager to catch a few trout on the fly.  Then there is the last Saturday in April which signals the opening of trout season and what some people call stock fest. This is the time when people can catch and keep the trout stocked in the Huron river and Proud lakes. This creates a unique fishing opportunity that only last a short time as anglers tend to fish the river out pretty quickly.  However, don't be dismayed because there are always a few big holdover trout hiding in the depths Proud Lake waiting to be tempted by a wayward crank bait or worm.

If trout fishing really isn't your thing or you just can't make it out to the park in time to enjoy the trout fishing madness, don't worry.  Upper and Lower Proud Lakes are filled with plenty of gamefish including: Largemouth Bass, Black Crappie, Northern Pike, Rock Bass, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Bluegill and Perch.

Not only that, throughout the year the park's 130 camp sites are available for you to get away from home. Especially as the temperatures cool and the and the bugs begin to die off, a fall comping trip is the perfect opportunity to sneak in some hunting as well.  The two lakes are surrounded by 4000 acres of marshes, meadows, bogs, pine plantations, and large expanses of natural forest more than half of which is open to hunting.  Every September small game season opens up the hunting opportunities for game like squirrels and rabbits. Then, October comes around bringing bowhunters into the park hoping for a chance at a whitetail deer. But that's not it, the park is home to wild turkeys, pheasants, and a few species of waterfowl, so check the hunting regulations before heading to Proud Lake to with a shotgun or bow in hand. 

If you're just looking to get your daily dose of outdoors then you might take some time to hike some of the parks 21 miles of trail system.  Walking isn't the only way to explore the beautiful scenery, horseback riding or mounting biking are great ways to increase your enjoyment.  Proud lake even host some very unique experiences year around like midnight lantern walks in winter, to see upcoming events you'll need to "like" the park facebook page.  The park has a very diverse habitat. This makes it an ideal place to bring a camera and binoculars for a little birdwatching.  

Finally, once the snow falls and winter arrives you can do a little cross country skiing or break out the snowmobiles to zoom along the 10 miles of snow mobile paths. 

For more information on Proud Lake Recreation Area: Click Here!

Quick Tips for Better Squirrel Hunting

 

Squirrel hunting, it's highly underrated and too much fun to ignore.  Whenever I mention it to any non-hunter the first thing the first thing they mention is how easy it must be to hunt squirrels.  Every time I hear this I can't help but giggle because their only opinion of squirrels and squirrel behavior comes from their views of the local squirrel digging through their trash or raiding the bird feeder.

Well if your idea of squirrels are the black and gold semi-tame trash bandits you see everyday in your neighborhood you are sadly mistaken of what truly wild squirrels are like.  First of all, squirrels that live in the woods are far more shy of people especially since they rarely see an actual person intruding on their woods.  On the occasions that they do see people they see us just like any other predator.  When they see a predator they run for the safety of their trees and clam up quick.  A few squirrels that were just barking and chasing each other around will disappear just as fast as you can snap a twig with your big clumsy boots.  However there are some things that will help you bag a few more bushy tails this small game season.

Listen Closely 
Sometimes the only way you'll locate the nefarious bushy tail is when they drop something from the trees.  So listen for falling branches and acorns.  While a squirrel may not make a sound when they've spotted you once they think they've out foxed you or that you've moved on they'll go back to feeding, albeit quietly.  So listen up for falling twigs and nuts.

SHH!  Be quiet
Think of squirrel hunting kind of like mini-deer hunting.  You can either sit and wait for them to move or you can do some stalking on the little guys.  Either way you have to be quiet especially if you're doing some calling and stalking.  One of the things I've done to aid me in my stalks is to ad some felt to my rubber boots to muffle the sounds of twigs underfoot.  Just because they're squirrels doesn't mean they're not smart enough to avoid predators and whether you like it or not you're a predator.

Don't look for squirrels
Early season can have you looking in trees loaded with leaves for squirrels that can use a large oak leaf as a hiding spot.  So one of the things I've learned is to don't look so hard for an actual squirrel but look for the moving branches that give away their movements.  That doesn't mean not look for actual squirrels it just means you have to be keyed in to the signs especially in early season when they are much harder to spot.

Start Barking
One of the things I've found fun and helpful when out bagging bushies is to call for them.  A couple of barks on a squirrel call will have squirrels barking back at you from all over the woods.  It's pretty cool especially if you have young hunters with you.  Have them start yipping away and they'll be excited from that  forward.  Also if you don't know what to do when you start calling take some time and listen to what the squirrels in your neighborhood are saying and mimic them.  But most all have fun with it.

Improve your odds with a PODS
Depending on your weapon of choice squirrel hunting is all about precision shooting.  So make sure you practice a lot before season starts.  Also to make it easier to hit a target as small as a squirrels head make sure you pack a bipod or monopod to get a solid rest.  This way once you've silently moved into position you won't have to waste time trying to settle the natural movement of your body so much to clear a good shot.   Remember a squirrel's head is not too much larger than a couple of quarters so you don't have much room for error so practice and bring a POD with you.

Look beyond your target
No matter what weapon you use to take your game you always have to think SAFETY FIRST.  This is just as true with squirrel hunting a .22 or .17 bullet can do just as much damage as a .45.  Make sure you're when you shooting at brush running squirrels be on the look out for hunters orange or other unwanted targets.  Also when you're aiming up in the air or on the ground at your target make sure you have a backstop.  If your aiming at a squirrel sunning itself and there is nothing but open air behind it, wait until you have a backstop.  After all bullets, buckshot and arrows are subject to gravity and must come down somewhere.


Hopefully I'll see you outdoors soon
Kwan