January 2016 Archives - Page 3 of 6

The catfish graph shows all

Dieter Melhorn said the above graph represents 13-pound and larger catfish caught each year, depicted in different colors. […]

Berries like crabapples (above) and smilax are prime foods for grouse during the winter.

Grouse enjoy eating berries above all else, so hunters should keep a sharp eye out for them. Early in the season, grapes are a mainstay, but many types of berries remain edible all winter, even after a hard freeze. […]

Cast a soft-plastic shrimp far enough in front of a school of reds that it doesn’t spook them, then let them find it.

Learn your lessons for Charleston’s January redfish

Brian Cope

The schools of redfish you’ll see in January can literally number in the hundreds, and you’ll find out quickly that they like sticking close together. […]

Knowing the details of an established forest service trail can provide hunters with a good idea of where to go and how to get there.

Trail tips for grouse hunters

Mike Marsh

Foot access to good habitat is the most-important aspect of grouse hunting. A hunter who can’t walk the rugged terrain for several miles with relative ease is not going to flush many grouse. […]

A good pair of polarized sunglasses, like these worn by guide Garrett Lacy, makes seeing schools of reds much easier in January.

Checklist for January redfish

Brian Cope

Anglers who hit the water in January often say it’s easy to catch redfish, and for those with the right ingredients, it might be. Stock up with these key items, and it can be easy for you too. […]

Disking between rows of pines after prescribed winter burning will generate plenty of new growth and wildlife habitat.

Disk between rows of pines after prescribed burning

Jeff Burleson

On average, pine plantations comprise nearly 25 percent of the forested cover in the Carolinas. Since a quarter of those are in homogeneous stands with uniform rows, the rows left empty after thinning can be manipulated through disking or harrowing to create corridors of beneficial wildlife habitat. […]

Lindy Ammons’ setter, Clyde, wears a GPS tracking collar that helps Ammons keep track of him when he’s hunting grouse in heavy cover.

Grouse hunters keep track of dogs with GPS collars

Mike Marsh

Lindy Ammons is an old-school grouse hunter who believes in covering lots of ground, giving his setter, Clyde, his head so he can lead the hunt. Keeping up with the dog is just short of a foot race at a fast-walking pace, so another hunter needs to be in good shape to keep up with him.

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