John and Terri's Deer Mounts

The three (3) deer pictured above reflect the quality of deer that we have been able to harvest in the past three (3) years from our deer hunting property.  The picture is somewhat misleading, as the floor mount deer is a little nicer in real life.  So stop in sometime and take a look for yourself.  Thanks to Bob Oliver of Oliver’s Taxidermy for doing our work for the past 25 years.  Your artistry is truly appreciated.

We are proud to say that we had a full field of 25 boats that not only included the traditional “hard core bass fishing” teams but teams consisting of husband and wife and father-son combination’s.  As a matter of fact, two (2) of the top (5) finishing teams were father-son teams.  This says a lot about the tournament fishing industry and the fact that gender and age make absolutely no difference in the end result.

This year the main sponsor, Indiana Beach, contributed $1,000.00 to the prize pool, up from $500 for the 2009 and 2010 event.  In addition to the added money, 100% of the entry money paid by the anglers was included in the payback as well.  This meant that the 1st place prize money was $1,700.00 which is not a bad pay day in anyone’s book!  We paid the top five (5) finishers and not only did each team receive prize money but a seasonal launch pass for the Indiana Beach Campground ramp.  The first place finishers also received a 3 day, 2 night stay at the Indiana Beach resort  AND…..each participant received four (4) POP passes to Indiana Beach to use during the 2011 season.  That is what I call a great prize package!

Following is the list of finishers for the 2011 tournament:

2011 IB Tourney Results

Some interesting facts about the 2010 weigh-in versus the 2011 weigh-in are:  In 2010, there were 8 limits of fish weighed in; a total of 60 fish were brought to the scales and 15 out of 25 teams weighed fish.

In 2011, there were 11 limits of fish weighed in; a total of 76 fish were brought to the scales and 17 out of 25 teams weighed fish.

In 2010 there were 124.66 lbs. of fish weighed and in 2011 there were 155.59 lbs of fish weighed in.  That’s a difference of 30.93 lbs.  Interesting, don’t you think?

Gordon, me and Scott working the IB tourney

Scott, John and Gordon working the IB tourney

One thing I DID NOT know about turkey hunting is the part of having to get up at 4 a.m. in the danged morning!  It’s never been a problem getting up for deer hunting but unless it’s opening weekend, we usually don’t have to get up quite as early.  But when the alarm went off at 4 a.m., my feet hit the floor and by the time Charlie got to the house at 4:15 a.m., I was ready to get to the woods.

In John’s usual style, he had to only go twice before he harvested a beautiful 21 lb. longbeard.  I call him the man with the golden trigger finger.  However, in my usual style, Charlie and I had to work for the bird that I was finally able to harvest.  Turkey hunting can be a lot like deer hunting – the longer the season progresses, the harder it can be to get the opportunity to harvest the the mature whitetail or longbeard that you’ve got your “sights” set on.

I got my turkey on Friday the 13th…..hum……Anyway, Charlie and I had enjoyed an early morning hike to where we were going to set up and when we stepped off the ridge to go down into a clearing, the mosquitoes were deafening and sounded like an army of buzz saws.  Fortunately, Charlie had the fore-site to bring along his thermo-cell mosquito repellent which was a dog gone good thing!  Without that battery operated gizmo, I doubt that we would have been able to stand the mosquitoes.  When we finally got settled to where we would be hunting, there was not a mosquito buzzing around us anywere.

Just as it was beginning to get lighter, Charlie whispered that there was a turkey roosted in the tree 25 yards in front of us.  And wouldn’t you know it, it ended up being a really nice longbeard that never presented himself for a shot opportunity.  Oh no, he was way too interested in some female turkey – typical, I say!  So when he and another longbeard went to chasing after the hen, I figured my chances were once again slipping away.

By this time, my backside was getting pretty darned sore – almost numb – and it was becoming more difficult to not move very much.  I’d already heard Charlie complain that his Dad moved way too much so I wasn’t about to have him complain about me!  The next thing I know, Charlie is telling me to get my gun up and do it sloooooowly……..try holding a heavy Mossberg 835 in a shooting position for what seems like an eternity and see if you don’t get tired!  UGH!!

We had two (2) birds coming up from my left side, obviously looking for the “Charlie hen”.  Charlie does a really good job of calling and I’m sure they were on the prowl.  The scene played out in front of us and just like they were following a script, they came off the ridge and headed up towards us.  Charlie was whispering my instructions, telling me to just relax and line up the bead sights on the barrel with the turkey’s head.  He whispered “When you are ready, put the beads on the head and pull the trigger.”  I did just that and pulled the trigger.  “Is he down?” I asked and Charlie shouted “Hell ya!”

It was an absolutely awesome hunt and I’d do it again, even if I do have to get up at 4 a.m.!  Pictured below are John & I with our respective birds.  Thanks again, Charlie.

Me and Charlie with my bird

John with his 21 lb. longbeard

Now, my only problem is figuring out when John does work!  With all the fishing and hunting he has plans for, I’m not sure when he’s available to help run the store!   The fact that I work 20-30 hours at the bank means SOMEONE has to cover when I’m not at the store.

Below is the picture that ran with the newspaper article announcing John’s retirement.  The article was very well done and John is very deserving of the credit that’s due.

John & Terri, owners, Twin Lakes Fish & Game

I don’t know about you guys, but I’ve had my fill of rain and high gas prices.  I feel like we’ve been hit with a double whammy but I feel very fortunate and blessed that we were spared the destruction that ravaged the south.  And while the soggy conditions and high flood waters have deterred the fishermen, it sure hasn’t slowed the turkey hunters.  Turkey season opened on Wed. and so far we’ve checked in 19 gobblers and that comes on the heels of having checked in 10 youth turkey hunters last weekend.  Not too bad for a part of the state that, not too many years ago, didn’t have much in the way of any kind of a turkey population.

Not only are the area woods seeing  turkey hunting action but word has it that the mushroom hunters are finding some success as well.  We’ve seen some results here at the store from mushroom hunters and of course have heard the stories.  One thing is for sure, whatever your activity in the world of mother nature, be sure you’ve donned a pair of good waterproof boots – you are going to need them!

Below are some pictures of area turkey hunters:

"Smilin" Andy Creighton with his 20 lb. gobbler

Jake Esposito and his 24-1/2 lb. turkey - Great job!

Shannon Mattix with a 24 lb. Gobbler

Matt Creighton and his "soggy" bird.

Blaine Mills with his 24 lb. bird

As you can see from the pictures below, it was a very successful boar hunt.  Both boys used their scoped muzzleloaders and Shannon was successful with his .357 handgun.  I’m sure all were thrilled with their respective trophies and it’s such a great testament to being outfitted properly for any kind of hunt.  Congratulations to all three!

Trey Mattix - Notice the Twin Lakes Fish & Game Hat!

Ty Mattix and his boar

Shannon Mattix with his handgun trophy.

However, not all is lost.  I did get the opportunity to harvest a nice mature doe and that’s just as thrilling to me as taking a nice buck.  To me it’s all about the hunt and this particular morning was no exception.  It was the last Saturday of Muzzleloader season, the air temperature was somewhere around the 7 degree mark (that’s being generous) and fortunately there wasn’t much wind which made it bearable as a treestand hunter.  I had watched deer filter in and out all morning, waiting for that elusive buck to wander by.  But when the sun was finally up in the sky, I had to marvel at how beautiful it was in the woods.  There had been an extremely heavy frost which had coated every limb, every weed and every treetop and created the illusion of sparkling diamonds.  The recent snowfall just added to the crisp and clean scenery.  I have always been very appreciative of the beauty that Mother Nature creates and this morning was no exception.  That’s part of the reason I enjoy deer hunting so much – I get to sit and watch the woods wake up in the early mornings and every time I marvel at the beauty of it all, hoping that others see what I get to see.

Below is me with my doe and John with his nice mainframe 8 pt. Buck.  In all we ended up with a buck and 4 does – not a bad season indeed.

My 2010 Muzzleloader Doe

John with his 8 Pt. Buck

12.08.10: Tis the season for Christmas buying!  If you are like me, you are most likely not very fond of the whole “shopping” thing and usually frequent businesses that are specialized and unique in some way.  I also like to get in and get out when it comes to Christmas shopping and that means shopping close to home.  I don’t really care that the item is not on sale or that I might have to have it ordered – it’s exactly what I want and I’m not about to drive all over creation trying to find it or be the first one in line to get the special price.  Who has time for that anyway!

We presently have a great selection of fishing reels for your holiday gift giving.  And of course that new reel needs to go on a new St. Croix Rod which we also have.  We have ice fishing supplies and lots of new tackle that I’m getting out daily.  If you don’t see something, just ask me….it’s probably still in a box in the back room but that doesn’t mean I won’t go looking for you.

We have a couple of the new Thompson Center 50 Caliber Impact muzzleloaders left in stock which are a great gift idea for the young hunter on your shopping list – just ask Trey Mattix about his!  It would also suit a lady hunter, as the stock can be shortened to accommodate smaller framed shooters.  And don’t forget all the accessories needed for muzzleloader shooting – we have the items needed to shoot.

Our gun rack is full with shotguns of various gauges, some new and some used; a new Henry Big Boy 44 Magnum rifle which is absolutely gorgeous; a Henry 22 lever action rifle, a couple of  H & R single shot rifles in a .357 and 44 Magnum and the list goes on.  If we don’t have it – no problem, we will order for you.  We have a couple of really great suppliers and I can usually find what you are looking for!

If you absolutely cannot find that special gift, think about giving a gift certificate.  The person receiving the gift certificate can use it for anything they want which is great for that “hard to buy for” person.  They can use it to buy a fishing or hunting license; to buy live bait or buy an item they’ve wanted but haven’t purchased yet.

To all of our customers, regular and new, thank you for supporting John & I and Twin Lakes Fish and Game.  It’s greatly appreciated and we look forward to a great 2011.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Twin Lakes Fish & Game.

T. Mattix with his Muzzleloader Buck

Congratulations to this young, upcoming hunter!

John & Terri

The deer firearms season is winding down and thus far, the total numbers are down slightly.  Not quite the mass harvest that some people were predicting….As a matter of fact, it’s been quite the opposite and I’m sure there are a variety of reasons that account for the lower than predicted numbers.  I won’t go into any of the reasons, as you all can draw your own conclusions but Mother Nature has not been overly kind, especially with warmer than normal temperatures and higher than normal wind speeds.  So, with that said, I, for one, am really looking forward to the muzzleloader season when the number of “hunters”  won’t be as great as during the firearms season and the weather should be more conducive to some good deer hunting.

Below are some pictures of successful “First Time” deer hunters:

Aaron Bunnell - He's such a cutie!

Lauren Hinshaw and her 1st Buck - Great Job!

Morgan VanMeter and his 1st Buck

Congratulations to all and again, Happy Thanksgiving!

John & Terri