New Date and Room for Our Meeting

To the Colonial Outdoorsmen:

We will meet on Wednesday for the next two weeks, this Wednesday and next, and then BEGINNING MAY 5TH WE WILL START MEETING ON TUESDAY NIGHTS.
The group that has been getting together decided to make the switch so that many of you that have been involved in other things at the church on Wednesday night would be able to participate with us.
So please mark your calendars for Tuesday May 5th. We will continue to meet in the Family center building. We will have a new room. It is # 218/219.

The Turkey Hunt - By Chris Crum

This morning I went to a spot where I had been successful in the past. I started walking in the woods at 5:30. I went too far and as I was trying to find the place I intended to set up, I decided that where I was standing didn’t look too bad. I figured if the birds were too far I would just move. The ground was all charred from a recent burn and it made me question my camouflage, but I was happy to have on my “usually too dark” jacket. There was plenty of time before daylight so I just got comfortable and waited for the break of day. As the little birds began to sound off I opened my eyes to find that it might be getting light enough for a tree call. After I did some light tree yelping a gobbler sounded off. Far enough to call to without being seen, but close enough for me to stay put. After a few gobbles a jake sounded off. The jake was much closer and after it got light I could see him in the tree. I was anxiously waiting for the big bird to pitch down to determine my next move. After my “long” wait the gobbler took flight toward the jake and landed up hill from his tree just out of my sight. I gave some calls to let him know where I was. The jake pitched off in the same location and then a third bird (I didn’t know was even around). After a few more calls I waited for them to show. The jake showed and the gobbler was chasing him. They both came into sight and looked my direction. After a look they both went back from where they came. I was thinking, “What happened?” “Did they see me?” “Did I scare them?” I called a few times out of desperation and debated on going after them. As I sat there contemplating the turkeys started to come back. The gobbler strutted again to be sure the jake knew who was boss and they started my way. There were a lot of saplings and branches near the ground and I was trying to keep an eye on them and the bird. That way, if he stopped I would know if I had a shot or not. He didn’t seem like he intended to stop. He was closing ground in a half strut walking position. At about 22 yards I didn’t see any saplings between us and he had come close enough. At the shot he dropped like a sac of potatoes. I ran over to claim my prize and thanked God for providing me with another great turkey this season. The other birds just stood there, looking. I had to run after them to chase them away. Dang, my heart was pounding. -Chris Crum 4/15/2009

Member Mike Hayes gives an Outdoors Report

Mike starts out with this verse:

Romans 1:20, "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse."

It's Spring again, that means it's time to knock the dust off the fishing and hunting gear and get out into the Lord's playground. Crappie are heading to the bank this time of year. They will hit about any small artificial spoons, minnow baits, spinners, jigs, flies, streamers, and live minnow is hard to beat.

This time of year, fish artificial baits slow and near the bottom. Live bait should be fished under a float. I fished Jordan two weeks ago and had good luck landing 17 nice Crappie ranging from one pound to three pounds. Fish were found ten to fifteen feet off the bank, three to five feet deep. I was fishing minnows under a slip float.

This time of year, cold fronts can push fish off the bank, so you might have to adjust your game plan due to the weather. With the Dogwoods blooming, look to the lake's head waters for the White Bass spawn. Water temperature is key to finding fish, and I look for water 58-64 degrees. The same artificial baits used to catch Crappie will work fine on White Bass.

Clouser Minnow type flies and streamers work well for flyfishing. Don't forget about the poor man's tarpon, the shad, they are in all your coastal rivers this time of year and are great fun on lite tackle and on the fly. Shad darts, trailed 6 to 10 inches behind a small spoon, work well on ultra light gear. Any type of bright shad fly will work well, but it must be weighted if fished on a floating flyline. I prefer a slow sinking flyline on a six weight flyrod with a fast action.


Largemouth Bass are leaving their deep winter holes in all our local lakes to spawn and will be heading to shallow water backbays and coves; look for water temps of 65 degrees to get things started. Small ponds warm earlier this time of year, so if you don't have a boat they can be a great place to find some quiet action. Largemouth will hit a variety of baits from soft plastics to hard baits. When asked what is the best bait to be using, I say the one you have the most confidence in.

Ed Strickland and myself were out on Harris this past week and had five fish from about 1.5 pounds up to one that weighted 7.5 pounds. It was a great day.

Turkey season starts April 11, through May 9, 2009. So cut that TV off and unplug that computer and get out into the Lord's playground. You will be truly blessed.

Mike has graciously offered to speak to anyone if you want to call him at 919-481-0331 for help on rigging and gear selection as he's happy to give anyone a hand. I'd take him up on it if I were you!