Howard Meyerson
After more than 30 years in the outdoor writing business, you would think I'd know better.
Michigan filmmaker documents a year at the South Pole
Keith Reimink films on the polar plateau. The camera box is made from insulated blue foam that holds in heat. The heat source is a lead weight that was heated in a convection oven. It allowed for hours of filming. Courtesy photo.
By Howard Meyerson
Having seen a fair amount of Antarctic footage over the years, I was more than curious about Keith Reimink’s Film “No Horizon Any More: A Year Long Journey at the South Pole.” Reimink is a Zeeland-born born filmmaker who graduated from film school at New York University in 2002. The 77-minute documentary is his first film.
He is submitting it to film festivals around the country. If you get the chance, go see it. It provides a fascinating look at a different slice of life at the Pole.
Most other South Pole films revolve around some big outdoor adventure: trekking to the South Pole, setting a new speed record, living in a tent, surviving at 90 degrees below zero, or more scientific footage and historical documentaries.
Reimink’s slice of polar life focuses on the people who work there every day, those who cope with life cooped up in the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, a place were the sun never shines in the long, dark winter months. They are tested not only by harsh environmental conditions, but by the human-condition we all face inside ourselves when living in close proximity with others – some who we like, others that we don’t.
“I was determined to capture them on film and tell their story,” said Reimink. “What brings people to the South Pole. Why do they keep coming back?” Continue reading
Innovations at Outdoor Show Lineup This Season
Camping off the grid: A solar power package is now available for RoadTrek motohomes. Courtesy photo.
By Howard Meyerson
Innovation is one of the things I look for every year when the outdoor show season opens in Michigan. There are 13 shows on the lineup this year. They start next weekend in Novi with the Ultimate Fishing Show Detroit and wrap up at the end of March with the Ultimate Sport Show Grand Rapids (See the full calendar on next page).
The show season typically has something for everyone, and cool innovations can turn up at any of them.
Take, for instance, alternate energy technology. Solar panels and other power management technology has been around for decades. It long has been used by sailors to extend voyages and eliminate the need to plug-in every night to charge batteries.
But this year some of those ideas are trickling down to the RV industry, better known for bloated energy and fuel consumption. A promising new approach will debut at the Grand Rapids Camper Travel Show opening Jan. 17 at DeVos Place.
RoadTrek Motorhomes Inc., a Kitchener, Ontario-based manufacturer is introducing its E-Trek package, a propane-free and external generator-free system for running the refrigerator, hot and cold water, shower and stove.
It has no propane tanks to fill, less need to plug in each night, and no noisy, external generator to provide power when camping. The company bills its E-trek motorhome as environmentally friendly. It clearly is a step in that direction.
The E-trek package is available on the popular RoadTrek, Class B motorhome, which also can burn biodiesel fuel. It is a sharp-looking vehicle that uses recycled materials in its tables and countertops, too.
“It (the E-trek motorhome) has a solar panel on top and a combination generator alternator that will recharge the eight auxiliary batteries while you are driving,” said Mike Wilberham, the show manager. “You would otherwise typically have to plug in each night when you get to the campground.” Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Archery, Calendar of Shows, Camping, Fishing, Gear, Hiking, Hunting, Innovation, Motorhomes, Outdoor Shows, Paddling, Solar Power, Tree Climbers
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Magnificence in Nature: Common Loons
Common Loons mate for life. Photo by Gary J. Wege, USFWS
Lookin for a few good bears: Study tracks travel in southern Michigan
State wildlife officials want to know of black bears denning in southern Michigan. Photo: On the web
By Howard Meyerson
Dwayne Etter is looking for a few good bears – denned bears, that is. Now that it is winter he hopes to collar some. Black bears are moving into southern Michigan and Etter is tracking their whereabouts.
“We had four GPS-collared bear (this past year) and now we have zero,” said Etter, who conducts black bear research for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “If people find bear dens south of U.S. Route 10 they can call us and let us know.
“I had hoped to have 10-12 collared bear for the study by last summer. We’ve had nine over three years and one was road-killed right away. So we’ve had eight with collars and have good data on seven of them.”
Etter has been studying Michigan black bears, trying to learn more about their travel patterns and how they adapt to the southern Michigan landscape with its mixed forest and agricultural lands. That was the plan until his latest research subjects gave him the slip. Three of four bears managed to slip out of the collars. A fourth was found dead, but the cause has not yet been determined. Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Bears, Black Bear, DNR, GPS Collars, Nature, Southern Michigan, Wildlife
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Gov. Snyder appoints U.P. resident, JR Richardson as NRC chairman
JR Richardson is the new chairman for the state’s Natural Resources Commission. Courtesy photo.
By Howard Meyerson
The development of Michigan’s natural resource economy is a high priority for JR Richardson, the new chairman of the state’s Natural Resources Commission. But the Ontonagon resident thinks that shouldn’t happen without proper safeguards in place. Protecting them is even more important.
“Without a doubt protecting the state’s resources is the number one priority,” said Richardson, who was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder in December to chair the commission. He replaces outgoing chairman Tim Nichols, of Cadillac.
“Once that is secured we can look at what we have: timber harvests and mining and boating and bicycling,” said Richardson, a member of the NRC since 2007. Richardson is also chairman of the state’s Timber Advisory Council and the Citizens Advisory Committee for State Parks.
While Richardson’s appointment caught some by surprise, Erin McDonough, executive director for Michigan United Conservation Clubs, said he is a good choice. Richardson brings a science background and experience with commission governance to his position.
“He’s a good fit,” McDonough said. “He is passionate about the outdoors and he knows how to run meetings. He has always been a good convener of disparate interests with the goal of finding common ground to move forward.” Continue reading
Happy New Year!
I have no idea where this is, but it is a great photo of some place I’d like to visit. It was shot by Tait Trautman Photography and was found on the NRS Facebook page. You never know when you will need another wet-suit particularly if you get sloppy with champagne.
Making the cut: State officials set to implement salmon stocking reductions in 2013
Anglers fish for salmon just after dawn off Muskegon. Ports from Muskegon south will be watched closely once the state reduces salmon stocking in 2013. Photo: Howard Meyerson
By Howard Meyerson
ST. JOSEPH, MI — Russ Clark is among the many who say that salmon fishing was good on Lake Michigan last summer. But the 27-year veteran fishing charter Captain is worried — in particular about salmon fishing next fall.
Lake Michigan states are collectively moving ahead with a plan to cut Chinook salmon stocking by 50 percent in 2013, approximately 1.6 million fewer fish lakewide. The biggest cuts will come in Michigan waters where only 559,000 will be planted, approximately one million fewer than in recent years. The decision followed an extensive multi-state discussion with angling groups earlier this year about the need to reduce the number of predator fish because of the dwindling alewife forage base.
Michigan angling groups and charter fishing organizations recently were informed about where those cuts will take place; which ports and rivers will get fewer fish.
“I understand what the DNR is doing, but I don’t agree with them,” said Clark, owner of SeaHawk Charters in St. Joseph. “We had great fishing as a whole, but we had very tough fishing last fall.
“I wish they wouldn’t cut plants here. It’s going to be horrible.” Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Chinook Salmon, DNR, Fishing, Grand Haven, Holland, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, Muskegon, Salmon, Salmon Fishing, Saugatuck, St. Joseph, Stocking Cuts
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Happy Holidays All
An albino squirrel enjoying the season
The Outdoor Journal 