PAGE 10 OUTDOOR NEWS OCTOBER 8, 2010

Shooting the refreshing that he wants to work with hunters. oldest male Packer and his colleagues lions can help recently published a scientific research paper in the journal maintain numbers Conservation Biology. In it, they By Bob Zink warned that trophy hunting in Contributing Writer Tanzania might not be sustain- here are many reasons to able under current conditions. be impressed with the The reason is more easily TKing of Beasts. Male lions understood after a review of can reach 10 feet in length lion biology. Lions are social (excluding the tail) and weigh animals and live in groups upwards of 550 pounds. They called prides. Prides usually can eat up to a third of their consist of several females and body weight in a single meal, two or more males. Dr. Craig Packer but require “only” about 15 Often the female contingent pounds of meat a day. Hunting each have a particular quota. does the majority of hunting, a trophy male lion requires a The lion kill in Tanzania has with the males coming in after meaty budget as hunts often The author photographed this white lion at a South African been the topic of a long-term the fact to take the “lion’s cost $30,000 to $50,000, exclud- breeding facility. This is not an albino but a rare South African research study by Dr. Craig share.” Being a male in a pride, ing the more mundane expens- color phase. White lions do not survive well in the wild because Packer, from our own Universi- however, is no easy task. Once es like airfare and taxidermy. they are highly visible, but they are bred in captivity and some- ty of Minnesota. Although Dr. males reach about four years of times used in hunts on high-fenced ranches. Photo courtesy of Bob Zink Some of the money is Packer is not a hunter, he age, they are at their competi- returned to the local people and respects those of us who are and tive best and look to become the injury or disease. makes no sense for a male that some to help keep preserves, hopes that his research is rele- dominant male of a pride. Most has just joined a pride to with the hunting concessions vant to the lion-hunting indus- prides, however, already have Upon taking over a pride, the “invest” in young that are not taking the majority (to be fair, try. males not keen to leave. Often new males actively seek out they also employ local people). there are fights to the death, and cubs sired by the previous his own genetic offspring. His sincere goal is the long- takeovers do occur. This is espe- males and kill them. They do The rule of nature is to get Although most African coun- term preservation of lions. We cially true if the newcomers are not eat them. But by killing the your own genes into the next tries are not open about the probably wouldn’t know half of in their prime and the other cubs they cause the females to generation. There is no reward number of lions killed, Tanzania what we do about lions without lions are older or in some way come into heat, and then they for being a nice guy (unless the is. The number of outfitters is his work, and given how much not as fit as they once were, e.g., will sire the next generation. It cubs in the pride were fathered public knowledge and they time he devotes to lions it is by a close relative, e.g., a broth- er). A male lion can’t count on being around for a long time and his prime years are limited. So, killing the cubs from the pre- vious males makes perfect evo- lutionary sense. A video of this killer lion behavior is available via www.outdoornews.com/links, but beware, it is not for the faint of heart. Under normal circumstances these takeovers are not neces- sarily a bad thing or all that fre- quent. Here, however, is where hunting might cause a problem, unlike in many other species. If the pride lions are shot by hunters, it provides more numerous openings for other males who then come into prides and kill the cubs. This sets the population back because it increases turnover of males in prides and the con- comitant killing of cubs, limit- ing the growth potential of the population. From the female’s perspective, this male behavior is not a wel- come event, as the cubs are their genetic offspring. Oftentimes, females will gang up on an infanticidal male and try to dri- ve him off. Although males are much larger than females, an angry group of lionesses is a force to be reckoned with. But, infanticidal males are often suc- cessful. Another video shows lionesses ganging up on a male: again, check it out via www.outdoornews.com/links. Now, hunters obviously have not been actively trying to undermine lion populations. But it turns out that one of the things about a male lion that gets him shot is his mane. Male lions that are 4 to 6 years old are those starting, on average, to have an impressive mane, and this goes a long way toward making them trophies. These are also prime males in prides. So, what’s a solution? Packer and his group urge hunters to concentrate on taking older males like those in the 6-plus- year-old category, because these are past their prime and are not as likely to be active in a pride. This will stabilize the popula- tion as there will be fewer infan- (See Zink Page 21) OCTOBER 8, 2010 OUTDOOR NEWS PAGE 21 Fishing & Hunting Report Waterfowl season starts with a few ducks and fewer hunters Big Six Statewide Sunrise/Sunset Date Rise a.m. Set p.m. ALEXANDRIA AREA LAKE MILLE LACS Oct. 08 7:19 6:41 Walleyes continue to hit minnows on the FISH & GAME A few walleyes are being caught on the weedlines of Lake Miltona during low-light Oct. 09 7:21 6:40 flats during the day, but the night bite has periods and in 30 feet during midday hours. CTIVIT Oct. 10 7:22 6:38 been more consistent on the mud with slip Walleyes also can be had with minnows on A TABLESY Oct. 11 7:23 6:36 bobbers and leeches in 23 to 28 feet of water. the weedlines of Lake Le Homme Dieu and Crankbaits also have produced walleyes at Lake Darling during the day. Northern pike Oct. 12 7:25 6:34 night on the shallow rocks, weedlines, and and bass are hitting crankbaits and spinner- Oct. 13 7:26 6:32 shoreline breaks. Perch are scattered on the baits on most lakes. Miltona is producing six- to 12-foot rocks and you need to work quite a few muskies as well. Duck hunting Oct. 14 7:27 6:31 through some small fish to put a mess of jum- reports have been very limited. Oct. 15 7:28 6:29 bos together. Muskie reports are limited and a few big pike have been caught accidentally Christopherson’s Bait and Tackle Oct. 16 7:30 6:27 on the mud. (320) 763-3255 Oct. 17 7:31 6:25 Terry’s Boat Harbor (320) 692-4430 ANNANDALE AREA www.terrysboatharbor.com Look for walleyes to hit minnows on Lake is kicking out a few walleyes in 10 to 14 RED LAKE LAKE OF THE WOODS Clearwater Lake in 12 to 16 feet and Cedar Lake in 22 to 25 feet. On Lake Sylvia and feet as well. Panfish action is slow, but bass If the wind allows anglers to get on the Walleyes, sauger, and a few jumbo perch French Lake, you’ll pull a few walleyes from seem to be active on most lakes. A few ducks lake, walleyes are being caught six to 10 feet are being taken in 23 to 32 feet of water in the shallows during the evening hours. Bass are being shot, but hunter numbers have along the south and east shorelines with a fat- front of Pine Island, outside of Lighthouse and northern pike remain active in the weeds been very limited. head minnow and spinner. Grouse hunters Gap, and in Zippel Bay on the south shore. of most lakes, while Lake John and Sylvia Swanson’s Bait and Tackle are finding good numbers of birds as more Fishing reports also are consistent at the have kicked out a few panfish in six to 10 feet. (218) 675-6176 leaves fall and bear hunters continue to Northwest Angle where muskies and north- Duck hunting reports have been limited, but report activity at their baits. ern pike are hitting bucktails in the weedy there is a lot of geese to be had. LAKE VERMILION bays and walleyes can be had around the Dr. Tackle Sports (218) 647-8657 Little Jim’s Bait (320) 274-5297 Walleyes are hitting a jig and minnow in 22 islands. The shiners have just started running to 36 feet and muskie action has been spotty. Mort’s Dock (218) 647-8128 www.littlejimssports.com in the Rainy River, so look for the walleyes to Archery hunters have done well and grouse start showing up in good numbers. Grouse ST. CLOUD/EDEN VALLEY AREA BATTLE LAKE hunting continues to improve as the foliage and duck hunting reports have been favor- drops. Most hunters seem pleasantly sur- Minnows are producing walleyes on Lake able. During the day, minnows are producing Koronis and Rice Lake in six to 15 feet early walleyes in 20 to 25 feet at Clitherall Lake, prised with the number of grouse they’re see- Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau and late in the day. Koronis also is producing Otter Tail Lake, and West Battle Lake. ing. (800) 382-FISH sunfish in six to eight feet. Look to Horseshoe Crankbaits will produce ‘eyes at night on Lake Vermilion Trading Company Lake, Becker Lake, and Cedar Island Lake LEECH LAKE these lakes in eight to 10 feet. Sucker min- (218) 666-6052 for sunfish in six to 12 feet. Pike can be had nows or spoons worked on the weedlines of lakevermiliontradingco.com The key to walleye success has been a jig with minnows on most lakes and a few crap- West Battle and Ottar Tail are turning pike. and minnow combination worked on the pies have started showing up suspended in Look to Clitherall, West Battle, and Fiske MANKATO AREA wind-driven points and shorelines. their traditional fall spots on Horseshoe and Lake for panfish in 12 to 20 feet. Muskies are Walleyes can be had with a jig and min- Depending on wind direction, that could be Rice. The duck opener offered mixed results hitting bucktails over 18 to 22 feet at West now on the shoreline of Lake Hanska and in Pine Point, Sand Point, Cedar Point, Goose with mallards, teal, and geese in most bags. Battle and lakes such as Stalker and Fiske are 10 to 14 feet at Madison Lake. A few walleyes Island, the Meadows, and the Hardwoods – if producing bass in 11 to 15 feet. Duck hunting and crappies can be had with minnows on Mike’s Bait and Tackle (320) 453-2248 the wind is hitting them. The bigger perch has been “fairly decent” but bird and hunter Lake Washington in seven to 12 feet. The also have bit best when the wind blows off SAUK CENTRE AREA numbers are down from last year. duck season started with poor results from Sand Point and the Narrows in seven to 10 nearly all hunting groups. Sunfish continue to be caught at Maple feet of water. Muskie action is slow, duck Ben’s Bait Shop (218) 864-5596 night. Muskies are being taken on large suck- Lake in six to eight feet. A jig and minnow is hunting reports have been relatively poor, er minnows and bobbers on Big Detroit in 12 The Bobber Shop (507) 625-8228 producing walleyes at Big Birch Lake in 16 to and grouse continue to be seen in good num- BEMIDJI AREA to 14 feet. Panfish are being caught on the ORTONVILLE AREA 30 feet during the day. On Lake Amelia, bers. Walleyes are hitting minnows during the weedlines of Severson Lake, Floyd Lake, you’ll hook walleyes during the day in 15 to The islands on the south end of Big Stone Reed’s Sporting Goods (218) 547-1505 day in 20 to 30 feet and at night in six to eight Sour Lake, and Little Detroit Lake. Duck 30 feet and at night in eight feet. The current feet at Lake Plantagenet, Lake Bemidji, and hunting reports have been pretty limited Lake have started kicking out bluegills in 10 areas of Sauk Lake, such as the Narrows LAKE MINNETONKA AREA Cass Lake. You’ll find plenty of perch in 10 to since there hasn’t been a lot of people chasing to 12 feet. Look for perch on Big Stone in 12 to Bridge, also have produced walleyes. 14 feet in the Hartford Beach and Grapevine A jig and plastic will produce bass in six to 12 feet at Plantagenet and Bemidji as well. them. Waterfowl hunters shot more geese than areas. The Minnesota River is producing eight feet of water and a slow-trolled sucker The cabbage beds on Little Bass Lake are ducks opening weekend. Quality Bait and Tackle (218) 844-2248 walleyes and northern pike for shore anglers. minnow and spinner will turn northern pike producing crappies and muskie reports There seems to be a few ducks around, but Fletcher’s Bait (320) 352-2155 in 15 feet on Lake Minnetonka. Muskies are remain poor. Most waterfowl hunting reports DULUTH AREA indicated few hunters and a handful of ring- there hasn’t been enough hunters out to being found on the shorelines out to the 10- Walleyes are hitting chubs at Island Lake STARBUCK AREA bills, mallards, geese, and teal in the bag. move them. foot weeds on Minnetonka as well. Fathead in 10 to 12 feet and at Boulder Lake in eight Grouse hunting remains a bright spot. A jig and minnow worked on the 12- to 16- minnows are producing walleyes as deep as to 10 feet. Salmon are moving into the rivers Bud’s Bait (320) 839-2480 foot points of Lake Minnewaska has pro- 30 feet of water during the day and in eight to Bluewater Outdoors such as the Lester, Sucker, and mouth of the PARK RAPIDS AREA duced walleyes and pike during the day. 10 feet during low-light periods in Wayzata (218) 444-BAIT (2248) French River and providing steady action. A During the evening, shallow-running Bay and Brown’s Bay. You’ll find suspended few crappies and sunfish are coming out of Look for walleyes on Fish Hook Lake to crankbaits have worked best on Minnewaska crappies over 20 feet of water at Medicine BLACKDUCK AREA Fish Lake in eight feet. Grouse hunting is hit a jig and minnow in six to 12 feet of water. along the five- to seven-foot bulrushes. You’ll Lake and Lake Sarah. There has been a few Crappies and sunfish are being caught in excellent and the leaves have really dropped Potato Lake and Long Lake started giving up find sunfish on the Glenwood end in 18 feet geese shot, but the ducks have been hard to 20 to 30 feet at Lake Pimushe and Turtle this week so it should only get better. Duck ‘eyes in eight to 12 feet via minnows. Hit straight out from the Lakeside Ballroom. find. River Lake. Walleyes are taking jigs and min- hunting has been poor and 14 moose have Long with large minnows for northern pike Lakes such as Emily, Pomme de Terre, and in six to 12 feet as well. Panfish reports are Wayzata Bait (952) 473-2227 nows in 10 to 14 feet at Island Lake and Gull been registered as of Tuesday morning. Mary also have produced walleyes in shal- limited, but the duck season started OK for Lake, while Blackduck Lake continues to Chalstrom’s Bait (218) 726-0094 low water. The duck opener was the poorest RAINY LAKE produce perch in 15 to 20 feet. Grouse hunt- the guys that hunted – there wasn’t a lot of in recent memory. Most groups had less than people out and grouse hunters continue to do Walleyes are being caught with minnows ing has been excellent and there are ducks EAST-CENTRAL MINN two birds in the bag. being shot, but hunter numbers appear well. on the reefs near the Brule and in the The local rivers continue to flow high mak- Minnewaska Bait and Tackle down. American Narrows in 34 to 38 feet of water. ing fishing opportunities on them pretty lim- Delaney’s (218) 732-4281 (320) 239-2239 The Rainy River is providing steady walleye Timberline Sports and Tackle ited. Crappies are being caught on minnows action as well. Look for northern pike on the (218) 835-4636 at Blue Lake in 14 feet. Duck hunters report- humps in Cranberry Bay and on the points ed a poor opening day, but Sunday was near Grindstone Island. Grouse hunting BRAINERD/NISSWA AREA slightly better. Archery hunters continue to Zink reports have been favorable and few ringbills Walleye fishing is consistent with min- register a decent number of antlerless deer. and mallards have been taken by duck nows on Gull Lake in 14 to 18 feet or 24 to 32 Tales and Trails Sport Shop (From Page 10) hunters. feet, at Pelican Lake in 28 feet or more, and at (763) 856-3985 Loon’s Nest (218) 286-5850 North Long Lake in 20 to 32 feet. Sucker min- ticides. Although older males start to lose some of their mane, nows or crankbaits are producing pike on EMILY AREA they’re still pretty impressive. LAKE WINNIBIGOSHISH most lakes in 14 to 16 feet. Panfish reports are Crappies have started hitting tubes and Pitch or drift a jig and minnow combina- limited, but bass action is strong on the weed- minnows in 12 to 15 feet on Lake Washburn. But, there are complications. It is not easy in the field to deter- tion in six to 10 feet off Raven’s Point, Little lines of Gull, Pelican, and Lake Hubert. There’s an evening walleye bite on Molten mine the age of a male lion, especially under hunting conditions Stoney Point, Mallard Point, and Sugar Point S & W Bait & Guide Service/Nisswa Lake in 15 to 18 feet with shiner minnows. where a quick decision might have to be made (and we are all for walleyes – if the wind is hitting them. The Guide League (218) 829-7010 Look for northern pike to be hitting spoons in bigger perch continue to be found along the six to eight feet on Lake Esquagamah and aware of the phenomenon of field shrinkage). There are several shoreline breaks in four to eight feet and CROSBY AREA Wood’s Bay on Roosevelt Lake is kicking out ways to determine a male’s age but none are fool-proof. For exam- you’ll find northern pike on any remaining Trolling big crankbaits or casting bucktails largemouth bass in eight to 10 feet. The duck ple, the spots on a male’s nose can serve as an age indicator but it’s weeds. along the trees has produced good-sized opener went well, but it has been slow since northern pike on the pits such as Pennington, then. With the leaves dropping, grouse hunt- not perfect. Dark markings on the back of the legs indicate a breed- Nodak Lodge (218) 665-2226 Sagamore, and Portsmouth. Farm Island ing has started to improve. ing-condition male. The mane itself is also not a perfect indicator of Lake, Rabbit Lake, and the Mississippi Redding Sports and Spirits age. In general, the mane gets bigger and darker (in Tanzania) with Twin Cities Metro River have produced walleyes via redtails, as (218) 763-2191 has Serpent Lake and Bay Lake in 24 to 35 age but there is variation. feet. Look for bluegills in four to eight feet FARIBAULT AREA Packer and colleagues have developed a guide for potential NORTHEAST METRO and crappies suspended over deep water on Anglers fishing from shore and in boats most lakes. Bass and pike action remains Cannon Lake hunters for aging lions that is freely available by linking at Leadcore and Rapalas are producing along County Road 12 on are strong on Bay, Horseshoe Lake, the Crooked Lake walleyes in the Afton area of the St. Croix catching walleyes on minnows. Look to www.outdoornews.com/links. However, although they state that Chain, and Rabbit with spinnerbaits. Trout Mazaska River in 15 to 25 feet. Anglers fishing from for sunfish and crappies in 10 to 12 it’s a practical guide, it’s over 40 pages long and requires a fair bit action has picked up by trolling cowbells on feet. Circle Lake is kicking out panfish, shore at Lake Peltier are catching crappies the Pennington Chain. Muskie action is slow, of study, and might not work easily as a field guide. Packer told me and you’ll find sunfish and crappies in six to northern pike, and an occasional walleye in duck hunting has been mostly poor, and a eight to 10 feet. Look to French Lake with 10 feet at Big Carnelian Lake. Muskie action few grouse are being taken. they’re working on a short version that hunters can more easily remains consistent with topwater baits and bucktails for muskies and the duck season study and take afield. bucktails in shallow water at Forest Lake and Oars ‘n Mine Bait and Tackle started very slow. Bald Eagle Lake. Duck hunting reports have (218) 546-6912 Nagel’s Live Bait (507) 334-8341 Lastly, although I have no real knowledge, I imagine that after been very poor during the first few days of CROSS LAKE AREA paying $50,000 for a lion hunt, there’s some pressure to harvest one. the season. GRAND MARAIS AREA Walleyes are hitting a jig and minnow in 24 A few walleyes can be had with a jig and If a really old male doesn’t present itself, perhaps a younger one Blue Ribbon Bait & Tackle to 36 feet throughout the Whitefish Chain. minnow in 50 feet at Lake Saganaga and will do. Plus, if hunters heed Packer’s warnings, it means that there (651) 777-2421 Anglers are using sucker minnows on the Seagull Lake. Salmon and lake trout are will be fewer males to hunt, at least at first until a relatively large WEST METRO weedlines of most lakes and finding plenty of being found at the mouths of the rivers such pike. Plastics will produce bass on the weed- as the Cascade, Poplar, and Temperance. number of post-prime males are available. Crankbaits and sucker minnows worked lines and crappies are being found suspend- along the weedlines of Pierson Lake and Crawlers continue to produce rainbow trout ed over 16 to 20 feet at Fox Lake and Mission Kimball Lake Unlike whitetails that can keep the population going despite Lake Auburn have turned northern pike. in 18 to 23 feet at and in 22 to Lake. Duck, grouse, and deer hunters have 25 feet at Leo Lake. Grouse hunting remains removal of older males, (because young bucks can be successful) the Walleye and panfish action is slow, but you offered very few reports this week. will hook some good-sized bass with plastics excellent, duck numbers are low, and 17 infanticidal nature of lion society means a more complicated man- in the weeds on Whaletail Lake. Waterfowl Crosslake Holiday Sports (218) 692-2708 moose had been registered by Tuesday morn- ing. agement plan is needed to sustain the sport, one that will require hunters are shooting more geese than ducks DETROIT LAKES buy-in by hunters and guides alike. But it seems clear from Packer’s and a few deer continue to be registered by Walleyes continue to hit minnows on Big Buck’s Hardware (218) 387-2280 archery hunters. research, if they don’t, the industry will probably self-destruct. Detroit Lake, Lake Sallie, Lake Melissa, Big HACKENSACK AREA Cormorant Lake, and Pelican Lake in 25 to Cabin Fever Sports (952) 443-2022 A slow-presented minnow and live-bait Editor’s note: The author is a professor at the University of Minnesota’s 30 feet. Start looking for these fish to move rig is turning walleyes at Woman Lake and shallower and there is some fish already Department of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior, and the Breckenridge Birch Lake in 12 feet or less. Pine Mountain being taken on crankbaits in the shallows at Chair in Ornithology at the Bell Museum of Natural History.