The Newsletter of the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association M.O.W.A.

MOWRITS

As most of you know, I was elected

president of the Michigan Outdoor Writers

Association a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks to all of you who voted for me,

although I suspect before my term is done I

might not be particularly grateful about it

anymore.

I served nine years on the MOWA board in

the late 1980s and the 1990s, starting

shortly after I joined the organization a few

years after I became Ken Peterson's successor

at The Flint Journal.

I had been working at The Journal since

1970 and had worked most of the major beats

at the paper, including covering Flint city

hall, county government, politics, urban

redevelopment, features and even for five

years, the paper's drama critic.

I also worked as the paper's special

projects writer, which was really an

investigative post. I did some major

investigations of corrupt politicians and

contractors, along with three major stories

about the Church of Scientology and the

Moonies.

For years, reporters were asked to state

their career goals were, and for years I

indicated I had an interest in succeeding

Peterson when he retired. For years, I was an

avid hunter, backpacker, canoe camper and

boater/sailor, so I was fairly familiar with

the beat even before the job opened up. When

the job opened up in 1985, I was overjoyed,

although the editor at the time didn't want

me to make it a full-time beat.

"If a local hunter comes in with a big

buck story, you can go talk to him," the

editor said. "Otherwise, we want you to stick

to investigations and your other beats."

I had the honor of being the outdoor writer

for my last 20 years at The Journal, along

with part-time work for six years after I

retired in 2005. I had a chance to go on

safari in South Africa twice, along with

several bird hunting trips in Iowa and a

successful muzzleloader hunt for a bull elk

Presidents Report INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Presidents Report – David V. Graham – MOWA President 1/2

Errington’s [Summer Meeting]—--Tom Pink 3-5

Adventures In Algoma – Tom Lounsbury 6/7/8

Merrill ‘Pete’ Petoskey 11

Dave Richey Memorial 11

MOWA 2013 Awards – Ron St. Germain - Chair 14 - 21

Post Summer Conclave I ssue

July 2013

Please see Presidents Column on page 2

By MOWA Pres. David V. Graham

David V. Graham, M.O.W.A. President, and his wife Susan on one of their African hunts David V. Graham photo:}:}

in the Colorado Rockies.

And of course I got a chance to do

stories about several major adventures

throughout Michigan, including an

overnight dog sled trip with my wife

Susan in the Upper Peninsula. Another

good story opportunity was a mid-winter

three-day canoe trip on the AuSable

River that required camping out in three

feet of snow.

Now as all of you know, daily newspaper

journalism in Michigan is a rare thing

any more, and there is no doubt that

digital media is the way of the future.

It appears that outdoor journalism is in

danger of fading away, at least in

newspapers.

That means MOWA has to change to

reflect the new realities, and board

chairman Bill Semion has already done

some major work in that area as the

previous president. I intend to follow

that up to ensure that our organization

does all it can to help our members adapt

to the new realities.

I would also like to see more of our

members join our MOWA Facebook page so

they can keep up with the nearly daily

news, photographs and humorous exchanges

of our members. We have about 70 members

in our organization and it is a shame

that only 30-some belong to our Facebook

page.

And I would also like to see more

members at our twice-a-year conferences

throughout the state. Not only are they

fun events that can generate paying

stories for our members, but they are a

good way to build fellowship among our

membership. Please consider making the

effort to go to a MOWA rendezvous once in

awhile.

Our winter meeting early next year

will be at Black Lake during the brief

annual sturgeon spearing season allowed

by the Department of Natural Resources.

We are also hoping to hold our

summer meeting on Isle Royale, but to be

candid that meeting may be in jeopardy

because lodge officials are reluctant to

give us a discount on lodging and food

because they have so many writers

visiting every year. We are working on

other ways to deal with the cost, but

plans may be still in flux for some time

yet.

David

Presidents Column – from page 1

Middle Right: A view of Errington's Wilderness Island lodge from the water. Bottom Right: Sault Ste Marie Ontario's Mayor Debbie Amaroso addresses MOWA at dinner.

Jeff Nedwick photos

Page 2

Above: MOWA member Bob Garner and his wife Beth. On 6/22/13, at the RAM Center, Bob was inducted into the Michigan Conservation Hall of Fame. Congratulations Bob. Brenda McCall Archambo photo

Page 3

Canada trip to Errington's Wilderness Island Resort

with Michigan Outdoor Writers Association, May 18-21, 2013

By Tom Pink

While MOWA meetings always provide great photo and story possibilities, the summer meeting

in Algoma Country was chock-full of such opportunities. I’ll bet that even black bear

expert Richard P. Smith likely came away from the event with some of the best black bear

images he’s ever taken, thanks to our hosts at Errington’s Resort and their pontoon boat

wildlife cruises. Strutting ruffed grouse at our feet provided MOWAns with spectacular

poses, and loons did everything but jump into the boats (with the other loons). The story

below, which was published in June in The Evening News, Sault, Mich., only touches the

surface of all of the story possibilities that the trip provided. – T. Pink

Reprinted with permission from the Evening News, Sault, Mich.

Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. -- Eastern U.P. residents are lucky to live in an area that has so

much to offer outside. With the St. Mary's River at our doorstep and inland lakes and

rivers in public forestland, one doesn't have to go far to find a place to have fun.

Because of our proximity to this abundance of natural resources, it's easy to understand

why we may stay close to home. That's been the case for me. I've found plenty to enjoy

close to town. However, many of us, fishermen and paddlers especially, are missing out if

we don't expand our horizons.

In May, the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association held its summer meeting north of Sault

Ste. Marie and got a taste of what's to discover in this region. The Algoma Kinniwabi

Travel Association -- Algoma Country -- treated MOWA to a great deal of what the region

has available, starting from the Canadian Bush Plane Heritage Center Museum downtown, to

Errington's Wilderness Island Resort on Lake Wabatongushi due north at the 206 mile marker

along the Algoma Central Railway.

Hostesses Carol Caputo, Heather Bot and crew at Algoma Country went all-out to show off

the region. We started with a tour at the Bush Plane museum and presentations on Atlantic

salmon by LSSU Aquatic Research Laboratory Manager Roger Greil and DNR Northern Lake Huron

Management Unit Supervisor Dave Borgeson, along with an exposition of a variety of the

area's natural attractions.

From that point, it was all new to guys like me who had never been north of Batchawana.

Over the years, I've heard stories from fishermen, especially ice fishermen, who load

snowmobiles on the train and fish on lakes where there are few other anglers. I had no

snowmobile on this trip, but I did bring my stand-up paddleboard, figuring it would be

ideal for checking out Lake Wabatongushi's wildlife. I hoped to slide a big pike across

the bow while fishing from it.

Please see Errington’s Page 4

At Erringtons’s this particular

loon was a bit of a ham and

provided some of us with a great

photo-op.

Jeff Nedwick photo

Errington’s From Page 3

Bringing a stand-up board to Lake Wabatongushi aboard the ACR was interesting. I was amused by the reactions from the ACR crew members, led by Mike Morrow, manager of ACR Passenger Marketing, as they loaded the board into the freight car. "Goin' surfin' are ya?" was the most-often-asked question. The crew took great care of my board. The train ride was a highlight. The passenger cars are comfortable and the view is incredible. The train seemingly clings to cliffs along the Agawa River canyon. At Montreal River, the view of Lake Superior is breathtaking. The trip took us between 7-8 hours, but I did not tire of looking out the window. At mile marker 206, resort owners Al and Doris Errington, their children Devin and Morgan -- who grew up at the resort their family has owned since the 1970s -- and their staff were on hand to take us down the lake. Errington's Resort says in its literature you will be "roughing it in velvet." It's no exaggeration. From the moment you step off the train -- or float plane -- everyone is exceedingly interested in making sure you enjoy your experience. Cedar-strip boats took us to the lodge and cabins, and the 18 ft. boats made by B. Giesler and Sons (gieslerboats.ca) in Powassan, Ont., are something any fisherman would enjoy. They are sturdy, not only pretty to admire, but functional. They're seaworthy and quieter

than aluminum boats. I would love to have one.

GOOD TIMES, DEAD AHEAD --

Errington's Wilderness Island Resort

as it looked off the bow of Tom Pink's

stand-up paddleboard. Tom Pink photo

Errington's is a treasure. The cabins are

immaculate, well-maintained, each heated by

an air-tight woodstove. A quick walk through

the woods takes you to the lodge to get your

meals and, yes, check your e-mail if you

must. I left my phone at home (and wondered

what time it was all day) but I did check

weather reports from my computer while in the

middle of nowhere.

You can cook your food in the cabins, or you

can go with the "American Plan," which

provides meals in the lodge, including shore

lunch with the fish you caught that morning.

The meals were outstanding, including chicken

stuffed with spinach, shrimp and walleye, to

fresh-caught fish and delicious "bannock,"

similar to Native American fry bread but with

sweet corn added.

If the train trip isn't billed as a wildlife

tour, the experience at Errington's is. The

ice left the lake three days before we

arrived, but the waterfowl were taking over.

Ducks, sandhill cranes, loons and Bonaparte's

gulls were staking out territory along the

shorelines. Ruffed grouse were drumming and

strutting at our feet! Bald eagles were

abundant. The lodge provides pontoon trips

around the lake each day, where visitors can

see bears and, if you're lucky, moose. We

were lucky.

We were lucky when it came to fish, too. With

the ice just leaving, walleye were just

finishing their spawning so it was tough

fishing, but we still caught all that we

wanted.

Catching the train home, I found myself

wondering why I'd waited more than 30 years

to take this trip. I hope to return soon.

More photos page 5

Page 4

Larry Harvey - Errington guide Tom Pink photo

Counter clockwise from above:

*Out the cabin window

*Tom Pink ‘boarding it’ [Jonathan Schechter

pic]

* MAKINGS OF SHORE LUNCH – Al Errington…a.k.a. ‘Shore Lunch Cook’

*Errington’s boat dock

* Walleye (or pickerel,as guide Larry Harvey and fellow Canadians often call them

*Have board, will travel. Pink's gear and box

lunch, courtesy of Errington's, wait to be

loaded on the Algoma Railway train that is

just arriving.

Tom Pink photos [except #2…Jon Schechter

photo]

Page 5

Larry Harvey, the intrepid guide

for Tom Pink and Tom Carney,

shows off the beginnings of a

shore lunch. All of the guides

put members on to fish, but

Larry was the only one that

found a moose for a couple lucky

travelers to watch. Tom Pink photo

At the March 2 board meeting

the board recommended

including a reminder in

MOWRITS that the deadline

for paying membership dues

has past and members who

haven't yet paid are at risk

of losing their membership

in MOWA.

Page 6

Adventures in Algoma Country

By Tom Lounsbury

There are only two ways to get to

Errington’s Wilderness Island, train or

plane. We went by train, the Algoma

Central Railway, and it is a nice relaxing

way to travel and about as scenic as you

can get. My traveling companions were

fellow members of the Michigan Outdoor

Writers Association (MOWA) and we were all

attending our summer conference being held

in northern Ontario, thanks to the great

assistance of the Algoma Kinniwabi Travel

Association.

The train took us deep into the

Chapleau Game preserve, and dropped us and

all of our gear off on the shore of

Wabatongushi Lake (basically in the middle

of nowhere), where several fishing boats

were waiting to transport us to the

island. Actually it is a pair of islands

connected by a bridge and entailing about

10 acres that hold the lodge and an array

of nicely built and uniquely secluded

cabins that are equipped with wood burning

stoves, flush toilets, hot showers and

very quaint gas lights. It was truly in a

wilderness setting yet with all the

comforts of home. Both my wife Ginny and I

loved everything about it.

The first thing I noticed when our

boat approached the island was that there

was still a small amount of snow near the

shore and our guide informed us that the

ice had just left the lake four days

before our arrival. That all worked for me

and I didn’t expect anything else that far

north in the middle of May. This wasn’t a

trip to the tropics and my instincts told

me that with the ice just leaving, that

the pike and walleyes the lake is well

known for just might be in a hungry and

scrappy mood. Ginny and I couldn’t wait to

dig out the fishing tackle and give it all

a whirl.

The wooden fishing boats used here are of

cedar strip construction and are light as

a feather in the water. Powered by Mercury

outboards, they performed admirably in the

big lake environment. The fishing turned

out to be, quite frankly, phenomenal. By

working lead jigs tipped with either

minnows or leeches next to the bottom and

you discovered right away that the fish

were in a feeding frenzy. Our first day of

fishing was in overcast but very

comfortable weather. The second day it

began to rain, which seemed to make the

fish even more hungry and willing to

strike. The fishing went from phenomenal

to even better yet.

On the first day, our guides provided a

shore lunch for us by cooking the fish

we caught over an open fire. Included in

the meal was bannock, the fry bread of

the far north country. I savored every

bit of the meal and heard nothing but

compliments to our guides from my MOWA

cohorts. We would have had a shore lunch

the next day as well, but a heavy

downpour dampened that opportunity. Our

main meals were done in the lodge and

when the camp cook’s title is actually

“chef”, well life in the wilderness just

doesn’t get any better than that (I

absolutely enjoyed the seafood stuffed

chicken).

Listening to loons singing continually

across the lake and seeing bald eagles

soaring about didn’t hurt a bit either.

The trilling sound of countless tree

frogs (peepers) that had just come out

from a long winter’s hibernation was a

lullaby that caused me to have very

restful nights.

The island also had a nice quantity of

ruffed grouse roaming around that were

about as wary as barnyard chickens. The

fact is the grouse were starting their

mating ritual which includes the males

doing their “drumming” routine with

their wings on a handy rock or stump.

See ‘Erringtons’ Page 7

MOWA

waiting

for the

wildernes

s train,

and well

worth the

wait

Tom

Lounsbury

pic

The "Minnow

Races" were a

MOWA highlight

on the last

evening at the

lodge

Tom Lounsbury pic

Errington’s from page 6 To avoid bear problems around the lodge and cabins, the Errington’s have created a

feeding area across the lake where they dump all their food scraps (called “Bear

Point”). Of course the bears are often waiting close by for a dependable meal. This does

give visitors an excellent opportunity for black bear viewing. I watched as Al Errington

and his daughter Morgan landed their boat on the beach and Morgan bailed out to confront

a somewhat territorial black bear with only a leaf rake in her hands. Morgan made swipes

along the ground with the rake and moved steadily in on the bear that performed nervous

yawns yet gave ground to Morgan’s advance, which allowed Al to safely unload the food

scraps. This is all a part of knowing black bears and how to communicate with them

without people or bears getting hurt. The rake obviously represents a very big “paw” the

bears automatically respect. Needless to say I was very impressed with the entire matter

and will probably consider having a leaf rake around on future wilderness excursions

(not to mention pepper spray and a stout firearm when allowed – I’m a tad more

conventional).

I had originally wanted to use my fly rod for pike and walleye fishing (Errington’s

Wilderness Island is well known for promoting fishing for these two species with a fly

rod) and a good friend had especially tied some pike/walleye flies for my Algoma Country

adventure, but due to the ice just being out, the fish were down way too deep to use a

fly rod. However, with the fish biting so well, I had absolutely no complaints at all on

whatever fishing tackle I used, trust me.

All too soon our wonderful sojourn to Errington’s Wilderness Island came to a

close. Saying goodbye to everyone involved there was like saying goodbye to family,

which says something about the atmosphere. I know for a fact Ginny and I plan on

returning.

For more information on Errington’s Wilderness Island go to

www.WildernessIsland.com and vacation@WildernessIsland.com or call (705) 884-2215.

For more information on what Algoma Country has to offer go to

www.algomacountry.com or call 1-800-263-2546.

Clockwise from top:

Mom and her kid. These black bears were as

curious as we were [Ginny Lounsbury photo]

16 year old Morgan Errington using a leaf

rake to back a black bear off

while her father Al Errington unloads food

scraps from the lodge. [Ginny Lounsbury photo]

Ginny Lounsbury really appreciated being able

to attend the MOWA get

together in the Canadian wilderness. Rainy

weather only enhanced a wonderful

experience. [Tom Lounsbury photo]

Page 7

Top Left: Richard P. Smith using his favorite black bear

calling technique...."Come

here bear, come here bear!!"

Top Center: According to Tom B. ‘you have to hold your tongue just right to get the perfect photo." (Actually he

was hamming it when he saw me photographing him….you know

MOWA folks).

Top right: Tom C. getting ready to go to "work".

Center Left: David Graham and Bill Semion with their first fish.

Left: MOWA President David Graham takes train travel through a scenic wilderness very seriously.‘You can only

wonder what he is dreaming about with such a "serene"

smile. Since we are traveling through the pristine

wilderness, it must be very wild, primitive….funny:}:}

Bottom Left: According to Bill Semion...the one that go away really was that big....

Bottom Center: Lodge owner Al Errington begins the boat burning ceremony on the beach to honor MOWA friends.

Bottom Right: The mantle at Errington's Wilderness Island Lodge says it all.”May the peace of the wilderness be with

you.”

All images on this page Tom ‘Rambo” Lounsbury photos

Page 8

Ed Note: Actually, I think

that David is smiling while

thinking,

‘Yeah…Rambo?…right”

Left: Illegal

minnow races at

the lodge

complete with

betting

Page 9

Big and Little Dave enjoy

some Kool-Aid on the train

Tom Buchkoe photos of the Errington’s Trip/meeting

Mowans enjoying a shore

lunch

Shore lunch

of fresh

fish

Traditional ‘boat burning’ at

Errington’s Lodge to welcome MOWA

members

Snuggling to keep warm are Big

Dave and Jonathan Ed note: He’s NOT a tree Jonathan:}:}

Right: Waiting

for the train

at milepost 206

Richard Smith supplied this quote from Tom Carney relating to Tom’s

thoughts about the recent trip to Algoma/Erringtons:

"I told my niece last night at dinner that I went there with the idea

that I wanted to get story material, have fun, and maybe catch some

fish, in that order. Got all three and the best part was I think I was

smiling or laughing the entire time, even in the downpour while

fishing!! I think that was the best MOWA meeting I've ever attended.

It's not like we slept in a nice motel, such as in Munising for example,

went off to the wilderness then came back to the nice motel. It was

wilderness and nature and the outdoors the entire time. What fun!"

MOWA member, Richard P. Smith is

understandably proud of winning this

years Harold ‘Opie’ Titus Award for

‘Best Published Book’ for his recently

released ‘Deer Hunting - 4th Edition’

[Pictured right]

In the picture to the left his wife,

Lucy J. La Faive captured Richard

proudly holding a copy of his award

winning book and his MOWA plaque awarded

to him this year for his achievement.

Richard’s books and DVD’s can be

purchased from his website:

www.richardpsmith.com or by calling

Smith Publications

906-225-1002

Upper left: Carol Caputo, our hostess with ‘Algoma Country’ (red shirt), seated on the train across from MOWA member Jonathan Schechter.

Upper right: MOWA member Tom Lounsbury and wife Ginny seated on the train to Errington's

Wilderness Resort as Dave Rose looks on in the background.

Richard P. Smith photos

Page 10

Far Left: SNOW!!! So this

is supposed to be a

"summer" conference?

Close left: One of several

scenic stops along Highway

17 between Sault Ste.

Marie and Wawa.

Jeff Nedwick photos

A nice tribute for an old friend of MOWA's...from the Montmorency

Tribune:

Merrill “Pete” Petoskey honored on 90th birthday Merrill “Pete” Petoskey of Lewiston was honored on his

90th birthday on last Monday as over 200 friends gathered

at Garland Golf Resort. The event included dinner,

beverages, a “toast and roast” and music for dancing. Jim

Hilgendorf served as master of ceremonies. A number of

former colleagues, friends and family members told stories

about their memories of Pete over the years.

Petoskey was Wildlife Chief of the Michigan Department of

Natural Resources in the 1970’s, and a wildlife biologist

graduate of Michigan State University. He worked in

conservation in many capacities, and provided leadership

in local, state and national boards of directors.

Donations given at the event went to endow a scholarship

in Petoskey’s name in the MSU School of Agriculture and

Natural Resources. Anyone wishing to add to those

donations may send a check made out to MSU to Raietta Ott,

CR 489, Lewiston, MI 49756.

June 25, 2013

Writer dedicated life to outdoors BY MICHAEL WALTON mwalton@record-eagle.com and BRIAN McGILLIVARY bmcgillivary@record-

eagle.com Traverse City Record-Eagle

TRAVERSE CITY — Dave Richey, a contributing writer for the Record-Eagle and longtime

hunting and fishing writer for the Detroit News, loved everything about the outdoors.

”That was his religion,” said his wife, Kay Richey. “That was his time with God.”

Dave Richey, a Grand Traverse County resident, died June 20 at age 73 following a

hemorrhage and stroke.

Dave Richey covered hunting and fishing for more than 23 years as a staff writer and

photographer for the Detroit News. He wrote an award-winning series that exposed the

illegal practice of poaching for profit during his tenure with the Detroit newspaper. He

retired from the News in 2003 but continued to work as a freelance writer. He wrote 22

books on fishing and hunting, and thousands of columns and articles for publications

like Field & Stream, Outdoor Life and Sports Afield.

Dave Richey’s writing career started in 1967, the same year he began working as a

fishing guide with his late twin brother George on Lake Michigan tributaries. His

lifelong love of outdoor sports started during his childhood, Kay Richey said. Dave

Richey suffered from severe asthma as a youth. The respiratory problem limited his

participation in many sports, so he turned to fishing.

Dave Richey joined the Outdoor Writers Association of America in 1968. The organization

honored him with numerous awards, including an Excellence in Craft Award and the Jade of

Chiefs Award in 2012, the highest conservation award given to outdoor writers.

Dave Leonhard, owner of Traverse City’s Streamside Orvis fly fishing shop, said he

admired Dave Richey’s work and read his columns for ideas about where to hunt and fish

in Michigan. “Anyone who read his columns engaged the outdoors more fully because they

read his columns,” Leonhard said.

Bob Summers, of Traverse City, hunted deer with Dave Richey on occasion. The two also

shared a love of outdoor books. Summers said Dave Richey, unlike some outdoors writers,

truly lived the life he documented in his work. “Dave really did get out and do it,”

Summers said.

Dave Richey is survived by Kay and his children Kimberley Richey, Stacey Richey, David

Richey and Guy Richey. His ashes will be spread on the Sturgeon River. “That is where he

and his brother caught their first steelhead,” Kay Richey said. Please see Richey page 12

Page 11

Jeff

Richey from page 11

Dave Richey wrote on his website he never promised “fast fishing or full bag limits” in his

columns and articles. “Frankly, I get skunked at times just like you do,” he wrote. “However,

even on those days when fish don’t bite, deer do not move and pheasants don’t fly, there is a

beauty in the outdoors to be savored and that is an important commodity to me.”

Page 12

Jim Low (right) presents the Jade of

Chiefs Award to Dave Richey in Alaska

in 2012, OWAA’s highest conservation

award.

Tom Ulrich photo

Roger Griel, Manager of

the Aquatic Research Lab

in Sault Ste. Marie,

Michigan, helps two Lake

Superior State

University students

check the status of

Atlantic Salmon fry. Jeff Nedwick photo

MOWA President Dave

Graham admires a

decommissioned bush

plane that was

previously used to

fight forest fires. The

tanks mounted atop the

pontoons were filled

with water by skimming

the surface of a lake. Jeff Nedwick photo

The staff at

Errington's treated

MOWAN's to a terrific

shore lunch.

Jeff Nedwick Photo

Left: This black bear was kept at bay by a garden

rake while food refuse was

deposited nearby.

Right: Jonathan Schechter recovers his cap from Lake

Wabatongushi, despite

numerous attempts by

Captain Al Errington to

sink it.

Jeff Nedwick photos

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Bill Semion 734-552-6872 or David Graham 810-659-4485 2013 MOWA Craft Awards Winners of the 2013 Michigan Outdoor Writers Association (MOWA) writing and photography awards were announced on the evening of May 20 during the organization’s summer meeting held in Ontario at Errington’s Wilderness Resort at mile marker 206 on the Algoma Railroad. Since craft awards chairman Ron St. Germain from Grand Ledge was unable to make the meeting, he recorded a hilarious DVD filled with entertaining skits to announce each category of winners. Most of the awards were given for articles and photos published in newspapers and magazines during 2012. Books written and/or published by members over a period of years were eligible for awards. All MOWA craft award categories are named for deceased members who made major contributions to the organization. Members of the Ohio Outdoor Writers Association did this year’s judging. The Cliff Ketcham Awards, for instance, were for the best newspaper and magazine articles about hunting and fishing. Ron St. Germain took first place in the newspaper division for an article in the March 2012 issue of Woods-N-Water News titled “Michigan Fishermen – You Think You Have it Bad?” Second place went to Bill Parker from Lake Orion for an article published in the September 2012 edition of Michigan Outdoor News, “Destination Alaska.” Third place went to Bill Semion from Plymouth for the article “Three Generations of Bass Fishing Greats Compete” in the February 2012 issue of Outdoor Guide Missouri. In the magazine category, Tom Carney from Belmont claimed first place with an article in the Winter 2012 edition of The Upland Almanac that was titled “Stepping Back and Forth in Time.” Second place went to Andy Duffy from Evart for an article in the March 2012 issue of The Cedar Sweeper titled “Winter Brookies.” Ron St. Germain also won a first place C. A. “Frenchy” Paquin Award in the newspaper division for an article in the July 2012 edition of Woods-N-Water News titled “Salmon Debate Has Fins Flaring.” Jonathan Schechter from Ortonville came in second with an article published in the March 25, 2012 edition of the Oakland Press titled “Why Are They Burning Parks in Oakland

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County.” Roger Beukema from Davisburg collected third place for an article in the August 22 edition of the Oakland Press, “Asian Carp Detected in Lake Erie.” The first place James Hall Award went to Jonathan Schechter for an article in the March 2012 issue of Woods-N-Water News that was headlined “Deadly Killers in Our Rivers.” Steve Griffin from Midland took second place for an article titled “New Access Site Caters to Kayaking Boom” that was published in the May 6 edition of the Midland Daily News. Tom Lounsbury from Cass City placed third for his article “Sweet Flavor of Spring” that was published in the March 17 edition of the Huron Daily Tribune. Jonathan Schechter took another first place in the James A.O. Crowe best newspaper column category for his column called “Oakland Outdoors” that is published in the Oakland Press. Steve Griffin came in second for his column “Midland Outdoors” in the Midland Daily News. Tom Pink from Sault Ste. Marie garnered third place for his “Outdoor Ramblings” column in Michigan Outdoor News. Ron St. Germain, who is also known as “Da Photo Dude,” won first place in the Gil Clark Best Color Photograph Category for a photo published in the April 2012 Woods-N-Water News of a chipmunk photographing St. Germain. Second place went to photographer Tom Buchkoe from Marquette for a dramatic image of a number of lightning bolts striking Lake Superior at the same time that was published on the cover of a phone book. Third place went to Bill Parker for an action shot of a German short-haired pointer on a hunt that was published in Michigan Outdoor News. The Harold “Opie” Titus best book award went to Richard P. Smith from Marquette for his 4th edition of Deer Hunting, a 448-page volume with almost 300 color photos, which was published by Stackpole Books during 2011. Bill Semion from Plymouth took second place in the book awards for the 7th edition of Fun With Family Michigan published by Globe Pequot, which includes hundreds of ideas for day trips with kids throughout the state in its 300 pages. Ron St. Germain’s self-published, 201-page book titled True Funny, Fish Stories and Only ONE Lie came in third. The funny fish stories book can be ordered for $18 postpaid from St. Germain at 7670 Jon Scott Dr., Grand Ledge, MI 48837. The other two winning titles can be ordered from bookstores or the publishers. Autographed copies of Smith’s book can also be ordered from his web site (www.richardpsmith.com). MOWA is one of the oldest organizations of outdoor communicators in the country. With a wealth of outdoor recreational opportunities in the state and millions of outdoor enthusiasts interested in learning about the outdoors, Michigan is a great place for MOWA members to practice their craft. Outdoor communicators interested in joining MOWA can get more information by going

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to the organization’s web site: www.miowa.org, or by contacting its membership chairman, Tom Buchkoe, at 906-226-3459, or President David Graham, 810-659-4485, or Board Chairman Bill Semion, 734-552-6872.

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Presented by Ron St. Germain – MOWA Awards Chair

James A. O. Crowe Award Jonathan Schechter

Irst Place

James A.O. Crowe Award Steven A. Griffin

2nd Place

See Page 16

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James A.O. Crowe Award Tom Pink

3rd Place

“Frenchy” Paquin Award Ron St. Germain

Irst Place

“Frenchy” Paquin Award Jonathan Schechter

2nd Place

See Page 17

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“Frenchy” Paquin Award Roger Beukema

3rd Place

Gil ClarkAward Ron St. Germain

Irst Place

Gil Clark Award Tom Buchkoe

2nd Place

See Page 18

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Gil Clark Award Bill Parker

3rd Place

James Hall Award Jonathan Schechter

1rst Place

James Hall Award Steven A. Griffin

2nd Place

See Page 19

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James Hall Award Tom Lounsbury

3rd Place

Cliff Ketcham Award Ron St. Germain

1rst Place

Cliff Ketcham Award Bill Parker

2nd Place

See Page 20

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Cliff Ketcham Award Bill Semion

3rd Place

Cliff Ketcham Award [mag] Thomas Carney

Irst Place

Cliff Ketcham Award [mag] Andy Duffy

2nd Place

See page 21

‘’

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Harold ‘Opie’ Titus Award Richard P. Smith

1rst Place

Harold ‘Opie” Titus Award Bill Semion

2nd Place

Harold ‘Opie’ Titus Award Ron St. Germain

3rd Place

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Left: Dave Borgeson:

Michigan DNR Fisheries

Biologist describes plans

for stocking Atlantic

salmon in several Lake

Huron locations.

Jeff Nedwick photo

Left: Bullwinkle J. Moose

was captured in a photo in

Canada by Jonathan

Schechter two days after

leaving Errington’s. Rocky

and Natasha were a bit more

elusive though and evaded

Jon’s lens.

Jonathan Schechter photo