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Got an interesting outdoors video you’d like to share?
We’ll post the good ones on our site. We’re looking for fishing, hunting, or outdoors-related videos that spotlights Michiana outdoors activities.
It can be a clip of you fighting and playing a fish, your kids catching their first fish, a dramatic underwater scene, a fishing or hunting experience you’d like to share, or a monster buck strolling past your trail camera. If we think it’s of broad interest to our site visitors, we’ll post it and you’ll receive a lure packet or some other outdoors goodie.
All we ask is each one is filmed (or edited) in good taste (keep it PG – we have a lot of kids who visit our site), be no more than five minutes long (under 3 minutes is preferred), and provide a clear visual.
So, fire up those smart phone video apps, camcorders or GoPro cameras, or dig into your video files and let us share your Michiana Outdoors experience with others.
For uploading instructions, click here. You must first register (its free) to gain access to the video upload form.
By sending us your videos, you are granting us permission to edit your videos for website purposes and post them on our site.
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The proposed DNR access site on Eagle and Juno lakes took another step forward this week when Michigan officials met with the Ontwa Township Plan Commission to discuss its design concept.
The DNR will meet with the Cass County Road Commission next to discuss the concept, details on traffic flow on Eagle Lake Road and what it needs to do to meet Road Commission requirements.
Meanwhile, the Plan Commission provided a list of items it would like the DNR to consider in the final design before getting the township’s final approval.
(Click here for Commission’s complete document)
Those include coordination with the Cass County Road Commission for permits; signage for pedestrian and vehicle traffic; a traffic impact study; site maintenance; modern bathrooms tied to the township sanitary sewer system; Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) approvals; a buffer zone for residential areas; a drainage system; efforts to prevent spreading of invasive species; park amenities, shelters and pier/shore fishing areas.
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Some really good news is coming for Cass County, Michigan anglers.
Not only did Ontwa Township Zoning Board of Appeals vote down an attempt by lake residents to block the DNR’s new access on Eagle and Juno lakes, but the state moved forward with purchase plans of the 2.2 acres between the two bodies of water.
DNR Project Manager Paul Yauk said the purchase papers were signed the day after the ZBA vote and now await the closing.
The DNR must now present its conceptual development plan for approval to the Ontwa Planning Commission March 5 at 7 p.m.
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Bassmaster Classic prognosticators say Jonathon VanDam has too big of a hill to climb in the finals to win the 2014 Bassmaster Classic.
While experts predict the winner will come from the top seven anglers in the standings, eighth-place VanDam says you can’t rule him out.
“This place is insane and it could happen,” said JVD. “The opportunity is there for 30-pound-plus bag. I caught 7s and 8s on my places in practice, so I know they are there.”
While Jon sits a little over 8 pounds behind leader Edwin Evers, Uncle Kevin – one of the pre-tournament favorites – failed to make the 25-man cut to the finals. The elder VanDam finished 26th, less than a pound behind the final cut spot.
Jonathon boated 18 pounds, 10 ounces Saturday while Kevin had 17-2.
“Same ol’ story; I had the fish on but lost them,” Kevin offered. “I had one bass come off when it straightened the hook on my swim jig and lost another on a Red Eye Shad. I caught 15 keepers but couldn’t get the ones I needed.”
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JVD is 10th after first day of ClassicWhile all eyes were on Kalamazoo’s Kevin VanDam going into this week’s Bassmaster Classic, it was nephew Jonathon who appears to be the VanDam to watch after Friday’s first round.
At least for now.
Jonathon sacked 20 pounds, 11 ounces that included two 2 ½ pounders that he couldn’t cull out, good for 10th place. That left him less than 7 pounds behind leader Randall Tharp, a Floridian who once lived in Alabama and has a winning reputation on Lake Guntersville.
JVD could have done better, losing a 5 1/2 pounder at the boat and another 7 pounder later in the day.
“I caught two 5s right off the bat and then lost the two big ones near the end of the day,” said Jon. “Without losing those fish, I could have been right there with the leaders.”
Kevin also battled the lost-fish syndrome, losing more than a dozen keepers throughout the day.