Hey guys. I'll be heading up to school at Michigan Tech this fall, and will be bringing some of my hunting gear with me. I know that the campus has an archery range, and I will be using that whenever I get the chance, but I was wondering if there are any other archery ranges or clubs in the area? It would be nice to find some other trad shooters, although hopefully I can find one or two at school. Also, and this may be over stepping a line here, but is there anyone familiar with that area that may be able to point me in the direction of some public land that would be easy enough for me to drive to and hunt some weekend? I know lots of guys don't want to share that type of information, and I'll admit to being a bit secretive about some of my spots as well, but anything that you guys are willing to share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
There is an archery club in Gould city which is a bit south of you. They put on a real nice shoot the first full weekend in Sept.
That sounds interesting. Maybe I could find a couple of guys who want to go down to that if we have time. Is it trad only or is everyone welcome? I don't have a problem either way.
The club is called, East Central Upper Peninsula Archers Association. The shoot is the weekend after Labor Day. It is traditional only. They are a small club with a nice course and newer club house. They also have a sat afternoon shoot where only the old solid fiberglas bows are allowed. That is a hoot to shoot using those old bows.
I graduated from MTU 34 years ago so any info I have is outdated I am sure. Its beautiful country, lots of outdoor opportunities up there. You used to be able to find true wilderness experiences, but with the advent of quads and side by sides, you probably will have to work harder at that. The fishing is great, snowshoe rabbit and partridge hunting were real good, lots of bear if you can get a permit, not a lot of deer. Work hard on classwork during the week so you can spend your weekends in the bush and you will love it. Don't get caught up in the drinking culture that is there or you will miss a great opportunity in the outdoors.
Steve at Northern Mist can probably help you out a lot with what is going on up there and give general direction on areas to hunt. He is in Ishpeming, about 80 miles from Houghton.
Thanks for the tips. I'm not a real rowdy person so I won't have any trouble avoiding the parties and all that. I think my job has helped me avoid the whole drinking thing because after picking up everyone else's sticky, smelly beer cans at our golf course every day, it really doesn't seem too appealing. I've never done much bird or rabbit hunting, but I know one of my roommates is really into it so I'm excited to give it a try. Thought about a bear permit but I don't think I would have enough time to run baits and what not. I'm looking forward to whatever opportunities I come across. Obviously I'm there for school and I have to keep that first and foremost but being able to go outdoors and do stuff will sure be nice to relax and unwind from studying and stuff. Made up a bunch of stumping arrows to take up as well.
John, both of those shoots sound like a lot of fun. I don't have any all fiberglass bows, so I wouldn't be able to do the one, but the other would be great. If I could find another person or two to split gas money with and there isn't anything going on that weekend, maybe I can make it.
I believe Northern Mist is now down south somewhere. I want to say Alabama but maybe that's wrong.
Hey Trenton, there is a lot of National Forest, and paper company land available in Houghton county, get yourself a county map book that show you all the roads and seasonal roads, and start exploring. If you want to get away from all the atv's check out the Sturgeon River Gorge Wildlife area, foot travel only allowed there. I have spent many years hunting there and the surrounding areas with my Dad and brother. My Dad passed in 2015 and that was the last year my brother and I hunted there, we left a few of his ashes in one of his favorite spots. The deer were few and the wolves were many that year, but have heard the wolf population in down and the deer population is rebounding, we are planning on getting back up there again. Once you have hunted and experienced the "big woods" you'll be hooked, there is nothing else like it!!! I have had so many great experiences and seen so many different sights it still truly amazes me. Happy hunting and exploring, make sure you have a good compass, and gps, and head out!!! If you have any question shoot me a pm.
Jason
I've spent a lot of time wandering the hills of the copper country North of Calumet. There is a lot of land up there enrolled in as Commercial Forest land, so it is opened to hunting. I've hunted near the town of Mowhawk, and up near lake Medora. Also over by lake Gratiot. During the bow season look for the Red Oaks that are producing acorns, or look for apple trees that have fruit. My son graduated from Tech in 2006. There aren't a lot of deer there, but there are some big ones! Look for a plat book, they probably have one at the university. It combines Houghton and Keweenaw counties, and will show private, pubic as well as commercial forest lands.
Love Da Yoop.
Sounds like a great place to go to school, I'd love to hunt the UP someday.
Grab a plat book at the courthouse as suggested. We still cannot Hunt does (its open for does down by Esky) as our herd is still recovering.
Best advice I can give you is to try to get with some other students who are from the U.P. You might get lucky and be invited to a Yooper hunting camp.
Quote from: last arrow on August 22, 2018, 04:27:34 PM
I graduated from MTU 34 years ago so any info I have is outdated I am sure....Don't get caught up in the drinking culture that is there or you will miss a great opportunity in the outdoors.
I started up there about that time. Got caught up in "the culture". Had a great time but could've been a little more selective with some of my choices.
Quote from: last arrow on August 22, 2018, 04:27:34 PMSteve at Northern Mist can probably help you out a lot with what is going on up there and give general direction on areas to hunt. He is in Ishpeming, about 80 miles from Houghton.
Steve's moved to Alabama but, I'm sure he'd be willing to teach you what he knows.
Lots of good bird, bunny and bear hunting up there. Great fishing as well. I have plenty of friends that frequent the Copper Country and many that still live there. When I think of da Yoo Pee, I can only think "there's no place like home".
Not much help but enjoyable to reminisce.
homebru
Thanks guys, I'll definitely get a plat book, or at least print some maps off online. Also have the number of a local DNR officer who said he would be willing to point me in the right direction. Already met several other people here who bowhunt. So far nobody that shoots trad, but that doesn't matter to me as long as they're good guys. Hopefully I can find some decent deer hunting this year. I saw a quote on the wall that said "Sleep more than you study, study more than you party, and party as much as you possibly can." I think I'll try and substitute hunt for party.
Quote from: Homebru on August 24, 2018, 10:20:26 PM
Quote from: last arrow on August 22, 2018, 04:27:34 PM
I graduated from MTU 34 years ago so any info I have is outdated I am sure....Don't get caught up in the drinking culture that is there or you will miss a great opportunity in the outdoors.
I started up there about that time. Got caught up in "the culture". Had a great time but could've been a little more selective with some of my choices.
Quote from: last arrow on August 22, 2018, 04:27:34 PMSteve at Northern Mist can probably help you out a lot with what is going on up there and give general direction on areas to hunt. He is in Ishpeming, about 80 miles from Houghton.
Steve's moved to Alabama but, I'm sure he'd be willing to teach you what he knows.
Lots of good bird, bunny and bear hunting up there. Great fishing as well. I have plenty of friends that frequent the Copper Country and many that still live there. When I think of da Yoo Pee, I can only think "there's no place like home".
Not much help but enjoyable to reminisce.
homebru
Spent five years in eastern UP (Cedarville-Hessel area) and hunted in Iron Mountain (western UP)
I can affirm the whitetail hunting is great. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been busy altering the kill takes. They are busy managing the herd for the future.
I grew up in Ontonagon and hunted a lot in the Porcupine Mountains state Park with my dad. We used to get up along the edges of the ski runs where the deer came out to browse the edges.
Look for country that has been heavily logged about five years previous.
I use to live in Iron County and have a camp up in Baraga. Truly love it up there and someday hope to return permanently. To me there is nothing like hunting in the bigwoods, the sound that dark makes. The snow fallen on the trees, the distant call of a timber wolf just gets my blood flowing like nothing else . I can be alone but not feel alone there. Yep I miss the ol girl. Can't wait to get back this hunting season.
You will be overwhelmed with the hunting and fishing opportunities. Lived in UP, Iron Mt. area for six years. Now live on Lake Superior south shore in Wisconsin,not far from you. Some advice hunt hard early in seasons because you will be snowed out of many places as season goes on. Check with DNR on hunting trails, deer will feed on them.
Have a great college experience. I was up in that area a couple years ago on summer vacation. Beautiful country. Catch a Michigan Tech football game this fall and watch a very good red shirt freshman running back Jared Smith. I can't give any hunting advise, I'm just a TROLL from the central lower peninsula. :archer:
It certainly is a beautiful area up here. Spent some time driving around yesterday looking for public that looked huntable. I found a piece that looks really nice, but is surrounded by private and does not seem accessible. Was considering asking one of the land owners around if they would be willing to let me walk through their field to get to the property, but I figured lots of people up here hunt and that's probably a pretty touchy subject. I figure the worse they can do is say no. Would you guys suggest calling over the phone or talking to them in person? Saw one farm for sale that looked really nice, and figured if he's selling maybe he would be willing to lease it or something.
I would ask in person. As you said, worse they could say is no. Tell the person your intentions and thank them even if they say no. If they say yes, stop back around the holidays and thank them again with a gift (cookies or venison sticks eect.). It worked for me when I was looking for land to pheasant hunt on.
Quote from: Trenton G. on August 30, 2018, 10:07:35 AM
It certainly is a beautiful area up here. Spent some time driving around yesterday looking for public that looked huntable. I found a piece that looks really nice, but is surrounded by private and does not seem accessible. Was considering asking one of the land owners around if they would be willing to let me walk through their field to get to the property, but I figured lots of people up here hunt and that's probably a pretty touchy subject. I figure the worse they can do is say no. Would you guys suggest calling over the phone or talking to them in person? Saw one farm for sale that looked really nice, and figured if he's selling maybe he would be willing to lease it or something.
Trenton, we are a very unique people up here. You will see that very soon. ALWAYS ask in person. Yes hunting up here is a lifestyle, not a hobby. Asking to walk through property or for permission to hunt is never a touchy subject. Just be honest and yourself.
Alright I'll make sure to ask in person. Any particular things should mention or should avoid? Would mentioning things such as I'm a student at the college or that I hunt with a traditional bow be good or bad things to say? I've never really had to ask permission for this sort of thing and certainly don't want to say something to upset someone.
Just be honest. Most folks love our universities, and are proud of them so I can't see a problem (unless they are a wildcat fan) there. I think explaining that you use a very short range traditional bow could potentially be an advantage. If you're lucky, maybe an offer of an exchange of services (yard work etc.) could work.
Pretty much what Yooper has said, be yourself, and be honest. If possible spend time getting to know the land owner, and let them get to know you. If you have time on the weekends stop in for a cup of coffee and just spend time talking about anything and everything, don't just make it about hunting. I had a spot to bow hunt here in central LP that I had to plan on an extra 30-45 minutes before and after my hunts just to sit and talk with the land owner. He has since passed and I can no longer hunt that spot. Good luck and happy hunting, keep us posted on how things go for you.
Jason
There is tons of paper company CFR lands in eastern Baraga county and western Marquette county that is open to hunting by everyone. Try going up the Peshekee Grade, county road 607 north of Champion, and check out the McCormick wilderness area, which prohibits motorized vehicles. Lots of bears in the area, altho deer are few. You will probably also see moose, altho they're protected. Beautiful, wild, mountainess country with lots of lakes and small trout streams.
I'll check it out. That is the area near Wildcat Canyon right? I've hiked in there a bit and seen lots of moose sign, although no moose. I did run into a guy who said he was looking for Dire Wolves though. Not what I expected to find. Saw lots of bear sign too but again didn't get to see any actual bears. It was a really neat area, and I know my aunt and uncle went back in the fall and saw a moose. Seeing a moose up here is still up near the top of my list. I've seen them out west, but never here.
The Peshekee Grade is where the original two moose plantings took place. The grade was paved for exactly that reason. For late season hunting, look for where active logging is taking place, as the loggers will keep the trails open and plowed. They even ice them later in the year to facilitate hauling the cut timber. Wherever there has been recent cutting the deer will yard up temporarily to browse the cut tops left behind. Just beware that snow can come suddenly and heavily and you can get snowed in if not careful. But that's part of the charm of that remote area.
I love the U.P. Deer numbers are rarely like Southern Michigan but hunting the big woods is my cup of tea. Patience and hard scouting usually pay off.
^^^And the Whisper gets to hunt it's native land! :thumbsup:
Shrewhaven in da U P, a time and place to kick back and relax
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/shrewhaven-2017-13.jpg)
And for those that get out and hunt instead of sleeping in the cabin.... this nice little 8 pt was taken last year
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/shrewhaven-2017-11.jpg)
OK tell me again how you got that buck
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/shrewhaven-2017-9.jpg)
Boy that Reminds me of camp in Maine 30 years ago. I really love and miss the Big Woods.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hello the camp....fresh meat comin in.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Camp_09%205.JPG)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Camp_09%206.JPG)
Great pictures Mr. LaClair! That looks like fun. I remember seeing the segment on 906 Outdoors Discovering where they went to your camp. I really enjoyed it.
Still been looking around for spots that look promising. I've found a few more areas that I'd like to look at if I get the chance. Sounds like this week is going to be really busy so unfortunately it may not happen for a little while.
QuoteI remember seeing the segment on 906 Outdoors Discovering where they went to your camp. I really enjoyed it.
This was 5 years ago...doesn't seem like it
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C5sIKWBjoY
"It's da second week a deer camp, n all da guys are here"........ya can just hear it, can't cha? :biglaugh:
I always love the pics and stories about deer camp in the Yoop. Thanks Ron and everyone who shares them. Can't wait to get back up there .
Quote from: Trenton G. on August 31, 2018, 01:08:28 PM
I'll check it out. That is the area near Wildcat Canyon right? I've hiked in there a bit and seen lots of moose sign, although no moose. I did run into a guy who said he was looking for Dire Wolves though. Not what I expected to find. Saw lots of bear sign too but again didn't get to see any actual bears. It was a really neat area, and I know my aunt and uncle went back in the fall and saw a moose. Seeing a moose up here is still up near the top of my list. I've seen them out west, but never here.
Quote from: Floxter on August 31, 2018, 02:58:06 PM
The Peshekee Grade is where the original two moose plantings took place. The grade was paved for exactly that reason. For late season hunting, look for where active logging is taking place, as the loggers will keep the trails open and plowed. They even ice them later in the year to facilitate hauling the cut timber. Wherever there has been recent cutting the deer will yard up temporarily to browse the cut tops left behind. Just beware that snow can come suddenly and heavily and you can get snowed in if not careful. But that's part of the charm of that remote area.
That's interesting stuff about the moose.
I used to hunt at my uncle's camp on arfelin lake about 1960. That might have been before they planted any moose there. But, they were there. We saw their tracks on the logged skid trails and once we got one bellowing with a Hunter's horn.
As the cut areas matured there were fewer and fewer deer and partridge.
That episode was just as good watching it now as it was when I first saw it!
I pretty much grew up listening to Da Second Week of Deer Camp, along with all their other songs (Much to my mom's disproval). Once fall really got going we would always listen to that song while deer shining. I loved those nights.
From what I've seen up here so far, it seems to be a really good year for fawns. Nearly every doe I've seen has had at least one and often two fawns with her. Have yet to see any bucks, but I'm going to keep looking. No class tomorrow so I might try and do a little more exploring and see what I can turn up.
Go set on my sisters front porch and shoot one of the four points that are eating the apples on the other side of the driveway. We watched them every evening last week. Find some apple trees and you will find deer if a bear hasn't claimed them first.
Ron, thank you for posting the Discovering episode again. It keeps fueling my fire for the UP, it was my first year that my Dad wasn't hunting with my brother and me. It bring tears to my eyes every time I watch it. There is nothing more special than hunting the big woods with family and friends. Trenton, I hope you find a big ole chocolate horned bruiser while you are up there, I am enjoying your reports, good luck with your studies, and your adventures.
Jason
Where to start.....I've lived and hunted in the UP my entire life. I grew up in eastern dickinson county where there are good deer numbers but not much public lands. I went to NMU so I got to know Marquette county pretty well. I now live and hunt in western Iron county and occasionally hunt Baraga county. The past 4-5 years or so I have only hunted public land. Which has proven to be pretty hard but still fun and rewarding. I'll share a few thoughts that I would tell myself if I had a time machine.
First Know that pressure seems to be the #1 influence on buck daytime movement. If there are signs of other hunters (trucks or ATVs parked near by, bait piles,) I move on. You need to go where others aren't. Hope you don't mind walking...
Second get a plat book. But don't stop there. Google "mi-hunt" which should bring you to the DNR's website. the mi-hunt program is basically google earth with public hunting land overlays. The nice thing is it shows you privately held lands that are open to public use such as CFL. Also, the satellite view makes it a heck of a lot easier to figure out boundaries. I recommend getting a compass as well. I'm currently looking into GPS options for my phone such as ONX maps.
Third, don't get beat down when you don't see lots of deer. Two years ago deer numbers in the UP were at historical lows. The last two years have shown improvement but its still tough sledding. Plus the best spots to kill 2-1/2+ year old bucks usually aren't the high traffic areas.
Forth, move stand locations a much as possible. I wasted years over hunting/burning out stands while at the same time missing out on other great spots right under my nose. Do whatever you have to and buy yourself a lightweight packable tree stand. I recommend lone wolf. Summit is good too. I wasted lots of money on bows that i wish i would have spent on stands. If you finish school in four years you likely will be just getting to know the area and then its time to graduate. don't waste time hunting the same olds spots that aren't producing.
fifth, go to church. You should do this for many reasons I won't go into here, except one. Its the best place to get permission to hunt private land. The two spots I'm most excited to hunt this fall are properties owned by friends from church. Just sayin.
Sixth, the snow gets supper deep up here, ESPECIALLY in Hougton. The deer move to avoid it. Where you find them now you might not once the snow get 6"+ deep. They stick to plowed roads, towns, and logging sites.
Seventh, hunt logging jobs if you can find them. Especially when the snow comes. (see above)
Eight, go smelting in the spring. you won't regret it.
Ninth, google Dan Infalt and John Eberhart. They are public land masters. They both have been guests on numerous podcasts. look em' up. Dan Infalt has a sweet forum dedicated to hunting public call the hunting beast.
Jason, I would LOVE a chocolate rack buck. I've seen a few come out of the swamps back home and I always thought they were the coolest looking racks. If I get one up here I'll be over the moon about it!
Paul, thanks for all the tips. They're really helpful!
I hunt highly pressured areas at home, so getting away from people won't be anything new for me. I have no problem walking in a ways to a spot.
I don't have a plat book but I use Mi-Hunt quite a bit. Its really useful to see public, and like you mentioned, it also shows the CFR land that's open. I've got compasses just about everywhere: in my car, my pack, my jacket pocket, etc. I've got a pretty good sense of direction but I'm not going to take any chances.
I generally hunt off the ground. I didn't really have room to bring a stand up to school with me. Having a climber would definitely be nice for certain areas though!
I've been looking at churches up here and once I get on top of things I plan on going. Hopefully this Sunday. You are right about getting permission from other people at church. I've gotten permission from a couple of guys back home to hunt their land.
I'm trying to figure out where the logging is taking place since that has been suggested multiple times on this thread. I'm going to look into it and see what all I can find.
I've only been smelting once, but it was at the point where the big smelt runs didn't really happen anymore. I've heard lots of stories from my dad and my grandpa about how they used to go and fill a five gallon bucket within minutes. If I hear of them running anywhere, I will defintely try and make it over.
I've never heard of Dan Infalt or John Eberhart. I'll check them out and see what I can dig up.
Thanks for all the help guys! I really appreciate and hopefully it pays off. I don't have to kill a deer. I just love being in the woods, and having a few spots to go to clear my mind after classes and stuff will be fantastic.. However if the opprotunity presents itself, that will be awesome! Tomorrow being Saturday I hope to do a little more exploring. The shooting ranges here are under construction so I may have to check my bow out from Public Safety and see if I can do some stump shooting in the process.
Mr. Cousineau hit the nail on the head. My dad lived in Crystal Falls for 28 years. He could out fish and out hunt just about anyone on here. He told me many times if you moved the the U.P. to hunt and fish you moved up there for the wrong reason. Deer hunting is a tough one as the land is vast and the deer are few and far between (generally speaking) but there are pockets of good deer numbers on or near farms.
Now bear hunting is a whole nother ball game. It don't get any better than hunting the U.P for bear but the licenses are few and far between. You can draw a tag every other year in some units, third hunt, but the really good areas take 8 years or so to get a first season tag. You draw a bear tag in the Amasa unit and I can help you out. My son, cousin and I went 3 for 3 last fall. And we hunt public land.
Go to church but go for the right reason and then have coffee and donuts after words for a different reason as that is where you meet the locals. Remember one thing, You will always be "from downstate" and some locals won't let you forget that. No matter what the situation is or becomes just be respectful and you will go far.
Jon, I was really tempted to apply for a bear permit this year but I figured that with classes and everything I wouldn't have the time to do it right. Hopefully sometime in the future though. A bear hunt would be awesome!
Had a bunch of free time today so I got on Mi-hunt and went to try and explore some new hunting ground. After a few areas that didn't quite pan out, I found some public that was accessible. I brought my bow along to do some stump shooting and I can't tell you guys how good it felt to shoot some arrows again! It took a few, but I got it dialed back in pretty quickly. The area I was in had a few deer tracks, and appears to have been logged, although quite a while ago. I found one scrape, which I hope is an annual scrape, along with a trail that, although not heavy, was showing some sign of being used. It feels good just knowing that I have at least one spot where I can go and potentially see some deer.
The highlight for me today though was this shot. I was standing on a little ridge when I looked to my left. There was a clear lane, and at the end of the lane was a small patch of sunlight. Right in the center of that patch of sunlight was a stump. I decided to launch an arrow just to see how close I could get, and as I watched it arc through the air, I remember thinking "that looks pretty good". When I heard the thwack when it hit the stump, I turned around waiting for the applause. Unfortunately it never came. I later paced it off at 56 yards. That made the whole trip for me.
edit: unfortunately the forum will not let me upload the photo. It says it takes to long to download. I guess you all will have to take my word for it that it happened. :laughing:
Trenton it sure looks like you have it figured out. Couple of other tips. You can put in for a bear point instead of a license every year until you want to put in for the hunt. It will take a few points before you can draw a tag. Second: make sure you have a small game license when you roam the woods shooting stumps. And you may have to wear hunter orange also. There are year round open seasons in Michigan. Check with the DNR on this one. Hate to see you get a ticket for shooting stumps, lol. Do good up there in school and have fun in your off time.
I've been buying applications for bear the past three years back home, but this year I just bought a point. I still tried to get an elk permit, because I figured if ever I had a chance to get drawn, it would happen while I'm all the way up here lol. I contacted one of the DNR officers up here and he told me that I am only required to have a small game license when stump shooting with a firearm. He told me I won't have any problems just shooting field or judo points. That's good to know since I've always enjoyed stump shooting but never knew if I needed a license for it or not.
"Only with a firearm" I think you might want to check with the Law enforcement division on that one. I heard of archers in the lower getting stopped and either given a ticket or getting chewed out for not having a license when stump shooting. And I believe they were told they had to wear hunter orange while doing it. There are open seasons on some game all year round.
In that case I guess I'll keep looking into it. Last thing I want to do is get crossways with the law. On the flip side, if I get my hunting license revoked for four years, my grades might be a bit better. :laughing:
I am a retire officer so I know how the grey area can get "grey" so I am calling the law enforcement division in Lansing tomorrow to find out for sure. Wouldn't want you to get into any trouble while you are up there studying, lol.
Our son spent a year at Northern and all he did was hunt. He transferred to Western the next year and graduated. My dad lived in Crystal Falls and he was down there every weekend and then some. Do good and have fun.
That would be great. I'd love to hear what you find out!
Trenton. I spoke with a Lt in the law enforcement division of the DNR. He stated that when stationary in the woods, like camping or setting up to target practice with targets or scoping in a rifle you do not need a license or wear orange BUT if you roam the woods to stump shoot you have to wear orange and have a license regardless of what weapon you are using.
Thanks Jon, appreciate that. Not really what I was hoping to hear but I guess it's good to know. I didn't plan on rifle hunting up here so I didn't bring any orange. Might have to run to Walmart.
Did some more scouting today and may have found a hot spot. Had quite a few adventures along the way as well. I was walking down a dirt two track when I heard a vehicle coming behind me. I generally get off the road so that people don't know that I'm there or know where my potential hunting spots are. I climbed the bank along the road and crossed over the ridge just to get out of sight, and as I turned back to look towards the vehicle, I heard a crash behind me. I turned around and saw a sow and a big cub go barreling up the opposite side of the valley from me about 50 yards away. That was really exciting. I couldn't figure out how I'd missed seeing them until I went down and found their beds nestled down in a small hollow. After exploring that area a bit more I got back in the car and kept driving and found an area that had been logged a few years ago. Best of all, running right through the middle of the logged area was a gulley that had a small stream flowing through it and was full of cedars. There was a nice trail going through it, and I'm pretty sure that a lot of deer use it to get across the more open areas. Its only about 25 yards across so anything walking through should be in range. I set up a camera just to see what's coming through.
Later I drove into another spot and found an oak ridge with lots of acorns. Saw a doe and two fawns and found another really nice trail in a valley. I walked about 80 yards further when I saw something coming through the woods towards me. It looked tan, almost orange, and the first thing that flashed through my head was cougar. As it got closer though I quickly realized it was a huge coyote (not a wolf). I only had Judo points with me, and was having a bit of a battle in my mind as to whether I should try and shoot him or not. I would love to shoot a coyote but just didn't think a Judo, even tucked right behind the shoulder would get enough penetration to do anything. I didn't have to worry about it though since the closest he got was 25 yards and I had no shot through the brush.
This was by far the most productive day of scouting I've had. I'm super excited for season to get here!
Trenton. Sounds like you have it figured out. My wife did not recognize the name you gave me from Camp 10 road.
Figured it was worth a shot lol.
I'm excited to pull my camera and see what I get. There was a really large lone track that I saw. Would love to run into its maker.
I guess I can update this. So far finding deer has been a lot tougher than I thought it would. The spots that I found earlier during the year never really panned out. Neither spot show any deer sign, aside from the occasional track. I've been going out every weekend, either hunting or scouting for new areas, but nothing has really jumped out at me as being super promising. We had snow last weekend, so I figured I would go back and sit in the spot where I had gotten some buck pictures earlier in the year to see if the snow would get anything moving. It did, but unfortunately not what I was hoping for. I had two wolves, one gray and one black come trotting up the valley I was hoping the deer would use. They got to about 35 yards and then headed down the logging road. I couldn't believe that I actually got to see wolves, especially that close. Everyone kept telling me how rare it is to see them. It was really exciting, but also a bit disheartening since I figure the deer will probably be done using that area for a while. (Not that they were using it much in the first place!)
This past Friday I went out to a new piece that I found which borders some farm fields. This spot was a lot more like what I hunt back home so I felt pretty good about it. I only walked part of it Friday, and it looked ok, but not great. It was logged probably 4-5 years ago, and is pretty thick. There are lots of oaks, but I didn't see many acorns. I went back tonight and went the opposite direction, and found an old four wheeler trail. It looked like the deer were using it so I set up on that for the evening. Around 6:00 I heard a huge crash and tons of brush breaking to my north. About two seconds later a doe came barreling through with a buck hot on her trail. His rack wasn't all that impressive, maybe ear width with 8 points. However he had to be the biggest bodied deer I've ever seen. He looked like a bull. They ran by about 40 yards out and never gave me a shot. However, I saw several more deer use the route that they did later on this evening, so I think I know where I need to set up next time.
My roommates think I'm crazy going out in the woods with a bow with wolves and bears, but I'm having a blast. This is definitely a whole new type of hunting for me, but it's a ton of fun!
This U P chocolate horn buck I call the "Snowstorm Buck" I shot him during a snow storm and tracked him into a cedar swamp. It was dark and I didn't have a rope so I dressed him then took the bow string off my 72# John Strunk Osage bow and got him partially off the ground with the idea of him draining better while I left him to come back in the morning.
As it turned out it snowed two feet that night and the snow would have covered him completely if I hadn't done that. I never would have found him had that been the case.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Snowstorm_Buck.jpg)
That's a neat story Mr. LaClair. If I end up getting a deer and it's snowing I'll have to remember that!