Trad Gang

Just an FYI for all you Gangers planning on attending the first annual Michigan Trad Gang Deer Camp October 12th - 14th in the Atlanta State game area.

Arwin and I (and anybody else interested) are headed up to scout out the area next weekend (September 1 & 2)for bow camp.  Then on Monday the 3rd we will post more details and maybe some pictures of the area.  

So stay tuned!

Jeff I would love to put me on your list to contact. Just in case this gets lost! Is it time yet!!?? I've got a couple other buddys I'm sure will want to come to!

               :campfire:  

                        Brent

I'm all for it brother!!!! It's never too early to plan a hunt,LOL! I'd be up for the second weekend in October, my personal stands start getting good around the third week and I'll be hitting those up then. Let me know what I can do to help. Where are ya thinking for an area?

Keep in touch I am interested.  I will have to play it by ear.  My wife and I are expecting our first child in mid September but if everybody is adjusting well I might be able to sneak away for a weekend.

Tim

I would be interested too!!

Dansville isn't to far to where I hunt during bow season anyhow......

Jeff, where are you planning on doing this? I always thought it would be fun to do some pushes like the Wensels did in Bowhunting October Whitetails. I'll definitely try and plan on it!

I left Michigan in my rear view mirror in 1985- do you need permits to camp on state land now?

Hey Guys this is sounding great!


Jim - I had 3 spots in mind, Dansvelle, Flat River or Big Rapids State game areas.  I have never deer hunted Dansville for deer but when I was down there for the bunny hunt I seen deer and deer sign all over.  Flat River is right next to me in Greenville and I know there are deer all over that area.  Big Rapids I have only hunted a couple times but a friend of mine hunts it a lot and says good things about it, plus there are a couple great fishing lakes near by. However I am very open to suggestions?

Brian - Yes you have to have special camp permits to camp on State Game areas, however they are easy to get plus they do allow you to take one deer for camp food which is kinda of cool.

Here is a picture of our last State Game camp!
(http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b334/AnointedArcher/camp2000.jpg)

Dansville and Waterloo areas are great spots for deer hunting, especially during bow season.

I vote flat river,,,,    :cool:  just cause I know it like the back of my hand    :readit:

Hey Jason I was wondering what took you so long to sign up  :biglaugh:

Hi Jeff,

I already have hunting plans for October 5-7, but if your deer camp ends up being on one of the other weekends I would be very interested  :thumbsup:  .

I attended one of the Trad Gang-organized Michigan bunny hunts last year, and was sorry I couldn't make it this year.  Those kinds of get-togethers are always a good time with great people.

Paul

P.S. - Can I dress funny (medieval  ;)  ).

Hey guys.. I hosted the dansville rabbit trek... I felt bad we really only got to see the very outer edge of the state game area. The dansville state game area is very large and loaded with deer.. I'd love to hunt with you guys... But I would recommend camping off of one of the two tracks..not off the main road on the outer edge...I'm in no matter where we hunt!! Steve and son (jacob)

WORK!!!!   This is way to early to start having sleepless nights over a deer camp  :readit:    :thumbsup:    :thumbsup:

We could always do the Allegan State Game area as well.  There is 144,000 acres to roam around down here.

Sounds like hoot.If I can fit it in my schedule i would be very interested.A good chance for some comraderie and I would like to see some new parts of MI.It gets pretty crowded on the state land where I hunt and the deer are pretty thinned out.A few slickheads and deformed spikes are the norm and their gettin pretty tuff LOL!

I have done alot of scouting and could easily put people on deer around Yankee Springs, Rouge River State Game Area, Middleville S.G.A, Ft.Custer S.G.A., Ionia S.G.A, Allegan S.G.A., and I went up to Atlanta near Gaylord a few years back and found a bunch of deer up there along with the elk. Thats a great place to go for camping. You hear the elk bugle in the morning and evenings, coyotes in the middle of the night plus all the other animals that live there like bears, bobcats. Great fishing and small game hunting too for the afternoon. We camped next to the Twin Tomahawk Lakes on state land and I beleive it was free. We had to check in at the ranger station to let them know where we were at in case of an emergency.

Atlanta near Gaylord ,,,, That sounds pretty darn interesting

I am also interested in this hunt and I might be able to bring a few more traditional bowhunters.

Atlanta area would be cool to.  I have never spent much time up in that area of the state.

It's awesome up there! Almost prehistoric looking trees and vast areas to hunt. I almost got lost coming out of the woods one night. It got overcast and windy and everything in the woods looked the same no matter where you looked. Thankfully I found the 2 track the Jeep was on a mile away,LOL! Other cool things I stumbled upon were beaver ponds with dams that were head high, trees clawed by bears, bobcat tracks, stalking through ferns that were head high and wondering what was hiding in them, I walked upon a big cow elk, and found an area by the swamp with trees and the ground covered entirly by tennis ball green moss. I'll post some pics.

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/ad2877/atlanta1.jpg)

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/ad2877/atlanta2.jpg)

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/ad2877/atlanta3.jpg)

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/ad2877/atlanta4.jpg)

 (http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/ad2877/atlanta5.jpg)

(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/ad2877/atlanta6.jpg)

Here are a few pics, but they don't even do that place justice. As you can see where all the stuff is parked, we just pulled in and set up a tent. My kind of camping!

awesome pics arwin!

you know i will be there if i am not in colorado hunting elk

Good to see ya in here Rob! Elk in CO. sounds sweet. Better chances of getting a tag there than here for sure! LOL!

10-4 man  it will be fun

I'd love to get in on this, keep us posted as the plans iron out.

Smith and I would be interested...just down the road from us...we're near Perry.

jack

Atlanta area would be a great place, I can hear those elk a bugling now! I don't care if I don't know the area and have'nt scouted it out. Thats half the fun of the hunt. Seeing and experiancing new ground is always a joy. At least to me! And meeting and sharing a camp with fellow MI tradgangers and anyothers that can make it. Is all it will take for me to be there!


  :thumbsup:    :campfire:  

                      Brent

Oh yea I feel a Bar-B-Q comming on!

Paul you can dress anyway you want, anybody that can kill a wild hog at 5 feet in their pajams is always welcome in my camp  :D !

Arwin - Awesome pictures, what is the deer population like in the Alanta area?

Rob - You should be home by the 2nd and 3rd week of October? I thought your elk hunt was in September.

Jeff
Ok if I stop on the way home from the UP my plans are to be up that way for first 2 weeks of the season.
Dave

Jeff the population was pretty good when I went up. I seen about 15-20 doe in the area I hunted and a couple nice bucks that I jumped up. Plus the squirrels up there are good sized. I have a hard time focusing on just deer the first 2 weeks of the season when there is so much small game hitting up the acorns.   :bigsmyl:

Well how does October 12th - 14th at Atlanta State Game area sound to everybody?

One thing to remember, that Atlanta area is the TB area.

Atlanta area sounds good to me.

I'd be interested in making the trip, if possible...Please keep me informed.  Sounds like the makings of a memorable time...to say the least!

I would very much appriciate the opportunity to participate in this, if you're putting together a mailing list please add me

The 12th-14th works for me! I will probably bring my daughter and brother in law too. They've never heard an elk bugle in the wild. It is the TB zone but the check station will take care to look over our deer. I think in that area you can get 2 doe tags. I'll do some checking. I have a spot for us to camp out in in mind also and I'll try to get a map of some sort together. It's right next to a couple secluded lakes and you can literaly walk to your hunting spot if you want to stay close to camp, or you can take the orv trails to different spots. The areas are big enough to pull a camper into if need be. I'll have my tent. Bring rope to keep the bears out of our food too! LOL! We had to raise our coolers into the trees. The tiny town of Atlanta has a grocery store and a hunting store to pick up anything you might want.

If everyone agrees let's set the dates as October 12th - 14th so we can all put that on our calenders.  As for the area we don't have to decide for a while but honestly I love the idea of the Atlanta area!

Arwin that sounds awesome, let me know when you get more info. In the meantime I will strat compiling a list of everybody that responded so I can keep everybody posted on what is going on.

Sounds good to me!

My calendar is so marked!!!!!!

                Brent

yup ...might as well put me in too.
ill try my hardest to make it....i may just show up with my truck,bow,knife and a tarp...but ill still try!
jamie

I think it's going to be a great time! I have permission from the wife and I had lunch with Rob today, so we figured to car pool. I'll try to keep track of everyone going too, and if we all agree on Atlanta, I'll e-mail maps to those people.

hey arwin...do you know the area well?
maybe some of us could go up a little before season and do a little scouting....naa just being round a good campfire is goodn nuff fer me!

I know it pretty good. I would like to go up a 3-4 weeks before to scout a bit, get the camp area set and picked, and maybe throw in a small game hunt too. That way our disturbance will let the deer settle when we come back for the hunt.

Sounds good to me, I' have it marked down  :readit:   and will plan for it.

I marked it down on my calendar! "This could be the begining of a beautiful friendship."

Jeff, this is a first, I actually have those days off! I'll be there!!!!!!  :bigsmyl:

sounds great fellas

Jeff
 I cant believe I have not seen this post before But I would like to be in ! Is this a manfest or can I bring the Wifey? She loves the outdoors as much as I.Either way I am in!Funny thing is some of my dad's earlist hunting stories were from the Atlanta area (1950 ?) Did I read that there is roo for a camper ? How big ?

Dave

The area I have been in will fit a camper in the 30 ft range.

I'm interested. It's a little early for me to commit, but definately interested. What part of the state are you guys considering?

Thanks, Robert

North-eastern Lower Peninsula. Beautiful country up there!

Just something to think about, I have talked to a couple guys about the Atlanta area, they say it's beautiful area but low deer population compared to the Dansville and Flat River State Game areas. So something to think about before we make our fianl choice of where to hunt!

Dave - we would love to have Robin and Cody and anybody else you choose to bring! I think it is going to be a hoot!

why dont you take a vote for dansville, flat river, or atlanta.... let it ride for a month.. and then post the decision... Steve

Does anybody know how to do the "Post a Poll" thing that would be a good idea to take a poll and see what the majority says?

I know the flat river area is full of deer and big. I have many maps and knowledge of the area and can send a lot of folks to good ground. I've been hunting the flat river area for about 12 years for turks and deer, plenty of beaver ponds, rivers and creeks runs through it,thick swamps that you'll spend a lot of time in if you like that style and all of the ridges,feilds,fence rows,and acorn trees and for some of it corn to go with it.

I liked Dansville because I noticed they have a lot more crops on the state land and its very vast as well but I don't know the property one bit but I have all the mapping I need for it.
I think we could all have a good time there as well.

Up north I don't know at all but I would have fun there as well, but it would be nice to see game. I know as well as many of you that the area is TB managment and the permits are handed out to control that and I'm sure there filledevery year to max if not a little more.


So my vote would undoubtly be
1-Flatriver,,cause I know it,good game population,
2-Dansville,,cause I'm sure theres game all over it, and very vast and diverse like flat river,
3-Atlanta,,cause its up north and remote and down right beautiful..

Just my two cents..Jason B.

I'll vote the same as Jason.... Flat river... because I've never been there and I like to hunt it.... Dansville.. because I know it well and there's a bunch of deer..A real good mix of cover..swamp, hardwoods, and pines.... but no river... and last Atlanta.. only because of the T.B...

Jeff has started a poll... great way to do this... make sure you vote on the poll post...

here's the link to the poll:

http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=044805

If I can make it, Atlanta would probably be my choice. But I hate to vote on an area and then not be able to make it. (So I didn't vote.)

Robert

I chose Atlanta because I can hunt my local areas anytime I want to. I like the big wild!  :bigsmyl:  Honestly, I'd just like to see us all together.

I'm looking at joining in also. Please keep me posted if you have room for a fella from Hesperia, Michigan.

If I can get the time off I'd like to join in on this hunt.I camped out in, and hunted the Pigeon River Country 10 or so years ago saw more big Bull Elk than I did deer but a very memorable hunt just the same. Probably as close as you'll get to a Wilderness hunt in the L.P.

Owlbait

    You and any other tradganger is welcome and from any other state. You sure don't have to be a Michigander to join this campfire. So where ever we go we better think big! If theres only two of us, theres a bunch of guys gunna miss some fun!  :campfire:  Lets see if we can get a genuis book size camp.

   Anybody consider first annual!?

                  Brent

ttt

10-4 to what Brent said! All Trad Gangers are welcome and there is room for everyone as these state game areas are huge areas!  :campfire:  


Michigan Trad Gang First Annuall Bowhunt! I like it!  :archer:

TTT for anyone else who hasn't seen it yet.

I can be there.  Any of those areas work since I have never hunted them before.

Dan

Wow there are a ton of you Michigan guys on here.  Good to hear Traditional Arhcery is going strong in Michigan.   :thumbsup:  Somebody post us some pictures when you do it.

michigan is second only to pennsylvania I think tothe most bowhunters so that has somnetihing to do withit

rob

Sounds like a lot of fun to me.  Unless something unavoidable comes up, I'll be there.

I'm in!   :campfire:

A couple of us are headed up the 2nd weekend in July to do some pre-scouting maybe a little fishing and most definately kill off some of those nasty stump monsters!

If you want some company Jeff let me know the weekend of the 14 th I have off. Just may get a pass to go from the wife!!!  :biglaugh:  

                     Brent

I'm thinking this may be a good reason to return in Michigan.If only for a short time.

Brent - That would be awesome, so far it's just Arwin, Robslifts, I think White Buffalo, and myself.

C2 - Come on up my friend, would love to have you grace our camp!

Its such a small world, I have a bow going out to C2 today on UPS.
I just met Robslifts yesterday he stopped into the store.
Jeff if you have the info already please PM me with the particulars.   :campfire:  Are we bowfishing? Or fish fishing?   :jumper:  

             Brent

WHAM WERE THERE OR NOT THERE! Don't forget do what ya gotta do to be there!

             :thumbsup:        :campfire:    

              Time goes so very quickly!

              Brent

Wish I could make it guys. I have a graduation and wedding to go to that weekend. Hope to make it in October.

Jasons real good company (Whitebuffalo) and a very patient and dedicated hunter.I know he has flung a few arrows and hunted turks with a few of you other wolverines.If i can get away for a few days I would make it.Save a honey hole or 2 for me.I think I smell fire roasted back straps MMMMMM!In the meantime I will whack a few bass and muskies to get me through these lean times and ofcourse a few kings and Steelheads in late summer.I like michigan!!!Fall will be here in a wink.I'll be ready.

Hey Steelhead I have your name recorded and well keep you updated as we put this wild adventure togehter!

2nd weekend works out great for me. I can't wait to head up there. ps, bring more of those pickled cauliflower!!

I'm still there for the second weekend,,Looking good guys,,  Thanks for the nice comment Eric and yes back straps on the fire,,MMMMMMM!!! GGGGOOOBBBLLLLEEEE,,from your local thunder chiken.

I'm in if ya'll don't mind...name the spot all 3 are good areas.

Any extra info on stuff like beaver ponds for my other obession (trapping) would be much appreciated too.

Hey guys, How did the scouting go? If you can send me some directions I can make a trip up in August to do some scouting too. What kind of supplies does a fella need to bring for a hunt like this?

I have a map of the area. E-mail me at a.depue@sbcglobal.net  Getting ready!!!!!!  :campfire:

Stay tuned as more details to come by September 3rd!

Is this still open to interested parties?    That weekend is a little iffy for me but if I can swing it I'd like to join in on the fun.

Yes sir Mike we would love to have you join us. Actually we have some Trad Gangers comming from Ohio, Indiana and Georgia as well.  I have a feeling next year is going to have to be a full week instead of 3 days  :bigsmyl: !

Woo Hoo, I'm in.     :thumbsup:  

I've never hunted in that area so it'll be new to me.

I'll be on another hunting trip the weekends of 9/8 and 9/15 but should be free for at least a day trip any other weekend if anyone wants to meet up for some scouting/small game hunting.   I live in Flint so its not that far and I always like an excuse to get into the woods.

PM me if you need my number or address.

Smith and I have an extra incentive to show up if Curtiss is going to make it...penciled in on calendar.

Phys. Therapy has let me shoot again!


jack

Good deal Jack, I am really looking forward to this!

Hey Guys Arwin sent me a map of the Atlanta area we are looking to hunt. I can not figure how to post it on here so if you send me an email I can send it to you in PDF form.

Jeff, check your PM's

God Bless you Sir LaClair, that was greatly appreciated!

Hey maybe you can make it to deer camp with us?

:notworthy:  Oh that would be too sweet!!!!!

Jeff, thanks for the map, I couldn't get it to post clearly as an image file but I found the same map on the MI DNR site:

  Atlanta Area Map (http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/spatialdatalibrary/pdf_maps/trail_maps/orv/atlanta.pdf)  
 
Its about 0.5MB so it might take a little bit to download if you have dial up.

The Atlanta area holds some lunkers. Check out a little Northeast near Millersburg.

I don't know if I'll be free that weekend or not to attend, but the northeast area of the map is decent. That is the area we usually gun hunt. Here's one that I took opening day (Nov. 15th) last year with my muzzleloader. Took him at 15 yards. This should get the blood flowing a little bit eh?? Good luck to all who attend and I hope I'll be joining you!
(http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k172/WTT03/BearDen10pt06.jpg)

QuoteHey maybe you can make it to deer camp with us?
 

Can I bring my trailer?, I've kind of gotten use to my creature comforts in my old age   :readit:       :biglaugh:

""Sir LaClair"?...Dosen't fit me, that connotation is reserved for Knights."

Don't let him fool you. He still makes me call him Mr. when we are in front of people.    :p

Man I am still unsure if I am going to be able to make this one or not but is sounds like it is shaping up to be a good one.  I would love to share camp with all of you guys.

Mike - Thanks for posting that map, the area Arwin went to last year was around the Twin Tomahawk Lakes area but looking at the picture Todd sent and the fishing Roger is talking about I think where going to have a great time!

Roger - Ron paid me good money to call him Sir  :bigsmyl:  

Ron - As for bringing the trailer I will know more next weekend after we get back from our scouting trip, however I am pretty sure I can find a spot for trailers as I have found my travel trailer to be very traditional for me  :D  !

Jeff, I have a custom topo map of that area I would donate to the hunt if you have someone who can scan/copy and distribute to the others. I was up there today and saw a spike and some bear tracks. Most of the deer sign I saw was near posted/private property. I seemed to have stepped on some toes on another site so will bow out of this gathering.
Mike Gerard (pm an adress to mail the maps too)  :thumbsup:

Mike - I sent you a PM, also is your map different than the one MI_Bowhunter posted?

Jeff,
yes it is different. It is a mytopo map I had made specifically of the Twin Tomahawk Lakes area. I also marked the names of the two roads going in. I have the same map and some others that I enlarged also. I would be glad to send them all for the group to have.