Red Bird Lane is a sacred spot where Nancy (RedBird) put her blind every year when we hunted at ShrewHaven. Bow hunting was as much a passion for her as it is for me and she loved spending time in the woods with her bow.

She was my hunting partner every year since our first hunt together in 1959. I miss the times we had together, sharing our experiences. Her enthusiasm and excitement when she would tell me a story of a hunting encounter always brought a smile to my face. One year when we were hunting the late season in December at Shrewhaven, the weather was very cold getting in the single digits at times, she suggested that we could spend the winter there in the cabin. She was a trooper and  I was blessed to have her for so many years.

As usual the cuisine at camp was excellent. As I mentioned Henry is a handy guy in the kitchen and Greg one of our regulars that couldn't be there this year sent up apple pies that his wife made and several packages of bluegills and perch from lake Michigan. Roger Norris brought a Venison Ham that he had made from a bow kill early in the season and it was absolutely delicious. 

Of coarse I had to make my legendary "Breakfast Burritos" which consist of bacon, venison sausage, onion, jalapeno peppers, eggs scrambled. Served on a lightly fried flour tortilla topped with graded sharp cheddar cheese then the special green sauce. Then rolled into a tube that is guar-own- teed to awaken your taste buds

Kindred spirits, that is what makes a hunting camp special.

Thanks for taking us along Ron. I look forward to this thread every year.

Thank you Ron for once again talking us along.

Very nice, a great story and trip as always Ron. My congratulations to Tim and Henry beautiful bucks both.

Congratulations to all, thank you for sharing I enjoy this thread every year

I haven't had a chance to check this one out yet but I will as always. But just a heads up... a teaser has been posted on Instagram.......

Like Tim, I've been going to camp since the inception with Ron and Greg and then adding others in the late 90's.  One daughter just started college this fall and the other is a senior in high school. Both run competitively and I found myself chasing races around the state of Michigan this fall as well as doing an official visit for the younger to sign with Northern Michigan University in Marquette, MI on the final weekend of this years camp, so it just wasn't going to happen. Good news for me, both girls are going to be in Michigan's Upper Peninsula going to college and only about 2-3 hours from camp!

My first deer in camp came off of Banana Ridge.  It was 1992 and there were deer and acorns everywhere. I put a stand in an oak tree after scouting the first morning.  That night I saw no less than 30 deer parade through, but most of them about 60-70 yards away.  The next morning the same story, so I moved the stand. That night, I heard a crunching of leaves coming my way. A few steps at a time and I thought for sure it was a single deer-a buck of my dreams-slowly feeding my way.  I finally saw the movement and low and behold it was a gobbler.  Now turkeys hadn't yet taken a stronghold like they currently have back then, so this was the last thing I expected to see, but it sure got my heart racing.  The next morning a nice doe came through and I made a good shot and watched her fall about 50 yards away.  Since it was early and I had my buck tag I decided to sit tight and see if any other deer were going to work through. None did, however I was surprised that within 40 minutes ravens were already circling above my deer.  They have and uncanny ability to see the white of a deer's belly from above. 

We added Kevin and Brian, then Brian dropped out and we added Roger and Eric and Little Eric (Tim and Kevin's son-in-laws).  All the best camp mates anyone could ask for.  We've had many guests over the years including Fred ASBELL, Steve Turay, Brian Cole, Bill Heath and his son, Tom Jenkins and a scattering of others. DEER CAMP in Michigan's Upper Peninsula just has a charm and aura of it's own.  I'm glad Henry had a chance to experience this coming from a country that does not allow bowhunting. What a great opportunity for him to experience and I'm sorry I missed the opportunity to meet him.  His products that are well thought out and great quality (I use his fletching jig, feathers and taper tool).

It's also gratifying to see Ron and Tim overcome shoulder surgeries and continue their passion of shooting traditional bows.  Sitting by the Shrewhaven woodstove, enjoying a snort of good bourbon and swapping tales after dinner.  It's just something that can't be beat. 

Looks like good times. Congratulations to the lucky hunters!

Love the pictures and the story. I look forward to them every year!

Looks and sounds like a great time! Congratulations to all

Looks like a great camp...good company, good food, a couple deer hanging. 

Absoutely fantastic.....traditional camp and ways.
Thanks for the share.  Great pics and story's
Tim B

I gotta get me one of them oakridge pullovers too.  I looked on the web page but didn't see that pattern.  Not available yet maybe?
Tim B

Quote from: TIM B on November 20, 2018, 06:21:39 AM
I gotta get me one of them oakridge pullovers too.  I looked on the web page but didn't see that pattern.  Not available yet maybe?
Tim B

Tim, just call Teresa...

This looks like everything most of us picture in our minds when we hear the phrase "deer camp."  I look forward to this thread each and every season.  Flat out awesome - truly the stuff dreams are made of.

Well done everyone. This place and stories are a link to our past. Every year Excellent !! Mike

Thanks for sharing Ron , I look forward to this story every year!!

Great stories and pic's every year. Nothing quite like "deer camp".