Hunting with Mike

My hunting memories are some of the most treasured data I have stored in my personal computer (my brain.) At this stage in life not everything that’s been put in there can be “brought up.” Their are certain things that happen in life that seem to stick with you “till death do you part.” I am so very thankful for the many wonderful memories I have been able to retain from my hunting experiences. I hope you (the reader) will give me the liberty to share some of these with you.

First and foremost are those great memories I have of my dad, mom, and five brothers. I could write a book about the Ansel excursions to Lewiston and North Shores Resort. An early memory took place right here in LaSalle when I was about 14 years old. We were pheasant hunting on one of the (Kreps) farms with our trusty bird dog Flopsy. She went on point around an abandoned piece of farm machinery in an overgrown field. My dad (Norm) ordered her to “flush” and she jumped right in the middle of three roosters. Of course they flew in three different directions, but their tactic didn’t phase my dad one bit. With the precision of an expert marksman he dropped all three birds in a manner of seconds. I was impressed then and am even more enamored by that feat 46 years later. My dad never shot a ton of bucks, but I was there when he shot his 11 pointer that won the Lewiston big buck pole contest. Then there was the two 6 pointers he dropped with running shots (open sights) that no one could believe. The first one happened while my brother Randy was with the Marines in Viet-Nam, and I was the only one old enough to go that year. The second came on a snowy November deer drive that Randy Redmond and Pat McElligot were part of. Not too many years before my dad went to be with the Lord, we took up bear hunting at the beautifull Baldwin camp in Marquette. My dad was a great camp cook and that first meal at the old camp with Gary Baldwin and Herm Fowler was one of the best meals I’ve ever had in my life. Gary brought 2 big fillets of lake trout, plus we had partridge, and squirrel. He made potatoes, beans, and a salad over a wood stove by lantern light. My brother Darryl and I got bear that first year and we were hooked to say the least. My dad shot his one and only bear in 1977 while hunting with brother Randy. What a celebration we had in camp that night. If only we would of know “Papa Bear” would be leaving us in 1978 we might not of ever quit celebrating. Thanks for these and all the wonderfull memories you left us Dad-your the best.

Mike

Sometimes I think of Jesus as the greatest “HUNTER” that ever lived. As a hunter you look,or search, for someting. You pursue your quarry, and you either find it or you don’t. Jesus of course is not looking for a trophy deer, but a human heart. He’s looking for the man, women, or child he can capture and present before His Father as a gift (so to speak.) He is the most patient, gentle, and kind hunter one will ever meet.

He is so good at what he does. Chances are He will, or already has found you. The rules of this hunt are somewhat different than you or I bagging a big buck. You see that deer does’nt go with us (the hunter) willingly. In order for Jesus to capture our hearts-we have to go with him willingly. We have to want to be “taken” by Him.

Sometimes a hunter will use bait to lure in his quarry. I believe the bait (allegory) that Jesus uses is LOVE! When the one being pursued (you and I) comes to realize that being “captured” is the most wonderful, life changing experience he could ever imagine then he ceases to struggle and goes willingly with “THE HUNTER.” I thank God He found me, and I willingly became his captive.

He is risen! Have a glorious Easter.

Mike

Today is a good day to sit in front of my computer and not bother those turkeys or any other critter unfortunate enough to be out in this bitter “Spring” weather.  Besides I have a good old nasty chest cold.

It seems it wasn’t that long ago that you had to drive up north to view eagles, deer, and turkeys.  Well thanks to the sportsmen and women of this state and the Department of Natural Resources you can view those (once rare) creatures right here in Monroe County.

That’s right hunters and sportsmen/women ( in general) fund most of the projects in this state that ensure the well-being of our natural resources.  Through license fee’s, private sportsmen clubs, national sportsmen foundations, and individual donations our wetlands,forest,lakes and rivers, are aquired, protected,and restored.  Wild game habitat is continually threatened through urbanization, and its the above mentioned organizations that work with farmers, land owners, and state and federal officals to insure the continuance of said resources.

Which brings me to the really “cool” part of this writing.  This past week while driving around Monroe County I encountered several deer (two in the city limits), saw a majestic bald eagle in Petersburg while golfing, had a hen turkey run in front of my car in Newport, and had a call from one of my son-in-laws about a flock of 21 turkeys in his back yard.  Now how wonderful is that?

A word to the wise about all the great news concerning certain species being restored throughout Monroe County.  Please! Please! Know where your dogs and cats are  when their supposed to be in the back yard.  Most animal lovers would be appalled to find out “Spot and “Fluffy are responsible for a high mortality rate (in the wild kingdom) of everything from baby ducks,pheasants, young turkeys, birds in general, rabbits, and even full grown deer.

Lets all do our part in helping restore Monroe County’s Bounty.

Mike

I know this blog is supposed to be about hunting, but during the hazy-lazy days of summer I’de wager that most hunters are hunting their favorite fishing hole. There will be thousands upon thousands of kids, (young and old alike) in pursuit of natures bounty in the form of a fish. Michigan has quite an array of various fish species, but the one that probably brings more smiles to a kids face than any other is the sunfish/bluegill.

The sunfish and bluegill are both members of the largemouth and smallmouth bass family. There are four species of sunfish. They are the green sunfish, redear, orangespotted, and pumkinseed. Along with the bluegill they probably are reeled into more boats and docks than any other species. Anyone who has tasted a nice mess of sunfish will tell you it’s some of the best “eatin” they’ve ever enjoyed.

Currently the state record bluegill tips the scale at 2.75 pounds at 13.75 inches long. That is one big bluegill! The redear record weighs 1.97 lbs. at 12.75 inches, while the green sunfish weighs in at 1.53 lbs. at 10 inches long. The very popular pumkinseed record is 1.35 lbs. at 11 inches long. As you can see these pan fish can sometimes take a good sized pan.

The state awards a master angler award to fishermen and women who legally catch any of the species listed in the Michigan fishing guide. Of course there is a minimum required weight for each species, but I would venture to say that more than a few potential contenders are never recognized as such. Maybe the above listing of records will give you anglers out there an idea of what a really “big boy” is.

Well as my wife would say “record smekord -who cares just pass the fish.” I think maybe I tend to agree with her on this one.

Mike