Hunting with Mike

One of the things I most remember about summer vacations is the baby animals we would encounter somewhere during our visit with nature. Fawns, baby rabbits, little chipmunks, young ducks and geese to name a few.

I can remember one baby fawn in particular that probably had not been born but a couple hours before we stumbled on it. You talk about cute! Everyone wanted to take it home and keep it as a pet. In fact it started following us around much to our delight. The mother deer was nowhere in sight, so we readily assumed she abandoned the little guy. All the more reason for us to take it home where it could be raised “proper.”

Good thing my dad was a tad smarter about the ways of the wild than we were. He warned us not to touch it because we may leave our human odor on it, thus spooking the mother. He assured us the mother was around hidding in the woods somewhere, and as soon as we got far enough away from her baby, she would return. We didn’t want to believe dad cause a pet deer would really be neat. We would be the only kids on the block to have one was our thinking. Well dad set us straight on that one also! For one thing he said its against the law to take a wild critter from its natural surroundings. He also said the chances for a fawn staying alive under human care is slim indeed.

We sure didn’t want that to happen, so we backed away from “Bambi” and waited. Sure enough; my dad was right! Momma deer came and rescued her little one, and back into the forest they ran.

Please keep in mind, this summer, that the wonderful beautiful things, in nature, you encounter belong “in nature.” If you suspect a problem (like abandonment or injury) call the local DNR or police and let the professionals handle it.

Mike

In a recent conversation with Dr. Karla Christenson from the Dept. of Agriculture we discussed the effects of uncontrolled Feral/exotic swine roaming our state.  One of the main concerns centers on the various diseases that could be introduced into our domestic swine herds, along with habitat damage, and the negative impact on Michigans native species.  I am presently working on gathering information on just how big this problem truly is in Michigan, and what can be done to protect against it.

Please if you encounter any Feral pigs as you journey through Michigan this summer report it to the DNR. Call (517) 336-5047 Kristie Brown; or (517) 336-5030 for general information.  You will be hearing more about this topic from me, as it could have the potential to be a real disaster if not addressed sometime soon.

Mike

I surprised my wife with a meatloaf, roasted potatoes, and pork-n-beans last night when she came home from work.  She eats very healthy, and meat is not high on her priority list.  She doesn’t crave it like I do!  Of course our freezer usually has some sort of wild game stored away: so I used some of my dwindling supply of venison.  Any hunter knows that food (natures sweet reward) from the wild is healthy and nutritious.  Thats why my family can enjoy wild game when its placed before them. 

The meatloaf was one of the best we’ve had in awhile, and the leftovers are calling my name right now.  That’s if my son hasn’t already polished them off.  Come to think of it I should be ok, as my boy is on a fruit and veggy fast.  It’s all in the timing! 

I like to prepare my frozen wild game within a year from putting it in the freezer.  I’ve got a few more months on my venison, but need to get moving on those bear steaks and roast.  My brother (Darryl) gave me some walleye last week, so I think this weekend may see a fish fry around here.  Well I made myself hungry-got to go check out my meatloaf.

Mike

Yesterday(Sunday) Dan and Kathy Shaw had some of the Monroe Evening News bloggers over for a cook out. What wonderful host they were. Dan cooked up some burgers and hot dogs to go with the various dishes each person (or couple) brought. The “grillin” was just right and the taste buds were very satisfied indeed. Dave (Luna Pier Cook) is quite a character with a neat sense of humor. Glad I got to meet him and his wife and children. Lorna and I were able to talk a little with Mike and Kathy Ingels-very nice couple.

We didn’t get to talk to everyone but did get to spend a little time with Tonya and her baby Knoah, Ria, Paula, and just a quick hi to Judy and Bob.  We enjoyed the fellowship and the warm friendly atmosphere around the Shaw’s home.  Thanks for all your planning and hard work Dan and Kathy we had an enjoyable afternoon.

Mike

What a beautiful Michigan Sunday morning-compliments of The Creator. Thanks God You do good work. This is the type of morning that reminds me of some of our camping trips when the kids were smaller. My wife and I would rise early and spend some time together over a hot cup of coffee or even a tea. You see my mothers from Canada and she’s got to have her tea so most of her children and grandchildren are tea drinkers. Now getting back to the sweet, clean, smell of the morning air. It’s a little cool, but not to cool I’d say-just about right.

Well after spending some time together I’d start the ingredients for my special home made pancakes. We would do bacon or sausage along with milk or orange juice. The smell of breakfast would float through the slight breeze right up the twitching noses of all those lovely sleepy heads. On a day like this we’de do breakfast outside on a picnic table. The chipmunks would usually invite themselves to eat with us to the delight of the girls. That’s right I said girls one (Tara,) two (Alena,) three (Meghan,) four (Mindy,) and five (Courtney,) whew! Prettiest bunch of sleepy-eyed little beauties God could bless a man with. We do have a 6th. child, and his name is not “Sue”! It’s Micah like the Old Testement prophet. Anyone who knows him will tell you he is aptly named. He’s a great Christian young man. He didn’t get in on to many of our camping trips, as by the time he came around we had graduated into 4 and 5 star motels. Boy that takes the “fun” out of camping-or does it?

Got to get ready for church so we can hear our Pastor, John Piippo, proclaim God’s word. Dr. Piippo has just started a blog called “finding the real Jesus in Monroe.” Many have already logged onto it, and some have made great comments. If you get a chance read John’s blog; his biblical understanding and insights are awesome.

Mike

There has been somewhat of battle going on between Michigan sportsmen concerning the use of crossbows for hunting purposes.  Currently only disabled hunters are allowed to use crossbows, and they must have a physician document that the person is at least 80% disabled in his/her ability to pull back a bow.

There is a growing group of sportsmen who would like to see a crossbow season for the senior citizens here in Michigan.  Those 65 and older would not have to be handicapped in order to hunt with a crossbow.  At least 34 other states have some sort of a crossbow season for there hunters-why not Michigan?

Even as I write this article the news has made its way to me that the Michigan DNR has turned down a crossbow season for anyone, except those with a 60% (new percentage) handicap.  This is an issue that will not go away anytime soon.  I personally don’t have a problem with our senior citizens being allowed to use a crossbow.  Many of those “old timers” are the ones that paved the way for you and me to enjoy the bounty that we are blessed with here in Michigan,  They’ve paid there dues.

Mike

Recently I wrote an article about wild hogs, and the problems they could create for Michigans wild game.  Well it seems now we may be having a problem with Fallow deer.  The DNR has been checking into several reports of Fallow deer in the wild.  Recently it has been confirmed that several areas of the state do have “ranch raised” Fallow deer running wild.

The biggest problem is that Fallow deer can carry bovine T.B.and there have been confirmed cases of these animals having CWD (Cronic Wasting Disease.)  DNR biologist want hunters to report any sightings of Fallow deer, and if you are a licensed hunter you may shoot all you see, (providing you are hunting during a legal hunting season.)  The DNR would also like you to bring the head of any deer you shoot to a field office so they can test it for T.B. or CWD.  Lets keep our woods free of these invaders, and help protect our native game species.

Mike

Back when the Erie marsh was full of spawning carp, at this time of the year, my brothers and I would hone our bow shooting abilities. Sometimes we would wade into the Otter Creek marsh in search of that elusive 20 pound carp. That was back in the days before compound bows, when everybody shot a recurve or longbow. With a metal or fiberglass reel taped to the bottom limb of your bow,and 50 pound test line attached, you were all set. Of coarse you needed a good fiberglass arrow with a fish point on the end.

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Sometimes we would haul a canoe to the marsh, and try not to get too wet or muddy, but we usually managed to come home pretty nasty anyway. We were always dreaming up ways to bring some kind of competition into our activities, so we would try to have the largest carp, biggest gold carp, or biggest non-carp fish win the competition. There were never any prizes, just bragging rights for the day. I remember more than once connecting on a moving target at 12-15 yards away. Makes me wonder how I can miss a huge deer with my new fangled $600.00 dollar compound bow at 15 yards today. Somethings not right about this equation! Think about it.

Mike

Hope everyone got there bear permits in by May 15th., and didn’t do what I did.  Duh! I let time get away from me and was a week to late to turn in for the drawing.  First time I’ve done that in many many years.  This may be a good year to take that elk hunt back out west.

Just wanted to mention something to you hunters who may be fortunate enough to draw a permit.  Several years ago we had a group of hunters, or should I say game law violators in our bear hunting area.  They were running bear off of other hunters baits whenever they could get away with it.  We caught up with them one day, and it didn’t take us long to realize the “hunters” didn’t know which end of the rifle the bullet came out.  This out-of-state dog operation was here for one reason-gall bladders!  The “hunters” were all Asian who knew very little English.  We are quite sure the outfitters were doing the shooting, and the gall bladders were going on the black market.

We called the local DNR office to let them know what we thought was going on.  We gave them a description of the vehicle and the area they were last seen in.  We do not know if they got caught or not, but our hope is they did.  If you are approached at any time during your hunt to sell your bears gall bladder don’t even think about it.  Don’t be a criminal and a slob hunter-do the right thing and just say “NO.”  Then do the next right thing and call the DNR hotline to catch this vermin.

Mike

Proposals, soon to go before the Michigan Senate, asking for hunting and fishing fee increases, have some hunters and fishermen up in arms. The proposal was put forth by the Natural Resources Commission, Hunting and Fishing Package Development Work Group. The 19 members of the NRC group explained that a drastic increase in fees are needed to offset the DNR deficit. This deficit is expected to quadruple by the year 2010.

Basicly the proposal put forth would increase a $15 dollar bear license to $50 dollars, and increase the deer-combo license by $45 dollars. Fishing licenses would increase $12 dollars with various other increases for combo licenses, stamps, ect.

The current senior discount for license fees stands at 60%, but the new proposal would bring that down to 40%. If this proposal passes and the Governor signs it you will see an immediate increase in fees. To save yourself from sticker shock in 2008, buy your licenses “NOW.” If you purchase them now before its offical you could save up to 50% on some licenses. See ya at Cook’s!

Mike