This is a picture of brothers Brad and Ted Shinkle. They just returned from their annual deer hunting trip to Crystal Falls in the Upper Peninsula. Brad will be 90 years old next year, and Ted is about two years behind him. These two die hard deer hunters have been hunting the rugged U.P. for almost 60 years. Ted’s son Gary now owns the 80 acres their lovely log camp is located on, and he enjoys spending time with his dad and uncle at this time of year.
Family friend Darryl Ansel spent some time with the Shinkle’s a few weeks ago bowhunting, along with his friend Randy Redmond. Darryl got a nice 8-point and Randy took a 6-point while at camp. Darryl said the deer numbers seem to be “up” over the last few years. The Shinkle’s are great host, and love to share their piece of paradise with family and friends. An evening with Brad and Ted at the poker table is worth the drive in itself! I’ve been fortunate enough to spend time with them on two different hunts, and my sides still hurt from laughing so much. It takes the better part of the week just to hear all the B.S. (I mean deer stories) these two have accumulated over the last 70, or so, years!
At the young age of 85 Ted shot a 250 pound bleak bear not too far from camp. Darryl and I were both in camp when Ted dropped “ole blackie” with one shot. Brad and Ted have both taken deer in the last few years, and Brad even took a (huge deer with little horns) with his bow last year.
I happened to see Gary a few days ago, and he shot a six pointer, but Brad and Ted came home empty handed. Ted had been seeing a nice 8-pointer around his bow stand, but wouldn’t you know he disappeared for gun season. Brad had a 6-pointer walk by his stand, but elected not to shoot it. Gary had to ask “WHY” “Brad would you let that nice buck walk?” To which Brad replied “I’m waiting for a big 10 pointer, and if I don’t get him this year I’ll get him next year!” That’s the way these guys think-there’s always next year! God Bless the Shinkle brothers. They are truly a credit to the sport of hunting, and the epitome of what deer hunting should be.
If you want to know more about these two dyed-in-the-wool deer hunters read the Monroe Evening news story published on Nov. 28th. in the outdoor section. You can go online and read the whole article. Below is Ted, Darryl and myself admiring Ted’s bear a few years ago.
Great story. I hope to be still alive at that age and if things really work out I’ll still be hunting as well.
Sound like a great couple of gentleman!