Hunting with Mike

The three “Amigos” are back at the cabin for lunch, and we aren’t eating any backstraps.  My friend Mike Heil saw a small yearling, and at 10:00, when I came out, a huge buck was running across my cut corn field.  Mike saw it also, but couldn’t get a shot at it either  There was alot of shooting around me, and the farmer behind me got one as well as the party of Amish across the way. My son-in-law Tony and grandson Quinn didn’t see anything, but said the shooting around them was fast and furious for awhile. I haven’t heard from my brother Brett yet.  He has a spot about a 40 minute drive from the rest of us. Were going to grab a bite to eat, and head back out for the afternoon. Tonight when we get in , several guys we know are meeting at my brother Bretts place for dinner,and hopefully swap some deer tales. I’ll write more about our hunt in the next few days.               Mike 

Can you hit this fungus at 100 yards? If you can your ready for opening of gun deer season Thursday. The dimensions of this mushroom looking growth is just about the size of a deers heart. Of course the lung area is much larger, and will do the job, but I like to site my guns in for 3-4 inch groups at 100 yards.

I had to really work with my Remington model 870. I bought a slug barrel for it about 28 years ago with a smooth bore. I’m sure the rifled barrels are probably more accurate, but I satisfied when I left the shooting range. I also took my Thompson muzzle-loader, as I hadn’t shot it much since I missed a bear with it a couple years ago. At 100 yards I was lined up left and right just fine, but I was 5″ high. I adjusted 20 clicks down, and was in a 2″ bulls-eye on my next three shots. My confidence level soared, and I’ve decided to use the 50 caliber muzzle-loader opening morning. I’m planning on no second shot! Of course the 870 will be around in case plans don’t go according to expectations.

Most hunters should already have their guns sited-in, but a word of caution-don’t think because it was “on” last year that things are ok this year! Get out there and take a few shots just to make sure. You owe it to yourself and the deer your trying to put in the freezer.

Mike

I’ve totally enjoyed the sacred time I have been able to spend in the woods surrounded by Gods creation.  If your open to it, you will learn a lot about yourself and the hidden wonders of nature.  I have taken Black bear, caribou, wild boar, whitetail, turkeys, and various small game with my bow.  Even though the thrill of those hunts will forever be in my book of memories-my greatest thrill was calling in this 8-pointer for my son.  It was his first buck with a bow, and I couldn’t have been prouder of him.  His execution was flawless, and the result will always be in the forefront of my hunting stories.  Nothing beats a “plan” coming together in spite of miscues or mistakes!

My son isn’t into hunting the way I am, and thats ok.  I am blessed to have the memories of his younger years at my side.  I had him in my bear stands at 9-years old.  He was my camera man, and he did a darn good job of it.  One of my French Canadian bear guides “dubbed” my son “Little Big Man” because he carried his share around camp.

This week as I head over to Hillsdale for gun opener I’ll be taking a friend and my son-in-law.  My son will be studying the bible, reading one of his numerous spiritual books, praying, and having fellowship with like minded young adults.  I wouldn’t mind if he tagged along, but quite frankly I couldn’t be prouder of him!  He’s one great son.

Mike

Just got back from three days in Hillsdale, and regretfully I have to show you a picture of last years buck! Oh it’s not that I didn’t see any deer! In fact I saw five and they were all bucks.

Tonight I had a really nice 8-pointer right under my stand, but couldn’t close the deal. I got caught sitting down, and couldn’t shoot from that position. By the time I got to my feet he was getting nervous, as the wind was blowing toward him. He never made me, but didn’t stick around long enough for me to draw on him. Totally my fault for not being on “full alert!”

Thursday my son-in-law Tony and I were walking back to the truck when a true “Monster Buck” jumped up from his bed about 30 yards from us. As we watched him jump through the tall weeds a second buck (6-pointer) stood up and stared at us. This deer was only 20 yards away. Guess where our bows were? You guessed it-we left them back at our stands. We’ve been drooling over that big boy ever since. I’m not exaggerating when I say he was over a 150 class buck.

I also saw another 6-pointer, and one that I couldn’t quite tell how many points he had. Tony saw two other 6-pointers that I didn’t see, and a couple of yearling’s.

The deer are still moving late in our area, but the rut seems to be in full swing. I found some humongous rubs on the other piece I lease, and I’m really looking forward to shotgunning over there. Keep your broadheads sharp, your powder dry, and don’t sit down in your tree stand!

Mike

I don’t know how many of you are fortunate enough to own hunting camps, but the one in this picture is the epitome of what a deer camp should be. It belongs to the Baldwin family in Marquette Michigan, and Dick and his two sons Gary and Greg are premier whitetail hunters. All you have to do is look at the eight point (or better) racks on this wall and you’ll be a believer. Grandson Matt and a few of the in laws have added to the bounty, but the three biggest bucks ever taken were shot by Dick. He shot a 12 pointer several years ago that went about 250 pounds, and scored around 160. I couldn’t even fit all the deer horns in this picture, and there are three more walls covered with antlers.

These guys are not road hunters! They hunt the hills and swamps of Marquette, and they outsmart, rundown, intercept, trick, and earn almost every whitetail on that wall. Dick knows the area like the back of his hand, and he thinks like a whitetail. This veteran hunter has traversed and trapped the hills and swamps of Marquette for well over 65 years. He’s a local legend of sorts, to those who would give there left shooting finger, to get invited to sit around the Baldwin campfire!

The camp itself was built from trees taken on Baldwin land. At first there was just a big open area (kitchen/living) with a loft. Several mattresses were in the loft, plus a few couches put to use. A bunkhouse/bathroom addition was put on several years ago complete with hot water. A little generator plus propane keeps things nice and cozy, along with the woodburner. This is a great example of a rustic Upper Peninsula camp.

I expect to be hearing from them after the end of gun season. They usually send me some pictures I can “drool” over. I wish Dick would consider my offer to adopt me, but I don’t think Gary and Greg would stand for that. Probably because I’m better looking than them!!!! Good luck guys-let me know how ya do?

Mike

Like a deer caught in the headlights! This is my granddaughter Addison (Ava’s little sister) and she got caught sneaking one of the donuts we made two weeks ago. She looks like she’s saying “who me?” All she has to do is look at “Papa” with those big beautiful blue eyes, and everything is ok.

This is definitely the time of year motorist have to be on the lookout for deer darting across the roads. The rut is in full swing, and the bucks are chasing the does all over the place. There was an article in the Monroe paper stating that Monroe county had almost 350 reported accidents involving deer! Monroe does not have a real high population of whitetails, but those figures blew me away. I personally have never hit a deer, but two of my kids have, and its not fun. My oldest daughter Tara was teaching in Muskegon one year, and on her way home for Thanksgiving she hit a deer just outside of town. I had to drive all the way over there and bring her home. The car had about $3000.00 dollars in damage, but thankfully she was alright. She says she hit a big buck that ran right into the side of her escort. Several guys stopped to argue over who was going to take the deer, and my daughter felt helpless in preventing them from doing so.

So stay alert! If you see deer along the roadway-slow down! You never know when a buck will decide to chase a doe right across 4-lanes of traffic.

Anyone who has ever crossed the Mackinaw Bridge appreciates the work that went into making this one of the longest expansion bridges in the world. It is without a doubt an engineering marvel! Soon many lower peninsula hunters will be traveling north, to their upper peninsula hunting grounds, and the “old timers” probably are thankful they no longer have to wait for the “ferry!”

Me, being an official old-timer, remember the days of waiting for the “ferry” to take you across the Straits of Mackinaw. I wasn’t old enough to hunt, but my mother is from Canada, and we used to visit about once a year. It was exciting for us boys, to pull in that long line of traffic, waiting to drive our car onto the next empty ferry-boat. I remember traffic lanes being about 6-lanes wide, and sometimes you would wait for hours, before you could “board!” Once you got on the boat it was about an hour trip to make it across. I remember watching the progress of the bridge pilings going into place. In the “old days” the wind could cause delays with the ferry, and even today “high wind” warnings can shut the bridge down. Now it takes about 5 minutes to get across, and the $2.50 that they charge per vehicle, is still a “real deal” as far as I’m concerned.

The picture at the top shows both the main expansion supports, in the rear-view mirror, which I thought was kind of neat. It was a calm day on the water when we made this trip in late September.

One of my brothers just got back from the U.P. and he says the deer have made a big come-back from a couple years ago. It seems two relatively mild winters has increased the deer herd in several areas of the Upper. Good hunting to all you hearty hunters venturing across”The Real Big Mac!”

The last time I was at my hunting spot; I walked the perimeter of the property looking for scrapes. I came across these beautiful flowers growing on the edge of a cornfield. I was really impressed by how lovely they were, just growing “wild” with only the elements tending the plant. You will also notice the “prickly pod” attached to the plant. Inside that pod are several hundred “black” seeds! Several of the pods were opening, getting ready for the wind to do the planting of these seeds. The pods were almost like cactus on the outside, and not pleasant to the touch. I don’t know what this particular plant is, but I would bet its some kind of “weed.” I can’t imagine the farmer being very happy about these intruders choking out his “cash” crop!

I got thinking about how certain things “in life”can impress us, and tickle our fancy, for awhile. How often are we fooled, and led astray by, our feelings and emotions? Sometimes we want something so bad we look right past the prickly pod, and end up reaping a harvest that we never intended to grow. I have certainly been guilty of lacking wisdom and sound judgment, in various areas, as I’ve walked this road of life. I thank God for His love, mercy, and forgiveness toward me, and for an earthly father that reflected that love. I have learned that not all things are what they appear to be, and the weeds with their “prickly pods” are not welcome in my garden.

Mike