Hunting with Mike

Recently I’ve talked to a couple of shop owners that sell Michigan hunting and fishing licenses, and they said deer license sales are down from last year. It doesn’t take a “rocket scientist” to figure out why! There are two major reasons, as far as I’m concerned.

Of course the economy, and the price of gas has a lot to do with the decline in license sales. Never in my life have I seen so many vacation/hunting properties for sale. Even my brother-in-law Pat has his beautiful Manistique cabin for sale. People can’t afford the taxes on two properties, the upkeep, and the utilities, not to mention the increased cost of driving there. Pat loves his place, and so do we, but on ones list of priorities, a cabin is a luxury, not a necessity. The middle class is being squeezed like never before, and this current economic downturn has many, in the state of Michigan cutting corners wherever they can.

I think the other issue is the “baiting” ban. It couldn’t of come at a worse time for Michigan farmers, and the little mom and pop operations that count on its revenue to sustain them through the winter. No matter your take on the deer baiting controversy this decision by the D.N.R. blindsided many here in the state! Millions of dollars will be lost, and many hunters won’t attempt to do “it” the old fashioned way! I hate to see our sport take a hit like this, even if it does mean there are fewer hunters I have to compete against roaming the woods. I’m not naive enough to believe that the ban on baiting will stop everyone from doing it, but a few $500.00 dollar fines should get everyones attention.

Well thats the way I see it. If you readers have some different opinion please let me know. I’d also like to know just how this economy is effecting you. I used to drive over to my hunting spot, and then come home in the evening. It cost me $45.00 dollars in gas for a “round trip.” Now my plan is to haul a borrowed camper over there, and stay for several days at a time. It’s like the old Bob Dylan song “And these times they are a changing!”

Mike

This group of Sandhill Cranes were present during our U.P. bear hunt.  At one time there were over 30 birds in this field.  The Sandhill Crane and the Whooping Crane are the only two cranes native to North America.  Once nearly eliminated from Michigan, Sandhill Cranes have made a remarkable comeback in our state.  Sandhill cranes are Michigan’s largest bird standing 4-5 feet tall, and having a wingspan of 6-7 feet.  There are six sub-species of Sandhill Cranes with the Greater Sandhill Crane being the one we find in Michigan.

Where we hunt in Hillsdale there is always a flock of Sandhill Cranes in the vicinity.  If you’ve never heard one doing a series of “trumpets” (calls) your missing quite a treat.  They are loud, and can be heard from over a mile away.  Sandhill Cranes mate for life, and usually use the same area for nesting year after year.  In the spring Sandhill’s return from their warm winter nesting areas, and take residence here in Michigan and other Northern States.

I have seen many of these birds in my travels, and am always impressed by how large they look.  In reality the bigger birds only weigh in at around 12 pounds.  Due to their tall stature and plumage they appear much bigger than they are.  Kind of like the model “Twiggy” from the 1960’s-skinny!

I have wanted to have a fish fry ever since we got back from bear hunting.   We brought home some really nice brook trout, and yesterday my brother-in-law (Ken Boylan) gave me a large package of walleye for my birthday.   You talk about a gift that was truly appreciated!   It takes alot of “guts” to part with 3-pounds of walleye fillets.

In the picture you’ll see I’m waiting for the oil to reach 350 degrees, so I can start on our feast.   I invited my three daughters that live in town, and had a forth daughter visiting from Chicago.   There were 16 hungry mouths to feed, and believe it or not I had left over fish.   We fixed fries and corn to go along with the walleye and trout, and most of us pigged out!   It was a good way to spend a Sunday afternoon following church services.   We talked about everything and anything, and  think we came up with an idea to bring peace to the world.  Wouldn’t it be nice if we could invite all the world leaders over for a fish fry, and just sit around an relax and “talk!”  Now isn’t that a novel idea?   We would probably all be surprised at how many differences are solved  before, during, and after a good meal.

Yesterday I was at it again, but my plans got changed when the guy I lease from decided to clear out the fence-line my stand is in!  He told me to go ahead and hunt behind his place, but I didn’t have time to set anything up, so I hurriedly put together a ground blind.  The wind was not my friend last night, even though I had a full contingent of “scent-loc” clothing on.  I had a deer behind me that snorted a few times, and then vacated the area.  I never was able to see it, but from the sound it was close.  Next I had a doe, followed by two young ones, come out of the woods into the two acre field I was watching.  At 80 yards she immediately looked my way and started “snorting.”  She continued to walk toward me making noise and pawing at the ground.  At 25 yards she had had enough, as she “blew” and scampered back into the woods.  I swear I didn’t move, and was very well concealed.  She could not of winded me from her position!  She was an older doe, and sometimes they are smarter than the bucks.  Just before dark I had a couple nice doe’s behind me in the soybean field.  I misjudged the distance shooting for 35 yards, and it was probably more like 30, as my arrow flew harmlessly over her back.  All in all it turned out to be a good evening even if I didn’t get to put some fresh venison in the freezer

I heard my brother got a nice 8-point, and will have to do some follow up with that.  Seen tons of geese, and I can’t wait for the 11th. (goose opener)

Mike

Well opening day of bow season has come and gone, and the buck pole is empty.  This picture is a view from my tree stand looking north over the soybean field.  There is a pond to my left and quite a bit of tall grass that surrounds the bean field.  Tony’s stand is on the north border tree line, and he saw several deer.

I “busted” a couple that were bedding going to my stand in the morning, but saw none during the hunt.  Tony saw two bucks, in the middle of the field, but they eventually worked their way into the woods.  One was a nice eight and they other was a decent six.  In the afternoon I watched two bucks, through my binoculars, as they were feeding down the tree line Tony was in.  They were feeding away from his position, and he never even saw them.  I watched as the basket racked eight made a scrape and left his scent on some tree limbs.  He disappeared into a thicket and then a forkhorn took over the same scent marked tree limb.  It was like he was imitating everything the larger deer did.  He hung around that area for about half an hour then melted into the thicket also.  Tony saw a couple does and a nice buck, but a farmer spreading manure, “spooked” them back to where they came from.  He also saw some turkeys and we both saw several sand hill cranes.

I had to get home, as today is my 38th. anniversary, but Tony is hunting a few more days.  I may make it back over this weekend, but I’ve got a daughter and grandson coming into town, so that may not happen either.  Oh well its nice to know Michigan has a long season for bowhunters!

Mike