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Bill Rushfords Upper Peninsula Luce County record book non-typical 15 pointer. Shot on November 26TH. with a Remington 7mm. magnum. Bills deer dressed out at 212 pounds, and was aged at 5-1/2 to 6-1/2 years old. It has a 21-3/8 inside spread and several tines over 12 inches long. It’s offical score is 197-3/8 Boone and Crockett points making it one of the highest scoring bucks ever taken in Michigan. To read Bills story go to mikeansel.com.
Mike
This bushy-tail looks like he’s been raiding somebodies bird feeders. But guess what? It hasn’t been mine. I finally bought a bird feeder that actually keeps the squirrels out. Last week, when I took this picture, he was trying everything in his power to get at my chickadee seeds. I actually saw him hang by one leg trying to get at it, to no avail. He is able to eat some of the seed husk, but his chubby midsection says he’s stored away alot of food, or someone else’s bird-feeder is getting “hit.”
I used to squirrel hunt with my dad, when I was a kid, but only occasionally go anymore. I have taken two squirrel’s with my bow, and trust me when I say it isn’t easy. One of the reasons I don’t get into squirrel hunting anymore is I never seem to cook them right. I should of paid more attention to my dad when he would fix them. We loved the camp dinners my dad would prepare, and “old bushy-tail” was one of his best.
As I watched this over weight thief; I thought about my dad and his squirrel cooking skills. If he were still around this one might of ended up in a roasting pan.
Mike
What better way to spend a cold wintry Thursday evening than at a granddaughters swim meet. Not only was my granddaughter Nina involved but my nephew Derek and his wife Mary have two of their kids swimming also. (Francesca and Tristan) The top picture is their crew including Mary’s mom and dad and their other two kids Jacob (the deer hunter) and Jackson. Tristan didn’t get in this picture, but Francesca sure did! The bottom picture is of Nina doing the individual medley. She’s the one out in front. My daughter Alena was there, with my grandson Jay-Bird, to cheer her on.
The kids are just getting started in the sport, and they seem to be having alot of fun. There were sure tons of parents and grandparents there supporting their little future Olympians. I wasn’t dressed properly for the evening, as the heat and humidity was overwhelming at times. I had way to many layers of cloths on, but it was five degrees outside.
Derek is my brother Darryl’s boy who is one of the managers at Cabela’s in Dundee Michigan. If you can’t hunt the next best thing is to talk about hunting. Derek is the guy to do that with. He’s up on all the latest gear, what works and what doesn’t, and where the really big bucks are hiding. Says he got turned onto a place in Ohio where a 180 class and a 200 class whitetail made it through hunting season. They don’t get that size by making very many mistakes. We also discussed my experience with the “rage expandable broadhead” this year. As you may know I only got 3-4 inches penetration on a perfect lung shot. The blades deployed, but barely broke through the ribs. Had I not been with the landowner, who knew the area, I probably would of lost that deer! Derek does not use expandable, but says everyone he knows that uses the “rage” love them. Mine is the first negative story he’s heard. I shoot 60 pounds so low poundage shouldn’t have been a factor-go figure!
Derek’s boy Tristan has spent many hours on stand with his dad, but Jacob is the one who’s super tuned into hunting with his hero. He told me a story last night about almost shooting a big doe, and it was intense, and funny. (he was using a soft tipped arrow) It was a good night. What could be better than family, sports, and hunting stories!
” This is one of the main reasons I love to hunt, and why it’s so dissappointing when I don’t have wild game in the freezer. I can’t believe it has taken me more than a month to prepare any venison from my last deer. This meat loaf just came out of the oven along with Idaho potatoes and carrots. It is actually one of the eaisest venison meals I fix for the Ansel clan.
I haven’t followed a recipe for years, as I have it stored in my head. Every now and then I’ll throw in something “new” as sometimes I experiment. I made a meatloaf last year and used a little honey mixed in with the meat. It was excellent! On this one I used crushed saltine crackers, 1-egg, ketchup, salt & pepper, onion, garlic powder, seasoned salt, and a dash of my secret ingredient. (Earl Campbell’s all purpose seasoning) I surround the meat loaf with the potatoes and carrots in a roasting pan, with a small amount of water, and set the oven to about 325 degrees. Two hours later your mouth is watering, and you can’t resist taking just a small piece of meatloaf before dinner. Actually I made myself a teeny-weeny (yeh right) little plate of meat, potatoes, and carrots! My wife will never know 1/4 of the meatloaf is missing. Not really she knows EVERYTHING!
Mike
All you elk hunters are probably going to “drool” over this success story. Believe it or not this is a Michigan elk. Not only a Michigan elk, but brought down by a thirteen year old girl! If that don’t make you pea-green envious this next number will! The giant 7X8 has a green score of 383 Boone and Crockett inches, and may well end up the new Michigan State record!
Courtney Williams, from Cooks in the Upper Peninsula, is the young lady that accomplished this record feat. She was accompanied by her father Craig, and was guided by Dustin MacLeod from Cheboygan, where the elk was harvested, on private property. Courtney’s elk surpasses the best typical bull by almost 35 inches, and has the best non-typical beat by 8 inches. Of course the horns will have to dry for the official 60 day drying period before her final score will be measured.
Michigan Indian tribes are allowed to issue 10 percent of the total licenses that the state issues, and tribal permits last 15 more days than a state permit. Courtney’s license was issued by the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe. The first part of her hunt was in zone D where there wasn’t much action. For the last part of her hunt she was put in contact with MacLeod, who has guided before, and knew the where-a-bouts of a big bull. His area was zone X which allows any licensed elk hunter access due to elk being out of their traditional range, in this area. (Cheboygan)
MacLeod put Courtney in the right spot, and three well placed shots from her new 308 has made her a hunting celebrity. Courtney also bagged a 6-point buck during the September youth hunt. She had just turned 13 two days before she downed her gigantic bull. I’ve been applying for a Michigan elk permit for 30 years, and still “no dice!” Congratulations Courtney from one jealous wanna-be.
Mike
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