Hunting with Mike

” alt=”" For those of you who were wondering how Tom Hedke’s story could be any better; here is HOW!  Pictured above is Boone Bergsma (8 pointer) and his dad Doug and his 14 pointer.  Boone also used a longbow to down his, while his dad used a compound.  Both bucks were  shot in Illinois, and Boone also got his kill on tape.  I am not a offical scorer, but I do know how its done, and my estimate for Boone’s 8 point would be around 130 Pope and Young inches.  His dad’s 14 pointer would gross around 155 if I’m seeing all the points on this “bad boy!”  Tom’s 11 pointer grossed 160, so you have three bucks for the book!

When is the last time you heard of three hunters all bagging record class bucks with a bow and arrow?  I don’t know if I ever remember such a feat being done!  You all deserve a “well done” for such an accomplishment as this.  There had to be quite a bit of skill and ability to pull this one off.  You guys are the envy of every whitetail hunter who reads this blog.

As of today Tom Hedke is now in Indiana after another bruiser.  You may have noticed I had to edit yesterday’s blog about Tom’s story.  I reported the deer as  being taken in Indiana and it actually was Illinois.  My mistake, all those horns gave me “blogger’s fever!”  Keep us posted Tom, Boone, (how appropiate is that name) and Doug.  Again congratulations on doing something that most hunters only dream about!

Mike

” Can you guess why Mr. Tom Hedke is grinning ear to ear? This young bowhunter has gotten my attention I’ll tell ya that. I did a post on Tom last year when he took a Pope and Young buck with his compound bow, and now just a season later, I’m doing another post, on an even bigger buck! Not only that, but this 160 inch mainframe ten point was taken with traditional archery gear.

I’ve known Tommy and his family since he was about 11 years old. They are good people! Tommy has a twin (Mike) and I always wanted one of my daughters to marry one of the Hedke boys. When you, as a father, are willing to turn your daughters over to someone, you know these are fine young men. They grew up in church, and have the highest standards concerning morality and integrity. That’s why when Tom tells me a story I don’t have to wonder if I’m hearing the whole truth; I know I am!

So lets continue Tom’s story. Tom shoots an ACS CX longbow from A&H archery. Tom is shooting 44 # at 28 inches of draw. You may think that sure isn’t much draw weight, but the truth of the matter is this bow (reportedly) shoots equivalent to a 65# longbow from other manufacturers. Tom was using two blade Abowyer broadheads with a arrow weight around 600 grams. Tom is sold on this combination, and who can blame him.

Tom now lives in Western Michigan, not very far from the Indiana line with Illinois just down the road.  He and a couple of his hunting buddies got permission to hunt a farm, and did pre-season scouting in March. They had never hunted this property prior to this very successful hunt.

Tom shot his deer at 3:30 p.m. on October 7th. He saw nine bucks all toll, and even had an opportunity to shoot a 170 class non-typical. The bucks seemed to be in the pre-rut stage, and were chasing one another away from their established territories. The buck Tom shot actually ran off the non-typical, so it probably was the “boss” in that part of the woods. Tom reports that smaller bucks, and does, were winding them all day, but the “big boys” were too interested in chasing off other bucks. There was a community scrape in the area, which is one reason they were seeing so many deer. Tom even had a friend running a video camera and he reportedly got some great film! These two deer kept showing up throughout the day, but it wasn’t until Tom’s 10 pointer challenged the non-typical (again) that Tom could get a clear shot. At a mere 14 yards Tom drew back and released, sending his two-bladed torpedo through the center of the deer. The angle looked good, but the deer seemed not to realize, it was fatally wounded. It stayed about 50 yards away for some time, then wandered off slowly into the brush. The non-typical returned, and was 20 yards away from Tom for most of the evening. He must of sensed it was safe to “hang out” with Tommy Boy now! Tom decided to wait till morning to follow up on his deer which made it about 175 yards away from Tom’s stand.

I wish I could say I taught Tom everything he knew about bowhunting, because that would sure make me look good, but I didn’t. Congratulations again Mr. Hedke, and the same goes for your mentor. You are the man!

Guess what? This isn’t the end of the story! You’ll have to stay tuned for some more blogging of the Illnois Monsters. Can it get better?

Jealously Mike

Wow!  Was that goose good!  As you can see there are a couple of the pre-cooked pieces missing.  In fact I had started on my third scrumptious morsel, when I realized I wanted to take a picture of the finished goose breast.  Trust me it’s as good as it looks, and very easy to prepare.

My wife arrived home, just as I was taking things off the grill, and I plopped a fork full of goose, onions, and bacon, on her palate.  She started to protest, but the flavor of fare over took her objections!  “Mmmmm that was good” she responded, as I stuck my chest out and gloated, just a little!  And to think I have several more packages left in my freezer.  Now all I need to do is add some venison, and I’ll be set for the winter.

Mike

How would you like to be the guy (me) that put this monster on the wall? This is one impressive Colorado mule deer, even if I do say so myself. The left G-2 is 15 inches long, and the split G-2 on the other side measures 13 inches. You will also notice that this “bad boy” has brow tines; which many mule deer are missing.

I will now tell the whole exciting story of how I was able to outwit this western trophy. Well actually it wasn’t real hard to outsmart this buck, it was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time. You see when I found this buck he was already dead. Wasn’t much left except this great “hat rack!” I brought the horns home with me, purchased a hide from the taxidermist, and “bingo” I had a nice mount (Its one I just sold) to put in my family room.

Stop and think of the poor hunter that failed to retrieve this huge buck. I bet he still has nightmares over this one! Take my advice. If you are not sure of a fatal shot, let that animal sit the evening, and don’t push it. Chances are he will lay down the first time he feels he’s not being pushed, and that’s where you’ll find him in the morning. Don’t give up to soon, and always be patient. A wrong move and you could be the guy donating your trophy to the coyotes, or it could be hanging on someones else’s wall!

Mike

There are six of us Ansel “boys” and this is my youngest brother Dean’s place.  He is a policeman for Erie township, and also has his contractors license.  As everyone knows police work is steady, while the construction business has “flat lined!”   Any way Dean is rehabbing this house that sits on 13 acres in one of the most heavily populated areas of Monroe county.   All thats left of the old house is  one wall, and part of the foundation.  Ninety eight percent is totally new.   Dean is good at what he does, even if it seems to take him forever!   This place is going to be absolutely gorgeous when he is done.   I’ve helped when I could, but most of his everyday help has come from his good buddy Dave.

As nice as the house is going to be, the property is even nicer!  There is about 10 acres of unmolested woods, some planted pines, and a small pond surrounding the house.  One of the first things I noticed on my first visit, was the deer tracks around this new construction.  Upon questioning Dean, he said not only were deer frequent visitors, but turkey were in the area also.  I was blown away!  This area has a subdivision everywhere you look, and it’s mostly “Yuppies” with huge homes and bigger lots.  I would venture to say that Dean has the “wildest parcel of land” within a 10 mile radius.  Just last Monday I was working on the kitchen walls, when the dogs started barking outside.  There in the woods were two deer, who turned and waved their white flags, as the dogs approached the wood line.  He has a huge scrape not 200 yards from his garage door, and two fawns often come up the driveway to check on Deans progress.

I asked if he had a stand set up yet, and he said “I don’t have time, and I’d rather watch the deer anyway; at least for now!”  Sounds like he has plans for next year maybe.  I guess the bottom line about this blog is the adaptability of deer.  Not only can they make it in the suburbs, but they can actually thrive there.

This past Friday we all gathered at my daughter Courtney’s house, and let the kids go around the neighborhood.   Ave  (Hanna Montana) and Addisyn  (Minny Mouse) are Courtney’s daughters.  I couldn’t get the rest of the crew to hold still long enough for a good picture.  I think the sugar was already having an effect on them.   The other cousins present were  Jacob. Nina, Quinn, and Kyle  along with their parents.   My daughter  Alena made white chicken chili, and Courtney made pizza  for the hungry crew when they returned.

The weather cooperated, as it was between the mid 60’s to the mid 50’s all evening long.  I can’t remember when we had such a nice trick or treat, weather wise.  I wore a “T’ shirt, and it never was to cool to complain.  The last few years we’ve had rain, and that can really ruin the “show!”

Today we did home made donuts again, played in the leaves, drank two gallons of cider, and then finished the evening with a couple board games.  Everyone has gone their “merry” way now, and Grandma and I are here in our quiet house all by ourselves.  The dishes are done, the kitchen clean, and now I can kick back and see if I can find out “why” those dag-gone Lions lost again!)  0 and 8 now that’s the scariest thing I’ve heard all weekend!

These two hardy goose hunters, Randy and Darryl, along with their brother Brett, and friends Jack Murari and Randy Redmond have had quite a goose season.  Darryl is the expert, and has various pieces of farm land to hunt.  He knows how to lay out decoys and is an expert goose caller.  All the guys have individual one person ground blinds that help conceal them till the last minute.

One of Darryl’s hot spots is just a 1/4 mile inland from Lake Erie, and the other is about 2 miles further inland.  I think they all have enough goose breast in their freezers to last the winter.  Recently I’ve been called to participate, but usually have something else going on (like watching grandkids!)  The last few times the guys have went out there’s been frost on the pumpkin, and a very brisk chill in the air.  To cold for this fair weather goose hunter.  These guys are dedicated to the sport and don’t let a little sub-freezing temperatures get in their way.  It’s not always a goose in every pouch, as the last two times they’ve ventured out they have come home empty handed.  Oh well it’s in the camaraderie of the hunt and not necessarily the taking of the game.

Mike

Not very long ago I wrote a post concerning the way, the present economy, has effected hunting on a personal level.  Well the chickens have come home to roost around my house.  I haven’t been over at my lease property for 2-1/2 weeks, as it cost me between $150 and $200 dollars every time I go.  The finances just aren’t there, which has forced me to take some drastic measures!

In order to come up with some “cash reserves” I put several items up for sale in our local newspaper.  Two shot guns, that I never used, went on the auction block, as well as a huge Colorado mule deer and a trophy whitetail.  I also put my 2000 ranger supercab 4X4 in the want ads.  The shotguns were a Mossburg pump, ventilated rib, gold trigger addition, in super condition, and an almost new Remington 20 gauge Express magnum.  I sold them way to cheap!  First guy that came over took them both, and I had 35 calls after that.  I’m embarrassed to mention what I sold them for!

The mule deer was one I found on my Colorado elk hunt, so the attachment to this mount was minimal.  It is a very nice rack and probably scores around 150-160.  The huge 12 point, heavy mass, split G-2’s, whitetail was given to me by a friend, so it is void of any hunting memories.  The first guy that looked at these took them both home for $700 dollars!  The “kitty’s” growing!

Actually my truck went the same day, and I will miss it more than the other things, especially since riding my motorcycle is freezing my “buns” off.  I can’t go very long without a truck, so am looking for a 2-wheel drive 4-cylinder that gets 25 miles per gallon.  Yesterday my mother loaned me her Dodge Neon, which gets me off that bike.

My walls have a few empty spaces, my gun cabinet less guns, and my driveway is minus a truck, but a mans got to do what a mans got to do in order to pursue the “call of the wild!”  My hunting fund is finally in the black, but now I have to see if I can find some “TIME” for sale.

Mike

Rainbows; I just can’t get enough of them! I snapped this picture while staying in Avon Colorado just a few years ago. As you can see this is a double rainbow. The outer one is always the faintest, and the colors are just the opposite of the brighter arc. I’ll bet most people don’t know that little tid-bit of information. The most common sequence of colors are red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. As you can see in the faintly visible second rainbow the sequence starts from the underside of the arch, and not the outside (top.)

If you’ve seen very many of these optical messengers you’ll know that they can be formed by rain, mist, dew, spray, fog, and ice. I have enjoyed these meteorological phenomenon from the sub-arctic to the Barbados islands, from the Rockies to Hawaii, but their message to me is always the same. Genesis 9: 13-15 says “I have set my bow in the clouds, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and the earth. When I bring clouds over the earth and the bow is seen in the clouds, I will remember my covenant that is between me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.” It is a promise an everlasting covenant that cannot be broken, but it also reminds us that God does not “wink” at our ways! In the old days I could of said “wink at our sins!” but that is not politically correct anymore, so I won’t say it.

I don’t know about you but when I was a kid I used to think “if only I could find the ‘pot of gold’ at the end of the rainbow, my dad wouldn’t have to work so hard!” We’d be rich and mom could have all those things she deserved. Me and a couple of my buddies even tried to walk to where we thought the rainbow was touching that pot of gold. We never seemed to get any closer, and after a few blocks we gave up our dream. The reason (I found out when I got older) that you can never reach the end of a rainbow is because when you move toward it, it moves further away from you! A rainbow is an optical effect which occurs due to the position of the viewer.

Every time I behold one of these “messengers” I get a sense of awe and wonder about me being a special part of this planet called “earth!”

Mike

I don’t know what’s going on with this particular post, but I’ve tried three times to publish it to no avail. So we will try again and hope for better results.

This is some of our gang at our annual fall donut making event. We have done this for many years, and it’s become a family tradition to have donuts and cider during the month of October. This year I bought a new propane deep fat fryer that will do nine donuts at a time. The old fryer would only do three, so this process was made much faster by the new equipment. One recipe will make 60 donut’s, plus donut holes for the kids. We let them put their own toppings on, and they have a choice of powdered sugar, frosting, and sugar and cinnamon. We also let them add some “sprinkles” if they want.

It took about two hours to prepare everything and another hour to clean up, but it only took 20 minutes to get rid of 60 donuts. You can’t plan on having a donut and coffee, in the morning, with this crew. You can’t really blame us though, as these home made pastries are deliciously light and fluffy.

Usually we have a bon-fire to go along with the festivities, but we raked leaves into a big pile this year, and let the kids slide into them from the play set in the backyard. They had a blast playing in the leaves, and I was able to burn part of the half million leaves in my yard the next day. We are planning to include a kids hay ride next time we do it, which could be soon, if the weather holds out.

Mike