Re: Deer Hunting Thread #2

[Guest]

As a guy that hunted state land up north in the 70s and then got 20 years of club country/private land hunting before returning to state land 10 years ago I think i have a pretty good perspective on this.  

The decline in hunters has been most apparent on state land.  So many hunters that are left now have their own land that I think the decline in numbers has been more concentrated in those that don't have a permanent camp to go to.

I know this - I can now find areas of state land that are not even close to overrun.  In contrast to the early 70s when on opening morning I always made sure my back was against a tree before the dawn cannonade started.  

Frankly, I haven't hunted state land since the 90's, but two or three run-ins with the "locals" or guys who think they "owned" something was enough to keep me off the land. Nothing explicitly violent per-se, but I'd rather avoid armed and crazy if at all possible.

Not only that, but the increased chance of accident always freaked me out. Parking with one car in the lot, then walking out with 20.... Enough dudes with buck fever for one to pull the trigger at a rustling in the brush (me).

That said, I have an uncle with land we could hunt 1.5 hrs away. Kid isn't even jazzed about that. With all of the other stuff kids are required to do now a days, this feels like something to do if you have "free time", which my kid does not...

Yep, hunting like most things has it's share of crazies. The other factor in releasing some of the pressure on state land up here is the hunting numbers in the southern part of the state. Prior to the 70s deer hunting meant up north. I remember when even seeing a deer in the Thumb and further south was pretty rare. Now people have hunt camps there. So combining the lower overall numbers of hunters with increased geographic spread has really eased the pressure on state lands.

I actually gave all my guns away a couple years ago but have since purchased another rifle and just bought another muzzleloader so I'm going to hunt both seasons this year. Figure I should while I still can and am hoping to be able to take my grandson in a few years.

[kingstonlake]

In a stroke of irony, at camp one of my two smoking uncle's wasn't feeling well at the casino. They went back to camp and he got up at 1:30 and was having trouble breathing. They took him to munising and he was transferred to Marquette. Don't think he was having a heart attack but they're keeping him for two days. They surmised COPD or blockage. Plus having diarrhea. When I was up there a few weeks ago he had bouts of coughing at night and I think I heard him puking.

Quit smoking!.....

[Guest]

Traffic is already picking up....

Hunters set sights on opening day of firearm deer season in Michigan

[Jake from State Farm]

I saw two does yesterday. Having a small dog with you must confuse the heck of them with all the noise the dog makes in the leaves. They just stared at me for five minutes or so trying to figure out what the heck was making all that noise. Ran across them again about a half hour later and they did the same thing.
Saw a buck with an antler and a half the day before that.

The only shots I got were with my phone/camera. I haven't bought a license for a couple of years now.

[Guest]

As I sit in the woods north of Mio it occurs to me that it was 33 years ago tonight that 2 guys decided to drink in Mio rather than go to the family cabin at White Cloud.....WBH knows the rest.

[kingstonlake]

There were at least 6 guys waiting in line to get their deer license today at 3pm at Meijer.  Lol, I'm sure they're the prepared type when they get to the woods.

[tGreenWay]

As I sit in the woods north of Mio it occurs to me that it was 33 years ago tonight that 2 guys decided to drink in Mio rather than go to the family cabin at White Cloud.....WBH knows the rest.

[Guest]

The seasonal road as we drove out to camp tonight.   Had a couple deer cross in front of us......   

[Other Teams Pursuing That]

That is sweet goose

[aualum06]

Hope everyone including me sees the big one

[kingstonlake]

Good luck to everyone (yes even you LWS ). Be safe, dress warm, and bag a big one!

[Guest]

I'm old. It was fucking cold out there this morning. Thermometer on the motor home said 11 degrees. I wimped out by 8:45 and headed for the furnace....


That's one of the coldest opening days in the lower peninsula I remember. I've been hunting Oscoda/Alcona counties since the late 60s/early70s with my Dad and only remember one other opener here with this much snow on the ground.

[aualum06]

Deer are moving this morning

[tGreenWay]

Good luck to everyone (yes even you LWS ). Be safe, dress warm, and bag a big one!

There should be plenty left after last call.

[tGreenWay]

Hope everyone including me sees the big one

[kingstonlake]

Got a report there is between 24-30 inches of snow on the ground at camp. (Grand Marais).

[Watch Out Pylon!]

Good luck to everyone (yes even you LWS ). Be safe, dress warm, and bag a big one!

There should be plenty left after last call.

[aualum06]

[Watch Out Pylon!]

Do we get an after picture as well? Or did you pass on these guys?

[aualum06]

Next time she comes by maybe

[Guest]

Do we get an after picture as well? Or did you pass on these guys?

To satisfy your bloodlust.

[tGreenWay]

First to say nice rack, Goose.

[WhiteGreenShow]

Do we get an after picture as well? Or did you pass on these guys?

To satisfy your bloodlust.

Must have been a slow day, you scared off his big brother.

[tGreenWay]

To satisfy your bloodlust.

Must have been a slow day, you scared off his big brother.

Shots fired!!!

[tGreenWay]

Turtleneck is going to hate this thread, the big baby.

[Other Teams Pursuing That]

Can’t believe goose is admitting to murder.

[Watch Out Pylon!]

Do we get an after picture as well? Or did you pass on these guys?

To satisfy your bloodlust.

Nice!

[kingstonlake]

Atta boy Goose!

[Death Roe]

Is it legal to have sex with the deer yet?

[Guest]

Is it legal to have sex with the deer yet?

Buying a goat would make it would be easier to satisfy your interest.

[tGreenWay]

Is it legal to have sex with the deer yet?

Buying a goat sheep would make it would be easier to satisfy your interest.

Fixed.
I mean, that’s what I’ve been told.

[aualum06]

Is it legal to have sex with the deer yet?

Only if you can catch them

[Jake from State Farm]

Nice deer Goose, makes me kinda miss sitting out in the woods on opening day.

[Guest]

This photographer likes his graphic pics...

Opening day for 2018 regular firearm deer season throughout Michigan

[TheReal_LWS]

Came by me this morning.

[TheReal_LWS]

Congrats on your buck, Goose!

[aualum06]

Nice buck. I hate my.life at the moment. Freezer will have some meat in it though

[WhiteGreenShow]

Any of you guys get out with a bow these days? I have not hunted a gun opener in years due to traveling for work. I was lucky enough to get out at the end of October and enjoy the beautiful state. I can not wait to be back at Thanksgiving, need to take a few does to offset the buck I harvested earlier in the fall. Keep it up the insurance companies thank you.

[aualum06]

Any of you guys get out with a bow these days? I have not hunted a gun opener in years due to traveling for work. I was lucky enough to get out at the end of October and enjoy the beautiful state. I can not wait to be back at Thanksgiving, need to take a few does to offset the buck I harvested earlier in the fall. Keep it up the insurance companies thank you.

I would really like to have a crossbow

[steveschneider]

I drove through the mitten yesterday and only saw one carcass on the side of the highway. Just want to thank the hunters of this fine state for cleaning up our woods of this nuisance. May all of your venison recipes be delicious!

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