Big Buck Vids

Here is the video of two big bucks (one of which I posted a pic of last post) my fiancee and I came across while scouting.

Last minute scouting trip.

I found some places locally, about 8 of them that are county parks with small pieces open to archery hunting. Best part is they only allow bucks with 3 points or more on one side and spreads outside their ears to be taken. Even better, all of them are within an hour from my apartment, the closest one being 12 minutes. So I decided to check out the two closest ones to see what kind of traffic they get and what kind of deer sign they held. I had to buy a parking permit for $32.50 just to get into the parks which sucked. I thought that was what I paid extra for with my license plate but I guess not. The first place was pretty decent. No buck sign that I could find. Lots of water.

All these places have multiple lakes and creeks running everywhere. I did not see any obvious hunter sign which was good. But, I did not find any kind of honey hole. The second place I went is much smaller than the first and I figured it would not be that great. Within the first mile I found a monster rub!

I also found tree stands. One blind stand which was confusing since it didn't look as though a bow or crossbow could be shot from it. I found many ancient stands and one newer one. The second place also had apple trees and oaks kicking out acorns everywhere. The newer stand I found had some corn thrown out for bait. I also saw a deer cane sack hung from a tree.

I did not see any deer which was strange since I covered a lot of ground and it was raining and windy. I did see two turkeys and a massasauga rattle snake. I looked all over North Dakota for a rattler and low and behold I spotted one in a rock pile pretty much in my own back yard. I still want to try to hit a few of the other areas before the opener but I am running out of time. Some awesome places though for sure.

A couple weeks now. New scouting camera pics.

I'm feeling good about my shooting finally. I met with my hunting partner and did some shooting together, it really built my confidence in both of us. Our plan is to shoot straight to Medora then randomly guess a direction and head out. We have some really good maps and the NDTRAX sd cards for our gps's so we should be in good shape no matter what.
I've been getting decent amounts of scouting camera pictures but no big bucks. One two year old six point keeps showing up and a fork horn. Lots of does so the freezer shouldn't be too empty this year.

Gander Mountain Update

Well, I put in a survey about my experience at the Novi Gander Mountain store. The store manager personally called me to apologize. This was huge to me, I was amazed. He wanted to do whatever it took to fix it. I went back to the store to get my arrows cut to see if the place was any different and it was. I had a great experience so I let the guy know it wasn't all bad every time I was in there. The manager really impressed me! He said my opinion was important and would use my experience in the morning meetings in the store to better his staff. I appreciate how he handled the situation and he won me back as a customer.

Some early season pics...

There's not a whole lot I can do towards my bow season right now. I still can't shoot because I'm broke and can't afford arrows or a rest for the new bow yet. I know the season is approaching soon. Whenever I am able to shoot I'm going to need to put in some crazy time. I have had only one camera set up on my parents property over a salt block just to see where the deer are at developmentally. I only got one pic of a buck.

Wolves in Michigan: Endangered or not?

 So wolves may be off the endangered list in Michigan and some other states. The public has a chance to "comment" on the ruling to take them off the list. Here are some notes from the DNR website and then my comment I submitted a while ago.

"We frequently hear from people with very strong opinions about wolf management," Hoving said. "This public comment period is an opportunity for those people to go on record with their concerns. The decision to de-list isn't a done deal. The comments submitted during this time matter."

To submit public comment, go online to www.regulations.gov and use docket number FWS-R3-ES-2011-0029. Comments can also be sent through regular mail to Public Comments Processing, Attn: FWS-R3-ES-2011-0029; Division of Policy and Directives Management; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, MS 2042-PDM; Arlington, VA, 22203.

The deadline to submit comments is Tuesday, July 5.

 My comment:
"Decisions on an entire species should not be decided on an all or nothing ruling. I am concerned that rulings are being made to manage the wolf based on a far too general population study that covers too broad an area. Districts or regions should be created and governed depending on their own needs. Wolves in Michigan may or may not be more common than in another area creating more or less of a need to manage the population. Simple geographic divides should be made and each region created should have its own decision on whether the wolf is endangered in that area or not based on surveys and devastation to its environment. Obviously, biologists can determine the impact of such a species in an ecosystem. Making the entire species endangered when it runs ramped in areas occupied by the unsuspecting public is irresponsible. I know we can do better."

I guess if they get taken off the list, the DNR will monitor population numbers for five years to make sure they maintain healthy numbers. The wolf will be a non-game protected species but the state legislature would have control over changing that at any time. Its pretty cool to think I may be able to hunt wolves in Michigan in my lifetime.

Help fight to save our rights to use the Huron Manistee National Forest !

"THE MAN" is trying to take away hunting and snow mobile use in the Huron Manistee National Forest. Even if you don't visit the forest, anytime you can promote hunting and fight for our right to hunt its a good idea. I am posting a link to Senator John Moolenar's electronic petition and some other information about the lawsuit that could hurt hunting in the UP.
Reasons to sign:

1. Help protect to our right to hunt.

2. If this land is taken away that would be how many hundreds to thousands of snowmobilers and hunters using the recreational land you currently use because they got kicked out of theres?

3. If this forest gets taken away, the anti-hunting campaign will gain momentum and it won't be long before they're attacking your land and rights.

Here is the link to the information and the petition is linked on this page, please help:

http://www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/senators/moolenaar.asp?District=36

And more information (a little easier to read):
michigan sportsman forum

Intro. Welcome to my hunting blog.

Hello, I am Paul. I am the typical guy from Michigan with a passion for the outdoors. I love reading hunting stories and following along with hunting blogs so I figured I should start my own. I don't know if anyone will ever read it but I'm going to try this out anyway.

A little background on me;
I am 27.
I grew up in the Thumb area in Michigan.
I went to Saginaw Valley State University where I met my awesome fiancee.
I now live in Fenton Michigan.
I am a manager at a large retail store in Novi Michigan.
I live to hunt, I enjoy bow hunting whitetails more than anything else.
I hunt mostly public land in Michigan but plan on hunting out of state soon.
I am going to cover all my outdoor adventures on this site.
I hope you enjoy what I have to say.
If you do let me know I would love to talk outdoors with you.