One fine big game cartridge for Michigan hunting – the .450 Bushmaster

Tom LounsburyBucks n Bears, Friends of ELO, Youth Hunts

By:  Tom Lounsbury. When the Michigan Natural Resources Commission passed the Limited Firearms Deer Season into law five years ago, it opened up a whole new avenue for southern Michigan deer hunters, allowing an array of straight wall cartridges (.35 caliber are larger, with a minimum case length of 1.16 inches and a maximum case length of 1.80 inches) in rifles during the regular firearms deer season (not to mention the Liberty, and early and late antlerless deer seasons as well). The new law is very well written, easy to understand, and it truly uses … Read More

Plinking: “You’re a Daisy if you do”

Tom LounsburyFriends of ELO, Youth Hunts

By:  Tom Lounsbury. The young boy avoided stepping on downed leaves and twigs and quietly eased up to the tree trunk for a steady brace, slowly shouldered his gun, took careful aim at the quarry as he eased off the safety, and then touched the trigger. At the shot, a little green apple lying on the ground several yards away rolled over with a direct hit. The boy re-cocked his little lever-action and shot the apple again to make sure it was down for the count. My 10 year old grandson Orlando and I were … Read More

Squirrel Dogs…like lightning in a bottle

Tom LounsburyFriends of ELO, Youth Hunts

By:  Tom Lounsbury. The first time that I ever hunted with what I would call a “squirrel dog” was back when I was a kid. I was hunting near the Cass River with a friend the same age as me, and we were using his unique hunting dog that was half beagle and half Border collie. This stocky dog weighed about 30 pounds and looked pretty much like a beagle with the black and white markings of a Border collie. Crossbreds for a fact can often be incredible hunters, and this dog was no exception. … Read More

Are We Hunting For A Clean Kill ?

Jim KushnerBucks n Bears, Friends of ELO, Youth Hunts

By:  Jim Kushner. If you are reading this you are no doubt one of the millions(?) of hunting & fishing enthusiasts who participate and or browse the many Forums available on these subjects and much more. I am far more a browser than a participant in the many forums out there. Typically I am looking for some specific information on a particular firearm or load data etc. I also enjoy reading and seeing the many hunting stories that people post there. Recently I was compelled to start a post of my own after reading countless … Read More

Beagling

Tom LounsburyYouth Hunts

By: Tom Lounsbury “Beagling” is the act of hunting with a pack of happy beagles, and it is quite a popular pastime in this country for pursuing rabbits and hares. I know for a fact the outdoors just wouldn’t be the same if I couldn’t go beagling, and I’ve been at it quite awhile. I’ve had a lifelong close association with dogs, and when it comes to breeds, owning a beagle or two is actually a necessity in my world, and I’ve always appreciated the beagle’s overall versatility and very amiable attitude. The beagle clearly … Read More

Predator Hunting – especially for coyotes – is a great winter pastime day or night

Tom LounsburyEast Lake Buzz, Friends of ELO, Youth Hunts

By:  Tom Lounsbury. There is no doubt the coyote has become the star in regards to predator hunting in Michigan, and for a good reason because it is a highly prolific, adaptable and efficient predator.   I’ve watched how its numbers have spread throughout our state during the last three decades (not to mention all of North America and now it has also crossed the Panama Canal and is presently invading South America) and it can even do well in an urban environment. A great book, “Master Coyote Hunting” by Michael Huff (available on Amazon for … Read More

Mautz Paint

Wild Game DynastyBucks n Bears, East Lake Buzz, Friends of ELO, Youth Hunts

By: Charlie Brand. Foreward & Afterward by: Bruce Ter Beek. Foreward – The Other Values Derived From the Outdoors Experience I have spent the last few evenings reading all the stories posted on Wild Game Dynasty’s blog. Many great stories and photos of hunters with their deer, bears, and turkeys but I also was struck by other values shared. Brian Smith’s story “My Buck from Dad’s Blind” posted Feb 2018 and Tom Lounsbury’s story “Take a Kid Hunting-the Future to it All is Here” posted April 2015 give a look into the intangible values the … Read More

The Moment it all Came Together…

Wild Game DynastyBucks n Bears, Friends of ELO, Youth Hunts

By: Bill Cowling. From the moment of our first hunt, my son’s anticipation of his first deer harvest grew exponentially.  Little did we know, that anticipation would grow over 7 seasons of deer hunting before the moment came to fruition. As a youngster, my son, Dylan, immediately became infatuated with deer hunting.  His first bow, delivered by Santa on his fourth Christmas, launched foam balls across the family room.  The very next morning, ‘ol Dad woke early with the young lad standing and staring at me while still sleeping.  “Dad, when can we go hunting?”  … Read More

Gun Clubs Are A Great Way To Share The American Pastime.

Tom LounsburyBucks n Bears, Friends of ELO, Youth Hunts

By:  Tom Lounsbury. Shooting for fun or competitively (which is still a lot of fun) is truly an American pastime shared by a whole lot of people of all ages today. When folks have a shared interest, they often get together and form a group to organize and enhance matters, and in the case of firearms these groups become known as shooting clubs, or in my vernacular, gun clubs. One can only imagine how many gun clubs exist from coast to coast across America. I know my Thumb area of Michigan has quite a few, … Read More

Anticipation For Hunting Season

Wild Game DynastyBucks n Bears, Friends of ELO, Youth Hunts

By:  David Derusha. It is commonly called ‘fall’…but its really ‘hunting season’.  The leaves are changing colors, dropping from the trees and forming a blanket to cover the green grass.  I live for that moment. I love raking leaves, because I know in the back of my head that it is my favorite time of the year. It is the time I work so hard for year around, the time to go to those tree stands for the first time and hunt that buck you have on trail camera, or shoot that first Ruffed Grouse … Read More