Pheasants were first released in southern Michigan in 1917. The pheasants being released were pen-reared birds of mixed blood known as “ringnecks” which owe their origins to eastern U.S. game farms, that in turn had gotten their original eggs from game farms in England. Those first birds were released into an ideal environment quite unlike what we have today and would readily adapt and propagate. The first official Michigan pheasant hunting season occurred in 1925 and it would be the beginning of a highly popular annual event. It became so popular that small game hunters … Read More
Rutting whitetails and jack-o-lanterns are a timeframe which goes hand in hand
Jack-o-lanterns and whitetail deer have something in common because Halloween is the key timeframe when the whitetail rut in Michigan starts warming up. It is a time when using various deer vocalizations, as well as rattling, can pay dividends for hunters. I’ve been using deer vocalizations and rattling for quite some time, and knowing what call to use, and when, was a trial-and-error learning process. Calling in whitetails remains to be my favorite deer hunting technique, and today there are even how-to DVD’s available along with a wide array of deer calls, and with something … Read More
Crossbow hunting adventures and discovering an ancient and simplistic design made better than ever
Since 2009, crossbows have become quite popular with Michigan deer hunters due to their handling characteristics which are very similar to a rifle. I noticed this right at the get-go the first time I shot one, but there is a learning curve while getting acquainted, such as a crossbow is a crossbow, and not a rifle. In my opinion, it is a close-range hunting tool, and I prefer to keep matters at 40 yards or less, and generally less. I’ve taken a couple whitetails near the 40-yard mark, but the majority have been taken, quite … Read More
Putting a focus on targeting prime venison
One of the most daunting tasks for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, is to get deer hunters to harvest a doe and when you check out the data of the overall annual deer harvest, antlered deer always outnumber antlerless deer. It is readily apparent that decades of a hunting tradition passed down through generations of Michigan deer hunters, that a female deer is the “Sacred Doe” of the forest, and making killing a doe in the past a literal taboo in the deer woods. This deeply seated attitude relates to Michigan creating the “Bucks … Read More
Liberty hunt memories – deer camp jokes and paybacks
Ever since the Liberty hunt came into being, I’ve made a point of taking a kid out hunting during it, and I have some fine memories in doing so. It was 8 years ago when 13-year-old Dale Skinner of Akron took a Hunter’s Safety class I was helping with. He was seeking to get a hunting certificate, but having recently lost his father, he had no one to take him hunting, and yep, folks, I gave him an invite. Whenever the occasion occurs, my wife Ginny and I call our home “deer camp”, and during … Read More
A lucky lady and her dandy Michigan bull elk
Due to the odds, drawing a Michigan elk tag is a matter of pure luck. It only took me 36 years (of faithfully applying each year) to finally draw a tag in 2020. Up until then, I had always applied for “bull only”, but getting a bit long in the tooth caused me to apply for “any elk”, and I drew an antlerless-only license, and I was mighty glad and excited to receive it in the mail. I had the early elk season which is divided into three 4-day periods in August, September and October, … Read More
Nothing can beat fall fishing in Michigan
The origin of the name “Michigan” is derived from the Native American (Chippewa) word, meicigama, which means “great water”. Known as the Great Lakes state, Michigan offers wonderful fishing opportunities the year round, and for more fish species than anywhere else in this country. Although a lot of folks place a main focus on hunting, anglers in the know, realize that fall fishing can be very productive, as well as extremely entertaining. According to Jason Gostiaux, a MDNR Fisheries Biologist for the Southern Lake Huron Management Unit, the fall season offers Michigan anglers the advantage … Read More
Take a kid hunting – it is very important to the future of hunting
My wife Ginny and I always look forward to Michigan’s special Liberty Hunt, when our home literally becomes “deer camp”, which entails a festive atmosphere and taking kids out deer hunting. The recruitment of young hunters into hunting is very important regarding the future of hunting, especially in today’s high-tech society where kids can be easily drawn to multiple interests other than the outdoors. This is why I strongly supported lowering the age to allow kids to go hunting, and then finally having a certain age requirement being dropped entirely was a definite no-brainer for … Read More
Fine memories of handgun hunting adventures with “Lorraine”
Cover Pic: Author and his 1987 Thumb 8-point buck he shot with “Lorraine” on the first opening morning handguns were allowed for deer hunting in Michigan’s Shotgun Zone. In 1974 I travelled to Williams Gunsight in Davison with the goal of purchasing a .44 Magnum Ruger Super Blackhawk revolver, having the intention of using it for big game handgun hunting adventures. I had already enjoyed hunting rabbits and squirrels with a Colt .22 single-action revolver and was hoping to take a step up for bigger game animals, such as deer and black bear. I soon found … Read More
Folding knives are a safe and handy way to carry a sharp edge
The first knife I ever carried was a small, bone-handled pocketknife with a single two-inch blade. This occurred a couple years before I even started school, and I was allowed to carry it. I looked upon it as a status symbol, because just about everyone I knew carried a pocketknife, even my mother. It is a handy item to have readily available, especially on a farm. And yep, folks, back then, I always carried a pocketknife even in school as it was a natural part of my dress and a necessary “working tool”, a fact … Read More