It’s exhilarating to be on foot in the woods, with the knowledge that if you head left and follow the trail, you’ll end up in North Dakota. If you hang a right, you’ll end up in New York. It gives me chills to ponder this type of decision in light of all of the daily choices I make. Imagine wandering off, with only shelter, water and food to worry about as you move across the nation at a pace not often experienced in our modern world. When you complete a long trail like this in … Read More
Trapping Came Early
Growing up in southern Michigan meant a lot of things…to me. My Dad worked for a job shop making parts for the automotive industry. Mom cooked and cleaned and went grocery shopping each Friday because it was payday. Our parents took us to a few Tigers games each year…parking in a nearby empty lot because of a torn down building. We also felt we had the best of both worlds…the big city opportunities in an hour, or so drive while living in the middle of “outdoor life”. Our outdoor life took on many meanings but … Read More
The Land Of Superior…as its affectionately called.
In today’s society, instant gratification is virtually nonnegotiable. We want it, and we want it now, whether “it” involves grabbing a burger from McDonald’s or speeding down the highway on your way home from work. Simply put, we don’t like to wait around for stuff anymore. If we don’t have to, we won’t. That attitude has trickled down to nearly every aspect of our lives, including deer hunting. Growing up, the U.P. looked to me like a paradigm of the great outdoors. It was brimming with wildlife, a special, almost mythical quality surrounding all it … Read More
He timed his whistle perfectly!
By: Jim Kushner. 2014 was my 43rd deer season here in Michigan. I live on 20 acres in northern Mi. and have enjoyed pretty good success deer hunting here in the last 20 years. My own son does not hunt (where did I go wrong) and neither does my younger brother who lives about 40 minutes from here. A few years ago my brother’s son John expressed an interest in deer hunting and I finally convinced him and his Dad to try the youth hunt weekend here at my place. Because of problems with … Read More
Do it! Hike it!
Spend a day or afternoon on a section of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) in the 500,000 acre Hiawatha National Forest. The NCT meanders through the Hiawatha “playground” for 82 miles. Pack your daypack, take water, and dress for the weather and season. Stroll along an ancient sand dune ridge. Wander under whispering red pines. Rest on the banks of a gurgling brook, or trudge beside the Niagara Escarpment outcrop. Enjoy the Lake Superior waves lapping the sandy shoreline along the Whitefish National Scenic Byway. Experience the amazing four seasons on the NCT. … Read More
Bear Prepared: Scouting Starts Today
We all know a successful outdoor experience begins with adequate preparation…or, ‘scouting’ as it’s called by most hunters. Scouting for bear hunting season is without exception. My brother and I, (both guides & outfitters) talked about how scouting has changed. Using Google maps, online topography, etc. along side of our traditional ways is now commonplace. Our “pre-scouting” before going out-of-doors is critical, thus, our efforts likely begin months ahead. Synergize our knowledge of the area with new technology and this gives us more than a visual of the area before our boots are on the … Read More
Deer Calling – “Marlene” Strikes Again.
By: Tom Lounsbury. I enjoy watching old black and white movies and one of my favorite actresses was the late Marlene Dietrich, who was born in Germany in 1904. She starred in quite a few U.S. movies during the 1930’s and usually had an opportunity to sing with her unique voice that offered a deep and sultry nature to it. With Marlene in mind, I try to imitate her inflection when I duplicate a doe call, and when it comes to calling deer, inflection I have found after over 30 years of deer calling, means … Read More
Take a Kid Hunting – The future to it all is there.
By: Tom Lounsbury. There is no question that the future of hunting relies on introducing (and mentoring – preferably one on one) kids to this wonderful outdoor pastime. It is the key reason I am a Hunter Education Instructor. I’ve always believed if you are going to talk the talk, you better be able to walk the walk. This also relates to why I fully support the special youth hunts as well as lowering (actually removing) the age requirement. I truly appreciate the Mentor Hunting license that allows kids age nine and under to … Read More
The Essence of Black Bear Hunting.
By: Tom Lounsbury. The May application period will be here before we know it with a deadline for applying for a Michigan black bear license (and elk license) being June 1st and I’m working on building up my points. I’m not expecting any miracles in getting an elk license but it is my goal is to harvest a Michigan black bear with a handgun, and I’m hoping I have enough points now. It has been a while since I’ve hunted bears in Michigan, although I’ve frequently bear hunted in Ontario, and I am looking … Read More
A High Calling – Managing Our Resources (w/3 part podcast).
This past fall was a successful and fun filled hunting season being able to build new friendships and developing my skills as a hunter and trapper in Michigan’s Great Upper Peninsula. I’m an Active Duty Coast Guardsmen, and last fall was my first time back in Michigan for the past three years. Stationed in Sault Ste. Marie I could not wait to get back into Beaver Trapping. Going through my traps that were left behind at my parents’ house for the past few years I decided to part with a few, and add some more … Read More