Michigan has had some rather mild winters in recent years, but this year has been an eye-opener. At least in my Thumb area, it has been an up and down matter, sometimes featuring freezing rain and soon followed by snow, often lots of it, usually accompanied by strong winds creating drifting and whiteouts. In fact, I’m amazed by the strong, sometimes erratic, winds which have become unbelievingly common this winter. Yep, folks, snow coming down backed by 30-60 mph winds can get a bit interesting! I will never forget the Thumb in experiencing a balmy … Read More
Predator Hunting At Night
The coyote is an amazingly adaptable and very prolific wild critter which has expanded its range across North America and has recently even ventured beyond the Panama Canal into South America. It is now found in states where coyotes have never been documented before, and can be found in every county of Michigan, even in suburban and urban areas. I first began seeing coyotes in the Thumb area during the 1980’s, and their population has been steadily increasing statewide. One of the things which is assisting the coyote in the Lower Peninsula especially, is an … Read More
Archery deer hunting using both arrows and bolts (aka quarrels)
Thanks to the new accurate system of requiring hunters to register (online or by phone) their deer harvested in Michigan on a regular basis during the various deer hunting seasons, the DNR can keep daily and accurate tabs on matters. When I talked to a Wildlife Biologist at the Bay City DNR Office on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at 10:30 am to check on matters, a total of 295, 054 deer had thus far been harvested. Due to the ongoing January 2-31 extended late archery deer season, the total number of the deer being harvested … Read More
The Mobile Hunting Movement
Time and technology have a way of changing the way we do things. Well, at least for those willing to embrace change and learn something new that is. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with sticking with the tried and true, but what if you’re missing out? It seems that more and more deer hunters are going mobile these days and are migrating away from traditional methods like tree stands and blinds. In recent years, tree saddles have become very popular among a new generation of hunters, calling themselves “Mobile Hunters”. Now mobile hunting isn’t really … Read More
The Science of Buck Fever
It’s opening day of Deer Season 2025, at least for gun hunters. So much preparation and anticipation goes into this annual activity. For some, it involves year round scouting. As the days of the hunt draw near, serious planners consider not only deer sign, but wind direction. As such, they would do well to have back up sites ready to go based on this factor alone. For those hunters fortunate enough to have a shooting opportunity, their next challenge is surviving a sudden surge of adrenaline that at times does not serve them well at … Read More
A Snowy Deer Recovery
There’s something about the first snow that has always excited me. As a young boy it meant snowmen, forts and snowball fights. Now as a grown man, the first snow brings with it beauty and peace, the thoughts of approaching holidays and time spent with loved ones. And of course, if the first snow comes early enough, I get the chance to hunt deer with snow on the ground. This year, that day was November 9th. It had been forecast that we would see accumulation that day, so I made plans to be in my … Read More
Sometimes You Need A Little Help
Anyone that has hunted for any amount of time knows the heartache that comes when you hit a deer and it runs off leaving signs that say you make a poor shot. It’s happened to me and it’s happened to just about every hunter I know at one time or another. Yes sir, even those guys on TV have to let them lay overnight once in a while. On October 23, 2025, my hunting partner, Steve and I were out for an evening bow hunt. We were both running late and I only beat Steve … Read More
Rifles for deer hunting are the most popular in southern Michigan today, but don’t sell shotguns short.
The shotgun has played an important role throughout the history of firearms. From matchlock and flintlock “fowlers” to today’s wide array, shotguns can be considered as multitask tools because they can handle a wide variety of shot, including heavy duty buckshot, and even solid projectiles for a heavier and very effective “punch”. This was originally a large lead round ball, but it was usually not consistently accurate at long range. All of this would change when Karl M. Foster, who wished to help American hunters put meat on the table during the Great Depression, developed … Read More
“The Chamber Flashbacks” – Holly Holy
By now, if you’ve been following our Chamber of Flashbacks, you might wonder how it is that Ross has made it this far? This final Ross feature is a tribute to his lovely wife, Holly. We consider her to be practically a saint for all she’s endured, thus our title track, Holly Holy. (Neil Diamond fan here.) Throughout his career and even in retirement, Ross marches to the beat of his own drum. This means that he fills his time how he chooses and is very much an individual thinker. Sometimes with “genius,” it’s difficult … Read More
“The Chamber of Flashbacks” – The Kid In The Candy Shop
Preparing baits for bear camp creates a sweet, sticky mess. Bears crave sweets and when they’re in the mode to beef up in preparation for hibernation, what better place than the well prepared cookie bait or bait pile. Procuring bait for bear season begins long before the hunt. Outfitters build relationships with businesses, such as bakeries and restaurants, arranging to have them save their day old or expired goods to use as bait. Setting this stuff aside may be inconvenient for them, as it takes up space. So the outfitter is tasked with timely pick … Read More