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
A Bear Hunt To Remember
I will miss the call of the Raven and the sound its wings made as it took flight. I will miss the hoot of the owl, and the feeling that I felt as I wondered what might be lurking in the woods around me as I waited patiently for a Michigan Black bear to appear. My friend Andy drew a first-hunt bear tag for Michigan’s Red Oak unit in 2023, and he harvested a bear the last night of his hunt with Gary Morgan and Wild Game Dynasty that year. As for me, well I … 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
A Glimpse Of Bear Camp
For the first time in my life, I went hunting. Unless you count the time in Florida when I rode around on a 4 wheeler in pursuit of wild boar for maybe an hour, then yes, this is a first. (BTW, we did not see a boar.) Who would choose bear hunting for their maiden voyage, you ask? Only the wife of Gary Morgan. https://youtube.com/shorts/Ep-LKGtQEWA Apparently for several years, Gary would submit for preference points for bear hunting on my behalf. Initially unknown to me, he had hopes that I would at some point express … Read More
The Chamber Of Flashbacks – Palley’s Pate’
Ross has a way with blenders. Ask his buddy John and other witnesses to this iconic event. Let’s begin by defining Pate’: a paste-like food, typically made from ground meat, often combined with fat, seasonings, and sometimes alcohol. Neither fat nor seasonings were added to this dish, though alcohol may have been involved. In preparation for bear baiting, Ross was to prepare the castor gland pate’, which is obtained from beaver, and provides an irresistible aroma to allure bears. Palley would lack patience on this fateful day, as his efforts to blend frozen castor glands … Read More
The Chamber of Flashbacks – “$h*t Happens”
This sweet release is necessary in removing waste from the body, which is essential for health maintenance! And if you’re into the great outdoors, it helps with wildlife identification. This time of year, sightings of the bear variety provide much reassurance to an outfitter. It certainly put some zippity in Gary’s doo-dah. We thought our captured photograph was the perfect emoji for bear sign. And take a look at the blackberry filled dung. Brings almost as much delight as seeing a freshly baked blackberry pie! How do we bring Ross into this story as our … Read More
While You Were Sleeping
Did you ever stop to think about what goes on in the great outdoors at night? Thanks to trail cams, we have at least a hint of a notion. This is especially true of nocturnal creatures, or as the 1972 debut record album by the rock band, Edgar Winter Group title says… They Only Come Out At Night! So fine dining is definitely a moonlight activity for these creatures. My dad had plenty of stories to share about his efforts to protect his garden during the night hours. Living on the edge of the woods … Read More
The Chamber of Flashbacks – coming soon!
If you’ve ever been to a WGD hunting camp, you may be familiar with the name Ross Chambers, affectionately known as Palley. Though a highly skilled guide, Ross is also known for providing comedic relief in camp from time to time. The cost of admission to his show? It will cost you a highball! But perhaps most entertaining is the legend of Ross himself, as he and his antics become the stuff of lore! Countless stories have been shared over the years, so many in fact, that we’ve decided to feature a weekly column 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
2023’s Highest Scoring Bears
Russell Waypa from Menominee shot the highest scoring black bear entered in state records maintained by Commemorative Bucks of Michigan during 2023 seasons and he got it in Menominee County. The bear that Waypa shot on September 24, 2023 had a skull that measured 21 11/16, easily qualifying for a spot in alltime national records kept by the Boone & Crockett Club, too. Black bear skulls must score a minimum of 21 to make the alltime list in national records as opposed to 18 for state records. At least three more bruins taken during 2023 … Read More