-A Compilation from the “Chambers Flashbacks” Mini Series- 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. While researching for content for … Read More
Fun times enjoying the family farm pond
When my wife Ginny and I started building our home in 1976, one of the first things on the agenda was digging a farm pond, and using the resulting dirt to fill in around three sides of the house. I can remember the “pond” being nothing but a large, empty crater in the ground. The first water into it actually came from our new well, and the well-digger had recommended doing so to assure that all the pipes were clear of sediment and any metal fragments. I had a long hose going from the hydrant … Read More
The dependable Jeep, an American icon for 85 years and still ticking
The U.S. military began realizing during the 1930’s that it needed a light reconnaissance vehicle due to the quickly developing atmosphere of modern warfare. The British had been using some tough vehicles made by Austin, but they were two-wheel drive and causing issues during reconnaissance in rough country. It was determined the only way to go would be with a light and compact vehicle which featured four-wheel drive. The German blitzkrieg in 1939 put developing an ideal scouting vehicle into overdrive. 1940 found the Army Quartermaster Corps (QMC) seeking designs and bids from various American … Read More
Failure to Launch
We’ve had the privilege to observe a family of Eastern Phoebe from close range over the past month. We were impressed with the paternal as well as the maternal role in providing for their young, first in preparing their home, then the gestation period. Before long, they hatched a set of triplets. My, they grow quickly, as the parents look on, providing their nourishment, watching out for their safety. But there comes a day, as in the human world, when it’s time to leave the nest. As they began to practically overflow from their dwelling … Read More
I Am the One Percent
So far, I’ve had no success in the trout stream yet this year. My outings have been limited by a knee injury from which I’m gradually recovering with a little rest and TLC after an active weekend with two of our Yooper granddaughters. Oh, what fun and memories, despite some occasional lingering signs of aging. But enough about that. We’re talking about fishing here. Why the title of this article? On the day of my most recent outing, I was more cognizant of the weather as I carefully planned my trip to the stream, in … Read More
Tick tock – it is “tick time” in Michigan
When growing up as a Thumb area farm boy, I rarely ever saw a tick attached to anything. I do remember seeing one attached to the forehead of one our barn cats, and the big tick was very visible because it was fully engorged with blood and all puffed up like a balloon. The cat wasn’t even aware it was there until I pulled the lethargic tick off with my fingers, threw it on the hardwood barn floor and stomped it into a messy splatter. I spent a whole lot of time outdoors in both … Read More
The Legends Ranch dedicated to passing on promoting wildlife conservation and the hunting heritage to future generations
Featuring over 2000 acres of very diverse woodland habitat, including cedar-shrouded swamps and rolling terrain cloaked in a mix of dense conifers and hardwoods, the Legends Ranch near Bitley, Michigan, is the brainchild of a worldwide hunter, Arthur Gutierrez Sr, who wished to create a well-managed whitetail hunting paradise in 1998. The property is surrounded by high-fence to assist in developing and maintaining great genetics in very large-antlered whitetail bucks, and the Legends Ranch has become well known for its outstanding trophies. Due to the very spacious and mixed-habitat terrain, this is not a typical … Read More
Big change is coming to Michigan Deer season
It’s all-over social media pages, it’s flooding YouTube and it sounds like it’s coming whether you like it or not. When I began hunting as a child, I remember the days when you had to put into a draw or lottery system just to obtain one antlerless deer permit. For many years, that was necessary to allow the Michigan deer herd to grow. Back then, a hunter was allowed to purchase an archery deer tag which was good for an antlered deer or an antlerless deer, then that same hunter was allowed to purchase a … Read More
The kayak – today’s king of Michigan’s bountiful waterways
The kayak is a very specialized canoe which was first invented about 5,000 years ago by indigenous Inuit, Aleut and yupik people. It was constructed using a driftwood or whalebone frame that was covered with animal skins waterproofed by animal fat. Called a “qajak” (hunter’s boat), it was used to hunt sea mammals in frigid Arctic waters and was major means for survival in a harsh and often unforgiving environment. They were tailormade to fit the user who wore a special waterproofed skin jacket called a “tuilik” that was attached to the kayak and prevented … Read More
THE ICE STORM OF ‘25 -ONE YEAR LATER-
The historic ice storm of ‘25 is behind us, but what are the lingering effects one year later? The effects are still a visible spectacle in many areas. What seemed less evident during the flourishing summer months when the deciduous trees were full with their yearly display of leaves would prove to be a ruse. As these leaves dropped in their usual fashion, having served as a masquerade of sorts, especially once winter was in full swing, the ugly truth was exposed as the inner ruins of the forests stood before us. Once spring arrives, … Read More