Hunters still seeking to take a deer this season can plan to bow hunt through the end of January in southeastern Michigan. This extended archery deer hunting season will be held in the urban deer management zone of Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.
Chad Stewart, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources deer, elk and moose program leader, said that the extended hunt is a chance for hunters to pursue some high-quality deer and an opportunity for local officials to manage urban deer conflicts in their communities.
“Archery hunters can take advantage of some excellent hunting in January,” Stewart said. “This longer season also is a fairly low-cost first attempt for municipalities to help reduce the conflicts that arise when deer numbers rise in more populated, urban areas.” Read more
Moultrie Mobile cellular game cameras have changed the scouting game forever, and now two new external-power-source options will keep them running even longer in the field.
Moultrie Dual Solar Battery Box
The Moultrie Dual Solar Battery Box is an external-battery-solution dream for Moultrie Mobile cellular cameras and regular trail cameras. Designed to keep cameras running in the field longer than ever thought possible, the Dual solar charging panels charge the included 12-volt battery faster and more efficiently, even in cloudy or shaded conditions. A sealed weather-resistant hard-sided case protects the 12-volt battery inside. The Dual Battery Box includes a mounting strap to tightly secure the battery box to a tree, post, tripod, or placed directly on the ground. The weather-resistant steel-braided 6-foot power cord is protected from critters and the elements. The Battery Box also includes a 12-volt charger for quick charging from a wall outlet, and is compatible with Moultrie Mobile cameras and traditional Moultrie cameras dating back to 2007. MSRP: $69.99
Moultrie Camera Power Panel
Extend the battery life of your Moultrie Mobile and regular Moultrie trail cameras with the Camera Power Panel. The Camera Power Panel harnesses the sun’s energy with its solar panel, while an integrated 12-volt battery stores the energy for use by your Moultrie camera. Read more
MOJO®, the worldwide leader in motion decoys, is excited to announce their new Triple Threat Complete Predator Calling System has brought home GOLD for the ‘New Product’ category in the annual Predator Xtreme Readers’ Choice Awards.
The nature of the Predator Xtreme Readers’ Choice Awards presents an unbiased look at the readers favorite hunting products with a process that invites them to vote for their favorite brands and products. This ultimately gives other readers and interested hunters an insider look at what truly is the best.
The Triple Threat Complete Calling System is the newest and most advanced addition to MOJO’s predator lineup. It’s an all-inclusive system including the award-winning critter decoy, tripod, and caller. It includes 80 handpicked and proven, most effective sounds. It utilizes a dual sound system to include both on-board sounds and the use of an SD Card where the user can add as many sounds or cards as they want. Read more
BIRMINGHAM, AL — Moultrie Mobile announces the arrival of the most powerful cellular trail camera ever built — the Delta. It is loaded with advanced features for premium performance in the field and workhorse reliability all season long.
Industry-first High Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging combined with best-in-class 32MP resolution make the Delta the clear leader in picture quality. HDR imaging allows the Delta to capture enhanced detail in highlights and shadows — even in the most difficult lighting conditions. The camera’s 32MP ILLUMI-NIGHT 3 Sensor delivers images and video with vivid colors by day and crisp, bright clarity at night with invisible infrared flash.
The Delta further separates itself with a battery life of up to 12 months on a single set of lithium batteries. With battery life up to 4x longer than other cellular cameras, the Delta will keep you connected longer without a trip to the field. Read more
Spring turkey hunting license applications for the 2021 season are available now through Feb. 1.
To find the hunt you want this spring, check out the new Q&A format of the Spring Turkey Digest. Applications can be purchased for $5 anywhere DNR licenses are sold. Read more
Founded in 1871 by Civil War veterans, the National Rifle Association has led the way ever since to protect our Second Amendment freedom, teach marksmanship and gun safety and pass self-defense laws across the country. In 2021, the NRA celebrates a momentous 150 years of service as America’s oldest civil-rights organization.
“The NRA has diligently protected our right to keep and bear arms longer than any other organization,” NRA President Carolyn Meadows said. “We are humbled to serve our more than 5 million members and all law-abiding gun owners. We invite you to join our organization as we celebrate this historic milestone.”
Throughout its century and a half of existence, NRA has served firearm owners across the nation through training, legislative action and other initiatives aimed at promoting avenues for shooting, hunting and personal protection. Today, the organization encompasses a wide range of programs all aimed at bettering the experience of the American firearm owner, whether it’s through competitive programs, hunter education, political action and more. Read more
Charter Member Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA)
The long, familiar walk to position myself for an opportunity at a whitetail deer was different this time. Typically, I’d wiggle my pack onto my shoulders followed with my loaded firearm over it. Also, a usually necessary part of the gear was a pair of hearing protectors that were wisely employed during the solitary march in the event my Ruger American rifle were to be employed on the way. The low-power variable scope would be dialed to 1.5 power to maximize its field of view. But, this time I needed no hearing protection, because the gun was unloaded for the short journey.
I had passed on numerous bucks during the archery, regular firearms, and most recently the muzzleloader seasons. All of the excitement and visions of taking an extraordinarily antlered deer were behind me now. It was our late antlerless season and there would be no quick, off-hand maneuvers to take one; I saw to it by carrying an unloaded gun to my hideout. I thought that I’d get one under more controlled circumstances and simply enjoyed the December trek.
No doubt that the combined seasons were special. In fact, I had seen more bucks – even a few good 8-point examples – than any previous hunting season. And, there with my pal, Joe, in a portable blind just weeks before, was a sizeable 8-point buck a mere 57 yards from the muzzle of my bolt gun. I’d guess probably 95 percent of Michigan deer hunters would have taken it, but I had seen this brute before and thought ahead to next year and its potential; I passed once again.
With no regrets I was now after some organic meat. In a matter-of-fact mindset, I waited for the inevitable. Several does entered the danger zone well before sunset. However, when a shot rang out nearby, I knew I was not alone and voices later confirmed why the deer scampered out of sight. When other deer appeared following a quiet spell, they never presented me with the perfect shot I wanted.
The west wind the following day found me in another blind set into a hill where I had a perfect rest for my firearm and the short, mounted bipod. A group of six bald whitetails materialized and I lined one up for a fatal blast. Off the group ran but the telltale rear-leg kick of my targeted animal told me I had done my job.
With about an hour of light remaining, I checked where the small group vanished and found fresh blood on the bare ground.
That’s all I needed to see and abruptly ended the search, because Joe’s blue tick hound, Junior, was ready and waiting with him. On the scene, the dog was leashed according to the regulations for tracking dogs and Joe led him to the trail. The roles became reversed, as the young hound roared by me and directly to the prize, tugging hard all the way.
It was a fitting end to what had become not only a most memorable year but what the prospects held for the future.
Joe Reynold’s hangs onto his hunting dog, Junior, as he tracks the blood of a Michigan Whitetail deer I had shot less than an hour before. A good fresh track made it an easy chore.
Given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its associated necessary limits on social gatherings, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has canceled the annual winter Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop.
The annual weekend event is held in February at the Bay Cliff Health Camp in Big Bay in Marquette County. A similar summer BOW workshop takes place the first weekend in June at Bay Cliff. Read more
Looking for the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast on your holiday shopping list, or maybe for yourself? The DNR Outdoor Skills Academy can help.
Offering in-depth, expert instruction, gear and hands-on learning for a range of activities – from fishing and hunting to finding wild mushrooms – 2021 Outdoor Skills Academy classes are now available for purchase online.
“Wondering what to get the hunter, angler or nature lover who has everything? Send them to an Outdoor Skills Academy class!” said Ed Shaw, interpreter at the Carl T. Johnson Hunting and Fishing Center and originator of the OSA program. “Our classes offer more than just a brief taste of outdoor activities – we spend a full day or more teaching the needed skills to get out and confidently try them.”
Classes in the new year include:
Bear Hunting Clinic
Fly Fishing Clinic for Beginners
Hard Water School (ice fishing class) and Advanced Hard Water School
Steelhead Clinic
Trapping Clinic
Walleye Clinic
Whitetail Food Plot Clinic
Wild Turkey Hunting Clinic
Wild Mushroom Clinic
Cost for most of the classes is $25-40. All of them will take place at the Carl T. Johnson Center, located inside Mitchell State Park in Cadillac. Classes at other locations around the state may be added to the calendar throughout the year.
