Category: Hunting

Still Hunting is Still Tough

By Glen Wunderlich

After stuffing my backpack with all the necessary gear for an afternoon of sitting in a box blind on stilts, I maneuvered the pack into position on my back. The compact Ruger American in .450 Bushmaster caliber was then slung upon my shoulder for the half-mile trek to the stand. I had already determined to take a different route this time, because I wanted to skirt another hunter’s treestand position – one which I had seen occupied in previous days.

My normal routine included removing the magazine from the firearm and placing it in the pack with my hearing protection. Then, I got to thinking: If I bump a good buck in my travel route through the timber, I’m going to kick myself for not being prepared.

I dropped the pack and removed the loaded magazine and my Ear Shield hearing protection.

Ear Shield

Having a loaded firearm is obviously requisite gear for some still hunting, but hearing protection with a ported big-bore is also a must. Regular hard-shell ear muffs are fine for range use but cancel low-decibel sound; electronic varieties are even better, but they are bulky and have a way of getting in the way when shooting.

Otis Ear-Shields are a fitting answer. Without batteries or any muff design, this relatively new technology shields ears from high-decibel noise comfortably, while allowing low-level sound to come through. They are lightweight, collapsible and fully adjustable, although all sound is somewhat muted.

With hearing protection in place and the firearm loaded, I was prepared for any surprises afoot. It’s been a while since I practiced this dying art of still hunting but there I was doing just that. It wasn’t the best day for sneaking quietly along the trails, but I was committed to the method nonetheless.

The diminutive Ruger was right at home with the low-power, variable Zeiss scope in 1.5×4.5 magnification configuration. The wide field of view would come in handy, if a quick shot were to materialize.

I slowed my gait, but the noise under foot was still there and stopped frequently to check my surroundings. Each step meant I could be entering a deer’s field of view and certainly its range of hearing. Each step became deliberate.

And, then it happened. Several whitetails bolted into action and scurried directly away from me. Checking for headgear, I saw none, as the group scattered and disappeared in front of me. My instincts were correct; my technique and sneak were flawed in part because I was more intent on getting to my stand than being totally devoted to a still hunt.

No sooner that I got set up in the blind, came a button buck fawn bleating as it walked – obviously in search of its mother that I had run off.

At least I didn’t have to kick myself for spooking a worthwhile buck. However, this failed exercise was reason enough for me to realize why I don’t hunt this way anymore. Seeing white tails doesn’t count.

Hunting

Michigan hunters help DNR meet CWD surveillance goals

The Department of Natural Resources asks hunters to submit deer from select parts of Michigan to be tested for chronic wasting disease, a fatal neurological disease impacting deer, elk and moose.

Each year, CWD surveillance goals are created to help biologists understand the extent of the disease in the local deer herd. Deer heads are still needed for testing from Jackson, Isabella and Gratiot counties and the CWD core surveillance area in the Upper Peninsula to meet the DNR’s 2019 CWD surveillance goals.

Thanks to participating hunters, surveillance goals have been met in Clinton, Ingham, Ionia, Kent, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo and Shiawassee counties.

The DNR will test any deer for disease at the request of a hunter; however, once surveillance goals have been met in a specific area, the number of deer collected from that area will be limited. Read more

Hunting, Wildlife

Firearms Industry Celebrates Pennsylvania Sunday Hunting

WASHINGTON — The National Shooting Sports Foundation® (NSSF®), the firearms industry trade association, applauds the Pennsylvania legislature for passing legislation that will allow for Sunday hunting in the Keystone State for the first time in more than 100 years. The Pennsylvania state Senate approved S. 147 in a vote of 38-11, sending the bill to Gov. Tom Wolf, who has committed to signing the measure into law. Read more

Hunting

Michigan baiting and feeding ban remains firmly in effect

DNR offices around the state continue to field questions from people confused about the status of the baiting and feeding ban for deer and elk in the Lower Peninsula and the core CWD surveillance area in the Upper Peninsula. The DNR wants to let all hunters know that the ban has not changed and remains fully in effect.

Bills to lift the ban have been approved in the Michigan Legislature, but nothing has been sent to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer or signed into law. The governor has promised to veto the legislation should it come to her desk. Read more

Hunting

Michigan conservation officers helping curb the risk of wildlife disease

People might not think immediately of Michigan’s conservation officers as being on the front lines in the fight against wildlife diseases.

However, the roughly 200 men and women sworn to protect the state’s natural resources are vitally important in helping to control disease threats, including bovine tuberculosis and chronic wasting disease.

This disease, always fatal to those white-tailed deer contracting it, has been detected in several Michigan counties, prompting the Michigan Natural Resources Commission and Department of Natural Resources to implement deer baiting and feeding bans in effect for this fall’s hunting seasons.

“These bans are in place to try to help minimize the amount of contact between deer congregated where baiting and feeding occur,” said John Pepin, Michigan DNR deputy public information officer. “Chronic wasting disease can be transmitted through direct deer-to-deer contact, or by contact with saliva, feces, urine, blood and contaminated feed, water, plants, soil or carcass parts.”

In the Lower Peninsula, a ban went into effect Jan. 31 for all 68 counties south of the Mackinac Bridge. Regulations also restrict carcass movement in the Lower Peninsula and prohibit importation of certain carcass parts statewide.

In the Upper Peninsula, baiting and feeding deer is banned in a core CWD surveillance area situated in portions of Dickinson, Menominee and Delta counties. Throughout the rest of the U.P., baiting and feeding is allowed, but must be done in line with state regulations.

Tomorrow is Michigan’s opening day of firearm deer hunting season. For those who have been getting ready by baiting deer in violation of the law, odds are good conservation officers are aware.

Whether in the air or on the ground, patrols have been ongoing for weeks and are conducted by a range of means.

A conservation officer patrol vehicle is parked near a woods road.
Conservation officers are responsible for locating illegal bait, educating hunters and enforcing current regulations to help reduce the risk of CWD. Officers manage deer and elk carcass movement by conducting increased patrols, enforcement and surveillance at primary access points between counties and states.

Illegal baiting can result in court costs and fines, a revoked hunting license, confiscated game and jail time. Read more
Hunting, Poachers, Wildlife

Mossy Oak GO Now Streaming “The Obsessed: Cuz at Wexford”

A lifetime in the woods and a deep-seated love for getting close to deer point Ronnie “Cuz” Strickland’s mind toward the woods at every opportunity through the fall and winter. Follow him to Texas and feel the fire of an excitement that has never cooled as he shares the backstory on his obsession with bow hunting.

Click here to stream “The Obsessed: Cuz at Wexford” now on Mossy Oak GO.

In late 2018, Mossy Oak launched Mossy Oak GO, its 100% FREE television and mobile digital streaming platform, offering on-demand access, anywhere, anytime, anyplace, with any device to Mossy Oak’s latest video offerings as well as archived content since the launch of Mossy Oak Productions in 1995.

With Mossy Oak GO, viewers don’t have to deal with expensive subscription rates or being interrupted by redundant commercials. Mossy Oak made it simple. Viewers download the app through a preferred streaming platform and start watching free, uninterrupted outdoors entertainment. Download Mossy Oak GO and watch “The Obsessed: Cuz at Wexford” now: Read more

Hunting

Michigan firearm deer season starts Friday statewide

For a lot of residents, Nov. 15 ranks up there with major holidays. Gathering with family and friends for the firearm deer season opener is a time-honored tradition in many Michigan families, built around the excitement and fun of enjoying time in the state’s great outdoors.

Some hunters share their love of deer hunting by introducing someone new to the sport. Mentored youth hunting licenses are available to kids 9 and younger, while apprentice hunting licenses are available to those 10 and older who haven’t yet completed a hunter safety education course. Learn more about these options at Michigan.gov/MentoredHunting.

This tradition is economically important, too. More than 500,000 hunters pursued deer in Michigan during the 2018 hunting seasons, providing critical license revenue that supports wildlife conservation efforts. All of Michigan’s hunting seasons – from deer and elk to waterfowl and rabbit – contribute nearly $9 billion a year to the state’s economy.

play button thumbnail image from DNR video explaining baiting restrictionsAll hunters are encouraged to review the 2019 deer hunting regulations, found in the Hunting Digest or at Michigan.gov/Deer. Key changes this season include:

Hunters can take deer to a DNR deer check station to earn a successful hunter patch. Visit Michigan.gov/DeerCheck for locations of check stations and drop boxes. (Click an individual location to see if it offers deer check, drop box or both.)

Questions? Contact the DNR Wildlife Division at 517-284-9453.
Hunting

Drop A Marker. Win Free Gear

Bothell, WA– BaseMap has released its newest feature: GearDrop. This patent-pending feature allows app users to drop a marker within the weekly GearDrop area for a chance to win prizes from ZEISS, Hoyt, SPOT, Traeger and many other outdoor, hunting and fishing brands.

“I wanted to find a way to not only provide the best hunting app on the market but also give back to our users in a way that can further help them be more successful in their outdoor adventures.” Said Jeffrey Balch, Founder, BaseMap, Inc. “We value the overwhelming support of our users and the creation of GearDrop was built to add an extra layer of enjoyment to those that appreciate the outdoors.”

After extensive app development and beta testing, GearDrop has launched and allows any app user to win free gear by simply adding a marker in the drop area. The contest will run weekly, Wednesday to Monday, with new gear being awarded each week. To win, all you have to do is play!

Each week, BaseMap will pinpoint a new GearDrop area which users can access via the GearDrop icon in the app; click the icon to be automatically positioned over the drop zone. To win prizes, click the plus sign and simply drop a GearDrop Marker in the highlighted area. You can zoom in and pan around the dedicated GearDrop area to select where you want to drop your marker; once placed, it can be moved any time prior to that week’s drop. At the end of the contest week, the user with the marker closest to the BaseMap drop location is the winner of the grand prize. Users with the second and third closest marker will receive a BaseMap gear package that includes a shirt, hat and sticker. To view the grand prize for each week, simply click anywhere within the GearDrop area. Read more

Hunting

Michigan Politcians Know It All

By Glen Wunderlich

Hunters have dutifully relied upon the advice of wildlife biologists, when it came to the effects of their studies and knowledge on all matters flora and fauna. We listened to them when it came to managing our wolf population and we listened to them when it came to hunting mourning doves; we put emotion aside and stood by science. However, a group of short-sighted politicians – largely Republicans – have announced, by virtue of their vote for baiting deer that they know better.

Michigan House bill 4687 would scrap years of Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) studies and would allow up to five gallons of feed at each bait site. Additionally, any antler-point restrictions (APRs) on bucks would be lifted – even in areas where hunters have approved APRs. Fortunately, deer season is upon us, and since the Michigan Senate has yet to act on the measure, there’s no time to rush this through in time to affect the ban on baiting currently in place.

It’s no secret that the number of hunters continues on a downward slide that began years ago and that some of those on the sidelines would return if baiting were allowed. Just what type of impact would be felt relative to hunting dollars is unknown but oddly enough in September a representative of Lucky Buck Mineral and the M-65 Bait Shop testified in support of lifting the ban. Hmmm.

On the side of science, was Amy Trotter, executive director of the Michigan United Conservation Club, who stated the science is clear — that banning the feeding and baiting of deer will help stem the spread of chronic wasting disease, an ailment that has decimated Michigan’s deer herd and is always fatal.

Ironically, Proposal G, which was passed into legislation 23 years ago by the citizens of Michigan, gave the NRC the authority to regulate the manner and method of take for game — this includes authority over the baiting and feeding of deer and elk.

The fiscal impact of House Bill 4687 on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is uncertain at present. Current penalties for violating a ban on baiting may include jail time, $50 to $1,000 in fines, or hunting license revocation. It is unclear whether the explicit allowance of deer or elk baiting would affect departmental revenues, as the number of forgone baiting violations is yet to be determined.

It is equally unclear whether this allowance would have an impact on enforcement costs for department personnel. The sale of hunting and fishing licenses generated a combined $60.5 million in revenue in FY 2017-18. This revenue is deposited to the Game and Fish Protection Fund, which primarily supports wildlife and fisheries programs as well as DNR law enforcement. The bill is unlikely to affect local government costs or revenues.

State Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain, said the commission is unelected and shouldn’t be making these types of decisions.

“At what point did this Natural Resources Commission become lawmakers? I never got to vote for them,” he said. “They banned baiting without a single hearing in the Upper Peninsula. This show should be over and we should end this baiting ban once and for all.” My question to Mr. Beau LaFave is this: When did you get your credentials to become a wildlife biologist?

Nobody ever said that a baiting ban would end CWD fatalities in our deer herd. However, there is no plausible rationale to suddenly go against science and exacerbate the plight of our wildlife. All we have to do is follow the money and resist the temptation to take the bait.

Hunting, Wildlife
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