By Glen Wunderlich

Longtime friend, Joe Reynolds, had never taken a whitetail buck with archery equipment in some 20 years afield.  However, he did manage to get a doe with a compound bow and a shot that was so bad it was good.  The fatal shot, which was aimed for the typical kill zone of the lungs, was so far off target that it hit the neck and dropped the animal in seconds.  Apart from that one errant arrow and other missed opportunities, and including a careless moment with his crossbow landing him in the emergency room to get his thumb sewn back on, his archery hunting experiences had been rather uneventful.

As a member of the seasoned-citizen ranks, Joe made the switch to a crossbow, when they were made legal for general use in archery season.  The Parker bow would propel its bolts at 352 feet per second with impressive accuracy, but had yet to be tested on a whitetail deer; late afternoon with only minutes of available light remaining a week ago, that all changed.

The call came over the two-way radio, “I just shot a buck!”  He explained that the arrow had hit its mark at 42 yards and was confirmed with an audible “thwack!”  The lighted nock disappeared, as it entered near the shoulder and the potential prize accelerated in high gear and vanished into the woods.

We agreed to wait it out so as not to push the animal into the next county.  Gathering some flashlights and a field dressing kit, that had been assembled in advance, we set out to solve the mystery at 9pm.  Finding no clues at the scene of the incident, we began to search a perpendicular path of the deer’s flight, where Joe had seen it last.  Again, we found no sign.

Joe had a good idea of the approximate line the deer had traveled, so we used our lights in an attempt to locate a blood trail.  Evidence escaped us, as we continued the valiant effort – the effort to discover that red light at the end of the bolt.  Nearly an hour had passed before that blinking light got my attention on the ground ahead.  We had gotten our first clue.

The bolt had finally worked loose and most likely was separated from the deer in some brush but other than a few drops of blood on the ground, we had nothing else to follow.  We stuck to some well-worn trails and about 30 minutes later found more blood that had leaked from the wound channel.  I began randomly searching with the intense beam of an LED flashlight, when I saw the unmistakable white under-belly of the big buck.

We fastened the drag strap to the tall 8-point rack

Joe Reynolds’ Shiawassee County, Michigan Archery Buck

and began the arduous task of dragging Joe’s first archery buck into the open where it was loaded into the bed of a waiting truck. 

Had crossbows not be legalized in Michigan, I’m sure Joe’s archery hunting days would have been finished years ago.  But, the aid of a lighted nock, a modern crossbow, and a good dose of persistence had translated into a memory that will be replayed through the years.

MUCC has been in contact with the executive office of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and will continue to share information as it becomes available. We will be hosting an upcoming Conservation Policy Meeting on December 8, 2018 at the Chelsea Rod and Gun Club to learn more about PFAS and fish and wildlife. Stay tuned for more information and to RSVP.
“Do Not Eat” Advisory from the Michigan Departments of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) and Natural Resources (DNR): Deer in Oscoda Township (Iosco County)
In recent years, experts have become increasingly concerned by the potential effects of high concentrations of PFAS on human health. Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), such as perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), are part of a group of chemicals used globally during the past century in manufacturing, firefighting and thousands of common household and other consumer products.
As part of Michigan’s efforts to identify PFAS in Michigan, deer were tested from areas known to have PFAS contamination in lakes or rivers. Today, MDHHS and DNR issued a ‘Do Not Eat’ advisory for deer taken within five miles of Clark’s Marsh in Oscoda Township, Iosco County. The advisory is due to high levels of PFAS chemicals found in deer taken within five miles of the Marsh.
A map of the advisory area and answers to frequently asked questions are available on the State of Michigan’s PFAS response website.
DNR and MDHHS developed this investigation in response to questions from hunters concerned about harvesting deer in contaminated areas. This is the first study of its kind and very little scientific information exists on whitetail deer and PFAS chemicals.
MDHHS and DNR advise hunters to dispose of any deer in their freezer that may have come from this area into a landfill and do not eat it.
If you have health related questions, contact MDHHS at 1-800-648-6942. Hunters can contact the MDNR at 517-284-6057 or DNR-CustomerService@michigan.gov for information about deer tags that were used in this region.

For those who process their own game, Ranew’s Outdoors Hanging Judge Gambrel allows a secure way to hang, weigh, skin and quarter large game at a convenient height that won’t hurt your back. Ranew’s Outdoor Hanging Judge Gambrel keeps the carcass suspended off the ground to ensure the meat stays clean. That’s only part of the convenience and utility of this unique device.

The heavy duty electronic scale and gambrel combo allows the hunter to measure live weight and dressed weight and continue skinning or processing the animal without worry of damaging the scale. This removes the hassle of raising and lowering the animal to remove the scale between steps. Definitely a time and back saver!

Even if you don’t process your own deer, Ranew’s Outdoors Gambrel and Scale offers an easy means for taking digitally accurate live and dressed weights. In the short term it helps you assess the general condition of your herd. Over the long term you can better judge how habitat management programs like food plots may influence deer weights.

Ranew’s Outdoor Equipment offers the ideal equipment to make your food plot planting easier and more effective. Ranew’s is ready to serve all your hunting and agriculture needs across the USA and abroad. Today, Ranew’s headquarters stands on the original two acre tract acquired for the move to Milner. In addition, the surrounding 30+ acres were acquired over the years and are now the home of three manufacturing divisions, a warehouse, 60+ dedicated employees and a customer base which includes local, state, national and international companies.

WEST POINT, MS – Recent advances in hunting gear and apparel technology have created a new solution to the timeless problem hunters experience: extremely cold temperatures.

Heated clothing is quickly becoming a popular tool for hunters to use because, having on-demand control to instant heat increases hunter comfort, enabling the hunter to endure cold temperatures longer and spend more time in the woods. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Long-time friend, Joe, and I were discussing various hunting strategies before an archery deer hunt this past week.  We recalled a long shot Joe had attempted at a distant antlerless deer years ago.  In fact, the shot was too long.

I was in a blind about a quarter mile from Joe, who was armed with a most-potent .300 Winchester Magnum – a real heavy hitter in .30 caliber.  Joe was also in a blind with his sights set on the deer that was well beyond 200 yards and within my field of view, as well.  I had no idea Joe was about to launch a round at the animal until I heard the report of the rifle.  Unscathed, the whitetail doe scampered off to a wood line never to be seen again.

When we met shortly thereafter, I asked Joe what he was doing and the excuse went something like this:  “Yeah, it was a long shot and I was wobbling around a bit.”  All I could say was, “Then you shouldn’t have taken that shot.”  After some more tongue lashing, he got the point and learned from the mistake by taking a disciplined shot that resulted in venison for the freezer the next day.  The teachable moment had taken effect.

Already this season, I have been made aware of another instance – this time in Kentucky – in which a seasoned archery deer hunter recounted a failed attempt at taking a trophy whitetail buck.  After the shot, the recovery search lasted three hours before being called off.  The hunter indicated that the massive buck would have been easily the biggest deer he would ever have taken but one aspect of the questionable shot gave a clue as to the failure.  He stated that he could only “guess” that he rushed the shot and did not take a careful look at the [shot] placement.

The teachable moment and of the self-critique is that he cannot recall where his aiming point was when the arrow was released.  Think about that for a moment, because it is crucial to any successful shot no matter what equipment is being used.  The most important thing to remember is to concentrate on a small aiming point all the way through the shot.  The concept is to recall exactly where that aiming point was when the firearm or bow was being held when the gun went boom or the arrow was released.  It’s easy to say but harder to do when the mind is racing but the term is “calling your shot.”

“Aim small, miss small” is another common term used to describe the technique.  But, when the animal of one’s dreams is within range, we tend to become overwhelmed with thoughts that distract from the task at hand.  Those thoughts can produce real effects such as trembling, shaking or involuntary shivering, even when a hunter is not cold.  Some call it “buck fever.”

We all practice our shooting techniques to some degree and hopefully to a point where the results on paper will produce ethical conditions afield; to do this when we hunt is the goal.

Concentration is the key.  We don’t want to let our minds rule our emotions.  We must take ourselves back to the basics of doing what we practiced and to take only disciplined shots.

Sometimes the shot not taken is the best one.

Introducing the Riot from Lucky Duck Premium Decoys, a brand new electronic predator call. The Riot is the most recent release in Lucky Duck’s ground-breaking game call lineup. This remote controlled, economy priced e-caller features extreme volume, one-of-a-kind sound library, and motorized decoy.

Featured on the Riot are 50 live animal sounds, recorded by The Verminator, Rick Paillet. You also have the ability to add sounds as the Riot can hold 2,000 sounds. Extra sound packages are available on Lucky Duck’s website. This call includes a motorized decoy that is controlled from the remote, and both the remote and decoy store conveniently inside the unit making it extremely portable. Remote is long range, does not require line-of-sight, and will reach distances past 100 yards. It also controls volume and sound selection.

The Riot runs on 10 AA batteries and the remote runs on 3 AA batteries (not included). Optional rechargeable battery pack and wall charger sold separately.

Included with the Riot:

• Remote with 50 live animal sounds
• Motorized decoy

MSRP for the Riot is $199.99 and it is available on luckyduck.com, or through a partnered retailer: http://www.luckyduck.com/dealers/. Read more

As winter approaches and hunting seasons start winding down, savvy hunters know that cold weather can trigger hot deer activity. With the rut over both bucks and does now focus their attention and efforts on food as they fatten up before the impending winter. Hunters should do so as well, specifically targeting concentrated food sources.

For many hunters, that means food plots. The best ones will be those planted with cool-season annuals specifically designed to last into late-season. Examples include winter wheat, which may persist throughout the winter in southern climes; soybeans, which deer seem to shift their focus to later in the season and brassica species that produce large root bulbs that the deer will continue to feed on after the greens are long gone. The best options for those without food plots are un-harvested or poorly harvested agricultural fields or natural food sources like mast orchards. Where legal, bait sites will also become increasingly more productive as the season progresses and deer need to consume more calories. Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

It never really sunk in until I was at the counter of the Morrice Hardware and intended to purchase an antlerless deer license.  When I was asked my opinion of the new regulations aimed at suppressing the spread of Chronic Wasting Disease, I stated that I didn’t see any better options.  Pressed about a specific change from last season, whereas discounted antlerless licenses were available at the reduced cost of $12 for all of the combined seasons in the  CWD Management Zone but would now expire November 4, 2018, it hit me.  What sense does that make?

No doubt, it was a change, but what will be the result of effectively raising the cost of antlerless tags in an area where the intent is to reduce the herd?  Personally, it made no sense to me, because my policy is to take antlerless deer with a firearm later in the season.  To me, a firearm is a better tool for the job and the weather is more conducive to hanging deer, as the season progresses.  With all the warm weather and rain we’ve experienced in the early archery season, my beliefs have been solidified.

As any experienced archer understands, a deer shot with an arrow will typically run off.  Depending on the placement of the shot, the distance it may travel could be well over a hundred yards.  That may not seem consequential, unless the habitat it heads for is thick cover, which is usually the case.  The wise archer also knows that it’s good policy to wait and hour or so to begin tracking chores and this is where things can get complicated.

I’d venture to take an educated guess that most deer are taken in late afternoon, as twilight sets in; that means, it will be dark, when recovery begins.  Add to that a little rain and the hunter’s challenge becomes more difficult, if not virtually impossible.  Should the hunter get on the trail immediately and run the risk of pushing a deer that has yet to expire?  Or, should the hunter wait an extended period of time, as most knowledgeable hunters do, and risk the potential of rain washing away any sign of the trail?

The dilemma is compounded by the fact that October weather is naturally warmer than that of the late seasons.  That same scenario played out in during a chilly December hunt may allow an ethical hunter to wait until morning light to recover the prize; however, that same hunter now faces a quandary of risks that fly in the face of ethical conduct.

With all of this in mind, it didn’t take me long to pass on the “new” reduced rate for antlerless licenses, which wasn’t new at all; only the counter-intuitive expiration date was new.

Personally, I wasn’t about to change my philosophy to save $8 and to go against long-held beliefs.  I handed over $20 to get all the benefits of taking an antlerless deer when the snow is on the ground.  It made no sense to do otherwise and I would venture to guess a fair amount of hunters will have made the same decision.  However, if the reduced rate is meant to prompt more license sales, only time will tell of the wisdom, or lack thereof, of the new policy to reduce the herd. 

California Gov. Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr. vetoed a bill that would have prevented hunters from possessing and in some cases importing the named African species in the bill, including parts and products, lawfully harvested in Africa.

“Safari Club International recognizes California Governor Jerry Brown for vetoing Senate Bill 1487, legislation that would prohibit the people of California from importing and possessing a several species legally hunted in countries in Africa,” said SCI President Paul Babaz. “SCI also applauds the sportsmen and women who voiced their opposition to Governor Brown. Without your phone calls and support, this misguided piece of legislation might have been signed into law. SCI also thanks the California Coalition for spearheading the months-long effort to stop this anti-hunting bill.”

The bill targeted elephants, lions, leopards, rhinos and an additional six species – some of which are neither listed on the Endangered Species Act’s endangered/threatened lists or CITES Appendices I or II.

The authors of the bill relied on emotion rather than science to craft anti-hunting restrictions, which were neither necessary nor remotely beneficial for the species identified in SB 1487.

The bill would have discouraged Californians from legally hunting outside the U.S. and participating in the community-based conservation efforts that are succeeding in Africa. Read more