Category: Hunting

262 Inch Kentucky “Freak Show” Buck For Mark Peterson

As owner of Worldwide Trophy Adventures, the world’s largest hunting and fishing consulting agency, Mark Peterson travels the country hunting and documenting adventures at many hunting destinations to show other hunters what to expect. One of these destinations being Salt River Outfitters in the bluegrass state of Kentucky. Friend and Manager of Salt River Outfitters, Joey Cheek asked Mark, “Are you sitting down?” Then Joey sent Mark a picture of the buck later to be called, “Freak Show”! The giant buck showed up on a 175 acre lease that Joey is managing personally for Mark. Mark was presented with a decision. Travel to hunt Caribou in Alaska or hunt a once in a lifetime buck in Kentucky? When a buck like this one shows up on trail cameras there isn’t much of a choice, you figure out how to hunt it, and that’s what Mark did. Read more

Hunting

Michigan’s Firearm deer hunting begins Nov. 15

Join in the time-honored tradition of deer hunting in Michigan. Get ready for a terrific time in Michigan’s beautiful forests and fields. Firearm deer season is open Nov. 15-30.

Deer season forecast

Prepare for your season by reading about how things are shaping up in your neck of the woods in the 2024 deer season forecast. Read more

Hunting

Hunter Dies in Tree Stand Fall (Starke County, Ind.)

Indiana Conservation Officers are investigating a fatal fall from a tree stand that occurred Saturday in Starke County.

At approximately 3 p.m., officers and emergency personnel responded to the 3500 block of S. 700 E. in Knox for a report of a fatal tree stand fall.

Once on scene, officers discovered Larry Sedwick, 53, of Cedar Lake, was deer hunting from an elevated tree stand when he fell from the stand. Sedwick was not wearing a full-body safety harness and was pronounced dead on the scene.

The incident is still under investigation.

Conservation Officers remind all hunters to wear a full-body safety harness when hunting from an elevated hunting platform.

Assisting agencies include the Starke County Sheriff’s Office, Starke County Coroner’s Office, Starke County EMS, and Knox Police Department.

Hunting

Michigan Firearms Deer Season’s Five-Day Quiet Period Begins Sunday

Throughout Michigan, hunters are preparing stands, blinds and camps for the upcoming firearm deer season, which begins Friday, Nov. 15. Although there’s understandable excitement ahead of the opener, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources reminds everyone to respect the state’s five-day quiet period, Nov. 10-14.

During these five days, unless hunting for small game, waterfowl or fur harvesting, it is unlawful to transport or possess a rifle or shotgun with buckshot, slug load, ball load or cut shell in an area frequented by deer. Unloaded firearms securely encased or carried in the trunk of a vehicle may be transported to or from a hunting camp.

“Hunters know that they are on the cusp of another Michigan firearm deer season once we enter into the five-day quiet period,” said Capt. Pete Wright, DNR Law Enforcement Division. “Those critical days create a window of time, just before the opener, when hunters can catch their breath and the woods have a chance to calm.

“This period is like pushing a reset button, allowing deer to settle back into their day-to-day patterns, which in turn increases the chances of a successful hunt.” Read more

Hunting

WSF: Colorado Proposition 127, a Wake-Up Call

Bozeman, Montana. Colorado’s Proposition 127, which would have banned hunting mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx, failed at the ballot box. The Wild Sheep Foundation applauds the efforts of all those who stepped up and supported those who worked tirelessly to defeat this misguided anti-wildlife measure but cautions that scientific wildlife management that works for people and wildlife still has a target on its back.

“As an organization committed to ensuring that the most successful model for wildlife conservation devised by man continues to pay dividends, we’re pleased that the citizens of a state turned out to defeat this measure,” said Gray N. Thornton, President and CEO of the Wild Sheep Foundation. “Still, we’re concerned that conservation, which means properly managing the entire ecosystem, not just one species, and the proud traditions of regulated hunting that supports this system will continue to be under attack. Our other concern is that while some did, not enough sportsmen, other conservation organizations, and companies that depend on sportsmen and public hunting engaged in defeating this initiative. Our community must remain vigilant and proactive.”

In September, the Wild Sheep Foundation contributed $100,000 to Colorado’s Wildlife Deserve Better to help in their fight to defeat this ballot initiative. Read more

Hunting

Sportsmen Win 2-1 on Ballot Propositions

While headlines for Tuesday’s general election primarily focused on the presidential, congressional, and gubernatorial races, voters were faced with state ballot proposals that directly impact hunters, anglers, and trappers in Colorado and Florida. We can rejoice in victory in 2 out of 3 of these critical ballot fights.

In Colorado, sportsmen enjoyed a major win and a disappointing loss. For a major victory against animal extremist groups, Proposition 127 failed by over 10 points in Tuesday’s election! Prop. 127 would have banned hunting and trapping of mountain lions, bobcats, and lynx in the state. The voters directly rejected the emotional and misleading appeals by animal extremist ideologues and sent them packing on their anti-hunting initiative. The strong NO vote was despite millions of dollars being spent by anti-hunting groups to get 127 on the ballot and before the voters.

For the loss, Proposition KK will institute a new 6.5% tax on firearms, firearm parts, and ammunition, presumably to “pay” for the criminal misuse of firearms. This tax is a direct attack on lawful hunters and recreational shooters in the state and many groups, including the Sportsmen’s Alliance, are reviewing potential legal action to challenge the measure as a violation of our fundamental rights.

In Florida voters made it abundantly clear that hunting and fishing are fundamental rights for citizens of the Sunshine State. Florida voters approved Amendment 2, protecting a right to hunt, fish, and harvest wildlife, by an astounding 67% yes vote. Read more

Animal Rights, Hunting

Michigan Deer Hunting

Online harvest reporting is required for all hunters who successfully take a deer. You can report your deer through the DNR Hunt Fish app or at Michigan.gov/DNRHarvestReport.

Archery deer season: open through Nov. 14 and Dec. 1 – Jan. 1, 2025.

  • Statewide on public or private lands.
  • Archery deer hunters in the Lower Peninsula have the option to harvest antlerless deer with their deer or deer combo license.
  • In the Upper Peninsula, during the archery season, hunters can take an antlerless deer with either a deer or deer combo license, except in deer management units 007, 031, 042, 048, 066, 127 and 131 (antlerless harvest is closed during all seasons) and deer management units 017, 027, 036, 117, 149, 152, 249, 252 and 349, where antlerless harvest with a deer or deer combo license is closed after Dec. 10 in the late archery season.

Firearm deer season: Nov. 15-30.

    • Statewide on public or private lands.
    • Deer hunters in the Lower Peninsula have the option to harvest antlerless deer with their deer or deer combo license.

Read more

Hunting

Michigan Pheasant Releases

Pheasants are being released on 13 state game/wildlife areas throughout southern Michigan this fall. Releases will take place through Nov. 14 on 13 areas and Dec. 1-31 on 10 areas, coinciding with pheasant hunting season. Directions to parking areas are available on the pheasant release webpage. Locations include:

  • Cass City (Tuscola County) – fall and December release.
  • Cornish (Van Buren County) – fall release only.
  • Crane Pond (Cass County) – fall release only.
  • Crow Island (Bay and Saginaw counties) – fall and December release.
  • Dansville (Ingham County) – fall and December release.
  • Erie (Monroe County) – fall and December release.
  • Lapeer (Lapeer County) – fall and December release.
  • Leidy Lake (St. Joseph County) – fall and December release.
  • Townline 16 (Bay County) – fall release only.
  • Pte. Mouillee (Monroe and Wayne counties) – fall and December release.
  • Rose Lake (Clinton and Shiawassee counties) – fall and December release.
  • Stanton (Montcalm County) – fall and December release.
  • St. Johns Marsh (St. Clair County) – fall and December release.

To learn more about the pheasant release program, visit Michigan.gov/SmallGame.

Hunting

The 10 best practices for the firearm deer hunting season

By KATIE GERVASI
Law Enforcement Division communications representative
Michigan Department of Natural Resources

Opening day of the traditional firearm deer hunting season is right around the corner, and many hunters are busy scouting land, watching trail cameras and preparing equipment.

To ensure a safe season, Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officers are sharing best practices and tips to help hunters avoid the most common violations and mistakes they see every year.

Here are 10 best practices for hunters to remember: Read more

Hunting

Fish Monkey: Prevent Cold Feet This Year

Picture this: You’re getting ready to walk into your stand or blind in the quiet darkness of predawn. The property has some standing water so you’re wearing knee-length rubber muck boots and, since the mercury is just above freezing, two pairs of socks. You walk in for a half mile or so, occasionally sloshing through some ankle-deep mud along the way, being as quiet as possible. You get set up and everything looks good—time to wait patiently and see what happens.

A little while later, the cold starts creeping in, starting with your feet. In another 30 minutes, they’re starting to get really chilly now. Read more

Hunting
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