By Glen Wunderlich

Sitting in a treestand last week, as the sun began its daily disappearing act, I couldn’t help but think how deer hunting has changed over the past 50 years. Never have the opportunities for successful hunts been better. We have far more deer and far more means to take home some nourishing venison and here are just some of the reasons.

* We now have more deer seasons than ever before beginning in September and running through December.

* The practice of Quality Deer Management has had a dramatic effect on the ability of deer to grow larger and healthier. Recent statistics show that the take of older deer has increased – a true testament to the popular approach.

* The internet and Google Earth were yet to be invented. Years ago, if a hunter did not scout an area before heading afield, luck had more to do with success than anything else. Today, not only do we have satellite views of the land, but we can share information more readily with text, pictures and videos.

* Trail cameras did not exist – and, when they hit the scene, we had to get the film developed to see what we had been missing. Today, not only can we view photos and videos from our relatively inexpensive trail cams, if we have cell phone service in an area, we can view live action – all from the comfort of our homes or offices.

* Crossbows have exploded onto the archery scene and for good reason: They are simple and effective. Sure, traditionalists can still use their recurve bows, but many in the aging hunting community would have given up by now without the laws permitting crossbows.

* Firearms and ammunition are more refined and purpose-built. The time-tested .30-30 Winchester has taken a back seat to more effective choices. And, with the ability to use straight-wall cartridges in Michigan’s Zone III (the old shotgun zone), more effective choices are available across the state.

* Ammunition has been refined to include more aerodynamic bullets and cleaner burning powders. With concern about lead in the environment, copper bullets have become readily available in factory loads and are just as effective – if not more so – than lead.

* Optics are superior. A hunter can choose low-end glass that’s better than anything of yesteryear. Fancy reticles with built-in range compensating features, and even laser rangefinding technology, can take the guesswork out of longer shots – that is, if the operator can factor in the wind conditions.

* Portable blinds not only conceal hunters and their inevitable movements, but they can be warmed with modern propane heaters. And, those stinky, fuel-fired hand warmers have been replaced with throw-away chemical packages.

* ATVs are everywhere, and although their use is somewhat limited on state land, they’ve opened up areas that otherwise would be inaccessible. And, when it comes to transporting game in the field, they’ve taken the drag out of dragging.

One thing that hasn’t changed all that much over the years is the fact that hunters must still pay those dues afield. And when one chooses to do so, and that heart begins to pound relentlessly, it’s still deer hunting.

(MANSFIELD, TEXAS) – Recently acquired Sellmark brand, Kopfjäger, is set to release four tripod kits—Reaper Grip with an aluminum or carbon fiber tripod and a Reaper Rail with an aluminum or carbon fiber tripod. Kopfjäger’s obsessively engineered products are designed to reduce fatigue and enhance mission-, competition- and hunting-oriented shooting in all conditions by stabilizing your firearm.

The K700 Heavy Duty Tripod is crafted of a sturdy aluminum material and features 3-leg extensions with locking levers and can withstand a maximum weight capacity of 25 pounds. The rock-solid K800 Carbon Fiber Tripod boast 4-leg level extension, 3-position angle locks, twist leg locks, can withstand a max weight of 20 pounds allowing you to adjust the tripod to your comfort.

Included with the tripods is the dependable class Reaper Grip. The heavy-duty aluminum grip system features smooth 360° pan rotation with 21° up and 87° down tilt, user-friendly locking, adjustable, offset grip and protective padding to prevent scratches on your firearm. Reaper Rails boast a Picatinny rail instead of a locking grip with effortless 360° pan rotation with 21° up and 87° down tilt. Read more

Lodgepole, NE – When cold weather is at its worst, Thiessens new V1 Whitetail Heavyweight clothing system is at its best. Ruggedly built for the pursuit-driven deer hunter, the heavyweight line gives hunters the ultimate protection against the frigid temperatures and moisture that are typical of late-season hunts.

Featuring strategically placed and supremely warm Thinsulate™ insulation for maximum heat retention, as well as T-Dry waterproofing and Wind Defense technologies, the new heavyweight system keeps wind, rain, and snow at bay so hunters can stay in the deer stand longer. Also, a moisture-wicking design and anti-odor treated core lining keep sweat and stink from building up. Each item features Realtree EDGE™ camo for the best in concealability in the deer woods. Read more

With Michigan’s firearm deer season drawing near and bow season underway, the DNR encourages hunters to help feed hungry families by donating deer to Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger. Since 1991, this all-volunteer, nonprofit organization has worked to connect donors, wild game processors and charities like food banks, pantries and shelters that help feed those in need.

Michigan hunters donated enough deer last year to produce over 50,000 pounds of ground venison, providing more than 200,000 meals.

“This is great, but we know we can do better,” said Dean Hall, Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger executive officer.

To help boost participation, MSAH is partnering for the second year with the DNR and Jay’s Sporting Goods to offer a special opportunity for hunters to donate deer taken in the first few days of the firearm season to local food banks.

Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger will have a truck at the Jay’s location in Clare (8880 S. Clare Ave.) Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 17, from noon to 4 p.m. Hunters who donate a legally taken deer during the event will have their names entered for a chance to win a $500 Jay’s Sporting goods gift certificate. Read more

World Record Trophies in Stunning Alpine Scenery

New Zealand Trophy Hunting offers the finest red stag hunting in New Zealand. It has produced several former world records, and there will be more!

The red stag typically rut from mid-March through mid-May, a period popularly known as the “roar”. If you are a bowhunter, this is your best opportunity for hunting this majestic animal while also experiencing the privilege of this exhilarating encounter.

When a stag roars, it is a guttural, hair-raising, lion-like roar that will be sure to get your heart racing. To hunt a roaring stag at close quarters is one of the world’s most unforgettable hunting experiences. Read more

ATHENS, GA — The Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) and Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC have partnered to deliver the Today’s Hunter Deer 101 course, the first-ever online course of its kind, developed to teach prospective deer hunters everything they need to know to be safe and successful.

“Learning how to become a deer hunter can be intimidating, especially if you don’t have a mentor,” said QDMA CEO Brian Murphy. “Our goal is to provide the information and guidance to make the learning process as easy as possible. While information on deer hunting is available in many places, much of it is dated, inaccurate or unreliable; that’s why we developed this course. Everything we do here at QDMA is based on the latest research, so new hunters can rest assured this course features the best information available today.” Read more

By Glen Wunderlich

Camouflage this. Camouflage that. It’s everywhere and sometimes it simply makes no sense. Who needs or wants camouflage pruning shears? At an outdoor show earlier this year, I found the perfect ratcheting pruners. The issue was, however, the color of the tool, which came in two varieties: camouflage and shocking pink. I told the salesman I didn’t want the camouflage cutters, because I’d be sure to lose them in the matching foliage of the outdoors. On the other hand, those pink ones stick out like a liberal at a Trump rally.

When it comes to firearms deer hunting, we hunters tend to go a bit overboard right down to our camouflage boots; but, there we are with our mandated orange hats. Heck, a few years ago, one of our Michigan politicians thought it would be a good idea if our portable blinds were required to display a certain amount of orange, so they could be readily seen by all. That proposal was shot down – never to be mentioned again.

The fact is that camouflage sells. And, with one month until firearms deer season begins, I wanted to “brush in” a large hub blind, which although camouflaged, did not blend in at all with its surroundings.

Some blinds are manufactured with various loops on the exterior so that branches and available foliage can be attached to the blind itself for better cover. This model had no such attachment points, so any material used would have to be self-supporting. A plan evolved to build an environmentally suitable wall of recycled conifer branches.

Fortunately, I had been removing some spruce trees that had outlived their usefulness and were actually over-shading some more desirable apple trees. Before felling the trees, I had removed the lower limbs so that I could saw the main trunks easier. Those limbs were the perfect answer to my desire to brush in the blind.

I got to work by setting two 10-foot posts into the ground at either side of the blind’s front wall. Next, lengths of sisal rope were strung high and low horizontal to the ground. The large spruce limbs were hung over the ropes and woven together and tied where necessary. A few snips with my pink pruners and I was proud as a peacock with my invention after a couple of hours of enjoyable work.

These hub blinds have become quite popular but they have one drawback when snow and ice begin falling and forming: the roof sections collapse from the weight. A simple solution is to craft a custom center pole with a small hole at the top end to fit around a protruding piece of the blind’s top hub and wedged into the ground. Simply remove the support pole when it’s time to hunt and replace it when leaving.

Not all blinds would require as much work as this one did with the installation of the posts, because in most cases the blinds can be set near trees that could serve as the support posts. Additionally, a wooden platform was installed and set onto concrete blocks in an effort to level the structure and to keep it off the wet ground.

The local deer population now has a month to get used to the blind that is now hidden in plain sight.