ThinkingAfield.org

By Glen Wunderlich

Another regular firearms season has closed and an irregular firearms deer season begins next week. Certainly, there is no season dubbed “irregular”, but the moniker seems fitting given the new rules. Since last year, hunters can use any state-legal firearm during the muzzleloader season, if they’re hunting in a Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Management Zone. For the rest of the state, traditional muzzleloading rules apply, so make sure to be aware of the distinctions.

This year, the deer herd gets a chance to return to their normal activities with only archery deer hunters afield until December 6^th. For the record here are the season dates remaining:

*        Muzzleloading:

• • Zone 1: Dec. 6-15, 2019
  • Zone 2: Dec. 6-15, 2019
  • Zone 3: Dec. 6-22, 2019

*        Late Antlerless Firearm: Dec. 23, 2019 – Jan.1, 2020

As the regular firearms season draws to a close, a new one begins effectively for thousands of hunters in the vicinity of where CWD has been detected. Even though not one single deer has tested positive in any of the adjacent counties of CWD core zones, hunters have unique (or irregular) opportunities to bag deer with modern centerfire rifles or muzzleloaders, if preferred.

While we’ve heard bellyaching from politicians and other loud mouths about the “drastic” effect Michigan’s baiting ban may have on hunter participation, this rule change opens doors. Unless one is a traditionalist or only has some type of muzzleloading firearm, chances are that the ol’ smokepole will remain in the safe, where it will be free to corrode away in these CWD zones.

To me, it’s good riddance of a tool that’s simply problematic; heck, that’s why metallic cartridges were invented. While I have no issues with single-shot firearms and their ability to get game, I won’t miss messing with the grimy powder, ramrod, and primers. It’s been no more than a means to an end for me and I’m glad it’s the end.

Even though our deer herd is now down a couple hundred thousand head from two weeks of high-pressure hunting, big bucks remain. They’ve dodged bullets and hidden in cover not fit for human travel; some have gone nocturnal. Plus, coupled with the fact that most hunters have finished their efforts for the season, hunter competition will also be widely diminished.

Colder weather will drive whitetails to feed in the light of the day, although it may be low light or prime-time, if you will. And, snow cover will likely aid the patient hunters who’ve endured the chaos of the past weeks.

So, fill those propane tanks and support the roofs of those portable blinds, because it’s time to get ready for deer hunting at its best. Just insure that you have the means to keep any deer from freezing before it’s processed or you’ll learn why some folks don’t like the taste of venison.

Now, bring on the snow!

The December pheasant hunting season is open only in select portions of Zone 3 (see  page 54 of the 2019 Hunting Digest).

Cornish, Crane Pond and Pinconning State Game Areas are not within the December Pheasant Management Unit (pictured below) and are closed to pheasant hunting in December.

Though these three areas have had pheasants released as part of the Michigan Pheasant Hunting Initiative during the October/November pheasant season, they will not have pheasant releases in December.

Gainesville, GA (Nov. 25, 2019) For the long-range shooter on your gift list–even if it happens to be that precision shooter!-make Ballistic your stocking stuffer this Christmas season.

A large gift in a very small package, Ballistic is a must-have item for any long-range shooter or hunter, helping them make those tough shots. That’s because Ballisticpacks a wealth of information and data into each and every calculation, including:

–The world-renowned JBM Ballistics engine, the core of the Ballistic calculations. The JBM engine is used by competition shooters, long-range hunters, and the military to deliver the most precise calculations possible.

— At Ballistic, our numbers are drawn from a huge library of ballistic data. Huge. The Load Library incorporates data on over 5,400 projectiles, factory loads, and military loads, plus performance data points (like ballistic coefficients) from leading manufacturers, military testing, and performance testing.

–With Ballistic, for example, your exact projectile’s properties are drawn from the library. The available datum includes the latest commercial data and several G7 military coefficients from Aberdeen Proving Grounds, as well as Bryan Litz custom G7 BCs and projectile-length data. Read more

As hunters enjoy the final days of this year’s firearm deer season and prepare for the archery season restart Dec. 1, it’s important to keep CWD testing in mind – especially in areas of the state where chronic wasting disease has been confirmed. This fatal, neurological disease affects deer, elk and moose. Since the first case was confirmed four years ago in a free-ranging white-tailed deer in Ingham County, CWD now has been found in eight additional counties: Clinton, Dickinson, Eaton, Ionia, Jackson, Kent, Gratiot and Montcalm. Read more

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.

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.