Tag: deer season

75 Years of Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Program Success

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. — This year marks the 75th anniversary of the passage of the landmark Pittman-Robertson (also known as Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration) Act, which directs excise taxes collected on the sale of firearms and ammunition to be used exclusively by state wildlife agencies for improving wildlife populations, hunter education and public access to the outdoors. The benefits of this program to state agencies, sportsmen, sporting goods retailers and manufacturers and anyone who enjoys and appreciates wildlife and the outdoors have been abundant since its creation. Read more

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Muzzleloaders for the Single-Shot Mentality

By Glen Wunderlich

Old Man Winter finally arrived and just in time for some muzzleloading deer hunting. Actually, he made his appearance on the final day of regular firearms deer season in Shiawassee County, much to the chagrin of commuters but much to the delight of late-season deer hunters.

snow-laden spruce

Snow has always signified a refreshing change in an otherwise drab outdoor environment turned gray after final leaf drop. It sparkles in the moonlight like billions of diamonds sprinkled from the inner city to the outermost reaches of the country. It just seems to clean everything up. Beyond its natural beauty, however, a backdrop of white can also highlight the presence of wildlife. Read more

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Powerless on Last Day of Deer Season

By Glen Wunderlich

This is already shaping up as a special day.  Our first snow of the year and it’s a substantial one.  I had planned to hunt on this our final firearms season day for whitetail (although late seasons are coming), so I had prepared to get up early.  Not this early, though.

Seems the heavy dose of snow brought down some power lines and we have no power in this part of Shiawassee County.  Off to the garage at 3:45 am for the generator.  It must have taken me 15 minutes to get it through the snow to the hookup area.  Gotta have that juice with the outdoor furnace and underground water lines.

For now, it’s off to the shower and off to the woods.  Snowplowing will have to wait.

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First Snow, Last Day

By Glen Wunderlich

It’s hard to believe that November in mid-Michigan has gone snowless – until now.  The chilly northeast rain has been transformed to a wet, heavy blanket of white – our first of the year.

Snow capped outdoor furnace and fuel

The photo above was taken without flash under the yard light about an hour ago; it’s still coming down.

As for tomorrow morning – the last morning of firearms deer season – I’ll be there.  It’s what I dream of.

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Too Close for Comfort

By Glen Wunderlich

Shortly before the start of firearms deer season, I had set up a portable blind within archery range of a brassica food plot. The one-person hideout was inconspicuously concealed in a row of brush and young trees facing the prevailing wind. Experience has shown that deer – especially the more mature, and thus more educated among the herd – can spot the hideouts immediately and shy away from them. But, the new blind would provide a potential opportunity to view activity from a different perspective. Read more

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Southern Michigan Deer Opener

By Glen Wunderlich

Opening day of firearms deer season didn’t go as planned. Mother Nature saw to that by sending heavy cloud cover across southern Michigan. Hunters that had set up for long-range shooting had no choice but to wait it out. Normally, the eager throng of deer hunters provides the percussion section of the music that is opening morning. This time, the band was missing a few drummers.

Opening Day Fog, Shiawassee County, Michigan

Certainly, the fog was a contributor to the relative silence. So, too was the fact that opening day fell on a Tuesday. For me, however, Murphy’s Law joined forces with nature to force plan B into action. Read more

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We’ll Hear the Sunrise

By Glen Wunderlich

The game face is on. Getting ready is over. It’s the eve of opening day of firearms deer season state-wide and it’s no time for liver and onions. Or, any other concoction that could erupt like Ol’ Faithful in the midst of prime time.

It’s early to bed and early to rise. Early enough to be ahead of the other guy. Nothing like sipping a home-brewed coffee from the Thermos while imagining in the dark.

Yes, we’ll be able to hear the sunrise, even if we can’t see it.

 

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Michigan’s Deer Opener to see Less Hunters

So, opening day is on a Tuesday and you can’t make it.  Too bad for you.  Maybe you can get your friends to hold off on taking that wallhanger.  Right!  And, maybe they are just keeping your seat warm in the blind…

http://www.freep.com/article/20111114/NEWS06/111140382/Opening-day-deer-season-may-see-fewer-hunters?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

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Hunting Memories from Afield

By Glen Wunderlich

Firearms deer season opens Tuesday and hundreds of thousands of hopeful hunters will depart to all corners of Michigan in search of the elusive whitetail. Some will travel hundreds of miles, and some will remain close to home. But, all will be making memories that last long after the season ends. Looking back over four decades of deer hunting, here are some recollections of hunts past. Read more

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