Happy Halloween

October 31st and the best days are just around the corner.  The magical 5-day stretch of pre-rut chasing, rut tending, and lockdown are coming fast and I can’t wait for next week!  My plan is to sit and watch a few areas from a distance.  If I get a chance to shoot a doe I might…but it will depend on how many I see and whether I can shoot one without scaring a buck.  I love exploring and that’s what I’m planning to do next week.  It’s time to learn more about a few good areas that I haven’t quite figured out yet.

Rich is preparing for a week off work and a week in the woods!  His property has been sparse for deer so far but the chase is going to happen when he is there and that should allow him a shot or two at deer with his bow.

The Keon house is preparing for firearm season as we plan our trip to the U.P. for the firearm opener once again.  Kaden will be in a new spot this year and Gavin will be sitting with me.  Dad’s feeder is gone.  I found the motor…and the legs…but a bear took the barrel and I can’t find it.  We will put a few apples on the ground and hopefully everyone will see some deer this year and if we are lucky someone will even shoot a buck.

Bowhunting in Michigan – Focus on the Fun – Muzzy Phantom, Gold Tip, Lumenok, AR34

In this video, Quinn takes you through an entire archery season. Trying again for a 2 1/2 or older buck, he passes up 26 shots throughout the season. A couple 8-point opportunities come Continue reading

2012 Archery Season – Week 1

Week 1 is done…and neither of us arrowed a deer.  I had a nice opportunity at a  2 1/2 year old buck but he was a big 4-point and I decided to let him walk (see below).  I’ve seen a few others over the past month that I would rather shoot so I’m taking my chances and hoping for another opportunity.

4-point buck

Rich saw very few deer on his property…that is not typical.  He usually sees more deer than me so that’s not a good start to the season.  There is another guy who hunts the property that Rich is on and he shot a 7-point last week.  Hopefully this week will pick up for Rich.

I scouted on my mountain bike on Sunday…my typical state land spot in Midland County.  No water, no acorns, no deer sign.  I ran into a couple other guys who were biking it too and they were also disappointed with the deer sign and lack of sightings while hunting.

Youth Deer Hunt – Coyotes Ate The Whole Deer – Michigan U.P. – Marlin 336 30-30

This video highlights Northern Michigan’s predator problem. 0% Fawn survival rate observed on this hunt. Quinn heads to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula for the firearm deer opener – the Keon’s first 3-generation hunt. Quinn’s son Kaden connects with a nice buck but has a marginal hit due to a scope shift (4″ @ 100 yd). They decide to back out that night and look in the daylight the following morning. When they found the deer there was absolutely nothing left…you have to see it to believe it! Continue reading