Post-Season Update

Today is January 17th…only 8 1/2 months until archery season! I’ve been planning treestand locations and food plot modifications. Deer hunting has become a year-round ordeal for me at this point in life. There are lots of ways for me to spend my time and I find planning, scouting, preparation, and hunting to be the most rewarding. I’ve got a big tree planting project panned for the spring that will hopefully yield apples within 5 years…we’ll see.

Bowfishing season is still open in Michigan! That’s cool! I saw a carp last week…or half a carp…lying on the ice. An eagle left it there. That got me fired up for spring bowfishing. Rich said he has “some plans” for his boat and he’s planning to bring his boat to the tournament in Caseville this year. I’m eager to see what he comes up with.

We’ve got some great firearm deer season video coming soon along with some intense bowfishing footage from last season!

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.

Unexpected Archery Doe – Muzzy Phantom – Lumenok – Gold Tip – AR34

Sometimes you head to the woods with a plan…sometimes you find yourself becoming part of a different plan. Quinn heads out to a small piece of private land to try to connect with a buck. When an injured doe comes into range he makes the decision to arrow her. This video is a good example of identifying your shot placement and diligent tracking. This well-placed shot yields a poor blood trail and all of the sign is wrong. Continue reading

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

Real Hunting – Season 3

The Real Hunting Team is at it again, hunting harder than ever! After a slow start to the season, Quinn starts using his mountain bike to get way back in and finds some great deer activity (52:16). Rich puts in his time and arrows 2 deer. Another full season of ups and downs hunting the Michigan woods. Continue reading