As of this morning(9am) 2-deer hanging, Gregg N. & Kevin each have a nice doe. Roger mmmissd a big buck, Tim is tracking a deer he hit last evening. The buck Roger missed was really nice. Java Man has had chances but no shots taken. Ray is MIA till mid-week. That was a very very big buck Roger missed. Papa Shrew hasn't been in the right place at the right time yet. Weather is good (alittle cool 20deg. this morning) , lots of food(Kevin is making his famous ribs tonight),wood pile is getting low(Roger will probably be put back on firewood duty).
Gus,
Thanks for the update, keep us posted. Can't wait for pics !
nocams
Sounds good. Lookin forward to the pics too. :campfire:
I hope Gregg connects. You all would be amazed at how hard he works on everything...his bows, his job, his family. He deserves some good hunting time and luck!
Does Roger still have a shirt tail? :bigsmyl:
Gus,
I'm not MIA, I'm right here checking on you. I'm pulling for Gregg Coffey. The Tressle stand has some pretty magic mojo. Kevin shot his first deer out of it years ago. I shot a pair of nice does 15 minutes apart in 1999 with my brand new Super Shrew Samurai. Roger watched two spike horns sparring for 20 minutes from that stand one year and I saw the same thing a couple of years later. It's one of those special places that has lot's of memories.
That must have been Roger's heart pounding I heard, I thought it was the neighbor kids car stereo!
Eric
Sounds like all is going well so far....well except for Roger but I am sure just being in camp with friends is better than any big buck. How many more days does Gregg have up there? I hope he connects with one. If nothing else I know he is having a great time with some well deserved time off. Good luck again guys!!
Tough luck Roger, I hate it when that happens!
Come on Gregg turn that Shrewmaster loose and bring one home for the team!
did I read somewhere roger missed a good buck? :scared:
I guess I'm in good company than!!
Update - as of this afternoon no other deer taken, Java man missed a doe with the New Carbon Classic- he said "the bow was so fast that the deer wasn't where it was supposed to be!" Roger had nightmares last night. Kevin made points again, his ribs were even better than last year. Tomorrows dinner menu is chicken & venison steaks on the grill and store bought apple pie, (did you catch the hint Ray?) Weather has been good,next couple of days are going to be alittle warmer with a chance of rain.
Sounds like you are having way to much fun, and eating to much to really be in deer camp:). Keep the updates coming.
Sounds like a great camp. Keep it coming...Doc
Yep great stuff keep it coming guys.
Gus,
I think the boys have been eating well. I've noticed quite a change in daylight hours of late and I think it's because the earth has tilted a little bit towards Shrewhaven Lodge. Greg Nicolaou's wife left me a voice mail last night that she wants to drop off some apple cake and other goodies to restock the camp supplies. One thing I'll guarantee is that there is never a lack of food in camp. I'm heading up tomorrow evening and I'll have 3 solid days of hunting time. It will fly by, but even a little taste of heaven on earth is worth the 5 1/2 hour drive.
I'm back.......deerless. I had a great time though. Full moon kept the deer movement down I think. It was my first trip to the Haven of Shrew, so I wasn't sure what to expect.
As far as the food..I gained six pounds in three days, and I don't gain weight! That's without apple pie too!
Ray. I left one of Papa's tree stands in the Tressle tree for you. Take a pad though, cause it's only got a wood seat. Makes the tusch a bit sore after three hours. The Carbon Classic is waiting for you.
Back to work on Bentpole's bow.
Java Man
Gregg, good to hear you had a great time and glad to see you made it home safe.
"Back to work on bentpole's bow" WOOOOFAAAA!! Greg, sorry you didn't wack one.You did have action though. Clean miss!!?? You folks sure do know how to run a camp for sure..
Yep, clean miss. The deer turned and bolted just as I was dropping the string. Took me ten mintues todig the BH out of a downed tree limb though!
:biglaugh: There are a few BH's of mine stuck in trees around the state land near me.
Gregg,
Sorry you didn't connect, but I'm glad you finally made it there. The vehicle is packed and it's time for some shuteye. I'm looking forward to trying the new prototype carbon bow. My backside has plenty of padding, but thanks for the heads up on the stand. I killed 3 deer between 11am and 1 pm in the last 3 years during this moon phase up at camp.
My wife is looking forward to me only being in camp for 4 days. She's thinking I'll only gain 5 pounds instead of the usual 10 that seems to "appear" after 8 or 9 days in camp.
Alpha, MI here I come!!!!!!
Update as of last night--everybody missed Java man being in camp, glad you had a good time Gregg, ShrewHaven sure is a special place. It's a true old time deer camp,lots of great food,great friends,great place to hunt,great fun and lots of joking and ribbing. Dinner last night was venison steaks and chicken breasts on the grill with a pasta dish and fresh baked biscuits. Not much left, as everyone had seconds. Roger is doing much better, he seems to have come to grips that he really did miss a big buck(I think all the camp therapists have helped). Not much action yesterday,warm temps and a big moon slowed movement. Not much sign of chasing yet either. Weather is windy and rain today with temps to drop into the low 40's this afternoon and a chance of light snow tonight thru tommorrow morning. Should help get the big boys moving
Sorry Gregg I was really pulling for you!
I appreciate all the kind comments. Just being up there was enough for me. Today is my first day back at work, and I sure wish I was still in the UP. Like Gus mentioned, the actual hunting is a small part of the experience.
Gregg
Yeah the going back to work thing is always the worst thing after comming home from a great deer camp!!
Any new news from the U.P.? Greg, I know you would rather be there just don't take it out on my bow! LOL!
Boy I'm glad he didnt have to back to work on my bow! He'd probably make it a righty just for laughs. LOL
Eric
No worries Eric. I did make Tom's bow left handed though! :scared: Just kidding.
I have not heard any news since I left. Cell coverage is a little sketchy up there. Ray should have been there yesterday.
Anybody got a lefty shew they might part with id like to shoot one ?
Did you trim Rogers Shirt tail for missing a Big Buck? That is a Michigan Deer camp tradition!!!
WHEW!!!
Jeff,
My son missed a shot a few weeks back and guess what his punishment was...... ???
Since his broadhead went thru the leaves and down in that good black dirt it needed a good cleaning and touch up before being placed back in the quiver. And what would be the perfect tool for the job...... ?
Yep, you guessed it.... HIS TOOTHBRUSH, HAHA !!!
nocams
Update as of this morning - Ray bagged a doe yesterday morning, lots of action in the afternoon as everyone except Papa Shrew saw deer. Greg N. missed a doe and Tim was ready to draw on one but got busted by another deer. Roger saw another smaller buck on Wed.evening,but no shot taken. Dinner last night was leg of lamb with twice baked potatoes. Lots of deer movement this morning on the way into the shop, should be a good morning.
Thanks for the update Randy.
I'm taking my 12yr old Sam out in the morning. We have treestands about 20yds apart, so I can keep a close eye on him.
Java Man
ttt
Update as of 8am this morning - Papa Shrew took a real nice very large doe last evening.Everyone is out this morning helping Greg N. and Tim track deer they hit last evening.Lots of movement yesterday as everyone saw deer. Should be real good this evening as a front is to move in tonight with snow predicted.Yesterday over at our place,WolfRidge, Cindy arrowed a real nice 6 point with her Li'l Favorite. She will bring it up to camp tonight for a picture with Papa Shrew. Java man - Cindy shot the Carbon Classic the other night, she loved it. Don't know why "she" needs a new bow, almost to the day a year ago she shot a 7 point with her Li'l Favorite. Dinner tonight is deep fried Bluegill with potatoes and coleslaw.
Dang it. I should still be there. :knothead:
Sam and I saw several deer this morning. But nothing close enough.
Gregg
Well, I'm back. Nothing is sadder to me than heading EAST on Hwy 2 across the UP. As usual, Cindy (Gus's lovely wife) showed us all up with a lunker 6 pointer. Way to go Cindy! 2 years running now she shows up mid week with a good buck in her truck, just to show us what one looks like!Gus, Ken , and Cindy coming by camp is one of the things I look forward to all year.
Yep, I mmmmmissed a lunker, shot over his back at about 18 yards. 10 WIDE points, and a chocalate brown rack. Dangit!
I saw plenty of deer though, several good bucks, and had an awesome time. Randy is right, the ribbing and joking in camp is worth the trip alone. And the food!!!!!!
Having Javaman around this year was an extra bonus. What a great guy to share a camp with. I hope I didn't keep it too hot for you in there, Gregg (yep, I have been reduced to woodstove and dish duty, next time I'll pick a spot!)
Ron, Kevin, Greg N., Javaman, Ray, Tim Cosgrove, Randy, Cindy, Ken, thanks once again for a great deer camp. You guys are the best. :campfire:
Kevin and I made it home by 9:30PM last night after a 11.5 hour drive. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited has a 5,000lb tow package and I think we were about maxed on our load :eek: The 13' covered utility trailer was loaded with our personal gear,a bunch of stands,the 4 wheeler and we still managed to squeeze in a couple deer and get the door closed :D
It's hard to believe that another year at Shrewhaven is over. It was a great time with a great bunch of guys. The anticipation of going, the happy reunion when we got there, the daily fun we had sharing our hunting experiences at the end of each day... and the laughter...don't forget the laughter :campfire:
I'll post some pictures soon.
Sounds like a great time guys!! Glad to hear everybody had a good time and all made it home safe. I look forward to some pics!!
Thanks for the ride along! Some of us will never know that special type of kinship ;and hide-away, but we can vicariously enjoy yours!
Thanks again! :)
Thanks for the updates guys. I've never seen Shrewhaven, but I love the UP. Had a bear hunt up there in October. Awesome country.
Looking forward to the pics Ron.
I know that feeling of packing up and heading out. I too always look back. It's sad leaving, but the memories linger and soon the anticipation of the next hunt starts...
todd smith
thanks for sharing... :)
QuoteOriginally posted by Doc Nock:
Thanks for the ride along! Some of us will never know that special type of kinship ;and hide-away, but we can vicariously enjoy yours!
Thanks again! :)
Well put doc!
Glad everyone made it back safe and sound. Looking forward to the pics.
ShrewHaven Gang -- glad to hear everyone made the long trip home safely. What a fun week, lots of hunting,great stories, jokes and laughter, and of course the Food, but most of all, time well spent with our wonderful friends. I'll let the gang share acouple of the highlites of the week - some real funny stories that will be re-told many times at ShrewHaven. As Cindy and I passed the gate on our way back to our place on Sat. night, we were both thinking about the sad feelings of the last night in camp. Can't wait till next year,a week with the ShrewHaven gang is always of our best week of bow season.
I keep thinking about Cosgrove doing the "Goat herder shuffle"..... :bigsmyl:
It certainly was a whirlwind trip for me, but 3 solid days in camp wrapped around travel time is still like a sip of nectar to get me through till next year. The food was awesome as always(has anyone ever had a stomach ache for 2 hours after eating more lightly battered, deep-fried bluegills than 3 men should have?). The laughter is always cleansing for the soul and the rewards of finding well shot deer after a tough trail for your best buddies is a great feeling (Greg N. made a very good shot on a big old doe that just didn't want to give up the ghost) Greg, Ron and I finally sorted the trail out and the hugs told the whole story. I bagged a doe from the Tressel stand my first morning out. One of my favorite things in camp is getting a deer in the am and doing the follow-up chores followed by a late afternoon spent in the cabin by myself shooting all the Shrew bows, prepping dinner and enjoying a good glass of wine or bourbon while waiting for the boys to get back to tell there stories. I truely feel blessed to be a part of such a great group of sportspersons for so many years. We all take our ribbings with a great dose of laughter but this is the real deal folks. This group is top notch and the place we share is remarkable in it's simplistic beauty and the people that make it so much more. We should all have such a place and camraderie in our lives. I'm a wealthy man because of it.
Thanks guys!! I'm already looking forward to next year.