I'm wondering if there are any trad guys or gals out there interested in a low cost wilderness type whitetail hunt? Here in northern Michigan, out in Lake Michigan about 13 miles is 15,000 acre Manitou island owned by the National Park Service. It's about 8 miles long and 4 miles wide and the park service has a no limit buck or doe bowhunt in October to anyone willing to pay the $25.00 tag fee. They also offer a rifle hunt in November. There is a ferry that takes hunters to the island and that cost is $20.00 so for $45.00 and your cost of getting to the dock in Leland MI and food for a week you're hunting an area without ATV's, a guy in every tree, or "Keep Out" signs posted every ten feet. In 2006 2 bow hunters and 6 rifle hunters bought tags and a few deer killed (never harvested!). Pressure is very lite and most guys seldom go more then a half mile from the dock. It's a hard hunt and not for the guy that likes to be fully guided. You fend for yourself here. Once the ferry drops you off, you're there til it comes back in 5 days. If the weather is bad it might be back in 6 days or 7.
The island itself used to be poplulated up until the 60's with a few farmers and loggers. Now there are a few old houses and buildings in the village and an old barn here and there in the middle of the island but no one lives there. A park ranger will be there during the hunt to check deer and emergencies (the park service keeps a house there). You can set up a camp anywhere on the island but fires are only permitted in the village campground (6 camp spots hacked out of a thornapple patch). The nice thing about this campground is it's close 1/4 mile maybe)to the dock that way a few extra things can be hauled to a spot at the campground to make a main camp and then backpack out to other spots on the island for overnights.
There are lots of deer here but this is one big woods and hard to hunt. No food plots, corn fields or other bait pile type hunting and trail sitting or spot and stalking will take work. You'll be proud of yourself for taking a deer here. There is a large lake in the center of the island and that seems to have the highest deer activity. That lake is also full of real nice Smallmouth bass, catch and release only. There are coyotes, fox, and other small game open to hunting but it's the squirrels and rabbits that are everywhere that could use a little thinning out. A Michigan small game tag would is needed.
What do you think?
Sounds like something to check further into, it would make for a heck of a get together for some industrious TGer's, Thanks for sharing!..Steve
CJ,
I have always wanted to try that--Fox too, but I am booked for next fall already with a sure Iowa tag and not enough vacation now. Hope you get a lot of takers.
I spent a week scouting in September and thought it would be prefect for a good group of guys to hunt and BS for a week.
The bad thing about Fox Isand is it's half privitely owned and posted. The guy has food plots on his half of the island to get the deer traffic. Plus, there is no place on the public end of the island to dock. You need a small boat or raft from the ferry.
CJ, that looks like a heck of a hunt. Its a long way up to that end of the UP, yup that's for sure. But it looks like a great place and a chance to find some real wilderness quiet and peace, not to mention a buck as old as the ages with mossy horns. I would suggest that you set up some dates for 2009, make a plan and invite the T Gang. Sure at least some die hards would want in and it might become another annual hunt. Maybe even do it in 08 with a few and get it started. Good luck and keep me posted, I'm just avid enough to consider it.
Which reminds me, what's the non res situation with this hunt and deer license?
What are the dates in October, would we be hunting with you?
I'm going on a hunt in October 3-8 in the U. P., so I could work it out if it was different dates I'll have to take more time off. If you're looking for someone to go, I would be willing to try and work it out. I have mad River Canoe,(Explorer) Kevlar, if we needed a small boat, I can bring it. The Explorer could handle a couple a deer, and equipment, and two guys. I have loaded it up for the boundary Waters many times, I have a base camp timberline six person tent. If we can work out the dates, I think it would be a great experience, PM if you wanna go and if we can work out the dates.
Carl
Are you allowed vehicles of any type?...or are you on foot all week long. If you could cross over with a truck it would make bringing camping stuff a whole lot easier.
Shaun, This island is located in the north west corner of the lower peninsula. Non-res on the island is $25 bucks same as res. Mainland tags are over $150.00
The only vehicles allowed are the ones at the bottom of your legs. That's why the pressure is so lite.
Sound interesting, how much is a non resident bowhunting license in Michigan?
Sorry I should have read everything before I posted.
Carl, any time in October is open. I like the last week (start of the rut). It also depends on interest in going to the island. The ferry might not run the week we want because it's not worth it to them to sail with one or two guys so we have to go on there set days. But if there are 6 or more, we set the date.
so CJ, what's the plan? You want to rough camp in the interior, or use the campground and everybody pick a direction in the morning? Sounds like a lot of fun, our deer opener is Oct.1, but the rut doesn't start here until November. Keep us posted.
Count me in CJ a week off work and a chance at a good whitetail. doug77
CJ, It sounds like a blast! I was hoping to head out west next year, but the way that the funds are looking, the "cheap" hunt is what I will be needing to do! :bigsmyl: It looks like this hunt is gonna happen, so for right now, figure I'm in. Keep the info coming and let me/us know as far as a tentative date. I can bring two different tents and some other camp gear. Thanks and great idea! Mike
I would be interested in this hunt also. preferably in the rut.
Dan Raney
Might be a couple more interested. I will ask my buddy. Sounds like a great time. What is the terrain like ?
ChuckC
I would be up for a hunt like this next year. Count me in!
I am "interested" just too far away for me to confirm anything. If you can keep me informed it would be great
For all:
Here are a few links I found researching the island. Save you the "leg" work.
General Hunt info
http://www.nps.gov/slbe/planyourvisit/nmihunting.htm
A map of the island:
http://www.leelanau.com/manitou/islands/nm-map-print.html
Will post more later if I find any of interest.
Thanks
That was quick! LOL
Check out this story about the beginnings of the hunt. Sounds like the old stick and string guys were all over them...
Anyway thought you would enjoy.
http://www.leelanaunews.com/blog/2007/10/23/n-manitou-hunts-have-seen-changes/
Here is a little better map:
http://www.northmanitou.com/imagery/manitou2.jpg
Anyone have any topo's? I am "on vacation" but I am going to call my brother in law tomorrow and see what he thinks. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Money is tight, but I think this is something "wild" I could actually afford.
Anyway Thanks again and I pray everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving.
It appears that you need a permit AND a Michigan Deer hunting license for this hunt. Just read this in the Gneral Hunt info post above.
ChuckC
QuoteOriginally posted by ChuckC:
It appears that you need a permit AND a Michigan Deer hunting license for this hunt. Just read this in the Gneral Hunt info post above.
ChuckC
Looks like it, I was not looking for that when I posted. FYI looks like a Michigan non res archery only tag is $138 (this year). Our license fees are more than likely going up before next year, so I do not know what it will be.
Here is a link to the Michigan DNR license fees page.
Michigan DNR Hunting & Trapping License Fees, 2007-2008 (http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10363_38954_38957-173829--,00.html)
Wow! I didn't think there would be that much interest. I read the artical John posted and the numbers are a little different when what I was told by the park servive rangers at the main office in Glen Arbor but still close. I was also told that with this being a special hunt in a national park you only need to pay the $25.00 for the park permit and any deer taken would not count against my main land tags. You would need a Michigan small game tag to hunt the small stuff. This is the Federal Goverment we are talking about here so they don't always know their facts. With all this interest, I'll get it in writing and post it.
Someone was asking about contour. It's mostly gently rolling hard woods with a few high spots and a few swamps. The lake in the middle of the island is big, maybe 300 acres (a guess). There are old farms and orchards with open fields and the beach along Lake Michigan is open. I thought I'd find the deer in the apple trees but there are Oaks and Beeches all over so the deer didn't stick to one food source. The weather in October this year ran from a high of 90 early in the month to lows of 30 with a little snow so you never know. We also had a lot of wind and rain in October. The bugs might still be out. The sand flys along the Lake Michigan beach were thick. The Mosquitos not so bad. Don't know about ticks.
Looks like having a group of good hunters on the island in the fall might happen. I'm planning on being on the first boat in the spring to the island for a long weekend of fishing for those bass and scouting around and will gather info from the park service on the 2008 hunt.
That article quotes some biologist as saying there are 80-100 deer on the island. That must be wrong. Maybe 80-100 per sq mile?
CJ. If you fish that pond. try getting a float tube. I have used float tubes extensively in the past and let me tell you...that pond scenario is custom made for that. You can hike in, walk into the water and fish the whole pond. Beats carrying a boat or canoe that far.
That would be an awesome day on the water !
ChuckC
I spoke with the ranger that lives on the island from May until October and he said he guessed the population to be at least 300 deer as he sees them daily as he walked the trails. Also that study the biologist does in the winter was by flying. Here on the main land the deer stack up in the cedars and hemlocks I don't know how you would see a deer from the air in that thick stuff. But I'm not a Biologist.
I would be interested as well. Its only a short drive for me and I have heard good things about the island. I used to hunt Drummond Island all the time and even tho it was populated, one could still find himself out in the middle of nowhere. Sounds cool.
I wanted to do this hunt when I lived in Michigan but I could never get a plan organized. I'd be really interested in this. Not a short drive for me; but I think it may well be worth the trip.
I really didn't know what kind of responce I'd get asking this question. I'm amazed. I think those deer are in trouble next year. Or at least get the chance to meet so real good guys.
CJ
I would be more than happy to make the drive next year. Sounds like a great place and a great hunt. Count me in...
This hunt sounds like it might be just what the doctor ordered. I'll keep an eye on this thread as it sounds like a great time.
I am also interested. I've never been on a primitive wilderness hunt like that and I don't know if I have the proper gear, but I can figure all that stuff out between now and then.
I graduate (again) on the tenth of October, so if it's after that, I will most certainly make the trip. This sounds AWESOME!!
Thanks for putting together this post.
Please include me on these plans.
I started backpacking this past summer and I would love to do this kind of remote hunt without getting on a plane.
I like either of the last 2 weeksd of October personally. November gets a bit risky in terms of weather.
-Brett
I talked to brother about this hunt, he did some checking. This year there were 52 hunters that hunted the island, out of the 52 hunters 2 deer were taken.
What we don't know is how long they stayed on the island to hunt.
Last year about the same amount of hunters with 3 deer taken. Looks like the success rate is about 3%.
I guess it all depends on what your going up there for. The adventure or to get a deer!
I've backpacked on the island a couple of times with a friend of mine who doesn't hunt. We went in July or August each time. I was there with the intention of scouting the island with the hopes of a return trip in October.
The first trip to the island I never cut a deer track. We covered the perimeter of the island and never made it to the interior or the lake. The second trip we did the perimeter and also made a quick trip to the lake and the hardwoods of the North end. We didn't spend too much time inland due to the bugs. During the four days we only cut two sets of tracks. These were between the inland lake and the North end.
Prior to visiting the island a different backpacking friend told me the island looked like a groomed park because of the over browsing by the deer.
Needless to say, I never did hunt there.
Having said that, I would like to join the group for a trial run at hunting out west. My plan would be to set up a base camp near the boat docks and then go inland or North for two to three nights with minimal gear. Returning to the base came to resupply and head out again. Of course this all depends on the weather and how good the cooks are in camp.
CJ-
Count me in. Let me know if you need any help with planning or anything else. I live 25 miles south of Ann Arbor but I have property that I hunt in on Lake Bellaire(Shanty Creek/Schuss Mtn.). How do you plan to proceed from here?
This looks really interesting. What is the cost of a Mich. small game non res tag? What would you estimate other costs,ferry etc, to be. I am really interested in this hunt.
This sounds like the start of a good time....count me in.
Indiana guys..if this comes together maybe we can caravan north.
I am in too. One can get a non-resident small game tag good for 3 days for less than $50.00.
Sounds like my kind of hunting trip!
I am interested as well, I have always wanted to try hunting on this island. Its not all that far a drive for me and depending on the date thats selected I would go.
CJ Mentioned this years weather. I will add the year before (fall '06) in mid Oct most the lower peninsula was covered in several inches of snow... being in the middle of the big lake, I am sure the weather is just as unpredictable.
I hope to make it with the tradgang group. I am starting a new job soon, so not sure how much time I will be able to take off. Either way my brother in law (a compound shooter) and I will be heading up there for a few days during the archery hunt.
Hopefully will make a campfire or two with you all.
Oh yeah, someone asked about small game license fees... I post a link earlier ( Michigan DNR Hunting & Trapping License Fees (http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10363_38954_38957-173829--,00.html) ) Our fees are likely going up next year, but I have not seen a set amount. Word has it they are going to about double. I will post as soon as I see a definite amount. Hope this helps.
Give this one a bump. Are folks still interested?
I found out the other day our hunting and fishing license fees are NOT going to be raised this year. Its an election year and the mentionof the fee raise may be adverse to the politicians.
Anyway, just curious if there is stil interest in this?
If I may ask; What gear would you reccomend for a newby to this still of hunt? I checked tents, water purifiers, etc and it is propbaly worse that picking out archery stuff. :scared:
Anyone know of a good tent, sleep system, water filter?
I would love to do that but I live in Maryland. WOuld you suggest flying in or if someone near me is interested we could drive out together and split gas and stuff.
I was kinda waiting on the Park to do there deer count on the Island soon. We have been getting a ton on snow on the mainland here but it's hard tell what will happen on the Island and that will effect the deer numbers. I've also been thinking about Fox Island. Though that island is hlf privitely owned, it is managed for deer by the privite owner with some nice bucks coming from there.
As far as flying, Traverse City has a very large Airport with daily flights to and from Detroit and Chicago.
Thanks for the heads up killinstuff. Would love to hear any information you get.
From my reading I thought it was South Manitou Island that was half private. Or was it Beaver Island? Or one of the others in that area. I was under the impression, all of NMI belonged to the NPS.
I also just found this about a 2006 Buck that was killed with gun. Click here for link. (http://www.northmanitou.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=13)