Post by: Steve Pray on October 16, 2004, 09:24:00 AM
Remember guys this hunt is happening because of the generousity of so many here that not only helped to pay for Michael's hunt but also set him up with all his equipment for this hunt. This is to be Benefit4Kids first true trad hunt with an outdoor wish kid.
I have my notebook and camera with me and will do everything I can to update you here on this thread as Michael's hunt progresses. I hope you all enjoy sharing with us the excitement in this young man you have all done so much for.
Steve Pray
President, Benefit4Kids
P.S. While we're on this hunt please remember and pray for our dear friend Bill Wooster for it is he that set this hunt up. It is Bill who should be hunting with Michael but due to medical problems he can't make it. I'm taking a couple of special arrows for Michael and I to send to the North Star for Bill along with a prayer that his treatments are successful. I'll post here the time that we'll do that so that anyone who cares to join us with an arrow of their own can do so. I love ya brother Bill.
Post by: HARL on October 16, 2004, 11:04:00 AM
Good Luck Guys
Post by: George D. Stout on October 16, 2004, 11:45:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on October 16, 2004, 03:59:00 PM
Post by: 2-BIG on October 16, 2004, 07:05:00 PM
Post by: Jim Stewart on October 17, 2004, 12:02:00 AM
Post by: Roger Norris on October 17, 2004, 09:25:00 AM
Post by: Thunder on October 18, 2004, 10:02:00 PM
I *CAN* however, tell you that when I talked to Michael he was very excited being there, and saw lots of deer on his first day, including a 14 pointer !
Can't wait....wish I was there !!!!!! You guys have a blast up there, and toss a log on the fire for me.
God Bless.
Post by: ber643 on October 19, 2004, 06:37:00 AM
Post by: Gus on October 19, 2004, 12:14:00 PM
Also, Carol is really pleased that Mutt is house trained, but was alittle suprised at how much he eats!! Take care Bill -- we have the fire burning for you. -- Gus
Post by: PAPALAPIN on October 19, 2004, 05:32:00 PM
Post by: Steve Pray on October 20, 2004, 08:51:00 PM
First I would like to thank all of you who joined in helping to send Michael on this great hunt and helped to get him set up with all the equipment a boy would need to hunt the wily white-tailed deer. I have no doubt this hunt will help to prepare him for his Outdoor Wish hunt next year when he goes after caribou in Alaska.
So grab your favorite beverage, sit for a spell and hopefully I can bring you some of the enjoyment we’ve had over the last few days. I’ll give you what has happened up to now and hopefully will have more to add tonight and tomorrow for you.
First off here is the cast of characters that will be participating in Michael’s Trad Gang Wish Hunt over the next few days.
Carol Stokes - owner, chief cook (or should I say cook extraordinaire) and bottle washer of The Listening Inn
Joyce Winstanley- helps out at the Inn and just plain brightens up your day.
Jim Hammill – retired biologist and just plain nice guy.
Randy “GUS” Gustovson and his lovely wife Cindy – Gus and Cindy own Northwood’s Outfitters and set the hunt up for us.
Scott and Dara Wagner – Michael’s Mom and Dad
The Hunters:
Outdoor Wish Kid Michael Frame
Ron and Nancy LaClair
Dean Wagner
Gerald “Gerry” Gray
Bruce Gray
John Havard
Steve Pray
Sunday afternoon found the group of us in Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula at the awesome Listening Inn. We were met at the door by it’s owner Carol Stokes who gave us quick tour of the Inn and set each of us up in the rooms that would be home for the next five days. Carol was every bit as wonderful as Gus had told us she’d be and the Inn itself that is built out of huge white pine logs from the property it sits on is just an incredible place that you must see to believe. Soon we were unpacked and grabbed our bows for some last minute practice. To say we were excited would be an understatement as this promised to be a great place to hunt.
As we practiced and told a few stories Carol told us that Gus, Ron and Jim were out setting up the last of the blinds and checking to make sure all was well in the area we’d be hunting. It was comforting to know that these three guys with their vast amount of knowledge and experience were finding the most productive areas for our upcoming hunt. Carol and Joy prepared an awesome dinner and once Gus, Ron and Jim returned we all sat down for dinner. Although the food was incredible I only ate my usual small portion and passed on dessert. If you believe that will discuss the bridge I have for sale later. 8-)
That evening we went over a map of the area and decided who would be hunting which stands. Instructions where given to each of us what to do in case we hit a deer as not only are there numerous coyotes here but also wolves and as Michael and I were to later find out bears. It was decided by all of us that it would be best to wait until after daily to go out to our stands and get comfortable with our surroundings before hunting. This is BIG country up here and it wouldn’t take much to find yourself lost and in trouble. We didn’t want any problems so we decided on the safest way to do things. Once the stage for Monday we sat around and told a few stories then one by one we headed off to bed with anticipation of what tomorrow would bring.
Monday AM:
After a great breakfast (of which I had only my usual small portion) we all headed out to our spots to get the lay of the land. As we approached Michael’s spot we jumped a big deer from just yards in front of his blind. While we couldn’t tell what it was it was a very big deer and our spirits were high. Although we could have hunted Michael decided to practice a bit more, eat a good lunch (of which I only ate my usual small portion) and then head out early to our blind for the afternoon hunt. It was my good fortunate that Michael wanted me to hunt with him and I was honored that he asked me. Since there was only room in the blind for one shooter I gladly left my bow at the lodge. Michael was pumped and ready so after lunch we shot a few more arrows and headed for the blind.
Monday PM:
Here’s a picture of Michael heading to our spot.
(http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/522/2725AUT_2415sm.jpg)
Michael and I arrived at our blind and quickly got settled in for what promised to be an exciting night. We weren’t in our blind ten minutes when a nice spike horn walked by only fifteen yards from the blind. He went through quickly and offered no shot but we have a five-point minimum on bucks here anyway. It sure gave us the confidence that we’d see lots of deer with this happening so quickly. After that things pretty well went like most hunts do with the normal squirrels, crows and chickadees making their presence know to us.
Then it happened, what every hunter fears. Out of nowhere came the world-renowned and feared Attack Chickadee. This devious creature knowing Michael was new to whitetail hunting made him the focus of its’ attack. Hidden from our view by the back of the blind it slowly hopped branch to branch until at just the right moment it flew in the window of our blind and made the famed “I’m gonna land on your nose” maneuver and then quickly flew out the other window. The total look of fear on Michael’s face reminded me of my own past encounters with this dreaded winged beast and caused me to burst into uncontrollable laughter. I was however able to stifle the sound of my laughter and although I thought my ears would pop I remained fairly silent through the tears in my eyes and the pain in my sides I thought I faired quite well. I’m sure Michael is still having nightmares of the winged beast and he is convinced that Michigan U.P. chickadees are the same size as pterodactyls.
Once we were calmed down enough to watch for deer again it was only a few short minutes when a nice doe walked out. She stayed a safe distance and then as three more deer walked up behind us she blew at them and all four of them headed for parts unknown. Not less than five minutes later I watched Michael’s eyes grow more than twice their size and he looked at me and mouthed the word “BUCK”!!! I slowly followed Michael’s gaze and there standing about thirty yards away was a nice six or eight point. He stood there with his nose in the air as if he knew something was wrong but couldn’t figure out just what it was. After a minute or two he decided not to stick around and slowly walked away from us. DANG, that would have been a good one to get a shot at.
About five minutes later Michael saw more movement and a pretty good-sized doe walked out. She was only about twenty yards but the angle wasn’t quite right. I told Michael to get ready because I thought she might close the gap and he could get a shot. Now Michael was shaking like a leaf when she walked in but as he raised his bow (this is really cool) he went into “predator mode” and as I watched the end of his arrow it was stock-still. He was doing well and the doe turned and walked right in front of us. Michael slowly drew his bow and I watched as he did everything perfect, slow draw, hit full anchor, pause and release. His only flaw was OPPS…he forgot to pick a spot and the arrow sailed harmlessly over the doe’s back. I told Michael he did fine and assured him that even great hunters like myself 8-) miss now and then. The one thing that made me proud was that even in the excitement of shooting at his first deer Michael KNEW what he did wrong before I even told him. As the doe ran off to do battle another time with maybe some other hunter Michael looked at me and said, “I didn’t do what you said, I didn’t pick a spot”. I think even though he missed the deer he was successful because he LEARNED from what he did.
As Michael was quietly kicking himself for missing the doe he happened to glance out the window of the blind and instantly the missed doe was forgotten. Standing almost in the footsteps of the eight point we saw earlier was another buck. This wasn’t your normal “hey there’s a buck” kind of buck either. This was a genuine certifiable U.P. BIG BUCK!!! Michael motioned to me that another buck was out there and I could tell by his reaction it was a good one. As luck would have it this buck also moved off without offering a shot but man what a memory he left in his tracks. As darkness fell we saw a few more deer but nothing to shoot at and as we made our way back to the truck I asked Michael if he thought he was going to like this deer hunting game. His answer was a loud YES and then with a chuckle he said he could do without the Attack Chickadees though.
We got back to the lodge and shared our stories with the other hunters and Michael took some good-natured ribbing about donating an arrow to the archery Gods. Silently though I know each person in camp hoped he would soon connect. No one connected on Monday but we all remained upbeat and confident about our chances. After another awesome meal (of which I ate my usual small portion) we told a few more stories, watched a hunting video or two and then headed off to bed with hopes Tuesday would bring success.
Tuesday AM:
Michael and I were settled into our blind well before shooting light and we hoped the sunrise would bring us success. We saw a couple of deer just after light but they stayed well out of range. As the woods slowly came alive Michael and I were focused on getting a deer when without warning there were heavy footsteps RIGHT NEXT TO THE BLIND. We never heard this animal get close it was just THERE and only a few feet from us. We sat wide-eyed staring at each other with neither of us wanting to admit what we knew was not much more than an arms length away. When it commenced to sniffing our packs that were outside behind the blind there wasn’t much doubt that there was a bear there and it wasn’t a teddy bear. After a few moments the sniffing stopped and although it had left we never heard it go. It’s amazing how an animal that big can move so silently through the woods. To say it was exciting yet a wee bit scary would be an understatement.
Not long after the bear left the wind shifted and began blowing from us right down Michael’s shooting lane. We decided to stalk our way back to the truck and did some rattling and calling as we went. We saw a few deer and one nice buck while doing this but nothing that Michael could get a shot at. Soon we were back at the lodge where we found out once again everyone came back empty handed. Everyone sat down for lunch and with the weather improving hoped tonight would be the night.
After lunch Ron LaClair gave Michael some shooting tips and right before our eyes we watched Michael’s groups improve. I have no doubt that when it comes to helping one shoot better Ron has no equal. (he paid me to say that)
Tuesday Evening:
Michael and I once again set up in the blind where Michael had missed his doe the night before. As the evening progressed we saw a few deer but they were well away from our blind with no chance of them coming our way. It was getting late and appeared that tonight would end as before with us going back to the lodge empty handed. Then with perhaps only ten minutes of shooting light left Michael looked at me and whispered “DEER”. I couldn’t see the deer at first but I knew it was coming toward us as Michael readied his bow. I watched once again as his shaking hands suddenly steadied and he once again went into predator mode. All I whispered to him was “pick a spot, focus”. I knew Michael knew what to do but I wanted to re-enforce what Ron had taught him just a few hours ago. Would it make a difference? In a few seconds we would know. Suddenly the deer turned broadside and Michael slowly drew his bow. I watched as he came to full draw and then his arrow was on its’ way. I heard that sound we all love to hear when an arrow connects as the deer spun and took of like a rocket low and fast. In an instant I was giving Michael high fives and hugging him at the same time.
As the deer ran off we could hear several others running also. I watched as best I could and it appeared Michael’s deer ran in somewhat of a circle as it ran off. We both thought we heard it crash but with the other deer running we couldn’t be sure. We waited a few minutes then quietly went to look for his arrow and some blood. As we walked up to where the deer was standing it only took a moment for me to spot that familiar red stuff virtually painted on the weeds where the deer was standing. We slowly took up the track and as we neared the wood edge the blood trail really petered out quickly. Michael was pretty nervous so we decided to go back to the lodge for some help after we had some dinner (of which I ate my usual small portion). I told Michael to walk slowly and watch for blood as we left the blind because I believed his deer had crossed the trail we had to go out on.
We slowly walked down the trail and after getting only about thirty yards from the blind I spotted blood right there in the trail. At first there was only a small drop and then in just a few more yards there was good blood on the weeds and leaves. I tracked just a few yards so we could mark the direction she was heading for when we came back when laying there in front of me was Michael’s arrow. Looking at the arrow there was no doubt in my mind that it had done its’ job. I took just two more steps and there laying in front of me on the trail we came in on was Michael’s first deer. I let out a holler and told Michael “here’s your deer” as he came up and gave me a hug. We laughed and relieved the story a few times and then headed for the truck to get her out.
When we arrived at the truck John was waiting for us with a pretty good story of his own. He had taken a nice six point that like Michael’s deer had died just a few yards from the two-track we drove in on. We shook hands and congratulated John and then the three of us headed to the lodge to get everyone else. I knew I’d get my butt kicked if I didn’t let them share in Michael’s success.
After dinner (of which I ate my usual small portion) we all headed out to gut Michael and John’s deer, take pictures and relive the stories a few more times. Michael had the honor of having Ron LaClair teach him how to field dress his first deer. I don’t think there’s to many young hunters who would enjoy that. After getting the deer back to the lodge we all once again told our stories, shared a few beverages and called it a night. I think we all slept well that night.
(http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/522/2725MI9133_2sm.jpg)
Wednesday AM:
Well since Michael was done hunting (we’re only allowed one deer at the lodge) he asked if he could go with me in the morning as it was now my turn to hunt. I told him “you bet” so we headed out bright and early but instead of sitting in the blind we set up and did some rattling and calling for a change of pace. We saw a few deer but nothing I could get a shot at and while we were out I had a thought.
Bill Wooster was suppose to hunt this hunt with Michael but due to medical reasons he couldn’t make it so I filled in for him. Bill had paid half the hunt cost in a deposit (he refused to let me reimburse him) and I picked up the other half when I got here. Now Bill and I have been know to do a thing or two for a kid now and then and I figured maybe Bill and I could do one more thing together on this hunt. When Michael and I returned I asked Carol if it would be all right if I let Michael hunt for my deer since he’s allowed two in Michigan and I’d stay back at the lodge instead. That way Michael would still have a chance at another deer. Remember he’s allowed two deer in Michigan but the lodge only allows one per hunter. So as I type this Michael is out hunting tonight with Ron LaClair as his teacher. They should be back soon but like me you’ll have to wait to see how they did.
Once again thanks to all of you who made this hunt possible for Michael.
Post by: Roger Norris on October 20, 2004, 09:18:00 PM
Post by: ber643 on October 20, 2004, 10:16:00 PM
Post by: Thunder on October 20, 2004, 10:25:00 PM
geez...wish I was there...
God Bless.
Post by: Killdeer on October 20, 2004, 10:28:00 PM
Post by: BJOHN5244 on October 20, 2004, 11:05:00 PM
bjohn
Post by: just jim on October 21, 2004, 12:42:00 AM
Post by: Steve Pray on October 21, 2004, 11:22:00 AM
First let me apologize for some of my typos in last nights update. I think most of you can pick them out. One in particular I need to fix is where I told you about Ron teaching Michael how to field dress a deer. It should have said “I don’t think there’s to many young hunters who would enjoy that.” Geez, Ron would have kicked my butt if I didn’t fix that.
Well Ron and Michael got back and both claim it was a good night although no shots were taken. They saw a couple of deer but none came in close enough for a shot. They also had some come up behind them in the blind but they never showed themselves. When they first arrived where we park the truck there was a grouse just a short ways away that Ron was going to shoot but it flew off before he could get his bow out. Ron also taught Michael how to fake the deer out by closing your eyes and making a loud snoring sound while peeking through the cracks in you eye lids. They arrived back to the lodge just in time for another great meal prepared by Carol and Joy (of which I only had my normal small portion). None of the hunters scored tonight but all of us are having a great time.
After dinner Jim Hammill treated us to a slide show and some management facts on Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. For those of you who want to hunt trophy whitetails don’t make the mistake of overlooking Michigan’s U.P. Well more later.
Thursday AM: Most everyone slept in a bit this morning and Gerry, Bruce and Nancy LaClair were the only ones who braved the heavy frost this morning. After a great breakfast (of which I had my usual small portion) I sat down to do this update and later this morning we’re all taking a ride of to Ron’s Shrew Haven to see his camp. He’s also promised to read his poem “The Ghost of Armstrong Creek this evening for us. Hopefully someone will score tonight.
Also tonight Carol just informed me that we’ll be having Surf & Turf for dinner as John donated the backstraps from his buck to the group for dinner tonight. I’m not sure I can do it but I’ll try to hold myself to my usual small portion.
Hopefully we’ll have another deer killing story for you all tonight.
Post by: Steve Pray on October 21, 2004, 11:43:00 AM
(http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/539/2725AUT_2421sm.jpg)
(http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/521/2725Mike_s_Hunt_233sm.jpg)
Post by: Ray Lyon on October 21, 2004, 12:10:00 PM
I can hardly believe that Ron nodded off on stand and started snoring. :knothead:
!["[tunglaff]"]("graemlins/tunglaff.gif" "\"\"")
He must have ate more than a small portion at lunch!! Good luck Michael. Just remember, I taught Ron all of his good shooting habits! :rolleyes:
Post by: David M. Mathis on October 21, 2004, 01:28:00 PM
Post by: Roger Norris on October 21, 2004, 01:30:00 PM
OOOOOHHHHH Boy!!! :smileystooges:
Post by: Ray Lyon on October 21, 2004, 04:41:00 PM
:knothead:
Post by: Steve Pray on October 22, 2004, 12:31:00 AM
Post by: frankb on October 22, 2004, 12:43:00 AM
WAY TO GO, MICHAEL! WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
:D :D :D :D :D :D :D
-frankb
Post by: Jim Stewart on October 22, 2004, 01:54:00 AM
Post by: ber643 on October 22, 2004, 05:55:00 AM
Post by: Ray Lyon on October 22, 2004, 08:10:00 AM
Michael, congratulations on a great hunt and harvest of a fine whitetail doe. I've known Ron LaClair for a lot of years now and I know how much he enjoys working with young men and ladies like yourself, especially as they are beginning their hunting careers. Another thing to keep in mind about Mr. LaClair is that he has a lot of years (and slices of apple pie :p ) under his belt and a little cat nap is considered an earned privilage when you've reached retirement. :thumbsup:
Good luck in the future and hold on to all those great things you've learned from some great people this past week.
Post by: ber643 on October 22, 2004, 09:18:00 AM
Post by: Steve Pray on October 22, 2004, 10:14:00 AM
I've had a fantastic time this week with Michael and all the rest of the great folks that came here for our hunt.Michael is a serious hunter and a great young man. I'm so glad I was here to share this hunt with him and the experience of his first deer.
The Listening Inn is a wonderful place. The huge log Inn creates a great atmosphere for the hunt and the surrounding woods are full of deer and turkeys. All the hunters have seen deer and had a chance to score.
We are about to go out and look for a deer that was hit last night, more later.
Ron LaClair
Post by: John Havard on October 22, 2004, 05:03:00 PM
Jim Hammill, formerly a big cheese with the Michigan DNR and one extremely knowledgeable wildlife biologist made a presentation Wednesday night about the Upper Peninsula's environment and why the deer have to grow so big just to survive.
The Listening Inn is fantastic, and the overall experience was a treat. But the absolute best part was being around one very special young man -Michael. Being there when he shared the excitement of his hunt was priceless.
Thanks to Bill (wish you could have been there!) and Steve for working with Randy (aka Gus) and Jim to put this hunt together. They have made a positive difference in a young man's life and that's no small matter.
John
Post by: Dano on October 22, 2004, 06:40:00 PM
Post by: Autumnarcher on October 22, 2004, 09:02:00 PM
Post by: kyle on October 23, 2004, 02:25:00 PM
!["[moon]"]("graemlins/sleeping.gif" "\"\"")
. Glad you had a great time and God Bless You.Kyle
Post by: SuperKodiak38 on October 23, 2004, 10:44:00 PM
Post by: HARL on October 23, 2004, 10:45:00 PM
Post by: Terry Green on October 25, 2004, 03:03:00 PM
I'd like to thank, on behalf of Trad Gang, all that donated to make this hunt happen. A little does go along way.....and in this case a little will go a lifetime.
Post by: Thunder on October 25, 2004, 05:14:00 PM
I wish you all could have heard Mike on the phone….the excitement in his voice, he was certainly thrilled with this hunt….all thanks to you folks here at Trad Gang. I haven’t talked to him since he got home, but I did talk to him a few times on the phone while he was up there…he was seriously having the time of his life. This is what it’s all about…not only insuring that the kids have a great time and get some great memories with their family…but for that brief period, they get to forget the evil……
Thanks to all of you….Michael has had a really special time with this ! Hopefully Steve will be along with more pictures.
God Bless.
Post by: Steve O on October 25, 2004, 11:22:00 PM
You, Thunder, and Ron are the best. You make us proud with the good you do. Thanks for making the sacrifices to take the little we give you to turn it into BIG things for the kids.
Steve Osminski
Post by: Steve Pray on October 26, 2004, 12:46:00 AM
Thursday mid-day:
After the morning hunt we were interviewed by a U.P. newspaper and also Buck Laviegne (sp) from Discovery U.P. came by and did some filming for their TV show. We all made sure to mention the guys at Tradgang.com A BUNCH!!! After the interviews Buck went out to sit with Michael and film his evening hunt. As luck would have it that was the only hunt of the entire week that no deer were seen from Michael's blind. They did see some turkeys and heard what they thought were deer walk behind them but they had no sightings.
Bruce Gray and his Dad were a little late getting back and we were all hopefull that one of them had scored. When they return we found out Bruce had hit one but he felt the hit was a little high and forward. He had been unable to find any blood. After dinner most of the guys headed out with some lanterns and lights in the hopes of finding Bruce's deer. Michael and I stayed back at the lodge and talked hunting and relived much of the weekend. I think we both realized that Friday we would head for home and I'm not sure we were ready for the week to end.
The guys got back after a couple hours with no luck finding the deer or any blood. It was decided that in the morning Michael and his dad would go hunt Michael's blind and Dean would give his spot one last try. Although I had planned on leaving by 10am I told Bruce I would help he and his dad check one more time in hopes of finding his deer. By the time we all got to bed it was after 1:00am.
Friday AM:
This was it everyone's last chance to score on a U.P. whitetail. Michael, Scott, Dean and Nancy LaClair all headed out well before daylight in hopes of filling their tags. After a quick breakfast (of which I ate my usual small portion) we said good-bye to John Havard as he headed for home. if you ever get the chance to hunt with John do yourself a favor and go. He is not only very knowledgable about bows, arrows, whitetails, etc. he is also a great guy to talk to and just plain be around.
Bruce Gerry and I then headed out to hopefully find Bruce's deer. About 15 minutes after arriving where the guys stopped the night before I found a few small drops of blood and off we went. We tracked the deer about 70 yards to where she crossed a creek and picked up her track on the other side. About 20 yards later we found both parts of Bruce's arrow and it didn't look good. The arrow showed less penetration than Bruce had thought and it appeared to be a shoulder hit. We continued tracking for a short distance when the blood trail just flat ended. After looking for another hour or so Bruce made the decision to call off the track. I have no doubt that the deer will survive with nothing more than a sore shoulder for a few days.
When we arrived back at the lodge we found out that both Dean and Michael had shot opportuities but only educated the deer. 8-)
Soon it was time to pack the vehicles and get ready to head for home. It's always hard to say good-bye when you've had such a great time with everyone and this time was no different. When I left I had Michael, Scott and Dean follow me over to the place we took Michael's deer to be processed. Michael was surprised at how much meat he got off his deer and the cape went home with me. I have a friend who is a class A taxidermist who is going to mount the head for Michael. Not only will he be able to always remember his first deer but he'll also be reminded of the kindnest of the folks here at Tradgang for the wonderful gift they've given him. You all have truly given him and all of us there memories that will last a lifetime.
May all of your quivers be full and the winds in your face. God Bless.
Steve Pray
I just finished the update on Michael's hunt and thought I'd post this here also.
Here are some more pictures from Michael's hunt. I hope they help to bring to you a portion of the enjoyment you gave to all who attended Michael's hunt.
The Lodge
(http://www.b4k.org/lodgefront.jpg)
The Lodge #2
(http://www.b4k.org/lodgeback.jpg)
Michael Warming Up (http://www.b4k.org/warmup.jpg)
Michael and Ron
(http://www.b4k.org/ronandmike.jpg)
Ron showing Michael how to sharpen broadheads. They were SCARY SHARP when Ron was done.
(http://www.b4k.org/sharpen.jpg)
Michael heading out for his first hunt.
(http://www.b4k.org/headingout.jpg)
Michael in Predator Mode
(http://www.b4k.org/predatormode.jpg)
She went thataway
(http://www.b4k.org/thataway.jpg)
Post by: Steve Pray on October 26, 2004, 01:10:00 AM
(http://www.b4k.org/reliving.jpg)
Ron and Gus helping Michael with his first fielddressing job
(http://www.b4k.org/fielddress.jpg)
Jim Hammill giving Michael a biology lesson on how to check for a healthy deer
(http://www.b4k.org/biology.jpg)
Ron enjoying a good cigar and admiring Michael's first field dressing job
(http://www.b4k.org/admiring.jpg)
Michael tagging his first deer
(http://www.b4k.org/firsttag.jpg)
Michael and Dean loading Michael's deer into Dean's truck. dean said he's going to leave the blood in the truck all season for good luck. (http://www.b4k.org/loading.jpg)
This smile belongs to all of you here on Tradgang. Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of Michael's hunt.
(http://www.b4k.org/thankyou.jpg)
Post by: PAPALAPIN on October 26, 2004, 11:56:00 AM
Keep in mind that you are out there for all of us, and you really did us proud!
You are now a VETERAN BOWHUNTER!! Many of us have bowhunted for years and have yet to take a deer with the sick an string. You are ahead of many of us.
Post by: Dan Spiece on October 27, 2004, 11:48:00 PM
Thank-you Steve and Bill! This is just what I needed.....
Post by: nick_the_tinkerer on October 28, 2004, 09:17:00 AM
Post by: scottie on October 28, 2004, 10:18:00 AM
We certainly appreciated the time and money involved to help Michael get his first white tail.
Thanks to those on the hunt for their patience and working with him to make him a better and safer hunter.
We especially thank Bill and Steve for hooking up with him and giving him the opportunity.
Karen Wagner, Zanesville, Oh :bigsmyl: [email protected]
Post by: Thunder on October 29, 2004, 10:36:00 AM
I hope everyone had a blast...sounds like they did ! I am so happy for Michael...so very happy. Looking forward to seeing you all again...and so sorry I couldn't make this hunt.
God Bless.
Bill
Post by: Yance on November 08, 2004, 03:36:00 PM
Post by: Ron LaClair on November 08, 2004, 04:03:00 PM
I really had a great time with the folks that came to The Listening Inn. Michael is a fine young man and it was a pleasure meeting him and hunting with him (I really didn't fall asleep, I was just resting my eyes) :o I took this picture of Michael and his smile made says it all.
(http://tradgang.com/ron/ron20.jpg)
That isn't red camo on Michaels face, Steve inititated him with the blood of his first kill.
(http://tradgang.com/ron/ron18.jpg)
John Havard took this nice buck the same evening that Michael took his doe. John donated the back straps from his buck for the camps last dinner. Not many people would be so generous.
(http://tradgang.com/ron/ron19.jpg)
Post by: Ray Lyon on November 11, 2004, 08:39:00 AM