A lot of you know about Shrew Haven, my hunting camp in the western end of Michigans U.P. You may also have seen pictures I have posted of our buck pole and the cabin it's self "Shrewhaven Lodge".
Last weekend we had a work detail at Shrew Haven to finish off a new building that was started last fall. The buildings dimensions are 10X16', with an inside wall separating two rooms. The "bunk" room is 10X10' and the storage room is 6X10' The bunk room will be able to sleep 4. It is insulated with two small windows. It will have a gas light and gas heater. A gas light will also be on the deck.
The siding is pine and spruce slabs that we acquired from a lumberman. We debarked the slabs and cut them to fit making the whole cabin look rustic. I've going to name the new structure "Lil' Haven"
This was how it looked Friday afternoon.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Lil_Haven1.JPG)
This is how it looked Sunday afternoon
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Lil_Haven.JPG)
The main cabin just at dusk
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/soft%20glow.JPG)
Great looking building Ron I like it. :thumbsup:
Great looking addition to such a legendary place; will be a great place to share hunting stories for sure; thank you for showing us the pictures;
Now, how about a membership for an old southern boy; I can whip up a mean batch of "grits and eggs".... :biglaugh:
Great looking addition to the camp.
Is that where the folks that snore (like they're callin moose) are going to be relegated?
The old cabin was built in 1936 and moved to it's current location on Arm Strong Creek in 2000
The old tamarack logs and hardwood flooring gives the cabin an old timey atmosphere. Here we are in the evening exchanging stories of our days hunt.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/evening_talks2.JPG)
Awesome!! Super nice looking camp.
Very nice Ron and just in time for hunting season
Down in Shrew Vally by old Arm Strong Creek
Sits a little log cabin with wood floors that squeak
In the evening the soft glow of gas lights are there
While outside there are whitetails, gray wolves and black bear
Up on the oak ridge the acorns are falling
The bucks they are grunting, the does they are calling.
So we slip in our stand and we wait for a buck
If the wind is just right all we'll need is some luck.
Now come hang up your buck on our deer hanging rail
then sit by the fire and tell us your tale
For the stories of hunting is why we come here
To hear the stories and to hunt for the great whitetail deer.
beautiful poem, Ron! and nice addition to Shrew Heaven
That warms the heart Ron...Thanks
AWESOME! :archer:
Should be Shrew Heaven! Very Nice!
Me like ALOT!!
how are the building codes up there???? :D
Most of yea old hunters sits by the fire eating their grits.
All that is save one, he just looks on at them and spits.
Cajole and harangue did they one and all to break the one down.
But true to his taste buds, all he could muster was a frown.
Morning came early, such a frosty start.
"southern tofu" was a meal for the crowds largest part.
All but the one who could not choke down this gastric fright.
For him it was a bowl of steaming hot oatmeal much to his delight.
Now comes evening again at Shrew haven with all it tired hunters and one true man!!
He knew what was important and stayed true to his plan.
Grits is for goats and meat is for man!!
God bless,Mudd
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Enjoy Ron!! Love ya man!!!
Heck Ron. Your making my neck swell. Congrats on the new digs. :notworthy:
Ron, Every time you post pics I am just amazed. Wonderful pictures and that is what I imagine a "deer camp" looks like in my minds eye.
Thanks for sharing as always.
The Shrew Crew, ready to hunt.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Shrewhaven_2007_.JPG)
Now that is a deer camp!! I can only imagine the comradarie and stories around the table in the evening.
Just what the doc ordered to get rid of the summer blahs Ron ! Sick of summer, ready for Oct / Nov for sure. I still say us Southern boys got it made, but...... the one thing I long for is the Northern Tradition of Deer Camp. Shrew Haven is just that, a legendary deer camp. Looking forward to pics and stories from Shrew Haven this year.
Mudd, that there is one awesome poem brother !!! Ron is going to have to set his clock an hour earlier to beat that one bud !!!
You guys did a great job in one week-end. Nice job on Lil' Haven. Thanks for sharing and please keep those pics coming, Ron.
QuoteOriginally posted by Mudd:
Grits is for goats and meat is for man!!
Roy, you crack me up. We gotta share a campfire together sometime.
:laughing:
Ron - Looking at those pics reminded me of the April/May 1993 TBM cover. I dug it out and then got my autographed copy of "The Ghost of Armstrong Creek" and reread it. I really "need" to find my way up there before the lights are turned out. Good stuff!
Danny
There were originally four in the "Shrewhaven Crew". We stayed in a cabin owned by Bob Garner on his personal property that ajoined the property owned by Ron, Bob and one other partner. The original 4 consisted of Ron, Greg Nicolaou, Tim Cosgrove and myself. We expanded to 6 and were busting at the seams after 9 years of hunting camp. As Ron mentioned, the original cabin was moved and "remodeled" with a lot of TLC to restore it to original condition. Two of the members now have son in laws that have transitioned into traditional archery and the cabin that would barely hold six was busting at the seams again. Well, with some more hard work, we now have roomier sleeping quarters once again without having to loose the charm of "Shrewhaven". I'm looking forward to camp this fall.
Now if we can somehow convince the rest of the world that this is exactly why we hunt.
Just to get away from it all, share good times and bad luck, and most of all to breathe and relax in our thoughts. Doesn't hurt if a deer passes by while we day dream.
Best of luck with the new digs Ron and thanks for sharing the pics and poem.
QuoteOriginally posted by Mudd:
Most of yea old hunters sits by the fire eating their grits.
All that is save one, he just looks on at them and spits.
Cajole and harangue did they one and all to break the one down.
But true to his taste buds, all he could muster was a frown.
Morning came early, such a frosty start.
"southern tofu" was a meal for the crowds largest part.
All but the one who could not choke down this gastric fright.
For him it was a bowl of steaming hot oatmeal much to his delight.
Now comes evening again at Shrew haven with all it tired hunters and one true man!!
He knew what was important and stayed true to his plan.
Grits is for goats and meat is for man!!
God bless,Mudd
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Enjoy Ron!! Love ya man!!!
And when the mackerel he ate made his fart smell like bait,
They threw him into the cold,even though he was told.
eat up your grits for the mackerel gives us the $hits.
The End!
And your camp looks like heaven.I wish I was there.
Ah, the poets that live among us....great looking camp. Looks like a place where a lot of memories reside.
Thanks for sharing that special place with us!
It looks like my poem took on the persona of a seagull... no wait... it was a "Tern"... and a was a "Tern" for the worse!!!!!...lol
What a great place!
Very nice.
The local Warden is a friend of ours. He stopped by camp one evening to show us a nice 12pt that was poached in our area. He caught the poacher.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/12pt_poached.JPG)
Can't wait can't wait.....need to be there....
The old deer hanging rail.. Hmmm who's missing?
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/2004%20deer%20camp.jpg)
That is one beautiful place....
Awesome Ron! :thumbsup: :thumbsup:
Where's Waldo???
Looks like you are missing your chief water hauler, dish washer, and all around good guy...
Roger Norris!
Looks great Ron, you are an inspiration to us all :thumbsup:
Ron, Does Tom Rodgers still come up from Ohio to hunt with you guys? Mike Mahan in Ohio (old Dist. One Gov)
Good friends ,Good food, a warm fire and the Hunt. Things to live for . Enjoy!!
Great Looking Camp Ron. Glad to see the DNR caught the pacher it's a shame people can't just hunt legally
Great place, I can only dream and enjoy the pics. Thanks for sharring!
Awsome Ron & Co.!!! My Hope and Dream is to Retire and Hopefully "Pass On" In a Place Like That!! That would Make ME a Happy Man!! :archer: :goldtooth:
A 30 day weekend in that place would still be way too short!!
Very nice digs Ron!
Eric
Great camp Ron !!!
Just one question...How does a guy join the club :)
Thank you for sharing all of it........
QuoteJust one question...How does a guy join the club
Do you have any special talents that may be beneficial to the camp?
We currently have two professional contractors that come complete with all the equipment, power saws, nail guns ect. for building and repair. We have a professional Chef that can cook and serve a five coarse meal like you'd expect to get in the fanciest restaurant, A desert chef that can make apple pies from scratch that you'll swear were make by your Grandmother, another cook whose specialty is roast pig or lamb. Then we have a couple of grunts that love to carry water up from the creek and tote wood and tend the fire
Then there's me that doesn't have any special talent except to see that everyone else does their job. :readit:
Ron my wife has a magnet on the fridge that sez....... " Team Effort...... a lot of people doing what I say ! " If I find another one like that I will send it to ya for the Shrew Haven fridge.
Ron, I know that is a deer camp, but I could live there full time.I"am enjoying the Pics. keep them coming.
Nice Ron, enjoy! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: todd
Camp is looking good, Ron. I've had great hunts from camps that were, uh, sup-par, but its the crew you're there with that make the experience. When you have a great crew and a great camp its difficult not to have an excellent time.
Quote: "Then there's me that doesn't have any special talent except to see that everyone else does their job :readit: "
Sadly I withdraw my application. It seems my position has been filled :(
Two of us in one camp would be more than anyone could bare :laughing:
My special talent....I am a Ron LaClair trained fire tender. While the rest of our crew snores through the night, I sleep in front of the stove, awaking every 96 minutes (exactly) to rake the coals FORWARD and lay 3 8 inch oak logs, front to back into the stove. The fire has NEVER gone out on my watch!
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/Hunting073.jpg)
Roger keeps this picture pinned over his bunk. He's a great fire tender...the only person besides myself that does it right..
This is one of those stoves that can be open like a fireplace or the doors closed to keep the fire burning for long periods. That's my old Lazy Boy Chair by the stove. Sometimes as a reward for good behavior I'll let someone sit there. :campfire:
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/cozy.JPG)
One day, when Ray was baking apple pies from scratch he made a special pie extra sweet just for me.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/ShrewhavenPies.jpg)
This was his reward. Yes, that's snow you see through the window.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Shrewhaven_pie_cook.jpg)
Dang Ron, I think you have those guys trained very well. Nothing like deer camp in November.
Yep, not a lot of camps have rolling pins and pie cutters as part of the utensils ;) . The pies must be started at 425 degrees to get a golden crust for about 15 minutes and then turned down to 325 for another 35 minutes to allow the Northern Spie apples from my parents apple farm to slowly cook to perfection and soak up the butter, cinnamon and brown sugars. I put up a few tart cherries in the freezer from this summer so the boys will get a taste of cherrie pie for the first time this fall, but rest assured there will be apple pie too.
It's funny to watch whomever is crashing in Rons chair come alive and scamper when we hear his diesle truck coming up the trail.... :bigsmyl:
QuoteIt's funny to watch whomever is crashing in Rons chair come alive and scamper when we hear his diesle truck coming up the trail.... :bigsmyl:
I can always tell when someone's been in my chair. The old Lazy Boy has broken down to the point where it has formed to my body. When another body changes that form I can tell as soon as I get in it. Nobody will fess up to being in my chair so I'm working on differentiating (big word) the body forms of everyone so I can tell who's been deforming my chair without permission.... :biglaugh:
I imagine many of us have our own little "haven" where we go to hunt year after year. However, Shrew Haven seems to be a very special place that only gets better with age -- like Ron himself.
Allan
Ron, I should point out now that Tim has the exact same body form as I do. So it was Tim. I was pealing apples for Ray.
Ray, I am SO glad you will be there this year. It truly isn't the same without you buddy.
One of the side benefits of our great crew is the knowledge base....I'm no rookie at this, I'm 47 and have been bowhunting all of my life. But when I'm in camp I tend to shut my mouth and listen. I have learned more about good old woodsmanship in the last several years than I had absorbed in my whole life prior to cooking up with the Shrew Crew. I love it dearly.
Tell me again Roger, how DID you manage to "cook" up with us?..My memory isn't what it use to be... :confused: .....
:D
A great looking place with some great photos. Gotta be a good time for all.
Always enjoy your photos Ron. Are the nights in the UP like they say in Escanaba In Da Moonlight :) ??
More pictures. This was last fall, coming up Armstrong Creek with a deer retrieved from the Wisconsin side of the Brule river. The deer was shot by Eric 2 (we've got two Erics in camp) This was his first year at Shrew Haven and his first traditional deer.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Camp_09%205.JPG)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Camp_09%206.JPG)
That's gotta be just about the coolest camp in the Yoop!
It's good to see Eric 2 using good canoe beaching technique. :wavey:
Many nights during camp we're glad that there are coolers to keep the food from freezing while sitting outside on the back deck. It can get awfully chilly. There's just something about crossing the bridge that is magical about the UP. I no more than got back from the work bee at the cabin and turned around and spent 4 days back in the UP with my family seeing some sights up in Munising, Marquette and Negaunee that I hadn't seen for years and my 8 and 10 year old daughters had never seen (and some I hadn't either). The pace is just so relaxing up there and the people are very friendly. We're only a month and a couple of days from our archery deer opening day here in MI and it will be a good fall, but it won't be complete till hitting the lodge at Shrew Haven.
Looks like a great place to hang up my long bow and gear. Cook a great meal and enjoy the stories of the day. Enjoy!!!
Top notch chair placement right next to the wood stove. Very nice looking apple pie too!
More pics please....love 'em. Thanks again for sharing to the entire Shrew Haven bunch.
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/hunting/Hunting137.jpg)
Outstanding photos and details of a much envied camp! :bigsmyl:
Hey Roger, I remember that one. We couldn't believe she was losing that much blood and was still going. Heck you didn't even need me on that tracking job.. :D
This one was a long track. Greg shot this deer and she headed for Wisconsin....darn near made it too. He shot her in the evening and we didn't recover her until the next morning. Greg and Ray draged her up to the grade while I went for the truck. As old "Rooster" Tom Jenkins once said, "We're not very good shots but we're darn good trackers"... :D
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Shrewhaven_GR_007.JPG)
Remember laughing about that blood trail? You and I and Jenkins were damn near trotting there was so much blood. It ran an honest 200 yard circle and ended up next to the trail we started on!
Nice! That looks like "deer country" to me.
A few of the guys sitting on the new back deck relaxing before the evening hunt.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/008%20Shrew%20Crew.JPG)
A picture from the previous work detail, table saws, and all power equipment are run by generator.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/work%20party.JPG)
Hmmm, I know we were some happy campers when we finally found that doe of Greg's. One of the longest tracking jobs I've ever been on. Words of wisdom from that track:
1) Always take a bow with you when tracking. After a long wait from a morning hunt hit(had to correct your memory Ron, you know, the second thing to go), we started out in late afternoon for that doe on a midsection shot (we've lost deer to coyotes and bears several times). The deer stood up at fifteen yards and neither of us had a bow in our hands and then she took off. The next morning we took after the trail again.
2) After loosing a blood trail, follow the natural deer trails in the vicinity. We picked up blood a long ways from the last blood on a main trail that put us back on the track. After another 100 yards, we found her piled up.
3) She was not far from the Brule River, which is not unusual for a wounded animal to head for water.
Not all deer cooperate at the release of an arrow. Over the many years at Shrew Haven, we've had the good fortune of tagging over a hundred deer. That's a lot of blood trails (most are quick, but some aren't)and there's nothing like experience and persistence to help you learn.
We're hoping for many short trails this fall. Good luck everyone from the Shrew Crew.
My favorite stand up there
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/November2008063.jpg)
Nice seeing people make fantasies become realities. Good luck this season and enjoy those pies.
Joe
Roger, I know where that one is. Here's my favorite stand when it's cold and nasty.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Northwoods_Bow.JPG)
I love this view. It's between the pine stand and my ridge stand....I stop most mornings and just stare, maybe throw up a prayer or two.
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/hunting/Hunting273.jpg)
Just to cool guys! Loved every minute of the conversation. I am sure of one thing, that deer from the Wisconsin side was soooo much better eating! Here's to the Yuppers :thumbsup:
That is a pretty picture!!
Roger,
That's good stuff... Enjoy... todd
This is on the southern end of our 400+ acres looking down at the Brule river. That's Wisconsin on the other side. To the deer the river is like crossing the street.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Brule%20River.JPG)
Armstrong creek looking toward the northern portion of the property.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Shrewhaven_Armstrong_3.JPG)
Any stand names you would care to share?? With views as pretty as what is shown they have to have some great names to go along.
Thanks again for sharing!
Beautiful! :thumbsup:
Ron,if you keep this up I will have to wear a diaper,Cause I wont leave the computer due to my day dreaming of Shrew Haven.
Where the pines come close to the creek on the left at the top of the picture in the bottom picture is the "Creek stand" hunted buy Chef Greg. If you go about 250 yards to the right, up the bank is the famed "Tressel stand" (named after it's view of the old railroad tressel spanning the creek). I've hung a lot of deer sitting in that stand, even a double header with my brand new Super Shrew Samurai back in 1999 (2 does in 15 minutes that fell at the top of the bank above the creek only 30 yards apart). But my favorite stories from that stand come from other members of the 'gang'. Kevin Marshall shot his first bow killed deer from that stand years ago after I recommended he give it a try. It was a spike buck and he was worried on the tracking job. Tim Cosgrove was in on the track as well and when we got to the deer there was a joy and relief on Kevin's face that only fellow bow hunters can understand. Of course before we set out on the track I asked Kevin and Tim if they had everything needed to get the deer out of the woods. Low and behold they only had a dull pocket knife with them. Toughest gutting lesson I've ever given! :knothead: Of course the best part of the story was hearing Kevin tell the story over and over again back at the cabin that night. I think after the 15th telling the rest of us looked at each other and laughed. Of course Rogers story from the same stand was pretty descript and it's a scene I've heard/seen many times over the years and that's having deer come down off the steep hill known as 'Banana Ridge'. Many times there is not a whisp of wind and deer coming off the ridge sound like a herd of cattle coming. Roger said he couldn't beleive it the first time he sat the Tressel stand. I remember watching a pair of spike bucks sparring about 20 yards away in the aspens. They went at it for about 20 minutes thinking they were quite the studs.
I also can remember the first year I was up at camp with Tim, Ron, Greg and myself. Greg and I went up on banana ridge for a scouting mission and all we did was bump deer and see droppings and acorns everywhere. I finally just picked out the best looking oak to put a stand in and that night I had no less than 30 deer parade through (but none in range) as they meandered through the oaks. After watching this for a couple of days, I moved my stand up the hill and the next morning shot a beautiful doe that toppled over in 30 yards. The interesting thing was within 15 minutes of sitting there basking in the moment, ravens were circling overhead (they spot that white belly showing from a long way off). The local conservation officer that Ron pictured told us long ago, "if you can't find a deer shot from the night before, look/listen for the ravens the next morning".
My favorite stand is the "Junction stand" in a pine tree on the north side near the bottom of the Banana Ridge. It's near where two trails cross and usually never fails to make for an interesting sit. I've seen everything from bears to coyotes to some dandy bucks from that stand. In past years when some of the guys were having a tough time seeing deer,I loaned them my Junction stand and it always pays off for them.
Over the years we've had many guest at Shrew Haven. Fred Asbell has been there a couple times and I even talked Shrew bowyer Gregg Coffey into coming up one year. Gregg's a pretty busy guy but he thoroughly enjoyed a few days of R & R at Shrew Haven.
That's Gregg on the right, doesn't he look relaxed?.. :D
The only picture I've got of Fred at camp is one of him shooting at the practice target in front of the cabin in his long johns...and I don't think he'd appreciate me posting that picture... :rolleyes: ... :biglaugh:
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Shrewhaven_Coffey_4.JPG)
Wow, you guys get the www up there? Pretty cool! :biglaugh:
Looks great guys!! I have always enjoyed hearing the stories of Shrew Haven. :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by BowHuntingFool:
Wow, you guys get the www up there? Pretty cool! :biglaugh:
That's Tim Cosgrove on the computer. I think he wasn't full from the prime rib that night, so he's ordering for a late night delivery pizza on-line (not all cell phones work up there). Tim always gets into the food stash right before bed. I think he was tired of red meat and wanted a little junk food.
No we don't get internet service up there, Tims just looking at pictures on his lap top. Cell phones are spotty, sometimes I've made calls from the front porch but most of the time we have to go to high ground to get service.
There was a time before cell phones when the only way to call home was to drive to the nearest "town?" which was a bar and a Post Office. They had a pay phone in the bar back behind the pool table. We didn't make many calls in those days.
Cool....can't wait to hear the annual stories that come out of Shrew Haven. :campfire:
Having Gregg Coffey up there was one of the best trips, in my opinion. He is an awesome guy to share a camp with.
My cell phone works either on the porch....sometimes....or on the North side of Banana Ridge.
I never really named it, but my Banana ridge stand was pointed out to me by Ron, and is along a little bench North side of the ridge top. It's within view of Ron's original campsite when he found the place. There is still a pulley in the tree and some tipi poles about 20 yards from my stand. I have killed 3 or 4 deer from that tree, and I always think it's a pretty cool, historic site because of Ron camping there. The area is "copper country", and I have a couple chunks of copper ore I took from the base of my tree on display in my office.
Some fine stand names. Always enjoy hearing names of stands and the stories that are attached to them.
Thanks guys!
Anybody think Tim Cosgrove of Kustom King isn't a hardcore hunter? Here he is hobbling around the bush on crutches:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/hunting/Hunting048.jpg)
Maybe spotty cell service isn't such a bad thing?
Roger: Just got done watching Jerimiah Johnson for about the 1000th time....love that line in the movie.
If this picture looks familiar it's because it's on the cover of Kustom Kings catalog. They forgot to put a picture credit in the catalog. It's Armstrong Creek flowing south towards the Brule river. Shrew Haven is about 1/4 mile down on the left side of the creek from where this picture was taken. A dark and gloomy cedar swamp is on the right and that's where the "Ghost Of Armstrong Creek" resides.... :scared: ... :bigsmyl:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N99b5ZsGzDw
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Shrewhaven_Armstrong_2.JPG)
OK, here's another famous Shrew Haven story. We usually have 2-3 guys in on a track. Kevin shot a deer that would have fallen in the thick stuff on the upper right of Ron's picture above(about 50 yards to the right of the pine trees sticking out in the photo). We were dragging the deer out of that swampy, pot hole, log ridden mess and we had a guy in the lead with a flashlight, myself and Kevin pulling the deer (I use an old safety belt around my waste with the line looped around the deers neck) and there was an extra guy hauling out daypacks, ect. in the back. Once I get a critter moving, I like to keep my momentum going. About half way through the drag I felt the load get a little heavier and a few moments later "Ray,hang on you're dragging Kevin too". After that, they just let me drag the deer. :D
I missed last fall up there with the 2 Erics. They're both young strapping builders, so I'm kind of hoping I can retire the dragging strap and allow the young bucks to do the heavy stuff. I'm thinking it's like the story from Dick Lattimers book on Fred Bear and the opening/closing gates while hunting the Keim Ranch. There are generals and privates. Generals sit in the front of the car and the privates jump out and open/close the ranch gates. I'm thinking private Eric and Eric need some training in deer dragging. :thumbsup:
Ray, Li' Eric has already learned the gate closing thing. Kevin, Eric and I were the last ones to leave camp from the last work detail. I pulled through the gate, stopped the truck and started to get out and go back and lock the gate just like I always do. Before I could get out of the truck, "Private" Eric was half way to the gate, he closed and locked it without even being told.
Like I always say, "If you can't BE young, USE the young".... :goldtooth:
You should see Private Eric tote water up that hill! About as quick as I can go DOWN hill!!!!
P.S......watching Ray haul a deer is a thing of beauty. I have a picture somewhere of him dragging (or floating) one of Kevins deer up the middle of Armstrong creek on an icy day.
Is that the one where Kevins riding the deer like a surfer?...
No...but remember he had to field dress a frozen solid deer out on the sand bar? I though you might come up with a ShrewHaven Model Husquavarna that day ;0)
Awesome pictures and stories gentleman. Takes me back to memories of the "old days of deer camp" in New England my Grandad and Father used to tell me about.
Ahhh.. what beautiful pictures of the Northwoods! In my opinion, there is nothing like a Northwoods Deer Camp. I can smell the smoke from the woodstove and feel the chill in the air..
Thanks to Ron and his friends for sharing these. Come on Fall!!
We eat good to...lamb, twice baked potatoes, some kind of damned vegetables, and the Ron LaClair signature brand of Mint Jelly!!
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/hunting/Hunting028-1.jpg)
Man, now Im hungry again. That looks like some fine eats.
Great youtube link Ron thanks for sharing.
Look forward to this thread every day. Thanks!
Roger that lamb looks overcooked.... :nono:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/hunting/Hunting028-1.jpg)
only recognizable by the mint jelly....
QuoteOriginally posted by Roger Norris 2:
We eat good to...some kind of damned vegetables,
Now that right there about the veggies is funny! :knothead: :bigsmyl:
Ron says we have to have more than just meat and potatoes in camp, otherwise scurvy sets in. I believe those "dammed veggies" are cucumbers and tomatoes marinated in greek salad dressing with a little feta cheese tossed in.
"Ron says we have to have more than just meat and potatoes in camp, otherwise scurvy sets in. I believe those "dammed veggies" are cucumbers and tomatoes marinated in greek salad dressing with a little feta cheese tossed in."
I love that specific 'dammned veggie' dish! Mmmmm... Eat it most days of the summer. Feta is awesome!!
Of course at Shrewhaven I imagine bold wines and aged cheese might be a hit... todd
A flirtatious little bourbon does ok as well.... :bigsmyl:
As a pastor, I know that envy and jealousy are sins but you guys provoke me!!! As a fellow Michigander who has been blessed to be part of a 30year U.P. deer camp, I know firsthand about the memories you guys are creating. God bless you and may many more be made. Have a great season, guys.
QuoteAs a pastor, I know that envy and jealousy are sins but you guys provoke me!!! As a fellow Michigander who has been blessed to be part of a 30year U.P. deer camp, I know firsthand about the memories you guys are creating. God bless you and may many more be made. Have a great season, guys.
God has blessed us in many ways over the years. First with providing such a beautiful place to enjoy his creation. Second with great friends to share it with and lastly with an abundance of game to harvest.
I wish all of our Trad Gang friends could spend some time at out table and enjoy first hand the stories in the evening by the fire. Through this site this is as close as we can come to sharing with all of you. :campfire:
It is impossible for me to walk or drive through that little valley (the picture from a few posts back) without pausing to give thanks.
Awesome pictures, what great camp. I grew up in Wisconsin and it never fails, this time of year, to get that northwoods deer camp itch.
LD
2006 was the year that Tim had an operation on his foot that required crutches. He wasn't about to let it keep him from coming to Shrew Haven and hunting that year.
He brought his Northwoods Hidden Hunter blind and Roger helped him find a spot where he had a good chance for a close shot. After a couple sits at that location in the thick brush he finley got the chance he was waiting for. Tim said the deer only made it a little over 30yd's before piling up. He tried to get to it on the crutches but it was so thick that he had to crawl dragging the crutch and his bow. He managed to get the deer dressed out then waited for Roger to pick him up after dark and drag his deer out to the trail.
Reminds me of the time many years ago when I had my bow arm in a full length cast and hunted with my bow by shooting with my foot.
Nothings impossible if you've got enough determination.... :archer2:
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/buck%20pole%20006.JPG)
2006 was also the year that little Dolly my beagle ran off a bear that had been hanging around camp. Greg Nicolaou had came to camp early that year before the rest of us. He killed a deer and had it hanging on the pole. When we got in camp he told us about the bear that had started hanging around and he was afraid it was going to get his deer.
The first evening just at dusk I went to let Dolly out. I walked out behind her and as soon as she walked out on the front porch of the cabin she let out with a bawl and jumped off the porch headed for the deer pole. I saw the black shape of the bear who evidently was after Gregs deer as he tore off into the brush and headed for the swamp. I called Dolly back and praised her for being so brave. We didn't have any more trouble with the bear that week, I guess he didn't want anything to do with the vicious bear dog that we had in camp.....
:D
That is a meat pole.
What is your dog's name Ron?
Ron, we got 23 more days till season opens here in TN. Right now the only thing keeping us alive is this thread ! Keep it coming Shrewhaven inhabitants. 95 degrees here today, ughhhhhh !
Now THAT'S a bear dog!! :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: todd
Very, very cool! Looks like you have some very good friends to.
When I found Tim that night he was coverd in blood...he laughed and said "Ever try and gut a deer with one leg in a cast?"
I was pretty darned happy to drag his deer that night.
I love this picture because of the story behind it. Tim had hit a doe out of the Trestle stand, and it had gone straight down to Armstrong Creek. It took us a while to sort out the bloodtrail because it was mostly chest high swamp grass. Once we found her, it was the biggest doe I had ever seen. We made the spectacularly brave choice of dragging her STRAIGHT up the bank/hill towards the road. It was slick, and it was straight up and down. We laugh about it now, but we were seriously checking each other out on the way up...waiting for one or the other to have a heart attack. Tim's foot still wasn't right, and Greg and I are known cheese addicts. We are smilingin this picture because we were glad we survived!!
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/hunting/Hunting280.jpg)
Great picture Roger but you should have told everyone that those suspicious looking bottles on the shelf in the background were just pancake syrup and cooking oil.... :rolleyes:
God bless Shrew Haven...and every other place like it!
Never been there, but I have been in the western U.P. during early November.
ANYTHING is normal!...ANYTHING!
It can be seventy degrees, or snowing so hard you are scared to go to sleep.
You gotta live it...you just gotta live it.
God Bless Shrew Haven!!!
That shelf is too high for me to reach anyway.... :p
I remember the huge doe that Tim shot and the long pull up the hill that just about did you guys in. Tim went to bed early that night if I remember right.And Greg who always likes to read before he goes to sleep, conked out and left his reading light on. Someone probably turned it off for him but I can't remember who... :goldtooth:
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Camp_09%207.JPG)
....and then SOMEONE cut the tenderloins out of Tim's doe...."big as my forearm!!" I think he said... :bigsmyl:
good pics Ron! man those pics of armstrong creek and shrew haven exemplify the mistque and heritage of a north woods deer camp at its finest. some of those pics make me hungry and tired....you will never eat better or sleep more sound than you will at deer camp.
Wow, such nice wood work on those bunks. ;) I'll bet it's the only deer camp with eight inch wide pine boards trimming out the bunks! Those cabins built in the CCC days of the thirties were put together well. We took apart one of the partition walls to make make room for the kitchen and the two closets in the existing "bedrooms". We had a lot of lumber to use for projects that would cost you an arm and a leg now (or several Super Shrew Bows).
Hunting in the north country in November you never know what the weather will do. It can turn from a beautiful fall day to winter in a matter of hours. Such was the case the day I killed the "Snowstorm buck". I had been sitting over a good scrap for several days with no luck. A sunny afternoon suddenly got dark and snowflakes as big as marbles started to fall. The ground was fast turning white and visibility wasn't more than 50yd's.
I saw the antlers coming out of the white wall of snow. He started to circle downwind of the scrap. After sitting for several hours it only took a minute from the time I saw the buck until I took the shot. He ran down the hill, across the Armstrong and into the big cedar swamp. I had to track him fast before the snow covered the blood trail. Once he reached the cover of the swamp he turned south towards the Brule river and Wisconsin. He went down about 50yd's short on the river and I found him after dark. I dressed him out and pulled down a sapling and tied his rack to it with my bow string....propped him up the best I could and headed for camp.
The following morning we had 18" of fresh snow. It took some doing but with the help of a fellow bowhunter who had a camp in the next section we located the buck. I knew about where he would be but with so much snow it was hard to find him. We spotted the antlers sticking up out of the snow, if I hadn't propped him up we probably wouldn't have found him until the spring thaw.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Snowstorm_Buck.jpg)
Coming up the Armstrong.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/canoe_deer.jpg)
Quick thinking for sure using the bow string to tie the antlers with. Really like the bow too.
Ron,
Thanks for sharing the stories and pictures, as always they are great.
So when's the book coming out? No I'm not kidding. :pray:
I'm thinking a Shrew Haven Video would be a big seller here!
QuoteOriginally posted by DennyK:
So when's the book coming out? No I'm not kidding. :pray:
X2 :pray: :pray:
Ron could have a heck of a good book with just his pictures.
Keep it coming!
As one of the new members at shrew haven . i can say that it takes alot of hard work and ability and a good ear to listen to all of the good stories of the past . i am very greatfull for the opertunity.
Roger whats the story behind the sledgehammer?
Eric2
Eric2,
You'll learn that there's a "key" to every good story. :biglaugh:
Hey Eric!! Howdy!
Well here I am getting called out by one of the rookies.... :bigsmyl:
My great Banana Ridge stand is way around the other side of the ridge, and there is a gate to get in which is locked when w aren't there. One year at the bginning of the hunt Ron gave me the keys and told me to go unlock it, so that I could hang my treestand.
Ron had just put new high quality locks on everything so he gave me a ring with 5 or 6 keys on it. For the life of me, I couldn't get the lock to open with the keys in hand.
I hopped back in the truck, and sped to camp looking for Ron. He told me that these were the only keys he had....either someone had changed the locks, or he had left them at home. "Dammit, just bust the lock off" he said.
I grabbed a sledge hammer and rode back to the gate. Because the gate and hasp were installed properly, I couldn't get a very good angle on the lock, and banged up the gate and post pretty good. I went back to camp for more stuff....
This raised a red flag with Ron, so he came back with me. "Hang on", he said as I was preparing the hacksaw, and wishing out loud for some C4.
He slipped the key into his newly bought, high quality lock, turned it and the lock fell open....well, 1/2 way open. I had pummled it so badly he had to persuade it with a Shrew Hawk.
Somehow, I hadn't tried the right key.
He stared at me for at minute, then at his newly purchased, high quality lock and gate. "Way to go Sledge" was all he said. It was a quiet ride back to the camp.
So now, whenever I do something blunderous or stupid, I get the stare, and Ron will say "go easy there Sledge"...
:banghead:
Now Ron, thats your segway to the porchlight story.... :knothead:
Now that's how memories are made! Wish you all the best!
Hey Eric2 - ask Kevin about this ShrewHaven episode.
Was the third day of deer camp and all the guys were out,
When on the hill behind the camp,ole Ron spotted a buck walking about,
Ron grabbed his bow and quiver too and out the door he flew,
He sneaked and stalked as if he were Fred, til he found the spot where the young buck had bed,
Slowly he crawled and closer he got, he knew he had the perfect shot,
Carefully he rose and let the arrow fly, he knew that young buck was sure to die.
Now there's more to this story and this is whats left, that young buck you see was totally deaf!!
Ha!!!!! I know that story!!
Ah the porchlight story. I believe it was Rogers second year in camp and he was still trying to impress the gang (although he didn't realize he was already in after his first year). Anyway, we were getting ready to button up the cabin for the night and Ron said we needed some more wood in the cabin to stoke the fire tonight. Roger jumped up and said "I'll get some" and as he approached the door Ron deadpanned "hey Roger if you flip the switch there by the door you'll have some light to see a the woodpile a little better". Roger reached over and flipped the switch up and down a couple of times while looking out for some light and then he looked a little puzzled and then looked at Ron and we all started laughing. Of course after being in camp for a while and knowing there's no electricity back to the cabin, the lightbulb came on (the one upstairs). :wavey: