I'll be leaving within the hour for our annual trek to Shrew Haven in the western end of the U.P. There'll be 8 of us there to start with, a couple of the guys have to go home in the middle of the week.
From all reports, the weather has been cold nights and cool days with an occasional dusting of snow. I'll be posting a few pictures when we get back.
Adios... :campfire:
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/Shrewhaven_2011%204.JPG)
Good luck Ron!
I'm sure you guys will have a great time.
Sic'em Ron!!
Rooting for you guys to slay some venison.
God bless,Mudd
PS: Deer camp 2013 at "The Farm" begins Saturday morning.
good luck big guy!!!
Good luck Sir. I always enjoy "Living the North Woods" with you guys. Its down right hot here.RC
Have Fun Good Luck !!! :archer:
safe hunting Ron :shaka:
Best of luck Ron!!
Good luck up there!
Don't eat to much....LOL!!! Have a great week!
Here's hoping that your times are shinnin' and your bunks are cozy.
And the snoring is soft.
Have fun Ron,this is one of my fav threads.
Bet you guys have a blast !!
RC, I'll take the heat any day...
Hunt safe and shoot straight!!
I look forward to the pics from this hunt every year!
Hunt safe and shoot straight!!
Ron, Best of luck.
Leaving with my Shrew CH on the 9th for 10 days of chasin' great plains whitetail.
Look forward to hearing from you what a blessing Fall is.....
Looking forward to the stories.
For those who have never hunted the U.P. of Michigan...there is a certain spirit that you can feel in your soul.
Safe journey everyone!
I love these stories !
:campfire: :campfire: :coffee:
QuoteOriginally posted by Bonebuster:
[QB] For those who have never hunted the U.P. of Michigan...there is a certain spirit that you can feel in your soul.
Amen!
good luck fellas
Good luck, Ron, and friends. You will will be acting out the dream of many of us. We will look forward with great anticipation to the details of the hunt.
Good luck fellows-----------I really enjoy the pictures and reading along, one of my favorites.
This epitomizes the tradition of deer camp, nothing come close to fellowship in deer camp.
Good luck guys. Hey wait a minute, I'm going too! The boys should be over the Big Mac (bridge) and heading west. Roger Norris is playing leapfrog with Ron on the road. I'm heading up real early Saturday and bringing a truckload of food to feed the gang. We've got lamb, prime rib, barbeque ribs, boiled dinner and apple pie on the menu. Most of the camp is going Bear retro this year. Ron's carrying a 1956 dual shelf kodiak. I'm using s 1957 Kodiak and Kevin has a 1959 replica model from bear and tim has a 1960 grizzly. Hopefully 'Grousehaven north' will be successful this year.
Good Luck and the Lords blessings on a safe and prosperous camp :pray:
:campfire:
Awesome! Have a great trip.....
:notworthy: :notworthy: :notworthy:
:campfire: :campfire:
Have a great hunt Gentlemen. Love the picture in the Kustom King ad.
Have a great time up there guys. I will be leaving to hunt the same area in the morning.
Grousehaven North sounds awesome. Good Luck guys!
Lots Of New Scrapes HappeNing.up There. Good Luck. chuckc
Gluck to the Shrew Crew!
I am sure you will have a great time. It reminds me of when I was a kid and my grandfather brought me to Nova Scotia deer hunting. Out in the wildness, with no one around. Listening to all his hunting stories at night, what a great time.
Best of luck, to the "Shrew Crew"!!!!!!!!!!
May the Great One shine upon you all!!!!! :pray:
I always look forward to seeing this hunt unfold online. Good luck guys!
good luck!
always enjoy posts from Shrew Haven...
Good luck to you sir. I'm already looking forward to the pictures and stories.
You'll have fun, I'm sure. You'll definitely eat well from the sounds of the menu and the Bear retro is a real neat idea.
Be safe and shoot straight, looking forward to your return.
I'll bet somebody's going to pull a cork on a bottle of Basil's and maybe even enjoy a fine cigar or two!
Greg is our lead camp chef (he's a professional chef by trade) and he's kind of like Fred Bear-he can't wait to get to camp and get to roaming, so he's been up there for 9 days already. The rest of the gang should've rolled in there last night late, so I'm sure a snort of whiskey was sipped and some camp chatter went to the wee hours.
I forgot to mention that Roger is also bringing a Bear bow with him from his dads collection, he just wasn't sure which one, so I didn't list it above. Greg also picked up a 1961 Kodiak Magnum, but he's probably hunting with his trusty Shrew Scout Recurve. Ron said that his first bow that he hunted with was a 1955 Kodiak, so he's excited about getting back to the tools that he started with almost 60 years ago.
As for me, the truck get's packed this evening and then I'm pointing towards the Big Mac early tomorrow. If all goes well, I'll be in my favorite oak tree on top of banana ridge tomorrow night (we were up last month for a work bee and the ground was covered with acorns; more than I've ever seen).
Thanks for all the well wishes, it's truly a special time for all of us and missing a year myself a few years back, I know how excited Ron is to be back in camp after missing last year due to some health reasons that are now cleared up. Reports and pictures to come in just over a week. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :campfire:
Special times ahead in a very special place. Good luck all - I always look forward to this one!
Good luck everyone. Looking forward to the stories to come.
Ray.. what town is Shrewhaven (Grousehaven north) nearest to ?
CHuckC
There is NOTHING and I repeat nothing more classic than a U.P. deer camp. Have a great time guys.
Looks like the "Shrew Crew" is loaded with Bears!!!!! :biglaugh:
Good Luck, Gentlemen!!!!! Looking forward to the stories!!!
Can't wait to see the pics, good luck and be safe
QuoteOriginally posted by ChuckC:
Ray.. what town is Shrewhaven (Grousehaven north) nearest to ?
CHuckC
Alpha and Crystal Falls
Ah, more west yet. I have a lil place just outside Ford River (Escanaba). I was up hunting the end of last week, but had to come home for this week. I will likely head back up there Sunday morning for a few more days of hunting. Scrapes are all over, the leaves are mostly down, frost is in the air and it is TIME....
Good luck up there
ChuckC
Keep us posted on results. Good hunting!
May everyone's arrows fly true...... :pray:
Going to stop by the store and pick up some Bailey's Irish Cream for my coffee next week to read the post Shrewhaven posts once they return........ :coffee:
Ron you see any snow yet? That stuff is rarer than a bigfoot around here. Hey send me some meat too as I'm having a lucky season all bad!
Good luck! Can't wait for the stories. :campfire:
Lucky dog...!!! Can't wait to see some pics.......
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/IMG_0888.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/rnorris/media/IMG_0888.jpg.html)
I had to come back tonight....ShrewHaven is going well, Ray killed a deer this evening. Rumor is I may have missed one last night.....
The rest of the boys are there until the weekend, more stories and photos to come!
keep us posted!! :campfire:
Have a great Trip.
THanks for the Update Roger!
Can't wait for stories and pics. Love this yearly thread! :campfire:
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/IMG_0869.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/rnorris/media/IMG_0869.jpg.html)
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From these pictures, the thing I learned most was that I need to drop 30#!! :knothead:
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Every fall we find this corner of the cabin chewed on by a bear. This year it seemed especially aggressive. I suggested putting some nails in that spot to discourage him. Ron in his wisdom said "Nope, that'll just make him mad, and he will take the dang wall down". Some of the marks are pretty high, well over 6'5".
I also ran into a pair of wolves this year, close range in the 1/2 light. Impressive animals, and those green eyes in the dark are a little spooky.
Wolves would be scary to deal with.
This is so cool. A U.P. deer camp is about as classic as it comes. Looks like the weather has been awesome.
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/IMG_0900.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/rnorris/media/IMG_0900.jpg.html)
Sunday night Ron presented us with these buckles, made by Art Vincent. They are pretty darned awesome. I will let Ron tell the story of how they were conceived. Thanks Ron and Art!!
Very cool!
Looks awesome up there, can't wait to see this one unfold...
great pics so far. Keep em coming.
:archer:
Ron just sent me this from his phone.....wolf track
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/imagejpeg_01.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/rnorris/media/imagejpeg_01.jpg.html)
Looking forward to hearing the stories to come.
Shoot straight and hunt hard.
Cool. Thanks for sharing those pics.
:thumbsup: :campfire:
:campfire:
QuoteOriginally posted by Roger Norris:
Rumor is I may have missed one last night.....
Roger, I always try hard to pay no attention to rumors! :archer:
What a great adventure, this thing called deer camp. How much more seductive could this be than in the Upper Peninsula where wisps of wind faintly echo the voices of yesteryear and hearken to the souls of those who dare. Plaids of red wool, hats of fur, and frost on the leaves as beautiful as diamond dust. It paints a portrait of a time past, a time preserved, a time cherished with friends.
So lift your glasses you men of venture, and cheer each other in boast, for tomorrow is here, and yesterday lost. Never betray that kinship which bonds us all to the land, the beasts, and to one another, this thing called deer camp.
Good luck to all gentlemen.
A Fan.
QuoteOriginally posted by far rider:
What a great adventure, this thing called deer camp. How much more seductive could this be than in the Upper Peninsula where wisps of wind faintly echo the voices of yesteryear and harken to the souls of those who dare. Plaids of red wool, hats of fur, and frost on the leaves as beautiful as diamond dust. It paints a portrait of a time past, a time preserved, a time cherished with friends.
So lift your glasses you men of venture, and cheer each other in boast, for tomorrow is here, and yesterday lost. Never betray that kinship which bonds us all to the land, the beasts, and to one another, this thing called deer camp.
Good luck to all gentlemen.
A Fan.
Nice, and thank you ;)
Ron knows how to send picture messages? :D :p
Well, we're back and as always it's a week that passes way too quickly. Ditto on Roger's comment about loosing 30 pounds after looking at the picture!!! The buck pole was a little slim this year. Kevin and I each shot a doe and that was it. Here's a picture of my doe, taken with a 1962 Kodiak Magnum and #9 Yellow Microflite arrow and 1964 version of the Bear Razorhead.
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The weather was vintage Michigan, if you don't like it, wait a day. Here's a cabin shot from Tuesday and then one from Wednesday morning. For you vintage Bear Bow fans, the line up is Ron's dual shelf 1956 Bear Kodiak and Bear Forgewood arrows with 1958/59 version of the Razorhead, my restored 1957 Bear Kodiak with handle bolt on Bear Quiver and 1954/1955 Bear Cedar arrows with Hill Hornet heads removed and Bear Razorheads added, 1959 Bear reintroduction of Kodiak , 1960 Bear Grizzly and 1962 Bear Kodiak Magnum that I used to kill my doe.
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Here's Kustom King Archery's Tim Cosgrove relaxing in the easy chair next to the wood stove. Many a brave bow hunter has nodded off in this chair over the years with the soothing warmth of the woodstove right next to him. A good nap in camp is a special part of the hunt.
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Here's the gang with a group shot before Roger had to leave.
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And finally, here's a photo of our fearless leader and myself. Bear historians may note Ron's 1956 Kodiak dual shelf and my 1957 64" Kodiak, however, like the photo's we used to see in magazines saying what's wrong with this picture, vintage Bear bow collectors may notice something wrong with my 1957 Kodiak. Any guesses?
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I got back late yesterday from the fastest 10 days of the whole year. I'm sad that it's over but it was as usual a wonderful time with a some of the greatest guys a man could ever hope to spend time with.. :campfire:
The success ratio was down considerably this year, we only took two deer where as in past years we averaged 6 to 8 deer on the pole. Asking some of the natives in the area including our good friend who is the local C.O., there are many contributing factors, one of which was a visitor that we had roaming our 440 acres of private land plus the adjoining public land for most of the week. Three of our group were fortunate enough to see the big Wolf that cruised our hunting grounds as he hunted for his share of venison. I didn't see any signs of any kills that he may have made but he sure made the deer nervous, they hunkered down and didn't move much when he was around....which was most of the week.
Here's Old Lobo's foot print next to my Swiss Army pocket knife.
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small72113827.JPG)
Your bow is..... UPSIDE DOWN? What exactly is going on there?
QuoteOriginally posted by Jerry Jeffer:
Your bow is..... UPSIDE DOWN? What exactly is going on there?
Bow is upside right and quiver is mounted properly on the correct side of the bow. Hint: Many Bear bows before the 1964-1969 era when the prefix number was used to ID year were based on 1) handle shape/wood 2)glass color 3) SILK SCREENS and single versus dual shelf.
As far as the wolf, I did see him cruising Banana Ridge one morning. He was travelling east/west on the ridge similar to the bucks and the does/fawns usually are going north south. This was my first ever wild wolf that I've seen and it left me in awe. His gait was so smooth and had there not been crunchy snow on the ground, I would maybe not have known that the 'timber ghost' was even there. Obviously it's a mixed emotion animal when it comes to game management. We have our first wolf season going in Michigan this year and some agree with having a season and others don't. None the less, like the black bears we have in the woods with us there, it's another predator that we're sharing the woods with.
I never get tired of looking at pictures of Shrewhaven!! Just looks like the kind of place a guy wants to go and never leave.
Ron or any of the guys that have been, on the side of the lodge above the wood pile there are two squares one on top of the other that appear to be windows?? or maybe hatches to get fire wood?? Help me out, what are they? The contractor in me is curious.
Ray, I'm guessing the silkscreen should be on the belly, not sure which year they started putting the silkscreens on the back. Jim
DT, those are boarded up windows. I think one of them was broken and we just decided to keep them boarded up. That old glass from the 1930's is pretty brittle and we have an elaborate window covering scheme to protect the windows from the birds/bears when we're not there.
There is a TV show called 'Discovering' that airs in the UP and a show/part of a show was taped at camp on Friday. The show is about capturing the romance and nostalgia of deer camp in the Northwoods. It will air on Monday, November 18th and then be available on the website to view on-line after the show airs on TV. I'll try to post the show on this thread and a new thread after it airs. It should be interesting.
QuoteOriginally posted by jr1959:
Ray, I'm guessing the silkscreen should be on the belly, not sure which year they started putting the silkscreens on the back. Jim
Yes, the silkscreen is supposed to be on the belly. When I put it on after putting the first two coats of finish, I got a little excited an put it on the same side of the limb as what I did my 1971 Super Kodiak (which does have it on the back of the bow). Anyway, I left it as it was, so now it's a little unique. Kevin Marshall from camp also had a 60" 1957 Kodiak there that didn't make it in the picture.
I did manage to fill a fall turkey permit with the old 1956 Bear Kodiak, 43#@ 28". I used some old 50's Bear forgewoods that Ray gave me tipped with Bear Razorheads.
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Here's some shots after the first dusting of snow. This is looking north up Armstrong Creek.
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small73274182.JPG)
This is looking south as it flows through the thick swamp where the "Ghost Of Armstrong Creek" hangs out.
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small45073124.JPG)
I sure do miss deer camp.
That must be one of those dual shelf bows Ron? You should have seen the gymnastics my mind was doing trying to process that turkey picture ;)
QuoteThat must be one of those dual shelf bows Ron? You should have seen the gymnastics my mind was doing trying to process that turkey picture [Wink]
Steve, When I started bowhunting in 1955 I bought a new 1955 Bear Kodiak, 52#. As far as I know that dual shelf was made for two years. I picked up this bow at the Elm Hall shoot this summer from Tom Frick who was selling it for a lady who's husband had it in his collection. It's in great shape for a 57 year old bow. I just wanted to turn back the clock and hunt with a bow like that again.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/First_year_bowhunting.jpg)
This was deer camp for Nancy and I in 1958 in the Jordan River State forest. We drank water from a little clear stream called Cascade Creek. Couldn't do that today.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/deer%20camp%201959.jpg)
Those Bear Forgewood arrows were natures vintage 'carbon' arrow. They're skinny shafts (thus the need for a 'headshrinker' aluminum adapter). They're a little too short for me and I knew they were a light spine, so I thought of Ron's bow setup and they just seemed to be made for that. The first arrow Ron shot into the practice target confirmed it--it shot like a lazer beam and it penetrated like the proverbial runaway freight train. Those skinny shafts at 28.5 inches to the back of the head come in at 575 grains.
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I must say that's some pretty cool stuff!! I'm glad you shared it with us!! :thumbsup: :notworthy:
QuoteOriginally posted by Ron LaClair:
QuoteThat must be one of those dual shelf bows Ron? You should have seen the gymnastics my mind was doing trying to process that turkey picture [Wink]
Steve, When I started bowhunting in 1955 I bought a new 1955 Bear Kodiak, 52#. As far as I know that dual shelf was made for two years. I picked up this bow at the Elm Hall shoot this summer from Tom Frick who was selling it for a lady who's husband had it in his collection. It's in great shape for a 57 year old bow. I just wanted to turn back the clock and hunt with a bow like that again.
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/First_year_bowhunting.jpg)
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/deer%20camp%201959.jpg) [/b]
Lots of great history there. I have a 68 Super Kodiak around from the year I was born for exactly the same reason. Thanks for keeping the tradition and camaraderie of deer camp alive.
:thumbsup:
Thanks for sharing your hunt with us!!! :thumbsup:
It was wet and cold outside but in the evening the cozy cabin with it's wood heat and gas lights was warm and cheerful for out supper guest... :campfire:
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(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/cozy.JPG)
Great pics and stories, keep them coming!
The door on the right is my private room, "Lobo's Lair" A place where the Old man can slip off to bed early while the younger crew sometimes sits up late.
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I'll bet "Lobo's Lair" will also get you away from snoring :biglaugh:
Great read. Thanks for sharing.
"The Ghost of Armstrong Creek"...I'll bet there is a real good story in that statement!!! Hope to hear it some day.
Very Very Cool.
Great story and pics Ron :clapper: :clapper: :clapper: :clapper:
Here it is Doug,... :scared:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N99b5ZsGzDw
Great stuff guys! makes you want to be there!
I love it! Wish I had a cabin. I bet it's awesome Experiance!
So do you guys hunt to dark with the wolves around? Just curious, I would be pretty jittery knowing one could sneak up on me.
Great video and poem Ron
QuoteOriginally posted by RedShaft:
I love it! Wish I had a cabin. I bet it's awesome Experiance!
So do you guys hunt to dark with the wolves around? Just curious, I would be pretty jittery knowing one could sneak up on me.
They haven't bothered us yet. I walked in on a couple this year, and we stared at each other in the 1/2 light. It was light enough to move through the woods with no flashlight, but dark enough that I couldn't see all the way across the clearing I was approaching. I knew something was over there.....I hit it with my light and what I will never forget was the huge head, and slanted green eyes glowing at me. He sort of moved his head side to side....not sure what that means in canine body language.....I waggled my flashlight at him, and he took off. The entire experience lasted maybe 20 seconds, but I won't forget it. The head was huge, the eyes so wide apart I was kinda shocked.
No season on them there yet? I'd love to shoot a wolf, a black phase. See some good pics of ones guys trapped. They are amazingly beautiful animals!
I well remember the adventures of the original "Brule River Rangers" we had back exactly 20 years ago........There was only 4 of us back then, but, there were some great times. We all shot Longbows too. Maybe we can get together for a reunion next year or so.....What do you say Ron? :) Horserod
Just read to page 8..... Sure wished everyone could have made meat but a whole lot more than meat was made from the looks of the pics. A tip of the hat to you gents for taking Fred Bear hunting once again. Hope there is more to come..... :coffee:
[/b] [/QUOTE]
Quote
No season on them there yet? I'd love to shoot a wolf, a black phase. See some good pics of ones guys trapped. They are amazingly beautiful animals!
I know the wolves have to be controlled but I don't have any desire to kill one. On the contrary I feel a kinship to the wolf. He's a hunter like I am, he's a social animal like I am, he loves the wild places like I do. He's the closest thing to a brother in the animal world.
QuoteBrother wolf vs,spirit of man
He roams the hills and forest
by dusk or early light,
looking to fill his hunger
with manners not contrite,
He barks atop a mountain
gazes at the full moon rising,
licks his lips and snarls
his hunger is not surprising,
He stalks his prey like a killer
smooth and silently awaits,
to pounce upon his victim
an instinct honed by fate,
Animals all possess this nature
you can call it tact if you will,
the wolf that hunts to eat
must do it with great skill,
For he's a creature of the evening
hunts alone but also in packs,
I have seen him on his hunts
I have even seen his tracks.
Brother wolf -spirit of man
why do you have to roam,
the purple hills and valleys
that I too have to call home.
Now the hunter becomes the hunted
as I view him with bow in hand,
The longbow and broadhead arrow
more fitting as he takes his stand
I hesitate to loose the string
I don't know why, I don't understand,
why do I feel this attachment
to the wolf,... is it because..
he is the brother of man?
Beautiful Ron.
I feel the same about the coyote as well. Fellow hunters on the trail.
QuoteOriginally posted by RedShaft:
So do you guys hunt to dark with the wolves around? Just curious, I would be pretty jittery knowing one could sneak up on me.
No fear of the wolves, but as Ron says a lot of respect for a mutual hunter doing his thing in a place we only visit for a fraction of the year and he calls home. I believe in the control of the population of wolves, but don't feel a need to hunt one myself.
Where do you get those headshrinker aluminum adapters?
Dan,
Those arrows came with the broadheads and Headshrinkers in place-they were unused arrows I got off **** and they're from the 1950's. You may want to post a request on the history/collectors forum to see if someone has some.
Thanks for sharing. I enjoyed that.
QuoteOriginally posted by Ray Lyon:
No fear of the wolves...
Did you ever see The Grey? That movie freaked me out!! :scared:
Thanks a lot guys for posting about your time at Shrew Haven... looks like a really special place, shared with the best of friends!
I saw a wolf up near Seney years ago. At 400 yards when our eyes met in the binoculars, I got the chills. Still do just thinking about it!
I spent a few weeks with a big outfitter in Saskatchewan years ago. He had a barn FULL of shed and racks. Looking at them and the dates, I realized they were from all times of the year , not just November. When I asked what was up, he said; "Wolf kills. " These were BIG mature bucks in the prime of their lives. Sure, wolves will take the sick and the weak when the come a cross them, but they will take whatever they want, whenever they want. They are killing machines and are BAD NEWS!
QuoteOriginally posted by NittanyRider:
QuoteOriginally posted by Ray Lyon:
No fear of the wolves...
Did you ever see The Grey? That movie freaked me out!! :scared: [/b]
Yes I saw that; I love most Liam Nieson films.
I'm with SteveO. I sure miss deer camp. Used to be up in Onaway.
homebru
Thanks for the ride along fellas, very enjoyable!
It's going to be interesting to see what happens to your Shrew Haven traditions with those wolves around. We have 600+ acres in north central Wisconsin and all thought it was cool when the wolves first showed up about a dozen years ago. The lands been in our family for over 60 years and we have decades of pics of heavy buck poles. However our group of 8-10 hunters has seen about 10 deer total, as a group, over the last 5 years. Now we don't think they're so cool.
QuoteOriginally posted by Precurve:
It's going to be interesting to see what happens to your Shrew Haven traditions with those wolves around. We have 600+ acres in north central Wisconsin and all thought it was cool when the wolves first showed up about a dozen years ago. The lands been in our family for over 60 years and we have decades of pics of heavy buck poles. However our group of 8-10 hunters has seen about 10 deer total, as a group, over the last 5 years. Now we don't think they're so cool.
I tend to agree with you. Wolves are neat animals, but my hobby is deer hunting, not wolf watching. I suspect a real problem brewing in Michigans UP.
x2
Nice trip you guys had. I love a good deer camp. The UP sure can make a guy dream about such things.
I delivered a stock Shrew to Ron yesterday and he was telling me about the wolf that was hanging around.
The wolves should drop in numbers this Friday when our first season opens up on em.
They are cool animals and I don't mind em, but they sure can eat!
There have been wolves in the area since 2000 for sure, the year we moved the cabin to it's current location. I had delivered a cabinet unit to the cabin in August and Ron was there to do a shooting demonstration at our local friends archery club. We had a campfire in the fire pit outside the cabin that night and we were treated to listening to a wolf hunt. Our local friend who was there (who spent time with the DNR wolf expert on many an occasion) explained the howls and then the call back to the den. Several years later, one of the other camp owners noted a den on the edge of the property and saw a couple of wolves outside of it. Wolves are a highly skilled predator and I know that they'll have an effect on the deer herd. They do need to be managed and I hope the season that we have in place is not voted down by a general election ballot proposal, because that will mean they go unchecked other than those subscribing to the three SSS (shoot, shovel, shutup) mantra. I'm sure some of the wolves that have been on the property the last 13 years have succumb to that treatment.
I'm sure we'll learn more next year as we return for our annual pilgrimage. Wolves in the area is nothing new. Having snow on the ground for the first time in a lot of years was and I think that told us a tale of what we maybe didn't know in the past.
Rodger, You are right on the wolf problem .I hunted west of Iron River last week and only seen 4 deer while sitting in the stand. There was plenty of wolf sign and even saw two ghosting alone a ridge. I even hunted down the grade from Rons camp and the deer sign was dismal to say the least compared to what it has been. I also have no desire to shoot a wolf ,but something has to be done.
Ray, I have lived in the Iron River area on and off over the last 30 plus years, I don't remember the wolfs being this bad.
Jack,
That's good observation and of course living there is different than being a 10 day a year visitor. As I mentioned above, I hope that we don't have the wolf season tool taken away from the DNR by the general population in a general ballot proposal. Roger and Eric were in Utah two falls ago and the locals out there were begging them to shoot a wolf to fill their wolf tags they had purchased because they had decimated the elk herd, which in turn reduced the revenue they were receiving from hunters coming into their community. We'll see how this unfolds in our area up there. Hopefully, a good balance is achieved.
I've been hunting the area for 22 years and wolves have always been around but not in great numbers. They seem to come and go, some years we hear them and some years we don't. I think the wolves may have become a problem in some areas of the U.P. but not in our area as of yet.
This year it seemed to be just the one lone wolf that shared our hunting grounds and he made the deer a little nervous. We didn't see any sign that he'd made a kill but he did find the gut piles and cleaned those up.
To me the wolf is a natural part of a wilderness area. We humans are the intruders killing HIS food source. Most people see it the other way around.. :dunno:
When I hear a wolf howl, it stirs something in me....it's hard to explain, but I like the feeling. I don't mind sharing the hunt with the wolf, but as I said if their numbers increase to the point they need to be killed so be it but I'll leave that job to the wolf haters. Having said that, Mother Nature is better at creating a balance than man ever will be.
(http://www.junglewalk.com/animal-pictures/609/Timber-Wolf-1242.jpg)
A few pages back Roger showed all of you a picture of his Shrew Haven belt buckle made by Art Vincent of Cedar Ridge Leather Works.
Art called me awhile back and told me he had a new product that he wanted to give to the members of our Shrew Haven hunting camp and get some feed back from the guys. Art, the fellows LOVED their buckles, you would have thought they were given a lifes membership to the Playboy Club.. :D :notworthy: It was suggested that we set up a system at the gate so that only members that scanned their membership buckles could get in.. :clapper:
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small64284066.JPG)
Art put my camp nick name on my buckle.. :)
(http://***********.bowsite.com/tf/pics/00small56018053.JPG)
Ron quote..."Mother Nature is better at creating a balance than man ever will be."
I couldn't agree more Ron.
What God made and put together all those many years ago seems to have been working just fine and continued that way up until man came along and tried to make improvements on an already perfectly balanced ecosystem.
I once read a statement made by a famous native American that I can only paraphrase because of my memory but it went something like this....
__________________________________________________
"Our men did all the hunting and fishing. When not engaged in these activities we sat around the campfire swapping stories and making more arrows and occasionally another bow while our women took the game we brought in and skinned it, making food from the meat and turning the hides into leather or other useful pieces of clothing to keep us warm in winter. They also did all of the gardening and kept wood piles stocked, campfires burning.
Then white men comes along and tells us he wants to teach us his ways so our lives will be better"...lol
God bless,Mudd
QuoteOriginally posted by Ron LaClair:
I've been hunting the area for 22 years and wolves have always been around but not in great numbers. They seem to come and go, some years we hear them and some years we don't. I think the wolves may have become a problem in some areas of the U.P. but not in our area as of yet.
This year it seemed to be just the one lone wolf that shared our hunting grounds and he made the deer a little nervous. We didn't see any sign that he'd made a kill but he did find the gut piles and cleaned those up.
To me the wolf is a natural part of a wilderness area. We humans are the intruders killing HIS food source. Most people see it the other way around.. :dunno:
When I hear a wolf howl, it stirs something in me....it's hard to explain, but I like the feeling. I don't mind sharing the hunt with the wolf, but as I said if their numbers increase to the point they need to be killed so be it but I'll leave that job to the wolf haters. Having said that, Mother Nature is better at creating a balance than man ever will be.
(http://www.junglewalk.com/animal-pictures/609/Timber-Wolf-1242.jpg)
Great post Ron.
Ron, I know how important Shrew Camp is to all the guys who go and especially you. However, It would be hard for anyone that doesn't partake of the annual gathering to understand the depth of meaning it has for everyone.
Even though I have never been, the stories coming from Shrew Camp have had special meaning for me..I wanted to just say a simple Thank You in my most humble way to all those who partake of this special "Brotherhood". You bring me joy.
Shoot Straight and stay strong
Art
Cedar Ridge Leather Works
Well said Art.
It's a good feeling just knowing some guys are sharing a hunting camp in the way they do.
...just knowing it's happening makes the world seem a little brighter in these times of political nonsense.
Sad to see a nice thread head in the other direction. I always joke with my friend who hunts in the UP, and complains about the wolves. I always say "are you jealous because the wolf is a better hunter than you are." Anyway, good post Ron, I love to hear the Shrew Haven stories.
Tom
Art, as Ron stated, the belt buckles are incredible. Thank you soooo much for your gesture. I've got to find a new belt because my camo Browning hunting belt does not have a removable buckle option. Rest assured I'll find the right belt to grace that beautiful buckle with. And before the other wisecracking camp members show up and say something about getting it a couple notches bigger to compensate for the food and libations I had at camp, I'll have them know that I stepped on the scale this morning and I was back to my pre-camp chubby weight again, so :p :p .
QuoteOriginally posted by Zradix:
Well said Art.
It's a good feeling just knowing some guys are sharing a hunting camp in the way they do.
...just knowing it's happening makes the world seem a little brighter in these times of political nonsense.
The conversations and razzing that we have in camp are priceless. The stories told year after year and incidents are laughed about time and time again. It's a very integral part of camp life. Tim Cosgrove is just a funny, 'clumsy' guy. He'll take off out of camp to hunt and then come back in the cabin a couple minutes later saying he forgot something. The joke in camp is after he leaves, how long before he walks back in the door (of course my first hunt of the year was up at camp as it's been a crazy October for me with work, kids and weather. So when I drove back into camp to grab my bow and arrows that I left hanging on the outside bow rack, I was the recipient of a few wise cracks and laughs.) Well, after Roger took off to head home due to work commitments, Tim took over one of his stands that he was seeing deer regularly out of. Tim was mulling over using the stand one afternoon and said out loud deadpan voice "I wonder if I can get up in the tree with my legs/foot bothering me because some guys put steps really far apart....oh, wait, Rogers a short/fat guy, I shouldn't have any problems". Of course we joke about each other and no ill will was meant, but it's the good natured laughter that things like that create that makes the camp and sharing with friends who are able to laugh at themselves so special. Laughter is really cool therapy, as is sitting around a woodstove, as is sharing a meal that's a ritual, as is sharing the Northwoods for 20 years with the same guys following in the footsteps of similar camps from the turn of the century.
It's just way cool stuff. And we're blessed to have such a tradition.
I realize your time in Shrew Haven isn't during the "hungry months" of the dead of Winter, but do you think there ever might be a time when the meat pole is not left alone by the wolves/bears?
I know it is a different ball of wax, but our coyotes come into my yard regularly (their audacity drives my lab crazy!)
Excellent thread...thanks for taking us along :thumbsup:
:campfire:
QuoteOriginally posted by Hawkeye:
I realize your time in Shrew Haven isn't during the "hungry months" of the dead of Winter, but do you think there ever might be a time when the meat pole is not left alone by the wolves/bears?
I know it is a different ball of wax, but our coyotes come into my yard regularly (their audacity drives my lab crazy!)
A few years ago we had a bear checking out our meat pole at night.....Rons beagle chased it off!
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/rnorris/20131106_111031-1.jpg) (http://s65.photobucket.com/user/rnorris/media/20131106_111031-1.jpg.html)
QuoteOriginally posted by Ron LaClair:
[QB] I don't mind sharing the hunt with the wolf, but as I said if their numbers increase to the point they need to be killed so be it but I'll leave that job to the wolf haters.
Ron,
Thanks for sharing this deer camp. Fun to follow along for someone like myself that has never been to a traditional deer camp.
I would say though that someone that has a desire to legally hunt wolves is not necessarily a "wolf hater" anymore than someone that legally hunts deer is a deer hater. Although that is what the animal rights activists would like the non-hunting public to believe.
Thanks again for taking us along.
Gary
Cool stuff. Ive been in wolf country but never heard or seen them. Hearing wolf howls and seeing the aurora borealis are at the very top of my bucket list.
I always love to see the Shrewhaven threads, and just generally any post from Ron. He has walked the walk for many, many years, and for most of us we can only scratch the surface of your experiences.
That said, when I read your post regarding man as an intruder to the wilderness, and those that hunt wolf as wolf "haters", I cringed. Those type of statements I expect from people that are diametrically opposed to the hunting lifestyle that we all love. I m never so at home as when I'm in the woods, the bigger the better. Humans are as native to the planet as wolves for sure, and as inhabitants of the southern edge of the UP, we've been there longer than these transplants.
As far as those that hunt wolf being"haters", does that make those that deer hunt "haters" of deer? I would think not only do we all resent that statement, we wouldn t tolerate that talk from anti s, why should we let it slide here.
Ron, your words carry much weight with me, always have. I can only imagine what people that are opposed to all hunting would do with them, given your long standing status as a sort of (usually) well spoken voice for those of us that enjoy the wilderness and hunting/trapping lifestyle.
This wolf situation in the UP effects me in several ways, I have a good friend on Armstrong Lake, I m there at various times throughout the year and see what my friend and his boys are going through with the quickly deteriorating deer situation.
It also effects me in that I'm in the process of building my own camp some 30 miles north of yours. I do like the thoughts of sharing the woods with ALL native species including wolves, but not to the point of watching them go unchecked as they did in northern, hell, all of Wisconsin. They have, with some other poor WDNR choices, decimated the herd there.
I'm hoping that maybe you just didn't chose your words as carefully as I would have. Your long standing stature in the hunting world will always have my respect, I hope that you can understand the thoughts I am trying to convey here.
Respectfully, John
QuoteOriginally posted by Izzy:
Cool stuff. Ive been in wolf country but never heard or seen them. Hearing wolf howls and seeing the aurora borealis are at the very top of my bucket list.
Me 2 man! All my life that is what I wanted! Never did either yet
Great post... ShrewHaven seems like an almost mythical place. Glad you all are keeping such a great tradition alive.
As for hearing the wolf and seeing the Aurora Borealis, Sign me up on your list! Hard to beat that for experiencing the real power of wilderness! :notworthy:
Have a great time Ron. I would love to share camp with you. :campfire:
More camp fun.......shooting bows and arrows. As noted above there were lots of Bear boys in camp. I shot my three Bear bows almost every day. I also tried out the new 1959 Kodiak. A very nice bow. I really liked Kevin's Bear takedown with the Fred Bear grip. I shot that bow as well as any and I foresee one being added to the stable. As for arrows, I think Paul Jalon of Elite Arrows (sponsor here and he makes arrows for Ron's shop too) makes the finest arrow out there today. I also see some of the Autunm Ledgends he makes for Ron in my quiver.
An awesome camp Ron. Deer camp in the great Northwoods is an experience like none other.
Why only once per year visit to the camp? Is that the length of the hunting season? If that place belonged to me, I'd spend at least half my time there, especially if I was as old as most in the pics. :)
QuoteOriginally posted by foxbo:
Why only once per year visit to the camp? Is that the length of the hunting season? If that place belonged to me, I'd spend at least half my time there, especially if I was as old as most in the pics. :)
DITTO :)
Greg spends close to three weeks at camp. The rest of the group for nine or ten days. We also go there for a work bee each year asan excuse to get up a second time.
Do you have to drive very far to get there?
John and Gary, When I used the words "wolf haters" I guess I was thinking of the person or persons our C.O. friend told us about when he visited camp this year. He said they had someone that was poisoning road kills in an effort to kill wolves. He said it was killing other animals as well that fed on the carcass's. Someone that would do that is definitely a hater. Then of coarse there's the standard joke when you get a chance to kill a protected wolf, the 3 s'es apply, "shoot, shovel and shut up". I wasn't referring to legitimate sportsman that hunt legally....sorry about the misunderstanding.. :)
I hunt lots of game but have never really hated any prey. the wolf intro was not done based on science or biology. It was purely political and spearheaded by those believing we can return to a time before white men settled America. I don't think very many will be taken by a recurve or longbow but would like to have a tag!
Shrewhaven is anywhere from 6-9 hours away for the respective group members. Our local caretakers are a few minutes away and they come to camp a couple times when we're up to celebrate and swap stories with us. The local Conservation Officer is also out a couple of times to visit and give a cursory check to the tags (he's always asking about if we're seeing any suspicious activity). As a group, we would all love to spend 3 weeks there, however there are 2 other partners to the property with Ron and they have family/friends that they come to use the property (their own cabins) throughout the year.
Thanks for the clarification Ron. I agree. At least the management of the wolf is still being handled by the biologists and dnr rather than being decided at the ballot box by the anti-hunters and misinformed public as was the case with the proposed Michigan dove season. Our deer numbers seem to be down considerably here and we don't have the wolf to blame... yet.
Gary
I started a new thread with the link to the TV show featuring our camp. Here's the link to the thread
thread with TV show link first post page one (http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=133527)
COOOOOOOL!!!