I have lived in the Pacific Northwest all my life and may be moving to Michigan in the near future due to a job change.  I'm a traditional bowhunter who shoots both longbow and recurve.  Can anyone give me information on areas to hunt and traditional shoots, especially in the southern part of the state?  I don't need to be babysat but would like to be pointed in the right direction.  Would appreciate any help you can give me.  I'm a Christian and not a party guy.

Well first off don't come here!  Stay where you are.  :D  You must have gotten the only job open in the state.    

Well there are shoots like Compton and the Mi long bow shoot.  Great shoots.  There are others as well.  Then there is the Kalamazoo Expo in January.  There is a lot of state land.  Private land finds are possible with some work.  I am sure there are others that can help out.  You could also post this in the MI trad organization forums.

What part of the state will you be in?

We have the Compton Rendevoux, and lots of other traditional shoots. Michigan Traditional Bowhunters, Michigan Longbow Association, and Michigan Bowhunters are all strong organizations.

Ron LaClair lives here, Fred Asbell, ShrewHaven.....you name it, we got it!!!!

Don, What part of the state are you relocating to? There are hunting opportunities available in southern lower Mich, but it does take time. Are you going to be here during our current hunting season? PM me if you like.

Public land galore to boot. Some is over hunted, some is under hunted. But there is an abundance of public land to explore. I live just about smack dab in the middle of the mit, lots of flat farm ground with scattered wood lots. You will be leaving rain for snow! Plus, southern Michigan is very close to Ohio, Indiana, Iliinois. I LOVE my state! The Michigan Dept. of Nat. Resources site has public land maps to peek at, it will give you an idea of the amount available. No Blacktails though.........

Dittto what xtrema312 said, w/ the addition of the Potawatomi Bowmen 3-D course in Kalamazoo...DB

Lots of public land, as stated, and a great traditional archery shop just 30 miles south of Kalamazoo, if I do say so myself.

Hey I live in Michigan! I love it here we have awesome deer hunting and multiple other bow hunting opportunities! Turkey hunting and Bear hunting are also good! Where in Michigan are ya thinkin about moving?

I moved out of Michigan (Mt.Pleasant)about 18 yrs ago.  As far as hunting goes... I miss it everyday.

I'll just echo what everyone else is saying.  I highly rocommend the Michigan Longbow Association.  A finner group of people you will be hard pressed to find.  Not to take away from the other organizations, and there are many.  Where ever you decide to call home, there will be plenty of us willing to give you a hand.  Just let us know what part your thinking of moving to.

Another - where are you moving too?  What city?  Or where is the job you are moving too?  I am in Fowlerville and that is between Lansing and Detroit and could point you toward some places to hunt.  Welcome

Hmmm the only job in the state goes to an out of stater.  

Lot's of shoots!!!!! In addition to Compton's in June, Trad Expo(not a shoot, but buyers delight show in the winter cabin fever months), MI Longbow Association shoot (GLLI) in August, Elm Hall Traditional shoot in August and MI Traditional Shoot in June (in Grayling, the place where Bear Archery started it all). As mentioned, a ton of State land with lot's of it in the northern part of state and upper peninsula that are not used much.

3-D courses all over the state with a shoot just about every weekend in the summer, bunny hunts, pheasant hunts , and don't let anyone fool you state land produces some good hunting just have to work a little, good luck with the move and new job, glad its not me, I hate to move.  Pearl drums where in the thumb, lets do some shooting, Todd

Funny most people are moving out of Michigan, great place to live if you can stay employed!  
We have a lot of natural resources, and it is a good traditional bow state, as stated Compton, Elm Hall, Great lakes Long Bow invitational, Grayling all fun events! Kalamazoo Expo is a great event in January! I live in Northern Mi, not many people  in the woods on public land until firearm deer season!

Well, I feel sorry for you having to move here. Rent, don't buy.

Don't buy?  I wish I didn't own a house here right now, but would love to be able to buy one in this market.

Michigan has some great hunting, but its crowded. Finding access to private land can be tough, but can be done. There is an abundance of public hunting land, and as stated, some gets hit hard, some hardly at all. Once you settle in, make contact with your county Conservation Officers, they can often point you towards under utilized public land with good hunting.

AS far as traditional archery opportunites, they are many. I strongly recommend you join Michigan Bow Hunters, our state organization, as well as Michigan Longbow Association and Mich Traditional Bowhunters. all 3 organizations are fantastic, and each hosts a weekend shoot/campout every summer, as well as other outings and banquets.

Most counties have local archery clubs, and while they are not trad specific, many have trad leagues. Michigan Bow Hunters affiliate club program is a great source of info, as well as published shoot schedules.

You are moving to a great state bud, don't let the others fool you  :D

There are tons of shoots and some good whitetail hunting to be had. Give me a shout if you move here and I'll get you pointed in the right direction.

Welcome to our great state !  I live in the thumb, so I cannot help you much with places to go in the southern part,  but as the others have stated, we have a lot of trad stuff going on here, I'm a member of Compton's and Michigan longbow.
Some of our biggest deer are taken is southern Mi.
Dan

I forgot to mention, in the southern part of the state you are limited to 5 doe permits per day.  I hope that doesn't ruin your season.