Canton, Mi. Double Newbie

[lightbulb]

I am a 67 year old lifetime fisherman and did not take up hunting until 5 years ago. Now I am more into hunting than fishing. I started from the ground on public land at Sharonville State Game Area near Chelsea, Mi. starting from scratch knowing nothing other than reading magazines and remembering what my Dad talked about when I was a kid. Of coarse that didn't work. Next a friend from work asked me if I wanted to hunt with him and a buddy who had permission to hunt on a beef cattle farm South of Brighton. This was with crossbow from stands they already had in place. Learned more from them and saw deer close that I couldn't shoot and I was hooked. Same friend always hunted rifle season in a logging area North of Seney in the UP. Hunted from pop up blind brushed in and saw deer right in front but too dark and foggy to see if they had horns. They had their own homemade lumber blinds and used bait. Last day Ray let me sit in his blind and I watched 10 does mill around his bait for a half hour just before dark. The next year I did get a doe by a power line in Negaunee that had been eating apples by house that was behind me. They walked right in front of me after leaving the apples. I was on the ground in a ghost blind. The next year in Seney I saw two bucks from the other old wood blind in the morning but couldn't count for three points on a side that I needed for a legal shot before they were gone. The private cattle farm permission is gone because the farmer is letting two relatives build houses there. So, as you can see I am trying to jam 20 years of knowledge into a couple years. I came across John Eberhart's books and his emphasis on the saddle thing and how pressured deer like we have in Michigan are not vulnerable to the usual TV and magazine tactics. I always knew stealth and getting away from other hunters was a key and trying with a climber on public land has been difficult. So I was excited to see that John Eberhart was having a workshop on his tactics. I called him and signed up and it was the best thing I ever did to accelerate the learning curve. He is a down to earth generous guy sincerely interested in helping hunters with his knowledge. It was a great experience and here I am, buying an Aerohunter Evolution, helium sticks, wild edge and cranford steps, bolts and practicing trying to figure out what will work on public land in Chelsea and the UP. This is the best, most helpful deer hunting forum I ever saw, you guys are great, be proud of yourselves and the knowledge you impart. Hope everyone has a great season. Thank you.

 

[redsquirrel]

Thank you for your kind words on the forum. We are here to help and please ask any questions that pop up. I can't say enough good things about this group of guys. It sounds like we've already had some influence over your purchases .

Welcome to saddlehunter!!

 

[d_rek]

Hey there old timer!! I'm a young buck but the day I stop learning new tricks I might as well stop living.

I'm over in St. Clair County. Lots of Michigan guys on here so if you have any questions or are interested in testing some gear or just talking shop reach out to us!

 

[MCDM]

Welcome to the site!! I will say alot of these guys have inspired me. They definitely have increased my knowledge on alot and have changed my perspectives on many things for the better. I don't think you could find a site with a better group. Saddlehunter is family too me so welcome!!

 

[mejer]

hey lightbulb,
I live and hunt just a little further west of where you hunt. Live in Jackson Mi. and hunt the waterloo state game area most of the time. I am turning sixty this month and hunted all my life and still learning new things.

 

[Bigterp]

Welcome, sound like you're on the right track.