Michigan's U.P.

[Paul Cousineau]

Where to start.....I've lived and hunted in the UP my entire life. I grew up in eastern dickinson county where there are good deer numbers but not much public lands. I went to NMU so I got to know Marquette county pretty well. I now live and hunt in western Iron county and occasionally hunt Baraga county. The past 4-5 years or so I have only hunted public land. Which has proven to be pretty hard but still fun and rewarding. I'll share a few thoughts that I would tell myself if I had a time machine.

First Know that pressure seems to be the #1 influence on buck daytime movement. If there are signs of other hunters (trucks or ATVs parked near by, bait piles,) I move on. You need to go where others aren't. Hope you don't mind walking...

Second get a plat book. But don't stop there. Google "mi-hunt" which should bring you to the DNR's website. the mi-hunt program is basically google earth with public hunting land overlays. The nice thing is it shows you privately held lands that are open to public use such as CFL. Also, the satellite view makes it a heck of a lot easier to figure out boundaries.  I recommend getting a compass as well. I'm currently looking into GPS options for my phone such as ONX maps.

Third, don't get beat down when you don't see lots of deer. Two years ago deer numbers in the UP were at historical lows. The last two years have shown improvement but its still tough sledding. Plus the best spots to kill 2-1/2+ year old bucks usually aren't the high traffic areas.

Forth, move stand locations a much as possible. I wasted years over hunting/burning out stands while at the same time missing out on other great spots right under my nose. Do whatever you have to and buy yourself a lightweight packable tree stand. I recommend lone wolf. Summit is good too. I wasted lots of money on bows that i wish i would have spent on stands. If you finish school in four years you likely will be just getting to know the area and then its time to graduate. don't waste time hunting the same olds spots that aren't producing.

fifth, go to church. You should do this for many reasons I won't go into here, except one. Its the best place to get permission to hunt private land. The two spots I'm most excited to hunt this fall are properties owned by friends from church. Just sayin.

Sixth, the snow gets supper deep up here, ESPECIALLY in Hougton. The deer move to avoid it. Where you find them now you might not once the snow get 6"+ deep. They stick to plowed roads, towns, and logging sites.

Seventh, hunt logging jobs if you can find them. Especially when the snow comes. (see above)

Eight, go smelting in the spring. you won't regret it.

Ninth, google Dan Infalt and John Eberhart. They are public land masters. They both have been guests on numerous podcasts. look em' up. Dan Infalt has a sweet forum dedicated to hunting public call the hunting beast.

[Trenton G.]

Jason, I would LOVE a chocolate rack buck. I've seen a few come out of the swamps back home and I always thought they were the coolest looking racks. If I get one up here I'll be over the moon about it!

Paul, thanks for all the tips. They're really helpful!
I hunt highly pressured areas at home, so getting away from people won't be anything new for me. I have no problem walking in a ways to a spot.
I don't have a plat book but I use Mi-Hunt quite a bit. Its  really useful to see public, and like you mentioned, it also shows the CFR land that's open. I've got compasses just about everywhere: in my car, my pack, my jacket pocket, etc. I've got a pretty good sense of direction but I'm not going to take any chances.
I generally hunt off the ground. I didn't really have room to bring a stand up to school with me. Having a climber would definitely be nice for certain areas though!
I've been looking at churches up here and once I get on top of things I plan on going. Hopefully this Sunday. You are right about getting permission from other people at church. I've gotten permission from a couple of guys back home to hunt their land.
I'm trying to figure out where the logging is taking place since that has been suggested multiple times on this thread. I'm going to look into it and see what all I can find.
I've only been smelting once, but it was at the point where the big smelt runs didn't really happen anymore. I've heard lots of stories from my dad and my grandpa about how they used to go and fill a five gallon bucket within minutes. If I hear of them running anywhere, I will defintely try and make it over.
I've never heard of Dan Infalt or John Eberhart. I'll check them out and see what I can dig up.

Thanks for all the help guys! I really appreciate and hopefully it pays off. I don't have to kill a deer. I just love being in the woods, and having a few spots to go to clear my mind after classes and stuff will be fantastic.. However if the opprotunity presents itself, that will be awesome! Tomorrow being Saturday I hope to do a little more exploring. The shooting ranges here are under construction so I may have to check my bow out from Public Safety and see if I can do some stump shooting in the process.

[Jon Stewart]

Mr. Cousineau hit the nail on the head. My dad lived in Crystal Falls for 28 years. He could out fish and out hunt just about anyone on here. He told me many times if you moved the the U.P. to hunt and fish you moved up there for the wrong reason. Deer hunting is a tough one as the land is vast and the deer are few and far between (generally speaking) but there are pockets of good deer numbers on or near farms.

Now bear hunting is a whole nother ball game. It don't get any better than hunting the U.P for bear but the licenses are few and far between. You can draw a tag every other year in some units, third hunt,  but the really good areas take 8 years or so to get a first season tag.  You draw a bear tag in  the Amasa  unit and I can help you out. My son, cousin and I went 3 for 3 last fall. And we hunt public land.

Go to church but go for the right reason and then have coffee and donuts after words for a different reason as that is where you meet the locals.  Remember one thing, You will always be "from downstate" and some locals won't let you forget that. No matter what the situation is or becomes just be respectful and you will go far.

[Trenton G.]

Jon, I was really tempted to apply for a bear permit this year but I figured that with classes and everything I wouldn't have the time to do it right. Hopefully sometime in the future though. A bear hunt would be awesome!

Had a bunch of free time today so I got on Mi-hunt and went to try and explore some new hunting ground. After a few areas that didn't quite pan out, I found some public that was accessible. I brought my bow along to do some stump shooting and I can't tell you guys how good it felt to shoot some arrows again! It took a few, but I got it dialed back in pretty quickly. The area I was in had a few deer tracks, and appears to have been logged, although quite a while ago. I found one scrape, which I hope is an annual scrape, along with a trail that, although not heavy, was showing some sign of being used. It feels good just knowing that I have at least one spot where I can go and potentially see some deer.

The highlight for me today though was this shot. I was standing on a little ridge when I looked to my left. There was a clear lane, and at the end of the lane was a small patch of sunlight. Right in the center of that patch of sunlight was a stump. I decided to launch an arrow just to see how close I could get, and as I watched it arc through the air, I remember thinking "that looks pretty good". When I heard the thwack when it hit the stump, I turned around waiting for the applause. Unfortunately it never came. I later paced it off at 56 yards. That made the whole trip for me.

edit: unfortunately the forum will not let me upload the photo. It says it takes to long to download. I guess you all will have to take my word for it that it happened.

[Jon Stewart]

Trenton it sure looks like you have it figured out. Couple of other tips. You can put in for a bear point instead of a license every year until you want to put in for the hunt.  It will take a few points before you can draw a tag. Second: make sure you have a small game license when you roam the woods shooting stumps. And you may have to wear hunter orange also.  There are year round open seasons in Michigan. Check with the DNR on this one. Hate to see you get a ticket for shooting stumps, lol. Do good up there in school and have fun in your off time.

[Trenton G.]

I've been buying applications for bear the past three years back home, but this year I just bought a point. I still tried to get an elk permit, because I figured if ever I had a chance to get drawn, it would happen while I'm all the way up here lol. I contacted one of the DNR officers up here and he told me that I am only required to have a small game license when stump shooting with a firearm. He told me I won't have any problems just shooting field or judo points. That's good to know since I've always enjoyed stump shooting but never knew if I needed a license for it or not.

[Jon Stewart]

"Only with a firearm" I think you might want to check with the Law enforcement division on that one. I heard of archers in the lower getting stopped and either given a ticket or getting chewed out for not having a license when stump shooting. And I believe they were told they had to wear hunter orange while doing it. There are open seasons on some game all year round.

[Trenton G.]

In that case I guess I'll keep looking into it. Last thing I want to do is get crossways with the law. On the flip side, if I get my hunting license revoked for four years, my grades might be a bit better.

[Jon Stewart]

I am a retire officer so I know how the grey area can get "grey" so I am calling the law enforcement division in Lansing tomorrow to find out for sure. Wouldn't want you to get into any trouble while you are up there studying, lol.

Our son spent a year at Northern and all he did was hunt. He transferred to Western the next year  and graduated. My dad lived in Crystal Falls and he was down there every weekend and then some.  Do good and have fun.

[Trenton G.]

That would be great. I'd love to hear what you find out!

[Jon Stewart]

Trenton. I spoke with a Lt in the law enforcement division of the DNR. He stated that when stationary in the woods, like camping or setting up to target practice with targets or scoping in a rifle you do not need a license or wear orange BUT if you roam the woods to stump shoot you have to wear orange and have a license regardless of what weapon you are using.

[Trenton G.]

Thanks Jon, appreciate that. Not really what I was hoping to hear but I guess it's good to know. I didn't plan on rifle hunting up here so I didn't bring any orange. Might have to run to Walmart.

[Trenton G.]

Did some more scouting today and may have found a hot spot. Had quite a few adventures along the way as well. I was walking down a dirt two track when I heard a vehicle coming behind me. I generally get off the road so that people don't know that I'm there or know where my potential hunting spots are. I climbed the bank along the road and crossed over the ridge just to get out of sight, and as I turned back to look towards the vehicle, I heard a crash behind me. I turned around and saw a sow and a big cub go barreling up the opposite side of the valley from me about 50 yards away. That was really exciting. I couldn't figure out how I'd missed seeing them until I went down and found their beds nestled down in a small hollow. After exploring that area a bit more I got back in the car and kept driving and found an area that had been logged a few years ago. Best of all, running right through the middle of the logged area was a gulley that had a small stream flowing through it and was full of cedars. There was a nice trail going through it, and I'm pretty sure that a lot of deer use it to get across the more open areas. Its only about 25 yards across so anything walking through should be in range. I set up a camera just to see what's coming through.
Later I drove into another spot and found an oak ridge with lots of acorns. Saw a doe and two fawns and found another really nice trail in a valley. I walked about 80 yards further when I saw something coming through the woods towards me. It looked tan, almost orange, and the first thing that flashed through my head was cougar. As it got closer though I quickly realized it was a huge coyote (not a wolf). I only had Judo points with me, and was having a bit of a battle in my mind as to whether I should try and shoot him or not. I would love to shoot a coyote but just didn't think a Judo, even tucked right behind the shoulder would get enough penetration to do anything. I didn't have to worry about it though since the closest he got was 25 yards and I had no shot through the brush.

This was by far the most productive day of scouting I've had. I'm super excited for season to get here!

[Jon Stewart]

Trenton. Sounds like you have it figured out. My wife did not recognize the name you gave me from Camp 10 road.

[Trenton G.]

Figured it was worth a shot lol.
I'm excited to pull my camera and see what I get. There was a really large lone track that I saw. Would love to run into its maker.

[Trenton G.]

I guess I can update this. So far finding deer has been a lot tougher than I thought it would. The spots that I found earlier during the year never really panned out. Neither spot show any deer sign, aside from the occasional track. I've been going out every weekend, either hunting or scouting for new areas, but nothing has really jumped out at me as being super promising. We had snow last weekend, so I figured I would go back and sit in the spot where I had gotten some buck pictures earlier in the year to see if the snow would get anything moving. It did, but unfortunately not what I was hoping for. I had two wolves, one gray and one black come trotting up the valley I was hoping the deer would use. They got to about 35 yards and then headed down the logging road. I couldn't believe that I actually got to see wolves, especially that close. Everyone kept telling me how rare it is to see them. It was really exciting, but also a bit disheartening since I figure the deer will probably be done using that area for a while. (Not that they were using it much in the first place!)
This past Friday I went out to a new piece that I found which borders some farm fields. This spot was a lot more like what I hunt back home so I felt pretty good about it. I only walked part of it Friday, and it looked ok, but not great. It was logged probably 4-5 years ago, and is pretty thick. There are lots of oaks, but I didn't see many acorns. I went back tonight and went the opposite direction, and found an old four wheeler trail. It looked like the deer were using it so I set up on that for the evening. Around 6:00 I heard a huge crash and tons of brush breaking to my north. About two seconds later a doe came barreling through with a buck hot on her trail. His rack wasn't all that impressive, maybe ear width with 8 points. However he had to be the biggest bodied deer I've ever seen. He looked like a bull. They ran by about 40 yards out and never gave me a shot. However, I saw several more deer use the route that they did later on this evening, so I think I know where I need to set up next time.
My roommates think I'm crazy going out in the woods with a bow with wolves and bears, but I'm having a blast. This is definitely a whole new type of hunting for me, but it's a ton of fun!

[Ron LaClair]

This U P  chocolate horn buck I call the "Snowstorm Buck" I shot him during a snow storm and tracked him into a cedar swamp. It was dark and I didn't have a rope so I dressed him then took the bow string off my 72# John Strunk Osage bow and got him partially off the ground with the idea of him draining better while I left him to come back in the morning.

As it turned out it snowed two feet that night and the snow would have covered him completely if I hadn't done that. I never would have found him had that been the case.

[Trenton G.]

That's a neat story Mr. LaClair. If I end up getting a deer and it's snowing I'll have to remember that!