Well guys although there’s been a delay in getting this to you we now have an outside line so I can get the update on Michael’s hunt to you all.
First I would like to thank all of you who joined in helping to send Michael on this great hunt and helped to get him set up with all the equipment a boy would need to hunt the wily white-tailed deer. I have no doubt this hunt will help to prepare him for his Outdoor Wish hunt next year when he goes after caribou in Alaska.
So grab your favorite beverage, sit for a spell and hopefully I can bring you some of the enjoyment we’ve had over the last few days. I’ll give you what has happened up to now and hopefully will have more to add tonight and tomorrow for you.
First off here is the cast of characters that will be participating in Michael’s Trad Gang Wish Hunt over the next few days.
Carol Stokes - owner, chief cook (or should I say cook extraordinaire) and bottle washer of The Listening Inn
Joyce Winstanley- helps out at the Inn and just plain brightens up your day.
Jim Hammill – retired biologist and just plain nice guy.
Randy “GUS” Gustovson and his lovely wife Cindy – Gus and Cindy own Northwood’s Outfitters and set the hunt up for us.
Scott and Dara Wagner – Michael’s Mom and Dad
The Hunters:
Outdoor Wish Kid Michael Frame
Ron and Nancy LaClair
Dean Wagner
Gerald “Gerry” Gray
Bruce Gray
John Havard
Steve Pray
Sunday afternoon found the group of us in Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula at the awesome Listening Inn. We were met at the door by it’s owner Carol Stokes who gave us quick tour of the Inn and set each of us up in the rooms that would be home for the next five days. Carol was every bit as wonderful as Gus had told us she’d be and the Inn itself that is built out of huge white pine logs from the property it sits on is just an incredible place that you must see to believe. Soon we were unpacked and grabbed our bows for some last minute practice. To say we were excited would be an understatement as this promised to be a great place to hunt.
As we practiced and told a few stories Carol told us that Gus, Ron and Jim were out setting up the last of the blinds and checking to make sure all was well in the area we’d be hunting. It was comforting to know that these three guys with their vast amount of knowledge and experience were finding the most productive areas for our upcoming hunt. Carol and Joy prepared an awesome dinner and once Gus, Ron and Jim returned we all sat down for dinner. Although the food was incredible I only ate my usual small portion and passed on dessert. If you believe that will discuss the bridge I have for sale later. 8-)
That evening we went over a map of the area and decided who would be hunting which stands. Instructions where given to each of us what to do in case we hit a deer as not only are there numerous coyotes here but also wolves and as Michael and I were to later find out bears. It was decided by all of us that it would be best to wait until after daily to go out to our stands and get comfortable with our surroundings before hunting. This is BIG country up here and it wouldn’t take much to find yourself lost and in trouble. We didn’t want any problems so we decided on the safest way to do things. Once the stage for Monday we sat around and told a few stories then one by one we headed off to bed with anticipation of what tomorrow would bring.
Monday AM:
After a great breakfast (of which I had only my usual small portion) we all headed out to our spots to get the lay of the land. As we approached Michael’s spot we jumped a big deer from just yards in front of his blind. While we couldn’t tell what it was it was a very big deer and our spirits were high. Although we could have hunted Michael decided to practice a bit more, eat a good lunch (of which I only ate my usual small portion) and then head out early to our blind for the afternoon hunt. It was my good fortunate that Michael wanted me to hunt with him and I was honored that he asked me. Since there was only room in the blind for one shooter I gladly left my bow at the lodge. Michael was pumped and ready so after lunch we shot a few more arrows and headed for the blind.
Monday PM:
Here’s a picture of Michael heading to our spot.
Michael and I arrived at our blind and quickly got settled in for what promised to be an exciting night. We weren’t in our blind ten minutes when a nice spike horn walked by only fifteen yards from the blind. He went through quickly and offered no shot but we have a five-point minimum on bucks here anyway. It sure gave us the confidence that we’d see lots of deer with this happening so quickly. After that things pretty well went like most hunts do with the normal squirrels, crows and chickadees making their presence know to us.
Then it happened, what every hunter fears. Out of nowhere came the world-renowned and feared Attack Chickadee. This devious creature knowing Michael was new to whitetail hunting made him the focus of its’ attack. Hidden from our view by the back of the blind it slowly hopped branch to branch until at just the right moment it flew in the window of our blind and made the famed “I’m gonna land on your nose” maneuver and then quickly flew out the other window. The total look of fear on Michael’s face reminded me of my own past encounters with this dreaded winged beast and caused me to burst into uncontrollable laughter. I was however able to stifle the sound of my laughter and although I thought my ears would pop I remained fairly silent through the tears in my eyes and the pain in my sides I thought I faired quite well. I’m sure Michael is still having nightmares of the winged beast and he is convinced that Michigan U.P. chickadees are the same size as pterodactyls.
Once we were calmed down enough to watch for deer again it was only a few short minutes when a nice doe walked out. She stayed a safe distance and then as three more deer walked up behind us she blew at them and all four of them headed for parts unknown. Not less than five minutes later I watched Michael’s eyes grow more than twice their size and he looked at me and mouthed the word “BUCK”!!! I slowly followed Michael’s gaze and there standing about thirty yards away was a nice six or eight point. He stood there with his nose in the air as if he knew something was wrong but couldn’t figure out just what it was. After a minute or two he decided not to stick around and slowly walked away from us. DANG, that would have been a good one to get a shot at.
About five minutes later Michael saw more movement and a pretty good-sized doe walked out. She was only about twenty yards but the angle wasn’t quite right. I told Michael to get ready because I thought she might close the gap and he could get a shot. Now Michael was shaking like a leaf when she walked in but as he raised his bow (this is really cool) he went into “predator mode” and as I watched the end of his arrow it was stock-still. He was doing well and the doe turned and walked right in front of us. Michael slowly drew his bow and I watched as he did everything perfect, slow draw, hit full anchor, pause and release. His only flaw was OPPS…he forgot to pick a spot and the arrow sailed harmlessly over the doe’s back. I told Michael he did fine and assured him that even great hunters like myself 8-) miss now and then. The one thing that made me proud was that even in the excitement of shooting at his first deer Michael KNEW what he did wrong before I even told him. As the doe ran off to do battle another time with maybe some other hunter Michael looked at me and said, “I didn’t do what you said, I didn’t pick a spot”. I think even though he missed the deer he was successful because he LEARNED from what he did.
As Michael was quietly kicking himself for missing the doe he happened to glance out the window of the blind and instantly the missed doe was forgotten. Standing almost in the footsteps of the eight point we saw earlier was another buck. This wasn’t your normal “hey there’s a buck” kind of buck either. This was a genuine certifiable U.P. BIG BUCK!!! Michael motioned to me that another buck was out there and I could tell by his reaction it was a good one. As luck would have it this buck also moved off without offering a shot but man what a memory he left in his tracks. As darkness fell we saw a few more deer but nothing to shoot at and as we made our way back to the truck I asked Michael if he thought he was going to like this deer hunting game. His answer was a loud YES and then with a chuckle he said he could do without the Attack Chickadees though.
We got back to the lodge and shared our stories with the other hunters and Michael took some good-natured ribbing about donating an arrow to the archery Gods. Silently though I know each person in camp hoped he would soon connect. No one connected on Monday but we all remained upbeat and confident about our chances. After another awesome meal (of which I ate my usual small portion) we told a few more stories, watched a hunting video or two and then headed off to bed with hopes Tuesday would bring success.
Tuesday AM:
Michael and I were settled into our blind well before shooting light and we hoped the sunrise would bring us success. We saw a couple of deer just after light but they stayed well out of range. As the woods slowly came alive Michael and I were focused on getting a deer when without warning there were heavy footsteps RIGHT NEXT TO THE BLIND. We never heard this animal get close it was just THERE and only a few feet from us. We sat wide-eyed staring at each other with neither of us wanting to admit what we knew was not much more than an arms length away. When it commenced to sniffing our packs that were outside behind the blind there wasn’t much doubt that there was a bear there and it wasn’t a teddy bear. After a few moments the sniffing stopped and although it had left we never heard it go. It’s amazing how an animal that big can move so silently through the woods. To say it was exciting yet a wee bit scary would be an understatement.
Not long after the bear left the wind shifted and began blowing from us right down Michael’s shooting lane. We decided to stalk our way back to the truck and did some rattling and calling as we went. We saw a few deer and one nice buck while doing this but nothing that Michael could get a shot at. Soon we were back at the lodge where we found out once again everyone came back empty handed. Everyone sat down for lunch and with the weather improving hoped tonight would be the night.
After lunch Ron LaClair gave Michael some shooting tips and right before our eyes we watched Michael’s groups improve. I have no doubt that when it comes to helping one shoot better Ron has no equal. (he paid me to say that)
Tuesday Evening:
Michael and I once again set up in the blind where Michael had missed his doe the night before. As the evening progressed we saw a few deer but they were well away from our blind with no chance of them coming our way. It was getting late and appeared that tonight would end as before with us going back to the lodge empty handed. Then with perhaps only ten minutes of shooting light left Michael looked at me and whispered “DEER”. I couldn’t see the deer at first but I knew it was coming toward us as Michael readied his bow. I watched once again as his shaking hands suddenly steadied and he once again went into predator mode. All I whispered to him was “pick a spot, focus”. I knew Michael knew what to do but I wanted to re-enforce what Ron had taught him just a few hours ago. Would it make a difference? In a few seconds we would know. Suddenly the deer turned broadside and Michael slowly drew his bow. I watched as he came to full draw and then his arrow was on its’ way. I heard that sound we all love to hear when an arrow connects as the deer spun and took of like a rocket low and fast. In an instant I was giving Michael high fives and hugging him at the same time.
As the deer ran off we could hear several others running also. I watched as best I could and it appeared Michael’s deer ran in somewhat of a circle as it ran off. We both thought we heard it crash but with the other deer running we couldn’t be sure. We waited a few minutes then quietly went to look for his arrow and some blood. As we walked up to where the deer was standing it only took a moment for me to spot that familiar red stuff virtually painted on the weeds where the deer was standing. We slowly took up the track and as we neared the wood edge the blood trail really petered out quickly. Michael was pretty nervous so we decided to go back to the lodge for some help after we had some dinner (of which I ate my usual small portion). I told Michael to walk slowly and watch for blood as we left the blind because I believed his deer had crossed the trail we had to go out on.
We slowly walked down the trail and after getting only about thirty yards from the blind I spotted blood right there in the trail. At first there was only a small drop and then in just a few more yards there was good blood on the weeds and leaves. I tracked just a few yards so we could mark the direction she was heading for when we came back when laying there in front of me was Michael’s arrow. Looking at the arrow there was no doubt in my mind that it had done its’ job. I took just two more steps and there laying in front of me on the trail we came in on was Michael’s first deer. I let out a holler and told Michael “here’s your deer” as he came up and gave me a hug. We laughed and relieved the story a few times and then headed for the truck to get her out.
When we arrived at the truck John was waiting for us with a pretty good story of his own. He had taken a nice six point that like Michael’s deer had died just a few yards from the two-track we drove in on. We shook hands and congratulated John and then the three of us headed to the lodge to get everyone else. I knew I’d get my butt kicked if I didn’t let them share in Michael’s success.
After dinner (of which I ate my usual small portion) we all headed out to gut Michael and John’s deer, take pictures and relive the stories a few more times. Michael had the honor of having Ron LaClair teach him how to field dress his first deer. I don’t think there’s to many young hunters who would enjoy that. After getting the deer back to the lodge we all once again told our stories, shared a few beverages and called it a night. I think we all slept well that night.
Wednesday AM:
Well since Michael was done hunting (we’re only allowed one deer at the lodge) he asked if he could go with me in the morning as it was now my turn to hunt. I told him “you bet” so we headed out bright and early but instead of sitting in the blind we set up and did some rattling and calling for a change of pace. We saw a few deer but nothing I could get a shot at and while we were out I had a thought.
Bill Wooster was suppose to hunt this hunt with Michael but due to medical reasons he couldn’t make it so I filled in for him. Bill had paid half the hunt cost in a deposit (he refused to let me reimburse him) and I picked up the other half when I got here. Now Bill and I have been know to do a thing or two for a kid now and then and I figured maybe Bill and I could do one more thing together on this hunt. When Michael and I returned I asked Carol if it would be all right if I let Michael hunt for my deer since he’s allowed two in Michigan and I’d stay back at the lodge instead. That way Michael would still have a chance at another deer. Remember he’s allowed two deer in Michigan but the lodge only allows one per hunter. So as I type this Michael is out hunting tonight with Ron LaClair as his teacher. They should be back soon but like me you’ll have to wait to see how they did.
Once again thanks to all of you who made this hunt possible for Michael.
Topic: !!!...Michael Frame's Trad Gang Wish Hunt...Live Update...!!! (Read 8272 times)
