Michigan's U.P.

[Trenton G.]

Hey guys. I'll be heading up to school at Michigan Tech this fall, and will be bringing some of my hunting gear with me. I know that the campus has an archery range, and I will be using that whenever I get the chance, but I was wondering if there are any other archery ranges or clubs in the area? It would be nice to find some other trad shooters, although hopefully I can find one or two at school. Also, and this may be over stepping a line here, but is there anyone familiar with that area that may be able to point me in the direction of some public land that would be easy enough for me to drive to and hunt some weekend? I know lots of guys don't want to share that type of information, and I'll admit to being a bit secretive about some of my spots as well, but anything that you guys are willing to share would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Jon Stewart]

There is an archery club in Gould city which is a bit south of you. They put on a real nice shoot the first full weekend in Sept.

[Trenton G.]

That sounds interesting. Maybe I could find a couple of guys who want to go down to that if we have time. Is it trad only or is everyone welcome? I don't have a problem either way.

[Jon Stewart]

The club is called, East Central Upper Peninsula Archers Association. The shoot is the weekend after Labor Day.  It is traditional only. They are a small club with a nice course and newer club house.  They also have a sat afternoon shoot where only the old solid fiberglas bows are allowed. That is a hoot to shoot using those old bows.

[last arrow]

I graduated from MTU 34 years ago so any info I have is outdated I am sure.  Its beautiful country, lots of outdoor opportunities up there.  You used to be able to find true wilderness experiences, but with the advent of  quads and side by sides, you probably will have to work harder at that.  The fishing is great, snowshoe rabbit and partridge hunting were real good, lots of bear if you can get a permit, not a lot of deer.  Work hard on classwork during the week so you can spend your weekends in the bush and you will love it.  Don't get caught up in the drinking culture that is there or you will miss a great opportunity in the outdoors.

Steve at Northern Mist can probably help you out a lot with what is going on up there and give general direction on areas to hunt.  He is in Ishpeming, about 80 miles from Houghton.

[Trenton G.]

Thanks for the tips. I'm not a real rowdy person so I won't have any trouble avoiding the parties and all that. I think my job has helped me avoid the whole drinking thing because after picking up everyone else's sticky, smelly beer cans at our golf course every day, it really doesn't seem too appealing. I've never done much bird or rabbit hunting, but I know one of my roommates is really into it so I'm excited to give it a try. Thought about a bear permit but I don't think I would have enough time to run baits and what not. I'm looking forward to whatever opportunities I come across. Obviously I'm there for school and I have to keep that first and foremost but being able to go outdoors and do stuff will sure be nice to relax and unwind from studying and stuff. Made up a bunch of stumping arrows to take up as well.

John, both of those shoots sound like a lot of fun. I don't have any all fiberglass bows, so I wouldn't be able to do the one, but the other would be great. If I could find another person or two to split gas money with and there isn't anything going on that weekend, maybe I can make it.

I believe Northern Mist is now down south somewhere. I want to say Alabama but maybe that's wrong.

[STICKBENDER98]

Hey Trenton, there is a lot of National Forest, and paper company land available in Houghton county, get yourself a county map book that show you all the roads and seasonal roads, and start exploring.  If you want to get away from all the atv's check out the Sturgeon River Gorge Wildlife area, foot travel only allowed there.  I have spent many years hunting there and the surrounding areas with my Dad and brother.  My Dad passed in 2015 and that was the last year my brother and I hunted there, we left a few of his ashes in one of his favorite spots.  The deer were few and the wolves were many that year, but have heard the wolf population in down and the deer population is rebounding, we are planning on getting back up there again.  Once you have hunted and experienced the "big woods" you'll be hooked, there is nothing else like it!!!  I have had so many great experiences and seen so many different sights it still truly amazes me.  Happy hunting and exploring, make sure you have a good compass, and gps, and head out!!!  If you have any question shoot me a pm.


Jason

[kstout]

I've spent a lot of time wandering the hills of the copper country North of Calumet.  There is a lot of land up there enrolled in as Commercial Forest land, so it is opened to hunting.  I've hunted near the town of Mowhawk, and up near lake Medora.  Also over by lake Gratiot.  During the bow season look for the Red Oaks that are producing acorns,  or look for apple trees that have fruit.  My son graduated from Tech in 2006.  There aren't a lot of deer there, but there are some big ones! Look for a plat book, they probably have one at the university.  It combines Houghton and Keweenaw counties, and will show private, pubic as well as commercial forest lands.

[Burly]

Love Da Yoop.

[wooddamon1]

Sounds like a great place to go to school, I'd love to hunt the UP someday.

[Yooper-traveler]

Grab a plat book at the courthouse as suggested.  We still cannot Hunt does (its open for does down by Esky) as our herd is still recovering. 

Best advice I can give you is to try to get with some other students who are from the U.P.  You might get lucky and be invited to a Yooper hunting camp.

[Homebru]

I graduated from MTU 34 years ago so any info I have is outdated I am sure....Don't get caught up in the drinking culture that is there or you will miss a great opportunity in the outdoors.

I started up there about that time.  Got caught up in "the culture". Had a great time but could've been a little more selective with some of my choices.

Steve at Northern Mist can probably help you out a lot with what is going on up there and give general direction on areas to hunt.  He is in Ishpeming, about 80 miles from Houghton.

Steve's moved to Alabama but, I'm sure he'd be willing to teach you what he knows.

Lots of good bird, bunny and bear hunting up there. Great fishing as well.  I have plenty of friends that frequent the Copper Country and many that still live there.  When I think of da Yoo Pee, I can only think "there's no place like home". 

Not much help but enjoyable to reminisce.
homebru

[Trenton G.]

Thanks guys, I'll definitely get a plat book, or at least print some maps off online. Also have the number of a local DNR officer who said he would be willing to point me in the right direction. Already met several other people here who bowhunt. So far nobody that shoots trad, but that doesn't matter to me as long as they're good guys. Hopefully I can find some decent deer hunting this year. I saw a quote on the wall that said "Sleep more than you study, study more than you party, and party as much as you possibly can." I think I'll try and substitute hunt for party.

[Macatawa]

I graduated from MTU 34 years ago so any info I have is outdated I am sure....Don't get caught up in the drinking culture that is there or you will miss a great opportunity in the outdoors.

I started up there about that time.  Got caught up in "the culture". Had a great time but could've been a little more selective with some of my choices.

Steve at Northern Mist can probably help you out a lot with what is going on up there and give general direction on areas to hunt.  He is in Ishpeming, about 80 miles from Houghton.

Steve's moved to Alabama but, I'm sure he'd be willing to teach you what he knows.

Lots of good bird, bunny and bear hunting up there. Great fishing as well.  I have plenty of friends that frequent the Copper Country and many that still live there.  When I think of da Yoo Pee, I can only think "there's no place like home". 

Not much help but enjoyable to reminisce.
homebru

Spent five years in eastern UP (Cedarville-Hessel area) and hunted in Iron Mountain (western UP)
I can affirm the whitetail hunting is great.  The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has been busy altering the kill takes.  They are busy managing the herd for the future. 

[monterey]

I grew up in Ontonagon and hunted a lot in the Porcupine Mountains state Park with my dad.  We used to get up along the edges of the ski runs where the deer came out to browse the edges.

Look for country that has been heavily logged about five years previous.

[Burly]

I use to live in Iron County and have a camp up in Baraga. Truly love it up there and someday hope to return permanently. To me there is nothing like hunting in the bigwoods, the sound that dark makes. The snow fallen on the trees, the distant call of a timber wolf just gets my blood flowing like nothing else . I can be alone but not feel alone there. Yep I miss the ol girl. Can't wait to get back this hunting season.

[ashlandjack]

You will be overwhelmed with the hunting and fishing opportunities. Lived in UP, Iron Mt. area for six years. Now live on Lake Superior south shore in Wisconsin,not far from you. Some advice hunt hard early in seasons because you will be snowed out of many places as season goes on. Check with DNR on hunting trails, deer will feed on them. 

[finkm1]

Have a great college experience. I was up in that area a couple years ago on summer vacation. Beautiful country. Catch a Michigan Tech football game this fall and watch a very good red shirt freshman running back Jared Smith. I can't give any hunting advise, I'm just a TROLL from the central lower peninsula.

[Trenton G.]

It certainly is a beautiful area up here. Spent some time driving around yesterday looking for public that looked huntable. I found a piece that looks really nice, but is surrounded by private and does not seem accessible. Was considering asking one of the land owners around if they would be willing to let me walk through their field to get to the property, but I figured lots of people up here hunt and that's probably a pretty touchy subject. I figure the worse they can do is say no. Would you guys suggest calling over the phone or talking to them in person? Saw one farm for sale that looked really nice, and figured if he's selling maybe he would be willing to lease it or something.

[finkm1]

I would ask in person. As you said, worse they could say is no. Tell the person your intentions and thank them even if they say no. If they say yes, stop back around the holidays and thank them again with a gift (cookies or venison sticks eect.). It worked for me when I was looking for land to pheasant hunt on.