The Buckless (and deerless) Michigander
If any of you are familiar with Jeff Daniels Escanaba in the Moonlight, then you are familiar with his plight of being the buckless UPer. At this point in my life, I can truly understand his situation, except, since I live in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan, I might as well be the deerless Michigander.
A bunch of people in the family have bucks down already. Jeff shot his monster a few weeks back, and the former South Carolinians, now reborn Michiganders, have their bucks down as well. My sister’s boyfriend shot his a few weeks back, and my buddy Dave shot his as well – even my 10yr old nephew got his first deer. Anyone see a deer around here for me?
It has been quite some time since I had a deer anywhere within range. In retrospect I should have sent an arrow through a couple doe that were in range on Halloween, but I got greedy, and figured they would be good bait for the bucks I heard following them. Of course that didn’t happen. I played the odds and lost, and not only did I lose, but the bucks that did appear weren’t really at the age where I would’ve shot them anyway.
At this point, though, I might have to lower my standards a bit. Of course, that would require me to have a deer within range. And after my last few outings, that would require me to at least see a deer. I’m starting to think that maybe hunting really isn’t meant for me. Well, maybe hunting is for me, but it’s just a past time that I like to participate in, but never really succeed at. And it isn’t just about killing things, but it sure would be nice to enjoy some fruits from my labor after my many long hours in a treestand or blind.
I realize I’m having kind of a pity party, but dang it, when is it my turn? I’m really starting to feel like a hyprocrite when it comes to this blog. Here I am, always writing about the outdoors, and never really backing up anything I type.
Maybe with me being on vacation this week that all will change. I’m doubting it though. I can already hear everyone snickering as we speak.
Note: I have been a little scarce lately when it comes to commenting, but I just wanted everyone to know that I’m still reading. I will be back to my regularly commenting schedule this week…..I hope anyway.
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Here’s hoping your luck changes this week! At least you will have multiple days in a row to go out and hunt!
My husband has gone plenty of seasons without taking a buck.
Hopefully you will have better luck this week.
Hey – if anyone sees a buck in Michigan, will they please tie it up for Arthur?
Hope you’re still having fun, my friend! I’m sure you are…and your time is coming. I can feel it – this is the week it all comes together.
You are not alone, trust me.
I know I am only five days into the season where I am but for some reason I’m having a tough time.
Don’t give up, I’m not.
Hey man, Tom the Deer here.
You know I’ve been meaning to take a stroll past your stand but things have been hectic in the woods as of late. Seems like every time I’m headed over there I meet up with other deer that are just leaving. Most of the time we yuck it up about being shot at (and missed) by some bald guy that goes by the name of Jim or Jeff or Jason, eh I forget his name. By the time we get done BS’n and I make it to your stand it’s already dark. In addition to that we’ve had the rut going on and when you’re only getting some action once a year you gotta be getting while the getting is good or you’re going to go crazy for the next 12 months.
Well it’s about time for me to hit the ol’ dusty trail and get into a soy bean field for some grub. We’ll meet up some time before the end of the year. Until then keep on keepin’ on.
Cheers,
Tom the Deer
It will happen. The more you put yourself out there, the better your chances.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.
I am also beginning to think that there are no more deer in Michigan. They have heard of the economic woes here and have moved on to greener pastures in other states just like humans!…Wait, maybe it’s just cuz it’s gun season now!
Sometimes it gets like that for all deer hunters. Then when you least expect it, there he is! Think positive, It’ll happen. My buddies and I have an old Indian chant we do before heading out to the stand, it’s kind of silly but it helps, just chant umskigeewaha!umskigeewaha!umskigeewaha! Three times. I know you think I’m crazy now.
Arthur, I am with you. I haven’t killed the first thing either!
I am wondering when people will quite reading us because all we do is talk about killing deer, but we don’t ever manage to actually get one
Well there is this old saying….”You must be present to win!” lol
Your pity party makes me smile from ear to ear. Sounds alot like me except you have hit deer in the past. I can’t say that I have had one fall in front of me.
Time for the positive thoughts to bring the ”
right one” in for your next excursion. Good hunting!;)
You know you have a waaaaay better record than me Art! lol!! But I still go and enjoy it weather I get a deer or not. That’s part of the beauty of hunting… if you look at it the my way, every hunt is a good one just because you got to get into the woods.
Often I have, “Hey Buck-less UPer, Buck-less UPer, Buck-less UPer”, ringing through my ears in the woods. I live in Maine but LOVE the movie it’s from and can relate to it all too well…
After 25 long years my Buck-less days are over! On our LAST day of regular firearms season I shot an 8 point 158 pound buck. Don’t give up, it’ll happen, just enjoy the time and soon it’ll all be a bad deer camp story.