April 01st, 2008
By Arthur

On Saturday this past weekend I finally got to do something I have been dreaming of for quite a few weeks now.  I finally got to head outdoors, do some scouting, and put up the trail cam.  It was a beautiful day and one I had been dying to have finally arrive.

The wife and I went and walked the property for a good hour or so.  We checked quite a few different spots out and got a good feel of where the turkey’s are spending part of their time.  This one particular area, in fact the spot where I put the trail cam, has very obvious turkey sign and a ton of it.  At first I honestly thought my eyes were deceiving me, but after closer inspection, we did determine that all of it was in fact turkey sign.  The wife and I were pretty excited and she helped me pick a good spot to put the cam up so that maybe we would have a chance at capturing some red heads.  I know they roost close by, so hopefully we’ll get a few on the cam.  We could possibly get some deer on cam from that area as well.

We did do some deer scouting too, and I just basically solidified what I knew about the property.  The areas that held deer last year are still holding deer at this time of year.  It is just a matter of finding the right spot and keeping on eye on the deer activity throughout the year.  I also have to get to the other side of the property and get that area scouted pretty soon as well.  Jeff and I found a very nice little buck sanctuary last year that we want to investigate further.

We also found a nice little scrape back in an area where one of my stands was last year.  I knew it was there, but it appeared to get much bigger than the last time I remembered it.  I don’t think this area is a huge “hot” spot, but it is definitely put in the memory bank for when I might need it.

All in all it was an awesome day, I had a great time hanging out with the wife, and I can’t wait to go back out in a week or so and check for pictures. 

It was also the very first scouting trip for the little one.  Very cool!

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March 25th, 2008
By Arthur

Last week we had a very nice melt off and I started to think to myself that on Sunday I was going to head out before Easter activities and try and get some scouting in. I was mainly looking to do some turkey scouting, but with turkey scouting comes some excellent deer scouting as well. That thought didn’t last long.

On Friday Spring welcomed us with a nice blast of about 8 or more inches of snow. Towards the southern part of the state that figure was even higher, and thus there went my scouting on Sunday morning. I have been waiting for a good melt off for quite some time and of course mother nature just teases me with it, and then come the time I’m actually going to head out, and we get hit with another Winter storm. What a bummer.

I think I might have to invest in some snow shoes for next year if Winter keeps doing this to me. I just wasn’t going to scout when you can’t even really see what is on the ground around you because of all the snow. Plus you have to factor in, that with this large amount of snow, that the animals are going to severely alter their patterns which doesn’t make for a very accurate scouting trip.

It is looking like the weather this week might actually allow for another big melt off so hopefully this weekend I will be able to venture out and do some scouting. I want to get the trail cam up too, but I do live in Michigan, so I’m not going to hold my breath.

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March 04th, 2008
By Arthur

Finally the day has arrived when all of us Michigan turkey hunters can check to see if we were successful with our Spring turkey hunt applications. It has seemed that this day took forever to get here.

I am happy to report that I was successful in obtaining a permit and that my season will run from April 21st-May 4th. Those were the days that I picked and I was lucky enough to get the dates I chose. I couldn’t be happier.

Jeff and I are planning on sighting in our guns this weekend and Jeff just bought a new gun for turkey hunting this year that he is excited about. It is the gun you see at the beginning of this post. It’s a Westernfield 12 gauge which was made by Mossberg and sold by Montgomery Wards. He added a red dot scope, some camo tape, a vent ribbed barrel, and a undertaker screw-in turkey choke to complete the setup. He hasn’t had the best gun the last two years so we will see how well this one shoots. Hopefully he can at least compete with my Remington 870, and the Remington Extra Full turkey choke that is in it. We shall see about that.

Needless to say both of us are looking forward to the season and I just have a feeling that this is our year for turkeys. I think that not only one of us, but probably both of us, will be knocking one down. Our off season preparation is going to be the ticket. Only a couple months away and we’re stoked.

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November 26th, 2007
By Arthur

I know I’m going to create a little bit of a discussion with this one, but with things I’ve heard recently from some family and friends, and with a discussion I saw in a local hunting forum I frequent,  I want to touch on a slightly controversial topic and my feelings towards it.

I have been shining deer with a spotlight for years.  I don’t honestly remember the first time that I went, but I can tell you that my brother, the wife, and I have had quite a few very entertaining and fun nights out shining for deer.  It is just a fun past time for us and also is an incredible scouting tool for the areas you hunt.

I know the question that is going to come next and the answer is “of course I shine other people’s properties as well”.  I know that certain people do not take to this very kindly and there is a part of me that understands.  However, I think that most of these property owners are automatically assuming that since I am shining, I am poaching, and that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

Shining for me is just a recreational activity that allows us to get outdoors and to enjoy a nice ride while also being able to lay eyes on some particular deer that you may never see during daylight.  It is simple fun.  As I said before it can also be used as an invaluable tool for scouting your particular area that you hunt.  It can give you insight on deer movement patterns as well as where deer may be bedding at night.  Things that are normally left to educated guesses.  It can also just be a plain good time.

I know that property owners are not real keen on someone else shining a spotlight on their property and I understand.  I can say that we are totally respectful when we shine and abide by all laws, as well as not shining barns, houses, and things of that nature. We also make a point to try and not shine cattle and other livestock.  It is just respectful.

I know that we will shine for many years to come and we will enjoy every minute of it.  The chances of seeing a big buck while shining make me want to go right now.  With the month of November being off-limits to shining though it will have to wait.

For you property owners reading this I hope the next time you see someone shine your property you don’t automatically assume someone is looking to poach.  It could just be me, my brother, and wife having a good time on a cool September evening!

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October 11th, 2007
By Arthur

I spoke briefly about the new toy I got for my birthday a little over a week ago.  Well here she is in all her glory.  It’s a Moultrie Game Spy D-40 Digital Trail Cam and I can’t wait to get it set up tonight.  First location is going to be near my stand and then we will move it as needed.  I have a few other places I wouldn’t mind putting it up, but those will come later.

I borrowed a camera a few weeks back for a couple of weeks, and got some pretty cool pictures, but then as always happens when you borrow something, I had to give it back.  I started to have withdrawals and was telling my brother so he got everyone together and they pooled money to get me one.  I have been such a slacker at getting it put up.  I’ve been a little more concerned with actually hunting then setting up the camera.  Tonight though is the perfect night to get it setup on my way into my stand and I can’t wait to see what shows up on it in the next week or so.

It is by no means a Cuddeback camera, but I am more than happy with it.  It has all the necessary options on it.  It takes multiple pictures or even 10 second video clips,  has an SD card slot to hold more pictures, has a neat little laser and IR aiming function, and date stamps every picture.  If this one works out we just might have to get another one for Christmas.  I love the trail camera thing.  What an addiction.

So my little bundle of joy will get put up in its proper place tonight and I can’t wait to check it and show everyone the big buck we get on camera.  Wouldn’t it be cool if I could have trail cam pictures of the nice buck and also pictures of the buck on the ground?  A boy can dream.  As always I’ll keep ya posted.

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