Just last weekend we camped at Tawas Point State Park and had a great time.  Immediately I knew it had to be featured in the SimplyOutdoors Michigan Sanctuaries Series.  Please read on.

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We’ve camped in many parts of the state, and at many state parks, but for some reason we’ve never camped on the east side of state.  I’m not sure why that is, or why all of us gravitates towards the middle and west side of the state, but that has always been the case.  This past weekend, after my wife’s uncle found a neat little park on the east side of the state, we changed all of that.

Tawas Point State Park is a very unique park.  It is located near East Tawas, Mi, and its shear location makes it a prime camping destination.  With Tawas Bay on one side, and Lake Huron on the other, the park provides all occupants with some very unique and scenic views.

We stayed there with the wife’s family last weekend, and had an absolute blast.  I think all of us were sorry that we hadn’t camped on this side of the state until this point.  The park’s scenery is top-notch, and the unique location makes for a very memorable trip.

The park also features a lighthouse that is located within the park, and is available for tours.  We paid the low fee of $2 and headed inside.  Getting to see Lake Huron and Tawas Bay from the top of the lighthouse was a very unique experience.

There aren’t many hunting opportunities nearby, but for those who like to fish there is ample opportunity for that.  Unfortunately the weather didn’t cooperate for us, so we weren’t able to get any fishing in, but there is a state pier located directly across from the park, and it provides ample opportunity to take in some scenery and catch a few fish.

And for those interested, there are some great kite boarding opportunities.  I’ve never been myself, but it is HUGE in this part of the state, and they were out in full force even though the weather wasn’t that great.

The camping area of the park is very well kept.   Everyone was very friendly, and all the facilities were perfect.  The beach areas are very unique, and provide opportunities to swim in Tawas Bay or Lake Huron.  There are also ample bike paths within the park, and I took full advantage of those while we were there too.

We had an excellent time, and despite the wind and the weather our Eureka tent performed superbly as well.  Little Abby had a great time, and got to get her hands in the sand for the first time.  They even had a little walkway so that we could take the stroller right down on the beach, and she loved every minute of that even though it felt like we could get blown away at any minute; there were 30+mph winds at one point, and it made things very interesting.

Last weekend was a great time and we enjoyed every minute of our time within Tawas Point State Park.  If you’re looking for a park in Michigan, and want to camp on the east side of the state, you can’t go wrong with this park.  Its uniqueness and one of a kind opportunities will keep you coming back.

Note: Stay tuned this week for some more trailcam pics I found last weekend, as well as an interesting post about something Jeff discovered with the trailcam pics.

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I was sifting through some older pictures the other day, and I came across the picture you see in this post; it was taken a few years back just after I bought my new bow – a Diamond Black Ice for those of you who have forgotten.

The picture really shows a stark contrast between compound bows of old, and the compound bows of now.  I was honestly taken aback at how much different the bows really are – in looks, style, and size.  It is truly amazing what modern technology can do.

The funny thing, though,  is that the first thing I thought of when I saw this picture didn’t have anything to do with how the bows looked, or the major differences between them; the first thing that honestly came to my mind was all the great experiences I’ve had with the old bow – from shooting my first buck ever with it, to shooting another buck a few years later, and then another buck – my best one to date – a couple of years after that.  Looking at the picture of the old bow, a High Country Extreme, brought back a flood of memories from my first bowhunting experiences.

That in turn got me wondering about something else,  does modern technology – even though I’m just as guilty of using it as anyone – really turn the odds that much in our favor?  If we look at success rates my old High Country, in its first couple of years, was much more successful then my Black Ice has been, and it sure didn’t cost as much.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I still think the Black Ice is by far a superior bow – with its light-weight, awesome-balance, and smoothness right out of the box – but didn’t the High Country produce the same, if not better, hunting results without all the modern “conveniences”.

I don’t want anyone to think that I am bashing on new gadgets, or modern technology – that would not be very bright considering I’m just as guilty as a lot of people when it comes to buying new hunting things -  but the point I’m trying to make is do those things really increase our hunting success, or help us to appreciate the hunt anymore than if we were pursuing them with weapons of old?  I like to think that isn’t the case.

I think all of us owe it to the animals we pursue, to use the best, most efficient weapon at our disposal; and that does require some upgrades over the years.  But I guess this picture, and the memories that came with viewing it,  just proves, though, that ultimately it is about the experience, and not about the newest or most technologically advanced equipment we use to enjoy those experiences.

Some food for thought!

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I’ve honestly been a slacker with the site, and have neglected the SimplyOutdoors’ series something fierce.  In that spirit, and after thinking of this particular topic last night, I’m bringing one of the SimplyOutdoors’ series – Outdoor Intentions – back from the grave.

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My wife does enjoy hunting.  If we’re being honest, though, she doesn’t take it quite as serious as I do; or as serious as Jeff does.  With that being said, however, she still enjoys getting up into a treestand every so often and trying her luck at bagging a whitetail.

She has been trying for the last few years without any luck – well there was one buck she shot that had an excellent blood trail, but unfortunately the landowner on an adjoining property wasn’t very cooperative -that is a story for another time.  She has had some close calls, and has taken a couple shots, but just hasn’t quite closed the deal yet.  All of us know how that feels; and we all know that the first one is the hardest.

Last year was a bust for her, considering that we now had a higher priority to think about.  Plus getting her into a treestand when she was 9 months pregnant really wasn’t going to be that great of an option.  She could have participated in gun season, but with Abby still being so young , she opted to wait until this upcoming year before chasing after the wary whitetails again.

Since I really would like her to finally put her first kill on the ground, I’ve been starting to think of a few ways to make that endeavour a little easier.  And since she isn’t the biggest gun season fan – because of the freezing cold – a new gun was out of the question.  The only option I have left then is to buy her a new bow.  She has been using a hand-me-down Browning, and it has worked for the last few years, but it is now on its last legs and – according to an archery shop I trust – needs to be replaced.

Let the shopping begin.

Even if we don’t end up buying a brand new bow, we are going to figure something out in order to put her first meat in the freezer.  Maybe we’ll buy a nice used bow, or maybe the budget will allow us to purchase a brand new bow; whatever the outcome is, we are going to put her on deer this year, and try to provide her with the best opportunity to get her first kill.

Hopefully this is an Outdoor Intention that she and I can fulfill.  And even if she isn’t as serious about hunting as I am, I think her outlook might change when that first deer is laying on the ground.

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I haven’t written a Saturday, Inside the Frame post in quite awhile, so I figured I might as well do it now.  For one, it is helping to alleviate the feelings of deer despair I have lately, and for two, it is a way to remind me that I can actually kill deer every once in awhile.

The buck in this particular picture was taken a few years back.  You can definitely tell that by taking a look at my nephew in the picture.  He is ten now, so, by taking a look at him, you can get an idea that a little time has passed.  I shot this buck on a property we used to hunt and the story is actually a pretty good one.

I was setup – on this particular evening – in a stand that is still one of my favorites of all time.  It was situated on a strip of woods that acted as a natural funnel for the deer.  And directly next to this strip of woods was a huge cornfield that butted up to some incredibly tall grass that the deer liked to filter through as well.

I had just spoken to Jeff on the radio – told him how incredibly bored I was – and that I didn’t think it was ever going to get dark.  I slipped the radio into my pocket, and it wasn’t 30 seconds and I heard a large twig snap to my left.  Knowing that something was headed my way, I instinctively grabbed my bow and got ready.  I don’t think I’ve ever had a shot happen this fast in my life.  I went from being bored one second to having a deer 10yds in front of me the next.  The buck was walking just inside the first corn row, and although he was only 10yds away, he had no clue I was anywhere around.  I let him pass by the stand until he offered the perfect quartering away shot, and I let the arrow fly.  The buck actually whirled around, and headed back in the direction he came.  He only ran about 50 yards, and then stopped in the tall grass.  Of course the grass was so tall, that I could only see his rack.  I watched intently, waiting to see which way the buck would head, when his rack disappeared.

I started to fear the worst.  I had visions of him belly crawling through the tall grass, and the feelings of doubt were overwhelming me.  I knew if he did make it much farther in the grass that the chances of us finding him where slim to none.  I wanted to get down right away and check my arrow, but my cousin, who managed the property at the time, instructed me that I better not move until dark.  He was still a little miffed about a buck that was lost a few days earlier, and wanted to be extra cautious before we started tracking this deer.

I waited until my brother, and the rest of guys arrived at dark, and then we started tracking.  We worked out a plan that they would start on the blood trail, and I managed to convince them to let me look where I last saw the deer standing in the tall grass.  Imagine my relief, when as I approached the location where I last saw him, I could make out his form tucked up in the tall grass.

It was the perfect ending to a great night of hunting, and it just goes to show, that a deer can show up at anytime.  I’m glad I was ready and that  it all worked out.

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I know this picture is a little rough, and I apologize for that, but looking at it brought back a pretty good memory for me, and I had to share.

The photo is actually from a few years ago.  At the time, my brother and I were on a lease together (it is actually a piece of property that he is leasing again with some other family members).  He had this decoy and told me that I should give it a try one night.  I took his advice, and I’m here to tell you that it is probably one of the best nights hunting I’ve ever had.

I had this little four or six point come into the decoy.  I knew I wasn’t going to shoot him, so I figured I might as well play with him a little.   With the help of this decoy I brought this young back back into my setup 5 times.  I’m not even kidding.  I would bring him in, and then he would walk away.  I’d grunt, and he would come back into the decoy again.  It was a riot and a night I will definitely never forget.

If any of you reading this have never tried using a decoy, you should try one this year.  You will definitely not be disappointed.

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