New to Michigan, hunting inquiry.

[Florida Boy]

Hey everyone,

I just moved to Macomb county Michigan a few months ago and I need some information about hunting in the state. In Florida I did a lot of Key Deer hunting, but it is total different than hunter up here. We would hunt from airboats and swamp buggies in the everglades. We would drive around until we spooked a deer out of the sawgrass, kill the engine and start shooting. Up here yall do REAL hunting... tree stands, blinds and all that good stuff. I know nothing about hunting up here, but I want to learn. Can someone in the area point me in the direct of how I can learn about hunting up here?

In Oct. my wifes uncles are going to take me grouse hunting up in the U. P. They are going to teach me abount bird hunting. Non of them hunt for deer and thats really what I want to get into. If anyone can give me information on how to get started that would be great. I know deer season starts pretty soon. Thanks for your help.

Chris

 

[SteveS]

The MI DNR has information on their website on deer hunting that lists the rules and regulations. You could also look into a hunter's safety course. I realize that you have hunted before, but it would be specific to this state.

As for how to hunt, that isn't an easy answer. Besides hunting from a blind, there are plenty of people that use other methods, such as still hunting and hunting over bait. If you are interested in reading, I would look for books by Richard P. Smith. He is from Michigan and many of his techniques are geared towards hunting in this part of the country. You could also try to find someone to take you hunting.

Another good source is http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/index.php

Good luck.

 

[22-rimfire]

The first place I would look at for deer hunting is where you are going grouse hunting up in the UP. Long drive for you from Detroit area. If it is private land, try to get permission to hunt and perhaps keep your eyes open for deer sign while you are stomping for grouse. Branch out from that point... adjacent property etc.

 

[T.R.]

I was stationed at Wurtsmuth AF Base many years ago. Big bucks can be hunted in the swampy tangles of Huron Nat'l Forest west of the now-closed USAF Base.

My most consistantly successful Michigan hunts were by using a rented canoe to access isolated portions of the Manistee Nat'l Forest. I paddled down the White River in Muskegon County.

Most Metro-Detroit hunters do not comprehend that the Allengheny Mts. of western Pennsylvania are much closer and far better hunting than their traditonal "up north" destinations. Mercer and Crawford counties have been some of my favorite all time best whitetail hunts!

My sister lives in Macomb County, also. She is a Para Legal at Delphi Corp. Her husband has not even shot at a buck in 11 years, but he continues the long drive "up north" every year. So it goes.
TR

 

[ACP230]

My son and I just got back from participating in the Youth Deer Hunt.
We hunted in Menominee County (a dairy farming area of the U.P.). In about a day and a half of hunting we saw 14 deer. Some were on land we couldn't hunt, and some were on the edge of the road. Five or so could have been shootable, but time, distance and Mr. Murphy conspired against my son.

The southern U.P. has the most deer. Northern counties in the U.P., have deer but not as many as the farming areas. If you really want a deer you might look into hunting near Powers, Carney or Stephenson. The Norway/Iron Mountain area is also good, as is the country around Crystal Falls in Iron County. There tends to be more public access areas in the northern counties.

In the area of Menominee County we hunted there are hay, alfalfa and corn fields, with lots of cedar swamps within yards of the feeding areas. I used to still hunt in the swamps, but now watch fields and clearings from blinds.

 

[langenc]

I am somewhat 'up north' and realized about 6 years ago this deer huhunting is all backwards. We should all be headed S to the bottom 2 tiers of counties.
That is where the big deer are and for the last several years more deer are killed in the S than the N.

 

[Thin Black Line]

Not sure of the exact year, but if you're born after 1961 you MUST have a
hunter safety course in order to purchase any kind of hunting license in MI.

 

[SteveS]

In regards to the last two posts, yes.

The southern part of Michigan has much more deer than up north. Milder winters, combined with fewer hunters and abundant food, have made this true for the past few decades. My day-care providers son went hunting for the first time this past weekend during the youth hunt. He saw 17 deer on Saturday and ended up shooting a 13 pt. that dressed out at 170 pounds.

If you were born after 1961, you need to have taken hunter's safety before you purchase your first license.

 

[T.R.]

My USAF buddy has 20 acres about 30 miles from Battle Creek. He said this region has abundant deer and he currently leases hunting rights to 3 guys from Ann Arbor. But you can still find places to hunt if you ask around at the local Grange, Auctioneers, or Stockman's Associations.

This south-central region of Michigan is "shotgun only". I bought a rifled slug barrel and it shoots pleasing 4 inch groups at 75 yards with el-cheapo Brenneke slugs. I'm told that modern sabots shoot groups like this at 125 yards. But I hunt whitetails in upper Bucks County of eastern Pennsylvania where a shot farther than 75 yards is uncommon. The $3.99 per box slugs do the job for me. I don't share this fact very often, but Bucks County has unlimited doe tags and many grain fed BIG bucks. The hunting is worth the airfare for me, as I always have a great time.

I'm a huge fan of Pennsylvania hunting-abundant public lands, friendly farmers, and large deer.

Good hunting to you.
TR

 

[Florida Boy]

Thank you for all of your posts. This is helping me learn alittle more about hunting in Michigan. I am going to take my hunters safty course next week, and after that I will go and get my small game hunting licences for my grouse hunting trip with my wife's uncles coming up soon. While I'm up in the U.P. I will scout area's to hunt deer. Now all I have to do is find someone to go deer hunting with. I posted a reply on the Hunter Mentors post, but I haven't received any replies yet. Thanks again!

Chris

 

[Geno]

Michigan is a fantastic state for hunting!

We don't have everything, but Michigan still is a fantastic state for hunting! Don't over look our squirrel, rabbits, etc. We have hunting of something literally year round, small game, deer, varmint...never get bored here.

Around Jackson County the bucks get HUGE racks. Deer in the U.P tend (some say) to not taste as good. Never noticed. All deer taste good. Deer around Jokeland (Ooops) Oakland County are REALLY small. Areas around Central Michigan are good-sized, taste good and they are skiddish. Look for bean fields and 400 yard shots.

Our family farm near Mt. P. is 3/4 mile N-S and 5/8 mile E-W. It's ALL open. I see the deer come out of the woods at close to 1,000 yards. When they get to 500 yards I take off the safety. Anything under 500 is close enough for my likes. When I had my .300 Wea. Mag, I took a 1-shot kill on a nice 7-point buck at 524 paces (yards). I have a pic of it, but it really is NOT good quality. It was taken with one of those throw-away cameras.

By the way, Welcome to Michigan! Glad you're here, and on THR.

Doc2005