I bought my first set of shooting sticks from Cabela’s in the early 2000s before going on a Moose Hunt to Newfoundland. My shooting sticks consisted of two telescoping poles hinged together at one end with a V rest affixed at the end. The shooting sticks also served as a walking stick to steady my…
My Family’s Favorite, Easy Ground Venison Recipes With a family of hunters, our freezer is often filled with Venison to last a whole year. We have four boys and one girl, including a few athletes who like to pack protein into their diets. I’m not the type of cook who likes to spend hours in…
Appreciating Nature and Michigan Outdoors: The sounds of the West Michigan woods call me year after year. I plan day trips and weekend hunts during deer season and look forward to it for months. If I’m not hunting, I’m thinking about hunting. Season after season I will think about how to succeed, and where I…
A Journey to Hunter Certification for kids Have you wondered how long the online hunter safety course takes? It’s been a few years since I went through the Online Hunter Safety Course for Michigan with my sons. My niece, Bayliee and I are breaking it up into 4 or 5 days with 2-hour sessions to…
An expanded definition for new hunters. Imagine you’re out in the woods, silently tracking through the wilderness. Suddenly, you spot a majestic, trophy-worthy buck. That’s when “buck fever” kicks in! Buck fever is what hunters call the mix of nervousness, excitement, and anxiety that comes with the thrilling moment of encountering a big, impressive male…
Busting Two Myths about Antler Growth. The bigger the rack the bigger the bragging rights. The size of antlers on a buck is judged by how many points they have. Deciphering the antler points adds a layer of excitement when deciding whether to shoot a deer or not. This beginner’s guide aims to provide an…
Hunting with Patience in Michigan: Ever tried tracking deer with teenagers? Step into the Michigan woods with me, where every step is a lesson. Every decision builds on teaching the next generation of hunters. Walk with me through a food plot, where a successful shot leads to a tracking adventure. Travel back to a memorable…
A Beginner’s Guide to Hunting Essentials. Wondering what to bring on your first deer hunt? Worried about forgetting something important? I teach my boys that preparation is the key to having fun. The last thing you want is to be out in the field ready to gut a deer and not have the right tools….
My Advice for Good Hunting Etiquette. Are you new to deer hunting and researching Michigan’s vast options and public land in search of the perfect spot? If you’ve ever wondered about hunting etiquette on public land, you’re not alone. Finding the right place and respecting fellow hunters can be tricky. Keep reading to learn how…
A Guide to Hunter Certification for Kids. Introduction: A Weekend of Learning Have you ever wanted one of your kids to follow in your footsteps and ask how to be a hunter? Does your heart pump when you talk about hunting? Does your face smile when the other person finds it just as exciting as…