1999 Michigan Monsters II
1999, the year that ended the millinium, man what a year of ups and downs. When I returned to Thailand in January after a very successful 1998 season, I thought I had 1999 already mapped out. First on the agenda was an Alaskan moose and caribou hunt in September, a return to Michigan trip in December and a mountain lion hunt in Utah in January prior to my return to Thailand.
Unfortunately, I had to cancel my trip to Alaska due to a death in the family and had to back out of a Mt. lion hunt, as I could not get dates that coincided with my annual vacation. I had already planned vacation for December and a return trip to Michigan, so at least I had something to plan and look forward to. And after last year, I was more than anxious to return to Michigan for some super white tail hunting.
I honestly believe that when something bad happens, something for the better results. I like to think of myself as lucky. Whenever I have been faced with an unpleasant experience, each one of these later resulted in something good that more than made up for it.
I called Jim to confirm my hunt in mid September and was told I had a surprise. I would later find out that I already had a super trophy buck before I even started the hunt. The previous year I lost a deer but he was found under the ice and snow two weeks later. You can find out the details of that one in the story titled the lost and found buck.
It was 0515 when I departed Bangkok’s heat to arrive 27 hours later in Traverse City Michigan. I was hoping for some snow, but this year was a bit different than last. Again, the deer were in winter coats, but the temperatures seemingly changed on the hour. I would be freezing in the early morning and by mid day have to strip down to a short sleeves. Anyway, I had not even started the hunt and already had a super trophy to take home from the year before. And what a super trophy he would be once I took a nice trophy and helped Jim by hunting culls for a decent cape.
Here I was again, alone and the last hunter of the season in camp. I looked over pictures from the hunters that hunted before me and was impressed to see some super trophies. One of the bucks was definitely the nice 11 point with the long drop tine that I searched for in 1998 but came up empty handed.
However this was a new year and some of the deer I had passed up the previous year would definitely be trophy class this year.
The first night in camp was an early one. As the plane arrived late, I had little time to gather some provisions from the local grocery store before heading into camp. I must admit that returning to Michigan was almost like returning to home. I have grown to love this place and all the super trophies it has to offer.
Jim’s godson “Dude” showed up at camp to welcome me back and sit around for a few drinks and hand or two of cards. We discussed what area I would hunt the next day and Jim told him he thought putting me in the swamp.
Dude said “ that should be a great spot! There was a nice 12 and eight running together and another huge 10 pointer with a broken tip on his left G-3 time, he saw earlier in the season.” He continued by saying “that the rut had never actually started, so I might consider grunting or using a set of sheds he left in the stand the last time he hunted that spot.” We finished our game and decided to call it a night.
The first morning I arose at 0435 to get the coffee for the thermos started, drink a cup or two of Baileys and wait for Jim. Like clockwork he arrived at 0530 ready to head out to the swamp. It was his plan that the deer would be heading for the bottoms after a long night feeding to the higher pine thickets.
As I settled into my stand, that sound of defining silence set in. The only noise was that of an occasional leave falling from a tree. As daylight started to rise, the woods came alive with sounds of birds and other small wildlife. This sound was soon broken by the unmistakable crunch of leaves of a doe as she slowly entered into the food plot from behind me. From my elevated position in the box stand and with no wind she would know my presence unless I made the mistake of moving too quickly and hitting the inside of the stand.
As she slowly entered into the area, I could see glimpses of white behind her. Soon to follow were two younger does that were conceived late in the previous season. I turned my attention from this trio to scan the timberline searching for movement of one of the many trophy bucks that resided in this area of comfort. I continued to watch the trio continue to graze and felt comfortable enough to open the thermos to pour a cup of coffee.
It was starting to look like the first morning of the hunt was turning out to be relaxing in a slow way. This soon changed before I could finish the cup of coffee I just poured.
Sipping slowly and watching the does a tension came upon them as they turned their attention to the thicket bordering the swamp. This too caught my attention and I continued to scan the wood line unable to make out the “invisible intruder”
As time passed, the larger of the doe headed back to the high ground with the two yearlings in tow. Looking at my watch, it was close to 10:30 and I had arranged for Jim to meet me at the road at 11:00.
My attention was suddenly startled with a crunch and snap of a branch breaking. I picked up my binoculars to scan and finally caught a slight glimpse of his horns. Man, he had decided to stand in the thickest part he could find. I could hardly make out his massive horns in the thicket, much less his vitals. With this in mind I let out 2 short grunts. This definitely caught his attention as he eased forward to investigate. I considered using the sheds, but was afraid this may over do it. Again, I let out a long deep grunt. The buck had decided that that was enough, he let out a snort and started hooking every brush he could. He wanted to prove to his opponent that this was his territory and was not about to give up.
He eased his way out of the thicket into a clearing in the cedar. Taking time to evaluate him at 80 yards, I could see the perfect 10 point rack with the broken tip that Dude had told me about.
I do not claimed to be able to age or be a professional at scoring a live buck, but as his horns greatly exceeded his ears, I felt that he would go close to 150. Again here I was with a decision, take a trophy 10 pointer on the first morning or wait? Knowing I already had a super trophy to carry home from last year, and I would get to help cull some other deer, I decided to put the crosshairs and send the 7mm boat tail on its way.
With the high back kick he jumped and ran to the one place I prayed he would not go, “The Swamp.” Fortunately, I could see the white from the water as he splashed and finally fell some 30 yards from where he stood. Even without finding blood, I knew where this one was.
I waited 15 minutes to let myself regain composure and heard the diesel motor of Jim’s truck as he headed up the logging road.
I figured that I would wait until he got there before looking for the downed buck. As he got out the truck, his first response was “well you let another one get into that damn swamp, I’m starting to wonder about your shooting skills” I could only respond with a yep, he definitely hit the swamp, but I figure I know where he is laying. We walked over to where the buck was standing to see a large splatter, with long dark hair and a nice trail of broken limbs where he turned for the swamp. We both could see muddy water from where he ran and blood on every log above the water that he crossed. I have trailed deer in snow, by blood and even broken brush, but this was indeed a first to trail by muddied water.
As if he was supposed to have been propped up, there he was with his huge crown of horns across the log on which he fell.
Jim and I drug him back to the dry land and stopped to take a breath and get the photographs. I was more impressed with this buck than the other two I had taken in Michigan. Although he did not have the palmate mass as last years 10 point, or the thickness or burs for the lost and found buck, his nice 21” inch inside spread and tall tines made him an exceptional trophy. I was happy with the rack as it was, but Mike, the local taxidermist said he would fix it for me as no one could ever tell that it was missing 3 inches. I reluctantly agreed and indeed he did a great job as you can see from the picture of the rack my daughter is holding.
With the first morning being a success. I chose to sit the afternoon out for a much needed rest. We called up some of the guides that work with Jim and decided to have a cook out. Man, after 3 plates of grilled tender loin and trimmings. I was ready for some sleep.
Knowing I would be the last hunter of the year with 3 more days of hunting left, Jim was ready to get some culling done. He met at the camp at 0800 the next day and decided since the weather was rather warm, the only way we would get the deer out and moving would be to make man drives. Jim, keep a deer inventory on his properties and from what his hunters, guides and he has observed through the year, he had decided that at least 10 of the older does needed to go and some of the smaller 6 and 7 points.
Jim, Dude, Rick, Peachy and I spent the day man driving the thickets and changing out drivers and shooters. Altogether, we took 6 older does and a past prime 6 point with a basket rack. None of the capes would have suited the rack from the lost and found buck. However, Rick had spotted a huge 7 pointer with a swollen neck and super wide rack while driving a fir thicket. He said “ the old boy stood up, looked at me and walked off towards the oaks. I guess he knew I did not have a gun!” He continued by saying he has 4 very short tines on the left and 3 on the right and must have 22 inches or better between the inside!” “Yea right”, Jim said with a chuckle, “I am sure he stuck around long enough to have a conversation with his as well”
After dressing out the seven deer of the day, we were pretty tired. However Jim had a game plan for day 3 already in the making.
Jim was serious about getting me a decent cape and culling these past prime and lesser genetic deer out of the herd. I have to give him credit, he is just as serious about his management program as he is about putting a hunter on a dream trophy.
He decided that we would start out earlier, try to shoot some more does and as many cull bucks as we could. Jim wanted me to stand on a small hill with the 7MM, between the swamp and the fir thicket. He told me to keep my eye out as the does would run across the oaks for the swamp with the younger bucks, while the mature bucks would hold back and try to slip along the ridge.
The plan worked out like text book. I heard 3 rapid blast form a shotgun and then caught a glimpse of white and roar of hooves as the does and younger bucks headed across the opening as Jim had said. I must admit that the “Younger bucks” indeed would have made true trophies, but in two more years they will be the bucks that people dream of.
I looked at the ridgeline as Jim advised me and watched glimpses of white ease through the thicket and stop within 50 yards. With the rifle to my shoulder, I could not make out the first body or rack. The last thing I wanted to do was to shoot another huge trophy and pay a trophy fee. But this is the chance you take when conducting drives for culling at a ranch that charges trophy fees.
With the rifle still shouldered the first group on the hillside, decided to make a dash. These three bucks were true monsters. Even if I had wanted to take one, I would never had the chance to pull the trigger. Looking back I could see others holding up. Then from behind a huge oak, the super wide 7 pointer and 4 other monsters eased into view. The first of the 3 made a dash less than 20 yards from where I stood, the second was the wide 7 point.
I picked out an opening and as he made his dash, it seemed like he was only 2 foot off of the ground. In all honesty I could only see hair in the scope as he dashed past and I pulled the trigger, to watch him cut a flip 15 or so yards from where I stood.
Knowing my location, the two larger bucks headed back into the thicket and over the hill. I heard 2 more shotgun blast from the other side of the swamp and all was silent. I walked the few steps to the downed 7 point to see that the downward shot had clipped the spine midways of his body. I was a bit worried as this was a huge deer with a wonderful spread. This confirmed Rick’s story about the 4x3 with the wide rack.
I walked out to the logging road to see the others heading my way. With the distinctive blast of the 7MM, they figured I had either missed, dropped a doe or got one of the cull bucks. Meeting up, Rick had got two does on the first part of the drive and Dude had put a third one down. I told Jim, you might as well get the truck and lets start picking up the other deer since I missed again. He said, “I can not believe you missed with those deer coming straight to you across an opening!” I had to let the cat out of the bag and tell him, “No Rick was right about that buck, he is on the ground where you said he would come.”
After returning to the trucks to pick up the other deer, we headed to load mine. Jim saw the deer and said, “ yep, that is a nice deer, but it does not meet the criteria it takes to keep good genetics in the area’s herd.”
I must admit that he would be considered as a super trophy anywhere and to me the hunt itself was another memory that will stay in my mind forever. From listening to Jim’s knowledge developed through 20 plus years of managing quality deer herds. I have learned a great deal about things I never knew about the elusive white-tail and how when proper management of such leads to the development of super trophies.
From reading articles from James “Dr. Deer” Kroll and other writers on the topic of deer management, I can understand why certain areas continue to produce monster bucks. I am amazed at how these tactics can be implemented anywhere. It takes a lot of hard work, constant study and using various techniques but it definitely works.
I can look forward to returning again when the “buck fever” strikes to again pursue the “Michigan Monsters”
1999 Michigan Monsters II
1999, the year that ended the millinium, man what a year of ups and downs. When I returned to Thailand in January after a very successful 1998 season, I thought I had 1999 already mapped out. First on the agenda was an Alaskan moose and caribou hunt in September, a return to Michigan trip in December and a mountain lion hunt in Utah in January prior to my return to Thailand.
Unfortunately, I had to cancel my trip to Alaska due to a death in the family and had to back out of a Mt. lion hunt, as I could not get dates that coincided with my annual vacation. I had already planned vacation for December and a return trip to Michigan, so at least I had something to plan and look forward to. And after last year, I was more than anxious to return to Michigan for some super white tail hunting. I honestly believe that when something bad happens, something for the better results. I like to think of myself as lucky. Whenever I have been faced with an unpleasant experience, each one of these later resulted in something good that more than made up for it.
I called Jim to confirm my hunt in mid September and was told I had a surprise. I would later find out that I already had a super trophy buck before I even started the hunt. The previous year I lost a deer but he was found under the ice and snow two weeks later. You can find out the details of that one in the story titled the lost and found buck.
It was 0515 when I departed Bangkok’s heat to arrive 27 hours later in Traverse City Michigan. I was hoping for some snow, but this year was a bit different than last. Again, the deer were in winter coats, but the temperatures seemingly changed on the hour. I would be freezing in the early morning and by mid day have to strip down to a short sleeves. Anyway, I had not even started the hunt and already had a super trophy to take home from the year before. And what a super trophy he would be once I took a nice trophy and helped Jim by hunting culls for a decent cape.
Here I was again, alone and the last hunter of the season in camp. I looked over pictures from the hunters that hunted before me and was impressed to see some super trophies. One of the bucks was definitely the nice 11 point with the long drop tine that I searched for in 1998 but came up empty handed. However this was a new year and some of the deer I had passed up the previous year would definitely be trophy class this year. The first night in camp was an early one. As the plane arrived late, I had little time to gather some provisions from the local grocery store before heading into camp. I must admit that returning to Michigan was almost like returning to home. I have grown to love this place and all the super trophies it has to offer.
Jim’s godson “Dude” showed up at camp to welcome me back and sit around for a few drinks and hand or two of cards. We discussed what area I would hunt the next day and Jim told him he thought putting me in the swamp. Dude said “ that should be a great spot! There was a nice 12 and eight running together and another huge 10 pointer with a broken tip on his left G-3 time, he saw earlier in the season.” He continued by saying “that the rut had never actually started, so I might consider grunting or using a set of sheds he left in the stand the last time he hunted that spot.” We finished our game and decided to call it a night.
The first morning I arose at 0435 to get the coffee for the thermos started, drink a cup or two of Baileys and wait for Jim. Like clockwork he arrived at 0530 ready to head out to the swamp. It was his plan that the deer would be heading for the bottoms after a long night feeding to the higher pine thickets. As I settled into my stand, that sound of defining silence set in. The only noise was that of an occasional leave falling from a tree. As daylight started to rise, the woods came alive with sounds of birds and other small wildlife. This sound was soon broken by the unmistakable crunch of leaves of a doe as she slowly entered into the food plot from behind me. From my elevated position in the box stand and with no wind she would know my presence unless I made the mistake of moving too quickly and hitting the inside of the stand.
As she slowly entered into the area, I could see glimpses of white behind her. Soon to follow were two younger does that were conceived late in the previous season. I turned my attention from this trio to scan the timberline searching for movement of one of the many trophy bucks that resided in this area of comfort. I continued to watch the trio continue to graze and felt comfortable enough to open the thermos to pour a cup of coffee.
It was starting to look like the first morning of the hunt was turning out to be relaxing in a slow way. This soon changed before I could finish the cup of coffee I just poured. Sipping slowly and watching the does a tension came upon them as they turned their attention to the thicket bordering the swamp. This too caught my attention and I continued to scan the wood line unable to make out the “invisible intruder”
As time passed, the larger of the doe headed back to the high ground with the two yearlings in tow. Looking at my watch, it was close to 10:30 and I had arranged for Jim to meet me at the road at 11:00. My attention was suddenly startled with a crunch and snap of a branch breaking. I picked up my binoculars to scan and finally caught a slight glimpse of his horns. Man, he had decided to stand in the thickest part he could find. I could hardly make out his massive horns in the thicket, much less his vitals. With this in mind I let out 2 short grunts. This definitely caught his attention as he eased forward to investigate. I considered using the sheds, but was afraid this may over do it. Again, I let out a long deep grunt. The buck had decided that that was enough, he let out a snort and started hooking every brush he could. He wanted to prove to his opponent that this was his territory and was not about to give up. He eased his way out of the thicket into a clearing in the cedar. Taking time to evaluate him at 80 yards, I could see the perfect 10 point rack with the broken tip that Dude had told me about.
I do not claimed to be able to age or be a professional at scoring a live buck, but as his horns greatly exceeded his ears, I felt that he would go close to 150. Again here I was with a decision, take a trophy 10 pointer on the first morning or wait? Knowing I already had a super trophy to carry home from last year, and I would get to help cull some other deer, I decided to put the crosshairs and send the 7mm boat tail on its way.
With the high back kick he jumped and ran to the one place I prayed he would not go, “The Swamp.” Fortunately, I could see the white from the water as he splashed and finally fell some 30 yards from where he stood. Even without finding blood, I knew where this one was. I waited 15 minutes to let myself regain composure and heard the diesel motor of Jim’s truck as he headed up the logging road.
I figured that I would wait until he got there before looking for the downed buck. As he got out the truck, his first response was “well you let another one get into that damn swamp, I’m starting to wonder about your shooting skills” I could only respond with a yep, he definitely hit the swamp, but I figure I know where he is laying. We walked over to where the buck was standing to see a large splatter, with long dark hair and a nice trail of broken limbs where he turned for the swamp. We both could see muddy water from where he ran and blood on every log above the water that he crossed. I have trailed deer in snow, by blood and even broken brush, but this was indeed a first to trail by muddied water.
As if he was supposed to have been propped up, there he was with his huge crown of horns across the log on which he fell. Jim and I drug him back to the dry land and stopped to take a breath and get the photographs. I was more impressed with this buck than the other two I had taken in Michigan. Although he did not have the palmate mass as last years 10 point, or the thickness or burs for the lost and found buck, his nice 21” inch inside spread and tall tines made him an exceptional trophy. I was happy with the rack as it was, but Mike, the local taxidermist said he would fix it for me as no one could ever tell that it was missing 3 inches. I reluctantly agreed and indeed he did a great job as you can see from the picture of the rack my daughter is holding.
With the first morning being a success. I chose to sit the afternoon out for a much needed rest. We called up some of the guides that work with Jim and decided to have a cook out. Man, after 3 plates of grilled tender loin and trimmings. I was ready for some sleep.
Knowing I would be the last hunter of the year with 3 more days of hunting left, Jim was ready to get some culling done. He met at the camp at 0800 the next day and decided since the weather was rather warm, the only way we would get the deer out and moving would be to make man drives. Jim, keep a deer inventory on his properties and from what his hunters, guides and he has observed through the year, he had decided that at least 10 of the older does needed to go and some of the smaller 6 and 7 points.
Jim, Dude, Rick, Peachy and I spent the day man driving the thickets and changing out drivers and shooters. Altogether, we took 6 older does and a past prime 6 point with a basket rack. None of the capes would have suited the rack from the lost and found buck. However, Rick had spotted a huge 7 pointer with a swollen neck and super wide rack while driving a fir thicket. He said “ the old boy stood up, looked at me and walked off towards the oaks. I guess he knew I did not have a gun!” He continued by saying he has 4 very short tines on the left and 3 on the right and must have 22 inches or better between the inside!” “Yea right”, Jim said with a chuckle, “I am sure he stuck around long enough to have a conversation with his as well”
After dressing out the seven deer of the day, we were pretty tired. However Jim had a game plan for day 3 already in the making. Jim was serious about getting me a decent cape and culling these past prime and lesser genetic deer out of the herd. I have to give him credit, he is just as serious about his management program as he is about putting a hunter on a dream trophy.
He decided that we would start out earlier, try to shoot some more does and as many cull bucks as we could. Jim wanted me to stand on a small hill with the 7MM, between the swamp and the fir thicket. He told me to keep my eye out as the does would run across the oaks for the swamp with the younger bucks, while the mature bucks would hold back and try to slip along the ridge.
The plan worked out like text book. I heard 3 rapid blast form a shotgun and then caught a glimpse of white and roar of hooves as the does and younger bucks headed across the opening as Jim had said. I must admit that the “Younger bucks” indeed would have made true trophies, but in two more years they will be the bucks that people dream of.
I looked at the ridgeline as Jim advised me and watched glimpses of white ease through the thicket and stop within 50 yards. With the rifle to my shoulder, I could not make out the first body or rack. The last thing I wanted to do was to shoot another huge trophy and pay a trophy fee. But this is the chance you take when conducting drives for culling at a ranch that charges trophy fees.
With the rifle still shouldered the first group on the hillside, decided to make a dash. These three bucks were true monsters. Even if I had wanted to take one, I would never had the chance to pull the trigger. Looking back I could see others holding up. Then from behind a huge oak, the super wide 7 pointer and 4 other monsters eased into view. The first of the 3 made a dash less than 20 yards from where I stood, the second was the wide 7 point.
I picked out an opening and as he made his dash, it seemed like he was only 2 foot off of the ground. In all honesty I could only see hair in the scope as he dashed past and I pulled the trigger, to watch him cut a flip 15 or so yards from where I stood.
Knowing my location, the two larger bucks headed back into the thicket and over the hill. I heard 2 more shotgun blast from the other side of the swamp and all was silent. I walked the few steps to the downed 7 point to see that the downward shot had clipped the spine midways of his body. I was a bit worried as this was a huge deer with a wonderful spread. This confirmed Rick’s story about the 4x3 with the wide rack.
I walked out to the logging road to see the others heading my way. With the distinctive blast of the 7MM, they figured I had either missed, dropped a doe or got one of the cull bucks. Meeting up, Rick had got two does on the first part of the drive and Dude had put a third one down. I told Jim, you might as well get the truck and lets start picking up the other deer since I missed again. He said, “I can not believe you missed with those deer coming straight to you across an opening!” I had to let the cat out of the bag and tell him, “No Rick was right about that buck, he is on the ground where you said he would come.”
After returning to the trucks to pick up the other deer, we headed to load mine. Jim saw the deer and said, “ yep, that is a nice deer, but it does not meet the criteria it takes to keep good genetics in the area’s herd.” I must admit that he would be considered as a super trophy anywhere and to me the hunt itself was another memory that will stay in my mind forever. From listening to Jim’s knowledge developed through 20 plus years of managing quality deer herds. I have learned a great deal about things I never knew about the elusive white-tail and how when proper management of such leads to the development of super trophies.
From reading articles from James “Dr. Deer” Kroll and other writers on the topic of deer management, I can understand why certain areas continue to produce monster bucks. I am amazed at how these tactics can be implemented anywhere. It takes a lot of hard work, constant study and using various techniques but it definitely works.
I can look forward to returning again when the “buck fever” strikes to again pursue the “Michigan Monsters”