Michigan UP Black Bear Hunt

Chads bait log.  Filled with cookie dough and a personal touch of Oreo cookies.

Headed out to Chads spot to take down our stands.  Bittersweet.

Bryan kissing his tree goodbye.

Taking the path back to Bryan's stand 

Had some time to visit the beach in Escanaba

House of Ludington in Escanaba.  We didn't get to go in because it was closed.

Chads

Chads entry wound

My hunt video.

Austyn my 16 year old guide gutting my bear

Hunted with Wild Spirits Guide Service in Carney Michigan UP.  I sat for under 2 hours on the first day of the hunt and took this 140lb male bear at 15 yards with my Hoyt CRX35.  Special thanks to Dan and Austyn Kirschner for guiding a perfect hunt.  Thanks to Chad Kraker for joining me in the adventure.  Can't wait to do it again.

Bryan's 2017 Year in Review

I always enjoy a snowy sit in the tree stand.  I got several chances to do this in Hastings this year.  I seen several deer including a very nice buck that I had to pass on because my buck tags were filled for the season.  I may need to be more selective on my buck harvests next year.  

Rogue and I did some hunting in the backyard.  I finally got my two person stand up so I can enjoy this sport with my kiddos.  I need to be more dedicated to getting my kids a chance to take a deer.  I need to learn to be more like my brother and make the sacrifices.

I took this nice 8pt buck on Oct. 22 from the upper stand on a morning hunt.  I was just about to call it a morning and he came in so fast I didn't even get a chance to get nervous.  I quick spun around in my stand and took a 20 yard shot right to the path I walked in on.  The Hoyt CRX35 and Schwacker broadhead did the job.  I found it about 60 yards away.  

Got to take a fall Turkey in Hastings.  There are hundreds of them in the fields there every night.  It's hard to pass up the opportunity for some good meat.

My buddy, Chris Korreck, took this guy while we were in Hastings on Oct. 13.  It was a good shot and an easy track job.  I will forever remember this deer for the insane amount of ticks that were jumping out of it, also, the brier patch we had to walk through to get it back to the truck. 

I took this little 5 pt the day before Korreck got his buck (Oct 12) from the Corner Westworld stand.  It was such an easy opportunity.  It was inside of 10 yards and I just couldn't resist.  I'm not making excuses, this deer was a thrill to take and I would do it again.  Dragging it back to the truck on a hot October night, on the other hand, was not a thrill and I would prefer to not have to do that again. 

We had a good carp shooting session during our 4th of July holiday break.  There we schools of carp at the surface all over the lake.  We could just pull up to about 10 yards of them with the trolling motor, do a three count, and let our arrows fly.  It was a blast.

Andrew took a turkey this year and I did a fan and beard mount for him.  It was my first and I think it turned out pretty good.

Korreck and I doubled up on spring turkeys in Hastings.