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Spent an hour walking a gorgeous 80 acre parcel over near M-24 and M-46. Rolling pasture up front, knarlly thickets and woods in the middle, and a long pond stretching nearly the length of the property. I also found out there is a creek in the middle of the woods. Took me quite a few inutes to get up the nerve to walk across the log that spanned the creek. Found a couple sticks to use for balance and slowly made my way across, only to slip stepping off the log and wind up face first on a muddy creek bank!! Ah well, least no one was around to see it.

Just back from a closing up in Oscoda. Man you want to get a feel for real cold, take a drive along the Great Lakes in the winter. Iceburgs, slush, and blowing snow. Looked like something you’d see on National Geographic from Alaska. Made me shiver and I was just driving by in the truck.
Then just as we were pulling int o the town of Oscoda, we crossed the Ausable River. It was pretty much ice free, except for in the little canals and inlets where the boats dock in the summer. It was in one of these inlets, literally just a couple feet from open water of the river, we see two ice shanties. Amazing, thse guys were less than 10 feet from flowing river water. Sure hope they know what they were doing. Brrrrrrr to cold to make a mistake and take a plunge.

Well my son and a friend are out competing in the second annual Chrome Squirrel squirrel hunting contest today. Two man groups of hunters have until 4PM to try and fill their limit of squirrel. They then have to arrive for a weigh in at Eds Archery in Clio. Should be an interesting weigh in as prizes are awarded for the heaviest total weight and largest single squirrel taken for the day.
The boys headed out bright and early to the sign in at 5AM at the Big Boy in Clio. Later they reported that none other than Jennie Olsen from Michigan Outdoors TV was there and they’ll be seen on the show. That in itself was cool enough for them to get up so early on an off day from school.

Got to spend a bit of time exploring a listing I have over on Law Rd in Lapeer County. Walked around that one with a client yesterday. every time I spend some time over there it amazes me the amount of deer that use that parcel. Literally deer sign everywhere. The property has a large portion that is just flat excellent deer cover, thick, brushy and very secluded. However our walk yesterady brought out another spot I hadn’t even seen. About a 30 acre piece over on the east side that is likely some of the best deer land I’ve ever seen. Runways criss crossing around, fruit trees scattered throughout, and the whole place is set right smack dab in the middle of the parcel. Heck no doubt deer roam about that place for days and never see a person. I know for sure I’d be watching that little clearing if it were mine on opening day.

Spent 11 hours running real estate yesterday. Started the day out at 9AM in Ruby, over near Port Huron, finished it in Oscoda. Lord knows we put some miles on the Explorer yesterday. It was a nice day for a drive, mostly clear roads, but no sun.
Where I’m headed with this is we did manage to see a few deer back out in the daylight, out in field edges and crosing thru woodlots. Nice to see them starting to get back to more non nocturnal hours. Seems like about the third day of deer season alot of deer resort to nocturnal wanderings for safety reasons.
Back when we had the zone 3 muzzle loader season starting later it was not uncommon to see deer getting back to their pre gun season ways before us hunters got back chasing them again. Now with the muzzle loader season basically starting right after gun the deer are under constant pressure for 3 months. I for one would like to see them move the muzzle loader season back to a mid December start date, and get rid of the late antlerless season all together.I for one would love to see a return to the days when a days set on stand produced 20+ deer sightings just about no matter where you went. Yeah those big bucks are nice and the horns look great on the wall, and I admire the guys who consistantly take them. That having been said, I’d still rather listen to a story of how a parent took his kid out for a day of deer hunting and they got to see deer, and lots of them. Yes sit bring back those days of watching groups of 6 to 12 deer moving thru the woods all day, instead of stories of people setting all week to maybe see one.

My son and I spent a hour or so over below Holliway Dam yesterday evening. River is full of shad right now. We found many washed up on the banks, and the seagulls were having a field day. On the bright side, the water is still fishable level, though a bit muddy. Did see a guy across the river catch a couple decent walleyes. Spoke to another who had been doing very well last week on both walleye and pike, tossing white bodied mister twister tails with pink jig head. With the muddied water likely both white and chartreuse would be good color choices.

Got a chance to stop by Franks while coming back from a trip to West Branch yesterday. I love that store. One of those places you cannot get out of without spending at least $20. Even if you have nothing you want you’ll still spend it. Find it pretty neat that they have retained the mom and pop attitude, with live bait and Lord knows plenty of folks to give you a hand. It’s also nice to see salespeople just standing around talking with customers about how their deer season went, or swapping storied about a good fishing hole. Buyers appreciate having a sales person who is knowledgable and takes an interest in their adventures.

Went out last evening to try and fill a deer tag with the muzzle loader. It was one of those times where the woods seemed dead. No birds chirping, no squirrels running around, just quiet. I run into days like that every once in a while, just too quiet. Suppose if I had a bit of bait out there my chances would have been better in December, but I hate to lug in bait a half mile to my stand site.
Got a text from one of my listers last night with a picture showing the deer were coming in to his bait. In fact he passed a couple smaller bucks lat night so a frinds boy could have a shot at them later. Now that’s a nice guy. Ah well, I’ll be back out there this evening, looking to fill one tag yet.

Spent Sunday afternoon up at Fish Point doing a little duck hunting with my son. We wound up doing well in the draw, picked 2nd. We got our favorite blind, and man were the ducks pouring out of the refuge. Seemed literally thousands were flying out headed for feed. We spent about 4 hours watching them fly at 80 yards distant above us, far too high for shooting, but a great sight none the less. We did have a couple small flocks of geese come low enough to pass shoot, but nothing but empty shell casings to show for our effort. Hoping to get back up there one more time before it ices up.

My son connected on a nice doe yesterday morning. Looks like we’ll have some brats for the grill. Great dy in the woods as we seen 22 deer between the two of us. My son said he thought his heart was going to jump from his chest when the group of does first came into view. Only one gave him a shot and he put it down on the spot with one shot from his muzzleloader.
I wound up seeing 11 deer, including 2 swimming across a pond. I did have one large doe within 30 yards, but she caught my scent before I could get in position for a shot. Hearing lots of turkey talk again yesterday, from clucks and purrs, to some nice gobbles. Hoping thery stay around for spring.