| Newaygo Michigan is a small rural community located | | | | leave and the disturbance caused by cutting brush |
| in West Michigan, just 30 minutes north of Grand | | | | can cause mature bucks to avoid a stand site for |
| Rapids. Newaygo contains 100,000 acres of Manistee | | | | some time when it is new. After a month, big bucks |
| National Forest. | | | | will be accustomed to the changes you made and will |
| You will need to get a Newaygo County map that | | | | return to their former haunts. |
| indicated areas of the Manistee National Forest | | | | When searching for a place to locate a deer stand, |
| because, chances of finding a private landowner | | | | look for ground scrapes. Bucks make ground scrapes |
| willing to let you use his land is slim. | | | | on trails that are often used by does and return |
| Whitetail deer hunting in these parts is as big as the | | | | frequently to check the scrapes for signs that a doe |
| 4th of July celebration as the school systems shut | | | | has shown interest by marking it. Locate your stand |
| down for the day of and day after rifle season. This | | | | where you have a clear shot at the scrape, for that |
| is why you will need to hunt the Manistee National | | | | is where the buck will go. |
| Forest, but there are big deer there. | | | | Loading the carcasses of big-game animals into your |
| You will need to walk in a little way to get away | | | | vehicle or boat is much easier if you first remove the |
| from the crowds. Be prepared to walk into areas | | | | lower legs at the knee joint. Not only do the lower |
| where other hunters are unwilling to go. Go deep and | | | | legs tend to catch on things, but they also cause the |
| look for the many low areas and swamps. | | | | carcass to take up more space than is really |
| Seek out some deer runs, these run will generally run | | | | necessary. |
| just inside a row of trees or brush along ravines, near | | | | When you miss a shot at a deer or other game |
| creek beds, fence lines, etc. Set up your blind about | | | | animal, don't move. Unless your quarry actually |
| 40 feet from these runs. You do not want your blind | | | | sighted or smelled you, the noise of the gun probably |
| right over a run. | | | | caused the animal only momentary alarm. Its initial |
| At midday, mature whitetail bucks frequently bed | | | | reaction will be to run for cover and then stop, listen, |
| down on high ground next to the edge of heavy | | | | and watch. If the animal cannot identify the source |
| cover, within hearing distance of moving water. | | | | of the sound, it will usually calm down and return to |
| Identify such places in your hunting territory and | | | | its natural behavior. Remain still for 20 minutes after |
| check them for signs of large single deer beds. During | | | | missing a shot; then resume hunting. Chances are |
| hunting season, approach these bedding spots | | | | good that the animal will still be within range. |
| cautiously from downwind, and be ready for a | | | | Dropped antlers in the spring are a sign of where |
| close-range shot at a deer rising from its bed. | | | | bucks spent time the previous winter. The vicinity in |
| Move slowly when still-hunting for deer. Take a step | | | | which you find a large dropped antler is also an |
| or two, and study the terrain around you for | | | | excellent place to start looking for a big buck late in |
| anything that doesn't quite fit. If you see deer | | | | deer season of the following year. Look in places that |
| running away, these are deer that saw you first, a | | | | offer a food source such as acorns, beechnuts, corn, |
| clue that you're moving too fast. The same is true if | | | | or apples, close to heavy cover that might offer a |
| you have to look down to place your feet. Plan your | | | | quiet hiding place. |
| steps so that you can keep your eyes up, studying | | | | When a deer suddenly appears at close range in |
| the terrain, when you are in motion. | | | | response to your grunt call or antler rattling |
| Take your turkey call along when deer hunting: Deer | | | | doesn’t be afraid to move slowly to pick up and |
| are often reassured by turkey sounds. An occasional | | | | shoulder your gun. Deer coming to calls will usually |
| turkey feeding call made between bouts of deer | | | | just stop and stare at you, mistaking your |
| grunts and antler rattling gives nearby deer a sense | | | | movements for those of the deer they were |
| of confidence that your area is safe. After all, | | | | expecting to see. |
| turkeys don't feed or talk when they feel | | | | When you find antler rubs on trees of more than 4 |
| endangered. | | | | inches in diameter, you are in a big buck's territory. |
| When a buck track turns downwind and begins to | | | | Summertime scouting for a concentration of large |
| move uphill, assume that the buck is going to bed | | | | rubs made last autumn will tell you where to expect |
| down. He will probably stop at the edge of heavy | | | | a big buck to show up next deer season. If those old |
| cover, on a high spot that offers a view of his | | | | rubs are freshened up again in early autumn, the |
| surroundings and permits him to see and get the | | | | buck is still alive and still using his old turf. |
| scent of anything following on his back trail. To | | | | To make a set of effective, comfortable rattling |
| approach his bedding site without being seen or | | | | antlers for deer hunting, choose pair, which is of |
| winded, circle away from his track for roughly 100 | | | | medium thickness with long tines. They make the |
| yards and then move cautiously parallel to the track. | | | | clearest sounds. Hacksaw off the brow tines, then, |
| Study the terrain ahead carefully and be alert for any | | | | use a rasp to smooth away any burrs or ridges that |
| shape that does not quite fit. | | | | will make the handle section uncomfortable to grip. |
| Use a handheld propane torch to remove the hairs | | | | Drill 1*4-inch holes through the antler bases, and string |
| that always stick to a carcass after skinning. First, | | | | them on a carrying cord. An annual coat of linseed oil |
| wipe off as many hairs as possible with a damp cloth. | | | | will preserve the resonance and give the antlers a |
| When the carcass is dry to the touch, singe the | | | | "live" sound. |
| remaining hairs with the propane flame just long | | | | Deer move little during heavy rains and snowstorms. |
| enough to make them disappear. Better table fare | | | | However, they actively seek the most nutritious |
| will result. The longer you let your deer hang, the | | | | food sources the day after a period of stormy |
| better your game will taste. | | | | weather ends. On the day after a storm breaks, |
| When deer are being pushed, they head for high | | | | concentrate your hunt wherever trails lead to feeding |
| ground and thick cover. If there are a lot of hunters | | | | areas such as oak groves, beech ridges, or cornfields. |
| in your area, go to a remote place that offers high | | | | Does and fawns will be heading out to feed, and |
| ground and thick cover and wait for deer to be | | | | bucks are sure to follow. |
| pushed to you by the activity of other hunters. | | | | Take my word here, I take several deer each year, |
| It is best to hang tree stands and cut shooting lanes | | | | usually with my car, but I get them and I keep my |
| a full month before you plan to hunt. The scent you | | | | local body shop guy and insurance agent in business. |