So has anyone got anything yet?!

[BaldwinHunter]

I passed up a little 6 point and a doe yesterdfay in calhoun county and only saw 3 does up in baldwin mon. mornin anyone else get anything or seeing anything?

[ee3]

I found it to be SLOW..6 people no bucks!! saw very few deer hunting between Baldwin and Luther...I wish the DNR would pass "no spike law" give em a chance to grow up.

[Gman]

My buddy and I were each reduced to seeing two does on the opener in Baldwin. Nothing at all hunting the better part of day two!! Our optomism from the fresh sign we found was quickly diminshed in the eerily still swamp that we set-up ambush in. Few shots heard. Checked in with a couple camps in our area Tuesday mid-afternoon.A five and a busted off six point hanging on one pole. A decent spike and two does on the other. Overall slow start...we were definitely in the wrong spots this opener. Still have time to tag one....just need to find where "it" is hiding!!

[BaldwinHunter]

VERY little shooting by us up in Baldwin.... no one around us saw or got anything either what has happened to the heard up there? anyway good luck guys

[Lucky]

We had 4 guys in camp this year. We were all in the right spot to shoot a buck this opener but passed on the little guys. I passed a spike, brother passed a spike and a 4 point, friend a spike and a small 5 point and friend 2 did not pass but could not get a shot at the only decent buck of the bunch a large 6 point. All in all a good opener could have hung some small bucks but decided to let em go and let em grow! Just a personal choice but I hope it pays off next year. A no spike law would be the best thing to happen to Michigan hunting in a long time........

Lucky

[Gman]

Lucky: Good to hear of your success at seeing some bucks and your resolve not to shoot them! A few words of encouragement are great to hear.

Check your Private Message.

Gman

[Missouri]

I had this long reply typed and went back and read it & decided that I sounded like a really big jerk so I deleted it and started over. I'll say to Lucky and anyone else, you can't get a big one if you don't let the little ones walk, so good for you. Our gun deer season opened the 13th and I keep a running total every year on # of deer I see. My total as of now is 57 does and 6 different bucks which is about average for me. I know that I've watched the same does on more than one hunt, but I would still say my count would be somewhere around 30 different does to 6 bucks. We have a doe to buck problem here, that they (MDC) keep trying to correct without much sucess. I will only shoot something bigger than I already have and no does until "trophy doe season" in early December. I thought our ratio problem was a big problem but not seeing deer would total freak me out. :eek:

later

Mo.

[BOB@BBT]

I have yet to see a deer this gun season! Overall report is "sucked beyond belief!". I suggest that anyone who is dissatisfied contact our local biologist, who sets the high antlerless quota's and the MDNR whitetail head and inform them of what you saw, or didn't see, and tell them that something has to change in this area. IMHO, they need to reduce the antlerless quota's, bring back the tax ID # for doe permits and bring back a 20 acre minimum acreage requirement for a doe tag.
The e-mail for our local biologist Jeff Green is...
greenejc@michigan.gov

The e-mail for the MDNR whitetail head Rod Clute is...
cluterk@michigan.gov

And you aren't alone in the crap reports around here. Take a look at what others are saying on the Michigan-Sportsman...
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=81174&page=1&pp=15

[flyrod4steelhead]

Took a 5pt opening morning around 8am. My buddy has not seen this one before, but I opted to take him anyways. He has a decen rack, no browe tines. From the base of his horns throughout his main beams, they are skinny. Maybe the size of my thumb, if that.

He came in trailing a Doe and grunting like crazy. The doe walk'd behing a dead fall, and I lost her. I thought that she walk straight away, but caught a glimpse of her as she bedded down not but 40yds from where I was sitting. The buck came in and stood next year, protecting her from any other bucks.

A short while later, I watched him walk to my left, head low, ears back. I look'd further to my left and seen another deer. From the way that he was reacting, I knew that it was another buck, but the number of points I did not know. The other "deer" re-appeared just as fast as he disappeared. I watched them through my scope (binocs fell outa my stand couple days before and the lenses broke :( ). The 5pt chased the smaller buck all over the place, not allowing him to get anywhere near his lady deer.

The 5pt walk'd off and I was getting ready to shoot, then i seen the smaller buck headed towards the doe so I held off to see what was going to happen. The smaller buck got the doe to get up, and as soon as this happend the other buck (the 5pt) came charging in head low, right at the smaller buck. The little guy wanted nothing to do with this fella, and took off, tail tucked between his legs.

The doe then bedded back down, this time well withing my affective bow range. A mere 20yds. HMMMM ok what to do??? If I make to much noise she will get up, leave and take the buck with her. I better take him now. He cleared a small oak giving me a semi-broadside shot. Crosshairs just above and behind his shoulders.....One shot, 5yds later, he was mine.

I had to sit their for awhile as the Doe did not leave. She had no idea what had happened, and stayed within 50yds of me. I could have taken her anytime that I wanted, but I was told NO DOES until the 2nd week. Fine with me.

The smaller buck came back to claim what he was after in the begining, the Doe. At first, their was only the doe and small buck, when they left, their was 4 deer :confused: Don't ask me where the other two came because I have no idea.

That was my opening morning hunt.

We sat in the evening but nothing showed up until later on. We had his sone out their with us. He a couple does well within range (60yds with a 12ga 2 3" slug). He did not shoot as there were to many trees and limbs, plus he didn't want to shoot a button buck. A good call on his part if you ask me.

A great morning to be out. Now I am looking for thin a couple does off of this property with two doe tags.

:)

[nuts4steel]

HUNTED BALDWIN AGAIN THIS YEAR LIKE I HAVE SINCE THE MID-70'S AND IN MY OPINION THIS WAS JUST A TYPICAL SEASON IN LAKE CO LIKE IT HAS BEEN SINCE ABOUT 1990 VERY LITTLE SHOOTING VERY FEW SIGHTINGS. I'VE HUNTED WITH THE SAME GROUP OF 6-8 HUNTERS AND WE HAD NOTHING ON THE POLE AFTER THE OPENER. WE GET PRETTY EXCITED JUST TO SEE DEER ANYMORE UNLIKE THE GLORY DAYS OF THE 70S & 80'S. I WAS VERY HAPPY TO SEE NO DOE PERMITS IN LAKE CO AND i HOPE THEY CONTINUE IT FOR NEXT SEASON, AND THROW IN NO SPIKES ! I PERSONNALLY DON'T BAIT(NOT THAT THERES ANYTHING WRONG THAT!) BUT, CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN HOW 4-25# BAGS OF CARROTS ON 4 DIFFERENT SITES IN 2 SQ MILES CAN BE CLEANED OUT OVER NIGHT AND 4 HUNTERS (WHO CLAIM THEY STAYED AWAKE ALL DAY) NOT SEE ANY DEER? I REALLY BELIEVE THAT MI DEER ARE GETTING ALOT SMARTER THAT WERE GIVING THEM CREDIT FOR. BUT HEY, ITS NOT ABOUT THE KILL , ITS ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE. DEER OR NO DEER I'LL BE THERE WHEN THE SUN COME'S UP !!!!!!!

[mondrella]

We had a decent opener. Seen enough deer to keep it interesting. Everyone I hunt with seen at least one buck some of us many more. I had four around me at first light and decided to take the one that appeared to be decent buck for our area. Our group ended opening day with 9 bucks. Then on the second day seen another good 6 point. He would match the 8 taken opening day by my Dad minus the brow tines. Hopefully he makes it till next year and decides to be by my spot opening morning.
http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/photopost/data/521/2648Opening_day_2004-med.jpg

My daughter showing off Grandpas and Dads bucks.
Have not had a chance to get back in the woods since the second day screwed up my hip and its just starting to get back to normal this evening. Hopefully next week I will get out a few times.

[BOB@BBT]

Nuts4, Lake county issued 8000 antlerless permits this year. Just none that had "public land" printed on them.
http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10363_10856_10905-29594--,00.html

[BOB@BBT]

Mondrella, I'm coming over to your county next year! LOL I've heard good reports from south of Big Rapids. Maybe a lease around Morley? Really, it sounds like everything south of M-46 is good. Great pics. That's more bucks in one pick than I've seen come in from Lake county all year. Nice job!

[mondrella]

Down south of Big Rapids is some the best area to find deer. There are alot of deer in certain spots in lake and northern Newaygo county the only thing is thier all piled up in very small areas. Thier really hanging to great food sources. With numbers as low as they are thier not forcing the lesser animals to spread out alot like what we have in our area.

Trust me put in one big food source say like ten acres of corn right in the middle of your place with a 10 acres of Alfalfa along one side and you will draw deer for miles onto your place to feed and stay.

[Gman]

I was pinned down at home this weeknd and counldn't go hunting:( . My buddy ,however, loaded up the shotgun with 00 and knocked down a really nice eight point on a still hunt through a brushy swale in Lake County. It was the third deer he had seen during rifle season. He told me he heard a total of eight shots Saturday morning while sitting on stand...

Can't wait to get back up there to try my luck still hunting the thick and nasty. Hopefully, there's one more buck up there with my name on it....:confused:

[lucasbeeman]

Went hunting 4 bow in gladwin with 5 others 4 out 5 got a deer within two days.. no luck for me i was the fifth.. its all good seen alot of deer a realy nice 8 piont.. my buddy bagged a nice 6 during bow and a huge doe 2nd day of gun... every time i go up there i see deer...lots of corn and soybean fields...I'm going up thanksgiving day 2 find a nice 6 or bigger buck...

good luck too all and be safe....

ludabeeman@yahoo.com

[Missouri]

Our gun season ended yesterday and I still have all my tags but a lot more seasons left. Muzzleloader opens this weekend for 10 days and "trophy doe" starts on Dec 11 for 8 days then bow until Jan 15. I included my trophy score card for does. I find it funny and we do keep score with my hunting buddies to see who buys the refreshments.

TROPHY DOE SEASON
OFFICIAL SCORE CARD

World Record Legal Buck that has NOT shed
Boone and Crocket Typical Two Doe with one shot (with two (2) unfilled tags)
Boone and Crocket Non-Typical One Doe, One Bambi Buck with one shot (with two (2) unfilled tags)
Missouri Big Does Shooting an entire family unit (with proper tags)

Scoring system
100 pts one (1) doe, one (1) shot
-10 pts gut shot
-5 pts any shot that destroys back strap or hind quarters
+10 pts neck shot
+15 pts normal head shot
+20 pts nasty looking head shot
+10 pts zero (0) to fifty (50) yards
+15 pts fifty one (51) to one hundred fifty (150) yards
+20 pts one hundred fifty (150) to two hundred fifty (250) yards
+30 pts two hundred fifty (250) to three hundred fifty (350) yards
+40 pts three hundred fifty (350) and above
+10 pts standing Doe
+15 pts walking Doe
+20 pts running Doe
-5 pts each shot over one (1) it takes to kill doe, up to three (3)
-10 pts each shot over third, but not including the third shot
-15 pts any prior misses of another Doe, one shot
-25 pts any prior misses of another Doe, over one shot
-50 pts any prior hit on a Doe that can not be found

Drag
+10 pts for each of your buddies you can con into helping drag Doe any distance
+15 pts for anyone you can con into field dressing your Doe
+5 pts can not reach Doe with pickup but can with 3 or 4 wheeler with no drag
+10 pts can reach Doe with pickup with no drag
-5 pts drag of less than fifty (50) yards level ground
-10 pts drag of fifty (50) to one hundred fifty (150) yards level ground
-20 pts drag of over one hundred fifty (150) yards level ground
-2 pts drag of less than fifty (50) yards down hill
-7 pts drag of fifty (50) to one hundred fifty (150) yards down hill
-15 pts drag of over one hundred fifty (150) yards down hill
-8 pts drag of less than fifty (50) yards up small hill
-13 pts drag of fifty (50) to one hundred fifty (150) yards up small hill
-20 pts drag of over one hundred fifty (150) yards up small hill
-10 pts drag of less than fifty (50) yards up large or steep hill
-18 pts drag of fifty (50) to one hundred fifty (150) yards up large or steep hill
-25 pts drag of over one hundred fifty (150) yards up large or steep hill

Obstacles, add to distance drag from above
-5 pts barb wire fence
-10 pts woven wire fence
-5 pts logs or other ground items
-10 pts any drag that involves rose bushes or any thorn bushes
-5 pts small ditch
-10 pts large ditch
-15 pts across creek or cannel
-10 pts across any water less than one (1) foot deep
-20 pts across any water over one (1) foot deep
-25 pts across any water over two (2) foot deep
-30 pts if Doe dies in pond or any water that is over three (3) foot deep
-5 pts any crop field that is muddy
-10 pts any crop field that has been fall worked and is muddy

+5 pts if you are within five (5) yards of your vehicle
+20 pts if stand is heated
-5 pts if you are in stand over thirty (30) minutes, unless stand is heated then no points lost
-10 pts if you are in stand over one (1) hour, unless stand is heated then no points lost
-5 pts blood trail of less than fifty (50) yards
-10 pts blood trail of fifty (50) to one hundred fifty (150) yards
-15 pts blood trail of over one hundred fifty (150) yards
-20 pts getting any motorized vehicle stuck that requires another to pull it out
-25 pts same as above, while retrieving Doe

[flyrod4steelhead]

WOW. A serious, yet fun group. Sounds like fun.

I filled my two doe tags Saturday morning and the other in the evening.

My buddy filled his doe tag tonight.

We both still have our restricted tags left. With Bow, ML and late Doe season. Their is plenty enough time to fill the remaining tags.

Happy hunting.