yooperkenny

Yes, Mirage in northern Quebec is in your price range. My brother is there right now - normally this is when the herd migrate through but it's not always 100%. The cold can make it quite challenging; when I was there in 07 we were hunting in 17 below (F). http://www.pourvoiriemirage.com/english/an_localisation.cfm

Yep that's been around for a while. There are actually some good lessons to be learned from it as far as what deer look for in bedding areas. They like some overhead cover, being able to see what's in front of them (and smell what's behind them) and more than one exit if they need to bug out. You can use these notions to create potential deer bedding areas on your own property with a good chainsaw and some sweat...

Yes I do every time. Loggy Bayou Transformer harness with safety line/prussic knot so I'm attached from the moment I leave the ground...

Some recent studies show that the spray was more effective than firearms during bear attacks. Understand that I'm constantly looking to expand my collection of handguns and rifles but the spray option is looking pretty good while running the bear baits or hunting - affordable, lightweight, easy to carry and effective Some related links (many more can be found online): http://newsminer.com/news/2008/apr/20/study-shows-bear-repellent-spray-effective/ http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu9gleLpJVyMBYalXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEycXJlZW1yBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA0gxODdfOTU-/SIG=132khqbn7/EXP=1237043621/**http%3a//www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/species/mammals/grizzly/bear%2520spray.pdf

I normally process 3 deer each year with a lot of help from my wife. Living where cool weather is a pretty sure thing helps a lot since they can hang for a while until work, family and other priorities allow you to deal with em. A buddy showed me how about 10 years ago and we've done them all since. No expert here but we get it done and it's all delicious. I would never go back to paying someone to process my deer - like someone said it's just the next natural step of the hunt and has become a family tradition. When our kids were still at home we'd involve them in packaging and labeling too. We use the grinder attachment for the KitchenAid mixer and it works great. Getting into making jerky, snack sticks, and sausage too - guess the next step is a smoker! Brought 2 caribou home from Quebec in late '07 and did those myself too - absolutely delicious. Hope to butcher my own elk and moose someday too. Sam - This is definitely something you learn by doing and will get a little better each time. I like this instructional thread - lots of good info: http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=245289&

When my brother picked up his new Encore he sold me his practically new Omega (laminated/SS) for under $300 which I consider absolute highway robbery on my part! I definitely got a great deal but hey, he's my bro IMHO and this is just from the hip I believe $350-$400 would be a very fair price for your Omega.

Me too! They group better out of my Tikka than Federal Premiums so I choose them for caribou hunting in northern Quebec and yes they are deadly. I recovered one that had passed through the caribou's chest and lodged under the hide of the far leg and it had mushroomed perfectly and held together well. Once I use up my Federals (Sierra Gamekings) I'll be using the Fusions exclusively for whitetails too - can't beat the price. I have to respectfully disagree with you here. Federal promotes Fusions as deer hunting ammo - since caribou are "thin skinned" game like whitetails I didn't hestitate to make the jump but it seems quite a leap to assume they'll perform as well on moose. If anyone has any info or experiences to the contrary I'd be very interested!

This might help you learn more about this crap: http://www.bowsite.com/bowsite/features/armchair_biologist/poop/index.htm

Congratulations - that is just awesome!

Howdy - I work in Marquette and live in southern Marquette County. My son just started his second year at NMU, and my daughter attended before him. I've been up here 27 years and can tell ya that there's no comparison to downstate - it'll be remarkable if you even see another bowhunter around. Just don't get lost in da swamp - you'll come out in Green Bay! Plenty of deer in the area - Shoot me an email and I'll be glad to point out some potential spots on the county map for you.

I also got the free Striker from G5 last summer and liked it so much I bought a pack for deer season. Killed 2 deer in October using them - they performed great! They included a bandaid with the free broadhead which I thought was pretty funny - actually cut my self and ended up using it - they are scary sharp! I always switch to practicing with my broadheads around Labor Day. So early last week I did so and they flew exactly like my field points. I'll be shooting Strikers for a good long while.....

New Upper Peninsula Regs Like you I have an opinion and it goes like this: Finally the DNR has done SOMETHING to improve things up here and that's good news If a young hunter or any hunter for that matter wants to shoot a spike or a fork they can just buy the single license, use it on that buck, and then they're done killing bucks for the season. You have a choice. If you want a chance to kill two (older) bucks, buy the combo. Will it work? I think so - fewer young bucks will be shot because guys will think twice before ending their season by killing a spike or fork. As far as people following the rules - poachers are going to poach no matter what. And if you need food - shoot some does! They taste pretty good! Good luck in the Michigan woods this fall...

I used Wasp SST for years and had good success, and also tried some Magnus 2 blades that sliced right thru deer. Tried G5 Strikers last year and I'll be sticking with them for a while - they fly true with my setup and are devastating on whitetails!

Craig - that's exactly what I was going to say! When the does are ready the bucks could care less about their stomachs. Some years I'll take a doe early in season, cut off the tarsal glands and hang them from a branch out in front of my treestand

Congrats to your crew on a great hunt - God was indeed good to you all! We did a caribou hunt in Northern Quebec too - but it was early last December and the temp was 17 below when we left the truck the first morning! But we saw thousands of caribou - truly something every hunter should experience. One thing that's very different I'm sure you'll agree - getting them gutted out ASAP after they're down because they bloat fast. It has to do with the lichens they eat. I made the mistake of puncturing my second bou's stomach and a green "oatmeal volcano" spurted about 18 inches high for a full 30 seconds. Nasty. In spite of that, their meat is delicious. We talked to some locals up there and they rate caribou meat as the best, followed by moose then whitetail. Everyone we've shared it with was very impressed and went back for seconds. We're on our last few packs of caribou steaks and burger - I might have to go back!

I don't usually agree with Buckeyes on much but I have 2 baby grand hang ons and they're very solid!

You should be able to find most anything you need to know here: http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10363_10856_10905---,00.html Good luck and don't forget to pack some warm camo!

Like others said "Bears will eat anything" dead or alive, plant or animal. So unfortunately if deer eat it, bears will too. Up here in northern Michigan we have the same problem until November or so when the bears start their long winter nap. It's not really hibernation but more of a deep sleep - do bears even do that in Florida?

Whitewater Outdoors is based in Wisconsin where deer hunting is a way of life. I own several of their products and they perform great, especially my goretex/thinsulate bibs in realtree camo. Well built, durable, and comfortable. It's just good stuff

Definitely enough for deer according this this site anyway: http://www.thearcheryhut.com/calculators.php If your bow is shooting well and you're confident with it, I'd hesitate to change anything...

Seets, my friend - the idea is to get as CLOSE as you can to the deer - it's what's known as woodsmanship and it separates the hunters from the tourists. 600 yards is the distance people see animals from when they pull off at the scenic outlooks in Yellowstone or Yosemite. Maybe try some of that unscented soap, get some camo, some rubber boots, and learn to walk with stealth. No disrespect brother, but you're in left field here! Good luck!

To me it's more about the memories of the hunt, including who you were with and where it happened. If it's your first buck, you may want to mount it no matter how big or small it is. Here's a link to a thread where a bunch of deer hunters, including myself, talk about the same thing - Hope you enjoy and good luck this fall! http://www.michigan-sportsman.com/forum/showthread.php?t=164154

Although not perfect, this attempts to quantitatively compare the recoil of various calibers: http://www.chuckhawks.com/recoil_table.htm

Compare the trigger and the bolt and you just might end up with a Tikka! Just my humble opinion - good luck with whatever you choose

Like they said try a bunch of em to see what your gun likes. I would recommend trying some Federal Fusions - my Tikka T3 (in 7mm Rem Mag) likes them! A bonded bullet at a reasonable price IMHO. Good Luck!