Bachflock

WAY TO GO! Lotta fun.

Its crazy how squirrel seasons differ state to state. I guess it isn't any different than some of the other seasons but some states its open year around some don't open until October, etc. Good luck!

Howdy! I went out today. Woods were pretty beat down with this past weekend being the openning weekend for birds here. I shot one red squirrel - didn't even count it. Tail was maybe 6". I'll be getting into some nice grays and blacks and hopefully a few fox squirrels soon! We also jumped 3 grouse but didn't get a look at any of them.

First off thanks to everyone who has sent up prayers for the sale of our house, etc. It doesn't take much effort on my part to see how God has been a part of our decision to move, the sale of the house, the new job, everything every step of the way. My recent prayer requests have been about the sale of our house and coming up with money for closing. I spoke with the realtor today and found out that the estimated property taxes at the end of the deal was way off. They estimated we'd need to pay $1583. Fact is we'll have a credit of $200!!! Amen! Once again God's providence is clearly evident in my life. Though it seems I'm one of the whiners when the boats starts to get tossed around God calmly reminds me He is in charge. Thanks again...

Let'em grow a bit! LOL Have fun...

Very cool. Can't wait to get my kids out!

Thanks for the prayers. After a little research it looks like this is as good as any deal we could get in the market. If I and my family weren't living with family at this point I might pass on it. However, we have decided to accept it. So, we will be praying hard about getting the money to close. We won't have the added burden of paying rent AND a mortage payment at least. Thanks again...

Man I can't wait for spring!

I saw a small field with about 35 birds in it 2 days ago. To bad I just moved to a county that doesn't have a fall hunt! LOL Might be time to see if we can get one.

Good for you man! Hope to see some pics in the near future.

You're right, it doesn't look good. However, no reason to abandon hope. I've seen a group of hens on the edge of a field with not a poult in sight. 10 minutes later there were at least 20 poults - they had been hiding in the tall grass I assume. Those buggers sure know how to hide out. Maybe thats what you ran into?

We have an offer on our house. It is the first offer so we can possibly make a counter. However, if they aren't willing to budge we'll need to come up with $3600 to cover the differences. Please prayer this one through for us! Thanks...

Count me in. Why not, eh?!

I agree. A lot of info on CWD on that website Flintlock posted but I don't see a date any different, for Michigan, than 8/25/2008. There was something similar to CWD found in 2005 but its Horse Fever, or whatever its called, not CWD.

I want to dove hunt! I haven't heard if anyone in Michigan will try to pass the law again. Probably won't until we have another turn around in the Governor's office.

You guys speak an unfortunate truth. I just try to see what argument they are making. If they have fact to back up what they are saying then I give the argument consideration. Like anywhere, however, you'll get a lot of people spouting off simply because they can. On that - I've read a few things on different sites. There is some validity, I'm finding, in the arguments that an over reaction to CWD, or other diseases for that matter, are no better than no reaction at all. A ban on baiting being an over reaction? I haven't decided yet. I've said before I've seen piles of bait so large in the woods they begin to rot before they can be eaten by the deer and other animals. It is no wonder the DNR has needed to step in to control such things. I'm not against baiting but you've got enough people who don't use good discretion and judgment as to not create a problem for everyone. I do not believe CWD has been made worse by overbaiting but I do believe the potential is there. However, the argument that deer will yard up in a farmers field even if the bait piles aren't around is also a valid argument. I say a temporary ban on baiting is a fine short term idea but won't solve the problem. My point in all this is we need to educate ourselves as hunters and conservationist. CWD is only ONE of the many diseases that effect wildlife so it'd be worth spending some time learning even more about them and applying that to population management.

No... they just found the first case of it here this week.

Ours doesn't open until the 15th and I'm trying to put together a weekend to stay at the turkey cabin. I'll be taking my kids along. My daughter, 10, will be able to hunt with her own gun this year and my 7 year old son has been talking about squirrel hunting ever since the last time we made it out last year. I hope it can come together.

I agree 100%.

This may be more than you were looking for but I feel your struggle... There is no easy answer. Loosing the weight and having the surgery will be you're only out. I am no medical expert but have been in the fire service since '96, a paramedic since 2000, and have been working in public safety communications since 1994 and know a lot of fire fighters, EMTs, and police officers. A friend of mine, a police officer, pulled a similar stunt; except, he was at a Students Against Drunk Driving demonstration where they have the students put on "drunk" goggles and drive a golf cart through an course. He was in the passenger seat and the student struck a curb throwing the officer out. His injury was VERY similar. It sounds like the difference was he was already fit enough to have the surgery but it was still a month an a half for him before he got it. He was back on his feet and working in about 6 months. I understand weight issues. Through diet and exercise I've been able to loose around 75 lbs since April '06. It isn't easy but it'll be even more of a challenge with a back injury. DO NOT GIVE UP! You sound like you're discouraged as it is and, again, from personal experience I know that that state of mind can perpetuate the problem. Even if you can only sit and/or walk for shot periods of time get some wrist and ankle weights and start working out. Start short, light, and easy - the last thing you want to do is make your back worse. Basically, just move what you can and make a workout of whatever you can without furthering your pain and discomfort. Again the key is start EASY. No matter who you are or what your build is you won't become Mr. Atlas overnight. Weight loss - that is the biggest challenge. Personally my #1 problem was portion control. I didn't eat because I was hungry - I ate because it tasted good. I ate because I was stressed. I ate because it was 5pm... I didn't need a reason. When I ate I'd eat until it was gone, not stopping when I was satisfied. When I made a choice to change getting out and walking everyday was hard enough at first but easy compared to me changing my eating habits. However, the pain of staying the same outweigh the pain of change and I set my mind to it. There is no magic diet. There is CERTAINLY no magic pill you can take to make you loose weight. It is all up to you and your determination to do what you have to do to get healthy and get back on your feet. You have to do what works for you - bottom line. I hope that helps and stay upbeat about it. You're at the brink of a very positive life change. And remember, its the prize at the end of the challenge we generally appreciate more than something we don't have to work at to achieve.

A good short and to the point statement but what do you base your arguement on? We're on slightly different trains here - the locals here are yelling that the Michgian DNR is trying to kill the Michigan economy by banning baiting. I will not deny the short term economic impacts but what would be the long term impact if the DNR choose to ignore CWD and the disease thinned the herd even more. I concur, there should be F-A-R better herd management and the State should stop bleeding habitat away to commercial interests and private and pseudo-public groups. However, it won't matter if you kill off all your deer by not managing to minimize something like CWD.

I'll just have to remember to bring paper and pencil with me. I seldom keep it in the car aside from that.

I had heard of it. Knew it was a bad bug and can desimate a deer population. However, it wasn't in my state - until last week. What do you know about it? Is your state affected, yet? It is here to stay. Here's a link to my other thread originally posted for Michigan hunters. I have put some links there that are worth reading if you are interested. CWD in Michigan thread.

NIMBY... It's your problem too... Not In My Back Yard! I am not sure how many states are affected by Chronic Wasting Disease but it is in my "back yard" now. There is a LOT of mud being thrown around out there on who's to blame. I, personally, think we ought to start with the irresponsible owners of deer farms who don't take the necessary precautions to prevent CWD whatever they might be, etc. ETC... If you're state is not currently effected it would be worth learning about. CWD is a serious threat to deer and elk alike. More related articles: PDF File - Interim Order on Banning Baiting Michigan DNR article on the 1st case of CWD in Michigan. Dealing with the current outbreak

No doubt. Get some rest buddy! Sorry you had to go through this!