StrictlyWhitetails

can't complain I can't complain, the first time out with the call I bird came in? Maybe that was just dumb luck but I credit it to the call:) I'm going to get one for my brother and put a picture of use behind the glass. We'll likely never use it but it will look sweet. Brian - www.strictlywhitetails.com

Has anyone ever tried out the Natures Echo Custom Turkey Calls? I picked on up last year and it sounds sweet. And it look good too. http://www.freewebs.com/naturesechooutdoors/

Thanks Thanks, glad you enjoyed the articles.

I just made available another whitetail hunting eNewsletter. If you want check it out, I think it's a good read. I coupled a recap the deer season with some of the best pics. You don’t want to miss out on many of the thrilling stories in this eNewsletter. Inside this edition: Field Notes December 2009 1. 2009 A Season to Remember 2. Val’s Opening Day 7 pointer 3. Big changes for the MI DNR 4. Long Range for Long Beards 5. State Land Muzzleloading 6. Whitetails across state lines 7. Red neck photo of the year Thanks all, Brian - strictlywhitetails.com

Sweet Sweet looking buck. That mass is really nice. Very cool, congrats to the hunter.

yes What a cool looking deer, I'd take him. www.strictlywhitetails.com

Passing Michigan Bucks I have been fortunate to hunt 1-2 farms where I had sole hunting permission. Then most of the other places I hunt are shared (with many people) or state land. The only thing you can do is pass the smaller bucks yourself. Hopefully they will make it another season. And some do. I've seen good results. But in MI (or anyplace with heavy pressure) you have to change your technique to get older class bucks. Most hunters are not willing to make that jump or put in the time. And that means eating tag soup. But I'm ok with that because I just fill the freezer with does. I'd rather take 1 wall hanger a year vs. two year old bucks in a season. Back to the farms with solo permission. If you have the opportunity to manage a farm this works. But MI often does not have large tracks. Even 200 acres is not enough. Those bucks will jump the fence where you're at the mercy of the neighboring hunters. In this scenario, you will see older bucks but because the neighbors kill anything that is brown you still need to hunt hard. But tread lightly and your property will be the sanctuary. And every year I am hunting state land. Last year one of the bigger bucks I chased was on state land. Yes, I am passing dozens of smaller bucks each year before finding something older. We have a long way to go in Michigan and everyone can take whatever size of buck they want. I like that rule. I'd like to see bigger bucks but the freedom to take whatever makes you happy is great. I can't blame someone for killing a yearling who hunts 2 days a year. If that makes him happy then awesome. Actually tonight I had a friend just call me because he took his first bow doe in four years. He sounded like a little kid and the excitement glowed over the phone. That was cool. If it's your decision; keep passing up the smaller ones. That's what I am doing but I also hunt a lot. More then I'd like to admit. Brian Miller Outdoor Writer and Speaker www.strictlywhitetails.com

Great Photo's mathews4life84, nice pictures. You really know how to capture the moment after taking a nice buck. I'm tired of seeing pickup truck pictures. You did a great job of sky-lining the rack, hiding the blood and taking pictures before dressing the deer. Sometimes it's so easy to forget about doing this and then later your often disappointed at the quality of the photo's. Brian Miller Outdoor Writer & Speaker www.strictlywhitetails.com

Great job That is a great looking buck. Congrats to the lucky and skillful hunter. IL always brings in some good one's but this year seams to be better then normal. Brian Miller Outdoor Writer & Speaker www.strictlywhitetails.com

ouch My hand in hurting from just looking at that one. www.strictlywhitetails.com

Here was my hunt this past weekend, what a hunt. As the evening hunt wears on I wonder if I'm going to see a deer. With 20 minutes of light left, I glass a nearby bean field. After making out a few does, I spotted a 2 year old eight point. Then out of beans popped "The Great Eight!" Where did he come from? And within seconds I determined their path wouldn't bring them my way. Screaming in the back of my head was Andy saying "Get Aggressive, Go After Him." I found myself at the base of my tree in record time; I grabbed my grunt call, binoculars, range finder, and bow. I ran 300 yards across the field; I must have looked like an idiot. Arriving along the fence row, I glassed the beans but there was nothing. Did I scare them? After several minutes I saw the smaller eight crest over the riseand soon to follow was The Great Eight. My heart was pumping out of my chest as they walked in my direction. I tried to look through my binoculars; I was shaking so bad I couldn't hold them steady. I tried to regain my composure and couldn't. How could this happen, I can't stop shaking. But then something spooked them and they bounded back. A coyote poked his head out of the corn So there I am, standing in a fencerow with nothing between us. (Except 80 yards) I worked on calling but nothing worked and they hung up. Finally with 5 minutes of light left, I knew it wasn't going to happen. There was just too much distance between us and not enough time. But then 60 yards out another buck stuck his head out of the corn. I reached down and blew the grunt. He looked straight at me, then ran right at me. He was coming fast and I was a nervous wreck. I dropped the grunt call, backed as far as I could around the bush and got ready. I could hear the beans breaking. Crush, crush, crush, and then it stopped. He was right there on the other side of the fence staring at me. Because of all the brush the elevation difference I could only see his face and white chest patch. Face to face at less then 10 yards! After a stand off, he snorted andran back to The Great Eight. After a small sparring session they moved on. He wasn't the bigger of the two but he was a great Michigan, 4 year old eight point. I would have been proud to take him. Heck, I was proud to be so close. After the whole ordeal, I was unraveled. I could barely control my emotions and I was still shaking from the experience. Getting aggressive, taking on a mature buck on the ground face to face was one of the most amazing experiences that I've had. It is times like those that keep me coming back. Brian Miller Outdoor Writer and Speaker http://www.strictlywhitetails.com/apps/blog/

big buck That is a smok'en buck especially for PA. You're the man. www.strictlywhitetails.com

Michigan Hunters matthewjr83, this is a great idea. Local hunters can always give you great tips on what's happening. We're trying to do that same thing for a bunch of local hunters in Southern Michigan. Check out the blog if you want. http://www.strictlywhitetails.com/apps/blog/ Indiana hunting has always been great. Everytime I drive through the state I always see wide and high racks. Shoot them straight and keep it up mattherjr83. Brian - www.strictlywhitetails.com

nice buck That is one sweet buck and a heck of a story along with it. Congrats. www.strictlywhitetails.com

Yes I would shoot him without looking twice. www.strictlywhitetails.com