This is my brother Brad.  He is one of six Ansel brothers that enjoys the outdoors, and likes to hunt. He’s pictured here with a bow tagged bruin taken around my brother Randy’s Marquette camp.  All of us have taken Michigan black bear, and some of our sons have also been successful.  Five of the bear we have taken out of the Baldwin camp have been large enough to make the “book!”  At one time I held the #17 bow killed bear and my brother Darryl held the #2 re-curve downed bruin.  My big bear was aged at 13-1/2 years and had a 19-6/16 inch skull.  Brother Darryl’s bear was only 5 years old, but had a bushel basket for a head.  His skull went 20-11/16, and was taken with an old Bear Kodiak Magnum and a cedar arrow.

Darryl has been the most proficient of the brothers with bear success in the double digits.  Two of us have also hunted out of state, and brother Brett’s son, Grant, took a beautiful cinnamon phase in Saskatewan one year.  I have hunted Quebec and Ontario for these black ghost without filling a tag!  All of us could have harvested many more bears than what we have, but we hunt strictly with bow and arrows.  When you have to get your quarry within 25 yards there isn’t much room for error.  Since 1973 we, and some of our close friends, have taken over 40 Michigan black bears.  Our success was much greater in the years that you could buy an over-the-counter license.  Since the lottery system has been in place, it has been very hard for us to draw more than 1-2 permits in a season.

In the 35 years that we have hunted the hills and swamps around Marquette Michigan we have not really notices a decline in bear numbers.  What we have noticed is that the bear seem to be more educated.  Basically they have caught onto the game, and have made it much harder to hang one on the game pole.  Once a bear has been shot at (over a bait pile) during daylight hours, chances are it will feed strictly after dark.  I have had bear wait me out, just out of sight.  Once darkness sets in, and I leave, they enjoy a worry free feast.

We have had numerous encounters over the years with different bears.  Some are kind of scary and others down right funny.  Trust me we have left far more bears “walk” than what we have tagged.  From our vantage point the bear population is growing, and becoming much more elusive.  It may be time for us to rethink Bear Hunting 101!

Most of us hunter have our own little room, cubby-hole, or garage where we do our “THING!”  We need our own territory, space, or hide-out.  Whatever you call it, I bet you have at least one!  The above picture shows only one little corner of my brother Darryl’s sanctuary.  Trust me when I tell you that this corner is the most organized in the room.  Now I’m not picking on my little brother, cause mine is even worse.  I didn’t have the guts to display a picture of my “hunting work room!”  Admittedly it is a mess, and I swear I’m going to clean it up before the first tulip pushes through the dirt.  My wife says its a good thing I have a door I can close, so the rest of the house isn’t contaminated.

My problem is probably not unlike yours!  I just don’t have enough room for all my “junk.”  I mean hunting necessities.  I just remodeled the room a year and a half ago, and I’m already hurting for space.  It wouldn’t hurt if my wife would let me hang my flying turkey mount, or my 12 pound bass, in the family room.  But I guess the walls are full enough already.  I know what I could use more of - shelves and drawers.  You can never have enough storage bins either.  When I run this by my wife she says all I need is a garbage can and a shovel!  Very funny Lorna, very funny!  I’ll fix her, once I find my way out of this room.  I know there’s a door handle here somewhere; I think!

“I like venison, not just for the taste, but also for the fact I don’t have to worry about it being unhealthy for me.  Actually, according to the USDA venison is one of the most nutritious meats available.  It has fewer calories than beef, pork, and chicken.  Not only that, but you get more iron, per serving size, than the other three meats.  The fat content isn’t bad either, as venison is not marbled like beef.  Most fat is cut off venison by the person processing it, or removed before cooking.  To keep it healthy it is suggested to broil or bake your meat.

The non-hunting public may never get a chance to try this bounty from the woodlots, as you won’t find it in the supermarket.  Not only that, but it is against the law to sell venison.  So I would suggest if you don’t hunt, become a good friend with someone who does.  Most hunters will always share with the “less fortunate!”

This is what Bill Rushford of Newberry Michigan saw on his trail cam November 23ed. at 6:17 p.m.  Bill had several trail camera’s set up around Luce county so he could get an idea of where he wanted to hunt.  At this particular spot Bill had not seen a picture of a buck, until this monster showed up.  At first he couldn’t believe what the pictures were saying, but he knew where he was going to be on the evening of November 26Th.

Bill had a homemade ground blind set up between the hardwoods and the swamp, and had his trusty Remington 700 chambered in 7 mm mag.  Bill had only been in the blind a couple hours when a doe approached from the right.  She was not alone, as the record class 15 pointer was right behind her.  There was only one problem.  Bill had the front Plexiglas window open, and the others were closed, to reduce his scent in the swirling winds.  Bill shoots right handed, and there was a chance the deer might spook before it positioned itself for a shot.  Not wanting to miss the chance of a lifetime Bill slowly stood up and changed his own position allowing for a shot out the side window.  Now mind you the buck was only 18 yards away with his nose trailing the cautious doe.  Bill determined he’d take a chance and shoot through the Plexiglas window hoping the bullet wouldn’t deflect.

Bill “fired” and both deer jumped out of view.  Bill knew his aim was good, but he wasn’t sure about his bullets reaction to the window.  He stepped out of the blind, and walked over to where the deer had been.  To his relief the shot had been true.  The big buck only traveled about 70 yards before piling up.  Bill called family and friends once he got his heart beating again, and told them he was going to need help.  His mom and dad wife and kids all joined in getting this behemoth out of the woods.

Bills buck dressed out at 212 pounds, and was aged at 5 1/2 to 6 years old.  It was originally scored at 192 5/8 inches, but after the official drying period it officially scores 197 3/8!  It’s always nice to have them get bigger rather than shrink after the green score.  Bill sent me several great pictures of this buck, and it is a heart stoping monster for sure.  Congratulations Bill you are “The Man!”

If this picture doesn’t stir you to the core of your being then you may be dead and don’t know it!  2nd. Lt. James Cathey’s casket lies in state after being flown home from Iraq.  His wife Katherine refused to leave the casket, and asked to sleep next to his body one last time.  The Marines made a bed for her, and tucked the sheets in below the flag draping the coffin.  Before falling asleep Katherine open her laptop and played songs that reminded her of “Cat!”  The marines assigned to the burial detail asked if she wanted to be left alone, or should they continue standing guard?  ‘I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,’ she said.  ‘I think that’s what he would have wanted.’

Most soldiers say they need our support and prayers when asked what we can do for them.  Much of the country let down our brave young men during the Viet Nam war.  Lets vow not to let that happen again, no-matter how the news media seems to screw thing up.  There’s alot more patriotic, grateful, caring men and women out there than there are media elite.

As a show of support for our troops a grass roots effort is under way starting this coming Friday, and continuing till our troops come home.  In a show of solidarity, in supporting our troops with dignity and respect, every red-blooded American is asked to wear blue each Friday.  Please get the word out, and remember those men and women, along with their families, in your thoughts and prayers.

Viet Nam Era Vet

SP/5 Mike Ansel

All of us probably have someone in our lives that has been our hero, mentor, friend.  I have been very blessed to have this man (Joe Giarmo) as such a person.  Joe will be 93 years old in March, and is still very much independent.  He lives alone, drives a car, and even carts his elderly neighbors around when needed!  Right now he’s learning how to use his personal computer, as he’s in the process of writing his memoirs.  He e-mails, sends photographs, and has a dandy copier/photo machine.  Recently he printer out photo’s from my digital camera.  Joe still goes down to the local gym to check on his “boys.”  That’s where Joe’s Boxing Club is located, and where you’ll find this years crop of aspiring “golden gloves” boxers.

Joe boxed himself for many years, before and after, doing his duty during World War II.  In the 1950’s Joe started training young street kids the art of boxing, and he’s been at it ever since.  Several hundred young men, from the surrounding area, owe a debt of gratitude to Coach Giarmo.  He not only showed them his trademark “left-hook,” but he taught them how to live lives of honor and integrity.  Golden glove champs, state champs, National champs, and several professional fighters were birthed under Joe’s tutelage.

Back in the 60’s Joe was chosen to be one of the trainers for the Olympic boxing tryouts.  It was there that Joe met, and befriended, a brash young Kentucky boy by the name of Cassius Clay.  In the above picture you’ll notice the signed picture of Muhammad Ali that he sent to Joe on his 85 birthday celebration.  Joe has awards, declarations, proclamations, and certificates by the box full at his modest home of 60 years.  He was even given the Martin Luther King award by Monroe’s African American community a few years ago.  Joe doesn’t talk about his “awards” very much, but he does talk about his “boys” wether their 75 or 8 years old.  There nothing Joe loves more than going to the gym and have a flock of young pugilist run up and throw a big hug on him.  That’s what makes him tick and gives him the satisfaction of a life well lived.  He’s poured his life and his knowledge of boxing into those that will in turn share it with others.  What a remarkable man, who’s dedication to serving his community will forever be remembered, as his name is honored. I am blessed to call him my friend.

We received about 10 inches of snow here in Monroe yesterday, and it really looks beautiful.  This is a picture of my tree stand that is located next to my house.  Everyone needs a practice stand (my opinion) so they know how their bow is going to shoot under hunting conditions.  What I will do is take shots at a deer target while wearing the same cloths I’ll be hunting with.  As the season progresses, and it starts getting colder, heavier clothing is required.  These extra layers of cloths could effect your sight pins, and the flight of your arrow.  Even if you shoot instinctive (no sights) this is a good practice to get into.  More than once I have had to move my sights in order to compensate for the extra bulk covering my body.  You owe it to the game you are pursuing to make sure you are going to hit where you aim.  In this sport, a few inches either way, can make a huge difference concerning a lethal or non lethal hit.

It looks like I won’t be using this tree stand for awhile, so it will just have to be my outdoor sentinel for a few months.  I am thinking about doing a hog hunt sometime this winter, and am trying to round up a few guys now.  Something like that helps break the winter “blahs” of not being able to hunt deer.  Not only that I could use some hog roast for our upcoming church wild game dinner.

Mike

The top picture is of me and my brother Brad about 30 years ago.  That was his first buck and the rack is very similar to the one I took this past week, with my bow.  Brads buck was shot around Lewiston and mine down in the southern part of the state, so they couldn’t possible be from the same gene pool.

Irregular racks have always intrigued me, probably due in large part, to their mysterious rarity.  There are six of us brothers that hunt deer, and a few of our sons also hunt.  Over the years we have put several hundred deer in the freezer, and even a few on the wall.  I can only recall five or six of those deer having abnormal headgear!  Out of those six deer none was even remotely close to being a bragging non-typical.  The hunters that down a trophy class irregular have truly taken a “once in a lifetime” buck.

My little 8-point will probably be the only abnormal deer I ever shoot, but who really knows.  There could be one waiting for me in the bushes next year.  Nomatter I’ll be at it again come next fall, and whether its a fat doe or a record class buck, I’m going to enjoy myself to the fullest.  I’m already making plans for next season.

Mike

Christmas comes each year to draw people in from the cold.

Like tiny frightened sparrows, shivering in the winter cold, many live their lives on the barren branches of heartbreak, disappointment, and loneliness, lost in the thoughts of shame, self pity, guilt, or failure.  One blustery day follows another, and the only company they keep is with fellow-strugglers who land on the same branches, confused and unprotected.

We try so hard to attract them into the warmth.  Week after week the church bells ring.  Choirs sing.  Preachers preach.  Lighted churches send out their beacon.  But nothing seems to bring in those who need warmth the most.

Then, as the year draws to a close, Christmas offers it’s wonderful message.  Emmanuel.  God with us.  He who resides in Heaven, co-equal and co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit, willingly desended into our world.  He breathed our air, felt our pain, knew our sorrows, and died for our sins.  He didn’t come to frighten us, but to show us the way to warmth and safety.  (Charles Swindoll “The Finishing Touch”)

May this day be one of true Revelation as to what the real meaning of Christmas is all about.  Emmanuel, God is with us.

Have a Christ filled Christmas

Mike

This is my brother Randy and his grandson Seth. Randy is an extrovert who loves crowds and people. He’s been a county commissioner here in Monroe, doesn’t mind speaking in public, and is generally a very outgoing guy. But come November a sort of metamorphosis comes over him, as he heads to his little camp in the Upper Peninsula.

His place is a throwback to the old time hunting camps of the 20’s and 30’s with a genuine floor board rotted outhouse, or path bath if you prefer. The one room camp has wood heat, one set of bunk beds, pull out couch, and no storage. On more than one occasion he has spent days on end, all alone, in his little hide-a-way. You have to pipe sunlight back to his place, but what a little jewel of a peaceful spot it is! There’s a small creek running along side it, that lulls you to sleep at night with it’s magical gurgling sounds. An old apple tree sits in the front yard that has been attacked by marauding bears over the years. Between claw marks and broken limbs, it’s about ready to give up the ghost.

The camp is located around Marquette Michigan (snow belt) and sits in the bottom of a draw. Randy’s 40 acres butts up to state land, so he can roam till his hearts content. Usually he’ll have one, or more, of his three sons with him for the deer (rifle) opener. This year his second son Justin, and Justin’s son Seth were able to make camp for a few days.

One morning Seth decided to sit with grandpa in his double seater tree stand. Randy was watching a good scrape line along a row of planted pines, when Seth saw a buck approaching from Randy’s right. He alerted grandpa to the deer, and Randy tried to swing on him, but couldn’t, due to the angle. Randy is a former Marine, with two tours of duty in Viet-Nam, and earned top honors (expert) as a marksman. With just his right arm supporting his Remington model 742, he swung, held, and fired. The deer dropped in the scrape he was checking out! It was a nice 6-pointer, as you can see, but has no brow tines. It should of been an eight (yeh that’s what they all say!) but it’s a nice deer just the same. What makes it all the more special, is that Randy got to share the excitement with his grandson and son. It don’t get much better than that; even for a deer season “hermit!”

Mike