Any reports from SDM banquet?

[MoshPitHippie]

I could not make it to the banquet or the seminars over the weekend. Did anyone make it and how was it? How was the turnout???
Thanks...

[leon]

I'll let NJ give his own assessment of the event, but I thought the seminars were excellent. It was a four hour program with information on wolves, managing winter thermal cover in the cedar deer yards, the latest Spinner food plot magic, and a land management program by Jeff Sturgis. Those that attended heard a pretty good program and went home with some new ideas for deer and habitat management.

Oh ya, the food at dinner was really good at Sidney's Restaurant (the dessert tray was sinful) and the beer was cold.

Thanks to Jeff and Skip for putting together the event. All in all, it was a fine day to be a deer hunter in Yooperland. ;)

[LUCE-YOOPER]

The seminars were great, unfortunately not a lot attended, they missed out on a lot of great information. I'm finding out that the more I learn the less I know! The seminar on the wolf population was worth the trip (400 miles). I had read an old report on regeneration of cedar a while ago; the conclusion was that it could take 100 years to regenerate. The specialist that gave the seminar had some amazing info on cedars in the UP and how long it takes to replace stands once they are gone. It really makes you look at the challenges facing the UP herd differently.

And then there was Ed Spin; I had read his book when it first was avaiable. One could kind of get a feal for his personality just from that. If you've never met him; you missed out. If you have you know what I mean. He is truely a great champion for the sport of deer hunting, and knows evrything you would ever want to know about food plots.

Jeff put on a first class event. From the time put into the organizing, to the well laid out seminar on food plots, to the awsome banquet. (not just because my son won something) The food was great, I agree that the dessert table was hard to stay away from, and the raffle and live auction was a lot of fun. My son and I drove back to camp with big smiles on our faces the whole way!:D :D :D

I will definatly be at the next one! (not that I need another riffle);)

[oldguy]

I agree.....the seminars (as well as the dinner and "desert table") were great and well worth the trip!

Congrats to Jeff and all others who put the day together.

[Trophy Specialist]

I wish I could have made it. I'd like to suggest that fornext year the SDMA banquet be held sometime from Sept. 15-30. Fall colors are in full swing, bird season is open, it's the best brook trout fishing of the year, it's cooler at camp, good time to do final prep to stands......

You'd probably get more attendance. I'd go then.

[NorthJeff]

TS..the only problem is I couldn't go that time of the year, and that would leave 1 other person to put the event together:) I was wondering about March sometime..what do you think?

[Trophy Specialist]

TS..the only problem is I couldn't go that time of the year, and that would leave 1 other person to put the event together:) I was wondering about March sometime..what do you think?
Let me guess, you'll be in WI bowhunting then?:D

Usually a lot of snow during March in much of the U.P.