Your "best day" afield in '03~

[Eastern Yooper]

Mine was a Saturday in mid-October.

My son & I went duck hunting and arrived at the lake to discover we had it all to ourselves. It was also a rare bluebird day, warm enough for me to only need a flannel shirt instead of the usual carhartt.

We shot a few mallards, and then pulled-up late morning to go look for some partridge.

We stopped at Wilcox's retaurant and had fresh whitefish for lunch. Pure ambrosia! Afterwards we drove atop of Mission Hill, which overlooks the upper St. Mary's and the Canadian shore. The fall colors were in full bloom and the view was spectacular.

The rest of the afternoon we walked behind the dog, looking for pats.

We closed with a warm bonfire at the hunting camp, savoring the memories made that day.

So, what was your favorite or "best" day afield this past fall?

[Tsmola]

definitely the night I took my 10 point this year, I was running late to my area, two dogs chased some deer by my blind within minutes of sitting down, it seemed like everything that could go wrong did, but with 5 min of shooting light left he snuck out after a doe, and I had my second wallhanger :D

[Bow Hunter Brandon]

I am going to think on this for the night, I guess I had a good season since there are several choices.

[Bow Hunter Brandon]

This year was marked by my first deer with a bow. A doe on opening morning. That was follwed by a second doe mid month at 10 yards while on the ground. I started goose hunting and took several. I started duck hunting and finished the season during that late hunt with a limit of malards. But my best day afield turns out to have been the following.



I posted this on 9/15

I went out after work from 6:00 to around 8:00. I took my 22 month old son out with me in the kidpack. I used the 22. Shortly after getting in the woods we got one black. My son didnt like the squirrel untill I picked it up then he was very interested in it. We walked up the ridge and sat down and ate the dinner I had packed. Apples tuna fish sandwitches and fresh cukes. I saw two large fox working along the tree tops while we were eating but didnt shoot.
Half way through dinner my son got up turned around and gave me a hug and a kiss. Perfect day. I cant remember one better.
We ended up with the one squirrel at the end of the day but there were alot out there. Had I been by myself I would of got alot more and not enjoyed it nearly as much.

p.s. I kept that tail dont know what I will do with it but I have it.

[cireofmi]

You can use the tail for making lures such as flies,jigs, or spinners. Mepps will take squirrel tails and give so much for them.

[quest32a]

My first Deer, i was exicted for a week. :) Nov 7th

[deputy]

I had a alot of good days this year, it is a toss up between these two, in august in canada taking my first bear with bow and having my cousin greg there with me to film it all as it happened,
or the time i spent making a new hunting friend with hawker in the blind and being there when she got her deer ! those are the two best i can thnk of! nost likley the first one though

[TR993]

My immediate thought was, "Every day was my best day"...but to be specific...opening day of rifle season was very awesome for me. I had met a new friend that was allowing me to hunt his property. I had never hunted in Michigan before and I saw 48 deer by 2 pm. The following day I killed the first buck of my life.

It was a terrific weekend.

I loved every day in the field. What a blessing.

[Rupestris]

My best day afield in '03 was in mid April. while I've gone on my first turkey hunt and deer hunt in '03, I have come up empty both times.
My son(14 at the time), however, was sucessful durring his first turkey season. We had gone to Bowling Green KY to hunt private land with my uncle as our guide. Having never done it I thought it might help to go with someone experienced for our first time.
Day one we had set up in two separate blinds. Me in one and my son and uncle in another on the other side of a field about 50 yards wide. Their blind was also about 50 yards south of mine at the edge of a treeline. We hunted the morning and only saw a few hens. Later that day, we went back for our second attempt. Not long after setting up two jakes in the 17lb range came down a hill and exited the woods directly across from me. I had only one decoy and gave a couple ckucks on the slate call but they would have nothing to do with me. They made an immediate left turn and moved along the tree line twards the other blind. I watched as the two birds got within 30 to 35 yards of the other blind. I thought for sure my son would wait for a closer shot. Just as I reached for my binoculars to get a better view...
BOOM!!!
I turned back just in time to see the bird stand up straight, flap its wings and roll straight back onto its back. Done!
I asked later why he waited to take the shot if he felt confident at that range. His answer is what impressed me the most. He said he had to wait for the two jakes to move apart so he wouldn't hit or injure the other bird. Yep, he made his ol' man proud. :)
The bird weighed just over 17 lbs, and had a 4.5" beard.

I can't wait 'til April 15th. We're heading back and maybe this time the "turkeyless troll", as my son dubed me, can get his first.

Rupe

[mich buckmaster]

After many limits of slab bluegills, limits of steelhead, guiding and shooting turkeys, and many trips with my family. The one that stands out this year for me is arrowing a P&Y buck on October 26th. It was a beautiful morning with a crisp smell in the air. I had seen 4 bucks that day with one being a true brute. One of the bucks was a spike that walked right under my stand and smelled the urine I placed on the ground. He stayed down there chewing his cud for some time. It was a great morning.

Then to finally track that big buck and see him laying 30 yards away was a hunters dream. The emotions were high and I was just very proud. I took him to see a few a friends and I was that happy hunter all day.

I didnt want that day to end EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ArrowHawk]

But I can not think of a single day, so I'll have to say every time out.

[plugger]

Hunting it would have to be opening morning when my son and daughter both shot bucks.

[Deershutzen]

Any day out is a great day for me. One pop's into my mind, though.

I took out a first timer the second week of gun season. He had "buckzilla" walk right in front of him. Missed him clean at 40 yards, but what a thrill! I remember my first case of buck fever! It was refreshing to see the excitement on my buddy's face when we came in from the morning hunt. I knew right then that I had initiated another person into our hunting fraternity.

[huntingfool43]

I guess the best day would have to be the morning after the M-S.com salmon turney in Manistee. The tourney was a blast but the next morning Matt (bluedevil) took my wife, 9 year old stepson and I out. The first rod poped before Matt could get rod #3 set and my wife landed a 15 lb king. Well the guy driiving the boat(me) let the other boats push us out into deeper water and a long boat ride. we finally had another release and with Matt moving rods, the wife driving the boat, and with a little help from me Zachary landed his fir salmon. Best part is it out weighted his moms by a pound and a half.

[bounty hunter]

mine would be all the times I went squirrel hunting with my 4 year old son. He would be in his camo waiting outside for me when i pulled in the drive after work. Next up for him will be ice fishing..

[BFTrout]

It is really hard to put my finger on one specific day of 2003 that stands out better than the rest. I had a better than average year and some really good memories to go along with it.

After some thought I picked May 4th. The last day of Turkey season for me and my partner. The story really starts the night of the 3rd when we roosted some toms, two to be accurate. We snuck in on them the next day at first light and in 10 minutes they were gobbling our way. My buddy had the best view of the show and dumped one of the two toms, and I never saw a thing.
After that, we took a drive to another piece of land and got into some more birds. Another 30 minutes and some sweet hen talk, out pops big don. He struts his was to 15 yds and I lay him down.

We head back to camp, clean the birds and decide that some trout fishing is in order. We thread the sink tips up and start wading down stream. Jim is the first to connect . . . with a dandy 22" brown. He pick a few the rest of the day, but only manages to bring walter to his hand. I,on the other hand pick several and land three. Two of which end up in the creel. . . and later on the grill. We ate like kings that night. . . and topped it off with a few pbr's.
Thinking of that day always makes me smile.
BFTrout

[buktruk]

I would have to say opening day of bow season. I was hunting on a piece of property that we had just recieved permission to hunt on about 2 months before season, I had only been out there once to do a little pre season scouting, I didn't want to be out there too much that close to the season, I usually scout in the spring. Any ways, I was set up on a natural funnel that was coming out of what I figured was one of their core beddin areas. I sat all day and though the weather was not the best, very windy and bouts of sleet, rain, and snow, I had an incredible day. I saw 46 deer, and 26 of them were different bucks! I am sure one or two of them were counted twice but I saw a lot of different deer. I took a oddly racked 6 point, 4 on one side and a big fork on the other, the rack goes back over his back like an elk rack, odd. But I decided to take him the third time he came past. My wife had dropped me off to hunt in the morning and I knew she would be coming back to pick me up with our 4 month old son, so being the good guy I try to be I decided to get down at about 6p.m. and have the deer ready when she arrived so that they would not have to wait even though I was still seeing a lot of activity. This turned out to be a big mistake. After dropping off my gear I headed back to drag him out. I then field dressed him and went back to wash up in a pond. On my way back to drag him out to the end of the trail I saw a 5 point coming off the end of the woods heading towards where I was sitting, I ducked down in the weeds. I then saw a 22+inch wide 8 point with a beautiful rack and a 12 point that was even wider, but a shorter rack. They were headed right towards my tree! I sat there ducked down in the weeds as the 8 point was about 35 yards away broadside, unfortunatly I was about 250 yards away from my bow. Oh well, I guess thats how it goes sometimes. Still a very memorable day.

[n.pike]

October 22nd, I finally got to repay a debt. I was hunting grouse with friends from Ohio, we hunt the same week together every year. They are all in their early 60's,(I am only 33) and for 4 years I have been trying to get them together with my Dad. He moved to Grayling from Imlay City and was bummed because he didnt have his old hunting buddies. I talked him into coming over to hunt. It was a perfect fall day-sun,colors &birds. We had 23 flushes by 11am, and probably25-30 woodcock flushed. During a noon break, I overheard him say to these guys how pleased he was with me putting them on the birds, and he made plans to hunt with them again. It may soucd cheesy, but anybody that had their Dad teach them how to hunt and give of his time...well, it feels good to give it back.

I know I dont have many more years to hunt with him, but Ill never forget that day, seeing him sitting with the dogs, new friends, and a smile of contentment.......it doesnt seem important what we shot that day.

[bowhunter4life]

I would say that my best day in the field for the 03 season, came way back in August. I was fortunate enough to go on a bear hunting trip in Ontario, with my grandpa, my dad, and my brother. Being able to harvest the first bear of my life with my bow, and having my family their to enjoy in the excitement made my year. I enjoyed many other days in the field in 03, but this day is the one that I cherish the most.

Jason

[wiginton]

My son's and myself had a good hunting season in 2003, but my best day afield was on Dec. 11th. That is when I was fortunate enough to harvest a Cow Elk during Michigan's Elk Hunt. I had my son Brandon with me, along with a very good friend. Just wish that my other son, Ed Jr. was also there, but he is on the J.V. Basketball team at his High School. He was unable to take the time off. It was a hunt of a LIFETIME.

Ed

[buck37]

I had a good year in 2003. I harvested a tom in April. I caught many large bass while fishing during the summer. I shot the largest buck of my life during shotgun season (a 150" 10 pt). But the best memory for 2003 had to be 9-28-03. On that day my son and I went out bow hunting for the youth hunt. We had been sitting for about an hour when a doe came in. My son had a shot at 25 yards, but the deer moved. He showed great patience and let his bow up to wait for a better shot. When the deer turned broadside he pulled his bow back, took carefull aim and released. The deer darted when the arrow hit it. The shot was a touch farther back, but wasn't a bad hit. My son was calm until the deer ran off with his arrow sticking out of it's side. Then he started doing fist pumps and saying "I got my first deer". I said, " we still have to track and find it. We let it go for a couple of hours knowing it had been hit kind of back. The deer only ran about 150 yards, bed down and died. It hit part lungs and liver. After being a part of his first deer kill was beyond words for me. He told me he knew he could shoot a deer, and he did. I expected him to miss a few deer at first like I did at his age. But he surprised me and got the first deer he ever shot at. What a rush.

[deepwoods]

My best day was the the bow opener. I had a doe and 2 fawns come by me. The doe was a little too wise for me and seem to know something was wrong. While watching her I heard a grunt and in comes a big bodied 6 point. He was within 20 yards of me but the doe would not take her eyes off me. This went on for about 15 minutes. Finally the doe walks away taking the fawns with her but then another doe and 2 fawns walk by and the same thing happens. They all finally spook and I think the jig is up but to my surprise I hear deer walking toward me and it is the 6 point again. He walked in to about 15 yards and turned broadside. I start to draw and......hit my trigger on my release and helplessly watch my arrow fall to the base of my tree. DOOHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! They took off never to be seen again. I was bummed out and thought how could I have all of those deer around me and not shoot one and to top it off I've got the hole area spooked now. I was just getting ready to get out of my stand when I hear deer walking towards me again. This time it is (2) 8 points!! They are walking behind me and I think they will smell me for sure but they didn't. One of them was almost to same spot as the 6 was when I draw on him. I didn't have enough light to see through my peep and safely make the shot so I had to let off. Thay were alarmed somewhat but they both just slowly walked away.

I didn't get anything that day but it was one of, if not the, best day I have ever had in the woods.

[kenockee_ken]

Sat Nov 22nd.
Had taken a whole two weeks off for firearm deer and had not seen a thing.
And I was out before dawn and not in until dark, except for Sunday (no hunting on private land in St. Clair County.) BS
Any way about 8:00 am I had 7 doe come within 60 yards. Now having a private land doe tag I thought long and hard, even scoped the biggest of the 7 about 10 times. But I never would take a doe until thanksgiving weekend. But this baby was HUGE.
I waited for about 10 min. Thinking should I shouldn’t I. Well I’m glad I decided to pass because no more that 5 min after the all the doe left a monster 6 point walked in. Now most of you say 6 point big deal. Well his rack wasn’t all that impressive but the size of his neck and body blew me away. He was about 65 yards away; I waited till I had a good shot (hunting in a thicket). That Remington 870 barked and down he went. Well to make a long story short he dressed at 169lbs the largest body deer I have ever taken.

KK