Michigan Elk Tours

[Hunt4Ever]

I saw on Michigan Out of Doors last night a guy who does horseback tours of Michigan Elk near Atlanta. Does anyone know who this person is or any other outfits that do this kind of thing?

Thanks

[broncbuster2]

i agree, sounds like a exciting ride. If you find anything out, i would be greatful if you passed it in my direction.:)

[Hunt4Ever]

Still looking.

[BowDad]

My wife and I took the tour about ten years ago and it was GREAT! I can't for the life of me remember the mans name, but these people may be able to help you.

Atlanta area chamber of commerce: (517)785-3400

or

Onaway chamber of commerce: (517)733-2874

We met the gentleman at a cafe in Onaway for breakfast and proceded from there. If you can take the tour then by all means do it! The memories will last a lifetime!:)

[NEMichsportsman]

I have had questions in the past about things on various items that made the Michigan Outdoors program, and I have emailed them directly. Gabe Vanwormer usually sends a reply right away with all of the details...I am pretty sure I accessed the Michigan Outdoors email through the MUCC website. If I get a chance I will try to post the link. If you happen to find it before, please post the info back to the forum, because I am thinking this might be a "feel good" outdoor activity that has some similairities to hunting that I might be able to interest my wife in.


thanks

jp

[NEMichsportsman]

I actually sent an email to the show...so I will post the info as soon as I get it.

jp

[Hunt4Ever]

I sent another. That should show we are interested. I am getting closer. Here is a picture of the guy giving a tour.

http://www.onawayarea.com/elk/index.html

[Hunt4Ever]

OK. I found his number and talked with him. I am going to set up a tour. I am slightly hesitant about poting his phone number without his permission. If you really are interested, email me and I will give it to you.

The tour cost is $60/person and he needs at least 2 people to go. He sounded like a very nice guy on the phone.

[dogman]

I am new to this site, But the fellow you are talking about is
Vernon Bishop, Of Onaway, Mi.
dogman

[BowDad]

Cool! ... Yep that's him, we had a great time. One word of caution though, you may want to schedule a day of rest for the day following the ride. Eight hours in the saddle for a desk jockey like me was a sure recipe for a sore rear end.:eek:

Have Fun!!!:) :) :)

[dogman]

BowDad
Yes the elk guide is a very nice person. I know him personly. I haven't seen him in a few years, My wife went to school with him. If i ever got an elk permit I would tru and get him for my guide, He has been at it for a long time

[goose hunter]

I have been going to the atlanta/hillman area for much of my life. I heard nothing but good things about Vernon's trips on horses. There is a elk tour out of hillman that takes you on a wagon ride to a 4 star dinner at a local hunting camp. It is one of the easiest elk tours and dinner to boot. It is out of the Thunder Bay Inn in Hillman. I have been lucky enough to get drawn for two elk hunts, I would be willing to tell any lucky elk hunters how to do it on their own. If they cant or dont want to use a guide. You can also go to the D.N.R. and get a map to drive around and do your own elk tour. They are easy to locate by just driving the right areas. My favorite road is called elk road. It is north of Atlanta off m-33 north near the tomahawk floodings/lakes area. It is easy to find elk.

[dogman]

Goose Hunter No I would not need a guide for elk. I know the aera pretty well. Before they started elk hunting I could show
you feilds on the Black River Ranch that would have a hundred elk in at one time. I never have put in for a permit. I used to live up in Afton went to Onaway high school, But that has been a few years ago.

[o town]

Just got back from elk country at our place near Onaway on Black Lake and we spent 1 entire day driving 140 miles on 2 tracks through elk country, working the dogs on birds and just watching the wildlife.
Lots of fun, lots of elk. I don't know Vern, but the people we hang out with up there and whose horses we ride had good things to say about him and they were bred and born in the Onaway area.
I've known them about 30 years.
If you want a drive tour, take the Shingle Mill Road west off #33 to Black River Road and head N. to the Clark Bridge Road and head west. SM Road heads W about at Clear Lake Road or thereabouts. The loggers who named these things never knew that they would eventually all be interconnected and the names are confusing, but get a good map and go for it.
Black River Road runs between Canada Creek Ranch and Black River Ranch and offers the best possibilities as both are elk-friendly, or were. Rumor has it from a lifelong friend up there who works on the BRR that they are so destructive that it is no longer a 'welcome elk' area.

I'm kinda spoiled on elk as we've always had them at our back door, but hope this helps you all.

Good hunting,
o town

[dogman]

O Town I have run most of the roads you talked about. I have a sister that lives on the corner of Buzzell Rosd and Black River Road. My sister lives on the Montgermory road in Afton. Give me an e-mail we might know some of the same people. I left up there in 55.

[Sarge]

Do you suppose he has a clydesdale or a small elephant??????:D

[northern_outdoorsman]

There is also a place that give Fall Color Carrage rides and Winter Sleigh Rides. These both include an awesome meal at a log cabin in the woods! Here is their link:

http://www.thunderbaygolf.com/ElkViewmain.html