Middle Row from left: Steve (buddy since Kindergarten), Larry (my Dad), Dave (I’m the one who runs this website), and Kruger (buddy since high school).
Back Row from left: Jimbo (buddy since high school/college roommate), Shawn (First time at Deer Camp and friend of Kruger’s), and Chewie (We used to work together, roommates, and served in the Army together).
This year we did very well and got six deer.
Deer Camp preparation included making a deer cart to help drag out a deer.
There were the usual emails, text messages and phone calls. We also had to decide how many guys we could put in the tent. With a record eight guys, we knew that there would not be a lot of room.
“If Shawn spoons with Kruger, we might have enough room!”
The group chose a totally different area from the past three years. Five areas were chosen through a detailed map recon. We scouted for an area to set up camp. This area was away from the main road and looked like a good spot. We had a debate on weather we could get the vehicles and trailers through. The trucks made it though but.....
....needless to say, the trailers axel was a drag’n.
....jimbo was very close to getting the wife’s Jeep stuck. So we had to choose a different location.
The area to set up the tent is cleared of leaves.
John and Dave set up the tent frame. John pinched his finger in the frame and had to show everyone.
Relaxing after getting camp set up. John and Dave are showing which way North is.
Larry and Steve enjoying the warm tent. “Hey guys more water is coming in the tent, you had better dig faster!”
Kruger showing which side of the tent all the water is coming in. “Make sure you get around my side, your doing a good job!”
The more Jimbo drinks, the better his singing.
The great flood of 2011! On the first night of Deer Camp there was thunderstorm and heavy rain. The tent never leaked, however there was so much rain that water from the roof began to pool at the ground and began to come into the tent. John, Shawn, Chewie, Jimbo, and Dave began to dig a trench around the tent. The ground was extremely hard. The trench kept the water from going into the tent. When the trench was done it finally stopped raining.
The beginning of the trench, and the water would not soak into the ground.
Larry sitting outside the tent.
Steve bought a new cot for this year. It looks so good right out of the box.
Dear Sportsman’s guide,
Your cot really sucks. I really don’t think it meets Military Specs. The center legs broke on the 2nd night of using it. I had to use some big logs to hold up the center. It caused me a pain in my back and was a true pain in my ass!
Love, Steve MI Deer Camp “Fat Ass Award” winner 2011
Scouting means loading up a list of potential hunting sites in the GPS.
Steve is loading up a location in his GPS.
“Hey Steve! Why are you hording all the firewood under your cot?"
"I didn't know they made cots with lumbar support!”
Larry using his GPS to find his way to the “One Hole’r, aka the Windage”.
“Dave are you plotting hunting locations or playing Tic-Tac-Toe. Put an X in the middle for me!”
On Opening Day Dave shot a doe.
The new deer cart was used to pull the deer out of the woods. “Dave pick up you German Shepherd and just carry it out of the woods”.
The first deer of the year.
“Really, the deer looked this big through the scope!”
John and Dave are holding up a box of Girl Scout Cookies. “The perfect Pogie Bait.”
Jimbo’s good side.
John with his 6 point he killed on the 16th.
The buck jumped out of a thicket less then 15 yards away.
“Jimbo play us a tune.”
“Where is Shawn at? Kruger is he with you in your sleeping bag? Has anyone seen Shawn?”
"The Day 3 Deer Camp Blues." I am not sure what happens on that 3rd day, but a lot of guys get bit with the “Lazy Ass Virus”. Here are the excuses, “I had surgery two years ago, there are no deer bigger then a 6 point in the woods, and we’ll go and scout out some different areas” These are some pics of “sightseeing……I mean scouting different areas”.
The last day for hunting we decided to do a deer drive. It was very successful with three deer.
Are your scopes designed for high-powered rifles? I don’t think they are. Using your product gives me a headache.
Love, Chewie MI Deer Camp “Scope Hit Me in the Face” award winner 2011
Chewie’s farmers sandwiches. Menu for 2011: chili, goulash, steaks, corn chowder soup, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken wings, hot dogs, scrambled eggs, the egg mess, pancakes, and french toast.
Six deer hanging
John and Dave
Packing up to go home. “Look at all this crap!”
The South end of a North Bound Deer.
“I bet they don’t do this in California!”
2011 was a good year!
Steve showing off the “Windage”
MI Deer Camp 2011
A PETA Nightmare
Every deer that we shoot will be eaten. “I can almost taste the venison salami!”
MI Deer Camp 2011
Weather: Nov 15, 2011-Low 50's and Sunshine | Nov 16, 2011-Mid 30's-cloudy with strong winds Nov 17, 2011-Mid 30's-cloudy with strong winds | Nov 18, 2011 Mid 30's-cloudy
Deer Kill Times: Nov 15-12:30 PM, 4:45 PM | Nov 16-5:00 PM | Nov 18-12:30-1:30 PM
John shows how to gut a deer in 3 minutes in this YouTube video.
