Northwoods Muzzleloader Camp

[TraderVic]

I'm kind of procrastinating while washing my filthy truck camper and thought I'd talk about annual whitetail deer hunting in Wisonsin's North Woods. The remote cabin belongs to a good friend, located about 30 miles SW of Chequamegon Bay (Lake Superior). The crew varies a bit year to year and we have only used traditional percussion rifles. Everyone but me use a 50 cal, I use a 54 GPR.
Hunting the big timber is spiritual for me, don't have to worry about other hunters. We rarely hear any shots except from our own party. We've been doing this about 27+ years or so.
As we've grown older (age varies from 65 - 74), we hunt closer to the narrow logging roads and trails. We drag the deer to a trail/road, then pick up with a utv of some sort or snowmobile depending on the year and weather.
We're all pretty fair cooks, I keep a full size Weber grill there and I can grill about anything.
Anyway, I'll quit rambling for now, thanks for listening.
Regards, Vic

 

[Christophero]

I've been a solo hunter for the most of my time after deer, though I've thought highly of those who have the opportunity and comradery to share that special bond on an annual basis. The SW Ohio woods are just small blocks between fields, no real chance to set up a remote camp, not to mention the competition for the precious few tracts of land that are still available to hunt. A couple October elk camps years ago in the high country of Wyoming is a close as I've gotten.
Hope you get that camper cleaned out and find the motivation to prepare for another season, it will be upon us quicker than we can imagine. Take plenty of pictures and invite us in for a brief visit to that special spot. I for one would enjoy cheering you fellas on as you pull another deer into camp, or grill up another fine meal on the Weber.

 

[Gtrubicon]

Keep up the tradition! I have a group that every year we would get together at 1 of 4 different spots we’d set up for deer camp. Usually 5 -7 days. Many years we would have several of these hunting trips, We had so much fun and we’re always successful. I live and hunt in Northern California and last year we lost the last spot of 4 we would go to. All were within an hour and a half from home. The wild fires have destroyed every area that we have loved to camp and hunt in For the last 20 years. I’m only 47 and have a 16 year old son who lives to hunt and fish, so we will find new spots. I guess what I’m trying to say is take nothing for granted, enjoy every one and every thing like it could disappear at any moment because they can.

 

[Mad Professor]

I love hunting big woods too, and cutting a track and stalking all day if the weather is favorable. That said I'm getting older too and can't put in the mileage that I used too and/or drag out the prize like when I was a youth.

Grills are great but a big cast iron skillet and dutch oven belongs in every deer camp. I've went real primitive cooking too. "Steak on a stick" can taste pretty good.

 

[TraderVic]

Years ago my family lost access to a pretty nice privately owned hunting area (a retired farm, owner died & widow sold the place).
So, I acquired a 12 x 14 canvas wall tent, stove, etc, and started a family deer camp in the North Woods. After three years, everyone walked away from it, too much work they said. You could have knocked me over with a feather as I did most of the work. Some said it was too far to drive, not enough deer, etc, etc.
I would have used it for muzzleloader camp but we already had my buddy's nice remote cabin.
Tent camps are more effort, no doubt, but I enjoyed all of it.

 

[3Setters]

My kind of camp.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

This is a great thread.

Lots of members in my club “talk” about hunting with their muzzleloaders, but I get the strong feeling that few of them actually do hunt with their muzzleloaders.

 

[TraderVic]

Muzzleloader camp is a great time. We're all retired now, we know each other too well to tell any lies, talk awful smart, eat well, enjoy our woods walks. Surprisingly, we can all still shoot our iron sights pretty good and hit "minute of pie plate" @ 100 yds, usually a bit tighter than that.

 

[hanshi]

I've been mostly a lone "day hunter" most of my hunting career but have been out hunting with friends quite a bit. On a couple of occasions I did camp with friends but that's about it. Otherwise I prefer the solitude of being alone in the woods.

 

[Stykbow]

I’ve never been a part of a yearly hunting camp, but it sounds nice. Once I was old enough to drive I found that nobody wanted to hunt as much as me, so I ended up being a solo hunter for my entire adult life. Other than the odd day trip with a friend I’m on my own.

 

[TraderVic]

Muzzleloader camp is usually 4 or 5 days of a 9 day season here. There's also a lot to be said for hunting solo. It's always a good idea to leave a note where you're hunting if possible, as "manure happens".
Regardless, I don't venture any deeper in the woods than I can drag a deer.
I enjoy my walks and "sits", enjoying everything outdoors, the chickadees, etc.

 

[Des52]

My Dad went to deer camp when I was a little kid in the 50s. They had a converted school bus and would drive up north to the deer camp because there was no deer here in southern Wi. All the deer tasted like acorns and pine needles. Now there are deer all over southern Wi. and they taste a lot better.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

Arrrrrggggghhhhhhh ... boo hoo, I missed MZL camp this year ...

 

[TraderVic]

Des52,
There used to be a number of converted school bus "campers" used as deer camps years ago. There are still a few out there, but not as many.
While hunting the regular season this year, I reflected back on the tent camps I've been part of. Very few hunters are willing to go to the trouble and work of a comfortable tent camp anymore.
I'm thinking I'll likely put my canvas wall tents, woodstoves, etc., up for sale next year. Let someone else use this equipment.

 

[Rancocas]

I'm kind of procrastinating while washing my filthy truck camper and thought I'd talk about annual whitetail deer hunting in Wisonsin's North Woods. The remote cabin belongs to a good friend, located about 30 miles SW of Chequamegon Bay (Lake Superior). The crew varies a bit year to year and we have only used traditional percussion rifles. Everyone but me use a 50 cal, I use a 54 GPR.
Hunting the big timber is spiritual for me, don't have to worry about other hunters. We rarely hear any shots except from our own party. We've been doing this about 27+ years or so.
As we've grown older (age varies from 65 - 74), we hunt closer to the narrow logging roads and trails. We drag the deer to a trail/road, then pick up with a utv of some sort or snowmobile depending on the year and weather.
We're all pretty fair cooks, I keep a full size Weber grill there and I can grill about anything.
Anyway, I'll quit rambling for now, thanks for listening.
Regards, Vic

Sounds wonderful. Keep up the tradition.
I'm 74 now. All my hunting partners have either hung-up their guns, or departed this world. So, for the last 20 years, or so, I have mainly hunted solo. I sure do miss those ol' boys!

 

[Stub]

I'm 78 years old and have hunted most of my life. I can only remember a few times that I hunted with more than one other person. There was a couple of years that I had a up north hunting camp with a cabin. But, even with a camp, each hunter hunted independently. Now I'm the only one left, the rest have all passed on to the happy hunting grounds in the sky. The younger folks either don't hunt or tie themselves to a shack with heaters, food plots and sliding windows. Those who use muzzle loaders, are using the modern version.
Thus, I load up one of my traditional muzzle loaders and head into the public forest alone. I can still enjoy traditional hunting solo.

 

[TraderVic]

I'm 78 years old and have hunted most of my life. I can only remember a few times that I hunted with more than one other person. There was a couple of years that I had a up north hunting camp with a cabin. But, even with a camp, each hunter hunted independently. Now I'm the only one left, the rest have all passed on to the happy hunting grounds in the sky. The younger folks either don't hunt or tie themselves to a shack with heaters, food plots and sliding windows. Those who use muzzle loaders, are using the modern version.
Thus, I load up one of my traditional muzzle loaders and head into the public forest alone. I can still enjoy traditional hunting solo.

Stub,
You sound like my kind of guy ! Too bad we're not closer. Hunting with 2 - 3 others is much preferred by me over a larger group. I wish you safe hunting out there when solo.
Best regards, Vic

 

[Stub]

Stub,
You sound like my kind of guy ! Too bad we're not closer. Hunting with 2 - 3 others is much preferred by me over a larger group. I wish you safe hunting out there when solo.
Best regards, Vic

I know hunting solo especially at my age, has safety issues. I make it clear to my wife exactly where I will be parked for the days hunt. That, gives a starting point for a search if I don't return in a timely manner. I always carry basic survival equipment and know how to use it.
This year my brother-in-law wanted to hunt with me the first few days of gun season. He also wanted to drive. Things were good until we returned to his pickup mid morning to discover he locked his keys in the truck. We were 5 miles from the nearest cell signal. He has some health issues so I left him and started to walk out, on my walk I crossed paths with 3 different people that agreed to call my wife. All 3 people called. I find the nicest people seem to wonder the woods.

 

[Stub]

I know hunting solo especially at my age, has safety issues. I make it clear to my wife exactly where I will be parked for the days hunt. That, gives a starting point for a search if I don't return in a timely manner. I always carry basic survival equipment and know how to use it.
This year my brother-in-law wanted to hunt with me the first few days of gun season. He also wanted to drive. Things were good until we returned to his pickup mid morning to discover he locked his keys in the truck. We were 5 miles from the nearest cell signal. He has some health issues so I left him and started to walk out, on my walk I crossed paths with 3 different people that agreed to call my wife. All 3 people called. I find the nicest people seem to wonder the woods.

As a side note, two days after being locked out of the truck, we were driving out at night. We come on a hunter with truck trouble and needed a tow. We drove 7 miles before we had enough cell signal to call his friend to come tow him home. Being able to return kindness has been the highlight of my hunting season so far!

 

[Spikebuck]

I have been a solo hunter my whole life. Bowhunting, which is what I grew up on, tends to be that way, I think.

But for about ten years I went with a group of 6 guys to whitetail hunt in Western MN near the tiny town of Porter where one of the guy's family had farms....big farms. We camped in Travel Trailers on one of the farms. We'd sit stands morning and evening, but did deer drives through the small woodlots and creek areas during mid day. Sometimes standers were in the next woodlot a 1/2 mile or more away as deer would kick out, hit a fenceline and head for the next woodlot. We had a great time each year. Big farm style breakfast every day at the Porter Cafe, which had about five tables.

Not deep woods, but it's the camaraderie, not the location, that counts.

I think about those days more and more as time goes on. Sigh.......