For more than 20 years our small group of traditional bow hunters have met every fall in the western end of Michigan's Upper Peninsula for 10 glorious days of chasing whitetail deer.

Our annual hunt is due to start up again in a couple days and I can hardly wait. In past years we have had good success with our hunts, putting a strain on our "deer pole". In fact one time some years ago the pole broke when we were trying to hang the 8th deer.

Like I said the hunting has been good over the years but more than that the camaraderie we share has been the most rewarding part.

I know that right now I should be having dreams of big bucks but I just can't get then image of my buddy Ray Lyons made from scratch apple pie. It's a tradition every year for Ray to make his Mothers apple pie recipe for the boys in camp, and they are to die for..8>)

Good luck to all you guys, enjoy your traditional hunt. Bowhunting at it's best.

The back deck after a light snowfall

Best of luck for a great hunt and good memories.

Looks like a great time Enjoy!

Looks like a blast! Enjoy!

I hunted way up in Northern Wisconsin for over 20 yrs in a camp a lot like that one but a lot uglier..lol. So many good memories of both friends and deer hunts. The snoring chorus is hard to forget too. Every year we'd go ice fishing on a remote wilderness lake and cook venison and onions while fishing for ice slab crappies. It was an all F.I.B. camp except for one cheeser, and one mud duck. Only northerners will know of what I am explaining...lol. The wolf and the bear and the bobcat along with horiffic winters have made it not worth doing anymore. The camp has produced 2 deer total in the last 5 yrs and last year the camp saw no deer in 9 days hunting. Im tickled to death to see you guys as it brings back memories of a better time. Thanks Ron

That is what hunting is all about. Good times with good friends. Is the land you hunt public, private or a mix of both? I would love to have a deal like you guys have one day.

Good luck and be safe.

Rob

Hunting camps in my area are getting to be a thing of the past, I am sad to say. I remember when I was a kid just waiting for the chance to go to camp. People now are so hung up on getting the biggest deer in the woods that they have forgotten the important things. Thanks for the memories.

Our camp is located on 440 acres of private land. We bought the property in 1990 when land was cheap in the U P.

Here's a link to a TV show that did a segment about deer hunting in the U P. Part of the show shows our camp and comments from the guys about what deer camp means to them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C5sIKWBjoY

Our camp is located on 440 acres of private land. We bought the property in 1990 when land was cheap in the U P.

Here's a link to a TV show that did a segment about deer hunting in the U P. Part of the show shows our camp and comments from the guys about what deer camp means to them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_C5sIKWBjoY

Lost in time...

I hunted in a camp for 22 years in S.C. & loved the hanging with the guys n watchin my son grow up n he longs for the deer camp still!I hope u all much success n safety n wish I was there myselfn my son! ED

Looks like a great time! Never been part of a deer camp. Would like to one day... have a friend who is part of a rifle camp for deer and moose (separate trips) and they have a blast

Enjoy your hunt and best of luck in the deer woods!

Thanks everyone. A wake up an I'm outta here..

Good luck.,that is fun

Wowee! Ron; That looks super;

Remember days at a place like that, wish I could go back in time;

friends die off and no new people with an interest in the old Deer camp thing

just hunt alone on the farm now, do miss those days

Have fun,I am sure yall will. I am headed to TwinOaks this evening for the same kind of fun with friends. Pappy

Have a great trip sir!

Very cool! Good luck guys and God bless!!

good luck!, looking forward to some more pics and stories.

HEAVEN!!!

Hey Ron, you have to stop feeding them guys so good. Every time Tim comes back from a hunt with you he's 10 lbs. heavier. LOL Jim :)

If I remember right Ron Ray made a Special Pie just for you with a little extra something!

Good luck to you and your crew Ron

Ron --

I have a couple of your bows -- my favorite has your AND Mrs. LaClair's signature BOTH -- at my request. You are an engaging friendly guy on the phone also. I've got to ask....why do you not smile in any photos ? happy huntin to all.

Grayghost you got it best all my buddys care about is trophys and high browed living.used to have a blast with a doe or 3 point etc.now they all lease land and talk about trophy bucks and work and money very sad as we are all getting old.could cry right now.please hang on to tradition.

Good luck to all of you guys.

Two things I want, the first is to get the super shrew longbow, the second is to go to shrewhaven!!

You guys must have a great good time there! Good luck!

We were blessed with cold weather and some snow this year. The deer herd is way down due to the severe winter last year.

Roger Norris next to me.

Ron you old coot, you look great! Hope your health is good to you and may "The Goddess of the Hunt Smile on you and the gang" Jacques

Please give us a heads up on how the hunt went when u get done & settled back home,love to read success stories on here!

Can wait to see the pics and hear the stories...

That looks like one warm coat Ron but not sure I could shoot my bow wearing that in my tree stand.

thanks for sharing this...those of us that hunt on a small patch of our farm like to see the "good stuff" whenever possible. :^) Best of luck to you all! Bob

Wow you boys are blessed. I love that coat whats the actual name of it though?

"That looks like one warm coat Ron but not sure I could shoot my bow wearing that in my tree stand."

I don't hunt from a tree stand much anymore, mostly from natural ground blinds or my Hidden Hunter blind. It's heavy wool and because of it's length it is a very warm coat. I call it the "Longhunter Coat".

This is one of the corners of the cabin where a bear has chewed and left his mark for the last four years. One of these days I hope to have his hide on the floor beside my bed.

Retired Master Chef Greg Nicolou getting ready to prepare another evening feast.

I'm getting my fork out

"Retired Master Chef"? Ron, you know how to build a team! :)

Thanks for sharing the stories and pictures.

"Retired Master Chef"? Ron, you know how to build a team! :) "

Yep, we have a very diversified group, two chefs, two contractors, two archery equipment suppliers, a jack of all trades handyman....and me... My Ole Dad told me, "surround yourself with smart people and let them do all the hard stuff" .....8>)

Although I've no doubt you've worked hard your whole life, I have to say you're a lucky man, Ron, i.e., having a group of friends to meet with and enjoy every year. Not to mention the cabin and the hunting. Good luck to you all.

I sent my brother to cooking school. He made some super meals at camp this fall. I have cleaning duties now. My cousins our builders/contractors and help build our camp over the past twenty years.

Ron..I always have like you and your life as man and archer..tho we have never met..I like the woolen capote..I wear one similar to it when it gets bitter cold..

Hope you and family continue to do well...:) Jim in Oregon

Ron you are living the dream and have earned it. Thanks for all you have done to champion classical archery, for sharing your experiences and wisdom. Looking forward to more photos and history, Wishing you health and longevity.

Capote thats the word was looking for just as good long hunter imagine to hot on foot moving around. The other picture of the group is awsome you guys are living it out. Is there a couple Asbel garmets in that picture the 2 greens?

Thank you Jim and John.

Someone snapped this shot in the cabin while I was takin my afternoon nap in the old Lazyboy chair.

Standing at the back of my truck with Roger Norris who had to leave camp early and didn't get in the group picture

Ray Lyon making his delicious apple pies from scratch for camp

Looks Great!!

After they came out of the oven

Livin' large at deer camp,,good luck this year.

Nice pics Ron, bet those steger mukluks would of came in handy.

Pm sent Ron

Did you get lucky with that 56' Kodiak this year?

Deer camp "nothing better"

Walk softly, carry a stick and a BIG knife...8>)

Ron..Before we both die..I'd enjoy hunting and shooting with you..:) But the chances of you coming to Oregon or me to Michigan are not great..

In the meantime..smile a bit more in your pics and keep on gettin' out and doing good stuff..:) Jim

and yes..I have a few larger knives..as well as the small personalized Shrew neck knife you sent me a few years back..

Looks like a wonderful camp. Thanks for sharing with us. Good luck.

Ron, Where did you get that hat?

Ron.... is anyone allowed to hunt there that DOSN'T shoot a Shrew?

Thanks for sharing. Looks like it would be an outstanding place to spend a few days.

Ron you are looking dapper!

"Ron, Where did you get that hat?"

I've had it so long that I forgot where I got it. It's muskrat fur and is quilt lined, mighty warm.

Tim had a 160gr. Ace Standard that he wanted me to make into a "LaClair Lacerator"

The finished head with serrations

Some 25yrs or so back a couple of us from Ontario were fortunate to spend a couple of days at Rons'camp,back then they just camped out in the oak woods in tents and such.The meat pole had a few deer on it and every evening one of them would get cooked over an oak fire. There was one senior fellow in charge of that he basted the meat with his secret sauce.It seemed that they didn't eat much else but deer meat...what a bunch of carnivores!!! Happy Hunting Ron! And a warm Hello to Tim ...Sandy B.

SB said, "Ron.... is anyone allowed to hunt there that DOSN'T shoot a Shrew?"

Absolutely, there is a Northern Mist, a couple new Bear bows and a River Raisin, as well as Shrews.

Looks like a great time Ron, got to love it when a bunch of like minded folks get together and then throw in Bows and deer and it can't hardly be beat. Pappy

Ron, Your camp is awesome. It looks like a BIG TIME.

Re:The bear chew on the cabin..bears mark their territory usually by clawing trees and to show how big and tough they are.I don't hnow forsure but I suspect it is done in May.June their breedind period.

Sandy, I think we need a spring bear season here in Michigan 8>)

Do you think they'll ever bring it back in Ontario? Those bears back along the B river must be dieing of old age.

"Someone snapped this shot in the cabin while I was takin my afternoon nap in the old Lazyboy chair."

This wouldn't have anything to do with not shooting a deer? hehehe! I'm getting to the age where rest and relaxation is as important as the hunt too! :)

Thanks for sharing, looks like a special place with lots of great memories. Love that serrated Ace too.

Must be tough to see the deer take such a hard hit after all those years. Hopefully they bounce back.

Ron we got over a foot of snow over the past two days. Marquette up to a foot and it is still coming down. Got to love the U.P. John

Armstrong Creek winds down through our 440 acres. Every time I look at it my heart sings.

Sorry about that I've been having a little problem with vertigo lately... 8-)

GRRRRR!

Here's 8 squirrels ready to be seasoned, floured and browned in the camps big 14" cast iron skillet. Then put on the lid and into the oven for a couple hours. If you think the Kernels chicken is tender, these squirrels have got it beat.

We almost didn't get this picture before the squirrels were gone

Think I can taste them from here

Looked good

Re the return of the spring bear hunt in Ontario. The M.N.R has opened a limited spring hunt in 8 northern zones,residents only,this they are calling a bear pilot project.Surprisingly there has been limited flack from the antis. It looks promising for a future general season....wonders never cease!

I'm waiting patiently, I'm not getting any younger..

More squirrel anyone?

Looks like a deer stepped in your taters. LOL

Probably when he was snoozing...:)

How do you get that breading to stay on the squirrels? What temp and how long in the oven? I love squirrels. Never tried it that way. God Bless

Here you go Ron!

Just read there is 3ft of snow in the UP. Did you guys get that? I like snow but that is a little too much. Skeet

Thanks David for straightening the picture for me.

"{How do you get that breading to stay on the squirrels? What temp and how long in the oven"

I rolled the pieces in seasoned flour and browned them in bacon grease. It took three pans full to get all 8 squirrels browned. Then I put about a cup of water in the pan and covered with the cast iron cover. One hour in the oven at 325* then two more hours at 300*. Removed the meat and made gravy with the drippins in the pan.

In case you're wondering where all the bacon grease came from, we had this 9# uncut slab of bacon for our grease supply.

Any time Ron, that's a lot of bacon!

Sounds real good. Going to give it a try. God Bless

"that's a lot of bacon!"

Yes it is but they didn't leave any to bring home

You Fella's sure eat well @ ShrewHaven!

YB

Thanks, I needed that! Grant, from Hot as Texas!!

One thing about deer camp that far north, we usually get some cold weather and we don't have to worry about the meat spoiling.

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