Big Bucks make headlines in West Michigan

Read the article from the Grand Rapids Press here.

"Every time you go hunting, you dream of seeing a buck this big"

    - Chris James, Jackson County, MI

Quite an exciting story I read on www.MLive.com recently. I guess it goes to show you that hunters come in all stripes. I imagine for this Chris James, this has got to be the story of a lifetime. Now, I thought it was intriguing that he says he never uses a tree stand, but prefers to climb around in the trees without these items. I wonder if anybody knows any statistics on how safe that is? I suppose if one happens to be in peak physical condition, the risks would be diminished, but really how comfortable can it be to sit perched in tree branches without support for hours on end? You've gotta respect the grit and determination that that takes, though.

And he did bring home the big prize, after all. I still wonder about the logistics of unaided tree climbing. My gut feeling is that it's got to be pretty dangerous. Then again, you hear horror stories all the time about hunters' skeletons being found in the woods, a year after their "economical," i.e. cheap, tree stand broke down and they took a fall from 20 feet or more in the air. Other than that, it's just an inspiring story in general, and stories like these bode well for when the gun season starts as well. Sounds like it ought to be a good year here in Michigan.

Take care out there, everybody,

-Dennis