Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Birth of a deer camp

You don't do anything Dave.

If this is a burden for you, just stop posting. Nobody wants old Northern Dave to feel like he needs to feed us.

Note one thing though man. You left on your canoe trip. You signed off. And there wasn't a single post until you returned to report.

This is Dave's house. And I think that nearly everyone who reads the posts here just loves to live a little in your world. No pressure from me.

Why?

YOU ARE REAL. That's all. After seeing all this I pledge to BE MORE REAL.

Love ya man.

Craig

Word.

GE

IMHO this thread captures the best of the people and places that make "Up North" deer hunting.

Who are we to *imagine* that we are A) imposing on bandwith that could be used for discussing celebrity birthmarks when "it don't get any better than this" (c) Old Swillwaukee Beer or B) capable of shutting it down after all this when "we didn't start the fire" (c) William Joel.

If the thread has a life of it's own, let's wait to carve the tombstone until it's cold ...

ge

tzone-hey thanks for the offer and there may come a time when I'll give you a shout.

But, for now I'll go back to the home place and hunt. Dad doesn't/cant' hunt anymore but I still like to go back there and will for some time if you hear what I am saying and I am sure that you do.

Time back there with Dad and Mom is pretty darn precious to me and I really enjoy getting back to hunt.

I really can't wait to get back there for the opener, I'd just love to see some white and hit the big woods and do some one on one on the ground with Mr Whitey.

I've a hike that I want to do that I've not done for close to 25 years and when I get my day (calm and new white) I am gonna do the sneaky pete all day.

One of my old mentors used to see if he could go the day and only break 3 twigs, I just can't get there but it's sure fun to try...grins

I may even carry Dads old 35 for the day, although the new lil 243 I'm cobbling together with a scope (700 with a Ti take off handle and a 20" youth standard contour)will suit me better.

I've yet to look and see when the opener is but will soon and plan a road trip east. I'd rather hunt deer in Minne than out here, now isn't that a switch?

Thx again for the offer

Dober

No burden Craig. I love sharing & learning from others that contribute to this thread, i just worry that it's run it's course. I worry about it more the longer it gets.

Thanks for the kind & encouraging words.

You too Loon leader, I just don't want this thing to outlive it's welcome.

It's getting that time of year where the focus will drift back into the topic of deer camps & deer hunting.

Nearly a year has passed & the achievements our camp has made in the way of establishing founding members & staking claim to our true belonging to our camp & to each other is more than I could have ever hoped for in a years time. Comfort & belonging, that's what I wanted for the group. We have it.

It all grows from here forward, things like Jim's Wood Spirit become unique & truely appropriate features of our camp. it all grows from this point forward.

With much help from the fine members of the 24 hour campfire, we have succeeded with our initial goals. Our camp is like a seed that has sprouted to a healthy young plant, I hope it's like an oak tree with slow steadfast growth & perserverence, with a lifespan at least equal to to the healthiest of oaks.

I hope for it to be a place of learning, sharing, adventure, healing & growth for many generations after my time has passed.

All of you that frequent the deercamp thread share a bonding interest with me, an understanding of what is often the unspoken value of the deer camp. We rarely attempt to define the fruits of the deercamp experience in words, it's much easier for us to simply label it as "good".

It is good, it's really good. No better environment for a young person to discover & expand there own personality, there own personal values. It's a school of sorts, possibly a church of sorts, definately a vacation to free the mind of the daily burdens. And it's not only the young people that benifit & grow, the dad's, uncles, grandparents etc grow & flourish by learning to teach, lead, guide.

For those of us that have it, it's very important.

Deer camp is a crew cab pickup truck on an abandoned logging road, a tent in the snow, a camper, an old school bus, a shack... Deer camp is the members that find themselves belonging to a crew or group, it's a big deal, and I wish that belonging for everyone.

Enough, i can only get preachy every now & then in short bursts. then I have to try to turn the fun back on.

So, now I want to go out & buy a damn trail cam, put some new stands up, cut some firewood, clean some rifles, shoot some rifles & converse with my fellow deer slayers on the topic of taking deer by the barbaric means of gun powder, copper clad lead projectiles, string & bow, and what ever else is legal. Cause that's what we tell the women we are there for right? & when sept comes to a close, october creeps in... well the man rut sets in, and by Nov, we are all focussed on the prize that the camp is all about, the hunt.

The hunt, and those other little things we kind of like about deer camp.......

Thanks guys.

YOU, fuel me.

Dave

For the day? don't ya mean for A day Dober? gotta put in more than a day if you're commin back home to hunt white tail.

I hope you can find the perfect conditions to carry your dad's 35 for a day & also the new 243 you spoke of.

Personally I like to mix it up & at least designate a morning or evening to a suitable walking/still hunting rifle, this is pretty big fun for me, feeling somewhat "old school" for a time, limited to the abilities of what you carry, it adds to the fun factor.

Enjoy your time with your dad during deer season. That is very, very cool, hat's off to you, once again.

Tom, if our MN hunt well runs dry, or you just want a change of MN scenery, drop me a line. little longer drive for you but we'd have a bunk for you & lots of hunting room.

Dave,

This thread really needs to stay as others have said it is more then the ramblings of the north country crew.

It is a place where we all relive the memories of deer camp, family and friends. I know it is a place that when I am having a bad day or am getting stressed out ya can sneak into and get a break.

It is a place that focuses on the good things and reminds us to keep things in perspective.

Ya asked what to do when that 1 year mark comes, I say have a birthday party.

bd

ROBOTGIRLS! ROBOTGIRLS! ROBOTGIRLS!

GE

Dave,

Have you seen the muskies they're pulling out of Island Lake (duluth)? They are getting some pigs out of there. I'm talking 54's, 52's and a ton of 40+. There was an article in the Duluth New Tribune about it a few weeks ago so now I'm sure they are getting every big bait ever made passed over their head 5 times a day. I used to get some decent northerns out of there on occasion but not a 50" muskie thats for sure.

As far as what you should do with this post... I'd leave it until Rick says it's time to shut it down. Some of that may be just selfesh reasons on my part. This is the first post I check every time I log in here. As far as the pictures go, there are a lot more big pictures on the Alaska forum than on this post.

There is a reason there are 20,000 views, people like to talk, write, and share their experiences with others. You are great guy and had a rough time in your life and shared it with us. That alone took a lot of guts and people on this site are usually genuine and want to help someone. Espically someone they like, and you probably are one of the more liked guys on this site. This forum shows that I think.

This is no fault of yours. All you did is post about something you were passionate about and it blew up. Just roll with it until it lands in the creek.

People just like a good deer camp stroy, and you brother have a good deer camp story. It includes everything in it. At least it involves all the aspects that I enjoy in hunting.

Deer camp is a place to live, love, cry, laugh, reflect on lost loved ones and partners. Deer camp is a place to get away from everyday life for awhile, even in the summer, even if it is just for a few hours while we're having a bad day or week.

Deer camp is where we see our first Playboy, have our first beer with a special Uncle or an understanding Dad. Shoot our first .22 and .410 shells at cans and chipmunks. It is the place we teach our kids the real meaning of life and how to let them figure life out for themselves. It is where you learn how to cut wood, start a fire, build a shed and ride a 4 wheeler all by yourself.

Deer camp is were you learn the survival tools to stay in the woods for a night. How to stay warm, how to make shelter, how to cook hotdogs on a stick sharpened with your first knife.

Deer camp is where I go to see friends to I only see once a year. Not where I go to shoot a deer, if I do it is a bonus. I can shoot a deer in my yard if I really want a deer.

I hope this post grows more, and I think it will. If Rick says pull the plug... well it's his site and if it was a true tax on the site he probably would have done that already.

Don't feel bad about anything Dave, we all like it or it would not be what it is.

Tom

Dober,

Where do you hunt in MN? I realize how imporntant it is to be with your parents. I also realize how cool it is to hunt where you haven't for years. I did that last year. I had a spot in a swamp where I shot my first few deer. Hadn't sat there in about 9 years. My brother in law and I scouted it out again last year an it looked good. He never saw a deer, zip. But the fun was rebuilding an old blind, cutting new shooting lanes and touching up old ones.

Don't forget to ask for help, thats why we are here right?

Tom

Thanks Tom.

Island Lake? Are you kidding? I had no idea there were Muskies in there, that's right by my dad's place!!

Awesome!!

Maybe someday we can get together for a beer at the island lake inn.

Dave

[/quote]

Tom, if our MN hunt well runs dry, or you just want a change of MN scenery, drop me a line. little longer drive for you but we'd have a bunk for you & lots of hunting room.[/quote]

Dave,

Hopefully I will not have to take your offer for a few years. They guy is sort the old grumpy type with a big heart. Heck when I was a kid I don't think he even liked me.

The first year we went there, it was the year after my uncle died and his wife sold the camp. We did not have money to buy it so we lost the spot. This guy, Bill had been friends with my dad for a long time, old hot rod buddies. My dad called him up and asked if we could hunt on his farm and he said come on up. He said he doensn't hunt but a kid should not be without a place to hunt, and for that I will have respect for him forever. This year will be my 20th year at the camp and I'm forever greatfull to him for it.

Each year I bring him some cool little gift. He likes unusual collectable stuff... so it is usually along those lines.

Thanks for the offer, and I probably have to talk to you in a year or two. Hopefully two

Tom

We deffenetally need to get a beer at the Island Lake Inn. I'll track you down in September. My itch will need to be scractche real bad by then.

OK, you just let me know, on both counts, the beer at the inn and a bunk over at the shack.


But you might have to burn some more youpers CD's for us.


Dave

That's funny you mention the Youpers. They were in Wausau durring the 4th of July weekend and I MISSED THEM!!! I didn't know they were coming. We were in Hayward at my mom and step dad's place on Nelson Lake. I would have made the trip back to see that. They crack me up somthing fierce.

Banana's At Large is another goofy group of dudes. They sing "da turdy point buck".

I'm fired up now for deer hunting. I picked up a Savage 110 in .243 a few hours ago and it needs to poke holes in somthing. Hopefully tomorrow.

"bang, bang...hey you shot my cow"

glad to hear you bought the 243!!

"yeah, I' calling bout dat crotch for sale..."

"no, no sir, it's a garage sale..."

" I've got cow 'nure, horse 'nure, sheep 'nure.... I've got all kinds of schit for sale"

Dave,

I don't know where to start, but hopefully you'll understand. Please don't feel obligated in any way shape or form to lead me along or to add more to this story. However I've told you before here that this Cabin of yours and the stories shared here will forever hold a spot in my mind and heart. Today alone I know for certain I clicked this thread etleast 5 to 10 times! As I've said I can't post from there but this is my place to back away from the office for a minute, to imagine being your pal and sharing your time while building,hunting and yes fishing on the canoe trip too.

I would Hate to see this thread deleted or see it go away and would even donate to the cause in more ways then one to keep it right here.

I have been waiting over the weekend for you to post about your trip as this is your place though, I've been to busy to post since Monday as the kids ballgames have kept me busy. But Please keep this story going as long as NorthnDaves camp lives it is a place I can dream about being in and a place I can go to when I need to get away.

I don't want to guilt you into it though... so when you think it is time, then it is time to let go as well, because I can understand you might feel this thing is too large or grabbing more attention to you and yours then you would like.

However you should know this has become a place where many find a mutual relationship to a Great guys life and I'd Really enjoy watching your friends and family grow in deercamp and beond. When the Boy hits 35 or 40 it would be fun to see how he and you see this place and then again when your 100. As I grow older each year I really begin to appriciate a place like yours and guys like you.

I'm now 36 and just this week I may very well have lost my favorite place to deerhunt, our camp will never have enough room for everyone anymore. Minus another 80 acre section this week and now my Very Best friend also my 1st cousin is going through a divorce a Bad one. I don't know but he may loose his property too so he and I could be looking for awhole new place together before this is said and done. Your place brings me Hope we will find a way to keep our camp or maybe my cousin and I open a new camp together somewhere..

I sure hope so for my kids and his two young boys too as I know this will be tough on his boys, they will need a place to learn traditions and I hope friendships and how to trust someone again. Thier mother is prettymuch walking out on them and trying to take him for money, trust will not come easy for any of them.

Sorry for such a long addition but its been a Very long week already and my plate is alittle full trying to keep the peace in his family and mine is busy with sports lately. Gotta go for now keep the fire warm and alive guys, I'll be checking in again soon..

Please don't take my comment about "feeding the thread" the wrong way, in no way has it ever been a burden or a chore. It was more a question of whether I'm a rambling fool speaking to an empty house or not. I've been quite surprised at the comments I've received, I had no idea the thread was as inspirational or significant as it seems it may be to some. That's really nice, I'm glad for that. I guess we can stretch it out to a year & choose a direction from the 1 year birthday.

Really sorry to hear about the trouble that may effect your camp Wabo. I can only hope for you & your group that there is a reason & that there is some unforeseen benefits and improvements above your current group/camp status. Something better that you just can't quite see on the radar yet.

Dave

Wabo,

sorry to hear about the camp and family issues. Just remember that the as bad as this all gets, there is an end to it. It may take a year or two but the BS WILL end eventually. It is much tougher when there are kids involved. The divorce bug runs in my family for some reason. All I can say is be patient it will be over and each family will be able to move on. That doesn't mean it won't hurt for a while though. Keep your head up and think about big heavy MO bucks on a frosty November morning.

On the deer camp thing... That's a rough deal too. Maybe its like you said, this could be the chanc for you and your cousin to start a new camp together.

Man I can see it now. Two birth of a deer camp threads. Hey, might be onto somthing here.

Maybe there can be a deer camp forum and a deer hunting forum. If Dave decides enough is enough ( don't do it dave) than you can fire one up.

Tom