UP... what to kill.... what to kill... ;)

[corbanzo]

We have some friend who live in north central part of the UP and have been considering giving them a visit.  They aren't big hunters, but if you guys think there are certain animals that need to end up dead, let me know!


So we haven't made any set plans as of yet... but from a perspective that I will hunt and fish for anything, anything with the opportunity - what are your recommendations??


What are the best seasons for certain game animals, fish?  And what is the best time as far as weather, hunting, and also.... tourist stuff (there are women involved....  haha)


Killin a whitetail would be nice (we dont have them in Alaska) but I am looking at an overall good trip with some friends that I get to opportunity for murder with BBQ sauce.

[spruce]

Go to michigan.gov/dnr and that website will give you all the hunting/fishing regulations, some downloadable maps, etc.  Good place to start to get a feel for what time of year you might want to come.
 
Fall colors are usually peaked around the first part of October, nice time to be in the woods grouse and wookcock hunting.
Deer bow season runs from Oct 1st thru Nov 14th  and Dec 1st thru Jan 1st.  Rifle deer season is Nov 15th thru 30th.  In normal years expect at least some snow during the rifle season, with more up towards Lake Superior and less (or sometimes none) in the southern parts.
 
In July and August temps can be 90 degrees, but not very often.  More average highs are usually closer to 75 or 80.  In early October I've hunted grouse in a T-shirt some days and other days you might need longjohns and an insulated jacket!
 
Walleye and Pike seasons open May 15th.  Also available are perch, bluegill, crappie, brook and brown trout, and bass in the inland lakes/rivers.  Lots of charter boat fishing for Lake trout, rainbows, and salmon on the Great lakes (Superior and Michigan).

[Lloyd Smale]

just dont expect the hunting to be the same quality as it is in Alaska. You can eaisly come to the UP and hunt deer all 15 days of season and not even see a leagal buck.

[petemi]

just dont expect the hunting to be the same quality as it is in Alaska. You can eaisly come to the UP and hunt deer all 15 days of season and not even see a leagal buck.

Been there, done that Lloyd

If ya forget the BBQ, coyotes need killing and that season runs from mid-July through March.  Actually I think April 15.   It's closed Nov 15 -30 on the Upper Peninsula. Theoretically, that's to protect the wolves from being accidentally killed by deer hunters.  Coyotes can be killed any time on private property when "doing or about to do damage".  I never saw yote that wasn't "about to do damage".  They're shot when seen year round on my place.

Pete

[RevJim]

 For Primo Bar B Que, go to any of the game farms that have Eurasian hogs; shoot a meat hog and get ready to be surprised! It is absolutely the best pork I have ever eaten...lean, almost red in color. My credentials are growing up in SE Texas and eating pen raised and feral hogs...almost every day! ha. BBQ pork with the sauce "cooked into the meat" takes  a little time to cook right, but OMG! If you shoot a Boar, just run up and cut his cajones off pronto. ( I don't know if it really helps the meat flavor, but every one I ever did that to tasted fine...could have been a fluke each time.)  I enjoyed the UP so much...the people, the woods, and the deer were as big as donkeys! SE Tx whitetails had to live a long time to reach 140# on the hoof.

[upnut]

I have always considered the first two weeks of October to be THE best time to visit  the U.P. Hunting opportunities abound, from small game, to whitetail, to migratory bird, even bear with a little planning. I hunt pats(ruffed grouse) and make the 6 hour drive from from my home in south-central Michigan to the U.P. at every opportunity. If you catch it right, the fall color change can be breathtaking...combined with a fresh whitefish dinner in Grand Marais a sure hit for the ladies! Say ya to da U.P. eh!
Scott B.

[Lloyd Smale]

theres some good advice. Come when the colars are changing and eat a whitefish sandwich and maybe even try a pastie! If your a bow hunter you could even sit out a couple nights. Even if you dont shoot a deer the sceenery will keep you happy and maybe you can make some connections and plans for another year to seriously hunt. Another benifit to a trip like that is mama will be much happier too.

I have always considered the first two weeks of October to be THE best time to visit  the U.P. Hunting opportunities abound, from small game, to whitetail, to migratory bird, even bear with a little planning. I hunt pats(ruffed grouse) and make the 6 hour drive from from my home in south-central Michigan to the U.P. at every opportunity. If you catch it right, the fall color change can be breathtaking...combined with a fresh whitefish dinner in Grand Marais a sure hit for the ladies! Say ya to da U.P. eh!
Scott B.

[corbanzo]

To get rid of the guys on our stands so the ladies can sip some beer and gossip?  Yeah, that keeps em happy.