Deer Hunting in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula DEER CAMP 2021

It's everybody's favorite episode: Deer Camp! And it's just intime for the 2022 Deer season to kick off.
This week we've loaded up the camper and attached the side by side to head north and over the Mighty Mac as we head to Deer Camp in Michigan's beautiful Upper Peninsula! This year were headed back to our old stomping grounds where we've hunted for over 16 years in hopes of putting our hands on a big PUBLIC LAND Upper Peninsula WHITETAIL! After 3 years away, we decided it was finally time to come "home". Things were definitely looking up after the scouting trip and we just knew that the deer hunting was going to be great once again. So crack a nice cold beer and enjoy it with us as we hunt Michigan's Upper Peninsula!
S4|E10

[@skinnylegendz6940]

The Upper Peninsula of Michigan 💚💚

[@DroptineRidge]

It’s an amazing place!

[@frankmarullo228]

This is a good video my friend.. Brings me back to the 1970's and 1980's when my friends and my self hunted like that back in New York ( I now live in montana for the last 33 years. You can't hardly say the word hunt back there no more. ( they would want to put you in jail ) plus all my hunting buddies are either dead or to old to hunt... So with that being said , that's why your video hit home with me... Thank you Frank from montana..........

[@DroptineRidge]

Glad this brought brought back some good memories for you! We have a few more deer camp videos just like this on our KZbin page if you wanted to see more of them. I was chatting with a guy who hunts New York on here too and it did sound tough to hunt, not to mention it’s frowned on by many. Montana is definitely on my list to hunt one of these years. Happy hunting Frank!

[@ryanbeyea2834]

What's up

[@ryanbeyea2834]

Hi

[@ryanbeyea2834]

Cool

[@scottstringer7949]

Nothing like deer. Camp! My dad and 11 buddies formed Pontotoc Deer Hunting Club in 1958! After hunting several years renting a old farm house they all put up $100 a piece and bought some land adjacent to the National Forrest and built a 20 X 40 concrete block camp in 1962! One of the members ran a concrete plant and the camp was built out of 2nd blocks for 10 cent a piece! The metal roof was from a old military Q hut! One big room with fireplace at one end! They got some military bunks and mattresses 😊 then put the kitchen on the end opposite the fireplace! Later in the later 60s they added a bathroom and insulated and sealed the ceiling! I started going to camp in 1960 at the age of eight and have helped do many things on the camp! There was always a list to eat in and when I turned 21 I wanted to be a full fledge member but no openings ! The only rule they had was no one but members the night before opening day of deer season and that included sons! The rule has not been broken in all these years! The difference is I was able to get a acre of land right across the road from the original camp in 1981 and drag a 12 X 16 foot building I across the road 7 days before deer season! We stapled cardboard on the walls and used a kerosine heater with us on army cots and like to froze to death cooking outside but we made it! I contacted the game warden about a camp permit and he just laughed and said I was just a suburb of FORT DREWERY! The next year we were working on the camp insulating and sealing it when my wife came by as we were all taking a beer break and said she thought we were working . One of the local guys told her we were trying to come up with a name for the camp. She laughed saying all I had was a Smokehouse! So since that time it has been known as Smokehouse Hunting Club! Since beginning it has grown quite a bit. Th😊e original building is a bunk room with 3 double bunks. It has a 12 X 7 bathroom with shower/Tub, lavatory, commode, hot water heater and washer and dryer! Out the front is a 12 X 12 kitchen with sink, stove, griddle, refrigerator, stainless steel table, coffee pots, Microwave and air fryer with all the cooking pans and utensils you would ever need! When you step out fo the kitchen you go into our great room I guess you would call it we have a upper section where we have a big table and chairs and also our wood heater which I made out of a 30 inch diameter 3/8 inch steel pipe 4 1/2foot tall with 1/2 inch steel plate on the top and bottom! It has the shove pipe coming out the top offset where we can put a Dutch oven on it and cook! Below that is our tv area with couch, love seat, and several recliners! The whole building is super insulated and sealed with led light, ceiling fans and air conditioner! Step out the side door is our cleaning area where we can hang three deer and dress then set into a huge stainless steel liner, that came out of a salad bar,win a drain in the middle where we can wash and clean the meat. Hear in the south we have to get them dressed and cooled down fast as possible! We also have storage area for our wood to stay dry and park about8 4 wheelers and side by sides! We mainly are running in mud and water so when it cold we let tarps down and seal the shed off and fire up a double barrel wood heater in the shed to dry our brakes and wheels out! I turn 71 in March and wouldn’t take nothing growing up in this camp !g my brothers and I ,my kids and now grandkids and it’s is still wonderful! I lost my dad in 2005 and I took his membership in Fort DREWERY since he started it! This year the FORT DREWERY building has been their since1962 60 years ! My building SMOKEHOUSE building has been there since 1981 41 years ! From the hills of North Mississippi I wish y’all a great hunt this season!

[@DroptineRidge]

The smokehouse and and Drewery sound awesome! I wish I could see pictures of both! My dads old deer camp was started around that time and they too had a $100 buy in. This camp was also in the Upper Peninsula just like ours and we had some great times at it before I got together with friends and started our own. So many great memories that I wouldn’t trade for the world! Happy hunting this year and good luck to you and your family and friends

[@scottstringer7949]

@@DroptineRidge good times for sure ! Y’all take care

[@DroptineRidge]

@@scottstringer7949 you as well!

[@70stunes71]

I have photos from the 1890s up through the middle 1900s of my grandfather's deer camps in the upper peninsula. They literally went up there and built cabins when they finally owned a property up there. After a split in the hunting group, they moved areas and started hunting out of the large white tents. The buck pole photographs are incredible. One of the deer antlers hangs in my house from back then. A family member was a taxidermist one of the earliest in our area. His work lasted. They went to the south end of Porter Lake in the irons. Munising and Newberry among others. He was a logger, running steam engines for the mill, operating them like that from the 1890s up until the year I was born in the early sixties. They were men of iron those guys. Still operating with the original crew into their '80s. And man were they the Outdoorsman. Love videos like this. Excellent job :-)

[@DroptineRidge]

That sounds awesome! I’ve always loved seeing those old photos when going into sporting good shops. Too bad there wasn’t a way to post them on here. That’s pretty cool you still have an old deer antler in your house from back then. My dads deer camp was in the irons area and that started back in the 30s-40s. They had a picture book and a journal that they would write in each day. It was so much fun to read that thing and look back and say this was 60 years ago today.

[@70stunes71]

@@DroptineRidge yeah actually it mistyped. It's supposed to say antlers. They are mounted in a skull plate and the metal license is still on the horns. He shot many of them but my grandmother didn't like them in the house so he kept the one said he liked and the rest went goodbye unfortunately. Looking at the photographs a lot of very impressive horns were lost. People viewed things differently back then. At least some of them LOL

[@paule4696]

I had almost the same thing happen to me 2:49 with a soft Tonneau cover a couple of weeks ago on the bridge. I couldn't stop along the way to do anything about it but fortunately it stayed with the truck although it was completely ruined. I had driven 50 miles before that and it just popped on the bridge of all places.

[@DroptineRidge]

That’s crazy! Definitely a bummer it was ruined. I’m sure it happens more than people think on the bridge

[@peterchalk1192]

Looks like a great deer camp with good guys, good food and good fun. That's living the good life. I wish you all great luck next year and every year.

[@DroptineRidge]

Glad you enjoyed! We wish you luck this year as well! Happy hunting

[@PATCsawyer]

Something about the ride up....... Anticipation, excitement, crossing the Bridge, the start of this year's adventure. Camaraderie, friends. Pure Michigan as they say.

[@DroptineRidge]

It certainly is! All that anticipation and the moment of arrival at camp surely is a great feeling

[@mikemikovsky3112]

i love your videos cant wait for this years deer camp video

[@DroptineRidge]

Should be out at the end of September or early October

[@-vansiclen8025]

Good video. Was definitely a surprise to see the 2 boys racing camper at your camp.

[@DroptineRidge]

There back up here again too

[@brentthebloodhound]

I love your excitement about the 10 point!

[@btlietz]

Good luck tomorrow!

[@DroptineRidge]

Thank you! Good luck to you too!

[@mikelites6177]

Don't that sick when you have to go back home. Thanks for the video. I enjoyed it

[@DroptineRidge]

Yes it does! Can’t wait to get back up there! Glad you enjoyed!

[@Mark-qq7io]

Very well done 👍 thank you

[@DroptineRidge]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@bradbradshaw-i4n]

when you set up your stands the #1 thing you think about is the sun. #2 is the wind.

[@brentthebloodhound]

looks like a really fun camp!!

[@DroptineRidge]

Thanks for watching! It’s an absolute blast!! Can’t wait to get back up there this year. Happy blood trails

[@pamelapelech3249]

Looks like soo much fun

[@DroptineRidge]

It’s a blast and we can’t wait to get back up to camp! Happy hunting

[@2fast65]

Awesome video I love that you guys take hunting serious and understand that friendship and camp life means more than the kill have a great day be safe and keep the videos coming.

[@DroptineRidge]

Glad you enjoyed the video! You are spot on, the memories with family and friends certainly does mean more than the kills itself. We have a great time! Happy hunting

[@bulletman124XXL]

I enjoyed all them guys together getting along and it's such a fun adventure. The stories the campfire the cooking 🍳

[@DroptineRidge]

Glad you enjoyed, we can’t wait to be back at camp!

[@pigsrock75]

The deer camp looks awesome. Takes me back to when my family and I had a big deer camp. Illinois first firearm season was always filled with great food a lot of adult beverages drank and the stories. Now it's just my parents and I but we still have a good time. Good luck this season

[@DroptineRidge]

Always have loved having a big deer camp and all the camaraderie that goes along with it.Glad we were able to bring back some memories for you and glad you are still making new memories with your parents at camp. We have a few more deer camp videos from previous years on our page that are similar to this video. Thanks for watching and we hope you get a big one this year! Happy hunting

[@johnwillenburg1586]

Man that looks like a blast.

[@DroptineRidge]

It sure is a riot! Glad you enjoyed, happy hunting!

[@johnwillenburg1586]

@@DroptineRidge keep em coming, good hunting.

[@whitetailwarriorsdeercamp88]

totally awesome!! love it, nothing better than being at deer camp. glad to see it, keep that tradition going my friend. that looked like you guys had a great time, which is what it's about. thanks for sharing and taking us along

[@DroptineRidge]

Glad you enjoyed buddy! Less than a month and a half and we’ll be back up! I can’t wait!!

[@mimike2640]

You've always made great videos it's about time you got the views you deserve! Keep up the good work and good luck this season.

[@DroptineRidge]

Thank you!!! I appreciate the kind words and the support a lot! We’ve had some close calls this season and things are starting to heat up! Should be really good the next two weeks. How’s your season going?

[@mimike2640]

@@DroptineRidge I have seen lots of deer in SW MI which is normal. Vacation is coming starting on Halloween so I will be looking for a big one!

[@DroptineRidge]

@@mimike2640 good luck to you! I’ll be headed down south next week for some pre rut action but my days will be limited as I will be going to Iowa hunting. Hope you connect on a big one!

[@BlueRidgeAuditor]

I use to hunt in Michigan I miss it good hunting good food and good friends and a boat load of fun

[@DroptineRidge]

It sure is a riot! Hopefully youre able to hunt some good areas where you are now and share those memories with good friends

[@JessicaSmith-tp7rd]

I always enjoy the deer camp videos! Good luck tomorrow! 🏹🦌

[@DroptineRidge]

Thank you!! We can’t wait to head out in the morning! We have a nice one we put glass on this evening.

[@joshuaschell9591]

Love,love ,LOVE the deer camp videos!! They are the BEST. My cousin is coming home from the Navy this year just in time for deer camp this year so it’s going to be a great year. Cheers fellas and good luck out there!

[@DroptineRidge]

Their our favorite videos too! Glad you enjoy them! That’s awesome that your cousin will be joining you this year. Where about is camp for you guys?

[@joshuaschell9591]

@@DroptineRidge we are in Wolverine. It’s perfect for deer camp

[@DroptineRidge]

@@joshuaschell9591 My brother shot his elk not too far from there. Great area

[@joshuaschell9591]

@@DroptineRidge recently? We just saw some pics of Elk taken over there

[@DroptineRidge]

@@joshuaschell9591 yup! It was about two years ago tho! We have the elk video on KZbin too

[@kevinstone5646]

Looks like a great time. My wife’s family is from Michigan. Ive only hunted there one time

[@DroptineRidge]

It sure is a blast! Michigan has some awesome hunting and tons of public land which makes for some fun hunting

[@backcreekoutdoors]

I used Shazam for the one song “Fade away” it’s so good I had to add to my playlist😂 Great Video!

[@aaronhendrickson9688]

Nicely done video. Well documented hunt

[@DroptineRidge]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed! Happy hunting

[@Charleytaghon]

love it

[@NHOERCHNER]

good ol fasion deer camp!

[@DroptineRidge]

Nothing beats the time at Deer Camp! Thanks for the watch happy hunting!

[@leonardryan8723]

Nice small taste deer for deer cabin .

[@maxcorder2211]

Nice camera work on the stand. I was thinking Mr. Buck would step out any minute.

[@DroptineRidge]

Thank you! I was hoping he was going to too! Maybe this year 🤞🏻happy hunting!

[@BudBanksOutdoors]

Even tho you didn't get one looked like you had a great time with your friends. That is what matters at the end! New Subscriber here!

[@DroptineRidge]

Thanks for the watch and the subscription! We have a few more videos we’ll be posting before moving on to this years hunts. Including a couple great michigan huntings. Happy hunting - Jerry

[@amcmann925]

Awesome video, love the filming on the drive up going across the mighty Mac. Where about a you guys hunt? I hunt over in Ontonagon county between Bruce crossing and Bergland. Gods Country.

[@DroptineRidge]

That’s where that big buck at the end of the video came from! Such a great area over there with some really big bucks! One of my favorite things about filming this video is the drive across the bridge, it gets me pumped up every time

[@dotell3359]

Am 75 years old and lived in the 906 area a little town called Fletch. Hunted in the swamps and the hard woods seen a lot and heard a lot. Great memories and great men of are hunting camp. Keep up the good work and stay safe.

[@DroptineRidge]

I know where Flech is at, use to drive through there on the way to our deer camp in Iron River. Thanks for watching happy hunting

[@kamkrajewski211]

Felch *

[@DroptineRidge]

@@kamkrajewski211 - Good catch! Auto correct got me again

[@anton1949]

My nephew lives in Felch. Down the road in Bonetties bar.

[@U.P.FishPAN]

That's crazy my camps in Ralph by the west branch a esky..

[@mattf9248]

Deer camp or moose camp, there’s nothing like a bunch of friends getting together to share some time.

[@DroptineRidge]

I would love to do a moose camp some day! But you are right there’s nothing better than camp!

[@eugenew6717]

Snow about to get deep up there

[@DroptineRidge]

That’s what I’m hearing too. Even got a little here at home

[@mikemikovsky3112]

I hunt new York and my dad and uncle used to camp when they hunted and then the older they got they needed to get a motel and then I started hunting with them in new York and they definitely needed to get a motel but my dad passed away in 2014 and my uncle and I still hunt there this year we are getting a cabin in new York for the gun season opening weekend

[@jasonmausteller2488]

You use generators to power things? How much fuel you go through?

[@DroptineRidge]

To be honest I haven’t kept track of the amount of gallons we go through. Usually we have to fill the gas can about twice.

[@Njennings42]

cool you passed right by me on the way to the up

[@DroptineRidge]

That’s awesome!

[@Yooper850]

Where do you hunt in Iron River? I'm from Iron River. Good video.

[@DroptineRidge]

We hunted between the paint river and sunset lake

[@jamesworkman686]

Awesome video I’m from the metro area but have property up north to hunt

[@DroptineRidge]

Nothing like being at deer camp up north! Thanks for the watch. Happy hunting!

[@billclisham8668]

That looks like the Newberry/Seney area.

[@DroptineRidge]

Never know 😉

[@finpainter1]

I don't want snow, but a little will help.

[@DroptineRidge]

I like about 2-3”s is all when it comes to snow

[@mikemikovsky3112]

Good times congrats

[@DroptineRidge]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video. Just another month and a half and we’ll be back. Can’t wait!

[@mikemikovsky3112]

@@DroptineRidge with another deer camp video I like your set up

[@DroptineRidge]

@@mikemikovsky3112 Absolutely! Deer camp videos are my absolute favorite

[@mikemikovsky3112]

I lost my dad in 2014 and he was my no. 1 hunting buddy and during hunting season we stayed at a motel we never did a deer camp set up like you guys but we also slept in the car

[@DroptineRidge]

@@mikemikovsky3112 those are still great times and great memories with your dad! I’m sure he’s with you every time you head to the woods!

[@IamNOtAhuman-sg8so]

My brother and I bought a 20 acre plot outside of Paradise Michigan to hunt on. Were both from east/central Indiana. It is truly god country up there. Plan to move up there full time next yesr

[@DroptineRidge]

My dream would be to retire up there! You are so lucky! It is awesome!! We actually were in that area over the summer, there’s so much to do and see

[@anton1949]

Oh Yeah, you are next to White fish bay.

[@johndemeen5575]

Around the camp fire

[@edstoffregen3623]

the constant sound of generators running back at camp kills it for me. my dream deer camp is roughing it without gas exploding running a compressed piston. do solar do something other than ruining the peacefulness of the U.P.

[@DroptineRidge]

To be honest I just tune them out and don’t even realize their running. I hope that one day you can enjoy your dream camp. Happy hunting!

[@mikemikovsky3112]

Do you guys get doe tags this year

[@DroptineRidge]

I have not I’m not sure if I will this year or not. I think only one guy has so far

[@mikemikovsky3112]

What caliber rifles do you guys use

[@DroptineRidge]

I use a .308, but others at camp use 30-06, .357 and .308s

[@mikemikovsky3112]

My dad left me in his will a Ruger . 270 but I never shot it and it's bolt action how much does it kick if I use 150gr. Bullet

[@DroptineRidge]

@@mikemikovsky3112 - I’m not sure my buddy owns a .270 and his isn’t bad but I’m also not sure what grain he is shooting. I always say suffer sighting it in and you’ll be rewarded with a blood trail. Myself I don’t worry about the kick with my .308

[@mikemikovsky3112]

How much does a . 270 kick

[@jessicapierce3723]

@@mikemikovsky3112 not much and definitely less kick than a 30-06 and a 308. Just be a man and put it up to your shoulder, look down your optics and pull the trigger. And I guarantee you will find out how little of a kick it has.

[@christopherburns5195]

What was the name of the song at the beginning?

[@DroptineRidge]

“Howling at the moon” by D Fine Us

[@christopherburns5195]

@@DroptineRidgethe other one! lol the slower old school tune

[@DroptineRidge]

@@christopherburns5195 - Fade Away by Red Meadow

[@hardway1746]

Yooper

[@joshuamontgomery4992]

Only a troll would load up rotten wood haha

[@DroptineRidge]

😂😂

[@gagehavela8903]

What county?

[@DroptineRidge]

It’s a secret 😉

[@deadnorth8333]

If I was to guess Alger

[@HammeringTruth]

How far past the Cut River Bridge did you go? The U.P. is being overrun by people who have no respect for those of us that live here. Sad.

[@DroptineRidge]

Been in our area for around 20 years now, and hunting it for over 25 years. Judging by the tremendous decline in deer camps, bridge count numbers, and hunters in general, I see the opposite. I also have a cabin in the UP and while summer traffic is there it also took a hit this year which I will blame the high gas prices. Hopefully things change for you happy hunting in the future

[@SpoonierMilk]

You didn't get the memo? The wolves ate all the deer in the UP

[@DroptineRidge]

Not all of em, we managed to get 6 deer.But they do get a lot of them. Wish there was a managed season on wolves up there

[@markpostin996]

Hope you all don't waste the rest of the deer and just eat the back strap

[@DroptineRidge]

Most of us clean and butcher our own deer. Not an ounce goes to waste as it feeds our family and friends

[@jwest4257]

Sorry dude the music is toooo much

[@DroptineRidge]

Yeah I can agree with that. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much of a choice as we had the radio music on in the background and they flag me for a copyright if it’s playing, so I had to put way more music in than I would have liked to cover it up. Lesson learned. Thanks for the watch and happy hunting!

[@nineohsix1299]

Just come U.P. here and do your business. Save us all the blowing U.P. the spot please.

[@DroptineRidge]

Huh?

[@charleswieand4445]

Remember when you got to shoot a camp deer to eat for free while in camp and you could also shoot a bear on your deer tag for free and every property owner could hunt his land and neighbors adjoining woodlands without a license or a passbook because everyone is entitled to feed their families off from land they own🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔😂

[@DroptineRidge]

I’ve always heard of those days but I never got to experience a “camp deer”. Sure would of been a cool experience

[@patsfanb6]

If people in Michigan didn't drink Bush light..no one would ..nasty

[@DroptineRidge]

😂😂

[@nedcarter6553]

They drink Bush smoke Bush and eat Bush lol!!

[@bubcat54]

I often stay at the Lakeshore motel in Iron River. This year I hunted public land in Channing. Saw a spike, a few doe and plenty of wolf tracks. Then, on the 19th, at dusk, I got lost in the woods scouting the public land across the road. I won't bore you with the details, but it could have gotten ugly. Fortunately I found my way out, exhausted and soaked in sweat with temps dropping below 15 degrees. Learned a few valuable lessons that day. Never took a deer, but I still was in heaven. Too bad none of my sissy-ass buddies can break away from their wives to hunt anymore. Had to go it alone.

[@DroptineRidge]

Wow that’s crazy! Glad you were able to find your way out.

[@anton1949]

Did you get a Pizza at the Riverside?

[@bubcat54]

@@anton1949 Always.

[@bubcat54]

Sad to see Fobs in Crystal Falls close though.

[@anton1949]

WoW, didn't know that, they put out a proper breakfast. Did Covid do them in?@@bubcat54

[@larrywarren2431]

Maw made the best chili for deer camp all I had to do is warm it up but the beans and the chili made me fart one day during both season big buck was coming close to me I farted and let off some stink and he ran away so I only ate the chili at night for supper but then the guys wanted me to sleep outside because the smell was too bad

[@DroptineRidge]

I think we can all relate to this when it comes to Deer Camp lol