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The UP Gets Some Recognition

Posted on January 13, 2012 by trish

It looks like the rest of the world is finally catching on to the beauty and the simplicity of living in the UP.  The February, 2012 edition of Outside magazine has listed the UP as number 46 on their list of 63 perfect things.  

For those of us who call this place home, that result is no surprise.  Although we may complain about the long winters or the spring mosquitos, we’re mostly just blowing smoke.  You see, as a true Yooper, complaining about those things is our way of boasting about how tough we really are.  Who else on this planet puts up with 8 months of winter followed by two months of bug season?  Only the heartiest of folks do it – and they all reside in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

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UP Ice Fishing Season

Posted on January 11, 2012 by trish

The best part of winter for many Yoopers is a treasured day on out on the ice.  With the varied weather conditions this season, many of you are wondering exactly what the fishing is like.  See what fellow anglers have to say about local fishing spots, join the conversation and give your two cents here:  http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?board=131.0.

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Product Review – Pro-Fit 800g Northland Boots

Posted on November 27, 2011 by trish

Breaking in a new pair of boots is always a little sketchy.  You just never know if they are going to live up to your standards or not.  And when deer season finally arrives, and you need to rely on your boots to get where you’re going – it’s not a good time to find out that something is wrong.  

When Hycreek asked Bob to test the Pro-Fit 800g Northland Boots this fall, little did we know he was going to put them to the ultimate test.  It was during the second week of deer camp (sorry, but the reference to famous “Yoopers” song was coincidental).  Bob’s son, Brad, wounded a nice deer, so a long day of tracking followed.  The deer led them through hills, swamps, mud, across rivers, and up and down several ridge lines before the chase ended.

Bob’s boots, we’re happy to report, kept his feet warm and dry (yes – even through the rivers and swamps!).   They were comfortable and perfect for a long day of walking over

uneven terrain.  Brad’s boots, however, have seen better days and succeeded in keeping his feet cold and wet.  This of course, contributed to a day full of father/son ribbing, but that’s another story.

Long story short:  The Pro-Fit 800g Northland Trail Boots are now officially Bob Approved.

Posted in Bob Perala | 1 Comment

Opening Day

Posted on November 17, 2011 by Nina

It’s one of the biggest U.P. holidays of the year and this November 15th wasn’t any different. Stories of trophy bucks and near misses are already making their rounds, but for many hunters it’s not just about bagging a big one. Family tradition, making memories and enjoying the peace and quiet of the woods are also important parts of deer season.

And while hunters continue to search for that prized buck, the DNR wants to remind everyone to comply with the law and to hunt safely. Anyone going out into the woods needs to make sure they are marked with proper hunter’s orange.
Read more about opening day and hunter’s accounts from the field.

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From the Bush to the Pot

Posted on November 6, 2011 by The Original Yooper

Planning on taking your kiddos on a hunt?  First, let me start by applauding you for even considering it!  My idea of an euphoric world is a place where every child gets the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful pleasures of hunting.  The reality, however, is that hunting is a sport that is rapidly declining in popularity among todays youth.  This is why I applaud everyone who hunts with their children!  If you take a kiddo hunting, take a moment to realize how important their first one is.  It will likely be a hunt that they will never forget, and will also act as the deciding factor on whether they will ever do it again.  A few simple guidelines should be followed when taking youngsters to the bush.  First, make sure you take them on a hunt that they will be able to enjoy.  If it’s a tough hunt for an adult then it’s probably not a good idea.  Second, ensure they are properly equipped with adequate clothing.  If being wet, cold, and miserable is all someone remembers about their first hunt, a second one is likely out of the question.  Finally, ensure there are plenty of treats, food, and drinks.  Kids burn calories much faster than adults and therefore require more nutritional intake.  

Over the years, I have taken several youngsters hunting and had a blast every time.  I have taken my daughter and her friend when they were 6 years old.  Of course, I didn’t bag anything since even squirrels find shelter when two princesses come flitting into the woods!  But just being in the woods and allowing them to discover new things still made it an enjoyable experience.  People often ask me what happens if I harvest something and the child freaks out?  My answer is simple, I allow them to make the decisions on what we shoot.  Using proper hunting ethics also alleviates most of those concerns.  I tell all the kiddos I take hunting that we have to eat what we shoot.  There have been a few times where my oldest daughter told me “let that one go.”  Other times she will say “smoke it dad!”  Allowing them to decide encourages independance and builds confidence.  In addition, don’t let their hunt end once the harvest is complete.  Have them field dress it with you or walk them through the process.  Once the animal is properly dressed, show them how to clean and pack the meat.  Finally, include them in the cooking process!  Including them in all aspects of the hunt is crucial and makes them feel like their role is just as important as yours.

A few days ago, a hunting buddy and I had the wonderful opportunity to bring two young boys on their first hunt.  One was my hunting buddy’s eight year old son Jayden.  The other was my 13 year old nephew from Utah who was also named Jaydon.  To prevent confusion, we called them big Jaydon and little Jayden.  To make the most of our unique opportunity, we decided to bring them small game hunting.  Small game hunting is perfect for youth because noise discipline isn’t as crucial as it is for big game.  We drove about two hours to an area that is known for dusky grouse, rabbits, and squirrels.  Although we didn’t see any grouse, there were plenty rabbits and squirrels.  The hunt was a complete success and both boys experienced their first harvest!  All the money in the world isn’t worth the special experience I was lucky enough have while hunting with the boys.  Their first kill resulted in Texas size grins, shaking hands, eyes full of wonder and excitement, and of course the flabbergasted cries of “I got it!!”  I guess that’s why they call some memories priceless!  I have no doubts that they will return to the woods and if I’m not mistaken, it appears that both are walking with their heads a little higher than before.  Congrats to Jaydon and Jayden and welcome to a timeless tradition known as hunting!

 Jaydon proudly holding up his first cottontail!

       

Jayden proudly holding his first cottontail!

 The boys enjoying some hot chocolate and MRE’s for lunch.  It’s important to be prepared and ensure that kids have something to look forward to….especially for those slow hunting days when the woods seem to be asleep and nothing is moving.

 Mike (Jayden’s father) coaching him on how to field dress a rabbit.  Like I stated earlier….get them involved and let them do it!!

 Jaydon preparing a delicious rabbit dish for all of us.  

Remember, hunting is more than simply harvesting!  It’s about making memories and learning invaluable life skills from the bush to the pot!  So get them out there and teach a youngster something they’ll never learn in school!  And as always….happy hunting eh!

Posted in Stories, Yooper Lore | 2 Comments

Product Review – The Truth Cam 60 Game Camera

Posted on October 31, 2011 by Nina

Local U.P. hunter and Pro Staff member, Rob Edwards, has put the Truth Cam 60 through its paces this hunting season. Although work has kept him from scouting the woods as much as he’d like, it hasn’t kept him from watching his stand 24/7. With the reliable Truth Cam 60 as his eyes in the woods, he knows when a big one’s been coming in.

Extremely easy-to-use with great features and battery life, this game camera has taken quality pictures day and night. The capability to adjust almost every setting makes it highly adaptable to any hunting setup. According to Rob, the quality construction of the Truth Cam 60 has made it a reliable scouting partner this season, one that he will continue to use for years to come.

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Product Review – Hycreek’s Micro Fleece Lined Hunting Jeans

Posted on October 28, 2011 by trish

Our resident Yooper Pro Staff member, Bob Perala, put the micro fleece lined hunting jeans to the test this past week.  Bob spent the last week at his hunting camp getting ready for deer season.  When you own a hunting camp, there’s a lot of work to be done and not always enough time to do it.  You sure can’t afford to lose a day or two to bad weather, and last week’s 45 mph winds put that theory to the test. 

Fortunately the Mirco Fleece lined hunting jeans proved to not only be warm, they were extremely effective at blocking the bitter wind.  The cut and fit made for all day comfort.  According to Bob, they exceeded his expectations.  

These jeans are now officially Bob Approved!

Posted in Bob Perala | 2 Comments

First Test of the Pro II Series Big Game Camo Hunting Package

Posted on October 28, 2011 by The Original Yooper

As a proud born and raised Yooper, avid outdoorsman, and hunting enthusiast, you could say I am a bit picky about the equipment I use.  For clothing, I find it increasingly difficult to find a product that does exactly what the tag promises.  All too often, I find myself disappointed and reverting back to my military gear.  But after reading the reviews for the hunting packages found at Hycreek, I decided to dive in and see for myself what the hype was all about.  Besides, who knows more about foul weather than fellow Yoopers?  I ordered the Pro II Series Big Game Hunting package and drove my wife nuts until it was delivered to my doorstep three days later. Then I was like a kid on Christmas morning testing out my new duds around the house. The first thing I noticed was how light the outfit was.  The second thing I noticed was how cool and unique the camo pattern was!  The layering system is well constructed and very comfortable.  It is comparable and similar to the military layering system that has been keeping us warm in the mountains of Afghanistan for the last few years.  The pants and jacket are what I loved the most.  The jacket has several pockets strategically placed for easy access.  The adjustable heavy duty elastic waistband make the pants extremely comfortable.  Another neat aspect of the suit that immediately caught my attention was how quiet the fabric is!  

I was finally able to try the suit out while on a small game hunt last weekend.  A couple buddies and I decided to try out a cottontail/snowshoe hare hotspot about 1.5 hrs west of Colorado Springs, CO.  Little did we know, there was a severe winter storm that was spitting snow at a rate of 4 to 5 inches an hour.  The temperature was in the mid to upper 20′s and the snow was heavy and wet.  Once we got to the hunt site, my buddies were a little reluctant to leave the comfort of the warm truck.  I was eager to try the new suit out and was finally able to coax them out of the truck so we could begin our hunt.  I knew our hunt would be difficult since we would have to beat brush to flush the rabbits out of their warm holes.  It didn’t take long for me to once again appreciate how light the outfit was.  I also appreciated the fact that the suit fit nicely with plenty of room for movement.  The pants sit high on the waist so I was able to crouch down and look through the thick brush without exposing my backside to the cold air.  After a few miles into our hunt, I found I was moving much faster than my buddies and I constantly had to stop and wait for them. Their clothes began to collect moisture and they became wet and heavy. The conditions made their energy levels drop faster than the temperatures of a typical U.P. cold front! On the other hand, I was completely warm and dry and ready to roll!  I ensured my buddies knew exactly how comfortable and light my suit was, which caused a few snowballs to be thrown my way.  We trudged through the snow and logged a total of just over 7 miles on our feet.  As expected, the rabbits were hiding and wouldn’t bolt until we almost stepped on them.  Despite the poor visibility and crummy weather, we managed to bag a few rabbits and as all hunters know, nothing tastes better than a dinner that was hard to get!  Needless to say, my buddies became extremely interested in the outfit!  Thanks Hycreek for an awesome hunt and an awesome outfit!  Can’t wait to get back out there and until next time, happy hunting eh!!        

Posted in Stories, Yooper Lore | 9 Comments

Rabbit Stew

Posted on October 27, 2011 by Nina

This is a delicious, hearty, and easy recipe for those cold winter nights!  The rabbit works as an excellent stock and the rest of the ingredients make it an attractive dish.  Serve with warm dinner rolls and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:
- 2 large or 3 small quartered wild rabbits
- 2 teaspoons oregano
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 teaspoon ground pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon marjoram
-  2 medium onions chopped
- 1 cup of sliced button mushrooms 
- 5 medium or 15 baby carrots chopped
- 5 celery sticks chopped
- 1 cup finely sliced Canadian bacon
- 2 cans (121g per can) petite diced tomatoes
- 2 cups red cooking wine (cranberry juice may be substituted)
- 2 cups water
- 1/2 cup flour

DIRECTIONS:
1)  Place rabbit at the bottom of a medium to large crockpot and sprinkle with pepper.

2)  In a large mixing bowl, combine all other ingredients EXCEPT flour and mix well.  Once ingredients are mixed, gently pour over rabbit.

3)  Cover and cook for approximately 8-10 hours on low or 5-6 hours on high.

4)  (Optional) To remove bones, remove rabbit pieces approximately 1 hour before serving.  At this point the rabbit meat should easily fall off the bone.  Debone the rabbit pieces and place meat on a plate.  Discard bones and return meat to the crockpot.  Beware of small bones even if this step is done!

5)  (Optional) Finally, add 1 cup of water to the flour and stir until it forms the consistency of a smooth paste.  Add to the crockpot and stir into the stew to thicken.  Let it cook for another 30 to 45 minutes before serving.  Do this step if you enjoy a thick hearty stew like broth.  Skip this step if you prefer a soup like consistency!  

 

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A Yooper Deer Camp Staple: The Pasty

Posted on October 27, 2011 by trish

Nothing signifies the Yooper experience more than the Pasty.  This tradition began in the early 1850′s with the arrival of the Cornish immigrants who came here to work in the booming copper and iron mines.  Because it was a simple, wholesome, and relatively inexpensive meal, it was soon adopted by the miners of all nationalities – especially the Finns.  Today, the pasty is still a favorite food amongst UP families, and you’ll still find them in the lunch boxes our hearty miners.

What is a pasty, and why do Yoopers love them?  Pasties are made of potatoes, onions, rutabaga, meat (beef and/or pork), and simple seasonings that are covered with a thick pastry crust traditionally made of lard.  Yoopers swear that Pasties will magically stay warm for hours (which they do), and that’s one of the reasons local miners carried them deep underground in their lunch pail where a hot lunch was a luxury indeed.

The UP is littered with GREAT pasty shops, but if aren’t able to make it up here, then you can make your own.  Here’s how:

crust

    4 1/2 c. flour

     1 c. lard (or vegetable shortening)

     1 tsp. salt

     1 1/4 c. ice water

In a large bowl, combine flour and salt.  Cut in shortening.  Blend ingredients until well combined, and add water, one tablespoon at a time, to form a dough.  Toss mixture until it forms a ball.  Kneed dough lightly against a smooth surface with the heel of your hand to distribute the fat evenly.  Form into a ball and set aside.

filling

     1 lb. round steak, coarsely ground

     1 lb. boneless pork loin, coarsely ground

     5 carrots, chopped or shredded (optional – not all Yoopers use carrots)

     2 lg. onions, chopped

     5 1/2 c. potatoes, peeled and chopped

     1/2  to 1 c. rutabaga, chopped (can substitute turnip)

     2 tsp. salt

     1/2 tsp. pepper (or more to taste)

     milk

Combine all of the filling ingredients in a large bowl (except milk).  Divide the dough into 8 to 10 pieces, and roll one of the pieces into a 10-inch round on a lightly floured surface.  Put 1 1/2 cups of filling on half of the round (not in the middle).  Moisten the edges with milk by dipping your finger in the milk and rubbing it along the edge.  Then fold the unfilled half over the filling to enclose it.  Pinch the edges together to seal them.  Transfer the pasty to a lightly buttered baking sheet and cut several slits in the top.   Bake pasties in a preheated 425 degree oven for about 45 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.

YOOPER TIP:  Eat your pasty with ketchup, but DON’T mash it up.  Some Yoopers get highly offended if you mash up your pasty before you eat it.  

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