Michigan- Nettie Bay Competition

M

MIvarmit

Member
Well I am getting over my frustration! Last Saturday Morning during the Nettie Bay competition I called in my first cat. I set my son on the down wind side and I called into a funnel between two swamps. Sure enough after about 10 seconds on the gray fox pup tape I saw movement coming. After several stops a nice cat came in about 30 yards, turned and jumped down into a low spot in front of me. I waited until it cleared a small tree and shot. I was using a 12 ga. 3 1/2 mag with #4 buck. I never saw the cat leave, I ran down expecting to find it dead but only found bloody tracks. My son and I tracked nearly a mile. The blood stopped. I was so disappointed. If I would have had my rifle I had a perfect sitting shot at 75 yards. The next stand I again called for about 10 seconds, out trots a nice Yote. This time I have my heavy 22-250, But he approaches thru brush and on my left. I am left handed so I picked a spot I thought he would pass thru, Well he fooled me and moved into some heavy brush, I think he busted me when I was trying to find him in my scope. I saw him jump across a two track and over a ridge. Well it was my most sucessful calling ever.
Competition results
First place was with 4 coyotes
2nd place was bobcat and two coyotes
3rd place was one bobcat and one coyote
 
Well at least you made it up there and had some good calling to boot!
I shot at a Bobcat last year and missed him so i sort of know how bad it felt to loose one.
Best of luck!
 
I was there the first year they held the hunt but haven't been able to make a return trip. maybe next year.........

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[This message has been edited by Dave in Michigan (edited 03-17-2002).]
 
Hey Mivarmit,,we share some of the same sentiments on the ole Nettie Bay deal. I've got a couple of cabins in Harrison, been up there for 25 years but never really tapped into any good fishin or huntin in the area, would love to talk to you via email, shoot me a shout on mine if you get time; Jed39384@aol.com I'd love to get your feelings on the winners with the 16 dead dogs on top of the 50,000$ Cadillac Escalade dressed in there ski outfits! I never really figured out the whole spot and stalk methods that they said they used did you? Pretty suspicious or pretty darn good hunters! I just dont remember seeing any real good trappers or hunters looking and acting like those guys did. I guess these days more than ever you cant judge a book by the cover. Look forward to chattin with ya. Good luck callin. Jedadiah

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Jedadiah

Jedadiah,
I edited one word in your post here. Not a real big deal though.

[This message has been edited by Rich Cronk (edited 02-25-2002).]
 
I also was in the Nettie Bay contest and was really hoping that I would see a ton of fur hangin at the end, However after basically 200 guys went into the swamps of Michigan for 3 days there was only about 19 animals hangin, which confirmed my hunch that I'm not the only caller from Michigan that calls a couple hundred setups a year and only kills a handful of fur. We had a professional caller from out west who is very successful there come here and hunt with us and he called in a hawk and a weasel, this was a professional boys....so dont get discouraged with poor results after you call a weekend and dont see anything. Actually it helps me to realize my chances are very slim and success rates extremely low here in Michigan, that doesn't mean I dont expect to see something each time I set up' because I do have confidence after killing some animals but I think alot of new callers get on this site and see all the pictures and success stories from the guys out west and south and are under the impression that everyone can go out and expect these kind of results, well in Michigan its just not gonna happen,period. But when you do call one in, and hopefully kill it here in our great state, its gonna be the equalivilent of killing 100 western animals I promise you. Do it because you like to do it and keep a positive attitude, dont go so much you burn yourselfout and give up, give it a rest and when you have the urge then go again, and when you least expect it, it'll happen.I guess it boils down to if you want to see alot of thong bikini's, head to Daytona Beach.....if you want to shoot at alot of fur,head to TX or AZ! Yours in the Outdoors.....Jedadiah

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Jedadiah
 
Jedadiah,

My thoughts exactly!! There was something real strange about their story. My son said the same thing to me at the banquet. I didn't want to say much just yet. I did not want to appear to be a winer. I was hoping some one reading my post would bring it up. There method was surely not what I would consider true calling, spot lighting and tracking,is about the same as using dogs. I would not be suprised if they pushed them with their $8,000 snowmobiles. I was going to send an email to nettie bay later on in the year. Well enough here I will email you.

Thanks,

MIvarmit
 
Jedadiah-
I own some property not far from Lake Nettie and it seems to be swarming with coyotes. Over the years while deer hunting I have managed to clobber a handful but as of only recently pursued them as the main target. You're right! I can't seem to get one of the wiley beasts to come when called like a good dog should! My partner's enthusiasm waned rather quickly, but my resolve has been only more firmly etched in granite. Let's see, don't they call them "wiley coyotes"? A true trophy animal! Well, sooner or later,probably later, the call will summon the cedar specter...wish me luck!
 
Hi all:
I was also at the contest and felt the same way. We did score 1 coyote and had a good time but was confused when the 1st place team said nothing about calling, seems it was the discussion at our table. I did send a E-mail to Jays saying to take it over next year. The 2nd place team did alot of hard work to get 2nd place. I did get a reply from Jays and if you would like to read it, I will gladly post it!!!!!!(might like to read it) Mark from Neddie bay did say it was way to big this year and needed someone big to take it over right?? One more thing 200 entries at $20 is $4000 dallors and a pay out of $300 for 1st and $200 for 2nd and $100 for 3rd is 600 dollars. got ya thinking now!!! Anyone comming to the sunrise side Look us up

MJ http://www.geocities.com/mjgutshot_2000/
 
Originally posted by Karl:
Jedadiah-
I own some property not far from Lake Nettie and it seems to be swarming with coyotes. Over the years while deer hunting I have managed to clobber a handful but as of only recently pursued them as the main target. You're right! I can't seem to get one of the wiley beasts to come when called like a good dog should! My partner's enthusiasm waned rather quickly, but my resolve has been only more firmly etched in granite. Let's see, don't they call them "wiley coyotes"? A true trophy animal! Well, sooner or later,probably later, the call will summon the cedar specter...wish me luck!
Click to expand...
 
Attention readers I have control of a dangerous weapon that I am not in control of, my computer! Please disregaurd previous lame attempt at communication with Karl. I've been doing this puter thing for a month still learnin. Hey Karl, I worked at Lakeview Fishing shop over in your neck for 3 years before moving back to Jackson, my good buddy Dan Chimelak now owns LakesideFishing, I'd tell you where I shot a couple of fox over there but you"d be huntin in a mall parking lot, you just might call a fox or to in but of the wrong variety! Any perch fishin yet, do you fish the Detroit River for spring Eyes?? Good Huntin Karl.....Your in the Outdoors...JEDADIAH

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Jedadiah
 
MJ-
I agree with you- 2nd place team worked a lot harder, Had better stories also. I live just a couple of miles from Jay's, Heck most of my paycheck goes there. I don't know if they are the right ones to run it, I have some reservations. Mark would like to keep it the same, Like he said to promote tourism in his county. I would like to see the start from different locations, After all I have quite the drive just to get back to my hunting spots. I know there is a lot of behind the scene expenses and one might think the revenue generated vs. payout could seem out of line. I think Mark is pretty honest and is doing a good job. The money isn't as much a concern for me as the methods of winning, I really feel the winners may have a loop hole in which they won. I did enjoy myself and am glad to see it get organinzed. I look forward to it every year. I just wish there was another event. Maybe Jays could sponsor a 2nd event
at another time. I would like to see an association also, More on that in another post.

Thanks,
MIvarmit
 
Hey Jedadiah-
Well I live halfway between where Lakeview was and where Lakeside is, on the canal side! Know Capt. Dan too! Small world. The ice has been pretty sparse this year, but I still managed to get a few for the freezer. Never got out far enough for the walleye. Speaking of walleye, I do fish the River occasionally in spring, but prefer the salmon up in Lake Huron this time of year. Spoiled by living on the canal; I catch up to the walleye a bit later out in the dumping grounds. Your note about the fox hit right home, the other day I was with my better half subjected to a day of MALL. We went to Great Lakes Crossing (I-75 and Joslyn). What should I see on the surface drive into the parking lot than a coyote sunning on a hill. I stopped and watched it trot off, it was almost out of sight when it did the "pounce" and got a vole! Made my day--sure beat the mall.... The fox around here have been getting scarcer each year; the coyotes more plentiful. But I still like the up north experience and tend to chase them there. Ought to give it a try close by though. Nice of you to respond...
 
Was the core temp checked in any of the animals that were taken during the hunt at nettie bay? I thought they were going to do that. How close were the animals actually checked out? It seems like when a team does something incredible like the 1'st place team did, someone should have shown a little concern.
And how about that $4000,00 in entry fees? Maybe hats cost more than I thought.
 
Hey Karl..Whenever your ready for a yote of fox hunt let me know..I'm in Fair Haven and since there has been no ice Ive been huntin. Cant get any of my hunting buddies to hunt predators, they are hung up on bunnies..Mark
 
Hey Mark-
Would love to! Know what you mean about the ice...I was supposed to travel to Simcoe this weekend but backed out cuz of the rain-ice is most likely crummy there too. Believe it or not, I see quite a few fox while ice fishing-for walleye off Shook, and in Canada near Mitchells. Only thing is, the season is just about over. Fur's no longer prime and in a few weeks I'll be chasing salmon in Lexington and Sanilac like there's no tomorrow. Thanks for asking though, maybe next year. My buddies don't seem to think this really works--not every time but hey, we don't catch musky every time out either. Stay in touch...
 
Yeah, but there's about a month of Bombers and Fastracs before they will even think of a Streak. Bought a new call today, and setting up a real nice coyote gun. Still waiting on the scope through the mail though. With the weather today, sure glad I didn't go to Simcoe. Hey, let me know if you ever wish to chase some salmon come April...
 
You better believe I'll go brother... Just give me a yell. Do most of my early salmon fishin in the river, cuz it's close. What kind of yote gun you building? I'm looking at a few now, I've got it narrowed down to a CZ, Howa,and Savage. Just don't know which one I want. This weater does suck, hope it doesnt stir up those PCBs too bad!!Talk to ya soon..Mark
 
Oh yea get this..I was on the ice in Lottieview 2weeks ago, at the end of this canal where there a bunch of tall grass. A small fox runs out on the ice about 50ft from me, grabs a bluegill that was laying there and runs back into the weeds. Never a camera when I need one!!!
 
Hey! You know the canals that they're finding the PCB's in? It's my home! Pretty scary--but most of it seems hype. Think it's more about whether or not everyone will be able to get their jetskis out the canal this year! I bought a Sako Vixen, the L461 action, in a rather unique caliber, 6mm PPC. It's more used as a benchrest caliber, but just looks the cat's rear end for yotes. I bought a Leupold with a special reticle; hence the wait. Reloaded up a few options already, can hardly wait to tinker with it.
I swear fox would be easier to hunt from a 4-wheeler on Lake St. Clair. My luck and I'd run into a CO before a fox though. I think they find ample food there, fish and ducks that didn't make it, and I feel their hormones just make em run anywhere about now. When I lived in Harrison Twp., we had one that would come in broad daylight to snatch tablescraps left out for it. It was especially fond of spaghetti! Wonder if there's a market for that cover scent! I always wanted to launch the lead pill at it, but my parents vowed to turn me in. And it never seemed to visit when they were away.... I often have days off during the week that I'm looking for someone to fish with, I'll keep you in mind...
 
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