Thursday, August 21, 2025 at 3:04 PM

Sign in

Outdoors

Two photos remain of the old trapper’s shack that served as an incubator for the 700-member Cedar Rod and Gun Club of today. The picture includes the father of Bruce Lehmann, who recalls a harrowing day spent warming up in the remote shack. Courtesy photo

Rod/Gun Club rooted in the swamp

With more than 700 members, the Cedar Rod & Gun Club is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in a county known for volunteerism. But 80 or so years ago, it was best known for 120 acres of swamp land home to an unceremonious trapper’s cabin. 11/27/2024 08:54 AM

Bruce and Janine Lehmann have enjoyed a lifetime spent along the shores of Lake Leelanau. Enterprise photo by Alan Campbell

Angling opportunities down on Cedar River

Fishing on Lake Leelanau is pretty good, even compared to what might be considered its heyday. But angling opportunities in the Cedar River, once considered a haven for big bass, pike and panfish, have degraded immensely. 11/27/2024 08:54 AM

Jeremy Tobin, who shot two big bucks six days apart, occasionally hunts with his 14-year-old daughter Grace. His wife, Rebecca, helped track his first harvest, which had a tall rack. Courtesy photo

378 deer taken since opening day

Courting has slowed for bucks and does, and deer hunting success has followed. That’s not surprising as opening day of firearms deer season has been set for decades on Nov. 11/20/2024 04:34 PM

While Allen Riggie says he “just got lucky” when still-hunting up to a 21-point buck on North Manitou, he’s a veteran island hunter who has taken a 10-point near his home in Midland. Courtesy photo

N. Manitou hunt successful

No matter how measured — from good behavior to bountiful harvests to the 21 points on perhaps the biggest island buck ever shot — the eight-day North Manitou deer hunt that ended Nov. 3 was one of the most successful on record. 11/13/2024 05:42 PM

David Stachnik shot this 14-point buck with a bow at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. Courtesy photo

David Stachnik shot this 14-point buck with a bow at 8:30 a.m. Sunday. 10/23/2024 06:26 PM

From left, Tom, Abner, Laura Ann and Florence Johnson, who is the first executive director of the Friends of Sleeping Bear organization. Courtesy photo

From left, Tom, Abner, Laura Ann and Florence Johnson

From left, Tom, Abner, Laura Ann and Florence Johnson, who is the first executive director of the Friends of Sleeping Bear organization. 10/23/2024 06:26 PM

Some truly magnificent bucks are shot every year on North Manitou Island including this one in 2021. Fewer hunters will be attending the hunt this fall, due mainly to the higher cost of getting to the island. Photo courtesy of National Park Service

Island deer hunt will be more expensive

Expect fewer deer hunters to participate in a specialized hunt on North Manitou that begins Friday, an outcome linked to complications in reaching the Wilderness-designated island. Permits were issued for up to 200 hunters, but approximately one-quarter of them have notifi ed the National Park Service that they may not attend. 10/23/2024 06:26 PM

Bonnie Bastian and a buddy, an Alaskan sled dog. Courtesy photo

‘Friends have new leadership

The Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes organization is headed in a new direction in terms of both structure and personnel. So say hello to Bonnie Bastian, who was elected chair of the group’s board of directors, and the Friends first executive director in Laura Ann Johnson. 10/23/2024 06:26 PM

Outdoor recreation impact study

Outdoor recreation impact study

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail almost in its fullest. We found a lot more of that in the spring and then it took off again basically after August 15th,” Killian said. 10/02/2024 06:25 PM

Veteran Jim Fellows holds up the head of an adult doe taken in Centerville Township during the Liberty Hunt. He is accompanied, from left, by guide Cody Campbell, recreational therapist Samantha Mahon, and his son, Steve Fellows. They were hunting courtesy of cherry farmer Greg Williams. C...

Hunting success for young/disabled

Six young Leelanau County nimrods and a Vietnam veteran were in the right place at the right time on the first day of the youth and liberty firearms deer hunt. The hunt was held Sept. 09/25/2024 04:23 PM

Conservancy land stewards Chad Jordan, left, and Emily Douglas prepare for a day in the field collecting data within deer enclosures at Palmer Woods Forest Preserve. Courtesy photo

Monitoring deer at Palmer Woods

Observing deer on a walk through a Leelanau Conservancy nature area is a good thing. But can you have too much of a good thing? The answer is yes for elderberries. 09/25/2024 04:23 PM

Collin Drow, 11, downed a 7-point deer with an 18-inch spread. A sixth grader at St. Mary, he is the son of Casey and Samantha Drow. Courtesy photo

Few surprises in deer survey

Think of deer herd density in Leelanau County as a checkerboard. Whether trying to avoid killing a deer while driving or hoping to hook up while hunting, the difference between success and failure depends upon whether you’re on a white or a black section. 09/25/2024 04:23 PM

1

2

3

4

5

...