Hunter hunting along a marsh

Ed Lewis

Information

  • Date Taken: 11/27/2021
  • Time Of Day: Evening
  • Method: Rifle
  • County: Branch County
  • Property: Private
  • Dressed Weight: 174

“Making memories with my father-in-law”
Story by: Jeromy Hagemier
I have learned over the last 10 years or so that hunting on Michigan State Land can be tough. I think in 10 years since I’ve been coming up and hunting with him I can count on one hand how many deer I have actually seen. My father-n-law has put in long grueling seasons over the last 15 or more years and has come up empty year after year. This years trip would be different! While hunting with Scott Hunter in Kentucky earlier this year I had mentioned of our State land struggles and how it would be awesome to get my father-in-law on a deer. Scott so graciously offered us an open invite to hunt his private property in southern Michigan near Coldwater. Thanksgiving rolled around this year and we planned to make our trip up from Indiana to visit my wife’s family. Thanksgiving day was also my father-in-law’s birthday! I contacted Scott to see if the invitation was still open. His simple reply was “ I got you”. After working out a few details we decided to hunt the 2 days after Thanksgiving. Ed and I spent both days together in a box blind overlooking a CRP field. The deer were plentiful as we saw over 30 deer the first day and passed on several smaller bucks and does. The second day would be no different with many deer sightings and passing on several young bucks and does. It snowed , sleeted, and rained most of the day. With 30 minutes of shooting light left and to our surprise a mature buck appeared out of the woods to our right. He walked broadside at about 70 yards directly in front of us and allowed Ed to make a perfect shot with his rifle. The buck kicked and I knew instantly it was a good hit. We watched the buck go down within 20 yards. It would be his first deer in over 15 years and largest buck of his life! I can’t thank Scott enough for allowing us to hunt on his property! It was definitely another great day in the deer woods and a day I will never forget! Congratulations on a great Michigan buck, Ed Lewis!