Rockford hunter Clayton Gallup walked over to an apple tree near his bow stand and gave a large limb a good shake, causing several juicy red apples to tumble to the ground. Then he slipped into his stand under the cover of a warm midday sun, the sort that prompts bucks to seek cover and rest.

From Shiawassee NWR to state game areas like Allegan, Maple River and Dansville, Michigan offers plenty of public land open to bowhunters. Photo by Kenny Bahr.

He was hunting the Allegan State Game Area near an abandoned farm surrounded by several old apple trees covered with fruit. The habitat was highlighted by thick brush, cedar swamps and rolling hills bordered by standing corn fields and alfalfa.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye he noticed movement in the thick brush. A big 10-pointer emerged from the brush and walked directly toward his stand. Gallup's heart raced, and he could feel blood pounding through his fingertips as he eased the bow to full draw, placed the cross hairs on the buck's shoulder and released the arrow. The buck jolted from the impact, made a mule-like kick with its hind legs and sprinted for nearby cover.

Gallup eagerly watched as the big buck made a short circle in the underbrush, stood motionless a few seconds and then fell to the ground. A cell phone call to his uncle, David Dietrich from Williamston, confirmed the dandy buck was down and the duo soon celebrated the kill with shouting, high fives and a happy dance around the beautiful animal.

The above anecdote best describes the fun-filled deer-hunting adventures that await Michigan hunters again his fall. The outlook for the 2009-2010 bow season looks very promising, and you can expect excellent action if you scout and select a promising stand site at any of the following hotspots.

SHIAWASSEE NWR
"One of Michigan's best-kept secrets for trophy bucks is the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge," reports Jim Dastyck, Federal Refuge biologist. "The refuge is huge -- roughly 9,500 acres filled with natural areas that conserve a wonderful complex of river wetlands, large agricultural fields, thick flooded wood lots, and huge cattail marshes enclosed by a series of dikes.

The rivers that come together on the refuge drain 22 different counties -- the largest watershed in Michigan. Wetlands and backwaters of the Flint, Shiawassee, Tittabawassee and Cass rivers provide fantastic habitats for a vast number of adult bucks. This mosaic of natural areas is home for 1,200 to 1,400 whitetail deer during the fall hunting season. What is amazing is several studies have indicated that the buck-to-doe ratio is one buck to around 1.4 does!"

The entire refuge is open to hunting. Wildlife managers use a party point system, and hunters must apply for a permit. Directions to National Refuge Headquarters: From Saginaw take M-13 south 5 miles to Curtis Road, turn right (west) and proceed 1 mile to Curtis Road. Refuge Head­quarters: (989) 777-5930. Closest towns: Saginaw and St. Charles in Saginaw County. For registered drawing rules, refuge maps and hunt information, visit www.fws.gov/ Midwest/Shiawassee and click "hunting" or write Shiawassee NWR Deer Hunt, 6975 Mower Rd., Saginaw, MI 48601. Permits cost $15.