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T.R. Michels & the Trinity Mountain Outdoors Website Check
out T.R.'s new Camouflage Design Page
- if you really want to understand how camouflage works - or doesn't work! Testimonials
Photo of General Norman
Schwartzkopf, in Newsweek magazine, after Desert Shield, wearing T.R.
Michels' original Konifer Camouflage. The name can be seen clearly on the
General's elbow. Dear T.R., Look forward to receiving your waterfowl pattern (Field Stalker), I have received many compliments on your Konifer pattern. Sincerely, H. Norman Schwartzkopf
Bud Grant with 8 point
buck
T.R. Give me a call if the geese fly - and it's above freezing. Bud (Football
Buzz Kaplan and Bud Grant
with Buzz's 6x6 elk Dear T.R., My recent hunt with you and Lance Andrews was truly enjoyable. It would be hard to improve upon the hunting I experienced. The only complaint I would have was that it was almost too easy! I guess I had "paid my dues" on previous unsuccessful elk hunts. The time was right for me to cash in. At any rate, being able to get a beautiful six by six bull the first morning out of camp was a wonderful experience. Buzz Kaplan Sealed Power Corporation, . T.R. Now that I have gotten my trophy, I can hardly wait for my grandson to get big enough to accompany me on another hunt. Thanks T.R., for making this hunt so enjoyable. Sincerely, R.W. Kaplan OTC
TR ... if people can’t see beyond that (my scarred face), see into who you are and what you have to say and teach then it’s their loss. You are a good man and have a vast amount of knowledge and that is what’s important. Have a good weekend. Rich Richard Walton, MS
Hi T.R.; I was doing some research on scents (cover and attracting) for deer hunting and came across your web site. I was impressed by the amount of research you have put into forming your views/ opinions. As an engineer, I appreciate the fact that you base your opinions on actual research and observations. Your opinions/ teachings appear to be defensible and accurate. As I read a number of your articles, I noticed a link to your "Christian Witness" site. This interested me even more than your hunting information. I was extremely impressed and uplifted by what I read. I really appreciate the way that you "tell it like it is", based on what the Bible says. So many people try to be "politically correct" and water down the truth. I particularly find this to be true in people like yourself that rely on the public's perception and like/ dislike of you to make your living. Society (i.e. Satan) wants us to believe that there are no absolute Truths. Everything is just someone's opinion and that it is offensive to believe that one of you is right and one is wrong! I was encouraged to see that you don't fall into this trap. Even when challenged by others, you stick to the truth, as revealed to us through God's Word. I'm a born again, Bible believing, Christian who has spent many years researching Creation, The Trinity and other theological issues. Based on sound research, observations, and personal experience, I also believe that the Bible is God's Absolute Truth. I was encouraged to read these same beliefs from a "public figure". The issue that I've been wrestling with lately is a lack of compassion and love for my fellow man. I get depressed by the constantly declining morals of our society and the "it's all about ME" attitude. Because of this, I find myself getting somewhat cynical and not loving my fellow man the way I should. God provided me with your web site and used it to encourage me and give me
a "shot of faith" when I needed it. Just wanted to thank you for
allowing God to use you to reach others. I don't usually take the time to
write these types of "thank you" notes, but I just wanted to let
you know that your ministry is appreciated and fruitful. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Regards, Mark Schmieder
T.R., I listened to one of you seminars at the I finally finished reading it. I do have at least one question right now and that is: With all the research you have done on deer, how do deer use the wind to their advantage. It seems to me from my limited experience that deer do not travel into the wind as much as some people would have us to believe. I have observed deer traveling with their back to the wind almost as much as into the wind. I have been keeping a journal for several years now and that is the conclusion I have come to. What are your thoughts on this? I didn't see a whole lot in the manual when it comes to wind. I believe weather has a lot to do with how, when and where deer move, but have not had the time and experience as you have. Your thoughts and ideas will be very much appreciated. I have also been following your Scent Lok articles - keep up the good work. I too don't believe they are effective and will never give them another dime. Amen and thanks. Sincerely, Dan Chervenka Mr. Michels, My name is Amber Cook and I am a Biologist working at
Hudnall Planetarium in I was wondering if you mind if I printed out an article of yours that I found interesting? It is an article off of your web site that details some hypotheses about moon phases and rut, scraping activities, etc. This information would only be used in a volunteer, presentation manner and not for profit in any way... solely for educational purposes. If you would be willing to let me use this information I would really appreciate it. I found it clear, concise, and very informative. I think folks will get a lot out of it. Please let me know your decision. Thank you so much for your time and consideration. Amber Cook T.R. I wanted to take a minute and thank you for your assistance to my son's science project. Your notes gave him new energy and determination to see the project through and add new data. He had requested feedback from several others and they didn't return his email, or told him to proceed as outlined. I appreciate the time you took to outline the items and tell him why the item was important. He came up with the idea last fall and had a good presentation for the science fair but his journal was very lacking and the judges said he had little subject knowledge. He told me yesterday that they will not be able to say that again! We will try to make one of your seminars in the future. I looked at the schedule for this year and the closest one was 1,000 miles away. Thank you again, Mark Stone
T.R., I would like to
thank you for all your expertise on whitetail deer movement. I live in Thanks again, Anthony
Colvin
T.R., years ago you advised me to cull out some of the traditional 8 pointers we had here. (After our cull) this one was 13 pts and grossed 165 7/8. Thanks, Bill
T.R., I wanted to write to thank you for your informative site and bold witness.
I'm 26 and I live in central MA. My grandfather has been an avid hunter his
whole life, but there was a generation gap in my father. Until now, I've
always hunted with a camera and my eyes. This year, everything seems to be
coming together for my first whitetail hunt (or hunt of any kind). I am
excited to hunt with my bow, but I also have a 16 gauge that I may try during
December. I have a friend from church who is available to help me with
tracking (if needs be), field dressing, and butchering. Aside from him, I
have had no mentors in this process. Stumbling upon your site was a major
boon. Through the help of your site, I have filled in many of the blanks in my scouting. Your information about deer biology has been interesting and most helpful. I have thoroughly enjoyed this phase of my hunt, thanks in no small part to the wealth of information you provide. I have identified major locations in my hunting area: 1) A well defined rubline along a river valley, with a crossing over the river and clearings surrounded by good cover (large and small hemlocks) 2) A field not far away with deer beds and tracks 3) A thick hemlock forest on a steep ridge with good wind directions for a buck's sense of smell (but I have failed to locate rubs or sign in this area), 4) A well traveled trail along the opposite ridge through acorn forest, sticking to the high ground. Largest print 2.5" or so. Some dense pine sapling forests would also give excellent cover. I have made a map of the area using traced topography contours and aerial photographs, showing key deer locations from my handheld GPS. If I sent it to you, would you review it for me and pass along any wisdom you feel is relevant? I have yet to see any deer in the flesh (most of my scouting has been around mid-day). One thing that has me a little stumped is what times of day the deer will be going which directions so I can set myself downwind from their expected movements, morning or night. Sorry this got so long... I will send the map through if you are interested in an amateur's attempts. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated, but your time is undoubtedly valuable in this season, so I will not be disappointed if I am asking too much ... Sincere thanks, and God's Blessings to you, Dave Fogg
T.R. I thank you so very much for your reply. I had kind of thought the same thing myself, but didn't know for sure. I so much appreciate the time you have taken to reply--if I got a reply at all--I expected it would be weeks. It's funny how without saying it sometimes, one Christian will find another one and I appreciate your forthrightness. Again, I so much appreciate your reply. May God Bless You! Jo
Hello T.R. I'm 15 years old and I'm a big fan of yours. I've read probably everything you have ever posted on the internet. I was just wondering what do you pack in your bag when you go whitetail scouting in the spring? And also, I am going on a big area of private land, should I be looking for does or buck signs this time of year? I don't know if I am really supposed to be e-mailing you with questions, so you don't have to answer but any help would be great. Thanks a lot, Grant
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Quotes from readers of T.R.'s articles, his and his "T.R.'s Hunting Tips" Talk Forum
T.R., Been over your web site 100 times over the years. Great work - you are to
be commended. Nice to see a straight shooter.
Thank you for having this great web site, I love to look at the live animal cameras. JANET VOGEL WEED, CA Dear Sir, Sir, I just wanted to say it is nice to see a fellow Christian, doing things like this. I really enjoyed your article and look forward to reading some more of your work. May God bless you with everything you do and I will be praying for your continued success. Respectfully Yours, Dave Pisczek Sgt
Mr. Michels, Your articles and web site are phenomenal. Thank you, John Kuzicki
Wow!!!!! Talk about useful information. I feel as though I have hit the lottery!
T.R., I will absolutely pass-on your site. I grew up back East and my friends and I are ALL whitetail hunters. I've read some of your articles and find them to be right on the money. Furthermore, your articles break things down to the basics, so even though you may have been doing the "right thing," now you understand why it was right and why it worked! John
First off I'd like to say I've read a lot of the information you've written here (on "T.R's Tips" talk forum, and in Trinity Mountain Outdoors Magazine) and at other posts - and *#%, in just 3 minutes I learned more than I have in 3 years (of deer hunting). Manfred
Your site has taught me a great deal. Justin
Mr. Michels, I heard about you through the internet, I was searching for tips on decoying Canada Geese for a speech I am giving next Thursday (I attend the University of Vermont). Your site came up and I have gotta tell you, great information!! Roger Masse Does the Moon affect Peak Breeding? (From the Whitetail Addict's Manual
and Deer Addict's Manual Volume, 4: Lunar Factors, The Real Truth. Parts
previously published in the NRA American Hunter, Petersen's Bowhunting, and
Fur-Fish-Game.) "Scientific research by several
deer biologists shows that neither the hourly/daily movements of whitetails,
nor the peak breeding dates of whitetails, are correlated with, or are
affected by, the moon. Those who try to convince you otherwise have no
credible scientific data to support their theories. I'm going with the
biologists; not the theorists." T.R. Michels T.R. You are the MAN! Wanna be my new
best friend? Thanks for all the info. Man it sounds like you've done your
homework. So in laymen's terms I should go get in my stand and not come down
til I fill my tags, or mid-November. Seriously though, are you a hunter or
just a scientist? Do you ever get time to bow hunt? Seems to me you've got
the "Santa on Christmas" syndrome, everyone else has fun and it's
your busiest time. Thanks again T.R. I was just looking at the post.
It was VERY informative. I much prefer the scientific data as opposed to some
toothless guy from ... telling me it's all based on Kenny Kingstons' Psychic
Hotline. Kelly,
Wherever you obtained your information (about the rut in specific areas),
I would have to agree with the biologists. Today I was in my climber about 45
min. before sunrise and sat there until about 10:40. I didn't see anything
the whole time except about nine hundred squirrels and the loudest crows I
have ever heard in my entire life. Anyways, I stayed in longer than usual
because the later it got, the cooler it got and it was overcast. So when I
got down I walked around for about 20 minutes and started to walk up one side
of a hill. Well, as I was walking up, a buck was coming down and he looked
like a rabbit dog. TR, You are a wealth of knowledge.
Keep up the good posts on the forum. I would like to know the Rut Dates for T.R., Thanks for the prompt reply. I
am a new bow hunter this year and took an eight point on opening day (10/1).
I consider myself a lucky person. However, I am the type to read a lot, so I
do want to order some of your information. Paul K TR - that's some very informative info
- thanks T.R., You really know your ****, I
mean stuff. I got your mailer with the publication list. Am begging my
beautiful, wonderful, kind, generous, beloved wife even as we speak. T.R.'s Tips: Hunting Rutting Bucks (From Whitetail Addict's Manual and
Deer Addict's Manual, Volume 6; The Rut. Parts previously published in the
NRA American Hunter) Hmmm, gonna have to try some of
that! Thanks T.R.! Excellent info TR. Thanks! Fantastic info Mr. Michels,
thank you for your great insight and techniques. Mikey T.R.'s Tips: Patterning Whitetails (From Whitetail Addict's Manual and
Deer Addict's Manual, Volume 2; Hunting Techniques. Parts previously
published in the NRA's American Hunter.)
I want to thank you for your articles. This one helped me kill a nice 8 point, heading from his bed, traveling his rub line. Instead of setting up next to the cornfield I patterned the buck back to his bedding area 400 yards back in a swamp behind the cornfield. I set up 20 yards from his rub route (staging area) about 100 yards from his bed. Double-lunged him heading out early in the evening heading to the field. If I would have set up on the edge of the field I would have never seen him. I figure he would have made it to the field well after dark. He was the only deer I saw all day!! Thanks again!
TR, I did what you said and
immediately found a rub line from where they had seen (the bucks). I worked
it backwards into heavy cover and was astounded by the size and sheer numbers
of rubs. It sets up so well for an afternoon hunt. The bad part is that a
stand is very close already (not mine - a friend's) but the buck trail is
downwind and 30 yards (thru a lot of trees) from that stand. I found a great
tree on the downwind side of the trail. I hope to get it up today for an
afternoon hunt tomorrow. Thanks for the help. Mike TR, over the year's I've read many articles from field editor's in many publications, and have had to disagree with a lot of there observations. A lot of it was general statement's that I didn't think pertained to my area, but your observation's are some of the best I've ever read. thank you very much, Norsemen |
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T.R.'s Tips: The Elk Rut and Elk
Calling (From the Elk Addict's Manual. Parts
previously published in Petersen's Bowhunting, and Fur-Fish-Game.) TR, Thank you very much for your info.
It is wonderful to have knowledge and then share it with us less fortunate. I
really do appreciate your input and will probably be sending you questions
from time to time. If I get to be a pain just let me know. But, I do love to
chase elk, and the more a person knows the better it is. A lot of your info
makes sense. Thanks again Joel
T.R.'s Tips; (From T.R. Thanks for the tips you have
posted. I have enjoyed reading all of your posts, as they are all filled with
useful and interesting information. I have a question about gobbling that I
have been wondering about for some time. I have always heard that barometric
pressure has an influence on when and how often turkeys will gobble. Have you
done any research on the impact of changes in barometric pressure on
gobblers? Thanks. A.J. Nice post, thanks T.R.'s Tips: Goose Vocalizations
and Goose Calling (From Duck & Goose Addict's
Manual. Parts previously published in the NRA's American Hunter.) I've just finished reading this again.
I keep finding things that besides being interesting make a lot of sense, if
you stop and think about it. I've even copied it and sent it to a lady I work
with who is not a hunter, but from my constant talking has gotten interested
in ducks and geese. Hmmm ... stands a lot of
"conventional knowledge" on its head, doesn't it? We have used that excited call many
times on flocks. Most of the time we get a reaction. Not always but most. So
whatever you want to call it or not call it. The technique works! But of
course only a real goose hunter would know this. Remember, take a child to the field,
they are the future. EXCELLENT POST! There is a lot of
misconception about calling, one of which is that most guys call to get geese
to come, well that's not true. I have had the same thoughts about this,
thanks for posting it!!! "God created WOMEN, Because LABS can't
cook!" Good reading. Breaks it down pretty
good. TR, that makes for interesting reading
thanks. Thanks for the heads up. Good to see
you posting again. Look forward to reading more of your posts. Pit Boss, T.R.'s Tips: Duck
Vocalizations and Duck Calling (From Duck & Goose Addict's
Manual. Parts previously published in the NRA's American Hunter.) WOW!! That sounded like part of a
Masters Dissertation. Well wrote. The Duck Commander has nothing on this
guy. Dang this ol boy has got duck calling roped, dallied, and stretched! Not to mention covered up in a pile of English! |
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Outstanding TR. Well said. If I went
out solely for the kill, I would've quit a long time ago (or starved). Like it. I love it! that is very well
written. Maybe the part of hunting I like the
most is sitting in my blind watching the deer...the way they eriely creep out
of the wooded cover, carefully walking, stepping, approaching and finally
dropping their heads to eat ... The view of these magnificent animals is
enough to make any hunter happy The hunt is not about the kill...it is
about being out there in the woods... Your post is very evocative and I
thank you for it... Sport240 What is a Duck Hunter? That has got to be the best post I
have ever read! A big thumbs up for that one!! After reading that I think I will go tell
the boss I'm sick, and head out to the blind for the last couple hours this
evening. Great post. I think a duck hunter is
someone who appreciates being connected to the outdoors, as well as being
connected to the people that share the experience. For a long time I have asked to myself
" What am I looking for in this blind". Thank you for this
excellent post. "The duck blind is a place to get
away, if only for a few hours" trmichels I read something one day that stated,
you had to be half crazy to hunt ducks. There may be some truth to the
statement, but I've been hunting them for forty years and I still cant get
enough.... Good post. --Coot-- There Ain't Nothing" Better 'n
A Lab T.R., Awesome account of your labs!
Man, I am not ashamed to admit that I had some moisture creep into the corner
of my eye. NOW you're talking, T.R.! See, I knew
there was SOMETHING we could agree on! Excellent story tr. Love mine to death
they are the best thing that's happened to me in a long long time or so it seems.
Treat them with love and they return it ten times over without a question.
The Rites of Passage; Passing on
the Tradition Awesome! TTT Awesome... Just what a new father like
me needed to read!!! TRM ... great thoughts and very well
written. I'm 61 ... wait'll you get to be my age and then post again about
the additional revelations you've discovered in the next ten plus years. It's
even more amazing! Just remember, God does not deduct from a hunter's
lifetime those days spent with dawgs or kids ... teaching each to appreciate
the bounty He has provided for us. Good read thanks |
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