North manitou island hunt.

[mcfd45]

So I was cruising the internet today and discovered the North Manitou Island deer hunt.
Had a few ideas.
most of the people go ahead and take the ferry over and walk in several miles from there.
I had a different idea and wondered if it would work.
the ferry dock is located on the north east side of the island. guys walk in from there.
What’s stopping you from taking a small boat, taking a load or two out there and beaching the boat. Im thinking a 16’ aluminum with a 15-30 horse motor.
Let the guys push the deer to your side of the island.
Anyone think that would work? The only concern I have is that size boat in those waters. It’s a good 12 miles to shore.

 

[mcfd45]

Oh. One other thing. The ferry is not up this year. I figure next year will be a bumper of a year (weather cooperating)

 

[Wmmichael20]

Well the big issue is the current in the lake between the island and shore and in late October early November the weather is terrible so you get waves that are more than you want to deal with..
There's years where guys were stuck on the island for almost a week longer than planned due to waiting for clear weather. There is guys that do take their own boats over every year, but I believe they're bigger walleye style boats and they bring PVC pipe to slide them up on to shore with due to the Rocky shore. Last I went was 2018 and the ride over was good but the ride back took over 2 hours due to weather and wave height...we had water coming over the sides of the ferry and close to 3 inches covering the floors by the time we reached the docks in Leeland.

 

[mcfd45]

That’s crazy. My buddy canoed there with no issue in the summer. I’m gonna guess that summer and winter the lake is different.

 

[Wmmichael20]

Definitely

 

[bobinmi]

I'm planning on doing that hunt next year. I've got a buddy who's a charter captain and the plan is for him to run me out there and drop me off. He lives in the area anyway and I'll call when I'm ready for a pickup. Its not a trip Id want to take in an aluminum boat that time of year.

 

[mcfd45]

I'm planning on doing that hunt next year. I've got a buddy who's a charter captain and the plan is for him to run me out there and drop me off. He lives in the area anyway and I'll call when I'm ready for a pickup. Its not a trip Id want to take in an aluminum boat that time of year.

That sounds awesome. Good luck. I’m currently 17’ up a tree in st Clair county. Train going by. Nothing moves when it goes by.

 

[Wmmichael20]

There's another member on here going this year and he's having a charter boat take him accross.

 

[Cedarsavage]

Sounds like a blast every time it gets brought up. Someday I’ll have to give it a shot...wish there more days in the fall

 

[Fish_monger]

There's another member on here going this year and he's having a charter boat take him accross.

That’s me. We hired a local charter captain to take two of us across for 10 days. $250/ea.

I took a 20’ Lund over this summer for some scouting. We cruised at 40mph on the way there. The way back we were in 4-6 footers.

it’s a long trip and notoriously rough seas. you’re looking at nearly 20 miles to the back side. If I were to do it I think I’d aim for the south end of the island where it’s sandy and the dunes sort of roll into the lake. most of the north side is steep and rocky. Also, the island is really big. much larger than it looks on onX. a few dozen hunters aren’t going to push a herd of deer across the island into your lap.

for what it’s worth, I believe registration closed on September 30th. I’ll post a report on the trip when I get back in November.

 

[Wmmichael20]

Friggin sweet...good luck and have a great time looking forward to your report.

 

[mcfd45]

Yeah. I can’t wait to hear how your hunt goes.

 

[Jakeisen]

Yeah. I can’t wait to hear how your hunt goes.

Bow hunted it two weeks ago .

 

[Fish_monger]

Bow hunted it two weeks ago .

Tell us about it! Where did you hunt? Camp?

great trail cam pics!