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We here at Great Lakes Outdoors want to take a minute to say thank you to all the special sportsmen and women out there. We spent the weekend at the Expo Center in Birch Run with Cathy & Denny McKim, founders of The Kids In Chemo Foundation. We appreciate all the adults and even children who took the time to stop and talk, shake our hands and donate funds to the Kids In Chemo. A very special and heart felt thanks goes to Joe Lathrop for the donation of a beautiful lodge decor table to be raffled with all proceeds going to the Kids. Also Gander Mountain in Saginaw donated a Remington 870, 12 gauge shotgun to also be raffled for the Kids. Our goal is still one million dollars and we can't do it without the sportsmen and women, so again thank you to all that helped! Tickets will be available through GLO until July so contact us to get your chance to win.

We here at Great Lakes Outdoors would like to welcome Millennium Chevrolet to our growing family of sponsors! Millennium Chevrolet is located on M-46 in Merrill, MI. Owner Ted Grabenhorst is an avid outdoorsman as is most of his staff. Ted along with General Manager Wade Swarthout and Sales Manager Dan Cheadle ran a big buck contest at the dealership this year. It was well received and had lots of nice bucks entered.  Nearly 150 people jammed the dealership on the night we filmed the big bucks. You will see some of those bucks as well as Ted and the gang on a future episode of GLO. Besides being avid sportsmen, the staff is really knowledgeable on all Chevrolet cars and trucks,and their price will be hard to beat. So please keep them in mind when you are looking for a new car or truck.They also deliver any where in the state! Make sure and tell them you saw them on Great Lakes Outdoors.We have some more exciting events throughout the upcoming year planned with Millennium. Keep watching for all the details.You can reach Millennium at 1-800-245-2077 or www.millenniumchevy.com .

We here at Great Lakes Outdoors would like to wish each one of you a very safe and Merry Christmas. We urge you to remember the true meaning of this holiday season. The love God gave us through his Son was truly the most wonderful gift we could be given. From our family to yours, Merry Christmas and may God bless each and every one of you in this upcoming year.

As the holidays are almost here please don't forget the Kids In Chemo this year. If you can't give a dollar, how about just a card or book to help make a little ones chemo visit pass faster. Here at GLO we praise God for our happy and healthy children, and grandchildren. We also know first hand that all families aren't as lucky as ours. Cancer doesn't take a break for the holidays unfortunately. You can send a donation to Kids In Chemo by contacting Cathy McKim at dmkmx3@hotmail.com for mailing information.

Big Buck Nite celebrated its 14th year of successful taping recently at the Lapeer County Sportsmen's Club in Lapeer. A big thank you to both the Club, and   Commemorative Bucks of Michigan for all the hard work and dedication to making this show a success. The biggest thank you is of course to the 33 hunters that participated and shared their stories with us. Some stories were almost as big as the racks. "Big Buck Nite 2002" will air as a three part series, with the first show beginning next week statewide.  Check your local PBS listings for the time and day in your area, and join us for the biggest whitetail racks and stories in the state of Michigan.

I can't believe it has been almost two months since an update has been possible. I can assure you,  it definitely has not been due to laziness, but the problem of not enough time in a day or even a week. In the last six weeks GLO has been from the Arctic Circle, to the bayous of Louisiana. We kept our priorities in check though, and spent three weeks around Michigan bow and rifle hunting during the whitetail season. The camera was in constant use even if the operator was sometimes comatose from running. We hope you enjoy the upcoming shows, and accept our apology for not keeping you better posted here on the web.

As hunting season accelerates don't forget to get your big rack green scored by Commemorative Bucks of Michigan for a chance to be on the show. We will pick the top thirty Michigan bucks entered and will be taping a three part series on December 14th at The Lapeer County Sportsman's Club. Call CBM at 1-800-298-BUCK for the closest scorer to you. Good Luck!

Make sure and watch this week as the GLO cameras travel to one of Michigan's hidden treasures, Cherry Creek Farm in Mio. Not only did we experience a great hostess, and beautiful accommodations, but Rob had the best whitetail hunt of his life. You can check Cherry Creek out on the web at www.Cherrycreekfarm.com or by phone at 1-989-848-5411.

This week join Rob and Todd Weston from Ameristep, as they show you some of the newest technology in scent concealment for the ground blind hunter. Also the latest in camouflage for the archer too. Ameristep's full product line helps make every hunt a safer more productive experience. For the week of October 14th you will want to mark your calendar for a very special pheasant hunting show from Farm Land Pheasant Hunters. Dick Posthumus joins the GLO crew along with Preston H. Mann for an exciting upland game bird experience. Not only will they hunt, but they will explore some of the critical issues facing the sportsman in the upcoming governors election in November. A must see show!

With bow season in full swing, always remember to put safety first! Ameristep offers a full line of safety harness systems, and safety belts. We as sportsmen owe it to ourselves and our family's to take the precautions needed to keep  from becoming a statistic. If we fall this year, we may not have a next year.

Starting the week of September 2nd, we start our new fall season. The first show is bluegill fishing from one of the many ponds you see along the freeways of Michigan. The following two weeks will be our two part special on bear hunting and brook trout fishing from the wilds of Quebec, Canada at Club Rudy. It's a series you won't want to miss. We have alot of great outdoor adventures lined up for you this fall and winter. Make sure and watch us on your local PBS stations. Also, Susie worked very hard going through lots of footage to make our new show open which debuts this week as well. I think you'll like it.

We hope you are enjoying your summer and getting outside as much as possible. We also hope you are enjoying some of Great Lakes Outdoors episodes from the previous hunting and fishing season. While the summer is heating up we want to assure you that the camera is rolling on to capture you great new adventures for this falls line up. We here at Great Lakes Outdoors would like to wish every one a safe and happy Forth of July, and may we all continue to stand united for our country and the outdoors that we hold so dear.

We had a great spring bear hunt at Club Rudy in the Province of Quebec Canada. Michel and Julie run a class act camp, and at times make you forget you are truly in the wilderness. With five hunters, and five successful black bears harvested the week was over far to quickly. We also experienced the best brook trout fishing we had ever done. We will be going back in the spring of 2003, and are looking for several hunters to accompany us. There are also other dates available for you and your friends. If your interested in a true adventure, contact us soon!  You won't want to miss this show coming up in the fall on your local PBS station.

This weeks show with Joe Lathrop and his beautiful memory tables has really generated people interested in buying one. Many of you have emailed for his phone number. You can reach Joe at 989-426-1244. Joe's studio is in Gladwin, MI. Please tell him you saw the show and enjoyed it. Our table has already taken its place among many of our other trophies. It will be treasured forever! Thanks again Joe for all the fine memories.

We have been buried with calls and e-mails on the new Ultimate Firearms Muzzleloader we featured on the show recently. Yes, it is an incredible rifle that indeed does shoot accurately at 300 yards and further! Yes, it does shoot  200 grains of pyrodex. And, yes it is available now right here in Michigan!! This rifle is now available in limited supply from Ultimate Firearms in Howell, MI. You can contact V.P. Randy Johnson at 517-552-7831.Tell him you saw the show and enjoyed it. You will be seeing more of my muzzleloader as the hunting seasons start up. We will be taking it with us on a bear hunt in Quebec in June. Hopefully we'll  harvest a bear or two with it. Watch for that action on an upcoming episode on your favorite PBS station.

Although I have consumed beef steak mushrooms (Gyromitra esculenta) for  a few years a viewer who is involved with the West Michigan Mychological Society e-mailed me recently and let me know to warn viewers NOT TO EAT, the beefsteak. So even though I picked some on a recent show I will not eat them anymore and hereby stand corrected! DO NOT EAT BEEF STEAK MUSHROOMS! According to Roger Thurow, this mushroom can be dangerous to some and does not seem to effect others. The reason for this is that the toxin which is present (MMH) tends to accumulate in a persons body over time. Some people may be able to eat the mushroom for 20 years, however, the 21st year of ingestion may put the toxin up to the intolerable threshold. Others particularly smaller children may only have to eat this mushroom once to become ill. Typical reactions to this toxin are not only gastro intestinal, but have been known to cause permanent liver damage. It is not worth risking your liver for a meal of mushrooms. Roger went on to say that all the people at the West Michigan Mychologial Society urge people not to consume the Beef Steak mushroom."Please pass along this information to your viewers so that visits to the emergency room may be avoided," said Thurow. Thanks Roger, for this good advice. I bow to the experts.

Remember to give your business to our local sponsors, and show them you appreciate their support of  Great Lakes Outdoors, without them we wouldn't be here. Lumberjack Shack in Imlay City has a great offer on new Arctic Cat ATV's until June 1st. Buy now and receive $500.00 dollars in Arctic Cat accessories to make your ride complete. Don't forget they also carry a full line of Stihl outdoor products as well. Contact them at www.lumberjack-shack.com and remember Lumberjack Shack is "Where the outdoor enthusiast shops!"

We would like to welcome Farmland Pheasants aboard as the newest addition to the Great Lakes Outdoors team. As many of you have seen Preston H. Mann Jr. frequently on the show giving valuable dog training tips you know his experience is extensive. Preston offers classes to help you and your dog have the best bird hunting possible. Classes begin June 1st, so make sure and get signed up. He also owns and operates one of the best pheasant preserves in the state of Michigan, with several locations around the state. Contact Farmland Pheasants at www.farmlandpheasant.com   and take advantage of all they have to offer today!

As the weather begins to warm and our thoughts turn to spring fishing don't   forget your new 2002 fishing license. The current one is only good through March 31st.  

We hope you enjoyed our Africa series over the past three weeks. Ferdi and Mils from Trophies Africa will be in town for the next couple of weeks to answer all your questions on this fantastic hunt. If you are interested in talking to them send us an e-mail . We will have an informational meeting at our studio some time in the near future. Don't miss out on this once in a lifetime trip!

Great Lakes Outdoors again revisited South Africa to bring you along on another fantastic safari. This year 9 other Michigan hunters joined us on a trip of a lifetime. Part one begins this week, part two airing the week of Jan. 28th, and part 3 the week of Feb. 4th. If  your interested in this one of a kind trip give us a call or drop us an e-mail as the hunts will go quickly for 2002! Be sure and watch this Special World Travel Adventure Series.

On January 16th Victor Bulliner's huge Michigan 8 point was panel scored by three Boone & Crockett measurers. The deer was taken in Hillsdale County on Nov. 16th, and was required a 60 day drying period before being eligible for Boone & Crockett. After two hours of careful  measurements by all 3 scorers, Bulliner's buck tied the current  8 point world record at 180.3 Typical. The old record was set way back in 1965 in South Dakota. GLO cameras were running and the event can be seen on our show the week of  Feb. 11th on your favorite PBS station. Congratulations Victor!

Join Susie and Rob at our 7th annual Lions European pheasant hunt. This years hunt will take place on Saturday March 23rd at The Rooster Ranch in Ubly MI. Room is limited to only 42 hunters. Come out and meet some of the current, as well as retired players. The cameras will be rolling for a fantastic day of fun. Hurry and contact us today for all the details.

Many areas of Michigan can now see Great Lakes Outdoors on Dish Network.  If you qualify for local stations it may be seen on Channel 8036 airing from Detroit's channel 56 on Saturdays at 12:30 PM.  Check their website to see if you qualify at www.dishnetwork.com . 

Due to Uof M basketball scheduled to air today at 4:30 PM  Great Lakes Outdoors Big Buck Nite Pt. 3 will air directly following the game at 6:30 PM.  Please adjust your schedule accordingly being as you won't want to miss it.

It's time to get your Spring turkey applications in. From now through February 1 you can apply at any license dealer. You may also apply online at www.michigandnr.com . There are several new areas this year with lots of permits available. You can check  out all the hunt numbers and different seasons on the DNR site. Good luck everyone.

Make sure and check out our Big Buck Nite side bar. Included are the names of the hunters who appeared on this year's show, along with CBM scores of their racks. Many pictures of some of the biggest bucks are also included. A listing of TV stations,times and dates that all three shows will be aired can also be found. Check it out today!

From all of us here at Great Lakes Outdoors we would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours a very special holiday season.  We hope that this time of year will bring a special peace into each one of your hearts.  We also will continue to pray for world wide peace not only at Christmas time but always.  Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Yesterday's taping of the13th annual Big Buck Nite was a total success.   The hunters and audience made the day, with all 31 of the largest racks in the state arriving over an hour early.  The friendliness and enthusiasm displayed by everyone made it the best ever!  CBM's Tom and Tira O'Brien  did there usual stellar job in representing their organization.  All their scorers around the state   made this show possible with the hard work of green scoring all the racks.   With  Lapeer County Sportsman's Club hosting the event again for the 12th consecutive year, and having everything ready before we arrived,  the day was definitely an award winner.  Seventy eight  year old  Jack Eddy again graced the stage with two more record book racks, giving him a grand total of 24 entries in the CBM books!  The show's will start airing around the state the week of Dec.17th, and you definitely won't want to miss them.  Again we want to say a hearty thanks to all the hunter's who came from all four corners of the state.  You all   represent what Big Buck Nite is all about!

Join Susie and Rob at the 6th Annual Northeast Michigan Sportsman's Show November 30th - December 2nd at the Onaway High School on M-33 in Onaway.  Over 80 booths of great gift ideas for the sportsman and sportswoman in your family.  From a chili cook-off, to a stocked trout pond for the kids, there's plenty to do for the entire family.  Show hours are 5pm - 9pm Friday, 9am - 7pm Saturday and 10am - 4pm Sunday.   For more information contact Kammie Dennis at 1-888-854-9700.  Hope to see you there!

Make sure and get that big buck you harvested this season entered in this years Big Buck Nite scheduled to be taped December 8th.  We pick the biggest bucks that are green scored by Commemorative Bucks of Michigan.  Contact CBM to find the closest scorer in your area at 1-800-298-BUCK.  Don't delay, time is running out!

Make sure and check out our newest sponsor, Lumberjack Shack in Imlay City.   They can take care of all your needs from a new Arctic Cat sled or ATV, to anything in the Stihl Power Tool family.  In business since 1975, they have the experience you, the outdoor enthusiast wants.  Show them you appreciate there sponsorship for making Great Lakes Outdoors possible by doing business at there fine establishment, and don't forget to let them know you saw it on the show!

Don't forget that tomorrow October 20th, is the opening day of the 2001 Pheasant season.  The birds aren't as plentiful as they once were, but there are still pockets, around the state.  We will be taking Katie and Holly, the spoiled GLO Brittany's to the Thumb area and hopefully there noses will show us some action for a good future show.  One of the greatest things about pheasant hunting now is the memories of the years bygone, if it's of a person who was a mentor, an old  favorite dog bounding through the fields, or just when you could fill your limit daily.  Take a young person out tomorrow and make new memories!

Join Rob and Susie on January 18th, 19th, and 20th of 2002 for this year's wild boar hunt at the The Trophy Ranch in Ubly Michigan.  This annual event is a weekend of great hunting, good food and a chance to take home the best eating pork you could ever put on your table.  For $450.00 you hunt from Friday noon through Sunday with accommodations provided.  Suppers are also included with roast turkey and all the trimmings Friday, and a full blown pig roast for Saturday night.  Hunt is limited to 12 hunters so sign up early because this hunt fills up fast.  You can also hunt pheasants in a European style hunt on Sunday with Rob and Susie, so ask for details.   E-mail us at rob@greatlakesoutdoorstv.com or by phone at 810-793-6369.

With fall turkey hunting starting around the state you won't want to miss this weeks show.  Tune in and learn the best techniques from turkey calling specialist Rod Benson.  The camera was rolling as Rod teamed up with Williams Gun Sight, and the NWTF Flint River Chapter  to help you bag that tough to find fall bird.

We hope that all you sportsmen are out and enjoying the beautiful fall weather that only Michigan can offer.  We have been in Marion MI this past week bow hunting, and filming of course.  Rob was successful with a great 7 point buck, so watch for it in a upcoming show on your local PBS station.

Susie and I will be at the Woods-N-Water Outdoors Show at the Eastern Michigan Fairgrounds in Imlay City, MI on Saturday and Sunday September 8th and 9th. We will be at the Stihl Power Equipment booth. Stihl and Lumberjack Shack are sponsors of our show. Be sure and stop by and let the fine people from both Lumberjack Shack and Stihl know that you appreciate them sponsoring the show. Also stop in and say hi to Susie and I. The show is one of the very best outdoor shows of the year. Hope to see you there!

A new season of Great Lakes Outdoors Television starts this week. We kick off with our Kids In Chemo Trap Shoot from the Birmingham Gun Club. We have many new adventures for you this season with lots of good hunting and fishing episodes. So be sure and watch for us on your favorite PBS station, same time and place as always.

We have once again been off to South Africa filming a safari for the upcoming season.  This year we were accompanied by nine other Michigan hunters  who experienced a hunt of a life time.  We want to again thank Ferdi Van Zyle with Trophies Africa for making everyone's trip a fantastic adventure.  In the future we will again be looking for interested Michigan hunters to take advantage of the most spectacular hunting trip possible, so if that's you contact us here.

If your looking for a new place to go this summer, someplace that has something for everyone one, give Rogers City a try.  There Nautical City Festival is due to begin on July 31st, through August 5th.  From running races, to dancing, and even classic cars you will find great things to see and do.  For more information call 888-854-9700. 

Don't forget to put in for a chance to get your fall turkey permit, and your doe permits. The deadline is August 1st, for both types of hunting.  The summer is racing along at an alarming rate and July will be gone before you know it.  You can purchase your permits at your local license retailer.

The girls again had a great time fishing in the Ladies Classic in Alpena.   Although we  finished in the middle of the pack, a great day was had by all.   Special thanks to team members Christina Heusted, and Terry Richardson.  Hats off to one of the best charter boats, and captains around, Capt. Eric Stuecher aboard, " Hooked".  If you would like a fantastic day on Lake Huron, check out his web site at  www.glfc.net. Make sure and watch for the show on your local PBS station this fall.

If your traveling in the northern parts of Michigan, and want to meet some friendly people stop by El Cortez Resort in Oscoda.  You can get the scoop under Hotels and Resorts here on the site.  Between Tim's expert fishing abilities, and Terry's down home hospitality this is one place you will return to for years to come.

The trap event held by the Birmingham Gun Club was a great day for the Kids In Chemo fundraiser.  We want to thank all that participated, and a special thanks to Diana Lewis from Channel 7 for her contributions.  To date the event has raised $6300.00 dollars for these precious children.  If you would like to show what people in the outdoors are made of contact Cathy McKim on how you can help at Dmkmx3@hotmail.com.  Watch for this special show to start our new fall season the first week of September.

Take time this summer to get up to Alpena for the 27th Annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival, July 13th through July 22nd.  Susie, Chris and Terry will again test there skills in the Ladies Classic portion of the festival on July 19th.  Stop in to say Hi, and wish them luck.

Make sure and take the time to apply for your chance at hunting elk this fall here in Michigan.  Application deadline is June 15th, through July 15th.  Do it now, so you don't forget in the rush of summer.

Check  the DNR web site on Friday morning after 10:00 a.m. and see if you are one of the lucky ones to get a Michigan fall bear permit.  You can reach their web site at www.dnr.state.mi.us.   Have your driver license number handy, and GOOD LUCK.

On Saturday June 30th, come join the fun and help support the Kids In Chemo program, hosted again by the Birmingham Gun Club. Its a great day of shooting sports, great people, and good fun.  As sportspeople, our support can make the difference in kids lives as they face the often ravishing disease of cancer.  Contact Cathy McKim for more information at DMKMx3@hotmail.com.   Great Lakes Outdoors cameras hope to see you there.

Take advantage of the DNR's up coming free fishing weekend on June 9th, and June 10th.  There isn't a better way to make great family memories than to take the entire family, and enjoy the experience of fishing in the great outdoors.

With the spring temperatures finally here, don't get ready to fish and forget your new fishing license.  Remember if you purchase four or more licenses at one time you get a 15% discount.  Save time and money and pick up your years worth now.

Due to a cancellation we have one and maybe two spots open for our Spring bear hunt in Saskatchewan. The spots are for the May 26 through June 3rd hunt. This is an excellent hunt that you've seen several times on the show. The odds of scoring are very high. Get a hold of Rob or Susie right away as this won't last long. The price is $1850.00.

We have just one spot left on our African safari for 2001. We will be leaving on August 7 and returning on August 22. This is a fabulous hunt and Susie and I along with 10 others will experience a hunt of a lifetime. If you're interested in joining our group get a hold of us right away.

Spring turkey permits are due out Monday March 19th for all of us that applied by the deadline. It should be a great season. Good luck hunters.Unsuccessful hunters will be able to apply for leftover licenses at any license agent beginning at 10 a.m. on March 29,2001.

Remember to get your applications put in today for spring turkey permits available at all license dealers.  With expanded seasons, this year promises to be one of the best ever.

Ferdi Van Zyl ,from Trophies Africa, who is the Professional Hunter  we hunted with on our South Africa Safari will be staying with Susie and I next week. We are planning another trip this year and are looking for a few hunters to go with us. This is a fantastic trip and really isn't as expensive as many think.If you're interested in this trip or one of your own contact us while Ferdi is in town. We are planning on having a   get together with a little food and drink. So if you have ever dreamed of going to Africa there is no better time than now. E-mail us or give us a call right away if you would like to discuss all the details for either this year or next.

Viewers here's your chance to experience the live taping of a television show with all your favorite Michigan producers.  University of Michigan WFUM Channel 28 is teaming up with the hosts and co hosts of the best outdoor programming Michigan has to offer.  The Wild Game Game Show will be hosted by Fred Trost from The Practical Sportsman, along with participants like Rob Trott, Susie Sherrill, Dell Vaughn, Barry Stutesman, Glenn Blackwood, Denny Serra, Tom O'Boyle and many more.  If your free the evening of February 5, 2001 at 5:30 p.m. join us to make this fantastic fundraiser at the Redwood Lodge, located  at US-23 and Hill Road in Grand Blanc, a success!  Enjoy dinner, silent auctions and great fun.  For ticket information contact Edie Halstead, (810) 762-3028 ext. 110..  Hope to see you there.

A couple of weeks ago during our big snow storm I learned the hard way that snow blowers can be deadly. While clearing snow from the chute I accidentally got my hand in the wrong place. Even though the machine was shut off, when the snow cleared the blades turned and cut quite badly three of my fingers as well as breaking four fingers ! I have been out of commission for several weeks and odds are that it will be another 6 or 8 weeks before I will be able to do much. Thank God for good surgeons like Dr. John Desantis of Lapeer who sewed for 2 1/2 hours in the operating room at Lapeer  Regional Hospital. Because of his dedicated work it appears that in time my fingers will all heal. John himself an avid outdoorsman did a stellar job of making sure I'll be able to continue to hunt & fish. I owe you one Doc ! Thanks for all your efforts. Also a special thanks to Susie for putting up with me and doing everything that I can't do right now (which is quite a bit). In her former life Susie was a nurse and a damn good one, and that has been a blessing. When you see Susie ask her about some of the things she's had to do since my accident. It's worth a chuckle or two.

The big Sportsman's Show held at the Onaway High School is this weekend, December 1-2-3. Susie and I will again host and MC the event. Show hours are Friday 5-9 PM, Saturday  9 AM-7PM and Sunday 10 AM-4 PM. There are over 85 booths filled with gift ideas for the sportsman for Christmas. Last year the crowds were good and everyone had a great time. Be sure and check it out and stop by and say hi to Susie and I. We have a new supply of GLO hats, shirts, jackets, and sweaters just in time for Christmas. For more information contact Kammie Dennis at 1-888-854-9700.

Don't forget to enter your big buck for  the Great Lakes Outdoors Big Buck Night taping on December 9th. If you have taken a big buck this year with a gun or a bow give CBM a call to register for the show.Their number is 800-298-2825. Tell them you want it green scored for the show. I'll pick the top 30 bucks taken. Its that easy. Cut off date is Saturday December 1st. Make sure and get yours scored today. Hope to see you there. Also if you're looking for a good taxidermist to mount your deer give Bob Parkey a try. Bob now handles all of the Great Lakes Outdoors taxidermy work. Bob has been in the business for years and is very good. Bob has a drop off point here at the Great Lakes Outdoors studios and picks up regularly. He can be reached at 517-238-8477.

Susie and I along with 8 other friends had a very successful deer camp over the first 5 days of firearms deer season. Six nice bucks were taken. I took a very nice nine pointer that was probably 5 or 6 years old. It was the biggest rack I had ever taken in  the Curran camp. I took him opening afternoon as he was chasing 4 does. Susie took a pretty eight pointer out of the same blind the following afternoon. It too, was chasing does. A special thanks to Norbert and Alberta Conrad for again making us a part of their camp. The show will air the second week of December on your local PBS station.

Susie and I are on our way to deer camp in the morning. As always we can't wait to be with old friends and do a lot of hunting, talking, laughing and eating good deer camp food. As I write this I just whipped up a big pot of Rob's deer camp venison chili!We will be gone for a week. The big bucks are starting to come in. We have a monster 21 point non-typical taken by Michel LaFountain . Michel took this whopper on October 23 with his bow. It was taken in Livingston County and green scored 212.2 N/T. If it doesn't shrink it will be the new state record non-typical taken with a bow. Paul Kintner currently holds that spot with a monster that scored 211 N/T taken in 1996. If you take a big buck be sure and call CBM and get it green scored for our Big Buck Nite. You can reach them at 800-298-2825. They will direct you to your nearest scorer. Tell them you want to enter in it in the Great Lakes Outdoors Big Buck Contest. Good Luck to everyone. See you in a week!

Good friend Bob Ransom has a hunting buddy that has a brand new 6x6 Argo that has been used only one time. It comes complete with windshield, enclosed top, winch and even has the tracks! He originally paid over $10,000 for it. He will sell it to the first caller for $7500.00!!That's a great deal guys. If you're interested drop me an e-mail at rob@greatlakesoutdoorstv.com.

Chuck Fleming and the Yale Lions Club deserve a big pat on the back for putting on a fine pre-season deer pep rally at the Yale H.S. Susie and I were the guest speakers and nearly 800 sportsmen showed up for this night of fun.We hope Chuck and the Lions will continue to bring us this yearly event. Nice job guys!

If your lucky enough to shoot that big trophy buck, be sure and enter it in our 12th Annual Big Buck Nite Contest.  Contact CBM at 1-800-298-2825 for your nearest scorer.  We will pick the top 30 bucks in the state, and be filming it on December 9th at the Lapeer County Sportsman's Club.  Hope to see you there!

Tomorrow is the opening day of pheasant season for the year 2000.  Although the days of abundance in the regal ringneck are gone, there are still a few birds in pockets around the state.  With our spoiled brittany dogs, and good friend Kevin Anthony, the GLO cameras will again head to the Thumb Area of Michigan to try and bring you the viewers some great video. 

Our new Online Store is now up and ready for you to use! We have many exclusive Great Lakes Outdoors items to choose from. Watch for more new items in the near future. To check out our store, or place an order, click on the Online Store navigation bar on this page. There is an easy to use order form waiting to be filled out. All the profits realized from our GLO items, goes to help fund the show. Not only will you be getting a great looking product, but, you will also help keep the show alive and well each week on your local PBS station. Be sure and check it out today!

You won't want to miss the week of October 16th, as Susie and the girls head to Alpena, Michigan to participate in the Ladies Classic Fishing Tournament.  The week of October 23rd, Susie and the GLO camera checks out the NWTF Women In The Outdoors week-end.  Closing out the month, the week of October 30th, Rob bow hunts for a monster 10 point white- tail.  Lot's of big buck action, don't miss it.

As Susie mentioned a couple of days ago, I had been looking to bag a particular big buck. Good news. I got him! On the evening of October 3rd at 7 PM, the huge 10 pointer I had been seeing worked his way into bow range and I made a perfect double lung shot at 22 yards. The big buck ran about 150 yards and crumbled dead in less than 30 seconds. Susie and I walked right to him. He was recovered in less than five minutes! The huge buck not only had a big rack, but his dressed weight was 190 pounds.That would have put him in the area of 230 pounds on the hoof. What a buck! It was my biggest bow kill ever. The best part is that Susie made an equally good shot with our GLO camera. This big guy combined with quite a few other nice bucks we got on film in our three day hunt will make for an exciting show. Watch for it the first week of November on your favorite PBS station.

Bow hunting is upon us and hopefully Michigan will produce record book bucks again this year.  Rob is busy stalking a massive buck that he hopes to enter Big Buck Nite with.  Of course Susie is busy filming, and to date has not drawn her bow.  Somebody has to work.  As we all enjoy the hunt, we urge you to remember safety.  We don't want statistics to include injures from falls, so please wear your safety harness.

As of this morning there are only 2 bear hunts left for the 2001 season in Saskatchewan. Part Two of our bear hunt this past Spring aired Statewide Saturday. We don't expect the hunts to last long as we have been getting a lot of calls. Already 18 hunts have been sold. It's a fantastic hunt with very good odds of tagging a bear. Contact us real soon if you want to go. Check out all the details under our Trips and Travels Side bar.

Many of you have been e-mailing and calling for our dates on this years European Pheasant Hunts at the Rooster Ranch. Here are those hunt dates that Susie and I will be attending:Saturday, December 30; Saturday January 20; Sunday February 18; Sunday March 11; Saturday March 24 is the Detroit Lions Super Hunt which runs $100.00 more;and Saturday April 7th. In the next week we will have this update on our Trips and Travel bar under Rooster Ranch Hunts. You can use these current dates and find all the info about the hunts there now. We enjoy these hunts and we know you do too. Hope to see you there in the near future!

Here's an update on September shows. Week of Sept.11, we will show you part one of this years fantastic Saskatchewan bear hunt. Week of September 18, Part two of our Saskatchewan bear hunt. Lots of bears! Week of September 25, join us as we show you two master taxidermists and their studios and work. If you're looking for a new taxidermist Bob Parkey could be who you're looking for. Join us through out the rest of the year for all new exciting action right here on your Great Lakes Outdoors!

Spectacular, awesome and huge is just a start of our impression of the new Cabelas Store in Dundee, Michigan.  The brand new 225,000 square foot store opened on August 30th. We were totally impressed with the vast stock of sporting goods. The store carries 95% of what the catalog has! Inside  over 1000 world class mounts complete with mountain and waterfall are a real attraction. A 65,000 gallon aquarium shows off numerous trophy fish. It is definitely the place to go to get anything you could possibly want in the outdoors. It takes 3-4 hours just to see everything. Plan a day and take along your credit card or lots of cash because you won't come home empty handed. The store is located on US-23 at the corner of M-50.

Geese are flying through out Michigan, so take advantage of the early goose season from September 1, through September 15th, in the lower Peninsula.  In the U.P. the season closes on September 10th.  Make sure and get your new Michigan waterfowl license, as well as Federal duck stamp before you get to the field.  Good luck!

Great Lakes Outdoors will kick off a brand new season of shows, on the week of September 4th. We hope you all have enjoyed your Summer and have been watching some of our favorite re-runs over the past several months as we were busy  filming new shows for you.We've got plenty of action packed shows in store for you this season as we continue our all outdoor hunting and fishing adventures format. We will officially start our 13th year on PBS in December! It's hard to believe its been that long. I guess time really does fly when you're having fun.Thanks to many of you, and, our fine sponsors we are alive and well and hope to continue on for another 13 years. Remember, call in your pledge of support during the August pledge drive!

The August pledge drive has started and Susie  and I will be live on August 10 from 8 until 11 PM on WFUM TV-28 in Flint. We have some great new items for you including our new logo on denim shirts, coats, hats, and t-shirts. Please remember to call in your pledges during our time on the air and let PBS know that you still support the outdoor programming that only they offer.We would love to hear from you and if you have never made a pledge, we really want you to call. Lets really light up the lines to show everyone that we outdoors people really  support each other. The time is now! Won't you please do your part.

Here's an update of the next four weeks shows. Week of August 7, we will take you fishing out of Oscoda for salmon and trout.Week of August 14, join us on our trip to Adobe Lodge in Texas for a great whitetail deer hunt. Week of August 21, we'll be hunting in Saskatchewan for a bull moose. Week of August 28, well get you fired up for whitetail season as Susie and I go for a couple of big bucks with our muzzleloaders.

National Wild Turkey Federation is hosting it's second annual Women In The Outdoors Weekend August 4th,5th and 6th, in Tustin Michigan. With thirteen classes offered, accommodations and meals, the weekend should be both exciting and educational. It's not to late to sign up, so join Susie in a great weekend for the ladies. For more information contact Carmen Lorentz at 517-669-2498.

Don't forget to apply for your fall turkey permit. The deadline is August 1st. Applications are available at any license dealer.

Special thanks to Eric Stuecher, captain of "Hooked", Christina Huested and Barb Giles.  Although Susie and the gals didn't win the Ladies Classic, they had a fantastic time.  With 44.75 pounds of fish, they came in a respectable 31st out of 115 boats. The winner of the event was Lori Kipfmiller's team, aboard "Fish Tales" with 77.10 pounds. Again thanks Eric, and better luck Susie and team next year.

If your in the area of Alpena this upcoming week check out the festivities at the 26th Annual Michigan Brown Trout Festival, July 13th through the 23rd, and cheer on the Great Lakes Outdoors girls.  Once again Susie and her team will be taking part in the 11th Annual Jack Daniels Ladies Classic on July 20th.  Aboard " Hooked", and captained by Eric Stuecher, the GLO team is pumped up and ready to win.  Watch for the show to air in our up-coming fall season..

As summer speeds by, here's the schedule to finish up July.  Week of July 17, we will take you to Lake Erie with Capt. Jerry Lee, and good friend Dave Handley fishing for the tasty walleye.  On the second half of the show learn more about how to plant food plots, and how to use them to your advantage this season.  It's a brand new show to break up the summer re-runs, so don't miss it. The week of July 24, join us as we take a group of Pontiac youth fishing, many for the very first time.

Here's an update on the next two shows airing in July. The week of July 3rd will be Part three of our African Safari, followed by Part four of Africa hunting, airing the week of July 10th. We are planning a return trip to South Africa in August of 2001. Our plans are to take up to 8 hunters with us. This is truly a trip of a life time and not as expensive as most think. If you're interested in joining the crew of GLO give us a call or drop us an email for all the details.

This weeks Kids In Chemo charity trap shoot show was a huge success. The day of the shoot $5700.00 was raised for the kids. Many great e-mails and calls have come as a result of the show. It makes Susie and I both proud to be sportsmen.Many have asked how to make a donation to the Michigan Cancer Institute(MCI) and to the kids in treatment there. You can send your fully tax-deductible donations to Kids In Chemo,C/O Cathy McKim, 2725 E. Wardlow Rd., Highland, MI 48356. Come on sportsmen lets help send these kids to camp!

Elk applications for all the upcoming seasons will be available from June 15 through July 15. Fall turkey applications will be available from July 1 through August 1. The applications are available at all state license dealers.

If you applied for a Michigan bear hunting license your wait is nearly over. All permits will be mailed by June 15. The permits are issued by random drawing with the new preference points system starting this year. If you receive a permit you must still take it to a license dealer to purchase your license. Good luck hunters!!

Make sure and take advantage of the free fishing this upcoming weekend, June 10th and 11th.  For these two days all fishing license fees will be waived for residents and nonresidents.  Remember though, all other fishing regulations will still apply.   Here in Michigan we have more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, 11,037 inland lakes and 36,350 miles of rivers and streams.  Take someone fishing this weekend, and hook them on this great sport.

Our Web Hosting Company regretted to inform us that problems with their servers, due to an upgrade to a new and improved server, caused an outage of Great Lakes Outdoors Television's email. So if you had sent in email to ANY of the greatlakesoutdoors.com email addresses in the last two days which was returned as undeliverable, we ask that you please send it again, as the problems have been resolved. We thank you for your patience with this issue!

Here's a look at the next two weeks shows.  Airing the week of June 5th, travel with us to St. Joes Michigan for some great coho fishing with Captain Jerry Lee. Also, you won't want to miss the very special show airing the week of June 12th.  We take you to Birmingham Gun Club for a special charity trap shoot.  The kids at this event will touch your hearts, as they did ours. 

As filming continues we want to take this time to remind you the viewer that we here at Great Lakes Outdoors are always in search of new locations and new friends.  We know after twelve years that sometimes it's tough to always have a new spot or topic to bring to you, so that's why we are asking you to help.  If you are an avid outdoors person, and have that special place to hunt or fish, and would like to share it, please contact us here in the office.

As the staff returns to the office we can report a great spring bear hunt in Cumberland House Saskatchewan, Canada.  In September we will air some of the most spectacular bear footage ever seen, so you won't want to miss it.  Exciting, you bet.

Happy Mother's Day!  We don't tell our mom's often enough just how important they are in our lives. Take time today to let your mom know you couldn't have done it without her, and make her day as special as she has made so many of yours.

Host's Kelvin and Wilma McKay's beautiful lodge in Cumberland House Saskatchewan Canada will be home for 18 Michigan hunters this year.  The Great Lakes Outdoors staff equipped  with cameras and bows will  take to the woods on May 21st, in search of a trophy bear.  With over 100 miles of hunting territory, and three different week long hunts the excitement levels are high.  We will be filming this hunt to kick off our new fall season this September.  This hunt promises to be the best ever!

Join Great Lakes Outdoors staff and volunteers for an exciting day of trap shooting to raise funds for Kids In Chemo.  As the cameras roll and the young people participate, it promises to be a day to remember for all.  Join us and make it a special event.  Check Great Lakes Outdoors Women on this web site for more information on donating to this worthy cause.

Here's an update on our TV shows airing in April.Week of April 3, Alpena Brown Trout Festival featuring the Ladies Classic filmed  during last year's Tournament and never aired. Week of April 10, GLO's Detroit Lions European Pheasant hunt 2000.See our annual pheasant hunt at the Rooster Ranch with many viewers and 4 of our Lions buddies. Week of April 17, Turkey Talk with Rod Little, filmed at Williams Gun Sight in Davison. Get ready for the Spring turkey season with lots of tips from the experts on how to bag your bird. Week of April 24, join us as we visit Fort Concho in Texas and Lunker Luke in Novi, MI who makes some really interesting fishing lures, for that   big one that always gets away. Also, we visit with Dale Chapman Jr. form Chapman's Sport Center in Lapeer, MI and learn how to get your boat ready for its Spring launch.

With Spring right around the corner it will soon  be time to get serious about fishing. Here's a list of our next four new shows to take us into early April. Week of March 13, ice fishing for steelhead in Michigan's Thumb. Week of March 20, rabbit hunting and an  introduction of our new show taxidermist Bob Parkey. Week of March 27, Onekama salmon fishing trip which is a new show we filmed last spring and never aired with Cpt. Kevin Hughes. Week of April 3, another new show we never aired featuring the Ladies Classic at the Alpena Brown Trout Festival last July. Be sure and check them out on your local PBS stations.

The outdoors people of Michigan have once again spoken loud and clear. During our pledge night on Thursday we had tons of  support for  the outdoor shows on WFUM TV-28, U of M Flint. Great Lakes Outdoors had it's best night ever on WFUM with record numbers of very nice pledges. Our new GLO tackle box package, which includes a tackle box, t-shirt, hat, lures and  signed autograph picture was a smashing success. This was opening night of the March 2000 drive which continues through March 19. Great Lakes Outdoors will be on today at 6 PM, Thursday March 9th at 11 PM, Thursday, March 16, at 8:30 PM and Saturday March 18 at 5:30 PM. If you haven't  made your pledge yet, please do so during one of these time periods.To make your pledge count for GLO it must be made during our shows break. Please call in and make your pledge for the GLO tackle box special for a donation of $180.00. As always 50% of your donation is tax-deductible. We here at GLO wish to thank everyone for their fantastic support , and ask that you help keep us at the top of the outdoor show line up by continuing to call in pledges during the next two weeks. Remember, your pledge is your vote fore GLO. Susie and I would also like to thank old friend Marc Spindler for helping us out on air with his lively and humorous, if not contagious support for the outdoors and our show. Keep the phones ringing folks, you're doing a great job, don't stop now. Continue to call in your support during our upcoming shows.

During the upcoming March pledge drive Susie and I will be on live on Thursday, March 2 during our normal show time at 8:30 PM on WFUM TV28 Flint. We will have an exciting new pledge package available for our viewers. Remember, your call during our pledge breaks is your vote to help keep Great Lakes Outdoors on prime time each and every week. Please call in your pledge of support. The outdoor shows have a tremendous following, but, without your pledges it makes it hard for the stations to keep us on at good time slots. To assure the continuation of  our show let's make the phones ring loud and steady on March 2!

Currently we are in the middle of airing our South Africa hunting shows. Ferdi Van Zyl, owner of Trophies Africa is spending a few days with us here at the Great Lakes Outdoors Studio. We have had a lot of e-mails from interested viewers who would like to hunt in Africa. If you would like to meet, or have questions for Ferdi about his African hunts give us a call or e-mail us here at Great Lakes Outdoors. Ferdi will only be in town for a week or so. This trip is very reasonable, and we have worked out several special packages for our viewers. It's truly a once in a lifetime experience. Check out our Trips and Travel section of this web site for more details, or call us at 810-793-6369.

Susie and I will be out of town filming new shows from Friday, January 28 through Friday February 4. We have spent an enormous amount of time editing our South Africa shows which start this Saturday, January 29. We feel we came up with four very exciting and different hunting and travel shows. We are very proud of the shows and hope you enjoy them over the next four weeks. After the Africa series, we'll be bringing you a rabbit hunt and ice fishing show. So stay tuned for a whole lot of excitement in the following weeks. We'll be updating you again when we return.

It's 8 a.m. Saturday morning and the temperature reads -9 degrees! Please remember your outside dogs during this extremely cold weather. Make sure that you're their best friend during these long, cold winter days. Provide them a good shelter with lots of straw. My two outside dogs have their own cozy shelter built into part of   a storage building. During the extreme cold I have devised an infra-red heat lamp which stays on above their bedding area. As long as you keep it 18" above the straw there is no risk of fire.This along with their air tight enclosure keeps them snug as a bug in the Florida Keys!The lamp and fixture only cost around $10.00, a small price to pay to help keep you buddies warm. Also, remember to keep lots of water handy and unfroze. I use warm water on their dry food during the winter, it helps keep them warm. If you happen to see dogs or other animals left outside with no shelter, be sure and report it to your local animal shelter. They will get the animals the help they need. Most of all, take care of your pets they count on us!

We are currently lining up our sponsors for the 2000 season and have openings for major sponsors. Sponsorship packages include weekly spots on the TV show, a link on our web site with all your company information, and much more. Our current sponsors all stay with us year after year for one good reason, "Results!" If you're interested in becoming a part of the winning GLO team,  please contact us.

We currently are in the middle of our 2000 season GLO European pheasant hunts at the Rooster Ranch.Many of you have enjoyed them over the past three seasons. We still have a few openings left in February, March and April. Be sure and check out our Rooster Ranch hunts on our Trips and Travel page of this site. Come out and enjoy a great day of pheasant hunting with the Great Lakes Outdoors staff. We look forward to hearing from you.

Due to a cancellation we have three bear hunts available for our Saskatchewan spring of 2000 hunt. The dates are May 28- June 3. This is a fantastic adventure in a very game rich area. For all the information on this hunt check out trips and travel on this site.

In the upcoming weeks we have some real exciting shows to bring you. Next week we will be taking you to west Texas on an incredible whitetail deer hunt, with Skipper Duncan from Adobe lodge in San Angelo, Texas. Watch as Susie's guide Pete Bara Jr. rattles in 4 different bucks, all in the same morning! Exciting? You bet! Don't miss it the week of January 17th on your local PBS station.

Then travel with us to the exotic land of  South Africa where Susie and I along with good friend Skip Weller test our hunting skills. The shots were long and the plains game animals unbeliev-
able during our 15 day safari. Our hosts Ferdi Van Zyl and Mills Kruger of Trophies Africa showed us much of the exotic beauty and challenge of hunting South Africa. This 4 part series starts airing the week of January 24th. For all the information on this fabulous trip, make sure and check out this web site under Trips & Travels.

As you watch these once in a life time adventures unfold, remember, we will be out filming some of Michigan's winter activities. Both ice fishing and rabbit hunting trips are planned in the near future. If you have a show idea that you would like to be a part of  make sure and send us an e-mail at rob@greatlakesoutdoorstv.com or susie@greatlakesoutdoorstv.com.

The 11th annual Great Lakes Outdoors Big Buck Nite was another big success. Big being the key word! Over 30 of the state's largest racks and the hunters who took them were in attendance at the Lapeer County Sportsman's Club on Saturday, December 11th for the taping of three TV shows.The shows can be seen on Michigan PBS and through out Canada. You can check for times and dates by checking out Big Buck Nite.

As always the stories were almost as tall and wide as some of the huge racks that were viewed!

A great time was had by all.

Susie and I would like to thank all of the hunters for attending. Many drove 3 or 4 hours just to get several minutes of glory on the show with Rob. Without the cooperation of the hunters of course this big buck nite wouldn't exist.

We would also like to thank the Lapeer County Sportsman's Club for again hosting the event for the 10th straight year.

CBM of course deserves a big round of applause for scoring all these big bucks and getting me the score sheets on time. By the way Commemorative Bucks of Michigan has a brand new 5th edition Michigan Big Game Records book out and available. It lists all of Michigan's trophy deer, elk, bear and turkeys right through the 1998 season. Copies of the record book are available by calling CBM at 1-800-298-2825.

Also a special thanks to Kim Cunningham and Dee Hebert as well as Gary Ewell for again helping make this event one of our favorites of the whole year! Gary does a great job of teaming up with Susie for a smooth two camera operation to give you better angles of the big bucks.

As always there are many great stories, but none better than 76 year old Jack Eddy from Owosso. Jack again made the shows big buck nite for the 10th time in 11 years! He was sick in 1996 the only year he didn't take a record book buck. Again this year Jack took two more monsters scoring 156.3T and 163.4N/T. Jack has 14 bucks listed in the Michigan record, more than any one else as far as I know. Jack is a master hunter and can tell you things about each buck he corners! This man knows each big buck intimately and knows when they eat, sleep and go to the bathroom! Watch for Jack on show 3.

For more information on Big Buck Nite, click here.

Welcome to GreatLakesOutdoorsTV.com. As you have probably guessed we are excited! We have long awaited this web site as a true connection with YOU the viewer.

We want to include you in making this site as interesting as possible. Maybe you have a new show idea or a great new place to film. Let us know. You can let us know through email, or via our online message forum.

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