- Hello, everyone.

Welcome to Michigan Out of Doors.

I'm Jenny Ciolek, and we've got an exciting show headed your way this week.

We'll take you on a deer hunt with some pretty special folks out of Gladwin, Michigan with the P.A.T.H.

organization.

We'll also be talking about a pretty serious topic here amongst hunters in Michigan.

You won't want to miss that story, and Jimmy will be hitting the water this week.

- Well, that's right.

We do have a little fishing on this week's show.

We're going to head to Osceola County, check out a new little bait shop there and do a little fishing as well.

Lots of good stuff on this week's show.

You stay tuned.

I'm Jimmy Gretzinger.

It's time for Michigan Out of Doors.

♪ From the first spring rains to the soft summer breeze ♪ ♪ Dancing on the pine forest floor ♪ ♪ The autumn colors catch your eyes ♪ ♪ Here come the crystal winter skies ♪ ♪ It's Michigan, Michigan Out of Doors.

♪ - [Hunter] What a beautiful day in the woods.

♪ Someday our children all will see ♪ ♪ This is their finest legacy ♪ ♪ The wonder and the love of Michigan ♪ ♪ As the wind comes whispering through the trees ♪ ♪ The sweet smell of nature is in the air ♪ ♪ From the Great Lakes to the quiet stream, ♪ ♪ shining like a sportsman's dream ♪ ♪ It's a love of Michigan we all share ♪ - [Jenny] Michigan Out of Doors is presented by.

- [Promoter] By Country Smokehouse, a sportsman's destination since 1988, featuring varieties of homemade sausage, jerky, brats, and gourmet entrees.

Holiday gift boxes can be assembled in store or online.

Details at countrysmokehouse.com.

- [Jenny] By Great Lakes Firearms and Ammunition, a family-owned-and-operated firearm manufacturer in Sparta, Michigan, offering a wide variety of calibers and colors backed by a lifetime warranty.

More information available at glfallc.com.

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Career opportunities are available.

More information at saabinc.com.

(rhythmic country music) (gun fires) (bright country music) - We're here right now at Paradise Trophy Ranch up in Gladwin, Michigan.

We're in our first week of deer hunt.

We have eight hunts going on in our first week.

The two kids that we'll be out with tonight and tomorrow morning will be Tanner and Jayden passing along the heritage, the P.A.T.H.

Foundation.

The organization's been around for 28 years.

Two gentlemen, Bob Gardner and Bob Knopes, got together and needed to give a gun to a youth hunter that had no gun for gun season.

After getting his gun, they realized that they could do this on a bigger scale.

They got some of their friends together and they started, which is now the P.A.T.H.

Foundation, a 501c3 all volunteer organization that has revolved into now taking youth hunters, disabled hunters, and veterans on dream hunts here in Michigan.

We were involved with anything that takes the kids in Michigan and disabled veterans, get them out in the outdoors, and get them enjoying hunting.

- [Jenny] At the end of every good hunt, there should be a great meal, and P.A.T.H.

volunteers, Shane Patzer and Dan Bondy, were making sure that was the case with a smoker full of chicken and ribs.

For this afternoon hunt, Steven would be guiding 10-year-old Tanner Brown and his dad, Don, Yoopers from Trenary, Michigan, who were excited to get out into the woods and check out the deer that live here.

- So Tanner has Friedrich's ataxia, and I probably don't get all this right, because it's something I try not to Google or to get too in depth with.

It's a neurological disease, and it affects a lot more than just his neuropathy.

So that's one of the biggest thing is he can't feel.

That's why he's in the wheelchair because he can't really feel his feet.

He's starting to lose that feeling in his legs.

Last year he could, he could walk with a walker, and then that's becoming even more of a struggle.

You saw the chair in the video.

He just started getting that a couple weeks ago, but it also affects, he's got like spina bifida, he's got a big crook in his spines.

He has to wear a brace most of the time, and it also affects his heart.

It's cardiomyopathy.

He's got the hardening of his ventricle, I guess is what it is, but so far, he's very young to be diagnosed with this.

Usually it doesn't start showing until teenager's age, but he started showing at like three years old.

When we did the genetics testing, say there's like a thousand things you can have where, or it's 1200 is the number for the max amount you can have, he has it at like 900.

So it's bad for his condition.

- [Jenny] Here on the ranch, Tanner was able to forget about his disabilities for a few precious moments and focus on the hunt.

Steven gave him a quick tutorial on the shooting assist device that moves his rifle and pulls the trigger with the help of electronics.

Tanner has an incredible outlook on life, even with all he has to deal with at 10 years old.

- [Don] He has his days like anybody would where he wishes, like before we came down here, he said, "I'd trade anything.

"I'd trade these hunts to be able to walk."

Which breaks your heart as a parent, but overall, he's a very, very positive kid.

He's got a great friend support system at his school.

There's not bullying because he's in a wheelchair or walker.

Everyone loves him.

How I view it as he kind of brings people together, and it's the same thing.

He's got a strong faith in God.

So I'm not worried about him, but yeah, you know what I mean.

He takes it very well for what all he has to go through as a 10-year-old boy watching all his friends do all the 10-year-old boy things, and he can't quite keep up.

- [Jenny] Tanner told us he was hoping to have a chance at a non-typical buck with a little character.

Sure enough, as the afternoon started to cool off and the bucks started moving, a beautiful non-typical bruiser made his way out of the woods and right past the blind.

He never stopped long enough for Tanner to get his crosshairs on him for a good steady shot and kept on walking right out of sight, but out of a nearby creek bottom, another huge buck made his way into sight and got Tanner's heart pounding again.

This buck stopped for a quick moment, but once again, didn't give our hunter a chance to get dialed in before he headed down into a swamp off to our left.

Then something crazy happened, a red stag here on the ranch began making a barking sound, similar to the blowing sound whitetails make when alarmed.

We never saw the stag, but his female hinds were on full alert at the edge of the swamp ridge.

The stags barking actually worked in our favor as that second big buck that had gone down into the swamp must have gotten nervous at the stags alert and came back out to the field.

(calm contemporary music) (deer call blows) (gun fires) - [Guide] Oh, you got him.

(tanner giggles) Oh, you got him.

You hit him good.

- Nice work.

- I know that sun was in our eyes, but man, he finally came back.

- Holy smokes.

- That red stag pushed him out of that swamp again.

- [Don] Brought him back up.

- Thank you, red stag.

- Thank you, red stag.

- Congratulations, Tanner.

- Awesome, buddy.

- Tell me what happened.

- Well, the red stag, he was what they call bowling.

He was a male down in the swamp where they must have went, the buck, and it scared him out or something.

He just came out.

He was walking through the woods here, and he came out, stopped, but we didn't shoot yet.

He kept walking, kind of turned back that diagonal, he made a grunting noise, and he stopped, and that's when we shot.

- [Jenny] Nice, was your heart pounding a little?

- Yeah, it was pounding more after I shot, and I like that.

- [Jenny] Oh, you think that's the biggest deer you ever shot?

- Yes.

- He got a good job off.

(laughs) - [Jenny] Are you ready to go see this thing?

- Yes, I'm so excited.

- [Guide] As far as me, I got involved, because I was able to shoot, hunt deer, elk, everything all my life, and when you see these individuals that just want to enjoy what we see, what we enjoy.

To get them out there, it just means the world to us.

That's why we're all volunteers.

We don't do this for any.

It's one of those things that we have the ability to bring these kids out here, bring these disabled veterans who no longer can get out here, to bring these individuals that need assistance and get them into the outdoors and pretty much get them hunting again or get them hunting for their first times at times, yeah.

- 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.

- What?

- Oh, you got the 20-pointer?

- [Guide] That's double your last one you got.

(laughs) - [Don] It's great to see that smile on his face and to be able to do the adventures and meet other kids who have some other troubles, it makes him realize it's not just him, because being in that small community, he kind of stands out.

So it's awesome for him to meet other people.

It kind of means the world to him, means the world to me.

If you ever get a chance or if you have an eligible person in your life, don't hesitate to sign up for something like this, because they're a life changing experience for the kids or whoever is going through it, you know?

To be able to get out in a spot where it's accessible, they can go and do things most people can't.

Otherwise, just do it.

You won't regret it.

- [Jenny] The entire crew enjoyed a feast for dinner and basked in the glory of Tanner's success.

His buck ended up scoring 188 inches.

A few more hunters had made their way to camp, but no other deer were harvested tonight.

While here at Paradise Trophy Ranch, I was able to spend some time with owner Mike Hall.

Mike and his wife, Tammy, have been blessed to be successful in the business world for many years and now enjoy giving back.

Donating hunts here at their ranch is just one of many ways they are charitable.

As we toured the hunting area, Mike explained why they do it.

- [Mike] So here at the ranch we give away in excess of 40 hunts a year, anywhere from white tail to elk to turkey hunts.

I get more out of watching these people enjoy themselves, the people that have the least to live for get the most out of life, and we all could learn a lesson from them.

- [Jenny] Sadly, with all the good Mike and his wife are doing here with their ranch, they have to deal with a disheartening amount of negativity.

- Social media, social media allows people to show a side of them that they normally wouldn't have the guts or they would have the sense not to show the rest of the world, and I like to put posts of beautiful animals.

This time of year, I will show shots that the hunters are with their animals, but even just a beautiful elk video, as an example, 15% of the people will be very supportive and very attaboy, what a beautiful animal, and 15 or 20 will be the tree huggers that are like, stop murdering.

I don't even pay attention to them.

They have their agenda.

Go for it, but what really disappoints me is the hunters, the outdoorsmen, that go out of their way to belittle an organization that they know nothing about, and I will, every time I post, if there's 50 responses, 10 of them will be people saying things like, what a shame, you're a loser, I can't believe you're just milking the rich, the whole thing is a sham, do you untie them before you let the hunter in, were they in the pen the morning before you let them out, stupid things like that, and I don't always engage with them, but if I'm feeling spunky that day, I will say something like, "Obviously you don't understand "what our business is and what we do.

"80% of our business is donation hunts to people "that are physically challenged.

"Maybe I should put you in touch with some "of these paraplegics, quadriplegics and blind people, "and you can tell them that what they're doing is a sham.

"You can tell them that what they're doing is a joke.

"Are you interested in doing that?"

And they shut up, then they're done.

I don't have to ban them.

They're done.

They don't bother me anymore, but sadly, there's always more to come in, and maybe it bothers me because I've been an outdoorsman my whole life, and there's room for all of us.

We have men that come here and shoot elk that are not handicapped, but they're 80 years old, and they've hunted out west their whole life and they cannot get out in the mountains anymore.

Are we saying that they should not be able to elk hunt anymore?

What's wrong with them coming here and shooting an elk?

Or someone like myself with emphysema that can no longer climb up and down hills.

If I wanted to shoot an elk out west, not going to happen unless I do it from a helicopter.

Well, how is that any more sporting than shooting an animal here at the ranch?

I just want us all to get along.

We're all outdoorsmen.

We're all outdoors people.

As soon as special interest groups are able to pit one of us against the other, they will win.

We all know that.

If they get the non-bear hunters to be against the bear hunters, well, that's one chip.

I think anybody that's in the business knows that's who they go after first, is the bear dog people, and then the bear hunters, well, we all need to be united for all outdoor activities.

We have to defend all of them because they are our rights in this state, and if we don't act as a group with each other's best interest in mind, we will all lose eventually.

- [Jenny] Infighting among sportsmen and women is something that needs to be addressed for sure.

The next day, our hunters hit the woods again.

This time, I followed 12-year-old Jalen DeYoung, joined by his dad, Randy.

Jaylen passed on some smaller bucks early on and his patience paid off when a gorgeous 19 point buck in velvet made his way into range for Jalen's 308.

Mike says these hunts empower the kids.

- [Mike] Well, to be able to do something that people don't think that they can do, and I've had people say, "Well, why don't you just let them shoot "a hundred inch deer?

"What's the difference?

"It's a deer."

They can shoot anything they want.

That's what's great about this.

If they want to shoot the first buck that comes by, if they want to shoot the first doe, I don't care.

That's up to them, but the fact that they can practice some restraint and wait for a bigger animal, that's a bonus for them because they don't get to do a lot of choosing in life.

For them to be able to say, that's the one I want to shoot now, they got to pick, and I'm proud that, here, they get to pick.

I live to see them smile, to see them happy.

(upbeat pop music) - There were many smiling and happy faces on this hunt.

Zach, Max, Tanner, and Jalen were all successful and went home with a P.A.T.H.

memory of a lifetime here in Michigan's out of doors.

- Well, special thanks to the P.A.T.H.

Foundation and all they do to get folks into the out of doors.

What we're going to do now is head to Osceola County, check out a new little bait shop, and do a little fishing as well.

(bright country music) - So this is actually a pretty historical building for what it is.

I've had guys come in here and tell me about this building 50, 80, 60, 70 years ago and what it used to be, and they've got to watch the progression of what it is till today.

It used to be a grocery store, at one time.

It was part of a restaurant.

There was a, like a Five and Dime was in here at one point and the last was a gym.

We had a gym, and the gym moved away.

They went and did bigger and better things and so I took advantage of that and I decided to finally bite the bullet and build a bait shop, One thing Marion's probably wanted for 30 years, so, - [Jimmy] And yeah, how long you been doing it and what were some of the challenges getting this thing going?

- So the bait shop, the official opening was July 20 or July 31st of this year.

So we're just a month and a half into it, and it's just rocking pretty good.

The challenges were I have no idea how to run a business.

The only thing I can do is bring enthusiasm and ideas and try to give the community and the people what they want, which, to some extent, was easy, but I only knew a chunk about that big of what they wanted, and I knew a little bit about what they needed, but the whole story was about that big.

So I tried to keep it diverse without specializing in one area too much, because I want everybody that comes in here to be able to get what they're looking for.

- A good friend of mine told me about Pete and his new bait shop here in Marion, and he asked if I might be up for checking it out and joining them for an evening of fishing.

So here we were, Osceola County, Rose Lake for a fun night on the water.

Pete makes his own plastics, which he sells at the shop.

So with plenty of tackle, we headed out onto the water for a perfect evening last week.

- We're going to get some big fish, big bass, big large mouth.

- Okay.

- Yep, yep.

There's a pretty good population of fish over three pounds in this lake.

They're a little difficult to find, but if you can look around and find them, where they're hanging out, boy, you'll have a good night, I mean a great night.

If not, you're just going to go out and go fishing.

- [Jimmy] Well, we didn't know if we'd be fishing or catching tonight, but here we were.

Joining us today was Pete's son, Colton, and Craig Lim was along as well.

We were targeting bass, but this lake holds some nice pike as well.

- And then it drops down into kind of a flat.

There's a sand point that's going to come along there and there's a trough right over there by the buoy, but right where they're setting is the edge of that weed line, and there's a hump that comes all the way back out here.

So usually my tactic is to start on the outside of the hump and just start working this way around, and then you'll find them in there somewhere, and if you don't, well, then again, that's fishing.

- How deep?

- Anywhere from, on this side, will be 16, 12, 16 foot.

Your weeds will actually be up to almost the surface on this side.

- [Jimmy] We got our lines in the water with what is supposed to be the hottest bait around.

So this is the hot bait everybody's wants.

- I'm guessing so, but don't expect me to use it like the professionals do, because that's not going to happen.

- Do you jig it?

Do you just drag it?

- I don't know.

I guess we're just going to throw it out and jig it.

See what happens.

- Heck, you're-- - I don't know what to do with it.

I thought you'd give it to your cat and let it go and see what happens.

- That's one of the ones you guys make at the shop?

- Yep, yep, yep.

- Okay.

- We make that one in a couple different sizes actually, so.

- [Jimmy] Oh, okay.

- That's that new pumpkin color I'm trying.

- [Jimmy] This lake does hold some good size bass, but so far tonight we were only finding a few small ones.

We were using some spinners, a drop shot, even some top water stuff, but wouldn't you know, the crazy urchin bait found our first decent fish.

What do you got up there?

- Oh, that's a bass.

- Oh yeah.

- That one we're after?

- He can net it over here if you want.

Nice.

- Good job.

- [Craig] Well, I can't believe it.

Look at that.

- [Jimmy] How did you end up working that thing, just dragging it or?

- No, I was just, just jerk it.

Like I said, everybody said sometimes they kind of mimic, just do it like a jerk bait, but.

- [Jimmy] Well, it's the best one of the day.

- And that's going to continue that, Jimmy.

(Jimmy laughs) All right.

(jet ski roars past) - Oh yeah, there it is.

Oh, are you kidding me?

- That's all right.

- I thought he ran pretty fast.

That'll work, the old Northern Michigan hammer right there.

- Yeah, that's a good looking fish.

- Yeah, yeah, we'll take him, huh?

- Nice.

(fish splashes) - Bye, buddy.

Look at you go.

- Oh, well, this is more of a pike fishing story.

- Yeah, well.

- Whatever's there, yeah.

- [Pete] Yep, he's right at him still.

He was bigger too.

- I seen that.

- I'm going to let him play and see if you can get him.

- [Colton] He went straight down.

- [Pete] Gosh, if it was a bigger fish.

- Nice.

- Nice little bass, huh?

- Yeah.

- The old black and blue swim jig.

- And what'd you catch him on?

- That's that kamikaze jig that my buddy and I put together, and he makes them and that's my super stretchy grub on the back.

Does the job, you know?

Nice fish.

(fish splashes) - [Jimmy] Yeah, let's see that bait there.

- Yep, so this is his version of a black and blue arcy style jig, and then I throw my blue grub trailer on the back, and can't hardly argue with it really.

That's a good jig.

That's a quarter ounce jig.

I'm running a little light just because we're not in deep weeds.

I don't need to drop down that heavy.

(calm contemporary music) - [Jimmy] Well, there you have it, a nice night out on the water, and we got a few fish as well.

So if you're ever through Marion, swing by Pete's shop and say hello.

He should have some stories to tell and some plastics for you as well right here in Michigan's out of doors.

- Thank you for joining us this week for Michigan Out of Doors.

Make sure you come back in the next few weeks.

We've got a lot of great things headed your way, including a bear hunt, little fall perch fishing, and pheasant hunting, just to name a few.

If you'd like to interact with us on a more daily basis or maybe check out some of our Michigan Out of Doors apparel, you can always do that online.

- Well, our website is a good spot to check out some old shows and get caught up if you missed a few.

You can also check us out on Instagram and Facebook to see what we're up to on a day-to-day basis and make sure you are getting out and enjoying everything our state has to offer.

This past weekend was the youth season and the early doe.

We've got small game season that's open now and bow season is right around the corner, so much going on in our state.

Get out and enjoy it, and hopefully if we don't see you in the woods or on the water, we'll see you right back here next week on your PBS station.

- [Jenny] Michigan Out of Doors is presented by.

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With Greenstone's recreational land loans, we'll help you finance acreage of any size so you can own your own place in the great outdoors, Green Stone.

- [Jenny] By Morgan Composting, a family business located in Michigan.

Morgan Composting offers a variety of products all powered by Dairy Dew Organic Compost for homeowners and farmers.

To learn more about all the product options available for your food plots, visit dairydoo.com.

(intense rock music) - [Promoter 3] At Boss Shot Shells, we make all our shot shells right here in Michigan and deliver them direct to your door.

- [Jenny] By Green Mark Equipment.

Green Mark Equipment is a John Deere dealership network in Southwest Michigan and Northern Indiana.

Green Mark provides sales and services to farmers, commercial businesses, large property owners, and homeowners.

Information about pricing and products available can be found online at greenmarkequipment.com.

(bright country music) ♪ When I wander far away ♪ ♪ The dream stays with me night and day ♪ ♪ It's the road that leads to my home state ♪ ♪ I am a Michigan man ♪