Pigeon River & Beyond - Back Country Horsemen, Michigan

This past weekend we had the opportunity to take a break and head up to private property north of Elk to spend a few relaxing days and ride.......what  a nice time....During that time we decided to take a road trip and check out the Pigeon to see how it is evolving back into the "Big Wild".  What we observed was exactly what we thought we would see, not a soul around.  Not a horse or camper in Elk Hill Trail Camp nor in the Group camping area.  Not even a track!  This was Saturday afternoon.  Guess the DNR and management at the PRCF are accompolishing what they set out to accomplish!  There were a total of 3 camping rigs in the whole area we toured-a 5th Wheel at camp #5 and a tent and trailer at the tubes next to the river.......while checking out our favorite outcamp sites where we used to camp we went to camp #7 and found only empty beer boxes--7 of them to be exact-- that were left behind by some unrespectful humans!  Guess this is what it's all about-turning the Big Wild back into the Big Wild Party area!  Take the eyes and ears out of the woods and this is what happens......We also checked out the progress of the bridge on Sturgeon Valley road.......What a mammoth bridge this will be....looks like a slight overkill job again by our government agencies-DEQ and MDOT....also this area was littered with beer cans pop bottles and trash.  The last we had heard they were about 12 weeks behind on the time frame to finish-still loooked that they will manage to have it closed for the remaining summer-maaybe by the time HUNTING SEASON arrives it will be done...Then onto a long journey around by Round Lake and Old Vanderbilt Road into Vanderbilt...Wanted to stop and have a burger with Ernie at the corner restaurant........Another depressing site-a closed sign in the window at 3:00 in the afternoon-also a for sale sign outside the building.  After filling our truck with fuel and talking with an employee at Dave's Village market we learn they are just hanging on by a thread and don't know how much longer they will be able to....We tried to encourage them to hang on that we were not done fighting this battle for them and that we could use their help as well-Ernie closed his doors 3 months ago!!!!!!!!

We also talked to a very nice gentleman while riding down the road heading back to our camp on Sunday afternoon.  He had purchased his property about 4 years ago....He has been hunting the Pigeon for years and he has observed the lack of hunters in this area as well-said to it is so hard to hunt deer when there are no other hunters in the woods to move the deer.......no conflict here it seems......

Really glad to see you got some well deservred R&R. Thanks for all you do.

Remember I am just a ph call away if you need me.

God bless

Kevin and Debbie

Maybe the folks up there will get some of that BAIL OUT $.   (Right)

Thank you for that report.  In the long run, maybe everyone concerned will see how badly they need us at the Pigeon! 

 Howdy Ya'll

Just returned home from an 11 day stay on the west side of the PRC

Horse camp is now a "Ghost Camp" and has been for most of the summer!!

with many returning trips to "Ghost Camp in the Big Wild" I have Only seen 1.....yes  One horse camper in camp!

The Woods that you all use to Love and Know while riding in the PRC are now Flatten......GONE....Thousands of acres and Millions of Cords have been  CUT & taken from the PRC. It looks as tho the DNR have Dropped an Automic Bomb....all for BIO FUEL so the DNR says.....  "but God Forbid we should Walk through the woods on our horses and leave a hoof print.".... Beer can's and bottle's litter the road ways.

The bear hunters are starting to drag the roads looking for bear tracks....to run the dogs on.  { you could see a bear coming from a mile away}.

Seen some cow's and calfs and one stray yearling ELK ..No bulls spotted on this trip.

Fishing on Cornwell flooding was Great ! oh yeah did I mention...I bought a fishing tag too! so does that mean I'm helping keep my self out of the PRC on horse? LOL

Oh yeah...hikers....seen.....NOT ONE......bikers...seen........NOT ONE

looks as tho the DNR needs to close the whole dam thing how can they afford to keep them Fishing camps open and Maintained or them hiking and biking trails

everybody taken a budget cut  except the Top.

and.........I wonder Who is watching over the BIO FUEL Money that they are stripping

from the PRC!! somebodys Got BIG pockets.

Okay I'll get off my soap box now

Just wanted to let ya'll know whats Happing inside the PRC

Chappy,  thanks for the most un-lifting  up date.  I will be sure not to make a reservation there any time soon.  At least not in this life time or the next.  It will take a long while for it to start to grow back. 

Mike,

Sorry to be the bad news bear..lol

Just wanting to keep everyone up to date on the  D..am  N...ear  R...ussins in the PRC.

aleast the young growth will help feed the Elk this winter!

I saw in the paper where The DNR director was in Alpena telling of the DNR's budget woes,how young people aren't hunting and fishing. Duh! Why don't they kick some more people of our state land and wonder why people aren't participating in outdoor activities. My experince in PRCSF lately is the same as others have posted not a soul around.I have been damn tempted to make some signs that say Entering the kingdom of "Queen Rebecca" (Humphries) and post em on the Entering PRCSF signs.Probably better I don't but its fun to day dream about it.

Product of Presque Isle at 08:55AM on Aug 13, 2009

I saw in the paper where The DNR director was in Alpena telling of the DNR's budget woes,how young people aren't hunting and fishing. Duh! Why don't they kick some more people of our state land and wonder why people aren't participating in outdoor activities. My experince in PRCSF lately is the same as others have posted not a soul around.I have been damn tempted to make some signs that say Entering the kingdom of "Queen Rebecca" (Humphries) and post em on the Entering PRCSF signs.Probably better I don't but its fun to day dream about it.

Snork.        

Exactly. Why should it be easy to get outside? More money is made with people living at shopping malls - think of all the sales tax, pavement & development, buildings, yada yada yada...

Need that "They Paved Paradise" song to go along with .. "Where have all the Hunters Gone" (sung to the tune of "where have all the soldiers gone")

gabz at 09:26AM on Aug 13, 2009

Product of Presque Isle at 08:55AM on Aug 13, 2009

I saw in the paper where The DNR director was in Alpena telling of the DNR's budget woes,how young people aren't hunting and fishing. Duh! Why don't they kick some more people of our state land and wonder why people aren't participating in outdoor activities. My experince in PRCSF lately is the same as others have posted not a soul around.I have been damn tempted to make some signs that say Entering the kingdom of "Queen Rebecca" (Humphries) and post em on the Entering PRCSF signs.Probably better I don't but its fun to day dream about it.

Snork.        

 

Exactly. Why should it be easy to get outside? More money is made with people living at shopping malls - think of all the sales tax, pavement & development, buildings, yada yada yada...

 

Need that "They Paved Paradise" song to go along with .. "Where have all the Hunters Gone" (sung to the tune of "where have all the soldiers gone")

Here ya go...  sing this to the tune of "Smile"

Smile tho' your budget is aching,

Smile even tho' the bank is breaking,

When there are trails without rides

You'll get by,

If you smile

thro' your rules and funding,

Smile and maybe one day,

You'll see the funding come shin-ing thro' for you

Open up the trails with gladness,

Hide ev-'ry trace and  and there will be none,

Al -'tho a Elk may be ever so near,

That's the time,

You must keep on trying,

Smile, what's the use of lying,

You'll find that all users are still worth-while,

If you just smile...