Included in the latter group will be members of Michigan's whitetail deer herd.

Wednesday is the first day of Michigan's 2008 archery deer season. For those who believe the woods is never more beautiful or alive than during those early days of autumn, Oct. 1 each year marks the opening day of a hunting experience that is profoundly special. For most archers, it is a hunting adventure that transcends the firearms season, which begins Nov. 15 and, because the participant numbers are so great (more than 600,000 compared with just under 300,000 archers), is considered the pre-eminent "deer season" in Michigan.

"I enjoy time in the woods more these weeks of the year than during the firearms season," said Charlie Kehr, 57, and a dentist from Beulah who bow-hunts whitetails on private property in Benzie County, in the Lower Peninsula's northwest region. "The deer get so much closer. It's simply more exciting."

"Last year, I had dozens of deer pass within 15 yards of me," said Kehr, who hunts from four different locations, which include two tree stands and two ladder stands. "I even had deer walk between my ladder stand and my tree."

"You're just sitting there, frozen, afraid to move a muscle as they walk by. And because you have to be so super-careful about movement, it can be hard to get a shot. I didn't take a single shot last year."

Michigan's archery deer season is split, running from Oct. 1-Nov. 14, just ahead of the Nov. 15-30 firearms season. Archers can resume hunting Dec. 1, 2008 to Jan. 1, 2009.

It is the archer's methodology that makes the sport so challenging, and so fulfilling, to those who view bow-hunting more as a calling than a pastime. Unlike firearms season, when visibility is premier and blaze-orange is worn by hunters bent on staying clear of a rifle or shotgun's line of fire, the archer attempts to blend with the terrain's natural colors and contours. Camouflage is generally worn, head to foot.

Hunters tend to be as anxious about scent as about visibility. It explains why so many archers opt for apparel made with Scent-Lok (tr), a technology that uses scent-absorbing carbon to mask a human being's odor, which will generally send deer scrambling. Necessary equipment is in step with what most deer hunters would spend on rifles or shotguns. A mainstream bow can run $400-$1,000. Tree or ladder stands are $150-$300. Camouflage apparel can run another $200 or more. But sporting goods dealers agree that a tighter budget is no barrier to easing into a different brand of hunting experience.

You can forego the camouflage and opt for simple earth colors. A tree or ladder stand is by no means essential. A nicely concealed area of ground cover can be surprisingly effective. And a bow, with arrows, can be purchased for much closer to $400 than $1,000, with no negatives.

The trick is to make the deer so unaware of your presence that they move within range, which is the single biggest difference between archery and firearms hunting. Most archers want a shot within 15 yards. More skilled hunters can push distances to 25 yards or more. But the level of accuracy needed, and the need for drawing a bow quickly and without the deer detecting movement, generally calls for a close shot.

"It's not the taking (harvesting) of a deer that excites me," Kehr said. "To me, it's the excitement of seeing the deer and seeing them so close. If I take one, fine. But it doesn’t have to be a monster buck -- any deer taken with a bow is a trophy."

"Last year, I saw deer probably 75 percent of the time I hunted, and generally more than one. It's amazing how quietly deer can get in on you. All of a sudden, you're sitting over a couple of does, or maybe an eight-point buck."

"That's why people who get into it tend to be so passionate," Kehr said of Michigan's deer archers. "They're either into it, or they're not. But once you've experienced it, it's difficult not to be hooked."

This article was written by Lynn Henning of the Detroit News and is reprinted with his permission.

Bring money for the jukebox and order up a taste of nostalgia at Rosie’s Diner in Rockford. The authentic stainless eatery (made famous in the old “quicker picker upper” Bounty paper towel commercials) was moved to Michigan from New Jersey and still serves burgers, malts, fried bologna sandwiches, meatloaf and fresh baked pie.  Modern additions include a few lighter entrees and a bar. 

Other interesting places to find good food and handcrafted beer include Camp 33 at the Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub at Upper Tahquamenon Falls State Park, the Walldorff Brewpub & Bistroin a historic building in Hastings, and Traffic Jam & Snug (TJs) in Detroit. “TJs” also makes its own cheese, ice cream, breads and desserts in a series of eclectic dining rooms. 

You can grill your own prime beef to accompany the house beers at Hereford & Hops Steakhouse & Brewpub in a historic hotel building in Escanaba.

Traditional service and Italian specialties are served at Detroit’s oldest dining room, the Roma Café in the city’s historic Eastern Market.  The city’s quaint Dakota Inn Rathskeller has featured sauerbraten, sausage, schnitzel (and American foods) as well as German American drinking songs since 1933.

The Granddaddy of Pure Michigan dining experiences is the all-you-can-eat, family style chicken dinner at one of America's largest family restaurants.  Zehnder’s of Frankenmuth in the Bavarian-themed town of Frankenmuth serves about a million guests per year in 10 dining rooms that seat more than 1,500 guests. Across the street there’s more chicken and German fare at the popular Bavarian Inn.

Great Classic Joints

Pal’s Diner, Grand Rapids
Burgers, malts, and dash of 1952 at a pink-striped, stainless steel eatery

Water Street Coffee Joint, Kalamazoo
Java, light menu at 1934 gas station

Cherry Bowl, Honor
Drive-in family-friendly movies, fun, and food under the stars since 1953

Dawson and Stevens at the Bottle Cap Museum, Grayling
Classic ‘50s diner with classic fountain treats

Waffle House of America, Lawrence
Malted waffles all day, plus comfort food in unpretentious setting

Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger, Ann Arbor
Great  burgers since 1953, boasting over two million different combinations

Sidetrack Bar and Grill, Ypsilanti
An 1850 saloon that specializes in beer battered pickles, top-rated burgers and local brews

At michigan.org, you’ll find a list of casual dining establishments and brewpubs at a destination near you.

Detroit jazz can't be summed up in one word. But how about three--Baker's Keyboard Lounge. OK, it's certainly not the only jazz club in town, but it's inarguably one of the most important, with a nearly seven-decade history of hosting the finest musicians from around the world (Tommy Flanagan, Art Tatum, John Coltrane, Dave Brubeck and scores of others) and helping to launch Detroit greats such as Marcus Belgrave, Elvin Jones, Earl Klugh, James Carter and Alexander Zonjic.

Located at 20510 Livernois Ave. just south of Eight Mile Road, Baker's became a music room in 1939, when the then owner Clarence Baker began operating the sandwich shop his father had opened four years earlier. Local pianist Pat Flowers brought crowds in, and the younger Baker expanded the room and focused on songs rather than supper. Baker's reputation was such that luminaries such as Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald stopped by after performing at other Detroit venues-- and wound up getting on stage themselves.

Noted by historians as the final place that Harry Houdini ever performed, today The Majestic is one of Detroit's hottest spots for nationally renowned jazz, blues, rock and reggae concerts.

For some additional notable jazz and other hot music spots around that state, check out the short list below:

At  Billy's Lounge in Grand Rapids, every night is filled with an eclectic mix of live music ranging anywhere from open-mic nights to jazz, R&B, rock, funk, folk and reggae.

For casual elegance, cool grooves and nightly jazz, Grand Rapids has another cool little spot known as Crush at The B.O.B. The popular club features progressive DJ's on weekends.

Czar's 505 brings an avant-garde atmosphere and the best jazz, blues, alternative rock, and other snappy music on the club circuit to St. Joseph.

CopperDog 150
Calumet, March 12-14--Follow professional sled dog competitors in an exciting 147-mile night race that traverses some of the most beautiful terrain that Upper Michigan's Keweenaw Peninsula has to offer, from historic downtown Calumet to scenic Copper Harbor.

Journey to the Sugar Bush
Dexter, March 13, 20, 21, 27--Take a guided tour to the sugar bush as you travel back in time to experience how maple syrup has been made over the years. Also, enjoy an all-you-can-eat pancake and sausage breakfast. Preregistration required for the guided tour.

Saint Patrick’s Day Parade
Detroit, March 14 --For more than a half-century, Detroit’s Irish--and those who wish they were-- gather to celebrate with a lively parade along Michigan Avenue.

Disney on Ice-Finding Nemo
Grand Rapids, March 18-21--Join the adventures of Nemo and his new-found friends at the Grand Rapids’ Van Andel Arena as they plot an escape from a dentist's aquarium in this whale of a tale full of laughter and fun.

Last Weekend Luau
Bellaire, March 19-21--Grab those Hawaiian shirts and head to Shanty Creek for their luau themed spring carnival. Special events include the Midwest's only Dummy Darts competition, where participants mount a dummy on skis or a snowboard and race it down a halfpipe towards the bullseye at the bottom of the run.

The Bunny Train
Coopersville, March 20, 21, 27, 28 & April 3--Kids of all ages will enjoy this one hour and twenty minute excursion through the springtime country-side, where the Easter Bunny and her cast of wacky musical characters perform and entertain kids in antique passenger train coaches.

Ann Arbor Film Festival
March 23-28 —Check out the city’s 48th annual film festival, the oldest event of its kind in North America, to get a glimpse of independent and experimental film and video at the historic Michigan Theater in downtown Ann Arbor.

Maple Syrup Festival
Thompsonville, March 27--Celebrate sunshine and spring skiing with a weekend filled with music, food and fun and lots of maple syrup. It’s all happening at Crystal Mountain Resort and Spa‘s 2nd Annual Maple Syrup Festival.

Museum exhibits, ethnic festivals, children’s hands-on activities, craft shows and theater performances--in Michigan, there's always something fun to do! And, there's always a celebration. Don't know where to start? Check out our sampling of Statewide events for March.

Looking for a package or deal near an event that you plan to attend this spring? Then you’ll want to check out the hottest Pure Michigan eSpecials.

- Vacation location in Michigan:   Grand Haven, Michigan, an idyllic fishing and recreational and camping town on the shores of Lake Michigan--the stroll along the boardwalk to the historic lighthouse is breathtaking. The evening sunset is spectacular! And there's nothing better than the soft, soothing sands along the beach!

- Appetizer:  the barbeque meatballs at Win Schulers in Marshall, Michigan--melt in your mouth. Four generations of family members have been operating this historic restaurant since 1909. First class service and exceptional food are just some of the reasons this epicurean delight has withstood the strains of a changing economy.

- Hotel:  The Ritz-Carlton (Dearborn) ambience and personal attention are the hallmarks. The Ladies and Gentlemen of the hotel as they are called provide some of the best guest service on the planet! And having won the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award twice separates this prestigious hotel from the other wanna-bes.

- White bean chili soup: Kirby Grill in Grand Haven--soup so good your knees will buckle when you taste it.

- Summer vacation:  Mackinac Island with lunch at The Grand Hotel. The Hotel boasts the world's longest porch. No cars allowed on the Island just horse drawn carriages. The aroma of fudge and equine droppings fill the air but travel there in June for the lilac festival for a nostril treat!

- Pizza: Buddy's in Detroit

- Amusement Park:  the Michigan Adventure Park in Muskegon takes high honors and a ride on the roller coaster Shivering Timbers is spectacular. Over 60 rides and attractions and a spectacular water park with 20 wild water rides.

- Michigan restaurant:  The 1913 Room at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids. This is the only AAA Five Diamond restaurant in our state and the service and the menu selections are first class. In 2008 it won that distinction for the seventh time.

- Canoe trip:   the White River in Montague, Michigan. The site of blue heron taking flight, ducks swimming frantically away and startled deer racing through the grass and the occasional muskrat swimming in the river provide memories that will last a lifetime.

- Golf course:  Crystal Mountain in Thompsonville, Michigan. Panoramic views of northern Michigan foliage and firs and well manicured fairways.

- Romantic getaway:  the Betsie Bay Inn in Frankfort, Michigan. Rooms are outfitted with hot tubs, saunas, canopy beds, and wood burning stoves. Perfect getaway for married couples and if you weren't married when you arrived, you will be when you leave!

- Snack:  the Pronto Pup Stand in Grand Haven has been delighting hot dog aficionados for over 60 years. Grab a couple of doggies and then stroll along the boardwalk. And then settle in for the Musical Fountain at dusk along the Grand River.