I Am Fanatic – Fanatic Gear Review
Northern Michigan deer season. This can mean sunny and 65 or 12 below zero with horizontal blowing snow (and everything in between). I love to hunt, but do not like to be cold. I don’t really know anyone who does,
The archery industry has grown exponentially in the last decade and Jay’s archery department has as well. Stocking over 20 major brands of bows and all the accessories to match, we can outfit your bow for the target range or the hunting season. From crossbows to longbows, carbon shafts to cedar arrows, 3D targets to portable bags, Jay’s archery department has all your tackle needs.
Shop ArcheryArchery Staff
Kevin P
Years of Service at Jay’s: Since 1999
Manager since 2020
Departments worked: Archery
Interests: Archery Hunting, Golf, Fishing, Kayaking
Bio: I am a family man with two beautiful kids that I am very proud to have raised and have a love for the outdoors much like myself.
What I love about Jay’s: Jay’s is a family oriented environment. I will never get use to the great feeling of helping customers set up with their new bow and listening to their amazing stories that they bring back to Jay’s.
Michel B
Years of service at Jay’s: Since 2010
Manager since 2011
Departments worked: Hunting, Clothing, and Archery
Interests: Hunting – primarily archery for deer and duck hunting, camping, fishing – especially steelhead
Bio: Dedicated father, devoted Christian who loves to spend time in the outdoors enjoying ALL of God’s great creations and wonders and sharing those experiences with others.
What do you love about Jay’s: I enjoy hearing the stories and joy created by helping customers become equipped and educated to enjoy all various forms of outdoor activities. Being around those who share the same passion for the outdoors, as I have is truly a blessing.
Archery Blog Posts
I Am Defiant
Is That, Like, a Full-Sized Bow? I shot as a fill-in for a local archery league last night. About 20 arrows in, one of the guys in my squad turned to me and asked, “Is that, like, a full-sized bow?”
Taxidermists – Deer Lymph Node Removal
Below is a list of participating taxidermists that can provide deer lymph node removal for disease testing. Hunters can go to these taxidermists to register electronically and receive a tag. Afterwards hunter must take head to drop box. Click HERE
2019 Michigan Deer Check Stations and Drop Boxes
CWD is a fatal nervous system disease found in deer, moose, and elk. It attacks the brain of infected animals creating small lesions in the brain, which result in death. Get your deer tested at any deer check station or
Michigan Out of Doors Bow Review
Our friends at Michigan Out of Doors TV stopped in to check out the new bows for the 2018 season. Watch now to see what they said! For more information about Michigan Out of Doors TV visit their website HERE.
A Scouting Blog
Pre-Season Whitetail Deer scouting is one of the most important activities of the year in preparation for the upcoming season. Scouting is easy, and we have so much technology to help us compared to our parents and grandparents had. Also
Top 3 Spots for Hunting Public Land Bucks
Public land can be difficult to hunt, no doubt. With the right tools and scouting you can set up on the perfect spot over pressured deer. John Eberhart explains where to find those spots. John has 31 bucks in the
Identify the Best Oak Trees on Public Hunting Land
Every deer’s life revolves around food year-round, and today John Eberhart is out on public hunting land comparing two of the best hard mast food sources that whitetails prefer. John has 31 bucks in the Michigan record book from
Stealthy Tactics for Bowhunting Shooting Lanes
Having proper shooting lanes while hunting is essential. John Eberhart is out creating shooting lanes on private land to get ready for the hunting season. John has 31 bucks in the Michigan record book from 19 different properties and another
Identifying Types of Scrapes and Licking Branches
John Eberhart explains licking branches and mock scrapes while out on public land. John has 31 bucks in the Michigan record book from 19 different properties and another 19 P&Y bucks from 13 different properties on his 22
Deciphering Buck Rubs on Public Land
Buck rubs always get us excited, but they can be misleading. When you’re looking for mature bucks on public land there are certain clues that buck rubs show, and John explains what he looks for on each one.
Gear Tip: This Saw Makes Preparing Treestands Easy
On private land, prepping treestands, trimming branches and cutting shooting lanes is a big priority in the off-season. Good gear makes the job easier, and John uses this highly specialized extension saw for the task. John has 31
Public Land Hunting: Advantages of Natural Ground Blinds
Ground blinds made from natural materials have been around forever because they work. On public land, they offer many advantages over pop-up blinds. John has 31 bucks in the Michigan record book from 19 different properties and another
Tree Saddle Treestand Setup, Preparation
The tree saddle system that John uses is a unique treestand setup that allows him to hunt light and mobile. Today he gives a preview of how he prepares a tree for hunting. John has 31 bucks in the Michigan
Deer Hunting Gear: Expert Tree Step Advice
Deer hunting gear is often a personal choice that boils down to what works best for each situation. John has safely used several tree step styles over the years, and reviews what works best for his successful hunting methods
Treestands: Pros & Cons of Climbing Systems
The right tree climbing steps are key for staying light and mobile when hunting pressured and public land. With all of the treestands available to hunters, John explains the pros and cons of several climbing systems. John has
Entry, Exit Tactics to Defeat Deer Hunting Pressure
The best entry and exit routes can get you away from deer hunting pressure, and put you right in the middle of daylight buck activity. Watch as John shows the tactics that he uses to access heavily pressured land and
Public Hunting Land: 6 Features of a Great Deer Stand
Great deer stands on public hunting land can be tough to find, but good scouting will reveal them. John walks us through one of his top spots to show what he looks for when choosing a stand. John
Key Element to Success on Public Hunting Land
Mature bucks simply don’t expose themselves during daylight on public hunting land, or they wouldn’t survive long. But, you can still catch them during daytime, and John discusses where to focus your hunting efforts. John has 31 bucks
Deer Hunting Stands: Find the Best Funnels
The best funnels and pinch points make for outstanding deer hunting stands – especially during the rut. Today, John points out the features to look for when setting up on them. John has 31 bucks in the Michigan
Good vs. Bad Public Land Deer Habitat
It’s easy to get excited by all of the buck sign in open timber deer habitat. Don’t make that extremely common mistake. John explains what to really look for. John has 31 bucks in the Michigan record book
8 Tips to Find Great Private and Public Hunting Land
Discovering good private and public hunting land doesn’t come easy. It takes time and research, and John has it down to a science, so that in any given season he has multiple hunting areas to choose from. In this episode,
Jay’s Sporting Goods 40th Anniversary Flyer
The 40th Anniversary Flyer was produced to share some of the stories and insights about Jay's and it's beginnings through the eyes of our family, staff, and partners from the previous 40 years we have been in business. We hope
