“Go afield with a good attitude, with respect for the wildlife you hunt and for the forest and fields in which you walk” - Fred Bear
Merts Hunting Lodge
About the Founders
In 1973 Kurt “Sweet” Mertens met Paul “Maddogg” Smith at Harnischfeger in Milwaukee in what began a lifelong friendship and a foundation of The current Mertens and Smith Hunting Lodge. Some of the highlights under these one of a kind men this hunting camp have gone through:
- The camper in Baron County Forest.
- Uncle Kurts Log Cabin.
- La Hacienda.
- Little Red School House.
- Merts Hunt Lodge.
Hunting Through the Years
Every year tells its own story — from the first frost to the final sunset. Step into our archives and relive the moments that defined each season.
2025 Hunt On! – Reflections from the 2025 Hunt
The winter of 2025 wrapped Merts Hunting Lodge in a blanket of snow, transforming the familiar trails into a quiet, glistenin...
The Early Years and Memories in the Pines
Since its founding in the early 1970s, Merts Hunting Lodge has been more than a place to hunt — it’s a home built on traditio...
Memories in the Pines – Tales Of Hunts Past
The 2023 autumn season at Merts Hunting Lodge was one to remember. The crisp air carried the scent of pine, and the first fro...
Most Recent hunting Trip
Captured Moments from the 2025 Annual Hunt
