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Editor’s Letter: For as long as any old timer (present company included) can remember, women stayed home while the men and boys got to go out and bring back the game for supper.

This may have worked in the olden times, when there were only three TV channels and ol Hector was just a pup, but it doesn’t work now.

Speaking of TV channels, the outdoor sports channels are part of the reason women have discovered how much fun hunting and fishing is. The husband/wife shows on these sports channels show women using their own guns and gear – designed for the smaller sized female group – and wearing stylish outdoor sports apparel, designed specifically for women. Being out there in the field, up in the treestand and out on the water looks like fun to women because it is! As a result, women are buying hunting licenses and equipment and booking trips.

If you’re a Facebook person – and these days, who isn’t – you may have noticed that November has become the month when folks come up with a daily post about things and people they are thankful for. I think this is a good idea, even if some of the posts border on the silly. Towards the end of the month, some people run out of things to be thankful for and they come up with weird ones.

“Today, I want to let everyone know that I’m sincerely thankful for my Crocs. These shoes are amazingly comfortable and since they are rubber when I need to clean off the filth on them, I just hose ‘em down. OMG I don’t know what I’d do without my Crocs!!!

We’re not making this stuff up folks. This was an actual Facebook post from someone who has clearly run out of things to be thankful for.

While I’m reasonably thankful to have a pair of Crocs (in a nice camo pattern) to wear, this fact will not be showing up on my Facebook page. No, I’ve got serious things to be thankful for. Having a good woman who loves me, a son who’s turned out well in spite of his father’s many flaws and the opportunity to have a job that allows me to do what I enjoy would be on my posts (if I ever decide to share this on Facebook, which I won’t).

However, there is one thing that every outdoor sports fanatic can be thankful for during this season of Thanksgiving. A recent, reputable survey notes that women now make up more than a quarter of all anglers and they represent the fastest growing segment within the hunting and shooting communities making up as much as 11 percent of all hunters. If you care about the future of hunting and fishing, this is truly something to be thankful for.

This fact is not lost – or at least it shouldn’t be lost – on the outdoor sports economic ecosystem. Those of us who love to pursue wild game, should encourage this participation by women because it helps to sustain the sports we enjoy. For this new female interest in the great outdoors, I am sincerely thankful. Now, let’s figure out how to get the kids interested!

I’m also thankful for you. You allow us to appear on your computer screen with outdoor news you can use and we really appreciate it!

For the past month, we’ve been working on this issue of Woods & Water and I think we have one of the best yet.

Good stuff to make your deer hunt go even better, the latest info on some new federal wilderness areas, a chat with our buddy from Huntin is Good TV, Steve Nichols, pheasant hunting tips and a bunch more.

Tell us what you think. We respond to every email because you never know when somebody knows more than you do. You can reach me at art@theoutpostmagazine. com.

Later, Art Young Editor – Woods & Water Magazine

FIELD NOTES FROM READERS

I discovered your publication by entering the Ultimate Hunting trip with Lorrie Morgan and boy am I glad that I registered. I love everything about it! Keep up the good work.

There are few things in life that I love more than hunting but the others are fishing and music. You cover all of it.

What a great publication!!!

Rhett Chattanooga, TN

Rodney Ft Worth, TX

Hey, Would love to see more deer hunting stuff. Love the recipes and music articles though.

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After reading the last issue, I went to your site and read some of the back issues. Also like Woods & Water Radio. Are you planning on expanding to creating Woods & Water Television? Think you would do well with it from the other things you do.

Craig, North Augusta, South Carolina

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Deer hunting, whether its whitetail, mule deer or the more exotic variety such as Axis or Coues deer, has been a part of man’s existence for thousands of years. For anyone who has never hunted deer, it is next to impossible to explain the addiction that hunters have toward this pursuit.

For those who love this sport, no words are adequate.

DEER HUNTING 2013 THE BUCK STOPS HERE!!!

This special deer hunting issue of Woods & Water will show how you can have more fun and success on your hunt. We’ll go through some tips from experts and hopefully give you something to think about while you’re waiting for that huge, 12-point buck to ease into range.

A DEER’S A DEER…RIGHT? In spite of the fact that most non-hunters categorize deer in one big group, there are only two species of this animal that are native to North America – whitetail and mule deer. There is another subspecies, the Pacific coastal or blacktail deer which is a regional subspecies of mule deer. In Alaska, hunters will find a relative of the mule deer called Sitka deer. Plus, there is a small population of whitetail subspecies in the Southwest U.S. and Mexico called Coues deer.

In the 1920’s, an exotic breed – Axis deer – was introduced into North America by someone who had more money than good sense. When they failed to keep the gates locked and the fences high, most of these deer simply jumped the fence, they began to breed, both with whitetail and other Axis deer. Now there is a large population of these exotic deer and there are special regulations for harvesting them. More on this later.

The ancestors of modern deer first appeared in Mongolia during the Miocene and Pliocene geological epochs, some 10 to 20 million years ago. From there they spread to populate most of Asia and Europe, eventually crossing the Alaskan land bridge to North America. Once here, deer continued evolving until—a mere million years or so ago, during the Pleistocene epoch—they attained the form we’re familiar with today.

It has been estimated that before the arrival of Europeans, North America supported some 40 million whitetail and 10 million mule deer. However, after the turn of the 20th century modern guns, the demand for deer hides and a complete lack of hunting regulations led to a decimation of whitetail and mule deer. The North American deer population had plummeted to a scant half million, and that figure represented the total of all species.

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However, U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt marshaled the help of many influential conservationists, hunters and landowner to stop this annihilation of the deer population in the form of hunting regulations and wildlife planning. As a result of these efforts, The Wildlife Management Institute estimates that throughout the 50 states, there are between 30 to 45 million whitetail deer and 8 to 10 million mule deer.

Some feel that the population of whitetail deer has come back a little too strong. Even with the expansion of cities and a concurrent loss of natural habitat, deer can be found foraging in backyards, golf courses and the gardens of city-dwellers. This has led many biologists, hunters and people concerned with food supplies to ask the question: “Why can’t hunters sell venison commercially?”

In a recent article in the Wall Street Journal, writer Jim Sterba posed this question and offered some up some facts on harvesting deer to feed U.S. families. The Journal article noted that 85% of the venison sold in American restaurants comes from deer farms in New Zealand.

The “wild game” offered on some upscale eateries is farm-raised, not harvested by hunters. These laws were passed as a part Roosevelt’s attempt to replenish the deer populations. The estimated 6 million whitetail deer that will be taken by hunters this year aren’t nearly enough to bring the whitetail population in line. As a result of this ban on the commercial sale of venison, serious ecological damage is occurring. Thomas Rawinski, a U.S. Forest Services scientist in New Hampshire said, “Sadly, I spend much of my time in ecological disaster zones – forests devastated by too many deer. I truly believe that this has become the single greatest conservation challenge of our time.”

Allowing hunters or special marksmen who are licensed to cull the whitetail deer populations and sell this venison to grocery stores and restaurants or give it to homeless shelters and food banks would help every link of the food chain. However, this is a very controversial issue and many hunters and animal rights advocates are opposed to changing the way whitetail deer are harvested.

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WHITETAIL DEER ARE JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE Every one of the lower 48 states in the U.S. has some number of whitetail deer and states such as California, Nevada and Utah have the smallest population of these animals.

Because they seem to handle living near civilization better than other wildlife (although feral hogs are starting to give whitetail deer a run for their money in terms of adapting to and destroying human habitat), whitetail deer are probably the best known of the large mammals.

The average weight of whitetail deer is about 150 pounds and they stand about 40 inches high at the shoulders.

There are of course, huge variations on this size of these deer. A long-time record of 425 pounds is held by a whitetail buck. The coloration of these beautiful animals varies depending on the time of the year. In the summer, whitetails have a reddish brown color and in the winter their coast turns grey-brown or even a bluish tint.

The most obvious physical characteristic of a whitetail deer relates to its name. Its tail is brown on top with a dark stripe down its center and the underside is a brilliant white. Deer hunters know that when its tail is held tightly against the rump, little of this white coloration is visible, and the animal remains well camouflaged. However, the “white flag” of the tail appears when the deer is getting ready to boogie. The antlers of whitetail deer have all of their points sprouting from the animal’s two beams.

STUBBORN AS A MULE DEER The range of mule deer extends from southeastern Alaska down into Mexico, and from the Pacific coast eastward to a north/south line angling from Hudson Bay in Canada down through the middle of Texas. While not nearly as plentiful as whitetail deer, the mule deer “makes it up in volume” – as in size of the animal.

A typical mule deer buck will weight from 150 to 300 pounds and will have a height at the shoulders of 40-45 inches. The does average about 100 to 175 pounds. However, it is not usual for a mature mule deer buck to weigh 400+ pounds!

As for their appearance, the coloration of mule deer is gray-brown to blue-gray in winter, molting to a tawny color in the summer months. The facial markings are similar to those of the whitetail, but the muzzle is more elongated.

The mule deer’s tail is white with a black tip, but smaller and more rounded than that of the whitetail.

DEER HUNTING 2013

The muley’s get their name from their ears. They can grow to be nearly a foot long, similar to an actual mule. Needless to say, a pair of foot-long ears is a distractive feature not to mention they enhance this animal’s already excellent hearing! The mule deer’s antlers grow differently from whitetails. A mule deer buck’s antlers have two main beams and they fork into two smaller beams, each of those forks into two more, and so on.

Mule deer differ from whitetail deer in another way – how they spend their summers and winters. Wildlife biologists note that mule deer migrate from their summer mountain-meadow habitat down to more pleasant timbered valleys and plains for the winter. Whereas whitetails tend to gather together for the winter on a portion of the same range they occupy in summer.

Most hunters group the Pacific blacktail deer in the same class a mule deer and they are similar, just smaller. Technically, blacktail deer are only found in a strip of forest from southern Alaska down the Pacific to Northern California.

The typical blacktail buck weighs about 150 pounds and stands about 36 inches high at the shoulders.

There’s another weird difference between mule deer and whitetails and it has to do with the way they run. While the whitetail runs by pushing off alternately with its front and rear legs in long, graceful bounds, blacktails and all other mule deer typically launch themselves with all four legs at once, bouncing from point A to point B and gaining more altitude all the way.

COUES OR COWS? Couse deer are the nervous and smaller cousin of the whitetail deer. While hunters usually call this species “coos” or “cooeez,” the deer was named after naturalist Elliott Coues. His family pronounced their last name as “cows.”

Since most hunters don’t want to refer to their quarry as “cows,” they use the other pronounciations.

Coues deer are usually found in the U.S. Southwestern dessert and throughout the Southwest and Central areas of Mexico. They survive on vegetation that’s available in the desert, including cactus. Since there are very few of these deer, they are hard to hunt.

SOMETHING A MORE EXOTIC: AXIS DEER

LITTLE

Anyone who sees an Axis deer for the first is likely impressed with its size, coloration and antler rack.

This exotic deer is native to Sri Lanka and roamed the Himalayas for centuries before coming to the United States. In the 1930’s, several hundred of these deer were transported to the Hill Country of Texas and several other U.S. locations as a novelty addition to some large landowners “herd.”

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DEER HUNTING 2013 Unfortunately for these deer importers, someone forget to plan for security and quicker than it took to say “Oopps,” many of these beautiful deer jumped the fences, hit the road and, because of their delicious meat, became highly sought after prey for deer hunters.

Since the great escape, the Axis deer population has expanded to an estimated 50,000 animals in Texas alone and it is a part of what some people call the free-ranging “Texotics.” In addition to the Axis deer, this group includes: Sika deer, Fallow deer, Blackbuck antelope and Aoudad sheep.

Axis deer are best identified by their burnt orange coat with white spots (similar to a whitetail fawn) and a black streak running the length of their spine. Bucks have large antlers forking at the base and again inside each main beam. Adult male antlers can reach lengths of just over 40″, but 28-36″ is most common. Live weights range from 150 to 250 pounds in mature males and 90 to 150 pounds in adult females.

Axis deer can be found in herds of 100 or more other deer, whitetails included and it has been noted by wildlife biologist that Axis deer can out-compete whitetail deer for native grasses and can even change their normal diet if the need arises. As a result, these exotics are crowding out the native whitetail population.

Because there were once considered livestock, free-roaming Axis deer are not regulated by the state wildlife authorities. They technically ‘belong” to the land-owner on whose land they are walking and with permission from the owner, hunters can take an Axis deer at any time of the year and there is no bag limit.

LET’S GO HUNT Whatever deer you’re chasing, there are things you can do to improve your odds of having a freezer full of venison. We’ve talked to hunting guides, professional hunters and manufacturers of equipment and have put these thoughts in this issue. However, with a subject as complicated and with as much lore has deer hunting, we’ve only scratched the surface. The best way to find out what works is to get out there and hunt!

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WATCH YOUR STEP UP THERE! TREESTAND SAFETY Hunters everywhere are about to take a stand and some of them might be heading for a fall. Now that it’s deer season, many of us are getting our sights set and our field of vision expanded. We’re doing this by clearing the limbs, hooking up the trail cameras and setting up the treestands on the deer lease. Unfortunately, taking a (tree) stand can be harmful to your health!

Experts say that the number one reason for hunting fatalities is not the accidental discharge of a rifle. It’s the result of a fall from a treestand. An average of 25 hunters every year die from a fall from one of these stands, and these falls happen during and, in many cases, BEFORE the season starts when preparations are taking place. This shouldn’t happen and it won’t if proper care is taken around treestands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqfkK3h2jqM

SOME TIPS FOR TREE STAND SAFETY The Fish and Wildlife folks in just about every state have released some tips to save your neck from being broken on a fall from a treestand.

• • • •

• • • • • •

Choose a live, straight tree.

Buy smart. Only use stands certified by the Treestand Manufacturers Association (TMA).

Inspect them each time you use them.

Know the rules. On state lands, it is illegal to place nails or other hardware into trees or to build permanent structures. On private lands, you must have landowner permission to erect a treestand, cut or remove trees or other plants, or to cut limbs. All stands, including ground blinds, must be marked with the owner's name and address.

Always wear a full-body safety harness, even for climbing. Most falls occur when the hunter is going up and down the tree and getting in and out of the stand.

Don't go too high. The higher you go, the vital zone on a deer decreases, while the likelihood of a serious injury increases.

Never carry firearms or bows up and down trees. Always use a haul line to raise and lower all gear. Make sure your firearm is unloaded.

Familiarize yourself with your gear before you go. The morning of opening day is a poor time to put your safety belt on for the first time.

Be careful with long-term placement. Exposure can damage straps, ropes and attachment cords. Also, the stand's stability can be compromised over time, as the tree grows.

Hunt smart. Hunt safe. Wear Orange.

DON’T FORGET THE HARNESS Deer hunters can sometimes act like bucks during the rut. They get excited – about the hunt or even preparing for the hunt – and do something dumb. For example, most hunters never think about using a harness which could save their lives if they happen to fall from the stand.

Hunter Safety System (HSS) makes safety harnesses and, no doubt, would like to sell you one. They also some good reasons for you to buy this product.

"For an ever-increasing number of hunters, deer season is a year-round activity filled with brush clearing, tree cutting, plot planting, camera placing and treestand hanging in the relentless pursuit of the elusive whitetail deer," said Michael Wydner, HSS director of sales. "As the preseason has become an increasingly busy time in the woods, the frequency of falls from trees has also increased. But since these falls involve saws and tree stand equipment instead of firearms or archery equipment, they aren't usually reported as hunting accidents. That's something that absolutely concerns us, as we want everybody to come home safe from their hunting experience."

YOU HAVE TO STAND FOR SOMETHING Singer/songwriter Aaron Tippin wrote the words that should apply for hunters getting ready for the deer season.

You have to stand for something Or you’ll fall for anything.

When you getting your treestand ready or climbing up there on opening day, stand for safety. Otherwise you might fall for anything and ruin everybody’s day…especially yours.

WHAT’S THE BEST CALIBER GUN FOR DEER?

Well…that depends.

The quickest way to start an argument among a group of hunters is to say something about “the best caliber rifle for whitetail deer.” Just like noses and other body parts, everybody has an opinion about the best gun for deer hunting. Usually, these passionate arguments include facts and figures about trajectories, ballistics and other scientific considerations. However, most of these opinions come down to personal preferences and experiences. In other words, it’s usually a Ford/Chevy deal.

Since firearm deer season is here, you probably have your gun picked out, scope sighted in and ammo purchased. However, if you are still undecided as to the best caliber gun for deer hunting, we made a few queries of some professional hunting guides and looked at a bunch of websites and here are a few suggestions.

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ONE SHOT KILL

Woods & Water: DEER HUNTING

The most important criteria for any deer hunting gun are a one-shot kill with little or no meat wasted and its effectiveness from a reasonable range. Of course, meeting these criteria has a LOT to do with the skill of the hunter. However, the right caliber gun will certainly help in this process.

First, here are two calibers that are not-so-good for getting a clean shot. The experts say that the Winchester .243 and the 6 mm Remington, while they are used by many hunters because they have little recoil and excellent trajectory ballistics, are not the best all-round guns for your hunt. Most experts say these guns are great for kids, who might be on their first hunt, but not so great for adults.

The hunting experts suggest that the best compromise to these guns is the .25 - 06 Remington with a 120-grain bullet. This will deliver about 300 pounds per foot more energy than the .243 load, with little recoil. This gun has comparable trajectory ballistics to the lighter guns.

Probably the most popular gun for deer hunting is the .30 - 06. It has 10 or so bullet types and weights and is one of the most adaptable guns for just about any situation. The guides say that this caliber is not a flat-shooting as the .25 - 06 but it is still very effective at 300 yards.

PRESERVATION OF THE VENISON The gun debate among hunters usually centers on the contention that the smaller calibers waste less meat. This argument contends the .30 – 06, .308, .270 and the 7 mm magnum destroy too much meat when they enter the deer. However, hunting experts and guides disagree.

Another favorite of the deer hunting guides is the .270, with the most popular bullet weight being 130 grains. This bullet delivers 100 pounds per foot more energy at 300 yards than the 150 grain bullet out of the .30 – 06, it has a flatter trajectory and doesn’t have much of a kick.

There are many more calibers that hunting guides and online references suggest, but the one that seems to always be included in any list is the 7 mm magnum. This caliber is especially good for the trophy hunting in the South Texas brush land. It’s also a BIG gun so unless you’re in good shape and don’t mind a few recoil bruises on your shoulder, this might be too big for day-in-day-out hunting.

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Since most deer hunters go for the lung shot, these heavier calibers have a higher foot-pounds of energy and they tend to anchor the deer, thereby preventing a cripple being lost in the brush. Smaller calibers don’t have enough power to drop a deer at any distance and when this happens, lots of meat is wasted – as in the entire deer.

Plus, many hunters who prefer the small caliber will aim for the neck because they have learned the “knock-down” limitations of their gun. Unless the neck is broken by this shot, the crippled deer will likely escape and the meat of the entire deer is wasted. In addition to being frustrating to the hunter, this is inhumane to the wounded deer.

The lack of a knock-down shot can also result in the meat of the deer being “gamey” tasting. This results when a deer is spooked or is wounded and runs for a great distance. When this happens, the deer builds up a great deal of blood and adrenalin in his system. Plus, oxygen is burned out of the muscles which increases the amount waste residue such as lactic acid. For better tasting deer meat, it’s better to have a bigger caliber with immediate knock-down power.

SHOOT STRAIGHT Success with bringing back a deer for the freezer depends less on the caliber of gun and more on the range and marksmanship of the hunter. We’ve seen old-timers drop a whitetail doe with a well-placed bullet from a single-shot .22. It can be done, but it requires a laser-like aim and a short distance.

Your hunting style, the terrain and hunting conditions you will be operating in will help determine the caliber of rifle that will help you get a clean shot. Hunting from the side of a mountain in Colorado where the only deer will be 200 to 300 yards away is a much different challenge than from a treestand in a wooded area. Talk to guides, gun salesmen and other hunters to help you decide which is best for you.

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SIX TIPS ON MAKING THAT 300-YARD SHOT Maybe you’ve been there. A monster buck comes out of a stand mesquite trees into the field of vision afforded by your binoculars. It’s hard to count the points, but there are plenty of them and even from a distance, it’s obvious that this deer is a certifiable beast. You smoothly substitute the binoculars for your range finder and see that the biggest buck you’ve seen in five years is 320 yards away.

It’s a makeable shot but no slam dunk and if you miss, the buck will be halfway to Mexico in about 10 seconds.

So, how do you consistently make this type of long-range shot? The advice given to the musician when he asked “how do you get to Carnegie Hall” is appropriate: Practice. Practice. Practice. However, there are other things besides just practicing that a hunter can do to get ready for this primetime shot. Here are six tips from two shooting experts that will help you make that long shot.

TAKE CARE OF YOUR WEAPON Marine sharpshooter, Sargent Patrick Saleh, from Fort Worth, Texas is a member of the Marine Corps shooting team and is considered by most at the best shot in the entire Corps. His first recommendation for consistently making those long-distance shots is to take care of your gun. He recommends, “Look over your weapons at the beginning of the day and the end. Sights come loose, trigger springs fall out, and locking blocks break. Cleaning and maintaining your weapon can prevent these problems.”

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Well-known shooting instructor Tiger McKee of Shootrite Firearms Academy adds, “Don’t go cheap on the scope base and rings. It will cost a little more, but quality rings and bases are a must. A guy has a $1,200 rifle topped with a $900 optic, and the two are joined with a $20 scope-base-and-rings kit. He continues, “That rig isn’t going to hold up the way it needs to. The recoil itself can wreck your zero. And the first time your scope gets bumped? You’re missing!”

PRACTICE YOUR FORM WITHOUT FIRING It’s not necessary to actually fire a weapon in order to build muscle memory for shooting. Saleh suggests dry firing. The Marine notes, “There’s no limit to how many times you can dry fire (each day). It’s the exact same thing as firing live rounds, there’s just no recoil or actual shot. Take it seriously and pretend each dry fire shot you take is an actual shot. This will build good fundamentals and let your body get used to being in the various positions you will be in.

He adds a word of caution, “Don’t overdo it. Dry firing for extended periods of time can also start creating bad habits like muscling the weapon or snatching the trigger. Know your limits.”

ZERO YOUR RIFLE Many hunters will spend a few minutes in the field firing a few rounds at a paper plate or some other object at a hundred yards. If they hit the plate they believe their ready to hit the buck. That’s not the case.

McKee advises that hunters should go to the range and actually zero the rifle and if possible zero it in at 200 yards. He notes, “With a .308 rifle firing a Federal Match round with a 168 grain bullet zeroed at 100 yards, you will have to hold over about 16 inches on your big buck standing 300 yards away—probably way over his back. With a 200 yard zero your hold over is only nine to ten inches.” He adds that this is an easier shot because the hunter is not holding the shot in thin air! The other effect of this is 200 yards zero, same .308 round, the bullet will impact about two inches high at 100 yards.

ONLY THE NEXT SHOT MATTERS Head games can wreak havoc on an otherwise sane deer hunter. Sargent Saleh notes that a missed shot is over as soon as it leaves the barrel. The only thing that matters is the next shot. “Have patience. Don’t let bad shots get to your head. What’s done is done. You need to stay focused on the next shot.”

He continues, “If you keep that bad shot in your head your mental focus won’t be where it needs to be and the following shots are more likely to be bad. Stay positive, don’t complain about how bad your day in the field went. Think about ways to better yourself the next day. Keep a positive mentality and your shots should follow.”

PRACTICE SHOOTING AT 300 YARDS FROM DIFFERENT POSITIONS You can’t make that long-distance poke in the field without practicing it at the range. Plus, your field shot will never be taken under ideal shooting range conditions. So, it’s important to work on many shooting positions.

McKee advises, “(At the shooting range) You’re probably firing from a table or the prone position. That’s fine for starters. But there are no tables in the field, and few opportunities to take a prone shot. So, once you and the rifle can do the job at distance, now practice shooting from the kneeling position, with shooting sticks, and by using items like tree trunks to brace and support your rifle. Try to replicate field shots as much as possible.”

USE THE SAME AMMO EVERY TIME Different brands of ammunition have different trajectories even if they are the same weight and velocity. If the hunter uses one brand on the range and another in the field, the shots will very likely vary, sometimes enough to cause a missed opportunity on a once-in-a-lifetime buck.

The best advice is to use the same ammo in the field as was used on the shooting range and definitely don’t change brands in the middle of a hunt. Small factors such as consistent ammo can make big differences in long distance shots.

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A Deer’s Nose Knows

Have you ever been around a dog or cat that’s been recently sprayed by a skunk? The smell is so bad, your eyes water. That’s the way you and your freshly washed hunting clothes smell to your typical whitetail deer. They can smell you from hundreds of yards away!

Deer have an almost freaky ability to hear, smell and see things that appear miniscule to the average hunter. Overcoming their keen sense of sight and hearing can be attempted with camouflage clothing, hats and face paint and complete stillness and quiet. However, defeating their advantage in the olfactory area is a much bigger challenge.

Almost universally, deer hunting guides say that improper scent control is the biggest impediment to success in hunting. If you want to have success in hiding from the mature monster bucks this year, it’s not enough to be wellhidden. You also need to be scent-proof. Here are some tips on blending-in to the wilderness.

HOW TO BE SHARP-DRESSED AND SCENT-FREE One of the worst things a hunter can do is wash his or her clothing in regular detergent. Sure, Tide or Gain or whatever soap company that advertises their “fresh, clean” smell on daytime TV get clothes clean, but they also leave a fragrance in the materials that screams to every deer within a mile: “There’s an idiot with a high-powered gun up there! Let’s high-tail it outta here!”

Any fragrance that is not found in nature will stand out like Limburger cheese and will work against the deer hunter. However, you have to wash your hunting clothes with something.

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Fortunately, there are several brands of detergent that will do the job, without the smell. Scent Killer, Scenta-Way, Primos, and Dead Down Wind are a few of the many manufacturers of hunting-specific scent-free detergent. Some veteran hunters also use a combination of baking soda and borax to make their own detergent.

It’s also recommended to dry these hunting clothes outside on the line, not in a dryer where they can pick up the scents of the rest of the family’s clothing. If outside drying is not possible, some of these detergent companies make drying sheets that help to eliminate the smell of your daughter’s perfume that is lurking in the dryer.

Some hunting guides suggest wearing clothing that is infused with activated carbon. This type of clothing absorbs human scents to reduce detection. ScentLok and Scent Blocker are two popular manufacturers of these clothes and hats.

An activated carbon cap will also reduce scent from sweating and that funky morning coffee breath.

Each of the companies that make scent-elimination products also manufacture odor-eliminating sprays for use in the field. These sprays kill bacteria or otherwise limit the amount of human scent detectable to animals.

It’s a good idea for the hunter to spray himself liberally from head to toe after getting dressed to restrict any remaining scent on clothing.

Finally, it’s not enough to get clothes clean and scentfree. Efforts need to be made to keep them scent-free when they are in storage. The best strategy for this it to buys some extra-large, inexpensive Zip-Loc bags and then seal each item inside. Most smart hunters put all of these bags of clothes in another sealed plastic box such as those made by Rubbermaid.

ELIMINATING THAT BODY ODOR The cleanest, most scent-free hunting clothes will not camouflage the scent of the human body and unless your body just naturally smells like a deer, raccoon or feral hog, this is a problem. This is especially true if said body has been cleaned and shaved using regular soap and shaving cream.

Hunters should always shower and shave using scentfree soap and body wash to get clean without picking up unwanted perfumes. Some of the same companies that make scent-free clothing sell scent-free soap, shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste, and even chewing gum. It’s advisable to shower with scent-free products before every hunt and die-hards even use these products exclusively during hunting season to prevent any lingering fragrance.

Most hunters are aware of the pitfalls of body scents and try to eliminate them with the above precautions. However, many forget that the two biggest culprits in the odor elimination war are the right hand and the left hand.

That’s right. Your hands are used for just about everything before and during the hunt and the odds of picking up human scents with those two mitts of yours are high.

They also sweat which is a big red flag to Bambi’s dad.

The best strategy for stopping or at least lessening the odor from your hands is to wear gloves that are sprayed with scent-eliminator products. Some hunters even spray their hands before getting dressed in order to eliminate human scents on the clothing.

EVERY STEP YOU TAKE While there is no evidence that former lead singer for The Police, Sting is a deer hunter, his song lyric – “every step you take, every move you make, I’ll be watching (or smelling) you” – could have been written by a whitetail deer. Deer constantly smell the ground and if a hunter has walked over the area with contaminated boots, the deer will know it and skedaddle.

There are two ways to avoid leaving a human scent on the ground around the deerstand. Either buy some carbon activated scent-blocker boots from one of the companies that have been mentioned earlier or wear rubber boots that have been scrubbed down.

There are many boot companies that offer a wide variety of rubber boots in different camo patterns and levels of insulation. They are inexpensive, waterproof, and don’t allow human scent out. They will have a “rubber” smell when they are first purchased, so they should be left outside to air out before using on a hunt. Even these rubber boots should be sprayed before every hunt.

USE SOME COMMON SCENTS It’s the little things that can make the difference between getting a trophy buck and having a day when no deer come within shooting distance. Eliminating human scents can go a long way towards a good day in the field.

However, for all of the high-tech clothing, sprays and gizmos, the best tools for scent elimination are based on common sense.

For example, it makes absolutely no sense for a hunter to have immaculately cleaned his body, clothing, hea heade above) and then wear these clothes and boots while eatin gear and boots to eliminate all human scent (see eating breakfast, drinking coffee, smoking cigarettes or filling up the gas tank. All of these activities reek of unnatur unnatural erial and hands of he hunter and the deer will avoid them at a scents and will be picked up on the clothing material all costs. n the Zip-loc bag and the boots off until you get to the field. TTry The best strategy is to keep the hunting clothes in not to spill any coffee or gasoline on your hands (fifill up the night before) and stay away from cigarette smoke at all costs.

The most important common sense strategy for scent elimination is pay attention to the wind’s direction. No matter how clean and scent-free your body, clothes and boots are, deer have that amazing ability to smell something that does not belong in the wilderness. Complete scent elimination is impossible so setting up downwind from where you think a buck might emerge is very important. However, if the buck happens to appear from an area that has you upwind, all of these efforts towards scent elimination might help keep you in the game until you can make that shot!

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Letting Young Bucks Grow Nothing jacks up the pulse rate of a deer hunter like the sight of whitetail deer approaching in the distance. This is magnified by 10X when the hunter has been sitting in the blind or stand for hours without seeing anything but leaves falling!

By the way it’s moving it’s obvious that this amazing animal has not detected anything unusual and it is coming directly into range for a clean shot. When it gets to within 30 yards, it’s clear that it’s a young, 8-point buck.

So, what do you do? Take the shot, or let this young buck live to grow even bigger by this time next year? More and more deer hunters are passing on the young bucks and in the process, they are enhancing future hunts.

Where the Wind Comes Sweepin’ Down the Plain One of the great places to hunt whitetail deer is the state of Oklahoma. The Department of Wildlife Conservation in the Sooner state has launched a public awareness campaign to influence deer hunters to think about their choice before harvesting the first thing with antlers that walks by. The state’s slogan is: “Hunters in the know…let young bucks grow!” It is intended to emphasize that deer herd management means more than simply harvesting more antlerless deer.

The decision to harvest a deer affects the entire area’s wildlife management and this affects future hunts and hunters. In support of this conservation campaign, the OK Department of Wildlife has launched a Facebook page where deer hunters are invited to share their stories about passing up the first buck they saw when hunting.

In March, the Quality Deer Management Association recognized Oklahoma in a report showing that bucks aged 3.5 years and older comprised 51 percent of the state’s total buck harvest in 2011. The state’s Wildlife Department deer harvest numbers show that the percentage of yearlings in the total buck harvest has continually declined over the years, from 70 percent in the late 1980s to 25 percent in 2011.

DON’T SHOOT!!!

What Does a Mature Buck Look Like?

The challenge for hunters, especially inexperienced hunters, is to know when a buck is still young. With all of the excitement of finally getting a shot at a buck – any buck – new hunters will often take a deer that still has some growing to do.

There are several online sources for educating oneself on the approximate ages of whitetail deer. A great source is the Oklahoma Wildlife Department Facebook page. It has photos of older, larger bucks that are submitted by visitors to the page. The best time to check out this page is on “Trail Cam Tuesday” when the photographs take center stage.

The Oklahoma Wildlife Department Facebook page can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/wildlifedepartment

The next time you get a buck that looks like he’s still got some growing to do, pull down the gun and get out the camera. This will give him a chance to grow into an even bigger animal and it will give you a good shot of young buck that you can look for next year.

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ATTLING UP BIG BUCK

The late fall and early winter is mating season for deer known as the rut. This powerful urge to procreate presents opportunities for the savvy hunter. During this time, bucks will do darn near anything to attract some female companionship. Just watch a young guy at a party or bar sometime and you will see variations of this rutting ritual.

Bucks show off their masculinity in various ways. They sharpen their antlers by rubbing them on trees or shrubs. They fight with other bucks.

They wallow in the mud or dust and they herd the does together. All of these activities make noise and get the attention of both does and other bucks.

Just like young men in a bar, bucks can’t stand to be left out of something that might hold the promise of a few willing does. As a result, most will use their superior senses of hearing, sight and smell to find out where the party is! This is where hunters can use antler rattling techniques to get some close-in shots.

A FEW VITAL POINTS ON ANTLERS Deer antlers play a critical role in the animal’s defense and self-esteem, especially during the rut. Antler growth is timed to coincide with the annual mating season. For whitetail and mule deer, the cycle begins in midwinter, when the previous season’s antlers are shed. This explains why there are so many cast-aside deer antlers lying around during spring turkey season.

New antlers begin develop in the spring and summer and they are composed of living cells nourished and protected by a covering called “velvet.”

By the time mating season arrives, the velvet begins to die, dry, and peel away from the hardening antlers which the buck encourages by rubbing his rack against flexible saplings, then honing the tips to sharpness on softbarked trees. By the time the rut begins, these antlers are hard and ready for action.

RATTLING BONES Rattling shed antlers is most productive during the rutting season. In fact, even though some hunters believe this rattling can bring in deer at any time during the hunting season, most wildlife biologists feel that rattling antlers at any time but during the rut is a waste of time and ultimately can drive deer away. This suggests that even deer can get annoyed when someone pretends to be an expert, but is in fact misinformed!

As with most things associated with fishing and hunting, many deer hunters have their own special technique for rattling. Some rattle slow, wait, then rattle fast. Some rattle for no more than 2 minutes, wait and then rattle for 2 more minutes. Some won’t rattle antlers after 10 a.m. This is reminiscent of the football fan who wears the same clothes and eats the same number of hot dogs, in the same way each game because somewhere along the line he has developed a superstition about game day activities. As the commercial says, “It’s only weird if it doesn’t work.”

While every hunter will likely do their own thing when it comes to rattling during the rut, a deer hunting guides generally suggest the following three techniques to improve drawing in curious bucks.

BUCK-TO-DOE RATIO In areas where the buck-to-doe ratio is about even, there will be more competition among the bucks and rattling will likely yield more attention. In areas where there are many more does than bucks, any kind of rattling won’t make much difference because the bucks can get a date with 2 or 3 does every night.

START SLOWLY Start by rattling slowly and quietly. The reason for this is to keep from spooking any deer that happen to be nearby when you start to work your magic.

Most hunting guides suggest rattling for about 90 seconds, then waiting for five minutes before rattling again. As this process continues, the hunter can increase the volume of the rattling and continue the process for longer. It’s a good idea to wait for about 30-minutes after the first round of deer music in order to let a monster buck, who happens to be shy, CHECK THE WIND make his way to your stand.

Before starting rattling, check the wind direction. The reason for this is interesting. A buck will naturally approach a fight among other amorous suitors from downwind in order to hide his own scent and benefit from the element of surprise. The best place for a hunter to set up is at the edge of the field with the wind at his back. As always, it is critical that the hunter does everything possible to minimize his scent.

SCRAPE THE GROUND After the initial rattling, the hunter should scrape the ground or nearby trees with the antlers to give the impression of deer moving on. The hunter should stay in one place for at least a half-hour before moving on to another location.

Rattling during the rut can be a great way to draw in bucks who are minding their own business in another part of the field. Even with animals, and especially with deer, curiosity is a powerful incentive. However, don’t overdo it. A mature buck knows when there’s a party going on or if someone is just blowing smoke.

THE DEER HUNTING CHECK LIST

It’s amazing how many times you find yourself in the great outdoors and realize some small tool or piece of equipment was left back in the garage and the entire hunting experience is diminished. As the most quotable of the Founding Fathers, Ben Franklin noted: “For the want of a nail the shoe was lost, For the want of a shoe the horse was lost, For the want of a horse the rider was lost, For the want of a rider the battle was lost, For the want of a battle the kingdom was lost, And all for the want of a horseshoe-nail.”

As a public service, below we have listed the stuff that you should bring along on your deer hunt. Here are the essentials that you need to pack. Trust me on this, you want to bring everything on this list…including the 10-penny nails.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Your hunting license!!

Ties for the hunting license tags Rifle with a (recently zeroed) scope Compass Lease maps of the hunting property Gun case Box of bullets of the correct caliber Hat (style optional) Dark or camo ski mask Orange vest or cap Shooter’s gloves Turtleneck sweater Thermal underwear Down vest or jacket Three-quarter length raincoat with hood Two (2) pairs of well-broken-in hunting boots Two (2) pairs of wool socks Jeans or twill pants Dark-colored chamois shirt Insect repellent (with DEET) Plastic canteen Lock-blade, drop-point knife with sheath Knife sharpener Small flashlight with belt loop Nylon parachute cord Gambrel

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Pulley with nylon line Small meat saw Knife for gutting and skinning Game bags Wide belt (to keep you pants up with all of that equipment hanging on) Rattling horns (if early in the season during the rut) Rock sling Large ice chest (stocked with water or soft drinks) Block ice Garbage bags Zip bags Fanny pack Croc’s or moccasins for camp Sleeping bag Lubricating gun oil Rifle cleaning kit Toilet paper Alarm clock Stand tool kit: hammer, ten-penny nails.

2 x 4’s, bow saw, pruning saw, hatchet First aid kit Smartphone with GPS mobile app Hunter safety system/harness

If you can get all of this in the truck, you’re good to go!

Win a hunting trip with Country Music Legend

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When You Need to Pack Up and Move Your Blind Quick

How many times have you been hunting birds or deer and you realized that you are in exactly the wrong spot to get a good shot? If you’re like most of us, it happens every hunt. Getting a close enough shot to make sure they drop when hunting on the ground requires experience to have an idea of the typical flight or grazing patterns and the ability to pack up, relocate and reset your blind as conditions change. Ameristep (literally) has you covered on this.

The company has introduced a lightweight and portable lineup of Ameristep tent chair blinds: the 3D Leafy Tent Chair and the 3D Leafy Deluxe Tent Chair. These portable chair blinds take concealment to a whole different plane. They combine the newest Realtree Xtra ™ camo pattern and the 3D Edge ReLeaf mesh exterior to make an excellent warm weather blinds which blend seamlessly into any tree-line, woodlot or hedgerow.

The construction of the 3D Leafy Tent chair is rugged but lightweight. The one-piece chair-in-blind construction is easy to carry and sets up in three simple steps, making it perfect for getting in before the first light of dawn or hustling to another spots to cut off moving animals.

The specs and cost for the 3D Leafy Tent are: The Leafy Deluxe Tent Chair is a little bigger: • 20 inches wide x 17 inches deep x 16 inches high, • 56 inches wide x 21 inches deep x 20 inches high to seat to seat 35 inches seat back 37 inches seat back • New Realtree Xtra camo pattern • All other specs are the same • 3D leaf and mesh exterior • Retail price: $199.99 • Front and side zippered windows • Carrying case with shoulder strap for easy transport • One piece chair-in-blind construction – no assembly required • Retail price: $145.99

For more information on the Ameristep 3D Tent Chairs, visit the company website at: www.ameristep.com

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This Bracelet Could Save Your Life

If you’ve ever been in a situation – especially an emergency – where you would have given anything for a piece of strong rope or cord, you’ll be interested in this piece of gear. The Survival Strap is a very simple idea that could save your hide or your life.

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As the website and product specifications for this bracelet note, “If you are wearing the Survival Bracelet ™ you will have several feet of 550 test military paracord on hand and ready to use if you need it. In an emergency, you can unravel it and deploy the paracord to help you get out of a jam.” The company that makes these life-saving straps has customer stories where the bracelet was used for everything from making tourniquets to slow blood flow from a cut or fall to tying large items to a truck when moving.

This Survival Strap has an added advantage when it’s used for an emergency. The company will replace it for free in exchange for your story!

Survival Straps is also an outspoken supporter of all law enforcement, firefighters, EMS and military personnel. As of October 2013, the company has donated more than $750,000 to aid wounded American veterans and those who serve the public. The CEO of the company, Kurt Walchle said, “We realize that we are able to have a business in America because there are those who have sacrificed everything to keep us all free and safer. It is now our turn to stand up and support America’s heroes.”

The company has created quite a list of licensed Survival Straps. These straps include: U.S. Olympics and Paralympic Team, Harley-Davidson, 36 college teams, Wounded Warrior Project, Green Beret Foundation, Birdies for the Brave, Guy Harvey, the PGA, Mossy Oak and the VAIL resort.

More information on the Survival Strap bracelets is available at the company’s website: www.survivalstraps.com

If you’d like to win your very own Survival Strap bracelet, keep watching Woods & Water Facebook page for more details. Just LIKE the page and watch for the contest.

WWW.THEOUTPOSTLIFE.COM 39

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Fire Up Your Phone with FlameStower ™

On September 24, 2013 a group of young inventors from East Palo Alto, CA launched a Kickstarter campaign in hopes of trying to raise $15,000 to capitalize their company. One month later, they had not raised the 15K. No, over just 30-days, 812 backers pledged $60,143 to make sure the FlameStower got off the ground.

So, what is this gizmo that more than 800 people – many of whom are, no doubt, total strangers and have never even met these inventors – put their hard-earned dinero on the line for?

The FlameStower lets you harness the heat from a campfire/gas stove/naked flame heat source to add some juice to a phone or other USB-charged device. It has a max power output of 3W and an average output of 2W, which its makers say can yield between 2 to 4 minutes of phone talk-time per minute of charge.

We can see you slapping your forehead from here!

Here’s how the FlameStower works from the technology newsletter TechCrunch: “It creates and harnesses a temperature differential to generate electricity using its Thermoelectric Generator. The user exposes its metal blade to a flame to heat it up, while the other side is cooled by a small water reservoir that they fill with water. So really you need both fire and water for this to work. Oh and air, to fuel the fire. It’s elemental.

The hotter the fire, the more charge will be outputted. Albeit, the amount of energy generated is never going to match what you get from a wall outlet. FlameStower’s makers liken its output to charging via a laptop USB port. Which is to say: slow and steady, giving you time to appreciate the great outdoors scenery.”

In addition to being very cool, the FlameStower has a distinct advantage over solar-powered charger. It can work any time of day or night provided you have access to FIRE!

The company will be shipping the first batch of FlameStowers to customers who have ordered in December 2013 and to get one, it will cost you $79.99. If you want to get on the list, or find out more about the FlameStower hit the company website: www.flamestower.com.

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WWW.THEOUTPOSTLIFE.COM

first blood!!!

By Jason Martin

Can a Newbie Become a Nimrod?

As one of the publishers of Woods & Water, I would like to thank you for reading our publication and for your support.

I want to take this opportunity to make a confession. Although I love the outdoors, love to hunt and love to fish, I’m not the most experienced hunter or angler.

While I spent my many happy days of my youth hunting, it was mostly dove, quail and the occasional rabbit or squirrel - no big game like deer. This is why I leave the writing to the experts at Woods & Water who have forgotten more about hunting than I will ever know.

In fact, my first deer hunt of my life was the first week in October. Oh, and I have another confession to make. I never really understood the fascination of deer hunting. How the heck could someone sit in a deer stand for hours upon end for the chance to shoot a deer? I just never thought that I would have the patience. But after spending a few days in a stand in South Carolina, I AM HOOKED!!!

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SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?

TIME TO HUNT

My first deer hunt started at the last minute. There was no time for the logistic nightmare that accompanies most hunts. My friend Damon who works for Cox Media called me late Wednesday afternoon and told me that he had one spot left on a corporate hunt. Hmmm. I check with my friend Art, who is also the editor of this publication and I believe his comment went something like…”A deer hunt? You’re actually considering NOT going on a deer hunt?!? Are you nuts?

Get your gear together and call us when you kill one.”

He dropped my friend Damon off first and shortly after, it was my turn. My stand overlooked a wide field of brush with cut outs down the middle, to the left and to the right. There was a tree line of both sides and a great clump of three gorgeous tall oak trees about 300 yards down the middle.

I really had no business taking off on another road trip as I had logged about 20 hours in the car that week already.

But by that evening, I had rounded up two borrowed rifles for us both, gone to Walmart and bought whatever camo I could find and packed the rest of my gear. The next morning, we loaded the car up and were on our way, neither of us really knowing what the heck we were doing.

WE’RE HERE! Our destination was a 7,800 acre plot of land in the low country of South Carolina owned by some of the Cox Media executives. As we arrived, we were greeted by our guide Jerald and the manager of the property, Jason. We unloaded into the ranch house and found an amazing lunch of some unbelievable seafood chowder waiting on us. As we ate this incredible chowder, we met the rest of the crew on the property. Andrew was a young hand that did a bit of everything.

We also met Mike, who was the full time chef. After eating his meals for several days, I considered proposing to him.

Hey, the way to my heart is through my stomach.

We got acquainted with everyone for a bit and it was time to head out. We changed into our limited camo gear and headed to the range to site in our guns. I shot mine three times. The first was off some but then the other two grouped nicely at the top of the target. I was ready. Damon’s rifle, on the other hand, needed some work. After several shots, the manager Jason was able to get the sites adjusted properly.

We climbed into the truck and got a few last minute instructions from our guide. Jerald was an enthusiastic guy with a thick southern drawl. Having grown up in rural Tennessee I appreciate a good southern accent. As with many folks from the south, don’t let the accent fool you. He was extremely intelligent and knowledgeable about an array of topics and I feel honored to have gotten to spend time with him.

I am by no means a city boy, but have spent about sixteen years in Atlanta so I am used to and enjoy the busy life. To say that I have attention deficit disorder is also an understatement. I am the kind of person that will watch a ball game on TV with the sound down, listen to music while working on the computer and surfing the net with eight browser tabs open.

Needless to say, I try to keep my mind occupied by multitasking. So after I got settled in, I was looking at my phone to check email, text, Facebook or whatever I could do, only to realize that I had zero reception out in the middle of nowhere. So I was stuck with nothing to do but sit, watch the wind blow the trees and think.

After about twenty minutes, I was joined by two hawks off in a distance around the clump of trees.

I quickly got my camera with large zoom lens and began to follow them. I don’t know what it is, but I have always been intrigued by birds of prey. I love to watch their majesty as they sore in the wind. So this was pure entertainment for me. Unfortunately, it was short-lived.

As I was putting the camera away, I noticed something moving down the right tree line. I pulled the camera back out to get a better look. It was a doe. Then it was two. I tried to stay very still while watching them but they must have seen or smelled me as they popped back into the tree line fairly quickly.

Pouncing out of the tree line to my left was a large buck. He sprang out charging at the doe. She took off running through the brush and the buck stopped right there in the clearing. My heart was pounding but I remained as still as I could.

We had been instructed to be patient. Jerald had told us that we wanted to make sure that we only take the bucks that were worthy of mounting. So I sat there sizing this buck up to make sure that he was appropriate to harvest. By now, my palms were sweating. My adrenaline was pumping. “Holy cow, I think I should take this guy,” I thought to myself.

I slowly reached down to get my rifle. As I did, he raised up from grazing. I focused in for a shot and to my astonishment, my hands were shaking. “Get it together, man. You can do this.” I reset and was ready for my shot. I watched him through the scope for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, I decided that it was time.

But he was bent over eating. I made soft noise with my mouth hoping he would look up and he did! At that moment, I SHOT!!!

He jumped and took off blazing through the brush.

THE CHASE I thought to myself, “Hey, this huntin’ deal ain’t too bad.” I had only been in the stand about an hour or so but I at least had some good stuff to watch. Then came a lull. This is when I met an unusual creature. I have to assume it was a caterpillar but not like one I had ever seen. He crawled all over my stand and entertained me for several minutes.

Did I hit him? My heart was about to beat out of my chest. I was completely pumped. I have played sports my entire life and have been a football coach for ten years. I didn’t think anything could match that pregame adrenaline but I was there. Again, my hands started shaking and sweating. After all these years of being around guys that were deer hunting junkies, I finally understood. What a rush!!!

But what do I do now? Our guide expressly told us not to get out of our stands till he got back for safety reason. Really? I think I just killed my first buck and I have to sit here.

While I was occupied with the caterpillar, I looked up and noticed a nice size doe about 100-120 yards to my left in one of the clearings. I heard the voice of my friend Tim, from whom I had borrowed one of the guns. “The key is to sit REALLY still.” So that’s what I did.

I put my hands in my lap, leaned back against the tree and didn’t move a muscle. I must have watched her sitting there motionless for a good ten to fifteen minutes. And then it happened!

I have no cell service to call him and tell him to come get me.

I gotta know if I hit him. I know…my camera. I will search the area to see if I can find the buck. No luck! Maybe I can see blood where he was standing. I see red on some leaves. Could that possibly be blood? I zoom in as closely as I can and take a picture of it. That looks like blood. I am going to have to get out of this stand.

I am torn at this point. I am a guest at a very nice hunting plantation on a corporate event and I don’t want to upset anyone. He made it perfectly clear. “Even if you shoot something, do not get out of the stand. Wait for me.” But I saw blood…I think. I can’t stand it anymore. I have to get down there to see if I hit him.

I loaded my pistol (they told me there were rattle snakes) and climb down the ladder and head in the direction that he was standing. I get to the spot only to learn those leaves that were

red were simply changing because fall had arrived.

What an idiot I am thinking that was blood. I look around for several minutes but can’t find anything that even resembles blood. Maybe I missed him.

NOT bloody leaves ves

Once we cross the opening where the tracks were, the brush got much higher and now every step Jerald yells, “BLOOD!” We are on it. My adrenaline is pumping again. “Here he is!!!” Jerald screams from a few yards ahead of me. “Look at the size of that thing!!!” he says.

We all converge with high fives all around. You couldn’t slap the smile off my face.

Honestly, I was a little in shock. My first deer hunt and within a couple of hours with one shot, I have bagged a fairly large buck. We examine him and realize that his rack was only a 6 pointer but he is a big boy. After a few photo ops, Jerald radio’s in to get another truck to come pick up the buck.

THE WAIT

THE BODILY FUNCTION

I got back in the stand and waited. The next couple of hours were grueling. It is now dark and still no guide.

Even if I did hit him, how the heck would we find him?

Finally, Jerald shows back up with Damon and another guy.

I was told before we left, not to pee in the woods because it would spook the deer. So here we are hours later and with all the excitement I realize that I about to explode. While Jerald arranged the transport, I grabbed an empty water bottle to relieve myself. In the dark, with a tiny opening I did my best to not ruin the hunting area by leaving unwanted scent. But the challenge was more daunting than anticipated and more ended up on my hand and the ground than in the bottle.

“Any luck” Jerald asked.

“I shot at one but no idea if I hit him.” I responded as I started to climb down.

Jerald, now extremely excited, told me to stay put and direct him to where I shot. I had spent the last couple of hours studying where that buck was when I shot and where he ran as he took off. As Jerald got about half way to the spot, which was about 100-120 yards from my stand, I crawled down and headed over there. Once I got about half way, I heard him yell, “BLOOD!” I hit him!!! I really hit him. What’s amazing me is that I couldn’t find any blood in daylight and he found it in two seconds in pitch black with a flashlight. I point him in the direction that the buck ran. After a couple minutes, he gets the trail.

Every couple steps he keeps saying, “Blood.” Then the trail goes cold. Jerald headed right and I went left having no clue how to find blood. But as I came to a small opening in the brush, I found tracks. Now these could have been any deer tracks, but they were scraped so perhaps a struggling deer? Jerald backtracks to the last blood and heads my way. Sure enough, he finds more blood trail.

Directly after, the truck arrived with several other guys to pick up the buck. The property manager Jason was the first to greet me with an offer of a high five. I raised my hand to celebrate my conquest when I blurted out, “I can’t…I peed on my hand.” To which the entire hunting party bent over double laughing.

FIRST BLOOD

After celebrating a bit back at the ranch house, we headed over to the processor where I learned that I must be initiated. My first thought was that I was going to have to drink the deer’s blood. I actually probably would have done it at that point, but I guess I got off easy since everyone just smeared blood all over my face. It was also here that I learned that my buck was 192lbs and approximately 6.5 years old.

The next two days, I sat in the stand for hours upon end. I saw one small doe and passed on taking her. However, I loved every minute of it. I quit looking at my phone. I wasn’t bored. I took the time to reflect on my life and how truly blessed I am. I realized that perhaps there was something to this deer hunting. What I realized that there was more to this than just the kill of the animal. The time in nature alone was astounding. The camaraderie with the guys was incredible. The rest of the guys hunting that weekend that I didn’t know became friends.

I have said on many occasions that the people that are outdoors enthusiast are some of the best people you can find. They are just good people! I went into the deer hunt not really comprehending the desire that so many people have and came out trying to plan my next hunt while driving home.

This trip solidified why I have chosen to get into this industry. If you are new to hunting or new to fishing, I encourage you to dive in head first. Find someone who is experienced and ask them for help. Don’t be bashful. You may end up with a lifelong friend and a passion for the outdoors.

TV HOST STEVE NICHOLS ON WHY HUNTIN’ IS GOOD!

If you’ve ever fantasized about how much fun it would be to host a hunting and fishing show on TV, you should try following Steve Nichols around on a typical day. He is one of the three hosts for Huntin’ is Good TV and he’s a busy man. In addition to hosting early morning (try 4 am) radio show every day, he’s in the studio editing hundreds of hours of footage and spends more time on the road than a Major League Baseball player trying find the footage and inspiration to tell compelling stories about hunting.

Steve, Trey Wetherington and Neil Armatti host and produce this high energy show which airs on the Pursuit Channel on Thursdays at 7 pm (eastern), Fridays at 1 pm (eastern) and Sundays at 2:30pm (eastern). Recently, we caught up with Steve and talked about why Huntin’ is Good is so good.

TO: Steve how the heck are you and how are those two boys of yours?

SN: They’re doing great. They’re getting ready to do a little huntin’. It’s finally cooled off enough, deer season is here and they’re in full rut, you might say.

TO: The last time we were all together was in your home state of Georgia and it was the wettest hog hunt in history. My rain boots still have red dirt mud in them.

SN: I have to agree. I’ve hunting all over the U.S. and that was the wettest hunt I’ve ever been on. I don’t think there was enough dry land on the property for a hog to even walk on.

TO: Well, the weather was bad and the water was up to my knees, but your two boys were determined to make the hunt. The water was about waist high on your youngest Charlie and he just hopped up on your shoulders and was ready to roll. They were so cute and they were absolutely INVOLVED that hunt. They were the poster boys for what Huntin’ is Good is all about from the standpoint of getting kids involved.

SN: Yes, we do have some fun and whenever we can, my two sons come along with me.

TO: As far as anyone who loves to hunt, you’ve got

the dream job Steve. You get to hunt for a living. However, you always have days like we had, when the weather doesn’t cooperate, but you still have to go get footage for the show. Is weather the biggest challenge for your show?

SN: Yes it is, especially during deer season. That where about 90 percent of our footage comes from and deer season runs from about September in some states to February 15th in parts of Alabama. So when you plan a week’s trip to say Kansas, you’ve got to hope and pray that the weather cooperates. I can remember a trip that Trey and I took to Wisconsin and a blizzard ensued.

We were scheduled for 3 days and if we had come away with no footage, that’s 3 days of the season that you’ll never get back.

Because the season is limited, you can’t simply reschedule the trip. You have to be prepared to stick it out. I would say that weather is the single most challenging factor when you’re filming a TV show.

TO: And sometimes the game doesn’t cooperate.

SN: Exactly. It’s not just about the harvest of the game.

We want to tell a story and this sometimes takes a long time to get the kind of footage that helps us tell the story.

TO: Have you ever had a situation on a hunt where the situation got a little dicey or dangerous?

SN: Not so much recently. Although when Trey and I were growing up and hunting, we had many situations that we were a little concerned about. We did have a trip to Nebraska scheduled with an outfitter and when we got there, lo and behold the outfitter was not to be found. We were scheduled to be there 9 days and we had no place to stay and our return flight (to Georgia) was booked from Wisconsin. However, it turned out to be a great hunt. We literally went door-to-door, asking for permission to hunt on properties and we crowded into one hotel room then had to move to another hotel room each night. However, we made it work and it turned out to be one of the most fun trips we ever had.

TO: But no falling out of a tree or anything?

SN: No. We use Hunter Safety equipment and preach that everywhere we go. It’s not fair for our families to for us to put ourselves in jeopardy. In fact, I want to mention a friend of mine, David Langston, who used to be the VP of sales at Hunter Safety Systems and has since moved on to another position with Can Cooker. However, I’ll never forget that at a trade show one time, David was telling everyone who passed that they needed to wear a safety restraint system. He said, “You don’t have to buy my system, but go buy a safety system and use it.” He has always been a champion for outdoor safety and I’ve always respected him for that.

TO: Tell us a little about Huntin’ is Good SN: We are a licensee of a company called Good Outdoors Technologies. They are a lifestyle branding company that work in outdoor activities such as hunting, fishing, racing, camping, farming, you name it. They started a lifestyle brand called “Huntin’ is Good.” They have a fishing brand called “Anglin’ is Good,” there’s “Farmin’ is Good,” etc. We met the founders of this company, Sam Clement and Harold Ross, one day when we were thinking of starting a hunting TV show. We wanted to produce a show that would bring back more people to the sport of hunting and we felt it had to be done a little differently.

When Sam and Harold told us their strategy of “merchandise with a message” (they have over 400 licensed

products) we were impressed. We were also impressed by the fact that they share our philosophy which is a love of hunting. I’ve stopped saying the word “hunting” the way our teachers taught us and use the word “huntin’.” Huntin’ IS good. It’s good for the economy. It’s good for the soul. It’s good for wounded warriors who have returned from the hell of battle and get out in the woods…out with God’s creations and relaxing. We call ourselves “Huntin’s is Good TV” and we hope to reverse the trend of losing hunters and preserve our heritage.

TO: You practice what you preach. On the Huntin’s is Good TV show there are a lot of kids involved. Yours, Trey’s and others.

What needs to happen to get more kid involved in hunting?

SN: It starts with the family unit. Unfortunately, in today’s society the divorce rate is probably above 50 percent and that creates an economic condition where the single woman or man is forced to work sometimes two jobs just to make ends meet. As you can imagine, if you have to do this, it cuts into your family time and kids a left to fall victim to the lure of technology. They get on the Internet. It’s not all bad, but there are some bad things that can come with it. So, the kids end of playing video games or surfing the Internet instead of getting outside and playing. It’s significant to me because of my Dad. He took me and my brother wherever he went, every time he went, whether he wanted to or not. When he’d get ready to go, we’d be standing by the screen door crying and he’d scoop us up and take us with him. I remember walking behind him in the mud, stretching my legs out, trying to walk in his footprints and match his stride. I lost my dad August 5, 2011 to cancer and it was a devastating blow. I remember what he did for me and my brother – not only in hunting and fishing – but sports like baseball and football and the sacrifices he made for me. I thank God for that experience and I want to pass that on to people who may not be in the situation to take their kid out. It’s our mission to spread the word about hunting. It’s not just a couple of guys chasing trophy bucks. It’s more than that.

TO: One of the fastest growing group of hunters is women.

What do you think is causing that?

SN: The pioneering aspect of people like Chad and Dana Wall, Lee and Tiffany, Lee and Travis Creekbaum is starting to show more women on television pursing game and this push to get ladies involved is bearing fruit. Plus, the outdoor equipment and outdoor clothing companies have started offering lines that cater to women. We support it!

I think the influx of women into the sport is just phenomenal. If a man and wife started hunting together…what a great way to spend time together.

STEVE NICHOLS & NEIL ARMATTI FROM HUNTIN’ IS GOOD WITH COUNTRY MUSIC SUPER STAR RODNEY ATKINS

TO: The great thing about having a wife or girlfriend involved in hunting is that when you want to buy that new, wiz bang piece of equipment it makes is a whole lot easier to justify when you both are using it.

SN: That’s exactly right! If your wife hunts, she’s not going to make a big deal out of a piece of equipment. Plus, if you’re taking the kids out of her hair on a Saturday to go hunting, that’s a free hall pass!

TO: What’s your favorite type of hunting?

SN: Without doubt, it’s archery for whitetail deer. There is nothing that beats that. The up-close and personal nature of harvesting a whitetail deer, trying to match wits and overcome the ability to smell of the game, is just amazing to me. One of my dream hunts is to go to Alaska and hunt Yukon moose. Many of my friends who have had the opportunity to hunt moose say that it trumps hunting whitetail deer. I’m looking forward to trying to put that hunt together in the future.

TO: What are the things that a novice hunter could do to get better at the sport?

SN: The mistake that most hunters make is failing to account for wind direction. They find a beautiful spot and hanging a stand up and then hunting it on the wrong wind. If you don’t keep you scent under control and that mature buck or even a doe smell you, you might get by with it one time, but if they smell you the second time, they’ll start moving at night or skirting the area where you have your stand. They will change their pattern. Without a doubt, controlling scent and being mindful of wind direction will enable a hunter to be more successful in the field.

HOST OF HUNTIN’ IS GOOD! TV, STEVE NICHOLS AND TREY WETHERINGTON TO: We recently spoke with Lorrie Morgan and her son Jesse Keith Whitley and they were excited about joining the Huntin is Good team on a dream whitetail deer hunt. Just by registering on the Gordo’s cheese dip website (www.gordoscheesedip.com), someone will get a chance to come along. That is going to be a fun trip!

SN: Yes, it’s going to be fun trip and it’s a little different than a lot of trips someone could win. In addition to meeting and hunting with us, Lorrie and Jesse and having the hunt broadcast on our show, the winner will actually get to choose where they want to go for the hunt. They will get to choose between hunting in Wisconsin, Ohio or Texas. A lot of us who grew up in the South dreamed about hunting in Texas and if that’s your dream, we’ll go to Texas. Wisconsin is still the number one state for Boone & Crocket entries and if you want to go after one of those giant bucks and you win, we’ll be going to Wisconsin.

TO: Plus, Lorrie and Keith say they’re bringing their guitars.

SN: I guarantee that there will be some picking and grinning around the campfire.

TO: Thank you for making the time for us Steve.

SN: No problem. I want to urge anyone who has not subscribed to Woods & Water to do so. You guys do a great job. I haven’t missed an issue!

WANT AN ADRENALINE RUSH? TRY KICKING UP PHEASANTS.

TIPS ON HAVING MORE SUCCESS IN THE FIELD Imagine this scenario. You’re slowly walking through a recently harvested corn field on a cool, crisp late fall afternoon with your 12-gauge shot gun in port position. You’re walking in a line with about a dozen other hunters across the field, all of whom are riveted by the potential of what’s up ahead.

The only sounds are those of a dog rustling through the knee-high stubble and that of the other hunters’ well-worn boots trampling down the brown corn stalks. In fact, “stalking” is the operative word.

Then, without any warning, two feet in front of you, three, huge pheasants rise almost vertically and begin pounding the air with their huge wings. Your heart and brain go into overdrive. In a flash, they’re airborne and traveling 40 miles an hour away from you. In spite of the excitement, you note that two of these birds who have just exploded in front of you are earth-tone brown, giving them a free pass because they’re hens. While the other is brightly colored, signifying the presence of a male. If you have anything to do with it, this one’s coming home with you!

Most of the fun of outdoor sports such as hunting and fishing is the adrenaline rush that occurs when nature surprises us. Whether it’s a brown trout hitting a perfectly placed fly or seeing the sky turn dark from thousands of geese flying into a spread, sportsmen live for that excitement. Of all the hunting sports, pheasant hunting may have the biggest rush.

When flushed, pheasants take about 3 seconds to take flight but the hunter’s adrenaline will keep pumping for the next half hour! This type of excitement is why the pheasant is one of North America’s most popular game birds.

PHEASANTS WERE FIRST FOUND IN ASIA It is estimated that pheasants have been around for more than 25,000 years with their native home being Asia. As the species flourished, it spread throughout continents that are north of the equator. Even the father of our country, and, no doubt avid sportsman, George Washington was said to have tried to introduce pheasants into the Virginia area prior to 1776.

Washington was a better general than bird breeder and was not successful. However, in 1881, Judge Owen Denny, who had been the consulate general in Shanghai before returning to his home in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, successfully introduced the species there and from that time forward, private individuals and states have worked to get pheasants established across the U.S. and Canada.

WHERE YOU’LL FIND THEM Pheasants spend a lot of time walking, so they tend to favor a habitat that gives them cover from predators – especially those who walk on two legs and carry shotguns. If this cover happens to be a corn field or wheat field which still have remnants of the harvest and it gives the birds a tasty meal or two, so much the better.

Pheasants can survive the cold, harsh winters of the Midwest and Great Plains because they are hardy enough to remain in protected cover for several days without feeding. These birds give new meaning to the term “hunkered down.” The best places to find pheasant are recently harvested grain fields, fences rows or pastures that have grown up and have tall grass or weeds.

DON’T SHOOT THE HENS! Fish and game laws insist that there be sex discrimination when hunting pheasant. Only the cocks can be harvested and there are substantial penalties that can result from killing a hen whether this was accidental or intentional.

This requires the hunter to be acutely aware of the sex of the bird before pulling the trigger.

While the late afternoon light and a bird flying away from the hunter at a rapid rate will present some minor difficulty in determination of pheasant gender, it is actually reasonably simple. The hen’s coloration is a very drab, brown and tan, whereas the rooster has all of the “bling” of a rap star.

Male pheasants, which typically weigh about 3 pounds, have very long tail feathers, bright red wattle coloration and a very distinctive white ring around their necks. Hens have no white ring or other coloration. This is where the term “ring neck pheasant” originated.

LINING UP TO KICK ‘EM UP During the day, pheasants tend to feed in the grain fields or pastures and are therefore on the ground, not in their roosting place. They are also notorious for holding tight and not flying when surrounded by predators. This requires a more organized strategy for hunting a field.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EI2Tg4G8N8g

Typically a group of hunters will be spread out across a strip of field to be hunted. The space between hunters should be small enough to ensure that there is relatively complete coverage of the land as the line moves slowly over the area to be hunted.

There is one hunter on each end of this line and these two guys are stationed a few yards ahead of the line. As the group moves forward, the object is to form a type of “U” shape, thereby forcing the pheasants into the center of the field. At the end of this area, there should be 2 or 3 other hunters that act as “blockers.” Since it is very likely that the movement of the main line will cause the pheasants in the field to move away from the approaching line, the blockers very often get the opportunity to nail birds that have no place to go but up.

There will always be some group of hunters who feel the urge to quickly “march” forward through the field. However, the best way to harvest more pheasants is to walk very slowly down the field. It’s important to remember two things; (1) Don’t shoot the hens and (2) It’s not a race!

The best kind of gun to hunt pheasant is a 12-gauge pump or autoloader shotgun with a modified choke barrel. Because these birds have extremely thick feathers, the best type of shells for pheasant is high-velocity #6’s.

Later in the season, the birds get smarter and the shots will have to be made at a longer distance, so it is a good idea to use #4 shot during this time.

IMPROVING YOUR ODDS Because of that amazing rush that comes from flushing such a large bird, pheasant hunters tend to miss a lot of shots due to the excitement. Hunting guides have noted that pheasant tend to flush almost vertically off their very powerful legs. They can jump as high as 10-15 feet and then use those big wings to get the heck out of Dodge.

This action, combined with the hunter’s surprise, will typically cause him/ her to shoot under the bird when the shot is taken immediately after the flush. The best strategy (which is easier written than done!) is to wait until the bird turns to fly before shooting. This allows the hunter to make certain that the bird is a cock, because the white ring around the neck becomes visible, and it allows for a better opportunity for a head shot instead of one that hits the padding of the pheasant feathers.

Unlike a lot of fishing and hunting experiences, pheasant hunting is about as close to a “team” sport as can be found. Nothing builds camaraderie among a group of old or newly met friends like walking 5 or 6 hours through open fields with the collective consciousness focused on that next pheasant flush. Combine that with the unique experience to work with a hard-working, highly-trained dog and the entire experience can become addictive!

Pheasant is on the Menu Pheasant is one of nature’s most delicious foods. The meat is flavorful and unlike most wild game, it doesn’t take a lot of prep work to get it ready to cook. Here are three great recipes for pheasant. Enjoy.

Want more recipes like these? Check out our “Grill Your Kill” tab at:

www.TheOutpostLife.com

PHEASANT WITH CREAM SAUCE

GRILLED PHEASANT KABOBS

INGREDIENTS:

INGREDIENTS:

1 pheasant cut into serving pieces 1 cup flour 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 1 tsp paprika 1/2 tsp garlic salt oil 1/4 cup chopped onion 2 cans (4oz) mushrooms, drained 1/2 cup heavy cream

1 pheasant, cut into 1/2" cubes 1/2 cup Heinz 57 sauce 1/2 cup honey large onion, cut into chunks large green pepper, cut into chunks pineapple chunks wooden skewers DIRECTIONS: • In a large bowl, mix together the 57 sauce and honey.

DIRECTIONS: • Mix the flour, salt, pepper, paprika and garlic salt together.

• Roll the pheasant pieces in the flour and let set for 5 minutes.

• In a skillet, heat about 1/2 inch of oil. Add the pheasant and brown on both sides, approx. 15 minutes.

• Remove the pheasant and place in a large stove top casserole dish.

• In a sauce pan, saute the onion and mushrooms in a little oil for 5 - 8 minutes.

• Pour the mushroom mixture over the pheasant and add the cream.

• Cover and cook over medium low heat for 15 minutes turning the pheasant over a couple of times.

• Uncover and cook another 15 minutes turning the pheasant over. Check to see when the pheasant is fork tender.

• Remove the pheasant, onion and mushrooms to a warm platter.

• Use the pan drippings to make gravy.

This goes great with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables..

• Add the meat and stir to cover evenly.

• Cover and refrigerate overnight.

• Soak the skewers in water.

• Thread on the pheasant, onion, pepper and pineapple alternating the pieces.

• Grill over medium heat until done turning as needed.

This goes great over a bed of polenta, rice or grits.

Woods & Water: RECIPES

BRAISED LEMON PHEASANT INGREDIENTS: 2 pheasants, rinsed, patted dry, and cut into pieces 2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup all-purpose flour for dredging 1/4 cup butter 1 clove garlic, minced 1/4 cup lemon juice 1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed beef broth 1 1/4 cups water DIRECTIONS: 1. Season pheasant with salt and pepper.

Dredge in flour, and shake off excess.

2. Melt butter in a large, heavy skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear pheasant pieces until well browned. Stir in garlic, and cook for a few seconds until fragrant.

3. Pour in lemon juice, beef broth, and water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the pheasant is tender...about 1 hour.

This preparation of pheasant goes great with wild rice and steamed vegetables, such a carrots.

Waiting for an explosive musky strike on from top-water jerk bait is one of the most exciting moments any angler can have. Unfortunately, all too often the excitement and adrenaline rush are all you have left when the trophy predator turns away from your bait and slowly disappears into the depths.

Stalking the Elusive Musky

By Dave Tomahawk

Muskies are commonly called “the fish of 10,000 casts” which means you work long and hard to hook and land one of these prized fish. I’m not sure if I made 10,000 casts or more before landing my first legal musky, but I do know it was several years of trying before it finally happened.

It was the middle of July on Lake of the Woods Ontario, Canada. It was a beautiful, sunny, warm day with a temperature of about 80 degrees. My brother-in-laws and I had been slapping the water for 4 days without a boated fish. Our hopes remained high since we had seen several big fish follow our baits so we knew the fish were active and it would only be a matter of time.

Bay after bay and every good looking shoreline was pounded with a persistent approach, trying not to miss any area that might hold the fish we were stalking. The bait of choice was a giant jackpot, a long torpedo shaped bait that rides on top of the water shifting right and left as it’s reeled in.

Making the most of every cast is very important in order to optimize your opportunity for a strike. Presenting the bait properly from the moment it hits the water all the way to the boat and making sure to diligently figure eight at the boat on every cast is critical.

Muskies are known for following baits before they strike and every angler who’s going after muskies has had follows that they never saw. The figure eight at the boat is a great way to change the direction of the bait and trigger a strike out of nowhere.

It was getting later in the afternoon so fatigue was starting to set in along with sore hands from reeling all day. We were in a small bay with several fallen trees partially submerged providing good cover for bait fish. I dragged my giant jackpot over the top of the water and saw a boil in the water behind my bait.

I gave the bait another jerk and Pow! The musky hit it and exploded completely out of the water with the giant jackpot in its mouth! When the fish submerged back into the water I saw my jackpot sitting on top of the water and no fish. Quickly I reeled in and threw a short cast about 10 feet past the spot where it got off. After 2 crakes of the reel the musky hit it again! This time he was hooked really well. A short but fierce battle ensued which ended with a boated 42 inch musky. My first legal musky!

Woods & Water - Musky After reveling in the moment for a while it was really pleasing to realize that everything my bother-in-laws had told me was true. Muskies hit and fight like no other fresh water fish, and they are really good at throwing the bait after being hooked. I also had learned that it’s not uncommon for a hungry musky to strike more than once. To quickly regroup and get the bait back in the water was the key to not letting this one get away.

Since that day I enjoy fishing for Muskies more than ever and I have a true respect for how difficult is to land the fresh water king. Most of all I have come to enjoy the pursuit and the time on the water with friends and family while trying to catch the elusive musky.

Woods & Water - Musky

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5s-k8Q_40cA

Alan Jackson’s Bluegrass Album is Stunning!

Nobody ever accused Alan Jackson of doing something because everyone else was doing it. Surrounded by the pop music that has become the new Nashville sound, Jackson still sounds like the traditional country singer that he’s always been. Recently, he noted that he started thinking about doing a bluegrass CD in the mid-90s but when “Oh Brother Where Art Thou” made this genre hot (for a while) he decided to stay off the bandwagon and wait until the bluegrass hubbub died down a little.

Fortunately, a few months ago he decided that the time was right for the Alan Jackson bluegrass CD. He didn’t tell anyone about this project, not even his record label, until it was completed. He recruited the best musicians – bluegrass or otherwise – wrote a bunch of original songs and managed to come up with collection of songs that even non-traditional bluegrass fans love. This guy does it his own way and his musical instincts are exemplary.

Alan Jackson – The Bluegrass Album doesn’t sound like the high-lonesome archetypical bluegrass songs.

Jackson decided to sing the tunes in his own, well-wore and completely believable voice. If you’re expecting to hear someone who sounds like Ralph Stanley or Bill Monroe, they ain’t here. However, if you’re a bluegrass lover, you will hear songs with very traditional, even iconic, messages played by a bunch of guys who can pick your eyes out.

The Bluegrass Album was produced by Keith Stegall and Jackson’s nephew, Adam Wright. He enlisted a group of some of the best players and singers in bluegrass today and in a matter of a few days, the CD was done. Unlike most recording sessions, where each musician lays down his track separately, Jackson got the entire “band” in one room and they all played their parts at the same time. This is the equivalent of old-school style of performing and recording where everyone gathered around one microphone and let ‘er fly. The spontaneity of this approach has the effect of making this CD sound like a bunch of friends (who are really good pickers) sitting out on the front porch, playing for the joy of playing!

The players on this collection include: Scott Coney (acoustic guitar), Sammy Shelor (banjo), Adam Steffey (mandolin), Tim Crouch (fiddle), Tim Dishman (bass), Rob Ickes (dobro) and Ronnie Bowman and Don Rigsby (vocals).

These are the crème de la crème of this very demanding musical genre and many of these folks had never played together before.

Jackson wrote eight of the fourteen cuts on this CD and they all reflect his uncanny ability to take complicated concepts – love, death, devotion and the grandeur of nature – and make them completely understandable to anyone. Each of these original songs and bluegrass standards are delivered in a laid-back, unassuming, Alan Jackson style. As far as the message and the music, they are all perfect pitch.

Everybody takes a turn playing a lead around Jackson’s vocal on the “Long Hard Road” – dobro, mandolin, fiddle, banjo and guitar – and this song combines the essence of many bluegrass tunes. It is one of the best cuts in the collection. It would be impossible to have a bluegrass album without touching on love, loss, death and redemption and “Blue Ridge Mountain Song” deals with all of these. If you’re not feeling emotional after hearing this stunner, you should get an appointment with your physician as soon as possible. When you see the video of this song, you might notice a little resemblance between the lead female character and Alan Jackson. This young lady is Alan’s daughter, Ali. The Alan Jackson Bluegrass Album is sure to accomplish at least two things. First, the huge fan base of the singer, many of whom have never heard a bluegrass song, are about to discover the hauntingly beautiful and melodically complicated genre. Secondly, if the hard-core bluegrass crowd gets a chance to listen to any of the cuts on this brilliant CD, they will become like the rest of us – lifelong Alan Jackson fans.

64

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• SINCE 1986 •

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tPkGcKckjao

THE WILD FEATHERS FLY Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young proved that a successful rock band could have four lead singers, so long as every voice was unique and every singer knew how to sing tight harmonies. The Eagles improved on this multi-lead formula by adding some great guitar work and now The Wild Feathers have perfected this sound even more.

In their first CD, The Wild Feathers fly.

This amazing sound melds the five unique voices of Ricky Young, Joel King, Taylor Burns and Preston Wimberly and Ben Dumas adds some great songwriting and encompasses country, blues, folk and rock… lots of rock. While these guys got together and are now based in Nashville, there’s not much traditional twang in this thang.

As the band’s promo materials notes, “Ricky, Joel, Taylor and Preston were all lead singers before they came together as The Wild Feathers, fronting their own bands and writing songs with their own distinct sounds. All hailing from Austin, Texas with the exception of Joel who’s from Oklahoma, each member grew up with a deep sense of southern musical traditions, while at the same time being raised on records like Led Zeppelin, Neil Young and Tom Petty. As kids, their moms played them the Rolling Stones instead of lullabies, literally and figuratively rocking them to sleep.”

King and Young got to Music City first and realized that more singers are better than just one singer. King said, “Ricky and I wanted to do something with a bunch of singers, not just one lead.” This unique “group” proposition, where each band member’s voice has an equal importance, is a far cry from the usual Nashville scenario where one lead singer and the same, old (albeit talented) session players back him up on the CD. For this to work, egos have to be checked at the door and they clearly have been!

Next to arrive on the scene was Taylor Burns. He has great guitar chops and bluesy growl. As has been noted by more than one reviewer and devoted fan, Burns was the perfect thing to complement Ricky’s smooth, folk tone and Joel’s rock & roll bellow. Preston Wimberly, who rounded out the harmonies and added a country sound to the mix with his pedal steel. Ben Jarvis on percussion and vocals rounded out the Wild Feathers.

An important addition to the group’s debut CD is producer Jay Joyce. He has helmed sessions for the likes of the Wallflowers, Emmylou Harris and one of the best John Hiatt CDs ever – “Tiki Bar.” Joyce has a really good ear for tempo, melodies and big, fat hooks on the chorus. If you’d like proof, just listen to The Wild Feathers do “The Ceiling.” This is a stone, cold hit.

Other great cuts in this collection are bluesy rock tunes like “Backwoods Company,” great harmonies on “Hard Wind” and slow, folky love songs like “Tall Boots” and “Left My Woman,” which allows Ricky, Joel and Taylor to sing a few solo bars each in the opening, before joining with Preston on the chorus.

Crystal clear voices, great original songs and a wall of well-played guitars are found on every cut of the debut and self-titled CD, The Wild Feathers. If you want to hear what the future of rock music sounds like, get a copy of this terrific CD.

Want more music like this? Want to hear the best of today and yesterday’s country music plus some great southern rock along with some alternative country? Check out Woods & Water Radio at:

www.TheOutpostLife.com

HAPPINESS IS A BELT-FED WEAPON

Our annual machine gun shoot saw twelve marksmen all get to shoot some of the most famous automatic weapons. Our customers all enjoyed the belt-fed machine guns and several enjoyed the AK 74.

All in all the Bar-b-que was great and the shooting was even better.

The Mavericks Back in Your Arms

Click here to watch video: http://bit.ly/KLh5DW

42

Click here to watch video: http://bit.ly/KK4iWm

Woods Water Humor

THE PENTAGON ANNOUNCED TODAY THE FORMATION OF A NEW 500-MAN ELITE FIGHTING UNIT CALLED THE UNITED STATES REDNECK SPECIAL FORCES (USRSF) REDNECK FREEDOM FIGHTER BOYS WILL BE DROPPED OFF IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND HAVE BEEN GIVEN ONLY THE FOLLOWING FACTS ABOUT TERRORISTS: 1. THE SEASON OPENED TODAY. 2. THERE IS NO LIMIT. 3. THEY TASTE JUST LIKE CHICKEN. 4. THEY DON’T LIKE BEER, PICKUPS, COUNTRY MUSIC OR JESUS. 5. THEY ARE DIRECTLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DEATH OF DALE EARNHARDT. THE PENTAGON EXPECTS THE PROBLEM IN IRAQ TO BE OVER BY FRIDAY

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PHOTO OF THE MONTH

71

INTERIOR DEPARTMENT PROPOSES EXPANSION OF HUNTING, FISHING OPPORTUNITIES IN NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE SYSTEM

INTERIOR SECRETARY SALLY JEWELL

There’s some good news for hunters and fishermen who would like to pursue game in the National Wildlife Refuge System. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to expand fishing and hunting opportunities throughout this system, opening up new hunting programs on six refuges and expanding existing hunting and fishing programs on another 20 refuges. The proposed rule also modifies existing refuge-specific regulations for more than 75 additional refuges and wetland management districts.

The Secretary of the Interior, who was formerly the CEO of sports retailer REI, Sally Jewell said, "Sportsmen and women were a major driving force behind the creation and expansion of the National Wildlife Refuge System more than a century ago and continue to be some of its strongest supporters, especially through their volunteer work and financial contributions," Jewell said.

"Keeping our hunting and angling heritage strong by providing more opportunities on our refuges will not only help raise up a new generation of conservationists, but also support local businesses and create jobs in local communities."

Under the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997, the Service can permit hunting and fishing along with four other types of wildlife-dependent recreation where they are compatible with the refuge's purpose and mission. Hunting, within specified limits, is permitted on more than 329 wildlife refuges.

Fishing is permitted on more than 271 wildlife refuges.

"Hunting and fishing are healthy, traditional outdoor pastimes deeply rooted in America's heritage and have long been enjoyed on hundreds of national wildlife refuges under the supervision

of our biologists and wildlife managers," said Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Dan Ashe. "After careful consideration and review from the Service, this proposal represents one of the largest expansions of hunting and fishing opportunities on wildlife refuges in recent years."

National wildlife refuges generate important benefits from the conservation of wildlife and habitat through spending and employment for local economies. According to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, published every five years by the Service, more than 90 million Americans, or 41 percent of the United States' population age 16 and older, pursued wildlife-related recreation in 2011.

They spent more than $144 billion that year on those activities. Nearly 72 million people observed wildlife, while more than 33 million fished and more than 13 million hunted.

The Fish and Wildlife Service proposes opening the following refuges to hunting for the first time.

NEW YORK • Shawangunk Grasslands National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/shawangunk_grasslands/): Open to big game hunting.

OREGON • Baskett Slough National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/WillametteValley/baskett/): Open to migratory bird hunting.

• Nestucca Bay National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/nestuccabay/index.htm): Open to migratory bird hunting.

• Siletz Bay National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/siletzbay/): Open to migratory bird hunting.

PENNSYLVANIA • Cherry Valley National Wildlife Refuge(http://www.fws.gov/refuge/cherry_valley/): Open to migratory bird, upland game and big game hunting.

WYOMING • Cokeville Meadows National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/seedskadee/cokevillemeadows.htm): Open to migratory bird, upland game and big game hunting.

Under this proposal, the Service would expand hunting and sport fishing on the following refuges.

CALIFORNIA • Colusa National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/colusa/): Expand migratory bird and upland game hunting.

FLORIDA • Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/loxahatchee/): Add big game hunting. The refuge is already open to migratory bird hunting.

• St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/saintmarks/): Expand migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.

IDAHO • Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/kootenai/): Expand upland game hunting. The refuge is already open to migratory bird hunting and big game hunting.

ILLINOIS • Cypress Creek National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/cypress_creek/): Expand migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.

• Middle Mississippi River National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/middle_mississippi_river/): Expand migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.

INDIANA • Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/patoka_river/): Expand migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.

IOWA • Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/Neal_Smith/): Expand migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.

• Northern Tallgrass Prairie National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/northern_tallgrass_prairie/): Expand migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.

• Port Louisa National Wildlife Refuge(http://www.fws.gov/refuge/port_louisa/): Expand migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting, big game hunting and sport fishing.

MAINE • Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/rachel_carson/): Expand migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.

MISSOURI • Mingo National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/mingo/): Expand migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.

NEW MEXICO • San Andres National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/southwest/refuges/newmex/sanandres/): Expand big game hunting.

OREGON • Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, OR and WA (http://www.fws.gov/oregoncoast/bandonmarsh/index.htm): Expand migratory bird hunting. The refuge is also already open to sport fishing.

• Julia Butler Hanson Refuge for the Columbian White-Tailed Deer, OR and WA (http://www.fws.gov/jbh/): Expand migratory bird hunting. The refuge is already open to big game hunting.

• Malheur National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/malheur/): Expand migratory bird hunting and sport fishing. The refuge is already open to upland game hunting and big game hunting.

TEXAS • Aransas National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/aransas/): Add migratory bird hunting. The refuge is already open to big game hunting.

• Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/balcones_canyonlands/): Expand hunting for migratory birds, upland game and big game.

VERMONT • Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/r5soc/): Expand migratory bird hunting, upland game hunting and big game hunting.

WASHINGTON • Willapa National Wildlife Refuge (http://www.fws.gov/refuge/willapa/): Expand migratory bird hunting and big game hunting. The refuge is already open to upland game hunting.

To view a complete list of all hunting/sport fishing opportunities on refuges, click here (http://www.fws.gov/refuges/hunting/huntFishRegs.html).

For more information check out the rules and regs tabe at:

www.TheOutpostLife.com

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We respond within 30 minutes by phone and can be on-site within two hours.

Our technicians are clean cut, uniformed professionals.

SERVICES OFFERED System Design New Installations Monitoring Service/Repairs Tenant Improvements

CALL TODAY FOR A FREE FIRE ALARM INSPECTION QUOTE!

Service Agreements

INSPECTIONS/REPAIRS Fire Alarm Systems Sprinkler Systems

Types of facilities we service High Rises, Hospitals, Malls, Apartment Complexes, School Districts, Communication Centers, Airport Facilities, Municipalities

Fire Pumps Suppression Systems Fire Extinguishers Backflow Devices

For more information contact Bruce Hatchell at

(817) 640-2223 Or visit us on the internet at

www.pac-systems.com Member of BOMA, Apartment Association Texas Apartment Association, National Fire Protection Agency

• SINCE 1986 •

The

back

woods

Do you have a funny hunting or fishing picture? • Do you have a joke that everyone should hear?

Email them to: art@theoutpostmagazine.com

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