Eva Shockey
VOL 1 ISSUE 4 Jul y/August 2015
Elegance with True Grit
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Welcome to Huntress Life Magazine Articles
Just a Girl and Her Guns Christy Turner...............................................................................................4 Hardcore Hog Hunting Kristi Lynn Hair............................................................................................7 “Women Encouraging Women” Kimberly Snyder...........................................................................................10 Eva Shockey Elegance with True Grit Judy Erwin Branham....................................................................................14 How to Respond to Anti-Hunters Brianna Cozzetto..........................................................................................22 SWB Barra Challenge Christina Hurren..........................................................................................26 My Love/Hate Affair with the Whily Coyote Danielle McDonald........................................................................................28 Vacation at its Finest Elizabeth Rickert..........................................................................................32 “The Big 8” Shannon Deskins..........................................................................................35
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Determined to Heal Sharlene Todd.............................................................................................38 Bears, Bows & Bullets Candy Yow..................................................................................................42 Hunting Ibex in Spain Vera de Geus................................................................................................45 All Grrrls Turkey Hunt in Kansas Joni Marie Kiser..........................................................................................48
Product Reviews Judy’s Reviews
What to Choose
Archery Must Haves for Shooters and Hunters Judy Erwin Branham....................................................................................20
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 Just a Girl & Her Guns By: Christy Turner
Christy with her cleaned shot gun
I believe you can never own to many guns or too much jewelry. It is a lifetime investment that I want to keep in the family and pass down to my kids and hopefully their kids. So I want to take care of my investments for many more cherished memories for my family. The most important and easiest way to take care of my guns is to regularly clean them. I admit I don’t clean my guns as much as I should. But after every hunt I wipe my
Universal Gun Cleaning Kit I bought at Walmart
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3 different gun oils I use, Gibbs Brand Lubricant, Rem Oil, M-Pro 7
My little trick to help control moisture while my guns are stored in their cases. When I buy new shoes I keep these little packets that come in the shoe boxes and I store them in my gun cases.
Taking a cleaning cloth with a little oil on it and cleaning out he breech block.
gun down and make sure there is no moisture that could rust or corrode it. With all the rain we have had in Texas this year I have cleaned my guns more frequently just because of the moisture and humidity in the air. If you are not comfortable cleaning your own guns you should take them to a licensed gun dealer to have them professionally cleaned. I am neither a gunsmith nor a professional gun dealer but I like to clean my own guns just to be more familiar with how my gun works and how the parts move. It helps me to become more comfortable and more confident. I know there are several ways to clean a gun but like I said, I am not a professional gunsmith I am going to share my basic technique on how I maintain my guns. I think it is important for women and kids under supervision to know how to clean their guns at least the basic way for maintenance. First I usually go to Walmart or any outdoor store and purchase your basic Universal Gun Cleaning Kit. There are several to choose from, I usually pick one of the cheaper ones. I also buy some gun oil. One of my favorites is Gibbs Brand Lubricant. I also like Rem Oil from Remington and M-Pro 7 which you can find at Walmart. I like to sit outside on our porch so it is well ventilated, good light, and it gives me plenty of space to work and I don’t have to worry about messing up the house. I lay out newspaper on a table so when I am done, cleanup is a snap, just throw the newspapers away or start
Continue until rags or cleaning cloth come out clean and no more black gunk.
Starting with the copper wire brush a few times up and down the barrel.
Unscrew the magazine and take out the plug. Remove case and clean all inside.
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Take the soft cleaning brush with a little oil on it and run it up and down the barrel a few times.
I Picked a different size copper brush and do the same exact thing to my 25-06.
After my cleaning clothes come out clean I just make sure to have a thin layer of oil over all metal and moving parts and inside of the barrel.
a great campfire. Some other items you may want to have on hand are some clean rags, cotton swabs and a flash light. Let’s start cleaning some guns! Make sure the gun is unloaded! Safety, safety, safety. Make sure there isn’t a bullet in the chamber. Double check if you need to. With my shotgun first I start with the copper wire brush a few times up and down the barrel. Then I add just a little of the oil and run it through a few more times. Secondly, I take a cleaning cloth with a little oil on it and clean out the breech block. I continue until my rags or cleaning cloth come out clean. Thirdly I unscrew the magazine and take out the plug. With my rag or cloth dampened with oil I wipe the plug clean. I wipe down the magazine until clean and put back together. My final step I take the soft cleaning brush with a little oil on it and run it up and down the barrel a few times. You should have a light layer of oil on all metal and moving parts and inside of the barrel. Your gun is now a happy gun. With these Universal Gun Cleaning kits I also can cleaned my 25-06 rifle and my .22 single action revolver. It has all the sizes I need for different barrel sizes. I just keep wiping and cleaning until my cleaning cloth comes out clean and no longer black. Keeping the moisture off and a light layer of oil will help keep your gun working properly and maintain it for future generations. Now go clean your guns!
I put a thin layer of oil on the outside of my barrel too.
I also can clean my .22 single action revolver with this universal gun cleaning kit.
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o H e r o c d Har
g n i t n g Hu
By: Kristi Lynn Hair
P
eople often ask me what is my favorite game to hunt. Without a doubt I always respond.... Hunting hogs with man’s best friend and a knife. There is nothing quite like the adrenaline rush you feel once you hear the bay dog sound off. A bay dog is a dog that is specifically trained to find, chase, and then bay (howl) once they’ve successfully circled a sow or a boar. These amazing dogs keep it in one place while barking intensely. The dogs have collars with GPS signals and we all have radios so we know where to locate them. We prefer to use cur dogs as they tend to be a bit more gritty and will sink some teeth into the boar if necessary to keep him in place until we arrive. For the primitive weapons
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hunter, like myself, the sounding off of the bay signals the hunters to locate the bayed boar, grab the catch dog & start heading in that direction. The catch dog is a highly skilled & exceptionally well trained dog that is used to catch the wild hogs. We like to use Pitbulls for this purpose. Once the Pitbull is released it latches on to the boars ear until the hunters arrive. For the safety of the dogs and the hunter’s, this is how it goes down. Typically one hunter grabs the hind legs of the boar, flips him over & the other hunter comes in to stab the boar in the heart. Death is instant. However, this type of hunt is not for the weak. It is physically challenging, emotionally draining & completely unpredictable. That is the ideal situation, but when dealing with a wild boar, you cannot always control the hunt & you never know what you are encountering. It could be a sow or an incredibly rank boar. The sow who is fixing to have babies or an old rank boar will go to locations that are extremely hard to get to, places humans avoid. You may be crossing creeks, rivers, jungle like woods, cliffs or many other hazardous conditions. You better bring your “A” game because this is not for the faint of heart or the weak.
even begin to take an ounce of credit for those dogs are truly remarkable and put their very lives on the line in order to ensure a successful hunt. They love what they do & watching them work is beyond magnificent. We ended the day with a traditional Texas BBQ. We kill it. We grill it. We eat it.
My husband and I traveled to Texas to hunt with Hardcore Outdoors (www.hardcoreoutdoors. com). This was our 2nd hunt with Scott Threlkeld. The first hunt we killed 5 wild hogs and had an exceptionally good time. The camaraderie of the hunters, the fellowship afterwards, watching the dogs work..... It is just a magical experience, one that is hard to put into words. The first day was particularly hot. We were able to get a sow down almost instantly. This sow was fixing to have babies, therefore, she was in a very remote location. The dogs bayed her up in a hole that was filled with water and mud. We literally had to jump off the side of the hill into this fight. However, my team got the job done & called it a day as it was too hot to continue & we did not want to risk the health of the dogs as they are of the utmost importance when hunting wild hogs. Without them, we wouldn’t have the advantage of them winding, baying or catching the hogs & allowing us to kill the hogs. The dogs are truly the rockstars when it comes to this style of hunting. Period. I have a lot of people praise me for my braveness. However, I cannot
Day 2. Where do I begin? This particular hunt was the most intense one I’ve ever been on. The weather was 100% chance of thunderstorms with flash flood warnings. Most would not have gone out. We decided to head 30 minutes North, wait for a break in the weather and give it a try. Once the weather broke, albeit momentarily, we drove the 4 wheelers through mud & water, so high, I was in shock we did not get stuck. Once we hit the wood line, we let the bay dogs loose. Mike Payne has amazing curs (the bay dogs) & Cash immediately bayed up a boar. Once he made that distinctive
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bark (howl), the others: Bill, Red, Buckshot & Biscuit ran to him..... It was on. Instantly. We carefully checked our GPS systems & 280 yards was the closet we could get to him on the 4 wheelers. The rest was a trek unlike any I’ve ever been on. Scott Threlkeld grabbed Joker the catch dog & off we went in the pouring rain. We had to cross two deep creeks & go through jungle like woods. Once the dogs are on a hog, you must go to them. There is no backing out.
Here is the deal, big boars like to hide where humans don’t want to go. When we got close the curs had him bayed up good, sinking some teeth in him to make him stay. Dogs were getting slung & going back in for more. Scott let Joker loose & he hit that hog like a freight train & all the other dogs were fighting him. This boar was beyond RANK!!!! Mike grabbed the back legs & I had to go in and stab him immediately before we could flip him because he was wrecking dogs left and right. Perfect heart shot. Huge boar. We don’t waste meat. We field dressed him & drug him out, looked over the dogs & saw the wounds. We drove out on the 4 wheelers in lighting hitting the ground too close for comfort. We got back to the shop as soon as we could as we knew we had some injured dogs. We had to surgically staple up 3 dogs & one had to be rushed to the ER vet. While at the vet, he flatlined. It was not from a razor sharp tusk that had cut the other dogs, it was from impact. The boar slung the dog so hard, he hit a tree and his internal organs separated from the rib cage, once he was opened up, his lungs collapsed. The vet brought him back. It was touch & go for a while, but made it overnight.... That was a good sign. I’m glad to report, he has made a full recovery, as have all of the other dogs. They are heroes. This hog hunting is intense. That boar can break loose at any moment and just like he wrecked 4 dogs, he can wreck you just as easily. It is an adrenaline rush like no other. I’m so thankful for good curs (best I’ve seen) pro-
vided by Mr. Payne & to Scott Threlkeld for Joker & his two dogs Bisquit & Buckshot, to my husband Clay Hair for filming & to Melissa Pierce for coming along. We all take a chance of getting hurt out there. It’s a team effort! You have to rely and trust one another. Most importantly, you have to have good dogs. I am thankful we did not lose a dog on that day. You can watch this hunt on Cross Hairs with Kris and Clay Hair. We air on Sunday mornings at 7:30 a.m. (Central Time) on 266 DISH (The Hunt Channel), via Roku, streaming live @ huntchannel.tv or after the show airs, you may watch all shows on our website, www.crosshairstv.com by clicking on “The Show” tab. It will air the latest episode & you may also view previous episodes as well. This episode will be called “Cross Hairs goes Hardcore Outdoors”.
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“Women Encouraging Women” By, Kimberly Snyder
A
s many of you may know I am an avid Waterfowl hunter, eat, breathe, pretty much live by my waterfowl seasons. A couple of years ago I was introduced through the Prois Hunting and Field Apparel Company and HerCamoshop some pretty amazing women that represented those companies. These women all from different walks of life and different places around the United States all had one thing in common. They all had a passion for the outdoors, a desire to hunt and encouraged other women to get outdoors. One of these women was Becky Lou Lacock. She is a great ambassador for women in the hunting industry and promoter of women in the Outdoors. She has established a site through social media called “A Girls’ Hunt Out!” Our “Let NO Huntress be left BEHIND!” This site has become a way for many women to become a part of a group and find out where local women hunts are being held, opportunities for women in the outdoors, sharing of stories, and many other com-
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munity posts that will enable women of all walks of life, not measured on skill or finance to have the opportunity to get outdoors. Becky Lou has a passion like no other and to be around her you feel her genuine spirit and her enthusiasm for all women in the outdoors. Through Becky Lou’s encouragement, I decided to take part in a Turkey hunt she had organized through BeckyLou Oudoors with Mike Wheeler at Wheeler’s Whitetails in Mound City, Kansas. This was a great opportunity for me to branch outside my comfort zone and to meet some of the women that I had grown to respect in the hunting industry. Sometimes branching outside your comfort zone, going to place far away from home, meeting women you have never met before and hunting a species you know very little about can be very nerve racking, even for an experienced hunter. But with every journey in life, it isn’t your destination to be found it is the moments in the journey that enable you to grow. I arrived at Wheeler’s Whitetails and was welcomed with hugs, friendly faces and warmth like no other. When you are a little girl and you go to summer camp you have the same anxiety about a strange place, making new friends, but when the time is over you wish you could go back. That is what this hunt was for me. It was a time spent, laughing, learning, growing and realizing more about myself than ever. The first day at camp, I asked millions of questions: Where to shoot the turkey, How far to shoot, How to call, Which ones are legal to shoot, as many questions that I could think of to help me learn what I was about to embark on. My first hunt was spent with a guide that morning. Mr. David Byers spent the morning teaching me everything about turkey. He was exactly what a guide should be, patient, kind, and a
teacher. He allowed me to ask questions and never made me feel as though any question was wrong. He showed me what to look for, when to call, I carefully studied everything he did. Although that morning some coyotes scared off our Tom who was coming into us with some hens, I had a great first morning in the blind Turkey hunting. When I was told one other girl JoAnn Conley had shot the first turkey, Dave and I gave each other high fives and I felt as though I had just shared that moment with her even though she was in another blind far away. That is what camp does; it builds a bond that when you see another girl/hunter harvest an animal or feel an accomplishment you celebrate in spirit with her because you feel her joy. The next day I went to my blind by myself, ready to take what I had learned and put it to use. That morning hunt I sat in the blind and not one turkey. I started to pray, “God can I please have a Turkey”. I quickly stopped that selfish prayer and decided instead to ask God to show me what he wanted me to see and learn. Within minutes the clouds lifted and the
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woods came to life. There were squirrels, birds, and turkeys. I sat back and just said Thank you to God and said “I guess you wanted me to take home appreciation today”. When I came back in for Lunch I had already decided that if I didn’t take home a turkey I had already had the best hunting experience and felt successful. That afternoon God did send a beautiful Tom into my blind and after working him for about 30 minutes I was able to get him within 35 yards of me and I took the shot. I ran out to him and fell to my knees giving God praise and thanking the animal for what it was giving to me. Hunting isn’t always successful, there are times no matter what you have done you will not come home with an animal but if done correctly you will always walk away with appreciation and respect for what you have embarked on in the hunt/journey. That evening at camp we all sat around sharing our stories and I realized that the one thing that money can’t buy you is patience. Patience is the key to a good hunt and Patience is the key to success in any walk of life. The last day of hunting I was able to tag out on a bearded hen and since I was back at camp early I was able to go share a moment when my friend Kara Jo Lorenz took a 5 bearded Tom. Sharing that moment with her was every bit as exciting as if I had tak-
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en that bird. Sharing the excitement with another hunter is part of the experience we can take for granted. Seeing that enjoyment in her eyes, her smile, it was more than words could explain. To be honest it felt better than when I brought home my bird because this time I experienced it through her story. There isn’t time to be selfish when you hunt. It isn’t always about us it’s about everyone. When we learn to enjoy others success we can also gain more insight into our own accomplishments. I learned something from every person at camp with me those 5 days. With Michelle Bodenheimer I gained knowledge of hunting, she shared many stories with me about hunting and her own stories with her friends and family that inspired me. JoAnn Conley, who was also my bunk mate, taught me how to be patient and brought a sense of peace to my nerves as she embraced me with her kind heart and spirit. Kara Jo Lorenz taught me appreciation, her genuine smile and her selfless nature showed with every kind word she had for others in their hunts and finally on the last hunt I was able to share her amazing moment with her beautiful 5 bearded Tom. Jody Geistweidt taught me to laugh and reminded me not to take things so serious. No matter what situation she was there cheering others on and never took a smile of her face. Amber Brandly taught me friendship, I watched her always be there for anyone that needed her, when one was hurting in camp from a previous injury she was there to see what was needed, she was encouraging and kind and that is a trait that you don’t see very often. My guide, Dave Byers and the owner Mike Wheeler taught me more about family. They shared their home with me, laughed with me, and made me feel as though even though I was a first time Turkey hunter that I was something great and I belonged there whenever I wanted to visit. And my friend Becky Lou Lacock, who organized this hunt, she taught me how to be fearless and how to smile again. There are rare times in your life that you meet someone and feel like you have known them your whole life but that is her, she treats you like you are made of gold and reminds you how important you are. For that I will forever be in gratitude of Becky Lou. I would like to encourage all of you to step outside your comfort zone, reach out to others to take you hunting, or maybe just to get outdoors. No matter what you do in life there is something to be learned with every step you take and every person you meet. Remember that your success isn’t measured by what trophy you bring home but by what you gained inside yourself that will last a lifetime.
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Eva Shockey Elegance
with True Grit
By Judy Erwin Branham
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Believe it or not huntress, entrepreneur, archer and gun toting daughter of famous hunter and adventurer Jim Shockey actually cooks, does her own laundry, cleans her own home and is a DIY hair stylist. As glamorous as her lifestyle appears Eva Shockey is a down home everyday girl just like the rest of us when she is home. Many huntresses around the world see Eva as a female example living a life of luxury at home while having outdoor opportunities we all desire. Continue reading to know how she manages her everyday life in much the same way all women do, yet with elegance and true grit making it look easy when it is not.
Eva hosts events such as the Golden Moose Awards at the Shot Show in Vegas with grace and candor setting a great example for our female youth in the outdoor industry. She is accomplished in many areas other than hunting big game in the Yukon, Vancouver, British Columbia and around the world. You would think after having her camo painted face on the cover of Field and Stream Magazine and only the second female in 120 years (the other being none other than Queen Elizabeth) and the first female to appear for 30 years she would be full of herself; nevertheless Eva is humble yet strong, kind yet spirited, elegant yet has true grit.
Eva’s
Elegance:
Her clothes are fashionably sleek and outdoorsy during outdoor appearances, however still youthful with a modest sex appeal giving a respectable example to our young female outdoor girls. Eva’s social media posts are clean yet forward at times, smart answers to the best and worst comments, and she always looks great even when in camo hunting clothes, fishing, exercising or whatever she is doing. Her thick beautiful hair is always stylish either down or with braids; I loved the graceful look she wore during the Golden Moose Awards 2015 everyone commented its similarity to Disney’s “Frozen Elsa”.
Eva has a background as a ballet dancer following her mother Louise’s career. Perhaps she carries her mother’s elegance and poise and her father’s grit and outgoingness. She acquires it honestly from both parents’ life examples; the Shockey family is well known for their strength of character and love of the outdoors. Eva shared, “I grew up dancing because my mom was a professional ballerina. I have danced my whole life and before I started hunting I was a competitive Latin dancer and taught salsa classes in Vancouver! I still miss dancing and hope to take it up again once my schedule calms down.”
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She added, “My mom doesn’t hunt, she is for hunting but she doesn’t need to hunt with all the family bringing in meat, if her family was hungry she would. I grew up eating moose, caribou and deer meat.” Donning a glamorous white lace dress Eva’s Facebook page displays a photo of her fishing off a peer in Florida. Her grace and class again show through from performing tomboyish feats in a dress to conducting high-end interviews of some of America’s most popular female huntresses such as Theresa Vail.
Her face is everywhere, not just the cover of Field and Stream: The Outdoor Channel: Eva cohosts with her dad, Jim Shockey’s television shows. Dodge Ram truck advertisement shows a photo of Eva shooting her bow; she is one of the new faces of Dodge Ram trucks. The Preakness 2015: The Baltimore Sun reported Eva’s appearance in the Under Armour tent with many other celebrities. Her Facebook page showcased the experience as wonderful, glamorous and exciting to experience the event with her then fiancé Tim Brent, professional hockey player. ATA Show 2015: Eva attended a baby shower for Tiffany Lakosky during the show; she signed autographs in booths around the show, and to top it off her very own new Eva Shockey Series Electric Blue Bowtech compound bow was unveiled. Her mom and dad were there by her side for all the excitement. Eva worked closely with Bowtech to design her bow; sleek, elegant, classy, fierce, strong, deadly; what more need I say? The photo says it all. She remarked it is something she herself would pick out. “The archery industry doesn’t have a high-end bow such as this currently for women archers. It is as high-end as the best men’s bow but is fit for a woman, having Bowtech’s revolutionary Power Shift Flip Disc2 technology where you can change it from a lighter draw weight to a heavier draw weight easily. It is for an experienced archer,” she explained. She calls it classy with a cool style.
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Check it out for specifications and features at: https://www.bowtecharchery.com/m/pages/productBreakdown.php?i=68.
Shot Show January 2015 and Golden Moose Awards: During the Shot Show the Jim Shockey Steel Eagle and Eva Shockey Golden Eagle Crossman Air Rifles were unveiled to become available in March 2015. http://www.crosman.com/golden-eagle-np2 Eva also hosted the Golden Moose Awards interviewing and introducing many big name outdoors men and women alike. Social media: She is very active on social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Eva not only posts about her everyday life but she stands strong in her beliefs reference her hunting lifestyle. See below her reaction to being attacked for posting hunting photos.
Eva’s TRUE GRIT: November 2014 Insider Fox News reported a story reference threats to Eva due to her posting her bear harvest on Facebook. One reader suggested she kill her dog instead. Her reaction is below: http://insider.foxnews.com/2014/11/17/kill-your-dog-famous-female-hunter-eva-shockey-gets-hate-filled-messages-after-bear-photo
Eva Shockey’s Public Figure page has 805,392 Likes November 15, 2014 · Eva commented “Official weight: 510.2 lb bear! Can you believe that?!?!?!” This post had 60,728 Likes · 7,390 Comments · 2,174 Shares Eva commented, “An anti-hunter just told me, and I quote, to “kill that little worthless dog you have instead” of the bear I just hunted in NC. Apparently hunting a bear, eating/donating all of the meat and putting money towards conservation is a bad thing, but killing my puppy is ok. If this logic isn’t totally insane, I don’t know what is.”
Eva’s response to anti-hunters remarks was to make a new t-shirt: “Show your hunting pride with this limited-edition super soft tee. And never apologize for being a hunter!” - Eva *Made in the USA* *Ships Worldwide* Eva is boldly standing strong for all hunters, female and male alike. Eva’s website at http://www.evashockey.com/ states “Eva has found a way to balance hunting, travel and family into what she calls the “best lifestyle in the world”. Her passion for the outdoors, conservation and family life keep her focused, balanced as she remains a truly remarkable outdoors woman.
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Future Plans:
Eva is single no more! Sorry guys! Wedding to Tim Brent was June 20th at Eva’s parents’ house in Canada. Tim Brent is a Canadian professional ice hockey player playing for teams such as the Metallurg Magnitogorsk of the Kontinental Hockey League a Russia Hockey League, the North Caroline Hurricanes for NHL and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Eva and her father are looking at possibly going to Italy for their hunt overseas this year, hunting black bear on Vancouver Island, moose in the Yukon in her dad’s territory, hopefully whitetail in Saskatchewan and more. “I have never hunted in Italy so I am really looking forward to that,” Eva said. They returned home from Spain earlier this spring. Eva commented, “Spain was really challenging hunting and beautiful scenery, one of my favorite hunts. My dad and fiancé was there too, we were Ibex hunting which is comparable to a sheep hunt in North America. (Ibex are the largest goat species)”
Questions for Eva: Who is your hunting mentor? “I would have to say my dad. Lots of people in the industry have been good examples and impacted me in a positive way; however, I watch my dad closely as a great example of what a passionate outdoorsman and hunter should be. He has been so supportive since I have started hunting so he is definitely my number one mentor”, Eva said. How did you begin hunting? “Although I grew up around hunting I never harvested my first game until I was 20. At University living by myself I went to the store for the first time not knowing what to buy due to only having wild game in my home from birth, she explained.” What is your favorite place to hunt? “The Yukon Territory for moose for sure as my dad has lived there and had an Outfitting Company for 20 years. It is beautiful, pure, and pristine and you are in the middle of nowhere. Nobody is even close to where you are hunting and it is majestic. It is my favorite place on earth, Eva described.” What’s it like to be you? Is it glamorous, adventurous? A dream life most of us only dream of. Eva humbly noted, “My family is very grateful for our lifestyle and my dad has worked so unbelievably hard to get where he is which is what I base my life on. I was raised that way and I want to do that also. We are
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very aware we are in a position where many people are watching us and we take it seriously because we know that. For me personally I know there are a lot of young girls watching me and I am not going to take that lightly. I know my decisions are going to impact people so when I do make decisions I am very aware that what I decide will reflect on me and will possibly change one young girls idea of whether or not she wants to be a hunter or not. So we are very grateful and we love what we do and we know what we do might make a difference if we choose right or wrong and we always choose the high path. That’s kind of how we live our lives.”
“We are just like everybody else, we love to hunt and love our family and it has just turned into a TV Show that people like to watch. If we didn’t have the TV Show we would still be doing the same things; be hunting, still be eating wild game and still love each other, we just wouldn’t be going as far away to hunt. We are possibly looked at as being on a different platform due to the TV Show but at the end of the day we are just the same as everybody else. I think if people saw our lives off camera they would be surprised we don’t really do anything different. Obviously we do go on some pretty cool hunts which is part of what we do for work because we want to show people these adventures and share them but when we are not hunting we are very much the same as everybody. We stay home as much as we can. I play with our dogs, go hiking, and we watch Outdoor Channel on TV on Sunday nights and we are the same as everybody else,” she modestly said. Eva Shockey is an inspiration to all female outdoors women and youth. Her bold yet assertive example gives our female huntresses someone to look up to and watch to see how her career unfolds before us. Best wishes to Eva and her new husband Tim on all their future outdoor endeavors as a couple and with the Shockey family. Peer female huntress Brenda Valentine, known as “The First Lady of Hunting”® shared, “I think Eva is one of the classiest outdoor gals to come along in a long while. She humbly admits she doesn’t have years and years of hunting experience but she is willing to learn and a very outspoken advocate for guns and hunting. She is a lovely lady that I welcome into the women hunters fraternity.”
From Tiffany:“Love Eva to death!!! So great to have another female out there representing us” “Eva Shockey is the perfect woman to represent all young, female hunters around the world. Eva is a beautiful person inside and out that will never apologize for chasing her dreams in the outdoor world - We need more of those girls! She is a huge inspiration to me and I’m proud to be in the same industry as her. UA Hunt girls for life!” _ Taylor Drury of “The Drury’s” and “M.A.D. Game Calls”. Photos courtesy Eva Shockey and Judy Erwin Branham
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Judy’s Reviews What to Choose By Judy Erwin Branham
Archery Must Haves for Shooters and Hunters Third Hand Archery Accessories – Made in the U.S.A. www.thirdhandarchery.com Jim Litmer from Union, Kentucky demonstrates how and why to use his products. He has designed and invented a group of accessory products for archers to simplify their experience as well as make hunting safer and more comfortable to stay in a stand. I have tried these products such as the refillable target bags, DIY target skins, arrow puller, Hip Clip to hold your bow while shooting or hunting, score card holders and much more. Be sure to check out his how to use videos which demonstrate multiple uses for many of these wonderful products. You can watch his videos on YouTube at the following links below each review.
Ragbag Target Bag $25, 2 for $45 or 6 for $120 This refillable target bag can be used for any bow type such as traditional, compound or crossbow. See how easy your arrow retrieval can be with this diverse target below. These are also a great idea for clubs and groups to use. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fUyI8j2nHb0&index=6&list=FL8u0AmEkYC6bNc5ti7UrmXw
DIY Range Target Skins (1 Animal 1 TicTacToe) $35 or 2 for $65 These target skins can be enclosed in wooden sides, top and bottom, filled with material or clothes to practice archery. The large size allows for diversity of archery practice for all ages and bow styles. According to the website: “Animal target face on one side and Tic-Tac-Toe face on the other for do-it-yourselfers to build your own range targets. They are 36”x36” and weigh 12 ounces per set (set consists of the 2 different faces - one on each side).”
Hip Clip – Bowsling
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$10 or 3 for $25 This is my favorite for 3D shooting and hunting. Fatigue from carrying my bow has cost me scoring on the 3D range and not being able to take a shot at a deer due to my hands shaking from the stress. This product solves both problems for me. Jim has several great ideas for using this clip/sling. Check it out on the video below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDD5pSpMpwY
Arrow Puller Have you ever had difficulty pulling your arrow from a target or tree perhaps? This arrow puller made from Goodyear tire rubber does the trick. It also doubles to tighten your points. No more hand tightening my points every time I shoot a target with this light weight accessory which easily hangs from your belt or quiver. Also comes in PINK ladies! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CF0banREJ1g&index=3&list=FL8u0AmEkYC6bNc5ti7UrmXw
McKenzie Score Card Holder, and Rinehart Arrow Placement Scorecard Holders These score cards and holders not only show arrow placement for each type of target, but they give you a solid surface to write your score during 3D shoots and more. They conveniently hang from your belt or quiver. Priced at only $10 or 3 for $25 they are priceless for those targets too far away to see the 11 or 12 rings.
Can’t Fire Release Every bow shop should carry these for safety from customers dry firing a bow; however, my favorite use is for strength training for individual archers to gain ability to shoot our bows throughout the year. This simple product can make the difference when that deer stands before you in archery season whether you harvest game or not. Using this device twice per week will up your archery game. Check out Jim’s explanation below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tM4SuLyDAmg&index=5&list=FL8u0AmEkYC6bNc5ti7UrmXw Photos courtesy Jim Litmer website Third Hand Archery
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How to Respond to Anti-Hunters By Brianna Cozzetto
Photos credit to Tory KageyKaptures Photography
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e have all heard it said. “The best offense is a good defense.” Animal rights activists (ARA’s) and anti-hunters seem to be a growing epidemic fueled by social media. How a hunter/huntress responds to these comments not only reflects on the individual but on other hunters. Lately on the social media site Facebook, women hunters have become the target for ARA’s. A picture of a huntress with a legally harvested giraffe in Africa made the ARA’s see red, no pun intended. This huntress received death threats and was the reason for a change.org petition that was urging Facebook to no longer allow hunters to post picture with “trophies.” When reading comments on posts from hunters and ARA’s I am shocked to see what both sides say. You can see that hunters are passionate about hunting and ARA’s are passionate about ending hunting forever. Just like many issues today, mostly political, there are two completely differing opinions and the claws come out. While I am “Proud to be a Hunter” and I stand by the “I Hunt, It’s Legal, Get Over It” I believe there is a time where we as hunters need to take the high road. So what do you say back to an anti-hunter on social media or in person? If you are new to hunting or maybe haven’t harvested anything quite yet, have you thought about what you would say when the inevitable harassment begins? Here are my suggestions on how to take the high road and represent hunters/huntresses in a positive light. 1. Educate- This is the best defense, as many times it can bring an illogical, emotional anti-hunter to a point that they might just listen to what you have to say. Educate them about how your license fees support wildlife habitat and conservation efforts. Colorado has started a program called “Hug a Hunter/Angler.” This program includes information about how license fees provide revenue to benefit Colorado wildlife and public land. This is from their website: “Hunting and Fishing Make Colorado More Beautiful” “Did you know that license fees contribute to the management and protection of wildlife habitats? Here are some other ways that hunting and fishing help our public lands: • Wildlife management keeps a balance that benefits public, private and wildlife interests.
• Revenues go to conserving Colorado’s beautiful forests and lands. • Revenues go to preserving the quality and quantity of water in our rivers, lakes and streams. • Fees from hunting and fishing are used to stock lakes and streams, and to buy water rights to enhance habitats.” (hugahunter.com) Another important thing to educate non/ anti-hunters about is animals. Focus on the reasons for harvesting that certain game animal. For example, it is important to harvest adult mountain lion males because they are the number 1 killer of mountain lion kittens and juveniles. 2. Tell them why YOU hunt- Saying that you are just a “hunter/huntress” isn’t enough. WHY do you hunt? Is it for the adventure? Spending time with family? Being in the outdoors? Harvesting your own meat? Whatever the reason, think about the best way to convey this to the anti-hunter in a positive light.
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3. The fresh, free range, organic, no growth hormone, and no antibiotic meat- Right now the desire for healthy eating continues to increase. This is a perfect opportunity to educate on the benefits of wild game. Don’t forget to include all the miles of walking while you hunt and staying in shape all year for your hunting season, so that in itself is great for staying healthy. 4. Know your stuff! - Do your research and know why it is important to harvest the game you hunt. For example, black bears are what I love to hunt the most. I receive a lot of backlash because for some reason ARA’s don’t have nearly the problem with someone harvesting deer or elk as they do with a bear. I know that per Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife, the numbers of bears have nearly doubled in the last 20 years. I also know that it has the least harvest success rate of any wild game animal in Colorado at 9%. Whatever your game of choice is, learn as much about the animal, harvest numbers, etc as you can. It feels pretty good to be able to spout off numbers to ARA’s, when all they have is emotional responses such as name calling, cussing, and bullying. 5. Know when to hold them, know when to fold them, know when to walk away, know when to run- Ahhhhh yes… Kenny Rogers, a song that we could all learn from. The truth is that you might not change their minds, and guess what?! THAT IS OKAY! We all have freedom of speech and choice in our great country. Just keep on taking the high road and educating them every opportunity you have. I have been educating a lady that I work with who is completely anti-hunting. I am starting to make some headway though (after 2 years) she is going to get her hunter safety card and she “might” go turkey hunting next year! The delete/ block button on Facebook is my best friend. I try to educate first but if all they have is name calling, cussing, and just overall psychotic acting behavior I just delete/block them and move on with my day. Now if only you could delete/block people from real life. In this case you can gently remind them that harassing hunters is a misdemeanor in many states. 6. Remember hunting is a privilege, not a right!-Many states have banned some forms of hunting. California, for example, cannot hunt mountain lions due to a voter initiated law change. Colorado lost their spring bear hunt, and the ability to hunt bears with bait and hounds also due to
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a law change by ballot. Last year Maine defeated a bill that was to end bear baiting, using hounds and traps. This bill was backed by the Humane Society of the United States and they spent $2.5 million dollars in campaign money, yet were still defeated. We have to remember, hunting can be taken away from all of us. 7. Think before you speak/type- Please, please if there is one of these that you choose to use in your social media life please let it be this one. The truth is, YOU are representing us all. Huntresses are under a magnifying glass right now and we need to be careful with what we say as it can be used against the sport of hunting. Calling an ARA an idiot and telling them how stupid they are is not beneficial to anyone. That is rated “G” compared to most of the language I see used by ARA’s and hunters. There have been times that my strategies do not go as planned and the ARA is still lashing out at me. I keep my composure but bring in the facts with a touch of sarcasm. I start throwing things at them like: Okay so you are saying that you have NEVER eaten any product from ANY animal? No leather, no cosmetics tested on animals, no vaccines because they have animal products in them, no prescription medications because they are tested on animals before they can be approved by the FDA? I ask about how their ancestors survived without using any animals. I ask why we, humans, have canine teeth just as other carnivores/ omnivores. I guarantee you, one of the above will make them a hypocrite. I have received much criticism from my own “friends” and from people on the other side of the World that found my Colorado Huntress Facebook page. In fact my page was up less than 24 hours and I already received threats and inappropriate posts. I had to block 6 people the first day. If you do not feed into their emotional hate speech they will go away. Let’s focus on the ones who may be “on the fence” about hunting. They are the ones that we can still sway through education. Stay respectful Huntresses, even when they aren’t. The World is watching all of us.
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By Christina Hurren
2015 SWB Barra Challenge As the sun rises over Corroboree Billabong in the Northern Territory, Australia, there is only one word that comes to mind. Breathtaking. The mist is thick in the morning as the boats make their way into the billabong for the start of the Secret Women’s Business Barra Challenge or SWB, as it is affectionately known. SWB is an all women, catch, tag and release, fishing tournament targeting barramundi and saratoga. As the day heats up and the women find their favourite spots, everyone marvels at the spectacular scenery around them. Darwin, Australia, is in the tropics, so as the day heats up and the humidity increases, it really is a test of endurance to keep fishing, but this is no problem to this group of amazing women! With lots of water (and other beverages!) on board, it’s just another day at the office! This annual tournament, now in its 9th year, is all about forging new friendships, re-kindling old ones, and of course, doing some serious fishing. Women of all skill levels take part in this internationally recognised tournament from novices to skilled anglers. Last year’s tournament saw 153 women take to the water in what is now the premiere women’s fishing tournament in Australia.
The fishing can be tough but no one seems to mind. For two days the billabong is abuzz with excitement as the ladies wait patiently to hook the elusive barramundi and when that tell-tale ‘boof’ rings out across the water the anticipation of whether or not that fish will make it into the boat hits fever pitch. Lures are flicked over and over and over again and no one is willing to give up. Hard bodied and soft plastic lures are used, some ladies like to stick with their favourite, while others like to change them around throughout the day. While this is certainly a competition with everyone vying
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for the coveted title of Champion Team there is also a great sense of camaraderie on the water. Other titles on offer include Champion Runner-Up Team, Champion Angler, Biggest Barra and Biggest Saratoga. SWB continues to hold a 5 star NEATFish accreditation something which organisers Christina Hurren and Kristen Noble are proud of. NEATFish is the National Environmental Assessment of Tournament Fishing (Australia) and 5 stars is the highest rating that can be reached. They are committed to preserving the environment and keeping the fisheries healthy and strong. All barramundi caught during the tournament are tagged before being released to assist Northern Territory Fisheries with their research. “Darwin is the “fishing mecca” of Australia (if not the world) and we want to keep it that way with sustainable fishing” says Christina. “No fish, no fishing!” The fun is not just restricted to the water though! Back at “base camp” at Corroboree Park Tavern, just up the road from Corroboree Billabong, there is entertainment and activities each night for everyone to enjoy. One thing is for certain, there is never a dull moment at SWB. For more information on how you can be part of Australia’s premiere all women tournament, please contact swbchallenge@gmail.com.
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My love/hate affair with the whily coyote Danielle McDonald
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y love/hate affair with the whily coyote started at a very young age. At about six years old I experienced my first run in with what would come to be one of my favorite animals to hunt. While out playing in a clear cut with some neighbor children and my siblings, I decided to take my little dog that I had on a leash to the edge and sit down. Upon sitting down I heard a noise behind me. When I turned to look, not fifteen yards from me crouched a yotee checking out my little dog for what he may have thought would be his next meal. The second I spotted the coyote,out of fear, I jumped to my feet and yelled to the others to run! My poor little dog was more or less a kite behind me as I ran home to beat heck. This made me hate coyotes. My second run in with one of these dogs came about a year later while at my grandparent’s farm. I was riding on the tractor with my gramps when all the sudden we spotted one sneaking out of the barn. My dad happened to be standing there, so grandpa told him to go grab the gun quick! We went around the side of the garage as the coyote was making his way across the field at about 200 yards out. Gramps cracked off a shot, and down he went! We then walked out to where the coyote fell and to my surprise he was still alive! I felt horrible for it and remember asking my grandpa if we could save it. Well as you can probably guess, grandpa didn’t save him. After finishing off the coyote and disposing of him is when I got my first lesson on coyotes. My grandfather and dad explained to me why it was necessary for people like ourselves to control coyote populations .They told me how this one could have been after one of his new calves in the barn. After hearing that, something inside me took a huge interest and I knew right then, I was going to grow up to be a hunter. And so it began. That very next hunting season I started having my uncle and his sons ,who
were the only real active hunters left in the family, start picking me up on the weekends bright and early to go hunting. During the times I wasn’t ridding along on some hunting adventure, I was taught how to shoot a gun and of course to do it safely. After receiving my hunting license , there wasn’t a coyote I wouldn’t try and kill. Over the years I can honestly say I’ve shot a pile of them things by either spotlighting them or just seeing them while out and about in the woods. Not until the last couple years had I ever done any serious calling and setting on stands. Now that I have,it is by far one of my favorite things to do. Something about the rush I get when a coyote is called into within fifteen yards and lettin him have it! On one of my sets while first starting out calling, I ended up killing a coyote at my closest to date. We were in eastern WA and had gotten permission on a cattle ranch. It was calving season for the cattle which also meant chow time for the coyotes so our odds were good. We went in about a half mile or so and decided to set up on a southern slope looking down into a small valley. I decided to set myself up behind a small sage. It was a somewhat warm day and the wind was cooper-
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ating with our set so I was more than happy with the situation. After quietly situating ourselves and getting the electronic call out and turned on with a somewhat quiet rodent squeak in front about eleven yards we let out the first distress call on the mouth call. No sooner had the first call been let out, up jumped a sunbathing coyote down in the valley. She was up and instantly moving, coming my way at a fast trot! Now where I had chosen to sit by the small sage made it to where I lost sight of here for a few seconds, but once I spotted her again she was bee lining for the electronic call. I was excited and could feel my adrenalin pumping. I got down and looked thru my scope but the direction she was coming was straight at the call to where I could only make out two ears, one on each side of the call. I had no shot at this point without taking
out my trusty little call so I just watched. I kept my cross hairs positioned between her ears on the call. To my overwhelming delight she happened to merge just slightly to the left which gave me a head shot that was literally about one inch to the left of the call. With the call still in my view I aimed ever so slightly to the left and took the shot. Down she went! I got up and walked over to her, she dropped in her tracks not six inches from the call and a mere eleven yards total from me. I couldn’t believe how close she had come in or that I was able to get the shot with the approach she made keeping everything but her bouncing ears hidden behind the call. Now that there is why I love coyotes and hunting them using the calling technique. One of the techniques we use that really gets the job done is blowing an open reed distress call and getting the coyotes attention. You can
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usually pick one up for around twenty bucks at your local sporting goods store. These calls work great for getting a coyotes attention that is several hundred yards out to get them to start their way in as they are very loud. The other thing we have been using once the coyote is quite a bit closer is a small remote operated speaker that emits a quieter noise like a rodent squeak. This works to get the coyotes attention off of you the hunter and give the opportunity for a shot without being spotted. I will usually set that call about 15 to 25 yards in front of me. There are many types of electronic calls available ranging from $50 to well into the hundreds of dollars. The one I use is a cheapie and seems to do the job. There are also a lot of different things to take into consideration while on a set. Camo camo camo! Including your face and hands, along with anything bright that might cause a reflection (cameras, gun barrels, scopes,ect.) coyotes have excellent eyesight. Also play the wind, but remember these dogs are smart and will tend to circle around to get down wind of you. Their amazing sense of smell is something these dogs very much rely on, so keep your eyes peeled. Another thing is to keep as quiet as you can. A coyote can pinpoint a rodent under a thick blanket of snow just by listening to make a meal out of. Something I would like you to keep in mind, is sometimes it takes several sets before you may see any action, but don’t let that detour you. Just keep at it and it will happen. You may even get another surprise predator such as bobcat to work its way in also! The coyote (Canis latrans) has a reputation for being very cunning and opportunistic. This being the reason they are able to increase their numbers and also adapt to so many kinds of habitats including suburbs across the US. Coyotes can work alone or in a pack. They pray on many domestic animals as well as far too many fawns in different species in the wild. In order to protect our domestic critters and to keep our deer and elk herds healthy, the coyote’s population needs to be controlled and that is where sportsmen like you and I come in. Winter is my favorite time to hunt yotes due to them sporting a much thicker and fluffier coat. These coats can sometimes fetch a handsome price by selling them to fur dealers. With that being said make sure to use a caliber of gun that’s not going to blow a giant hole in the hide. I switch off between a few, those being a .204, a .22-.250, and a .243. They seem to work quite well for me. All in all this is one fun sport that can be done here in Washington and several other states year round. For those of us who are having hunting with drawls while in the off season this is perfect to feed that hunger. Make sure to check your game regs and have proper licensing. Good luck!
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By Elizabeth Rickert
Growing up in Indiana and Texas, Eli Rickert has adopted the love for hunting and new challenges. She moved to Bozeman Montana at the age of 19 by herself to pursue her love for hunting. Eli works two jobs, one that will support her on her own and the other to be able to hunt. She loves to shoot, rifle or bow, and tries to make it to the range at least two times a week. If she isn’t hunting, she is out in the mountains finding new spots to be able to hunt. Being in Montana, she has the opportunity to hunt almost all year round, and that’s just what she does. She also loves to travel to visit family in Indiana for duck season, or bowfishing. Hunting and fishing isn’t just a part of her life, it’s what she lives for. Being a huntress in today’s society is a bit on the challenging side. Most people don’t take you seriously just by looking out you, so she trains to let the boys know that she is capable to be a lady hunter.
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our in the morning comes way to soon when you are on vacation in paradise. After an allday travel from Montana to Hawaii, and trying to acclimate to the hot humidity, I was ready to start my first guided hunt in Kona with my friend Nolan. I jumped out of the comfy plush hotel bed and into my ridge reaper camo pants and started lacing up my Columbia hiking boots. I was pumped! I was so nervous we would be late, we stated running down the halls of the Hilton. We must have been a sight to see, head to toe camo, backpacks and binos strapped to us, and I had my gun case, carrying my pink savage 25.O6. Here we go, Spanish goat hunt on the Big Island. When we arrived at the Parker Ranch, the sun hadn’t raised yet. It was so early, but I was stoked to show off my huntress skills. We went into the office to sign our disclaimers and meet our guide. As soon as I stepped into the office, I could see our guide let out a sigh, “Oh great,” I’m sure he was thinking, “It’s a girl”. We filled out the paper work in silence, not really knowing what to say and was a little intimidated. We headed out to the razor to load up. I took my savage 25.O6 out of the case and held it up with pride; after all it was pink and awesome. Our guide grimaced at it and asked to see it so he could load it up and adjust the straps to fit him. I was taken back! “Excuse me, that’s my gun and I will be handling that!” I exclaimed. Our guide turned to Nolan and gestured, “How is she going to carry that all day?” Nolan relied with a smile, “Oh, she can h a n d l e .” The guide did a little grunt and then we all loaded up into the razor. After that little episode, I knew I would be under a microscope, and I would have to be on my A game. I wanted to
prove that all my hard work leading up to this hunt meant something to me, and to show that women really are capable to hunt. We were on the move; naturally I sat in the back while the boy’s chit chatted up front. The area was spectacular, so different from the green lush mountains of Montana. The terrain was rocky and had lots of rolling hills, where animals could hide. The sun was beaming down on us, I was not used to hunting in the smoldering hot. I was taking the opportunity to take in all the s c e n e r y, and glass as often as I could for wildlife with my vortex optics. I felt in a daze, the crashing sound of the ocean on the shores
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and the hum of the gator, this is the life I thought to myself. The guide stopped the razor and it was time to start walking, perfect, time to show off my skills. Before we started walking though, he offered one more time to carry my gun, but I just waved my hand and started marching. We started scouting and spotted a heard of Billie’s and nannies resting on a cliff side. We posted up behind some thick brush at the bottom of the cliff and started glassing, me through my scope. I was at the ready, one in the chamber, bipod down, ready to fire. I was astonished to see them only 30 yards away and they had no idea. We watched them for a good 30 minutes, they kept moving on the rock ledge, just enough to where I couldn’t get a good shot. I was becoming very impatient; I whispered to the guide, “Should we maybe move around them and come out the back side of them for a clean shot?” his eyebrows perked up, “Uh, yeah that’s a good idea.” He replied a little shocked that I knew what I was doing. I clicked the safety on and folded the bipod up and we three began to creep along the tree lines around the rock pile of goats, hoping to not be spotted. Once we were in sight behind the goats, I knew it was my time to shine. I got my bipod down and got into position, trying to control my breathing. Finger on the trigger, Nolan at my ear, chanting, “There’s a big one don’t miss, we came all this was, don’t miss!” There they go! Something must have spooked them, because they started
running down the draw. “No”, I screamed inside, “All this way for nothing!” through my scope I could see they scamper away. I followed them in my scope down the draw and then back up the draw, and there was a big Billie goat stopped to check out what we were. WHACK! Down he went. No hesitation, that Billy was mine. My heart was in my ears, all I could hear was ringing. My whole body was shacking I couldn’t keep calm. It was such a relief to see that Billie drop to the ground, the pressure is off. I turned and looked at Nolan and our guide, and both of their jaws were dropped. “What a clean shot, I can’t believe you didn’t freeze up! “The guide said with pride. “I had you pegged all wrong, you’re awesome.” That feeling will never go away, not the kill shot, but having the opportunity to show someone that lady hunters are just as good. To this day our guide and I are still friends and keep in touch, getting to vacation in Hawaii was awesome, but getting to witness the local terrain was the best part of the trip. The saving up, working out, and the long hours of travel were worth it. In my opinion, lady hunters are often put under a microscope and judged based on their appearance rather than skill. I believe the microscope pressure makes us work and train harder to prove a point. In the words of Miranda Lambert, “We’re just like you, only prettier.”
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“THE BIG 8” By Shannon Deskins
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ife is full of HITS and MISSES, no matter what you do. Those terms can be applied to so many more things in life than just shooting and hunting. We have successes and failures all the time in every aspect of our lives. We love those times when it all comes together and we do the “fist pump,” knowing we just had a HIT. We smile, celebrate, take pictures and then move on. However, the hits in life don’t teach us the lessons that the misses do. When we miss, nine times out of ten we instantly start investigating why we didn’t hit our mark. The misses seem to linger a little longer, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Time spent pondering our mistakes in life is time we spend learning what “not to do” next time. The biggest “miss” of my hunting career to date happened in October, 2014 during my first Whitetail bowhunting trip to Pike County, Illinois. We’ve all heard stories of the giant deer that are taken in that area of the country, and the thought of one of these bruisers walking into your shooting lane inside 30 yards is enough to give you chills. Fellow Southern Belle Outdoors member, Strossa Swindall and I made the nine hour drive from Pike County, Kentucky to Pike County Illinois in late October just in time to catch the big boys starting to cruise during daylight hours.
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We were hunting with Hadley Creek Outfitters, who take deer management very seriously. Knowing they have a 140” minimum, we had both spent the past several weeks practicing our field judging skills in case we had to make a quick decision. We got into town, bought our tags, threw our bags in the lodge, got dressed and immediately got in a stand for an evening hunt because we weren’t about to waste one second of shooting light! That first evening sit in Illinois was an eye opener for me. I quickly realized hunting in that part of the country is MUCH different than hunting eastern Kentucky where I’m from. Both are beautiful in their own way. We hunt mainly in the mountainous timber in the eastern half of Kentucky, and northwest Illinois is prime farming country, full of bean and corn fields. I was a little uncomfortable hunting on the edge of a wide open standing bean field because I felt like I had a spotlight on me. And, I discovered that evening the difference in how deer react to that big doe that blows at something she doesn’t like. In my part of the world, if a deer blows anywhere near you in the woods, you might as well pack up and head back to camp because every deer knows not to come near that area. That thinking actually cost me a shot at a “shooter buck” that evening. Well, that and the fact that I panicked and couldn’t decide if it was a shooter or not. I was standing, watching does and young bucks in the bean field to my right when I saw a big buck step into the radishes to my left. My mind went crazy, thinking “OMG is he a shooter?? If he is and I decide to draw my bow, the doe to my right will bust me and blow at me!” Well, I didn’t draw my bow and she ended up blowing anyway. And, guess what? That buck didn’t move! He just looked around and then walked off! When I got back to camp, I let everyone watch the footage. Yep, he was a shooter. But, I had five more days to hunt! We hunted a different farm the next couple days, and our guide kept talking about the “Big 8” that he hoped one of us would get a shot at. He put us in places he had seen shooter bucks, but in the back of my mind I really wanted to see this 160+” 8 pointer! The second evening on this farm, our guide walked me down a long, steep hill to the greenest clover field I had ever seen, showed me the stand and headed back to the truck. As I got everything settled in the stand, I had a feeling I would see a shooter. This little field was very secluded and my stand was high and out of the way, creating the perfect scenario to kill a big buck. Late afternoon, some does and a couple small bucks entered the field and started sparring with each other. I quietly stood up, positioned my camera arm and started filming them. That’s when time stood still for a few seconds as every deer turned their heads at once, preparing for HIS entrance. At the end of that little clover field, the biggest bodied deer I have ever seen appeared out of the treeline, carrying that huge 8 point rack! Was I going to get a second chance at a Pike County, Illinois trophy buck? He kept walking
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into the field as my camera was rolling…50 yards, 40, 30. I drew my bow, waited until he reached the 27 yard bare piece of ground I had already ranged, made the bleat sound to stop him and let my arrow fly! He jumped and ran up the hill as I realized I had MISSED! I shot right under him! I just sat down and dropped my head, defeated. After a couple minutes, I decided to play back the shot on the camera just to make sure, and it was just as I had thought. There couldn’t have been an inch between the bottom of his chest and my broadhead as it sailed underneath him! The next couple of hours were horrible because there was no cell service for me to call or text anyone. It was just me and lots of time to replay the worst hunting moment of my life! When I got to the truck, I hung my head and told Strossa and our guide that I had seen…and MISSED the Big 8. At camp, everyone gathered around the TV to share in my misery. BUT, it gave me the opportunity to really study my shot and what I did wrong. And, what we all concluded is that I dropped my bow arm too quickly after the shot…a mistake I will only make once. Even though I left Illinois bummed about missing that trophy whitetail, I still had a great trip. I got to experience a completely different style of hunting, see some of the most beautiful fall foliage ever, watch amazing sunrises and sunsets, and I made friends that I know I will remain in contact with for years to come. AND, I learned what can happen if you drop your bow arm too soon to watch, as Uncle Ted would say, the magical flight of the arrow. Yes, all those “HITS” in life are great. But, in all honesty, we need to experience the “MISSES” in order to learn a few lessons in life. But, if we truly learn from our experiences, we will only have to live through those horrible moments once! Shannon Deskins Southern Belle Outdoors / Bucks & Beards TV
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Determined to Heal By Sharlene Todd
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season of survival. A season of hunting. Within them the gift of love, the gift of healing, the gift of adventure and so much more. Some gifts are in the lines, some between them and others I simply continue to hokl within a grateful heart. Keeping a journal is my therapy. This is a story of my struggles (and triumphs) with cancer treatments as well as my own form of treatment... hunting.
January 2008- The first week of the New Year, I found a lump in my right breast as I brushed crumbs off my t-shirt.Iwas not too concerned; four months ago I’d had a normal mammogram. My doctor is my cousin and I was blessed to be able to see her right away. She was so understanding and caring; I got a big hug and an appointment with a specialist. January 10, 2008- The ultrasound technician felt the lump. Deep inside I said it’s nothing - denial? I watched the monitor but knew nothing about ultrasounds. I was not injterested in inquiring. I just wanted to leave the office. January 22, 2008 - Deer magazines in. hand, my husband Dick and I wait and read in the doctor’s office. We eased the tension by talking about hunting with the nurse and doctor before the biopsy. This was the first appointment with this doctor. She made us feel comfortable and relaxed. Her sense of humor is so evident, telling us a joke when she finished. “I will call you in two days with the results,” she said and I knew I would not have to wait longer. She was that ‘kind’ of a doctor!
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February 6, 2008 - A lumpectomy was scheduled for a two centimeter malignant tumor. David, my son, traveled through a snowstorm to be with us. The operation took two hours. The tumor was twice the size as it had appeared on the ultrasound. February 15, 2008 - The empathy and concern of my doctor was so evident when she called to give me a heads up for the next day postlumpectomy appointment. “The margins (area around the tumor) are all malignant and we have to talk about a mastectomy,” she stated. Her call was not hurried. I knew she cared deeply. February 27, 2008 - Had the mastectomy today. Only took an hour. My doctor does not believe in the ‘drive through kind.’ “Bring a book, you might be bored. You will be in the hospital three to five days,” she said. While there, I had to have bone and body scans. Reality finally sunk in. The cancer could be anywhere. I silently cried when the curtains were drawn around my bed. I needed time alone. Of course, everyone was there for me. “An individual does not get cancer - a family does.’’ (Chicken Soup for the Breast Cancer Survivor’s Soul). March 18, 2008 - At a follow up appointment, I told the doctor the incision still hurt although the staples were removed several weeks ago. She said, “That happens ...sometimes!” Again her sense of humor evident in just the way she responded. But she seriously continued to remind me I’d had two major operations in three weeks. March 25, 2008 - Our first visit to the oncologist was scary. Once again, we were gifted with another caring and empathetic doctor. She explained that various prerequisites and determined that a relatively new test, Oncotype DX, could be done. The tumor was sent to California. We went home to wait. April 8, 2008 - We waited nervously. The oncologist showed us the results of the test. On a scale of l -100, mine was a 12! No chemo or radiation required. How does one express that kind of gratitude? Silence filled the room. April 17, 2008 - Oncologist put me on medicine for five years to suck the estrogen out of me. Yeah, even at this age there is still some left! Second menopause - oh joy! May through September 2008 - My son, Jim, visited twice. Said he was going to be here for both of us. To help his dad spoon-feed me oatmeal (he, too, has a sense of humor) or to celebrate my wellness. On his first visit, we did not know whether I had to have chemotherapy, which can make one more sensitive to cold. It was then he gifted me with my special hunting hut. During his summer visit we celebrated my wellness and talked of hunting and the best areas to set up the hut. Thoughts of the hunting season had committed me to a spring and summer of rowing, kayaking, and canoeing to heal the incision. Email from a cousin: You are amazing! You couldn’t tear my a@! off of the couch to go stomping through that much snow. Oh, but I already told you that you would to have shoot me if I lived there with that weather hitting so early. No way! Do you all realize that it isn’t like that in other places? (She lives in Boston.) I’m only kidding; I know you love your life. You did too much for your site to heal, take it easy there woman. I know you think you are Hercules but..... October 18, 2008 - Opening day! I goofed setting the auto brew. Awake at 4:00 am instead of 5:00 am. Coffee did smell good though. I was so anxious to leave. Plans were an all day hunt with Dick, David, and Trevor (grandson). We left at 6:30 am. Thanks to my guides, I was set up in my new hunting hut. The season had finally begun! I gave thanks for the gift of this day. October 2008 - Another day of hunting had come to an end. I joined Dick and David at the truck.
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Iquickly asked, as I was so anxious to tell my story, if they’d seen anything. David (right on cue) replied, “No, did you?” In return, I casually replied, “Six or seven.” He sighed dramatically and said, “This outta be good!” I rapped him on the shoulder! How I love him! I told and retold my story all the way home. Then I called my son Jim in Wisconsin, also a hunter. They all listened eagerly. Once they, too, were young hunters anxious to get their first deer. I have only been hunting for three years, so I am still considered a young hunter at 68! October 2008 - I was in my hut and spotted a deer to my left. Difficult for me to shoot in that direction because I am a lefty! Plus it was a small hut. The deer was too little to shoot so we played eye games. Then, for heck of it, I decided to draw my gun. That was a bust! I’d forgotten it rained a few days ago and never noticed a portion of the canvas roof had caved in. Thus, when I went to move my gun, it hit ceiling which made a noise. The deer took off. Oh well, I wasn’t going to shoot it anyway! Do I sound like a seasoned hunter...yet? At least I am seeing deer! Trevor, quips, ‘’You can’t kill them unless you shoot!” Nineteen years old and he thinks he knows everything! Love him too! Oh, did I mention he got a six pointer opening day? November 2008- No deer sightings today. Saw a partridge. It scared me. Thought it was a deer coming from behind. Finally, it walked in front of my hut. Wish it had been a deer! But seeing any wildlife is a gift to me. I have always loved solitude. It speaks to my soul. November 2008 - I was given permission to hunt a friend’s private land; it is close to our home. I go alone, much to the chagrin of friends and family. Today I saw a deer about 30 yards away. I made too much noise and movement taking the safety off. It bolted. Idid not shoot. Arrived home happy though. I had another story to tell! I enjoy these hunts alone. I discover patience in the waiting. November 2008 - Raining, but did get to hunt a couple of hours. Hunted MY land - went alone - no deer. Saw a mouse, was not scared! Bravo me. So much can be heard in the woods. Itake time to listen. The silence speaks. November 2008 - Lots of snow on the ground. Dick brought a sled for our gear. We began to walk in six to eight inches of heavy snow...and two foot drifts. He thoughtfully asked if Iwould like to ride. He pulled me for awhile, but the strain of holding onto the sled seemed tiring. We walked together. I married this man 46 years ago. His love expressed in many gentle ways. The next day, I realized it does take a year to heal from surgery. My chest was sore. and stiff. November 2008 - Dick got a buck tonight! I heard the shots. I called him on the radio. “Did you gut him yet?” He laughed. Nice 8-point - the biggest he’d ever shot. We had a hard time loading it on the truck! After futile attempts, Dick had me get on the back of the truck. As instructed, I tied a rope around my waist. The other end was around the buck’s neck. Dick pushed - I pulled! We are a team! Email from a friend: Bet your chest wall is a little sore today...acting as a pulley for a 170 pound deer. November 2008- Jim sends me an email. I had sent him a picture of the buck! .Jim: Nice deer dad! Last night? Which stand? Me: Jim, I left,you a message last night from the field. I was surprised not to hear from you. Dad was in stand #4. Love, Mom .November 23, 2008 - Dick and I went to farmland today. I saw nothing all afternoon, but as I left to meet Dick, I spotted something in the field. Thought it was a deer, but was not sure until it moved. Pulled gun up and shot. I was so surprised... the deer fell down! ‘Dropped’ is what one says. Even though it :was on the ground, it kept moving ...a little. I reloaded and took another shot. I radioed Dick, but he
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didn’t answer. He had heard the shot and was on his way. A 90 yard shot. Dick walked it off for me. I called the family. Many photos sent via email! It was a button buck. I later learned while reading a hunting magazine that I’d spined him. Email from my 92-year old mom: Wish they would close their eyes when they die. After I printed your picture and looked closely, it appears to be a doe...and I felt sad. You said it had horns. I could not see them, but I will take your word for it. After looking at it more closely that is a doe right?? No antlers. Me: Mom it IS a buck, called a button buck. You can feel the horns but they are not developed enough to poke thru the skin...plus he has a scrotum and a penis!! Mom: I would hate to have to go into all of that to prove it was not a doe. Ha! Love, Mom November 24, 2008 - I had an appointment with my oncologist and then an MRI. The women who did the MRI were both hunters! I told them about my button buck kill the night before and said as soon as I was out of this machine I was going hunting again. I told them I would call if I got another one! November 24, 2008 - I was so ready to hunt the day after I got my first deer! We went for the afternoon. Isaw nothing. The sun was going to set soon, but I decided to hang in there for five more minutes. Then that unexplainable event occurred! On the last slow turn of my head I saw nothing. Then, on my next scan of the area, was a large doe standing broadside in front of me. She was looking right at me! You don’t hear them...you don’t see them coming... they are just there! For me, this is one of the most exhilarating experiences of deer hunting. She did the head thing... moving it up and down ...trying to make me move. I’m now really in touch with this game deer play. When her head was down, I moved my gun, ever so slowly into position. While all this was happening she moved, taking away about a 30 yard shot. I knew I should shoot soon! Just then another doe (same size) came up behind her. I had been so focused on the first doe that I did not see this one! Then, I saw another doe! I made an instant decision and shouldered my gun. Pick a hair. I picked the farthest doe; of the three, this looked like the best shot. I took it! Unlike yesterday, the deer did not fall down. The three of them took off in different directions. By then, I was not even sure which one I had shot! Still lots to learn! But what I had learned came to mind quickly! I radioed Dick and did not attempt to follow any of the tracks until he arrived. I showed him where the doe I’d shot had been. He looked around, but saw no hair or blood. I figured I’d missed. He took that track and told me to follow another! I had not walked far when I heard Dick shout, ‘’You gol: it!”I walked over and there lying on the edge of the woods was my big doe! Dick said, “You’re a shooting fool.”I was astonished; it looked so very big. Later, those who saw the deer or photos said 135 pounds - others said more. I took a few pictures. Dick took some also. I could see he was anxious to get to the gutting and dragging part. Did I mention he had just done this the night before? I cannot YET relate to this. I will learn how to gut next year. Not sure about the dragging part! When he finished he said, “Are you coming with me to get the truck?” I replied, “No, I’ll wait here.” Standing in the dark, by my quarry, I did what any modern day woman hunter would do;I pulled out my cell phone and called my granddaughter Julia. Trevor had called her last night to tell her about that deer. I told her it was her turn to call Trevor and tell him I shot another! She asked excitedly,”Are you serious?” She had made my day complete with that comment! That was our last hunt. The weather did not cooperate. Yes, we were disappointed, as any hunters would be. But we sure have many memories! Memories that will be shared over and over, especially if I have anything to do with it! Yes, stories are a way to pass a hunter’s time until the next, long awaited, opening day when once again you hear, ‘’Wake up! Coffee’s ready. Let’s get going!”
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Bears, Bow & Bullets By Candy Yow
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s I sat at the bottom of the trail looking up, I said a prayer for the trip into the backcountry. We are all seasoned horsemen, packers and hunters but the ways of the world can be cruel and hard on humans and horses in the Back Country. The trail is good but so many things can go wrong on the trail with a pack string. I had been preparing for this trip for months drying food, getting everything we needed into as small of packs as possible. Excitement mixed with nervousness climbed around in my soul making me giddy. We were up long before daylight, fed the horses and started putting packs together; weighting them to make sure each load was even and not too much for the animal. This took some time but before we knew it we were mounted and headed up the trail. From the trailhead looking up it didn’t look possible to get horses and mules up it, as it was solid rock, and steep as a cows face, but the trail was really very nice, it took a couple hours to reach the top and we were hardly half way to the camp yet. The scenery was spectacular, big beautiful meadows, forested hillsides, gurgling creek to cross. We took a quick break there and let the horses eat while we grabbed a quick bite ourselves, then off over the next rise we head. A couple hours later we approach what will become our home for the next several days. A fire had wiped out this country a few years back leaving burnt poles in the ground for trees, two creeks on each side of us, and a nice level area for the tents. We set up camp as quickly as possible so we could check out the area. We had seen a small herd of elk on our way in, which got our blood pumping. We planned our hunt to have a week of Archery and then to stay for a day or two once the tag switched to rifle in case we didn’t ‘t get one with a bow. After getting camp set up and horses situated we hear a
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commotion and look up to see a couple bulls on the hill behind camp. Pure excitement sits in for the next morning as we head off to bed dreaming of screaming bulls. Although sleep was not to come to me as the Grizzlies are thick in this area, not that I am afraid of bears but it’s a weird feeling when one is coming towards you and you know you can not shoot them unless you can prove you were being attacked. I could hear the horses stomping and imagined Grizzlies in camp most of the night. Up at 3 am, breakfast, take care of the horses and out the door before daylight. Randy and & I Bows in hand, headed up a draw while the other guys went a different direction. We ran into a small herd right off the bat, the bull was a nice one but I was not comfortable taking that long of a shot with my Bow, so Randy took off after him while I stayed and called in another bull. So caught up in my own fun I forgot about Randy for a while but once my bull left the scene I decided I should figure out where he went, I found him and he had a Bull Down. We spent the rest of the morning getting his bull taken care of and packed out. The next few days were spent hiking and hunting hard, I got in on numerous bulls, some really nice ones but either they weren’t close enough or a Cow seen me, or a tree was in my way, needless to say I did not get a good shot at a bull. Nothing is more fun than playing cat & mouse with screaming bulls, and my adrenaline had gone crazy for several days, to say I was getting tired and a bit frustrated would be an understatement. Of course lack of sleep listening for the grizzlies didn’t help anything either. With fresh tracks out of camp every night, I had reason to worry. Levi and Randy had gotten nice bulls, the other guy had to go home, that left Robert and I without our bulls and the next day was rifle season. My confidence grew, as much as I love archery, I have total confidence in my gun and my Barnes Triple Shock bullets! Randy and I climbed a steep ridge we had seen a big bull on the day before, it was a dark foggy morning with just a hint of snow. Just as we were about to crest the ridge a bunch of cows came over to our side, with no trees we had to freeze for what seemed like forever, during this frozen state the herd bull came over the ridge and blew snot right in my face, between the fog and just breaking daylight what a beautiful picture he created. To dark and I was not able to take a shot and they must have smelled us as they turned and climbed the ridge and headed to the other side, the bull screaming the whole way. We waited a second till we knew we were ok and crawled over the top. Now the herd bull we could hear disappearing down the draw but right in front of us was two nice smaller bulls fighting, they were totally oblivious to us sitting behind the rock watching them. I had a decision to make, take off down the draw in hopes of getting a shot at the herd bull, or take one of these. Humm most people would say I made the wrong decision
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but I took aim and let fly on the bigger of the two bulls fighting, and it was Bull Down. We had a white out snowstorm going, fog and it was just breaking daylight, but I had a beautiful bull and was on top of the world. As most hunters I take a moment and send appreciation to the Good Lord for my harvest, and like most hunters I am over come with appreciation and respect for these beautiful animals. Not 5 minutes later we heard a gunshot where Robert was hunting and sure enough we had two bulls down. Now the work begins, Randy and I get him all worked up and are waiting for a mule to pack him out, so we decided to have a snack, and cooked some fresh steaks over the fire. Really what more do you need in life than good food, good friends, beautiful country and great memories, and a trip like this filled them all. I will admit I was pretty excited to step foot on level ground when we reached the truck, but the memories were worth putting up with the Grizzlies, and tough trip. I was blessed beyond measure with the memories of a week of Bears, Bows & Bullets. Candy Yow
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Hunting Ibex in Spain By Vera de Geus
On the 19th of may I left the Netherlands to travel to Spain, not for a ‘regular’ hunting trip......No I was on my way to go hunting ibex! For days I was nervous, hardly slept, my system was preparing for this trip and thus magnificent specie. On the airport waiting for my flight, I did some last homework and looked at some video’s on youtube and was still telling myself “Vera you are not dreaming”. They told me I needed “light”hiking boots. I only have mediums and thus I brought those. The weather forcast told me that it would be a bit rainy and around 21 degrees. But common sense told me that walking and stalking in the mountains the temparture can change. So I took my spring hunting trousers, the medium heavy hiking boots, extra socks, shirts with long sleeves and one coat. I arrived in the evening and from Valencia airport we had to drive two hours to the huntinglodge, I was told we would go out stalking in the early morning, and my breakfast would be ready at 5.30. With less then four hours sleep I was wide awake, took some coffee, but couldn’t eat. To nervous and besides that I’m not a good breakfast type. We went out had a drive of approx half an hour and we started on a mountain. It was a heavy walk in the start. I live in a country with no hills or mountains, all is flat, so my legs are simply not trained on mountain walks and besides that on the gym we can train it a bit, but still there is a huge difference with the gym and practice in real life. My condition was facing a hard time but we kept a normal speed. I was out with two guides. Somewhere during that walk we had the wind coming from the left and within 5 meters away from us, behind some bushes a group of ibex was standing and started to bark alarm. WOW! I never knew ibex would make a kind of barking noise. I only know it from roe deer. But this is a other bark. It’s deeper than roe deer but less deep compared to dog
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barking. The moment I heard that I looked in the right direction and saw the behind of one ibex running away! Hooray I was seeing one so close! The wind was to strong so they didn’t came out of the bushes on the mountains. But I enjoyed my time outdoors anyway! The morning stalk is from approx 6/7 in the morning till 9/10. After that go back to the huntinglodge and take some relax time and in the late afternoon go for the second stalk. That’s from approx 6 in the evening till 10. When we went for the second stalk, one guide was directed to a side of the mountain and me and the other guide went stalking down. This was a heavy climb down. Lot’s of rocks small and big and leafs. If you put one foot in the wrong directionl; thus straight down, it will become a ski and a falling down is a fact. My muscles were ‘shouting’ but I ignored it and thought ‘muscle pain is a worry for later’. We stalked down slowly and silent. At a point my guide saw the ibex and the other guide told him “hurry up!” We postioned ourselfs and I was lying as GI Jane on the rocky mountains, my right leg holding myself steady to a tree, the caliber which is used to shoot Ibex is 300WM, therefore the recoil has a heavy impact. If you don’t position yourself steady and stabile, chances are around the corner you get a ‘blown away’ effect from the shot. I took the rifle, loaded, still on safe, looked trough the scope and I looked straight into his horns. It was a beautifull ibex with pretty big horns. My guide whispered if I could take the shot and I shaked my head in the ‘no’ postion. We had to change, I had to be on his place, gently and silent as we could we changed. I think the ibex was on less then 100 meters away from us. I moved and looked trough the scope again but the Ibex heard us and took off. The next morning we went again, saw some ibex but no chance to have one within shooting range. Important note: I didn’t went for bronze, silver or gold medal. The ibex that I was allowed to shoot would be a normal size. The evening stalk was more succesfull as the wind was gone and the sun was full shining. Then they come out and walk on the fields at the end of a mountain. I saw a -one horn-, we saw a group and from the car I was looking and enjoyed watching them. Later we saw four bucks, I was told to shoot the second. I asked my guide which one the second was, second from the right or the left...The left. I took the rifle, looked trough the scope, and the moment I looked I saw his butt. I unloaded. The guide asked me why and I explained why I unloaded. Maybe some hunters would have taken the shot, I don’t know, but I only know what I want and that is a broad clean ehtical shot. We retuned “empty handed” at the huntinglodge. I would leave Spain the next day. The hunting master asked me if I could rebook my ticket so I could do one or two extra stalk the next day. I managed to change the ticket and Friday morning I left with the huntingmaster and a extra guide. Between 6,30 & 7 we were in the mountains stalking. There was no wind, the sun was coming and almost no clouds in the sky. It was a perfect morning. Within no time we saw 2 females and one male on the other side of the valley. We took our first position but that turned out not to be a good spot. We walked slowely further. As I learned the days before that ibex are very sensitive and can hear you on big distance I was aware of my breathing, my movements from my shoes, everything, I almost thought they already could see me. I was high alert. We sat down behind some rocks. Layed the bag on the rock, and the rifle on top of it. From there we started working on the scope. The distance to the ibex was 160 meters. I was sitting/laying on a mountain, had the valley in between and the ibex was standing on the other side of the mountain. Two females and one male, who were just eating a bit. While I was looking through the scope and the adrenaline kicking in my system, I turned my head two times away from the scope to have some breathing. I was from top to bottom aware of all emotions that were in my system. I looked through the scope again had my eyes on the male and from that moment I knew the moment was coming closer I could make the shot. My system filled up with adrenaline, my rifle was not loaded yet, I looked and the ibex was coming more and more in sight. We checked my position, place the ammo (caliber 300wm) and my guide asked me if everything was oke for me to go to the last detail...... the shot. I told him I was ready, changed the look from S to F and from there the moment arrived it was serious.
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With an ibex you don’t have time to think, they turn before you know it. I looked trough the scope, it was standing broad, had my cross of the scope on his broad side, didn’t hesitate one second and took the shot........I didn’t hear the shot. Everyone who reads this will understand that I was full concentration. The ibex was down. The shot was lung and a tiny bit stomach. It walked a few meters and it felt. Ibex are very strong animals, compare it with hogs (wild boars). My first ibex was down!! When we got back to the car I took my mobile phone and called right away two hunting friends in the Netherlands and only said “Ibex down!” The pride was mine, the glory was mine! I felt fever all over my body, but I did it! I could fly back with a huge succesfull memory! When we returned to the huntinglodge I went to my room for a sleep. That was a briljant idea....I layed in my bed and the only thing what was going trough my thoughts was the moment of the shot. I feld cold, I put socks on, turned on the heating and just layed. But felt extreme cold. Ah so this is the so cold hunting fever......Right...I turned and turned but nothing worked. I decided to have a warm shower, after that went in bed again, and still wide awake. I was telling myself how absurd it was to lay in bed and couldn’t fall a sleep, the moment I was aware of that, the sleep kicked in and I woke by the alarm two hours later. When I went to to the huntinglodge for the lunch they told me they would pick the ibex later, due to big area they would go out with other hunters for a stalk and would make a logical drive. Of course I couldn’t wait.....I was tired but to curious to see my ibex. I told them if I was sleeping they had to wake me. When it was picked up from the mountain and the moment I saw it.....no words can describe how I felt. I shot a six year old buck. I looked at the place of impact shot and was proud. The distance; the 160 meters is far. It’s not a regular shot so to speak for us Dutchies. Normally from the highseat we stay within 80/120 meters. You all can imagine that my inbox was overloaded by compliments from hunting friends! Cloud 9 was mine! I could fly back to the Netherlands and my trophy will be send and I already know where I will hang it in my livingroom. The Spanish ibex I shot is the beceite and that’s the biggest one of the types living in Spain. If you want a demanding hunt, with rifle or bow in april/may the hunt is the hardest. From october it’s the rut period and thus easier. Therefore I’m extra proud that I hunted the ibex in the most difficult period of the year, 1,5 week before season would close. I walked in the area where Eva & Jim Shockey shot their ibex december 2014. Overall a proud moment that I was hunting in an area which is also known for some hunters from the US. I learned about the genetics disorders in the horns, learn to see the difference in ages of the bucks. I can recommend a ibex hunt! If you want more information about this great hunt and thus ibex hunt, do not hesitate to contact me. With hunting greetings, Vera de Geus CEO Woman@Hunt info@womanathunt.com
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All Grrrls Turkey Hunt in Kansas by Joni Marie Kiser
Group photo of all the hunters: (left to right) Kerry, Kate, Ashley, Becky Lou, Joni Marie, Jayme and Cyndie
I
n April I had the privilege to attend an all girls turkey hunt in Mound City, Kansas with Wheelers Whitetails. The hunt was organized by Becky Lou Outdoors and my company Rockstarlette Bowhunting was one of the hunt sponsors. There were a total of 13 ladies that attended, split into 2 groups who hunted 3 days each. My group consisted of 3 girls from my Rockstarlette Bowhunting Pro Staff: Jayme, Ashley and Kate, some new friends Cyndie and Kerry, myself and the always energetic and fun Becky Lou. Day 1: I am from Alaska, born and raised. I’ve hunted lots of things with my bow, but never turkeys. We don’t have turkey in Alaska so not only had I never even seen one in the wild, but I really had no idea what their calls sounded like, let alone how to make them myself with my cheap calls bought the day before! So after my first morning of sitting in a blind, we all came back to camp to regroup and have lunch. One of men who worked at the camp
Joni learned how to call turkeys with a box call on her hunt
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asked if any of us had tried to call from our blinds. I said, “I did” and got my box call to show him what I had done. He smirked, shook his head and said, “oh no!” He took the call and made a completely different sound from it. Well, I guess thats why I didnt see any toms! I laughed at myself and then did some practicing in front of him before heading back out so I wouldn’t scare anything off. Strike one for this Alaska girl! Several of us were actually novices at turkey hunting. 3 of us had flown down from Alaska so everything was new to us. Ticks? They do what? We were horrified! Snakes? Brown Recluse Spiders? Hunting in Alaska and avoiding bear attacks was sounding easier and easier! For the type of hunting that I’ve done in Alaska: black bear, brown bear, moose etc.... We don’t even use face paint (or hunt out of blinds!), so even this was a real change from the norm. The “Lower 48” girls in the group painted the Alaskan girls faces up for us and we headed back out. Jayme and I sat in a blind together. We saw quite a few hens and jakes (young male turkeys), but no toms. Mike at Wheelers doesnt allow jakes to be taken, so we were just waiting for mature toms to come in for this hunt. My calling was getting better and we got some answers back. We stayed till last light and hiked out with a pack of coyotes calls getting closer and closer as dark approached.
Hunting blind selfie of Joni and Jayme
Day 2: 4 AM again? Good Lord. I barely got to bed and we were back at it. Of the 3 days hunt; the guides took each newbie hunter out for one 1/2 day sit in the blind with them. This morning Jayme and I split up and she went with guide David and I went with guide Mike. My spot in the woods was near a river. We hiked in in the pitch dark. Once settled it wasn’t long before you could hear all the gobblers that were roosted on the river start to call. For someone who had never heard anything like that before, it was such an incredible experience to hear the woods “wake up”. Eventually hens, jakes, deer and finally 2 toms started to come in. However the toms were off to the left of the blind, angled too far back for me to see them at all. As there were no windows/openings on that side farther back. Mike was sitting to my right and could barley see them at an angle and though he called and they answered back and even were making the “drum” sound, they never did get to an angle where I could see them. Regardless, it was a cool experience and I really enjoyed The woods “waking up”, learning from Mike so I headed back for lunch feeling really fulfilled. view from the blind We hiked back to the truck and started to drive out. But to make things even better, when we stopped at Becky Lou’s blind she had a great Gobbler on the ground with her shot gun and when we got back to camp, Jayme had also gotten one with her bow in her blind with David! I get just as excited when my buddies get something as when I do, so I was hugging them and jumping around. Then we drove the guides crazy taking a ton of photos before finally heading back out. We each had 2 tags but Jayme, being the super loyal friend that she is, refused to hunt any more until I got one, saying she “wouldn’t feel right about it”. So we headed back out to the blind with her as my side kick. When I had been out with Mike and he called those 2 toms in, I heard them do their drumming sound. I was floored. I had no idea that they did this and thought it was the coolest thing ever. I tried to explain it in camp to Jayme, Cyndie and Kate like this; “you know when you pull up to an intersection next to a guy in a hooptie car and he has all the windows up and all you can hear is the bass pumping and booming from inside the car?” Because that is really what it
Turkey everywhere outside the blind but no toms!
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reminded me of! They looked at me like I was crazy until they each got to hear it for themselves. That night, as we sat in the blind, Jayme and I got to experience it together. First one, then two, then three, finally a total of 5 toms, all in a row came strutting up over the hill towards us and they were all “pumping bass.” With 5 of them doing it all at once, it was vibrating the tent. We were giddy with excitement; totally in awe, gasping and smiling at each other. They never got closer than 50 yards and even then it was through the trees and I never had a shot with my bow, but it didnt matter. We left the blind that night at dark, totally elated. I didnt care if I got a turkey or not, because I had gotten to share that amazing experience with my friend. It was a once in a lifetime thing for us Alaskan girls. To me, that is really what the hunt is all about more than a trophy in the end, its the beautiful memories that you make along the way. That night David had headed out with Kate to her blind and Becky Lou had gone with Ashley. They didnt get birds but learned a lot by having a seasoned turkey guide along with them in the blind. Cyndie however, came home with a beautiful, bearded hen with her shot gun. It was incredible! I don’t even think she realized how rare it was until we all told her. Extra cool for her first turkey ever! Day 3: 4AM again and Jayme just wasn’t having it. So I let her sleep in and I went out alone. I had fun, but didnt see any toms just lots of jakes and hens. After lunch she agreed to come back with me since it was the final night of the hunt. I had had a lot of fun on the hunt, learned a lot and seen some really cool things. I felt pretty peaceful about it. Of course I wanted to get something but ultimately I felt happy with my experience with my friends and I know that getting a turkey with a bow can be really tough so I was ok with just having a fun afternoon in the blind with my friend. We had lots of jakes and hens come in, in fact we had 2 jakes that bedded down less than 2 ft from the blind and took a nap for hours. Then finally 2 toms came in. They were on the left side of our blind and one came right in to 10 yards but stopped right behind the metal feeder leg. He just stood there with the pole blocking him so that I couldn’t shoot. I was ready, just waiting for him to take 2 steps when I heard footsteps off to my right. A deer had come up and was beside the blind, then he winded us. He started stomping his foot and snorting; and the next thing I saw was the turkey disappearing into the brush to my left. Jayme and I looked at each other with disappointment, we thought that was going to be it! I called more and got answers from 2 directions. It was so funny, I would make a call and Jayme would whisper “oh that was such a good one”. I found it really funny that 3 days earlier we had never even heard a wild turkey call and here we now were experts on what made a “good one”.
Field photo of Joni’s Gobbler, 20 lbs, 6oz, 10 inch beard and 1 inch spurs
Joni hiking out with her Gobbler
Finally, another 2 toms came in strutting. They walked straight in and stopped at 10 yards with no obstructions. The larger one was all puffed up, but the smaller tom had mellowed out and was starting to peck corn. I’m not a trophy hunter, I enjoy hunting but I am not concerned with having the biggest or best of anything, I just enjoy the whole experience of the hunt. So I raised up to shoot the smaller tom. Mike had warned us not to Joni and Jayme with Joni’s Gobbler shoot a turkey in strut so I was fine with taking the smaller of the 2 toms. taken with her Mathews SDX bow
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I drew back, put my pin on him and was about to shoot when the larger one all of a sudden dropped his feathers down and started to eat. I swung my pin over to him and dropped him. He went face down in the dirt. Jayme who had been tense this whole time watching this all go down, yelled out, “Bird down! Go get em!” Super loud, scaring every other turkey, deer and raccoon that was around us. Things went running, scrambling, flying in all directions. It was hilarious chaos. I unzipped the blind and lept out and ran over to my turkey. On Jayme’s turkey she had taken a side shot through the vitals and afterward, the guide picked it up by the feet and stood on the Rockstarlette Bowhunting Grrrls with their turkeys! neck to finish it off. Well we didnt know anything Ashley, Becky Lou, Jayme, Joni and Kate about turkey hunting and my turkey wasn’t moving, just twitching, but there was no way these inexperienced Alaska girls were taking any chances! So we both ran out and each grabbed one leg, turned him upside down and stood on the neck, just in case! We were giggling and squealing. Normally on a hunt, we’d be hugging at this point but we couldn’t since we were holding up the turkey so we just head butted over top of the turkey and laughed about how Jayme scared the whole forest off with her yell. I felt really proud that I went from Day 1 never having seen a turkey on my own, to day 3 harvesting one with my bow without a guide! I learned a lot in a short amount of time and got to spend some amazing time in the woods with girl friends. I will definitely be back to the lower 48 to try it again in the future! *Joni Marie is owner of Rockstarlette Bowhunting and Full Curl Archery and has harvested a wide variety of big game animals with her bow.
Jayme gets her face painted for hunting the first time in her life by Kerry Kemper
Joni and Jayme used the ash face paint throughout their hunt!
The camo face paint that we used on Day 1 really itched my face. Becky Lou told me that she had heard you can burn the end of a cork and use the ash for paint. I tried this and it worked like a charm with no itch and no worry of smearing it! Heres how it worked: take a wine cork and a match and burn the end of the cork for about 30+ seconds until it is black. Let it cool about 30 seconds and use the the burnt end of the cord and rub directly onto your face. Works like a charm, no irritation and it costs virtually nothing!
Just burn the end of the cork with a match and use the ash as your face paint!
Huntress Harvest