Caroline McCracken
VOL 1 ISSUE 5 Sept/Oct 2015
With her sight set on the Olympics INSIDE Taylor Drury carrying the torch Bow Fishing with Lisa Delta Day 2015 Texas Archery Axis with Kristi Turn your passion into a lifestyle with Teresa
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Welcome to Huntress Life Magazine Articles
Caroline McCracken-Olympic Archery Hopeful By Mary Dugie...............................................................................................4 Delta Day 2015
By Kimberly Snyder........................................................................................8
Blackmouth Curs By Amanda Bronder.......................................................................................11 Texas Archery Axis By Kristi Lynn Hair.......................................................................................12 Taylor’s Black Bear Hunt By Candace Hubble........................................................................................16 Couples That Hunt Together Stay Together By Candy Yow..............................................................................................20 A Splash of Color and a Pinch of Sparkle, Creates Magical Artwork Christy Turner..............................................................................................22 My Top 10 Backcountry Tips By Nancy Rodriguez......................................................................................26 Grace Goes Bow Hunting Shasta Sitton................................................................................................28 Huntress Life MAGAZINE
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Don’t Doubt Big Dreams- Purse Them! Passion to a Lifestyle Teresa DePalma............................................................................................30 Taylor Drury Carring the Torch- The Future of Lady Hunters Judy Erwin Branham....................................................................................34 Passion for the Hunt Chelsea Tubridy............................................................................................42 Bow Fishing with Lisa Lisa Powell...................................................................................................44
Product Reviews Judy’s Reviews
What to Choose
Fall Archery Must Haves for Shooters and Hunters Judy Erwin Branham....................................................................................40 *****RETRACTION NOTICE***** An individual mentioned in an article in the July/August edition of Huntress Life has requested they not be associated with the article or the author. To honor this request, we would like to make the following statement: Mr. Nolan Barbisan no longer wishes to be linked to or associated with Eli Rickert, whether through her recently published article or any other she may publish with Huntress Life. ****REMINDER TO WRITERS**** Please obtain the permission of those you name in your articles or show in your photos that are submitted to Huntress Life for publication. We do not require written releases or police your article content other than making sure it is appropriate for our reader base and target audience, as this is a magazine written by you about your accomplishments and other subjects important to Huntresses and their lifestyle. Lets continue to have fun and share useful information with each other!
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Caroline McCracken Olympic Archery Hopeful By Mary Dugie
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I had the occasion to meet Caroline at one of my gun league meetings, which are held at GreenTop sporting goods store. The training for the night was Introduction to Archery and she was going to be our instructor‌ she was 14 years old. She is the youngest US Archery licensed instructor and shoots as a part of the Green Top Archery Team when she isn’t off competing to win a place on the US Archery Team.
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aroline was introduced to archery by her grandfather Jimbo Rice, who bought her a bow for Christmas when she was 13 years old. Jimbo works for Dance’s Sporting Goods, another Richmond, VA area shop. Not having anyone to teach her how to shoot her new bow, she watched a lot of online videos to learn how to shoot and read a lot of material. She had a book by Larry Wise and wanted him to sign it, so she talked her dad into taking her to Pennsylvania to meet him and get it signed. While they were there, he had her shoot for him and told her about the Junior Dream Team. She asked him what type of kids they look for as applicants and he told her “someone JUST LIKE YOU!” He asked her if she would be interested in going to the California Junior Dream Team Selection Camp and shooting/training for a week to see if she would get picked for the Junior Dream Team. He was Caroline’s personal coach. That is when Caroline had to make some serious decisions with her parents. An avid equestrian competitor competing on a national level, she decided to give up her horse for archery and the chance to become a member of the Junior Dream Team. With that decision, she gave up school and started being homeschooled by her parents to allow her the opportunity to travel when she needed to. She started her competition career at the Virginia State Championships in 2013 and won! She continued to compete and ended up at the National Tournament being held at James Madison University and took Third Place there. Caroline is currently nationally ranked in the top 10 of the 15-17 year old age group. Caroline submitted her resume and target scores and got accepted to go to California for the Junior Dream Team Selection Camp, where she spent a week on her own. She had to wait until Thanksgiving 2014 to find out that she had made the team. Since then she has been travelling extensively, competing in qualifying shoots on an international stage with Linda Beck as the Team Coach. Caroline shoots a Mathews Conquest Prestige bow with V-Stinger Stabilizers, Easton arrows and Sure-loc sight. Most major corporations do not usually sponsor minors, so Caroline
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is challenged to get her equipment and accessories on her own. Fortunately, Green Top Sporting Goods decided that they could sponsor her and provide her with her bow and arrows. She is also on Sure-loc’s Pro Staff and they provide her with her sights. While talking during the instruction period to her dad about the arrows he had been working on, I asked how far those particular ones were made to shoot (much heavier than a broadhead.) These were made to shoot at 55 yards (50meters) at 10 rings, in groupings of about 4” inches. Currently a Cadet on the Junior Dream Team, Caroline hopes that she will become the first woman archer to compete with a compound bow in the Olympics. She has to attend one training camp a year and compete in 5 national USAT tournaments to maintain her standing with the Team, as well as shoot a Minimum Qualifying Score( MQS) this year of 636. George Ryals of the Archery Learning Center from Georgia is her current personal coach. Caroline indicated that there have been times that it has been very hard and she thought that she might quit. Her supporters and sponsors have been the saving grace for her. She has supporters that she has known or met during her journey that are happy and able to assist her and her parents to make it work. She travels a lot with the team and a few times a year has to travel on her own to training camps or tournaments. When travelling on her own, a parent needs to accompany her to handle the logistics since she isn’t old enough to rent hotel rooms or cars (let alone drive one!) Her parents are huge supporters, with her mother handling her schedule and her dad acting as her chauffer and escort to most events. In order to defray her travel costs and other expenses, her family has set up a Go Fund Me
page where you can follow Caroline’s adventures and competitions on line and help fund her progress. GoFundMe.com\CarolineMcCracken They also receive donations through local events, most notably raffles with prizes offered by Green Top, where all proceeds go to her family. When asked if she has any regrets about the turn her life has taken over the last couple years, she said she misses her school friends and the interaction she had with kids at school. But that has been traded for the friendships made with fellow competitors across the country. All in all, she is happy with her choices and doesn’t regret her decision to follow her dreams. www.dancessportinggoods.com www.greentophuntfish.com http://www.sureloc.com/ http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Archery www.GoFundMe.com\CarolineMcCracken
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Delta Day 2015 By, Kimberly Snyder
Being a hunter is also being a conservationist and one who restore habitats for nature to ensure future generations the ability to hunt, trap and enjoy the outdoors. One such organization that I am particularly fond of is Delta Waterfowl Foundation. I am the chairman for the Rappahannock River Delta Waterfowl Chapter and recently took my family on a Delta Day Event that celebrated the outdoors and brought children out to enjoy and learn about hunting, waterfowl, turkey and much more.
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The Lancaster Chapter of Delta Waterfowl puts on an event every year that is centered around youth. My family and I traveled to Lancaster, PA and witnessed firsthand many volunteers giving back to the youth and celebrating our future generation of hunters. The event started at 8:30 in the morning and included lunch and many different stations designed to teach youth about different aspects of hunting. There were children from all over the area, including some disabled and the one thing you couldn’t miss from the day was the smiles displayed on every child’s face. This event covered so many different areas: Sherriff Dog Demonstration with Sgt. Dave Bolton, Archery shooting for the youth with Lancaster Archery Supply, Trap Shooting, Trapping Seminar, 22 cal. Rifle Shooting, Turkey calling with Scott Hoyer, Goose Calling and laying in a field blind with Final Guide Championship Calls, Decoy carving/painting with Joey Jobes Gunning Decoys, Duck Calling with Tom Hindman, Retriever
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Dog Demonstration with Deb and Doug Hunter, along with many door prizes and gun raffles. Delta Waterfowl Foundation is an organization that is the voice for duck hunters, and advocate for the duck and an organization that is focused on preserving the habitats for our waterfowl. Delta Waterfowl has stood by the commitment to stand by Waterfowlers everywhere and create opportunities for the future generations to not only enjoy hunting but to grow with an appreciation for our waterfowl. This commitment to the youth was displayed on Delta Day 2015. http://www.deltawaterfowl.org/welcome. html Mr. Matt Kneisley the Regional Director alongside the Chairman of the Lancaster Chapter, Mr. Todd Bergman organized an event alongside many volunteers that will forever resonate in my families’ heart and gave new fuel and passion to our children who are already exposed to waterfowl hunting and conservation daily. This event and events like these don’t require you to hunt; they don’t require the children to have any prior knowledge of the outdoors. They are events that enable young and old alike to experience friendships, fellowship with other conservationists or just plain enjoy a day outdoors with the family. “Delta Waterfowl’s mission to produce ducks and secure the future of duck hunting is fueled by passionate, dedicated volunteers. They organize fund-raising banquets, manage local conservation projects, host First Hunt events for the youth and provide Delta with resources to meet critical program objectives.” Please take the time to go to these events, experience the love of the outdoors and see that hunting is conservation. Hunting season is gearing up for everyone, encourage each other to get your hunter safety education course taken. Mentor a youth this season and take someone new outdoors to experience what hunting is all about, friendship and respect. Our future is our youth and by mentoring them, encouraging them, and giving them the opportunity to learn about conservation, to learn about gun safety and to experience the sound of geese and ducks committing to your decoy spread will live in their hearts forever.
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BLACK MOUTH CURS By Amanda Bronder
Black mouth curs are a very versatile, loyal dog. They work hard no matter if it working cattle or hunting hogs, but yet make a great family companion off the clock. These dogs can come in a variety or colors, and sizes, but have a uniform structure. While there are several people all over that have Black mouths as pets they are the definition of a true working dog. A lot of people use them in hunting various game; hog, bear, coon, rabbit, squirrel. They are great
at treeing and baying and have a high prey drive besides hunting there are a lot of cowboys and ranchers that use these canine athletes to find, bay, and work cattle. Overall these dogs are very protective of their family. They will trail game from the ground or wind. With that being said they are also great dogs from trailing wounded game. Black mouth curs are a rugged, muscular, sturdy dog that originated in the South. These dogs are primarily yellow, fawn, or red with or without a noticeably dark muzzle or mask. They can also have red or pink masks which as considered “pale markings�. These dogs can also have small amount of white on their legs, head, chest, and tail. Ideally they should have a flat, blocky head with heavy jaws. They should have a heavily muscled broad, deep chest and their
ears should be attached high on the head and be small to medium in size. They are a medium to large breed. Females can get between 45-85 pounds while males are 55-115 pounds. Next time you are looking for a four legged co-worker, great family companion, or both give the black mouth cur a thought, I highly doubt you will be disappointed. Over the years this breed has proven to be one of the most hard working, loyal, and willing to please breeds you could ask for.
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Texas Archery Axis
By Kristi Hair
It has always been a dream of mine to take a mature Axis buck with my bow. My dream was about to come true. This hunting journey began with a trip to Texas. We’ve been friends with Elton Archenaux of Broken Spur Ranch for several years. He was so gracious to invite us for the hunt of a lifetime. Taking an Axis with a bow has always been on my bucket list. For those of you who have not hunted Axis before, please all
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ow me to tell you a little bit about them. The axis deer, or chital (Cervus axis Erxleben), are native to the Indian subcontinent. They have a bright tan/ reddish coat marked with beautiful rows upon rows of white spots. The antlers of males larger than that of a whitetail, but much more simple in their design (normally 3 points) on each side. The axis deer was first introduced into Texas in the 1930s and are now thriving due to the vegetation resembling their native habitat in India. Axis males are rather larges, weighing in the 200 lb range. The meat is the finest I’ve ever had. They are also much more spooky than a whitetail, always on guard, very cautious and extremely hard to get within bow range. Unlike whitetails, Axis can breed year round. However, most breeding occurs during the months of June and July. Therefore, there I was, heading to Texas to hunt an Axis during peek rut. My dream was becoming a reality. As we arrived in Texas, Elton informed us that he knew where a nice herd was frequenting. Our game plan was to set up a few feeders in that area, near a watering hole. The goal being the Axis would come to the food source or water. Since Axis are such a difficult species to bow hunt, we decided it would be best to start out in a blind. Let the hunting begin! Morning one started off early. We arrived at the blind way before daylight, got set up & waited. Several
hours later, I noticed two Axis does attempting to come to our blind from the right hand side. One or the variables in hunting that you cannot control is the weather. As luck was not on our side, our wind suddenly shifted directly towards the does. Poof. They were gone. We did not see any other Axis in sight, therefore, we called the morning hunt off and decided to come back in the afternoon for our next hunt. Day one. 2nd hunt. This time we decided due to wind conditions to choose another blind. This blind was where there had been a lot of rutting activity taking place and we figured it would be our best chance at getting an Axis buck within bow range. After several hours sitting in a very hot blind, our patience paid off. I looked to my right and noticed a herd of Axis coming our way. There were several very respectable bucks in this group and one who was obviously the head honcho. This herd never did come within bow range. However, we were covered up in Axis all night. I was able to witness Axis bucks grunting, making scrapes, raking trees & tons of peek rut activity. I even saw an Axis buck mount a doe. This experience in and of itself made the hunt
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worthwhile. A kill would just be icing on the cake. We have this all on video and will make for a most excellent show as most are not as fortunate to witness this amazing Axis behavior during rut in their natural habitat. I had my bow in hand the entire time ready to release the mystical flight of the arrow. I also had a rifle sitting right next to me. With the Axis hanging out about 60-70 yards, I really had to show self restraint. Trust me, there are multiple times I considered picking up that gun and smoking one. Ultimately my goal was to take one with a bow. I reminded myself of that & stuck to my original game plan. Day two. Morning hunt. Since we had so much activity the previous night at the one blind, we decided to try it again. Arriving way before daylight and sitting for hours. It was extremely hot and we saw a few ground squirrels and rabbits, but not one single Axis. Since Axis are herding animals that graze all day we came up with a new strategy. We are in Texas hill country. We can spot Axis from a very long range. We decided to get out of that blind and attempt a spot and stalk. Day two. Afternoon hunt. The wind was pretty stout. The sun was beating down upon me. In full camo, I was hot and uncomfortable. However, I was beyond determined to take an Axis with my bow. We spotted a nice Axis buck up on a ridge. We had scrub brush, shadows and trees for concealment. It was the ideal situation for a stalk. He was several hundred yards away, therefore, we had to move stealthily, slowly and quietly. Patience was the key as we did not want to spook this majestic creature. Our adventure was several hours in the making. However, after belly crawling, stopping, hiding in the shaded areas, scrub brush or behind trees, we finally got to about 45 yards & that was the closet we were going to be able to get. I waited until the opportune moment, when the Axis buck put his head behind a tree. Then I ever so slowly stood up, drew back and released my arrow. I hit him. With the wind conditions being stout and the distance longer than I would have liked, my original shot was lower than I would have liked. I thought I may have clipped the heart and he was bleeding heavily. We closely watched him as he ran off. Then we reviewed the film. We knew he was hit and hit good by the amount of blood. I also knew I did not want to
wait 6-8 hours for him to go lay down and pass. Therefore, we came up with a game plan. The Axis ran towards the direction of a watering hole. For those of you who do not know, injured animals often bed up or go to a watering source. We decided to give it about an hour, then stalk up to the watering hole. That hour was beyond gut wrenching. The watering hole was up on ridge, allowing me the ability to belly crawl without being seen. There was no guarantee, just a chance he would be there. This
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was a chance I was willing to take. I slowly belly crawled up to an area of trees where I was able to peek my head up and view the water source. I saw antlers & big ones, his head was down and he was drinking, still bleeding heavily. I grabbed my range finder and clicked him at 60 yards. I had to get closer. I stalked sideways, using the ridge as my cover and was able to range him at 45 yards. I went ever so slowly, he never knew I was there. He was looking around but never saw his predator. I knew this was my one opportunity to ensure a quick clean kill to finish him off. As soon as he put his head down, I stood up, drew back and released my arrow. This time, shot placement was perfect, I knew he was lunged. I watched him stumble off, doing cartwheels and watched him go bed down. I was in awe, shock, amazed, emotional and overwhelmed. I just did what I thought was impossible. I arrowed an Axis. Not only an Axis, a beautiful, mature buck. We gave him about 30 minutes to expire, then went to recover. He was amazingly beautiful. As I looked over my shot placement, the second shot indeed lunged him. The first shot was a kill shot, but I do not believe in allowing an animal to suffer and if you are able to get another arrow in, it is your responsibility as an ethical hunter to do so. That is when the tears just started flowing. I could not stop crying. My dream had come true. God had blessed me with a beautiful creature and the ability to feed my family. My husband was able to document the entire experience. I was overwhelmed with feelings I cannot describe. Pure joy, a true respect for the animal I had just taken and pride. At that very moment I was proud to be an American, thankful for the right to hunt, grateful for the skill to be able to take an animal of this magnitude with a bow and amazed that we have such an awesome God who encourages us to be self sufficient providers. “Now then, get your equipment--your quiver and bow--and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.” ~ Genesis 27:3 NIV Following this joyful experience we decided to do a little small game management. I was able to take a few jack rabbits and a black squirrel. All with my bow. This trip was beyond a dream come true. How amazing that this is my reality. I am forever thankful to my husband, Clay Hair, who
tags along and films my hunts, inspires me, encourages me and pushes me to be the best that I can be. I am incredibly thankful to Elton of Broken Spur Ranch for hosting us on such an amazing hunt. Most of all, I am thankful to God, for without Him, none of this would be possible. If you would like to see this hunt, we air nationally on The Hunt Channel (266 DISH) Sunday mornings 7:30 a.m. Central Time / 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time. You may also watch us on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, streaming live on huntchannel.tv or on our website www.crosshairstv.com (simply click on “The Show” icon and you can scroll through our current episode as well as previous ones). I hope you enjoyed my story. I truly appreciate you taking the time to read it.
Peace, Love & Axis, Kristi Hair
lack Bear H B s ’ r o l u y nt a T
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By Candace Hubble Meet Taylor K. She is 15 years old and loves the outdoors. She recently shot a Manitoba Black Bear with a cross bow and has received some negative feedback from some friends and family about the kill and the video of the hunt with her father. I am not ok with this and you shouldn’t be either.
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I am friends with Taylor’s father on social media and saw the awesome video of Taylor’s black bear hunt which sparked the conversation about some of the responses she has received and knew I wanted to write about her story. As a fellow hunter & outdoor enthusiast I feel a responsibility to ensure the younger generation continues to fight for our heritage of the outdoors because they are our future. With social media and bullying at such a high level it is paramount that we show our support for young hunters and encourage them to the fullest extent. First please check out the video of Taylor’s Manitoba Black Bear hunt: https://vimeo.com/132998187 I completed a quick Q&A with Taylor and I wanted to share some of her responses; it’s a refreshing moment for me to hear such a positive outlook and headstrong approach to her love of the outdoors. Q: Why do you love hunting, fishing, and the outdoors? A: I love hunting and the outdoors because it reminds me of my father and my grandfather. It’s an amazing experience knowing that you can do something with an experienced guardian that most teenagers don’t really get. Q: Before the bear hunt, what has been one of your best outdoor memories so far? A: Before my bear I would have to say my best memory hunting was to shoot my first white tail buck and then seeing my father so proud of me, and just to see him smile. Q: Tell me about your Manitoba Black Bear Hunt. A: My bear hunt was very mild but there were some tiring times when we had to bait but it was all worth it. Finally getting the time to go hunt with my father was all worth it and knowing that I had guidance there with me acknowledging your every action makes it so much better for me. They teach you about the most important things about hunting like never to waste it and use every piece. Giving meat to feed my family is a beautiful thing and was the greatest yet. Q: What kind of responses or feedback have you been getting about the bear hunt and video? A: I have been getting a lot of hate for doing what I love best. There aren’t many 15 year old girls who can shoot a crossbow in a tree stand. I think what I am doing is right and they are not really affecting me with what they have to say.
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Q: How do the negative responses make you feel or affect you? A: The negative comments don’t affect me one bit because in my opinion I believe more teenagers should know how to hunt, skin, and eat an animal rather than going to the store to get beef or chicken. Q: What do you say in response to any negativity about your outdoor lifestyle? A: To all the people who try to discourage me I would like to thank them because it makes me feel unique that so many people don’t have the skills to hunt but I can. It’s a blessing to have such courage in my heart and that blessing and encouragement in my head is too strong to obey other people’s orders. Hunting is my life and it always will be. As you can see Taylor has a strong sense of why she hunts and works very hard to acknowledge the courage she has. Unfortunately, not every young hunter or outdoor lover has an experienced guardian or mentor to guide them or the strength to stand up for what they believe. When peer pressure and the constant need to fit in for youth pushes hard many can fall apart or abandon certain beliefs. Taylor is the face of our hunting heritage and we need to continue to encourage her and others or risk losing our hunting traditions and privileges. There isn’t much else I need to say about Taylor; her strong sense of self speaks loudly and as you can see in her pictures she enjoys fishing and hunting whitetail and turkey too. Please share this story with others, especially youth hunters for encouragement, and leave comments on the video page of Vimeo. You can also send comments through my public Facebook page (www.facebook.com/CamocandaceCC2) for me to forward on. https://m.facebook.com/Im.The.master.Of.puppets?tsid=0.6721747692208737&source=typeahead
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Couples that Hunt together Stay together By Candy Yow
Dawn is breaking as we crest the ridge; the brisk air on our lungs and God’s Beauty abounds around us. The excitement to see a new piece of country and hopefully some awesome elk drive us further on, we have been hiking in the dark for 2 hours already and want to get as far back in the back country as possible before daylight. We know we are pushing it now as pinks and blue explode across the horizon in front of us, the colors changing every couple minutes as the wind whispers through the trees. Each and every hunt is the same in so many aspects but one thing that never changes is the shadow always ahead of me as we hike hundreds of miles, many of them in the dark chasing Western Big Game and that is my husband. I can without a doubt state he is the most amazing hunter on the earth. Its like he has a connection with the wildlife, especially elk and he knows where they will be and how to get to them. We do 99% of our hunts together, a few times we get pulled apart to go help someone else or family emergency separates us, but for the most part we are a team. If he has the tag I am filming and vise versa, if we are helping someone else I will either film or spot but we are always together. What a great life we lead if you really think about it. A couple should be best friends and try to do everything together that they can, especially share special moments like harvesting a bull elk or helping your grandson harvest his first mule deer. It is these moments that hold you together like glue when things get tough. Everyone will have disagreements and trouble but when you can share the good and the bad together I think it strengthens the relationship. Randy is hardcore and I will admit its not always easy keeping up with him, but the part I love is he is always there. I am pretty independent and often don’t appreciate the fact that he is there, but when I do get a bit excited by the track of that huge grizzly that just passed by us, or the wolves howl-
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ing just beyond camp, or a vehicle that is broke down, I remember to appreciate him and all he does. Sometimes its hard as I work so hard to do all I do to keep up and do the cooking and camp chores, but what I frequently take for granted is the security that he always has control over. I am not afraid of much, but there are a few things that will put me in a panic and thank God those things don’t really bother him, hence the fact that we are made for each other. I am not afraid of bears, but put me in the wilderness with Grizzlies and I will be a bit nervous, because you will have to make sure your life was threatened before you think about protecting yourself and I think that is wrong. I have never killed just to kill and never would but if I see a big ole bear coming my way I would like to think I could protect myself without having to go to court to prove the fact. Snakes, oh yea, that will make me squeal like a little baby, it has brought entertainment to our camp on more than one occasion, I hate snakes. But we all have our things that set us off, and I was truly blessed with a man that will help me through these. Really that is all life is about, we all have our issues and insecurities and we all need someone to stand beside us at times no matter how tough we are. If we can take negative experiences and make positive experiences out of them and learn something in the process I think we are all better off, and when you can do that with the person you love and want to share every day with, it makes it even that much better. So ladies get out there and hunt with your husbands, even if its cold, and tough and you are a bit miserable. You will see sunrises together; he will help you past your insecurities as well as you helping him too. You will share happiness, sadness, pain, and be uncomfortable, but it will also gain you respect, self-confidence, and a new love and appreciation for your husband. Challenge yourself to get out and share in his world, not just on one hunt but truly share his compassion and love for Gods world. I think you will be happy you did. Candy Yow Extreme Desire TV
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A Splash of Color and a Pinch of Sparkle, Creates Magical Artwork By Christy Turner
I
like a lot of color, I love beads and crystals and I like to get creative. For some reason we like to put limits on ourselves and don’t think outside of the box. But when I started hunting 20 plus years ago I learned quickly that I could not afford to have every buck shoulder mounted. I love European skull mounts but they got boring to me. So it forced me to become creative and to think outside of my box. To get started if your skull hasn’t already been boiled and bleached I would start there first. You need a clean dry skull to work with. We do this outside because sometimes it can get a little stinky. You can have a big metal pot on a burner, or what Billy made us is a plastic barrel with the top cut off and a hot water heater element and thermostat. I call it our crock pot, we can put several deer heads in at once and it slowly loosens all the meat and tissue off of the skull. I also like to add a little Borax and Pine Sol to help release the grease off of
I use a paper plate to hold my supplies and then it is an easy clean up.
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my cross. After the cross was completely dry I started gluing turquoise chips all over. It is time consuming and I usually do a little at a time and it may take me several days. My husband cuts out several boards for me to screw the skull to. This board I just sanded and stained. I spent a little money on the turquoise chips and Swarovski crystals but I have done some similar to this one that are just as cool but a lot cheaper. Sometimes I paint the skull black and then I glue on aquarithe skull. You want to make sure the grease is off. Then I go to Sally’s Beauty Supply and I buy Basic White bleach (a powder that you would highlight your hair with) and 40 Volume Peroxide. Get the cream instead of liquid because it is just easier to work with and 40 volume is the highest lift compared to 30 and below. Mix the bleach powder and 40 volume peroxide per the instructions on the container. Then I use a sponge brush and paint the whole skull with the bleach, underneath and in the eye sockets. Be careful not to let it splatter on the antlers because it will bleach them also! If it does happen and you didn’t notice, you can fix it by wiping the antler with wood stain. Next I get my saran plastic wrap and wrap the skull up. This helps keep the bleach in place and the heat in. I like to set it out in the sun to help heat the bleach, I think it helps activate it and makes it work better. After an hour or so I check it. I reapply if needed or I rinse it off with the water hose. When it is completely dry we are ready to paint! I first painted this skull with a turquoise basic craft paint that you can buy at Walmart or any craft store. After it had completely dried, I started with my bronze colored Swarovski flat back beads. I use E6000 glue along with a toothpick and made
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I hang antlers and skulls throughout our house. Even in our bathroom I have two of them and use one to hang my jewelry on
um rocks. I found them at Walmart by the gold fish. I bought a bag that came in all different shades of turquoise and blues. This is a lot less expensive but still very cool looking. The most difficult, time consuming and expensive one I ever did and that I will never try again was this Swarovski antlered deer skull. I had no idea what I was starting when I began gluing these little crystals on and a year later I had finally finished. I may or may not have cried a few times thinking I was never going to finish. If I do something like this again I will be using bigger crystals. It was just a very tedious task gluing each tiny crystal on with a toothpick. I had first bought a package of 500 small flat back Swarovski crystals; I learned that was not near enough. I would just keep buying and needing to reorder, and reorder and reorder. I have over 5,000 Swarovski crystals on these deer antlers! This cost me over $500.00 just in the crystals and several bottles of glue! I guess I should have just had this buck shoulder mounted, but then again I have
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a one of a kind piece of art in my home. A piece of art that comes with so many memories and emotions while on this particular deer hunt and the many nights I spent crying gluing on crystals! This can be a lot of fun and your kids can even help and get involved. My nine year old twin girls like to help and have even made some for their 4-H Project show that also made the auction and sold. We also like to get creative with the boards that we screw the skulls to. I have glued on fabric to the board, decoupage tissue paper to the board, and have even used big sheets of duct tape to the board. I have used crackle paint on the board and on the skulls, don’t limit yourself get creative! I also have them throughout my house just not in the living room. At the end of our hallway I have a big group of them. In our bathroom I have two of them and use one as a jewelry holder also. They make great gifts too. I get really attached to my personal bucks with all of the memories of our hunts. So if I make one as a gift I just buy a European mount on eBay and then spice it up. Enjoy getting creative and thinking outside of your box, so many possibilities! My nine year old twin girls Calista and Cassity like to help get creative and paint and decorate skulls too.
*TIP When gluing small stones or crystals on the antler it can be hard to glue and have it look nice and even if it is bumpy towards the base. I found that using clear caulk towards the bases smooth my work surface which makes it a lot easier to glue my small stones to and it is a lot neater looking.
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My Top 10 Backcountry Tips By Nancy Rodriguez
After spending numerous hunting seasons living out of a backpack in the backcountry, I have found a few tips and items that can make life a whole lot easier during your next backcountry adventure. Here are my top ten must haves for the backcountry. 1. SPOT Satellite Tracker- The SPOT is an emergency locating beacon and satellite GPS messenger. Not only can you send out an emergency SOS transmission to emergency responders if need be, but you can also send a message to your loved ones that everything is okay in the backcountry. This is the most important 5 ounces I carry in my pack. 2. Water Filtration Systems- Weighing only 2 ounces, the Sawyer Mini water filter is a backpackers dream. It is so small and compact that you can use the straw to drink right out of the tiniest seep of water. Pump filters use a lot of energy, so for big volumes of water I prefer the Sawyer gravity feed purifier. Just pour in the water and let gravity do the work. 3. Hiking at Night - Hiking during the heat of the day can quickly cause heat exposure, energy depletion, and dehydration. Hiking at night will minimize the stressors of the heat and you will lessen your water consumption.
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4. Cozy Camp- Depending on your hunt, you may spend numerous nights sleeping on the dirt. Of course you will want to remove rocks, sticks, and brush away from your tent location, but making your tent pad level is just as important. No matter what the slope is, we will clear dirt to make our pad level. We try to do this on a scouting trip. This way our camp spot will be ready to go for the hunt and we can quickly set up (even in the dark). 5. Flagging Tape- A small piece of flagging tape wrapped around a strap on your backpack will help you locate your pack more easily when you drop it for a stalk. It also makes it easier to keep tabs on your hunting partner if you separate. 6. Luci Solar Lantern- This is an inflatable solar powered lantern that weighs less than 4 ounces. It’s extremely bright and doesn’t require batteries. During the day just set it out in the sun to recharge, so when you get back to camp it will be ready to go. It’s perfect for the backcountry or at any camp. 7. Cushioned Toe Tape- This may seem minor, but your feet are everything in hunting. Personally, I get hotspots on my toes (no matter what boots I have on). Nexcare waterproof tape is cushioned medical tape that helps to alleviate hotspots. Wrap a small amount around a straw (cut the straw to size), so you don’t have to carry the entire roll in your backpack. 8. Wax Paper and Cotton Ball Fire Starters- Fire starters should always be in your backpack. Two lightweight fire starters that I have had great success with are cotton balls dipped in Vaseline and folded up Wax paper. They are both extremely flammable, super light weight and take up hardly any space in your pack. 9. Emergency SOL Bivvy- The SOL emergency bivvy is a perfect survival bag. Whether your sleeping bag gets wet or you’re caught away from camp at night, the SOL bag will do the trick. They are waterproof, windproof, and reflect up to 90% of your body’s heat back to you. They weigh less than 4 ounces and pack down to the size of a small apple. 10. Clip On Light- It’s always a good idea to carry a secondary emergency light source. Clip on lights are about the size of a quarter, weigh next to nothing and easily clip on the outside of your pack. In the event a headlamp goes out, you will always have a back up light source.
After years spent in the backcountry, I still learn new techniques and find new gear to help us have enjoyable experiences. Remember, if you have an idea or find a product that you can’t live without, share them with others. You never know if you can help someone have a better experience or it could even save someone’s life. I wish everyone a safe, enjoyable and successful hunting season.
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“Grace Goes Bowhunting” By Shasta Sitton Published by Whitetail Press, LLC www.whitetailpress.com whitetailpressllc@gmail.com About the book:
Today is the day! After months of practicing with her bow, Grace finally gets to go on her first bow hunt with her parents. Follow along as Grace experiences firsthand what it takes to harvest a beautiful whitetail buck. How the book was developed: Shortly after my son, Wyatt, was born, I began looking for children’s books on hunting. I was surprised at how difficult this seemingly easy task turned out to be. That was the inspiration behind my first book, “Wyatt’s First Whitetail,” which was released in May of 2014. It was a fun experience, but I really did it for my son. I wasn’t sure if anything would even come of it. After the release, “Wyatt’s First Whitetail,” started to get some positive feedback. Parents liked having a children’s book around the house that they enjoyed reading as much as the kids did. That led me to begin thinking about what I would write for a second book. My original plan was to write a sequel to continue Wyatt’s adventures, but I kept thinking about how there are no children’s hunting books featuring girl hunters. As an avid hunter myself, I thought this was incredibly unfair. That is how my second book, “Grace Goes Bowhunting,” was developed. In the book, a young girl named Grace goes on her first whitetail bowhunt with her mom. She also learns the importance of ethical hunting, safety, and develops an even greater appreciation for the nature around her. Girls are getting more and more interested in hunting and I wanted to encourage that as best I could with a book to represent their hunting experience. My goal has never been to make a profit on my books. In fact, I invest every penny I earn into printing more books so that I can reach even more kids with this important message. Get outside kids! Enjoy nature, it’s pretty wonderful. “Grace Goes Bowhunting,” has been endorsed by Eva Shockey, Dr. James Kroll from Dr. Deer, Inc., Adventuress Magazine, Huntress View, and Parenting Done Right Outdoors. Both of Shasta’s books can be found on her website at www.whitetailpress.com and on Amazon. You can also follow Whitetail Press on Facebook and Twitter for the latest news and giveaways!
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Get Your Huntress Life Apparel while supplies last. New styles coming soon! http://Huntresslife.com/store
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Don’t doubt big dreamsPursue them! Passion TO Lifestyle By Teresa DePalma
G
rowing up in a small town in Southern Oklahoma I developed a love for the outdoors at an early age and had always dreamed of somehow converting that love into something more. Over the years I have experienced many adventures in the outdoors increasing that passion. Rather it be hunting, fishing, camping or hiking, being outdoors has always made me feel at home.
That passion slowly turned into more than just that when I met my husband. Our love for the outdoors increased tremendously due to the mutual passions we shared. Our biggest love is bow hunting. We not only transformed our large property in NY to a hunter’s paradise, we also traveled the county for many years chasing big game together and couldn’t imagine our life without the “woods”. We have always shared the dream of someday converting our love/passion for the outdoors into an actual lifestyle but just like most hunters, we work extremely hard all year just to be able to do what we love every fall. In 2011, I took my love for hunting to a new level and chose to get more involved in the hunting industry itself, hoping it would feed that need for being in the outdoors even more. With having multiple degrees in business, I thought I could combine my knowledge with my passion and kick start that dream of an outdoor lifestyle. I joined several hunting organizations, started my own hunting product review website and from there Co-hosted a TV show, attending multiple trade shows, took center stage doing hunting seminars and the list goes on and on. Although I met a lot of amazing people and went on very memorable adventures during that time, there was something missing. It seem like the more involved in the industry I got the less I was actually “in” the woods…which in turn was taking me the opposite way of my dream of living the outdoor lifestyle or atleast what I believed it to be.
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At times I felt as though, those things took away from what I loved about hunting and being in the outdoors. The passion for the hunt itself and that quiet sit in the tree somehow became more than just a peaceful escape. Over the years, I have traveled all over the country and beyond in search for that next big hunting adventure, for not only myself but at times for someone else’s benefit. I have harvested my fair share of big game animals and feel overly blessed to have had the means to do so alongside my husband but somehow my original dream of turning my passion for the outdoors into a lifestyle, had yet to be fulfilled. That is until last July 2014! Although we traveled every spring and fall to a minimum of 5-7 states for the thrill of hunting giant whitetail and turkey, it was Ohio, specifically Coshocton County, Ohio that brought out something in us that made it very hard to leave the state when we visited. Was it the gorgeous rolling hills, the thousands and thousands of acres of woods, the over friendly and welcoming locals or those giant bucks that roam those woods? I can’t pick just one reason Ohio felt like home but it did and for that, we decided this is where we were meant to chase that dream of turning that outdoor passion into a lifestyle. We hunted Ohio for many years and it was always in Coshocton County with an awesome Outfitter “Family Outfitter of Coshocton”. We were his best clients, so to speak. We knew all of his properties like the back of our hand, needed no guidance and were very successful when hunting there. We even drove to Ohio several times in the summer just to scout for that next fall. Yes, we were obsessed! So we felt we could be of benefit to him in his business by lending a hand guiding in the fall if we relocated to Ohio. We spent a year traveling back and forth several dozen times searching for that perfect property to call home and we finally found it last July. After the major announcement to all friends and family to relocate and to start our new life in Ohio, we received an announcement that changed our lives and began that journey to our original dream. The former owner of the outfitter made a retirement announcement and gave us the opportunity to purchase his business entirely. In July of 2014 we were thrilled to not only find the property of our dreams
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in a place we already felt at home but to also take over all operations of the outfitting business and properties that we had come to love… We became the new owners of what is now Coshocton County Outfitters (formally known as “Family Outfitters of Coshocton”). With the knowledge we have on all the properties, successfully maintaining a healthy deer herd and food plots on our property in NY combined that with the vast amount of outfitters we have visited over the years, we strongly felt no one was more qualified than us to provide a great service to hunters like ourselves whom visit Coshocton County in the future. My husband and I spent the rest of 2014 traveling back and forth between NY to OH for remodeling and converting of a huge 1900’s farmhouse, into what is now an amazing hunting lodge. In June of 2015 we uprooted our lives and business in NY and relocated to Ohio to pursue that original dream. With fall quickly approaching us, I can’t help but to feel a rush like never before. The adrenaline I feel now for the anticipation of the season, is far different than ever before. Although I have chosen to hang up my bow for now, to be able to guide and assist others in harvesting that deer or turkey of their dreams, I feel it will be by far more rewarding in so many ways. Being able to aid in someone else’s harvest will be a task to be proud of. One thing I
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believe I will be able to offer, that I had yet to come across in all of my travels… is a good hunting experience for the ladies. Being a lady hunter myself, I had many struggles with feeling comfortable at some of the lodges, in the stands and especially in camp around the other hunters. That will not be the case at our lodge! Being a husband and wife team and both being avid hunters ourselves, we will provide a good balance to all. I know what I liked and didn’t like when traveling as a women, as a couple and as a diehard bow hunter and plan to use those experiences to provide a good and memorable hunt for others. I want to ensure that every hunter feels satisfied, is given an equal opportunity and feels respected in every way. Being able to combine all my passions, doing what I love every day and share it with others, is a dream come true and made this long journey worth it. My husband and I decided to take a giant leap and for that, we are living our dream of the outdoor lifestyle. Don’t be afraid to dream, fight for it and leap! “Only put your future in the best of hands- your own!” - Teresa DePalma Coshocton County Outfitters
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Ta
r ar y C i ng t h y r u r e To D r o l rc h y The Future of Lady Hunters By Judy Erwin Branham
“In the city there are not many kids that hunt really. It all goes back to how you are raised. I was raised to love the outdoors, I was raised to hunt, and I was raised to provide food on the table; even though we did live in the city I was raised as though we lived in the country�, described Taylor Drury of Drury Outdoors which airs on the Outdoor Channel.
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Much like any other female hunter across America Taylor Drury is outgoing, well spoken, loves the outdoors, and is very excited to see many women and girls desiring to hunt these days. The only difference is that she grew up in a city environment as her family grew into a huge hunting network of Drury Outdoors (DOD). Owning a great Whitetail Deer farm in Iowa and Missouri has been a huge part of her life and success. TV shows like Under Armour’s “Thirteen” and DVD’s such as “Whitetail Madness”, “Dream Season”, “Bow Madness”, and “100% Wild 100% Fair Chase” demonstrate the DOD family is busy sharing their love of the outdoors with the public. Winning two of the seventeen awards at this year’s Golden Moose Awards; the Best Overall Production and Best Graphics for their latest series “Drury’s Thirteen” is only one of many feats accomplished over their years of success.
According to Taylor’s Uncle Terry Drury on their Drury Outdoors website he explains the show: Golden Moose Awards 2015
“Our show, ‘Thirteen’ is the way Mark and I have divided-up deer season from what we’ve observed, documented and used to predict the movement patterns of older-age-class bucks throughout the 13 weeks of deer season,” Terry Drury explains.
Taylor began hunting before she can remember with her father, Mark Drury. At age 8 she harvested her first deer and everything is history from then through last season where she harvested a 177 inch buck. Gun or bow in hand she is lethal in the field when it comes to deer and turkey hunting on their Iowa farm where she loves to spend as much time as possible between college classes, fishing with her boyfriend, or cleaning house. Drury Outdoor website shows many of her very impressive harvested game over the years. As she gets older her interest in hunting other species increases. Taylor plans on black bear hunting with her bow next May in Saskatchewan with DOD team member John O’Dell. Her dad or Uncle Terry have never been bear hunting so she is a bit nervous however very excited for the hunt.
Taylor with her dad and Taylor’s 177 inch buck
“I am excited because it is kind of out of my comfort zone but hunting is hunting, I love being in the outdoors, I love bow hunting, so I just think it is going to be a whole other level of adrenaline and challenge so I am really looking forward to it”, Taylor said. Taylor is a junior in college majoring in Business Marketing with a minor in Real Estate. Being groomed for higher aspirations within the company, Taylor is currently DOD Social Media Manager handling all of their social media accounts including her own. She enjoys college life while juggling hunting for “DOD’s Thirteen” television productions and much more. Attending outdoor shows regularly, signing autographs, and spending as much time outdoors as possible is her life.
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Her dad’s rule is she has to have a college education before starting work for the family business. She makes her schedule to have more free time to hunt. Season two of “Thirteen” which is their newest television series started in July this year. It is their first show with only six members on the cast: Taylor, her dad Mark, her Uncle Terry, her cousin Matt, Rascal Flatt’s singer Gary LeVox, and retired Major League baseball player Jim Thone. According to Taylor with only six they have to hunt as hard as they can for show production to accomplish thirteen weeks’ worth of content. “So that’s a challenge.” Taylor added, “And that’s only One of Taylor’s gun deer harvests one of our four shows. In this business there is always something fun and exciting happening. It might be the same television series but it is new content and a new season and we try hard to continue to step it up another notch and bring production levels way high each season. Once I graduate I will be full time at the farm and full time working for DOD. I can’t wait. They always say don’t rush away college but I have been around the family business my whole life and it’s something I can’t wait to do and can’t wait to work so hard at. I watched my dad and Uncle turn their dream into an amazing business that has affected so many people and I can’t wait to be a part of that.” Hobbies Running and exercising often, cleaning her house daily, cooking, hunting, fishing, any and all lake activities, as well as enjoying family night with her parents are a few things she enjoys. Taylor loves listening to music, mostly Pop Country from Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Thomas Rhett or sometimes Miranda Lambert and more. Huntress examples “My top girl would definitely be Tiffany Lakosky, along with Nicole Jones, Julie Kreuter, and Eva Shockey to name a few. I feel like all four of those girls are amazing representatives of what all hunters would desire to be known as. They are so classy, so elegant, so informational, and they are so real, all of them are down to earth. At the end of the day we are all hunters and they are the perfect example of what a hunter is all about. What their characteristics are, how giving and caring they are, all four of these girls are amazing girls and I am lucky to be in the same industry as them because they are phenomenal hunters, they teach people how to hunt the right way, they spread that positive message of hunting. I would say Tiffany Lakosky is the biggest. She is an amazing woman and Lee is awesome too. She is a normal woman day in and day out who is now a mama. My dad and Uncle Terry have always said she is the hardest worker they know, whether it is at a photo shoot or a show, or a business dinner, her mind is always thinking of how to benefit hunters around the world, not just herself but how to continue to unite hunters around the world. I think this is important as we go forth,” she said.
Taylor fishing
Taylor with gun turkey harvest
“Every day I see pictures and hear about more female hunters which is just amazing. Nothing makes me happier than hearing how many girls are getting into the sport finally breaking the stereotype. Our ancestors were hunters and gatherers and that is why hunting continued on. Back then it was more of a stereotype that the men hunted and provided for their family, so it is so awesome to be able to say in 2015 that stereotype in my opinion is almost gone. So many girls want to learn about hunting and promote it,” Taylor added.
Taylor on her dad; Mark Drury
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“Now I look back and my dad was the perfect mentor because he totally brought me up in a way that was fun; everything that was fun back then is why I understand the morals and ethics of hunting today”, Taylor explained. “My hunting mentor would 100% be my dad and my Uncle Terry. The countless hours, lessons and lectures my dad has given me about hunting is endless. Ever since I was a little girl when I was so very young he would teach me to turkey call or we would go in a blind for a few hours and he would just let me watch the deer to get familiar with it. Four-wheeler riding, target practicing, shooting pumpkins and doing all kinds of those activities. Back then I loved it because it grasped my interest and was something I enjoyed doing,” she said. Taylor’s Mom: Laughing Taylor shared, “We always share this funny story because my mom is not a hunter. She has nothing against hunting. She obviously loves the lifestyle we all live and she feels we are very blessed to do what we do. She prefers to not go out with us hunting. She likes to stay back at camp and hear about what we saw or the success we had. My dad always told me this story, way back when. I am not exactly sure how old I was but my dad and Uncle Terry were taking me to hunt with them. My mom always said I only have one girl and I don’t care if you take her hunting but please do not put her in a tree stand. So, they are of course okay, okay we’ll keep her on the ground. Well, my dad and Uncle Terry being the way they are like, oh we are going to put her up in a tree stand. I remember climbing up thinking it was the most awesome jungle gym ever! Then at the end of the hunt they were like, somehow we have to get her down from here. It was pitch black dark and I was young. Terry said, I have an idea how about you, meaning Mark, climb down and I will just drop her over into your arms. Well they ended up doing that and it got back to my mom and she was not very happy about that,” she said.
Taylor and her dad fishing
Taylor with her mom and dad
“We always talk about that story due to my mom being a worry wart, a very protective mom. When I was young it was actually worry but now that I am older she loves that my dad and I spend so much time together. My mom is my best friend and my dad is my best friend. I just have different bonds with them. My dad and I bond through hunting and my mom accepts that,” she explained. Mouth Watering Delicious Wild Game! “At home all we eat is wild game and I do the same as much as I can at school. I have two favorite recipes. We all love venison. Our new thing is a portable smoker. My dad cuts the back straps into fillets, soaks them in water to clean everything out, then marinates them for a couple hours, then smokes them with apple or hickory chips and it is to die for. It is the most delicious plate I have ever had. I also am a huge deer sausage with crackers and cheese fan,” Taylor said. “Lately since my boyfriend is a fisherman we go fishing a lot and catch bass. He has been filleting those and pan frying them with batter which also is delicious,” she added.
Taylors 1st archery deer harvest
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Family helping family:
“Taylor described her family life, “I am an only child but my cousin Matt, Terry’s son is Brand Manager of DOD. He is pretty much the manager of everything at our studio. My dad and Uncle Terry are at the farm almost full time so Matt is kind of the key at making sure everything gets done back in St. Louis. A lot of people say family business can be really risky but we don’t fight. Our family business and our passion for hunting have brought us closer. I am thankful to be as close as we all have the same interests. It is very fun to work day in and day out with each other. My family is very laid back, at the end of the day we are just hunters providing for our families. I would say my life is very fun. It is adventurous and I get to travel a lot for either hunting or hunting trade shows and that is something I am very thankful for. It is a blast traveling with my family or by myself and having the opportunity to meet so many female hunters around the world. That is really something I love about my job,” she said.
The Drurys
Strangest fan question “Maybe three or four years ago we were at the NWTF Convention in Nashville, Tennessee. We had a question/ answer seminar with my dad, Uncle Terry and a few of our DOD team members. People would raise their hands and my dad or Uncle Terry would call on them. So I am sitting at the table with everyone and they called on this young gentleman probably in his mid-twenties. The whole room is quiet waiting on him to ask his question and he said, “Can I marry your daughter?” There are about 200 people there. My dad said, “Well, that depends on how much land do you have to hunt on?” My dad immediately deflected it because I know my face got so red! I was 16 or 17 years old and I didn’t know what to say but my dad took care of it, she said laughing out loud. That is the strangest one just because he chose to ask in front of so many people. At that same show that weekend I looked down and someone was on their knee and their friends were recording it,” she said light heartedly. Summing it up
Taylor’s 177 inch buck last fall
Taylor Drury is more than an upcoming female huntress. She is a well-established huntress having harvested many large Whitetail Deer in her young years. Yes, she has an advantage over the average hunter growing up in the DOD family utilizing their Iowa farm and expertise. Kudos to her for having the desire to hunt, and even more for being in the public eye standing proud as a female hunter. Setting a public example for others can be challenging yet rewarding. I would say Taylor has a running start at a lifetime of hunting happiness and future outdoor endeavors we can all benefit from watching her accomplish. Peer quotes: Jana Waller of Skullbound TV- “I’ve been watching Taylor Drury throughout her entire journey as a young bowhunter. I love her enthusiasm and passion for the entire process, from scouting to notching her tags but my favorite thing about Taylor is that she is influencing so many other young females to pick up a bow. Taylor is a class act and the hunting industry is very lucky to have her as a strong representative.
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Julie Kreuter of Beyond the Hunt TV – “I’ve known Taylor since she was a little girl. Years ago we had Taylor and her dad on our show and she said something back then that has stuck with both Rick and I ever since. She had just shot a deer and she looked up at the camera and said, “I don’t know why but that just hits me good!” She had the hunting bug way back then and now she’s grown into a beautiful young lady who represents our sport well. She is a great role model to both young men and women. I am proud of Taylor and I look for great things in the future from her!” Eva Shockey – Shockey Enterprises – “Taylor Drury is a great addition to the outdoor industry and a wonderful representative for female hunters. Taylor and I have a lot in common because just like myself, she was brought up in a family that loves the outdoors so she understands the importance of hunting and conservation. I have had the opportunity to spend time with her over the years and her passion for the outdoors is inspiring! She loves what she does, she loves meeting fellow hunters and she is a true ambassador for hunters everywhere.” Photos courtesy of Taylor Drury of DOD Social media links: https://instagram.com/TaylorDruryDOD https://twitter.com/TaylorDruryDOD https://www.facebook.com/OfficialDruryOutdoors?_rdr=p DOD links: http://outdoorchannel.com/drurys-thirteen
https://www.druryoutdoors.com/ https://www.druryoutdoors.com/2/team/mark-drury.php#.VcC3UlLJDcc https://www.druryoutdoors.com/4/team/terry-drury.php#.VcC3YFLJDcc https://www.druryoutdoors.com/421/team/matt-drury.php#.VcC3c1LJDcc https://www.druryoutdoors.com/347/team/taylor-drury.php#.VcC3flLJDcc
Left to right; Terry, Matt, Taylor, Mark at the 2015 NWTF Convention
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Judy’s Reviews What to Choose By Judy Erwin Branham
Fall Archery Must Haves for Shooters and Hunters Third Hand Archery Accessories – Made in the U.S.A. www.thirdhandarchery.com http://www.summitstands.com/ Climbing Deer Stands are popular due to their light weight, durability, usability, great features and price. My husband, Ken Branham, loves them as many of our hunting friends do. Summit Tree Stands website shows several diverse accessories for their stands as well. Jim Litmer of Third hand Archery Accessories has developed a handful of further accessories for climbing stands which will ensure your hunt to be more comfortable to and from the stand as well as in the stand during your hunt. If you own a Climbing Tree Stand you need to read these product reviews and watch Jim’s videos as he demonstrates how and why to use his products via the links below. These accessories have multiple uses for hunters who do not own a Climbing Stand also. 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:
Climbing Stand Stabilizer Straps (pair) Price: $15.00 or 2 for $25.00 These straps keep your tree stand in your tree by tethering the top and bottom part together. Also they assist to stabilize the top portion of the stand during hunting. You can use them to keep the parts together tightly while carrying through the woods to your stand or out. http://www.thirdhandarchery.com/product.asp?PRODID=13
Accessory Belt Price: $12.00 or 2 for $20.00
I own this quiet light weight belt/strap with 4 clips. You can wrap it around your tree or your waste. I use it in the summer around my waste for carrying my bow as well as during hunting. Many of my accessories can be clipped on my tree while hunting also such as shown in this photo. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybtK0RUfXj4&list=FL8u0AmEkYC6bNc5ti7UrmXw
Crossbow Holder / Universal Treestand Bow Holder Price: $20.00 or 2 for $35.00 or 6 for $90.00 This handy bow holder for any bow can be mounted on wood, steel or aluminum stands. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fHEqGyLD_4
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Ground Bow Holder Price: $14.00 or 2 for $25.00 or 6 for $60.00
Hunting from the ground or practicing in your backyard this bowholder is handy. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=di0vSjb-DXw&index=2&list=FL8u0AmEkYC6bNc5ti7UrmXw
Gun Hoist Price: $15.00 or 2 for $25.00 This easy to use strap with a protective nylon web boot which covers the muzzle of your shotgun or rifle is priced to sell. What better could we spend $15.00 on than a safer way to get our gun up to us in a stand? I love this gun hoist. Be sure to watch the instructional video for safe use when you purchase any tree stand or gun accessory product. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjv7wvWCxPQ&list=FL8u0AmEkYC6bNc5ti7UrmXw&index=4
Kentucky Bow Rope 30 Feet Price: $7.00 or 2 for $10.00 or 5 for $20.00 Tangle free! Watch the video to see how to use this fantastic rope to keep it tangle free. I love mine! One of my pet peeves is untangling my rope either before I climb up or down from me deer stand; problem solved here. http://www.thirdhandarchery.com/product.asp?PRODID=2
SS Footrest and Drag Price: $12.00 or 2 for $20.00
Having a place to stretch my legs or just rest my feet in a different position can make a huge difference in how long I can stay in my stand. This “Footrest� makes all the difference for me; and it doubles as a deer drag if needed! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tXGQmY5mHVE
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Passion for the Hunt By: Chelsea Tubridy
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Growing up in North Carolina, hunting was never a foreign concept to me. I remember times spent at my grandparents’ house and the intrigue I felt as a child when Pawpaw showed up with a big fluffy tom ready for Gran to pluck and prepare. But, hunting was never something I had ever considered participating in myself – that is, until I met Maron. After meeting and falling hard for Maron in 2010, I quickly learned what it meant to date a country boy. It meant spending weekends in a tree stand and learning not to mind a little mud on my new boots. I started out borrowing oversized camouflage hoodies but eventually worked my way into a more flattering outdoor outfit of my own. For an entire hunting season, I spent much of my spare time cuddled up in puffy jackets hoping that today would be the day Maron would show me what hunting was all about. We saw deer here and there, but I never got the full effect. I would eagerly check his trail camera to see what there was to wait for. A buck with a one-sided rack consistently appeared in the photos offering a bit of comedy, and groups of does kept my interest high. The following hunting season, Maron taught me the ins and outs of a shotgun, how to get ready to shoot and how to line up the perfect shot. Then one cold December day in 2012, we climbed the ladder to the stand and positioned ourselves. “Are you ready?” he whispered, handing me the loaded shotgun. I nodded, ignoring the butterflies in my stomach – I was ready to prove myself. We waited for a while, cold and impatient. I slowly looked from side to side, hoping to see something through the trees. I fidgeted with my fingers as the wait grew long and drawn out. Suddenly, I felt a light tap on my leg. I looked down to Maron’s hand pointing to the left hand side of the stand. I froze. Slowly, yet confidently, the big-bodied buck with the one-sided rack weaved among the trees and headed towards the corn pile. I sat still and breathless in anticipation. My heart pounded at the inside of my chest and I felt Maron watching me out of the corner of his eye. The big buck walked out of the woods and into the lane. He stopped, looked up, then looked down and started to eat. I let out short, soft breaths as the buck would take a bite and then look around. Although I made every attempt to blend into my surroundings, I had never felt so visible in my life. If I was going to shoot him, it had to happen fast. And then there it was, the perfect opportunity. The buck turned broadside as if it were a practice target in a field. This was my chance. I put my finger on the safety and silently prepared the gun. I lined up my shot, just like Maron taught me, and pulled the trigger with confidence. Boom! My ears rang and I fought to stay focused on the buck. The buck froze and my heart broke, thinking I missed the shot. Then suddenly, he fell to the ground. He kicked twice, then lay, motionless on the ground. I looked at Maron in utter shock and asked, “Is it dead?” He laughed out loud and said, “Oh yeah, it’s dead.” I stood up, smiling ear to ear. Never had I felt so empowered or accomplished. After a high-five and a quick hug in the tree stand, we climbed down to check out the newly-harvested deer. It was a perfect shot, just behind the shoulder. No running, no tracking, just loading. As he ceremonially smeared the blood on my cheeks, I didn’t flinch. I was proud of what I had accomplished and was ready to tell the world. And so started my passion for the hunt.
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shing with L i F w is a o B
By Lisa Cushman
Is there anything better to do in the summer besides fishing? Yep! It’s called bow fishing!! A much looked over, growing popularity sport. Most people just buy a bow fishing kit, (purchased at hunting stores) and attach it to their hunting bow. Not me!! I chose to buy a PSE tidal wave, made ONLY for bow fishing! Many reasons led me to this decision, besides the fact it’s another excuse to own another bow! When you bow fish, your bow WILL get wet. Also, my poundage is set much less for bow fishing as compared to my hunting bow, which makes it a lot easier to shoot with all day and night. Although it varies state by state, where I live in Colorado, you only need a fishing license to bow
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fish! You must do your homework before assuming you can go to any local lake or reservoir to go bow fishing. Only some allow it, and the laws on which fish you can shoot, also vary by state. Here in Colorado, we can bow fish carp and pike. Carp is one of the most unpopular types of fish. There are only about ten lakes in all of Colorado that allow bow fishing. Whenever I go, I pass many fishermen with bows! It’s SO awesome! Of course, I’m always the only girl; just another way to show up the boys! You can bow fish in freshwater (lakes, rivers or ponds) and saltwater (bays, beaches or estuaries), but whatever body of water you choose, you’ll typically fish in clear, shallow areas 3 to 4 feet deep (0.9 to 1.2 meters) for a few reasons. First, the fish that you can hunt by bow fishing tend So, how do you bow fish? You should hunt around the shallow water for your target fish, especially near grasses and weeds that provide cover. That’s where I always find them. Ideally, you want to be about 10 to 15 feet (3.0 to 4.6 meters) from your target. Try to avoid casting a shadow over the fish because that will spook it. You also may want to approach it from upwind. When you choose your target fish, aim your bow and shoot. However, there is a trick to aiming the bow. As light travels from one medium into another, it bends or refracts, so the fish that you see from the surface is actually the refracted image to hang out in shallow waters. Second, water is dense and slows arrows down; the less water that your arrow has to traverse, the more force it will have when it strikes the target. If you prefer daylight during your bow fishing trips, you’ll want to head out in the spring around spawning time. Nighttime bow fishing, however, can be done in any season, though you’ll probably have the best luck in spring as well, around spawning time, and also in the fall when water is clear. If you’re bent on big fish, plan to bow fish during the spring and summer when they’re most active (day or evening). For evening bow fishing, I recommend having lights on your boat, and an anchor. Night bow fishing is some of the most fun fishing you will ever have!!
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of the fish in the water (apparent fish). The actual fish is deeper in the water than the apparent fish. If you aim straight at the apparent image you’ll miss (or go high). That’s why bow fishermen/ women always say to aim low. How low you aim is a crucial part of your hunting skills. Here are a few rules bow fishermen/women may use to help them compensate for refraction: The 10-4 rule: If the fish is 10 feet (3 meters) away and 1 foot (30 centimeters) below the surface,
then aim 4 inches (10 centimeters) low. If you double either the 10 or the one, then double the four. For example, you would aim 8 inches (20 centimeters) low for a fish that’s either 20 feet (6 meters) away and 1 foot deep or 10 feet away and 2 feet (60 centimeters) deep. Aim about 6 inches (15 centimeters) low for every 1 foot of depth. Look at the fish and aim 10 inches (25 centimeters) low.
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When you shoot at a fish, aim for the front half. This portion contains the brain and vital organs, so you will most likely kill the fish. Also, remember that fish swim fast in the water, so you don’t have much time to aim and shoot (I almost always have my bow pulled back and ready to shoot, which is why I mentioned having a lighter draw bow fishing as compared to a hunting bow). Some large fish, like alligator gars, may take more than one arrow to kill them. Once you’ve struck the fish, haul in the line; it is harder than it looks to reel in the fish once you’ve shot it! The majority of the time, I will set down my bow and just slowly pull the line into the boat or shore. Unlike rod and reel fishing, bow fishing kills the target fish and doesn’t allow catch and release. I always take a trash bag, can, or cooler with me. It’s not good etiquette to leave your shot fish on shore. Always remember to set a good example for other fishers, and that practice makes perfect! Thank you for taking time to read my bow fishing article. Now what are you waiting for?! Get out there and bow fish!!! Lisa Cushman Colorado
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