My Deer Stand Christy Turner
Vol 1 Issue 1 Jan/Feb 2015
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Welcome to Huntress Life Magazine Articles
Preserving A Memory with Chelsea Pearman Kimberly Synder............................................................................................4 Red Rocks & Bucks Candy Yow...................................................................................................8 Ruffed Grouse The Wilderness Bird Anita Williams.............................................................................................12 My First Wild Boar Hunt Stacy Young.................................................................................................22 Hunting with My Heroes~Austin Jones & Ted Nugent Kristi Lynn Hair..........................................................................................24 My Bear Story Brainna Cozzetto..........................................................................................28 Baby Brows `Bout Time Buck Candace Hubble............................................................................................32 My Deer Stand Christy Turner.............................................................................................35 November 1st Buck 2014 Judy Erwin Branham....................................................................................38 River Karma Holly Finn...................................................................................................42
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Product Reviews Through Camo Eyes Cabela’s Women’s Outfitters Dry-Plus Insulated Bibs & Coat Teresa DePalma............................................................................................16 Field Logic IQ Sights Review Holly Helton.................................................................................................18 Judy’s Reviews What to Choose Sent Line Scott Release Hero Carbomask Judy Erwin Branham....................................................................................19
Recipes South Texas Elk Speghetti Amanda Bronder..........................................................................................21
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“Preserving a Memory with Chelsea Pearman� By, Kimberly Snyder
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he most exciting part of any hunt is the memories that we build while we are outdoors. We remember who we hunt with, the game we took or even the moments spent laughing with friends or family. Every hunt that I have been on has had its own joys and sometimes failures. One of the greatest joys of mine is to not only share my stories of a hunt with my family but when I take an animal to a taxidermist and the moment the animal comes home. Just by looking at the mount I relive every moment of that hunt and forever I am able to preserve the memory and the animal’s beauty. I recently met a fellow lady hunter, who not only has hunted since she was a child but has become a very talented and skilled taxidermist. I was so fortunate to have met her and to see the work that she does keeping the beauty of an animal, the integrity of the animal and her attention to detail is flawless. It is my honor to write about a Lady Hunter that preserves a memory for others everyday through her beautiful work, her name is Chelsea Pearman. Chelsea owns Back to Life Taxidermy in Goochland, VA. As a Waterfowl hunter it is very hard to find taxidermists to do waterfowl. Chelsea has been able to capture the exact look of my waterfowl, from color to mount placement, to every detail that so many have missed in the past. Her work is beyond amazing and I couldn’t be more humbled to have not only met a Lady Hunter but to be able to give her my birds and relive my stories of the hunts with her and bring home my mounts to cherish forever. Chelsea has been hunting for 10 years; I asked her “What inspires her to hunt and to do Taxidermy work?” Chelsea says, “My dad (Sonny Fogg) inspired me to hunt and to go into business. He taught me how to load, clean and to be safe with my gun. I also learned how to find the best hunting spots in the woods, how to field dress and process and package the deer that I kill. I am so blessed with the support of my husband (Stuart Pearman), his family, my mom and dad and three sisters. I stay inspired by their steady encouragement everyday” I was also very curious in who taught her to do taxidermy work? What created the interested in her to start? Chelsea says, “My father-in-law (Fletcher Angle) taught me to do taxidermy work.
When my husband and I were dating, we would visit his parents in James City County, VA. I loved watching his stepfather do taxidermy work and eventually asked if I could assist him and learn the trade. I was fascinated by it and I just knew I could do it. I went through an apprenticeship with him for 2 years and then started my own business in May of 2009.”
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I asked Chelsea “What do you love most about doing taxidermy work?” Her response was “I love using my skills and ideas to bring the animals BACK TO LIFE!! I love the variety of animals and the challenge it takes to resurrect each one. Most of all I love admiring how God created the beauty and design of each animal. I love the response I get from my customer s when I’ve done a good job. I give my best effort and I am happy when they are happy. I love listening to their hunting stories and laughing with them.” As a woman hunter, I asked Chelsea “Being a woman and a hunter are there any challenges you face when it comes to taxidermy work or with customers?” Chelsea says, “At first I was apprehensive that the hunters would not take me seriously as a taxidermist. My family, friends and good neighbors were my first customers and they helped me by handing out my business cards and
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giving a good word about my work. I can honestly say that I have not had any challenges because I am a woman. Maybe I have missed out on some customers who didn’t think a woman could do a good enough job for them. But I am not offended at all, I’m just thankful for the every customer I am blessed to work with.” Women are increasing in numbers as hunters and it shows with our conservation efforts, our purchasing of hunting licenses and the ever increasing need for apparel to meet a lady hunter’s needs. Women are also expanding into work of taxidermy, and as always proving we can help preserve memories and relive hunts through the beautiful animals that God provides for us. Chelsea Pearman is one such woman, she enjoys hunting and loves the feeling of her heart pounding as a deer approaches. Chelsea has also taken it one step further she is Preserving the integrity and beauty of an animal with her flawless work. I am so honored to have met such an inspiration and to see a woman, artist, give back to hunters and animals by bringing the Animals Back to Life.
s k c o R s k d c e u R B &
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By Candy Yow
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s the sun came up over the red hills silhouetted in the horizon we strained to see the deer leaving the field and headed to the canyons for the day. What a beautiful sunrise with the red rocks of Southern Utah, the pinks and blues of the sunrise, the reflection of it all on the river below us. Slowly we watch a couple does and a small buck appear between the trees and sniff heading towards the bend in the river, not long after 3 nice bucks and more does appear. They are too far away for taking a shot and not really in a good place to sneak up on them either. So we do what we can do and that is sit here and watch them. We dressed for hiking all day and not for sitting in the early daylight so the cold soon crept through the layers I had on, but I didn’t pay much attention as we study the terrain and options below, I could tell my toes were going white and my fingers had gone white some time ago, I wiggle them the best I can without losing site of the deer. They had crossed the river
now and were headed up a canyon on the other side. At this point Randy says, “We are going after them”. What are you crazy, we would have to cross the river, but he is already on his feet and gathering his gun. Not wanting to admit that he is right
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I argue slightly as I am already to cold to walk and we have to wade across a river. But the deer are disappearing up the draw as we gather our gear and I know if we want a chance at them we best get to hooving it. As I step into the water it takes my breath away, but I push the thought out of my head and follow him across the freezing river, it is not real deep if you pay attention and don’t step in a hole, but none the less it is up to our knees. The pain started about half way across, shooting pain from the already frozen feet, screaming at me as if to say “What in the heck are you doing to us” I tried harder to push the pain and thoughts away but it became overwhelming as I stepped up on the bank tears escaped my eyes and ran down my face. I tried hard to hold them back but was not able to, Randy felt so bad but we really didn’t have much time to dwell on it and took off at a rapid pace, (as rapid as you can with ice for feet). I felt like a deer could have heard me from a mile away, I couldn’t bend my toes or even my feet to walk quietly so I plodded the best I could while trying to keep up, looking back now it is kinda funny, needless to say that is not what I was thinking at the time. We cut across a wide canyon and up behind some huge boulders trying to get in position before the deer got too far up the draw, but to no avail, they were long gone before we got there. By now I was warmed up so we turned and headed back to the river and off to hunt another area for the day. As the week went by we hunted hard, the bucks are out there but in this desert they are tough to find and can hide in brush the size of a garbage can, we spotted and hiked and hunted our rears off and were down to one day left. There was a canyon left that I had heard my uncles had been pretty successful in and I was dying to give it a try, one small set back was I would have to cross that dreaded river again at daylight. This time I took an extra pair of boots so I could have a dry pair to hike in all day and it seemed to make all the difference, I am not saying it didn’t jolt me awake better than any coffee ever known to man, but it was bearable plus we had mile hike before we got to the river and wasn’t already cold. The canyon was breathtakingly beautiful, solid red walls the sun rising with scattered brush and trees, often times water gurgling through the bottom of the draw. We kept a close eye on every bush, as you never know when a deer will jump up, tracks were
leading up the draw to the end of a box canyon area. None of them looked too big but adventure seeped out of our pours and we couldn’t resist the challenge so off we went. We got to a wide area where the canyon forked, my sister Vicki, her husband Guy and I went up the left fork while Randy and Jeff scouted the right fork. We were having such a great time checking everything out that we forgot how far we had gone when suddenly Vicki says, “hey, I got you a buck, get your skinny rear over here”, I thought she was joking until she repeated it again, as I get my gun in position and creep across the canyon to see I can only imagine what I look like. With adrenaline racing through my veins my creep was more like a monster mash, I am surprised I didn’t spook every animal around away. But the buck was frozen trying to find in the brush but in plain site to us. I pulled up and took a deep breath, “Dear God please direct this bullet for a quick, effective and safe kill, in Jesus name” Bamm. He is hit and goes down, I know I have a
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great shot but we wanted to wait as he fell in some bushes. I heard him thrash once and then was quiet; I knew the guys would be there soon. So we relived the adventure over and over while holding my rifle ready in case he jumps up. Once the guys got there I put the creep on him and he did jump up and take off, so off we go around a bend in the canyon, I know he is hit hard but want to put him down as soon as possible. The chance came as I rounded the bend, I made a call and he stopped and looked, I took a deep breath and squeezed and he was down. “Thank you Lord� what an exciting hunt, what a wonderful day with my sister and family, what a wonderful buck. It was just so much to be thankful for. He is not a monster but is a beautiful buck and I am so proud. I stay and start to take pictures and get him ready while Guy, Vicki and Randy take off after more tracks and sure enough I hear gun shots and we have another buck down. Well the hike out was quite a hike with two deer to pack for several miles and across the river again, but the whole day was one I will always remember and cherish. Thank you again Lord for such a wonderful hunt and harvest. Candy Yow
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e ird s u ro s B G es d n r e f de f u il R W he T By Anita Williams
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rooke is new to grouse hunting and so am I. Her golden ears flop as she prances along the autumn trail zig-zagging as she searches for scent. Her trainer, Jeff Halvorson, wants to spend some time in the woods working with the young dog and invites me to join them for an afternoon grouse hunt. I am cautious and a bit intimidated by the shiny new shotgun slung over my shoulder, but equally as eager. While I have shot other species of birds with a borrowed gun before, this is my first hunt as a shotgun owner.
Ruffed Grouse are the most widely distributed resident game bird in North America, and Minnesota ranks as the top ruffed grouse producing state in the US. One reason for Minnesota’s status as a top grouse producer is an abundance of young aspen forests, and other grouse habitat. Golden leaves cascade to the ground as we walk the trail searching for grouse. It is estimated 11.5 million of our state’s forests are prime grouse habitat. I ask Jeff how the population faired over the brutal winter.
“The ruffed grouse are a hearty, snow-loving native which thrive during severe winters.” Jeff replies, whistling for Brooke. “I wouldn’t be surprised if their feathers are more gray than reddish-brown this year. They can actually change color phases depending on the harshness of winter.” The major portion of the ruffed grouse’s six acre range is in regions where snow is an important part of the winter scene, and consistently covers the ground from late November through March. Brooke takes to the woods like a pro.
She leaps at newly fallen leaves and is hot on the trail of each new scent. She exemplifies Joy! Rhythmic drumming signifies that there is a grouse within range. They camouflage easily into the woods and thick brush and can be difficult to see, that’s where it’s helpful to stop and listen. I shove two shells into the barrel and snap it shut. Male Ruffed Grouse are aggressively territorial throughout their adult lives. The male grouse proclaims his area by “drumming”.
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This sound is made by beating his wings quickly on his chest. The drummer usually stands on a log, which is called a “drumming log.” He uses the same log many times as a stage for his display. I rush forward and ready my gun. Scanning the area, I walk cautiously forward, grateful for my lesson at the shooting range. “There he is, running through the thick brush.” I stammer, and follow the movement of the grouse. My brand new shotgun gun presses to my cheek as I wait for the best shot opportunity. I check to see where Brooke is and push the safety lever forward.
wrangles through the saplings and bounds back with the bird. She drops the dead grouse at my feet and I praise Brooke for a job well done. We are both rookies but have crossed a new threshhold today. We shot our first wilderness bird!
Anita lives in Grand Rapids, MN and is the mother of two adult children. She has been a hairstylist for thirty years. Her empty nest allows time to pursue interests of photography, bowhunting, fishing, travel and food. She is a graduate of Itasca Community College with an emphasis on wildlife, and Quality Deer Managements level one stewardship program. You can follow her on facebook “Shoot the grouse!” the trainer orders. The grouse and youtube. flushes; I curl my finger deep into the trigger and pull back. Boom! I steady my gun and fire again. Boom! The grouse tumbles to the ground. The over and under did its job. As the smell of gun powder lingers, Brooke bounds through the brush to retrieve the first grouse of the day. I’m not certain which one of us is the happiest! “You killed him with the first shot.” Halvorson said. “I thought so, but I fired again, just to make sure!” I reply grinning from ear to ear. 115,000 hunters will harvest grouse in Minnesota forests this year. Brooke and I harvest our first. She
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Gander Mountain Women’s Camo Logo Pullover Hoodie Key Features • Knit from 60\\% cotton, 40\\% polyester fleece fabric •
Brushed on the inside for superior softness
• Fully lined hood with exterior drawcord adjustment • RIb-knit cuffs and sweep hem for a snug, comfy fit • Kangaroo handwarmer pocket for convenient storage
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Cabela’s Women’s Outfitters Dry-Plus Insulated Bibs and Coat
I bought this complete set (bibs and coat) before last season so I have two full seasons behind me and feel like I can give a fair opinion on them. I will start off with what I like about them both. They are definitely warm, they have a thick polyester filling as well as lining. They are also waterproof. I have sat through many rainy and snow filled days wearing them and have stayed warm and dry. They are also light which is nice because a lot of the warm weathered clothing I have tried is quite heavy. I also like that the bibs come up over the breast as I have several other different pairs that do not and I do like that these do cover the upper area as well as comes up high on the back, adding extra warmth.
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Now as for the few dislikes.. They are very bulky, I feel like the “Stay Puff Marsh mellow Man” when I am wearing these, mostly the coat. That makes it a tad difficult for bow hunting. I am still able to draw my bow back but it is definitely a little more challenging than other coats I have worn. I know you have to give a little in that aspect and choose warmth over full mobility at times but these are a tad excessive. It also makes it very difficult for climbing trees. I don’t have as much of a problem with ladder stands but when it comes to climbing sticks I struggle and am sweaty by the time I make it to the top because of the extra exertion it takes due to the bulkiness. This also poses a problem if you have a long or tough hike to or from your stand. The other thing I am not a huge fan of is the outer fabric. They are made from, what is labeled as a silent suede but I have been busted more than a few times just by the noise of moving my arm, so silent they are not! I have washed them many times in order to soften but overall they are a tad noisy. The last thing I don’t love is the lack of pockets, I know when I plan to wear these that I have to wear my fanny pack too as the bibs only have the two hand pockets and not any leg pockets for the extra stuff like calls, rangefinder and so on. Some do not find that to be an issue but I personally do as I like having everything I need at hands reach. So overall my review for this set up is they are very warm and waterproof and if that’s all you are seeking, which at times I am and why I still wear them, then these are a great deal! But if you are a bow hunter and would sacrifice warmth for mobility and seeking something with a quiet exterior material, then these might not be for you. I will say the only time I wear this set is when it is below 30 degrees otherwise I have another bib/coat combo I wear that are much more comfortable, flexible and quiet I wear.. which I will do a review on in the future. -Teresa DePalma ThroughCamoEyes
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Field Logic IQ Sights Review By Holly Helton
at longer range distances. I have never been comfortable shooting over 35-40 yards. Once I exceeded 40 yards, I would lose consistently all together. Using my new IQ sights, I pulled my bow back at 50 yards, centered my retina lock and let the arrows fly. I had a 3” group! For me, that was a significant improvement. I even braved up to shoot at 60 yards and still held a 4.5” group. The retina lock is a confidence booster, in my opinion. When I would draw back, I immediately knew whether my form was correct or if I was torqueing. If it was off, I could adjust before shooting whereas prior to the IQ sights, I simply hoped I was holding everything correctly. The IQ Sights truly increased my effective range, have been an excellent confidence booster, and have proved to provide tighter, more consistent groups. However, there are a few details that others may not find desirable. Because the housing is larger than most sights to include the Retina Lock, you may need to purchase a larger peep. Also, if you Consistent, tight groups are the goal of every bow already shoot consistent groups and do not seem hunter in preparation for upcoming seasons and to have a problem with torqueing your shot, these for every archer whether they compete profes- sights may not be beneficial. The old saying “don’t sionally or shoot for fun. But can a sight help an fix what isn’t broken” applies here! archer achieve this goal? I admit, I was skeptical at first but I thought I’d give the Field Logic 5-pin I personally wish I would’ve purchased these sights IQ sights a chance. I’ve always had a problem with sooner. I passed on several shots at whitetail deer torque. Out of 5 arrows shot in a group, 2 would fly this season and last because they were out of my either left or right. So you could say, I was willing 20-30 yard “comfort zone”. Now, I have the confito try anything! dence to take longer range shots because I know as long as my Retina Lock is lined up, my shot will hit Once installed and having the retina lock perfectly where I was aiming. The Field Logic IQ Bowsights centered with my form, I shot at 20 yards. I imme- are opened up new opportunities for my whitetail diately noticed that my groups were a little tighter season in Kentucky and increased my competitivebut such range has always been fairly comfortable ness on 3D ranges/competitions. I don’t foresee a for me. The true test would be if they hold up to need to ever switch to another type of sight. the idea that you could shoot more consistently
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Judy’s Reviews What to Choose By Judy Branham
• Scent Line Scent-Line Outdoor Gear/Sporting Goods sells their product for $19.99 plus tax. As soon as I heard about this product I was excited to use it. Utilizing scent to lure deer has always been a passion of mine. This product is unique as it gives more diverseness to the use of scents. Not only can you place scent where you want it when you want it, but you can accomplish this without walking through the area which virtually eliminates human scent. All you have to do is set up the lines previously to hunting. When you set a tree stand you also set up the scent lines where you want them. All it takes is screwing one end of the line at your hunting position and the other end across the deer path and attach it to another tree. Run the line like a clothes line where you can pull the line to your tree stand to add scent then run it back out over the deer path to hang above it. Once set up is complete you just utilize them from your tree stand when you hunt. The deer will stop in their tracks to smell the scent and never smell the hunter. This system is great for any tree stand set up or hunting on the ground. I will use this product every year as I believe it is a fantastic idea. Check it out at http://scent-line.com/ Their website shows how to use and set up the product easily.
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• Scott Release HERO Scott Archery releases have been a staple in the compound archery arena for a long time. I purchased my first Scott release in the 1980’s. I still have that release in working order. Today’s archery releases are similar; however diverse sizes, styles and colors are offered on the market. I chose the HERO Women’s/Youth release. Once adjusted to my bow and arm/hand length I love it. Scott has managed to keep the same great quality, ease of use, and durability my first release had as well as given diversity of patterns, colors and styles for diverse archers. Women and youth have more choices for dependable equipment due to Scott Archery. Starting at $44.99 ranging up to $49.99 at Dick’s Sporting Goods this release is a value purchase in my opinion. Go to http://www.scottarchery.com/ for more information about Scott releases in detail.
• CARBOMASK CARBOMASK is a face paint product which comes in a tube form but is not wet or slimy. This product goes on thick and moist enough to spread but dries quickly to a flat finish which does not rub off. It only comes off when you take a wet washcloth and slightly wash your face. Removing easily with water but only if you touch it. No oil or grease is in the mask either. The product comes in black, brown or green and is sold at 3 Rivers Archery and on line. The 1.5 tube sells for $12.00 for a two pack or $6.99 individually. 3 River’s Archery sells a 3 oz tube for $16.99 in black only. I love this face paint. Diversity of natural colors and variations of patterns to match your hunting scenery are great reasons to use this product. This is the best face paint I have ever used for hunting or wildlife photography outdoors. When face paint is needed this is the product for me. Very little is needed for optimal use. Check it out at http://www.carbomask.com/.
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South Texas Elk Spaghetti By Amanda Bronder Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds of ground elk meat 2 15 oz cans Hunts Tomato Sauce 2 15 oz cans Hunts Diced Tomatoes 2 6 oz cans Hunts Tomato Paste 1/2 handful of Basil 1 handful of Parsley 1/4 handful of Oregeno 2 cups sugar 1 small onion, chopped 1 jalepeno 1 bell pepper 6 mushrooms Spaghetti
Start by browning the elk meat, add in the onion about half way through and let it cook. In a separate pan sautĂŠ the jalepeno, bell pepper, and mushrooms. Then mix tomato sauce, tomato paste, diced tomatoes, basil, parsley, oregano, and sugar in a medium bowl. Once the meat is done, drain it, and mix together with the remaining vegetables, and sauce mixture. Cook the spaghetti as directed. While the noodles are cooking let the sauce, meat, and vegetable mixture warm over medium heat.
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My First Wild Boar Hunt By “Sassy” Stacy Young
I am going to be honest; a wild boar hunt was never in my top 5 animals to hunt. Had it not been for a couple great friends of mine at the Buck and Boar Outfitters in South Carolina, I would never have given this hunt a chance. I took off work for a week and made the twelve hour drive to go on this hunt. I knew nothing about boars, except that they were nasty looking pigs and they are very mean. All that was going through my head on the trip were that these pigs are going to be too easy to kill because they are slow and fat. When I got to the lodge, I was amazed to see how beautiful it was. I didn’t want to leave! I could totally live there forever!! I went to bed early so I would be well rested for the next morning when Scott and Ronnie came to take me out. They arrived around 0700 so we could be in the woods by 0800. They started teaching me a little bit about hogs and how they are in the daylight and how they are at night. What they told me was a lot different than I thought. I always thought that a boar would charge you as soon as they saw you at any time day or night. This is not the case at all. They told me that during the day, if a hog charges you, most of the time it’s because you’re between a sow and her babies, but most of the time they run away. Now, at night, it’s a different story! They are not afraid of anything at night. They will eat you! I got to see how true it was when we walked
through the woods during the day, and the hogs would smell us and take off running the opposite direction. I tried to do all the scent free soap, shampoo, and detergent and none of that mattered. Those pigs could smell better than any other animal I had ever been around. We were 70 yards away from one napping, and we could see its nostrils flare from smelling us and then it would take off! Those darn hogs are FAST!! One minute you would see it the next minute all you saw was dust. We tried to play the wind but in the mountains, all the wind would do is swirl around. After this happening about twenty times the first day, I started to realize how hard these things were to hunt. That’s when I started to take this a little more seriously. I am not
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going to be outsmarted by no freaking pig! Scott, my guide, took me around all day long and we came up to many different herds of hogs, but they would either hear us, see us, or most of the time, they would smell us. You know what was funny, I had brought my recurve bow with me because I thought it would be easy to shoot a big hog the first day, and I could spend the rest of the week trying to shoot one with my bow. Boy was I wrong again! I spot and stalked for two full days trying to get the perfect opportunity to kill a hog. Don’t get me wrong, there were many hogs to shoot, I just kept screwing up the chances I had given to me. My last day there, Scott and I walked up on a couple big hogs that were walking our way. We just so happened to have the mountain wind blowing in our favor at the moment, so the hogs could not smell us. Scott says to me, “Don’t move and they won’t be able to see us. Get your gun ready and shoot the one in the front, it’s the bigger hog.” My heart started pounding as soon as I put my scope on this pigs face. I squeezed the trigger, and nothing happened. “What?” Scott says in a whisper, “You forgot to cock the gun.” Well crap! I had hunted these pigs for three days now and finally got a chance to get one and all of my common sense went out the window! So, I cocked the gun and didn’t have a shot at the hog in the front, but I could get the one in the back. I held the gun up and by that time, these hogs were only about 15 yards in front of us. Again, I squeezed the trigger and the gun went, CLICK!! They heard that and took off. There I stood, confused again, like always. Scott looks at me and the look on his face was like he didn’t want to tell me what I did, then says, “The safety is still on.” So of course, what does a girl do? I let a couple tears fall out of my eyeballs. Scott stood there and told me that we still have all day and to regroup and we will keep walking. I was so bummed. I thought I had just ruined the one, actually two chances I had at killing one. We walked for about 45 more minutes then came up on about 4 hogs sleeping. Scott says, “Stop right here, don’t move.” About that time a pig stood up about 40 yards away from us. He says they can’t see real well so if we don’t move he might not know what we are. I stood so still and didn’t even want to breathe. It stood there staring at us for what felt like half a day, then it started walking across in front of us. That gave me a chance to get the gun up and get it cocked with
the safety off. I wasn’t screwing this one up! The hog then, turns broadside and Scott says, “If you can take the shot, take it!” I squeezed the trigger and BOOM! Next thing I know, we have about 150 hogs running right at us! I started yelling at Scott, ”Get your gun, get your gun, get your gun!” The closer they got to us they started to split and ran on the left and right sides of us. That was a heck of a rush! After the dust cleared I looked at Scott and said, “Did I get it?” He said he saw the dust fly off his body so he knew I got it. When he said that, I hit the ground and started bawling! We walked up to the hog and I hugged Scott and jumped up and down. I just could not believe that I actually got one. It took me a total of 26 hours of stalking to get my 248 pound European hog. This hunt turned out to be one of the best hunts of my life! I would recommend everyone go on a hog hunt even if you don’t think it sounds like fun, trust me, it is a blast! It certainly helps going to a place like the Buck and Boar Outfitters in South Carolina. Ronnie and Scott will do everything in their power to get you a hog and make it the best experience of your life to.
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Hunting With My Heroes ~ Austin Jones & Ted Nugent
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By: Kristi Lynn Hair
or as long as I can remember, folks would ask me who I admired most as a hunter. Without hesitation, I’d always answer, Ted Nugent. Why? Because Ted is unapolaghetically a meat hunter, & (in my opinion) the most powerful & effective advoacate for our 2nd Amendment Rights, he gives back to those who have given so much (our Veteran’s) & is always actively encouraging, promoting & sustaining our hunting heritage. Meeting him would be a dream I never imagined would come to fruition. One day, while scrolling down my FB newsfeed, the most amazing young man popped across my screen. It would forever change my life & in turn, he became my newest hunting hero. His name is Austin Jones. Let me tell you a little bit about Austin. Austin was born with Muscular Dystrophy, has been in a wheelchair & on a ventilator since age 6. Austin began hunting at age 12. At the age of 18, Austin has become a great hunter taking a variety of animals with his crossbow. Nothing deters Austin. NOTHING. He will endure any terrain, any weather condition, is absolutely fearless,
never complains and always has a smile on his face. Furthermore, Austin helps to chair events & coordinates hunts for other handicap hunters each & every year. He does more to help others than anyone else I know. He never considers himself before another. This young man always puts
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others first. To meet Austin is to meet an angel amoungst us. I started to follow Austin & Austin changed my outlook on everything. I’ve never seen a more determined, kind hearted, loving, tough & tenacious individual. Over the years, I’ve seen so many fully able bodied folks complain & find every reason to NOT hunt. “It’s too cold”, “It’s too windy”, “I’m too tired”, “There’s not enough sign”, “It’s too hot”, etc.... Austin finds every reason TO HUNT & never makes excuses. Austin takes NOTHING for granted. He gets out there, no matter what, sits through conditions that would cause a lot of hunters to stay inside. He’s a beast. He’s hardcore. He’s Awesome Austin!
Now, at this point and time, I’m sure you are wondering how these two heroes of mine will come together.... I’m about to tell you! I was hunting in Kentucky during opening weekend with Brett Wilson of Deer Haven. During that time, my fellow hunters in camp were: David Saroli & Paul Wilson. Paul runs Sunrize Acres for Ted. David is one of Ted’s personal friends. Austin was heavily weighing on my mind when I was at deer camp as he was fixing to go in for a major medical procedure to attempt to straighten out his spine. I merely
asked David & Paul if they ever had an opportunity to include Austin on a hunt with Ted, that would be a dream come true for me (to make this happen for Austin, I never anticpated being able to tag along). About a week later, I received a text from David Saroli & a confirmation email from Paul Wilson that Ted Nugent & Sunrize Acres would love to have Austin Jones come up for PorkSlam during the weekend of November 8 & 9, 2014. Not only did they cover all of Austin’s hunt, they invited my husband and I to attend. WOW. There are NO WORDS to describe my elation. There are not
enough words to express my sincere gratitude to all who made this possible. That weekend was one of the most memorable weekends of my life. You see, it takes a lot to help a young man with special needs hunt. It takes a team. Austin is surrounded by two amazing parents, Stephanie & Jason Jones. His parents will take Austin whenever and wherever he wants to hunt. Stephanie is the glue that hold this family together. Always making sure Austin has a working wheelchair (she had to put several pieces of
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different ones together for this hunt as his track chair broke, yet it did not stop the family from being able to attend, you see Stephanie is a problem solver). She had to change out the tubing in his ventilator during this hunt. Stephanie stays on top of every medical need. She is an angel. Jason & Austin hunt as a team. They MUST become one. It is the most amazing sight I’ve ever personally witnessed. Due to Austin’s muscular dystorphy, Jason has to move the crossbow to the exact position needed for Austin to put the scope on the animal and squeeze the trigger. Two working as one. Austin practices a lot & that young man
is one heck of a shot!!! The camadarie, love & joy amoungst this family is infectious & I was honored to be a part of it. Now onto the hunt. We arrive at Sunrize Acres & Paul Wilson has two blinds set up for us. One for Stephanie & I, the other for Austin, Jason & Clay (my husband who was filming for our show “Cross Hairs with Kris & Clay Hair”). Within minutes of getting the blinds up, the pigs start surrounding us. Stephanie & I are going bezerk as Austin refused to shoot anything. We kept annoying the boys by peeking our heads into their blind, saying: “SHOOT AUSTIN SHOOT!!!!” Austin slyly replies, “I’m waiting for the BIGGEST PIG!” About 4 hours into the hunt, guess what..... Austin DID shoot the
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biggest Russian Pig! Not only did he shoot the biggest, that young man made one heck of a good shot!!!! We were all so excited! We laughed, cried, danced & got all of it captured on film! After Austin smoked his pig, he was able to meet & hang out with Ted Nugent. How cool is that?! I am incredibly thankful to: The Jones, Paul Wilson, Ted Nugent, David Saroli & Sunrize Acres for making this all possible. Most of all, I’d like to thank Austin Jones. You, young man inspire me beyond words. You never complain, you always smile, you are so thankful to be able to hunt & nothing deters you. In a world full of negativity, excuses & “I cant’s”... You are a ray of LIGHT & will show the world, no matter what obstacle is thrown my way...... “I WILL”. You are strong, determined, hard headed, lovely, caring, one heck of a hunter & my hero! I love you young man! As Uncle Ted would say....... “Keep Being Awesome Austin!” Peace, Love & Piggies, Huntress Kristi Lynn Hair
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My Bear Story By Brianna Cozzetto
My name is Brianna (Livengood) Cozzetto. I live in Pueblo, Colorado and was raised in Westcliffe, Colorado, a small mountain town, which is about an hour away from where I live now. My family owns a large amount of land south of Westcliffe. Part of the property is prairie and part is timber. This is where my bear hunting journey has taken place. My first encounter with a bear was when I was 11 years old. My parents had purchased a lamb from the local county fair for me to keep as a pet. I was at my grandparents’ house when my mother called me and told me my lamb, Houdini had been killed by a bear. That’s when the nightmares started. The same one every time. Bears, hundreds of them, chasing me and right when I would get to the door to go in the house for safety I would wake up. I had this same dream hundreds of times. My parents divorced when I was 13. My dad and I didn’t have a great relationship. That all changed when I decided I should probably try bear hunting at age 21. Something happened that opening weekend with my dad. Our relationship was beginning to heal and it started at that point. Over the next 9 years I was able to hunt 7 out of 9 seasons. I was never successful. My mom and I would always jokingly say “Stinking bears, all they do is break your heart,” when I would come
home empty handed every night. Some seasons we didn’t see one single bear. It didn’t matter. What mattered was it was the one time each year that I had my dad all to myself. We talked, laughed and he taught me about wildlife, hunting, and bears. Each season when we scouted I learned that bears are not this ferocious creature that was chasing me in my dreams. Eventually the dreams stopped. I learned to respect them instead of fear and hate them.
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September 2nd, 2013 opening day of bear season in Colorado. We finally started living in the 21st century and purchased some game cameras. We had 3 cameras set in different locations. One morning when we went out we saw one but spooked it and it ran back into the timber, but it was there! For the rest of the month I was hunting morning and evenings almost every day. I always take my vacation the first week of September and luckily I only work part time as a Registered Nurse Case Manager. So about ¾ of the month I was out there. Almost every day there was a bear on one of the game cams. Unfortunately it was always at night. There were 3 different bears that were on the game cam. All were decent sized. Later in the month we found one out on the prairie. Jet black middle size. Wind was blowing like crazy. When we finally caught up to him we stopped and I took the shot from about 260 yards away. I missed, shot a bit too high. Still was happy to even get a shot at one.
We continued checking game cams through the month and noticed that two bears would take the same path every night. September 29th the day before the last day of another unsuccessful season. Every single time we went out I would ask my dad, “Are we gonna see a bear tonight.” His answers were usually the same “Maybe.” “Possibly.” “50/50 chance.” “We’ll see.” You get my point. The evening of September 29th I swear to you, my father said, “You are gonna get a bear tonight.” I didn’t think much of it at the time but now I wonder how he knew? It was around 6pm, September 29th. We were sitting in our blind watching from about 100 yards away where two paths come together in the timber. The paths where the game cam had cap-
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tured the bears over the past few days. There we sat. I was sitting in front of my dad and he was up higher. I’m not going to lie I was a little bored and discouraged about another unsuccessful season. I was checking my horoscope on my phone, not sure why I am not a horoscope type person but I was hoping it was going to say “Today will be the day you kill a bear.” From behind me I heard a “Pssssstttttt.” I looked back at my dad, looked back forward and didn’t see anything, like I said he was sitting higher than me. So I went back to my horoscope. He will give me a hard time about that for the rest of my life. When he got my attention again I looked up and saw a bear. A beautiful color phase bear.
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I got into shooting position, my heart beating out of my chest. Now I am not a quick shooter. I take my time with my shots. I had the barrel of my 7mm 08 on the tree blind. I had the bear sighted in. I waited and the bear went behind a tree. “Oh no,” I thought. “I should have taken the shot. Just wait, just wait, just wait.” The bear came back into view and was once again in my sites. It stopped. I was steadier than I ever had been. I squeezed the trigger. The bear dropped. I was in shock. I did not believe what just happened. I figured I would never get a bear. But I did. I called my mom to tell her I got one. Her and my daughter, then almost 2 years old, came up to see my bruin and took pictures with it. I was still in shock for many days. I didn’t believe it was really happening. I had prepared myself to never get a bear. The next day I took her to see the Division of Wildlife Officer who sealed her and took a tooth. My daughter and I headed toward Salida to take my bear to the taxidermist, GB Taxidermy. Her coat has beautiful blonde, light brown, dark chocolate brown fur all with gray undertones. I could not have asked for a prettier bear. She was 5’8” from nose to tail. Not the biggest bear, but my bear. Finally, my bear. I had always said after I got one I would never hunt for bear again. I had her processed and I could not believe how good the steaks were. According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife, her age by tooth data was 14 years old. Bear hunting saved my dad and I’s relationship. In his words, “It’s always been more than just a bear hunt.”
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Baby Brows ‘Bout Time Buck By Candace Hubble
I
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t was a typical weekend in the Texas Hill Country with rain forecasted which always seemed to happen; It was a hot Friday; Texas hot and we were hunting ground blinds in thick cedar (as much as I love being in a tree this area was not prime for tree stands, climbers, or even tripods so we had to forgo the hot boxes). It was 94 degrees and we sat in different areas, my husband, best buddy, and me, sweating, in shorts and snake boots waiting for the last possible moment to put on face masks or face paint. Rain was on the way the next 2 days so we were hoping to put something down on Friday. It didn’t happen. Saturday morning it poured rain and we sat in our ground blinds listening to the pitter patter on the roof and hoping for it to let up and the deer to get moving. It didn’t happen. With a full moon and rain the odds were stacked against us but a cool front moved through with the rain and dropped the temperatures down to 59 degrees. The cloud cover from the cool front had blocked out the bright moon and Saturday afternoon looked to be the most promising. We made it to our stands early and I saw movement about 4:00pm but nothing legal or mature. I was just happy to be in rain boots and pants instead of shorts and sweating! A text message showed up on my phone about 6:30pm that our buddy shot a doe and he could see her lying about 20 yards from where he shot her. I texted back my congratulations and looked up to see a buck walk out of the brush. There he was standing broad side but with the antler restrictions in this county I needed him to look at me or away to check his rack size. *The antler restrictions are for a 2 buck county where 1 buck must have one unbranched antler (a spike, 3 point, or freak) and the other buck must have an inside spread greater than 13 inches, usually at the tips of their ears when alert. He turned to look in my direction and I confirmed he was big enough. (The final measurement was 15 3/4 inches). My heart began racing… I was already in disbelief that this buck was even close enough to shoot. We were hunting a low fence, low deer population area with some of the most skittish deer I have ever hunted. They are always on high alert compared to deer I have hunted in South Texas and spook very easily; in 5 years of hunting this place, the quantity of deer taken was
low, well with a bow. We always passed on young bucks hoping our management choices would pay off regardless of what the neighbors were doing around us. As my heart started beating in my ears I made the decision of using my 20 yard pin. He was standing about 25 yards away and I had ranged a group of cactus in front of him at 22 yards and a group behind him at 28 yards earlier. I like to range landmarks early instead of waiting until the deer is in front of me so I can eliminate unnecessary movement. As I began to lift my bow, I caught a glimpse of another set of antlers in the brush so I looked through my binoculars. He was a much younger buck but now I had another set of eyes to potentially bust me. My buck was now alternating between looking forward at the other buck and in my direction at the blind. I was completely blacked out in the blind with a long sleeve black shirt and black face mask but as I mentioned before, these deer are always on high alert.
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I was trying to calm my breathing as I picked up my bow to draw. There wasn’t a breath of wind and the woods were dead silent so I knew I was going to have to be extremely stealthy. I drew back but it was the slowest I had ever drawn my bow making it the most difficult. The adrenaline was pumping and as I lowered my pins onto his shoulder they went black. No longer could I see the fiber optics of my pins of green, yellow, red; instead my tunnel vision took over and I watched my top 20 yard pin hover over his shoulder. I watched the muscles in his shoulders for any type of twitch that would indicate he was about to run just as I released on him. As my arrow slammed into his shoulder I heard the beautiful ‘thwack’ of the hit. He turned and I saw about 4 inches of my arrow with the lighted nock sticking out. My arrow had passed through, although not a complete pass through, but I knew I had made enough penetration to drop him hopefully nearby. I could only watch him run a few yards before he was out of sight because the cedar was extremely thick so I listened. I was shaking so bad as I fumbled for my phone to text that I had just shot a buck. Now the hard part…wait. I waited for about 30-45 minutes and my husband crossed the ranch to meet me to start tracking. It was now dark and the ground was still wet from the rain and I feared any blood trail might be washed away. I found blood at the impact site, both pieces of my arrow covered in blood; it resembled a lung shot with the air bubbles so I knew the blood trail was going to be minimal. We began tracking a small blood trail, marking each last
spot with my lighted nock before moving forward. The wet ground helped to show tracks as he ran and dug into the ground. We had only tracked about 30 yards w h e n we saw a large pile of fresh deer droppings and a larger pool of blood. We both smiled at each other because that was a great sign and shined our flashlights; there another 10 yards was my buck lying against a tree. From where I stood I couldn’t even see his antlers but I didn’t care. I immediately burst into uncontrollable tears from joy, years of hard work and never giving up, accomplishment and gratefulness. I just stood there holding my hands over my mouth as 100% pure unfiltered emotion took over. I grabbed my husband as he gave me a big hug and I cried. He walked over to him first because I was still frozen and ensured he was expired and grabbed his antlers. I finally followed and was able to see my buck as I took a deep breath. It is so hard to explain in words that exact moment and feeling especially after years of heartbreak and frustration; it was ‘Bout Time! The entire hunt was an out of body experience that I will never forget. I filled out my tag, tied it to his foot and loaded him up and then headed to pick up our buddy’s doe. We headed back to camp to take a few pictures and hurry to get him cleaned and on ice. Although it was a cooler night, the temperatures still required us to get him cleaned, quartered and on ice as soon as possible. We decided on a European mount for my buck and wrapped his head up for transport. I was on cloud nine for the rest of the weekend!
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My Deer Stand By: Christy Turner
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y deer stand is my happy place. I get to say good morning to God as he rise’s the sun. I get to breathe in the fresh air as butterflies flutter past me. I hear all sorts of different beautiful birds singing me songs. And then, it always happens, I get the biggest adrenalin rush when a big buck walks out in front of me. This crazy obsessed feeling takes control of me and I want more and more of it! My deer stand also makes life long memories. I love my kids hunting with me, right by my side. As this is the only time in this fast paced hectic life we get to sit still in complete silence and share so many emotions all at the same time. We soak all this in, and new exciting, thrilling memories are created and a bond like no other that a mother and daughter can share. We practice year round on making that perfect ethical shot. Some people don’t realize that we are very much animal lovers. We say a prayer before every hunt that if we have that perfect opportunity to help us make that perfect shot. We do not want to wound a deer and have them suffer. We want a fast ethical death. We are very appreciative of the very healthy organic meat for our family and we give thanks every time.
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My deer stand stays active all year, even when it is not deer season. We want to care for the deer herd year round. We supply food plots, corn feeders, protein and mineral feeders and we try to keep fresh water available. We want a healthy herd, and during deer season we try and cull the deer that need eliminated for the benefit of the herd and to manage the bucks. After nineteen years of deer hunting, I have made mistakes but each time I go out to my stand I learn something new. I believe I will always continue to learn too. My kids and I are active in our County 4-H Department and I am the Chairman for our County Wildlife Committee. We are a program of the Texas AgriLife Extension just like the 4-H department. Our purpose is to provide education in wildlife and natural resources for both the adult and youth. Introducing someone for the first time to what the outdoors have to offer is one of my most favorite things to do. I especially love to encourage children and women and watch their confidence grow and their spirits lift. It is so sad when women put limits on their selves for no reason. I don’t know if this is something that is taught to us at a young age or what. But I like to show other women and children that with guts and determination we can accomplish anything we set our minds to. Even if others don’t have faith in us, we can do it! I also have an amazing experience to help promote the outdoors and hunting further than just in my county. I have joined the team with His and Hers Outdoors that is in their fifth season on the Pursuit channel. Real Families, Real Lives, Real Hunting is what this show
is about. We are five families who share our real life experiences of our passions in the outdoors. This is going to be a very great year. My deer stand is my happy place. I get to say good night to God as he set’s the sun. I get to feel the night’s crisp cool air against my face as I walk back to camp. I listen to the Owls sing me songs as I travel down that caliche rock road in the moonlight. I see that campfire glowing warm and can’t wait to tell my family and friends my exciting night of adventure that played out right in front of me. We love to celebrate and share each other’s adventures, excitement, and victories! Hunting is in my blood, it is my true passion in life. I believe in conservation, I believe in tradition, I believe in family and I believe in you.
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November 1st Buck 2014 By Judy Branham
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lanning to climb in my deer stand before sunrise was a useless idea as my body dreaded the chilly morning air. I took my time to gather gear until I could see to walk into the woods without my flashlight. Deer travel through my hunting area after leaving their feeding area to bed down for the morning; however, bucks had been roaming a bit during the day lately. Our trail cams were showing daytime activity and we had also spotted bucks crossing the road.
Finding an old sock to cut for placing a scent trail was another feat of the morning. I cut it into a piece about 4 inches by 2 inches, added a capful of TINK’s 69 Doe-in-Rut Buck Lure to my freezer baggie, then placed the rag into the baggie after tying yarn to it about 4 foot long. Leaving the string hang out to stay clean I sealed the baggie. When I arrived to the first main deer crossing in my hunting area I pulled out the scent bag and wrapped the clean end around my hand then walked in leaving a scent trail any deer would follow and stop for. Note I had also sprayed scent killer on my LaCrosse rubber boots before walking to the woods. Walking passed my stand about 20 yards out then circling back to the same spot in front of my stand before putting up the scent rag is my usual ritual. However this morning I jumped a nice 8 point buck 20 yards from my stand. He was bedded on the hillside across the creek not 60 yards from my stand. My heart sunk. Losing hope of seeing any early morning activity I climbed into my stand and knocked my arrow. As the sun began to rise over the horizon my heart filled with gratitude for God’s creation at its finest. The westward frosty fall trees glowed in the morning sunshine brightening with each moment of sunrise. The previous evening had given in to the first season’s snow fall which scantily covered
the ground with spots of white. Blue jays sounded there calls back and forth while the nearby stream babbled on its way south. The excitement of the morning hunt in these conditions filled me with wonder of what was to come. Would I see any more deer this morning; or possibly a red fox or coyote? Praying for a doe to build my confidence with my new Bear Archery women’s “Siren” bow my husband Ken had purchased for me last October, I humbled myself to just enjoy the hunt and day with no expectations of a harvest. Eight o’clock came and went as well as nine o’clock, until a coyote came tramping up behind me through the crispy leaves on the forest floor. It was traveling so fast I couldn’t get turned around fast enough to see exactly where it went. All of a sudden it vanished into the creek and I never heard another sound or saw any movement. I was in awe of its disappearance so swiftly without notice. 9:55 a.m. about ten minutes later I heard leaves crunching on top the cliff to my left. About 70 yards to my left and straight above me I saw him. His antlers shone bright as he made his way down the steep embankment walking hastily. This big eight point was on a mission to discover a doe in heat somewhere. I wondered if he was the same buck I had jumped earlier, definitely a shooter for archery season with my new bow. He quickly slid down the steep eight foot creek bank about twelve yards from me as I grasped my bow and made ready to pull it back. Within a fraction of a second he was in front of me stopped broadside barely quartering away smelling the scent trail I had laid earlier. I began pulling my bow back, yet with all the excitement I could not get the last four inches! I took a breathe and with determination from deep down inside of me I pulled from an inner strength I had never used before and finally was able to pull all the way back, take aim and release my arrow. A perfect lung shot! As he turned and ran back across the creek I watched with great interest
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my arrow’s bright green fletching swaying sharply back and forth as he took great strides thinking this will take him down swiftly and he won’t suffer. He disappeared in the brush on the side of the hill and then I heard a crash at about 60 yards, then silence. Visually marking where I last saw him with a large fallen tree and three Sycamore tree bases, I then took a deep breath; a sigh of relief I had finally shot my first deer with this bow, but also a sigh of I hope I can find him. My first thought was to stay in my stand and wait at least an hour before trying to find him. I did not desire to jump him still alive and perhaps never find him. Texting my husband who was hunting the next farm over to tell him the good news was my next thought. 9:57 a.m. thinking he was the big eight I jumped earlier I text him, “I shot that big eight, arrow stayed in him, going to wait 45 minutes then get down” I wrote. (Already shortening my time to wait.) “He’s about like the other bucks I have harvested” I noted. “Good archery harvest”, I added. 10:29 a.m. “Let me know. Don’t pressure him, let him lay if you didn’t see him fall” my husband advised with hunting wisdom. I knew not to pressure a deer in case they had not passed they might jump up and take off making the harvest even more difficult. After lying for a time they can clot up and then will not leave a blood trail to follow if jumped. Sitting there calming myself down for 20 minutes or so, trying to decide what to do next I remembered that coyote. Oh no, could she be enjoying my venison this very moment? I began to collect my gear to check out my shot area for sign.
10:30 a.m. “Okay, getting down to look. He went up the hill about 60 yards I think,” I text. When I descended from my stand I immediately found lung blood at the shot sight, lots of blood. The trail was easy to follow with the snow on the ground also. I went a few yards then looked with my binoculars up the hill to see if I could spot him lying. Each time no brown or white deer hair was seen on the hillside. Across the other side of the creek I almost lost the trail two times. My being a seasoned huntress came in handy as I knew to stand on the last blood spot until I found another one. I used bright orange ribbon to mark each time the trail took a turn left or right. Each time the trail became stronger, wider and more prevalent until I came to the deep holler where he had fallen and passed. There he was, antlers shining white, bright red blood all the way to him. He had only gone less than 70 yards within a few seconds then fell, looked like he was dead before he hit the ground. I was elated to find him so quickly. He must have died then fell down the holler. 11:08 a.m. “Found him”, I text. 11:15 a.m. “Send me a picture”, my husband replied. Seconds later, “Yes!!!!!” with attached photo from me. His rack was larger than what I had thought and outside his ears. This was not the buck I had jumped up in the morning. His body was wide, squared off and full, a definite 3 ½ year old or older. His tines were long and his main beams were thick, only one was worn off about two inches. He also had a one inch long tine making him a nine pointer. Arrow was still in him; as my “Muzzy” broad head and Michael Waddell “DaTorch” arrow had done a great job with my new women’s Bear Archery “Siren” compound bow. I had not harvested a deer in archery season for over ten years as
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I had sold my old High Country bow and had not purchased another for that long. Then the “drag out” set in; I looked up the steep holler embankment, then down. Upwards it was 40 yards of straight up 60 degree angle, downward were several large fallen trees to lift him over then a steep cliff falling 20 yards. Down was not an option for me, a 56 year old female with a bad back and then dropping him off the cliff into the creek. Upward the drag will be very difficult but we can do it I thought…six inches at a time and pain tomorrow but we have to get him out. Photograph contemplations consumed me as I began to take several photos with my phone. I traveled back to my car to obtain my good camera and tripod for better photos and selfies while I waited for Ken to assist me. He came later with his film camera and we shot some footage of my story, my field dressing him, and us dragging him out. Photos or film almost never do justice to the moment but are wonderful to remember by. This deer drag up and out will be one for our memory book for sure I supposed.
His hooves were almost as large as my hand. I had been seeing his tracks all season.
were kept made me sad for those who will not experience this friendly fun competition amongst hunters. One year I harvested a 150 pound doe but was knocked out of first place by 153 pound doe. Today antler score and deer age are the main items hunters go by to compare deer pride. Personally I think we are all missing out on some fun just to save time and energy. If I had harvested him a couple of weeks later he would have weighed After getting him to the top of the hill and on the much less after chasing does everywhere. deer cart it wasn’t too bad; some mud, the creek and then pulling him up in the back of the 4 wheel His antlers will be proudly displayed on my wall to drive truck, then home. My son and his family be handed down to my grandkids one day. I hope came out for a picture. Our grandkids were cold to instill this love of the outdoors and hunting in and sleepy but our granddaughter managed a big them also as they grow older. Our granddaughsmile for grandma and her buck. ter already began turkey hunting this past spring. Although she did not harvest a bird we had loads I wanted to weigh him just to know for myself of fun and she not only heard gobbling from the what this bruiser weighed field dressed; however roost but watched turkeys in the field through binnone of the check stations weigh deer anymore. oculars. My goal is to keep them enthused about Most people just check their deer in on line now. hunting, shooting sports and all outdoor activities Remembering many deer contests from years past as long as I can. where weight was a large factor and county records My husband and I believe he weighed over 200 pounds field dressed. His hooves were about as large as my hand. I had been playing chess with this buck just to get a glimpse of him all season. My Lord blessed me with him on a beautiful fall day of exciting hunting. It was a good hunt, a swift kill and a wonderful day I will always remember with fondness. Thank you Lord, for everything.
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River Karma by Holly Finn
Pound for pound I think I have put more garbage in my net than fish. Yes, I said garbage. I find it difficult to walk or wade past garbage, even while fishing. If I can’t find a place to stow it until I get to my vehicle, I will bury it under a rock so the next fisherman doesn’t have to see it. I call this River Karma. River Karma is the act of picking up trash along the river and catching fish as a result. It’s a proven science (most of the time). I have never understood how a person can just toss trash on the ground, whether it is the side of the road or the bank of a river. How hard is it to stash a few grocery bags in your fishing bag and stow the trash until you get somewhere? It is not unusual for me to fill up my pack and net while on a river outing (unless I am on the South Fork and then my pockets are full of pebbles).
I definitely pick up more trash where bait fishing is allowed. Why is that? I rarely find trash on the Madison, Henry’s Fork or Green. If I do it looks to be unintentionally dropped, for the most part. I have pocketed a full pack of yuppie mini cigars, a bag of rubber legs (karma because that was the hot fly and I had just lost my last one), nice water bottles and full sodas and beers, bobbers, tippets, candy bars, etc. Sometimes I have to reach back to the shore and dump the trash in my net in order to net a fish. In fact, this spring, on the Madison, I went to net a big, beautiful rainbow at dusk and reached out only to see a ratty old tennis shoe in my net.
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adly, the bad trash far outweighs the good trash. Twice I found the mother of all finds, a fly box. While fishing the opener on the Madison a few years back I found a fly box chuck full of streamers. I peeled back a few layers and there was a phone number. Drat. The last name was Fritz. I took it. I asked the guy in the next hole if he was Fritz. No. A while later I saw two guys walking up on the ridge back to Three Dollar. “Is one of you Fritz?” I shouted. They stopped, looked at each other, and then the guy on the right pointed to the one on the left. “Do you want your flies?” I held up the box. He looked relieved and trudged down to me. To that point I had caught a few and lost several nice ones. After that I was on fire. RK. No kidding.
let paper literally littered the trail. I was disgusted! Who does that? It nearly ruined my experience. In case you are wondering, I DID NOT pick up the TP. I draw the line right there!
Picking up trash is risky business. Twice I have picked up cans that turned out to be homes for living creatures. I grabbed an energy drink can on the banks of the Little Bear River and a few hundred yards later I felt like a rotting flesh smell was following me. It turns out that there were nasty little creatures holed up in the can. I buried it. It’s the same story on all Another time I threw a bottle in the bottle holder my rivers….pick up some on my waist pack and a while later I felt a wiggling trash, good or bad, and I on my side. A tiny rodent had crawled out of the will at least land one, no bottle and got stuck in my pack. I am more careful matter how tough the day. now. RK. Believe it. (My husband’s RK comes from re- No one should have to feel like they are doing moving the trash from his community service hours while fishing. I really truck bed after our trips.) don’t enjoy picking up someone else’s trash, but from a young age I was taught to respect the outdoors; I was taught to be a steward of the outMy obsession with trash doors. I hope that I am setting a positive example started many years ago for my kids and they learn to respect the beautiful on the Weber River in outdoors. Utah. Jared and I were fishing and not having a Note: I have decided to be proactive with the river lot of luck. It was hot and trash issue. I plan on contacting the powers that high, and a little too early be at the Utah Division of Wildlife Services and in the afternoon. A cou- see if they can put a statement about not littering ple hundred yards from / pack it in, pack it out on the fishing and hunting the car I noticed an un- licenses. Maybe a statement reminding licensees usually large amount of have to be more conscious and responsible. Just garbage on the trail. Pret- one idea--more to come. (I am trying to pile on ty soon my net was full, the RK). then my arms. I took a few trips back to the car and wished I had a large trash bag or two, there was that much. I can manage most of the trash I run across, but sometimes it is just not possible. I will never forget fishing on the Blacksmith Fork River in Northern Utah a few days after this past Memorial weekend. I parked above a camping area and walked down to my usual step in. Apparently, this was the designated bathroom area for the group who had camped there. Toi-
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