www.Ladyhuntermagazine.com | Lady Hunter Magazine |July/August2014| 1
Snyder
Conditioning Your Dog
LadyHunter Vol 2 Issue 4 Jul y/August 2014
MAGAZINE
Ladyhuntermagazine.com
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Welcome to Lady Hunter Magazine
Your online destination for female-focused hunting. It’s time the women of the hunting world were recognized in their own publication
LADY HUNTER MAGAZINE
4336 Milsmith Road, Chester, VA 23831 gary@LadyHunterMagazine.com. No part of Lady Hunter may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher. Copyright 2014
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Table Of Contents Conditioning Dogs for Ducks Kimberly Synder............................................................................................6 Long Overdue Nancy Rodriguez .........................................................................................10 Bow Draw Strength Beka Garris..................................................................................................13 The Shannon Reaser Story..............................................................................16 Ladies Hunting Camp Candy Yow .................................................................................................19 Razor Back Red Anita Williams.............................................................................................22 Get Lost to Be Found Candace Hubble ..........................................................................................25 Setting Goals and a Never Give Up Attitude Christy Turner.............................................................................................28 Blasting Birds with Kristi Lynn Hair..........................................................................................32 Family Hunting Traditions are Passed Down Judy Erwin Branham....................................................................................35
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Our Previously Published Huntresses
Joella Bates
Anita Williams
http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/joella-bates.html
http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/anita-williams.html
Kimberly Synder
Candy Yow
http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/kimberly-snyder.html
http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/candy-yow.html
Kristi Lynn Hair
Teresa DePalma
http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/kristi-hair.html
http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/teresa-depalma.html
Christy Turner
Judy Erwin Branham
http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/christy-turner.html
http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/judy-erwin-branham.html
Beka Garris
Amy Hughes
http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/beka-garris.html
http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/amy-hughes.html
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Bio’s can be Found at the links provided
Candace Hubble http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/candace-hubblehtml
Shannon Deskins http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/shannon-deskins.html
Jennifer Shultz http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/jennifer-shultz.html
Candace Crick http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/candace-crick.html
Amanda Jackson http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/amanda-jackson.html
For those of you who like to fish please check out Lady Angler Magazine http://ladyanglermag.com
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Conditioning Dogs for Ducks
By Kimberly Snyder
When it comes to Waterfowl hunting there and safety for your dog, as the risk of drowning is a list of items that you will need to have a suc- can be high if your dog isn’t conditioned properly. cessful and exciting hunt. This can range from the type of gun you choose to the apparel you wear but many don’t consider one of the most rewarding things you can take along with you. That is your best friend, your dog. The first step is picking your best friend, many waterfowl hunters choose from the Retriever breed of dogs. Retrievers take to water naturally they come in all shapes and sizes and the temperament of the different breeds must be considered for not only your hunting needs but family and living situations. So before you choose your new best friend consider size, many may not have the room for a Chessie, a Labrador or a Golden and may choose a smaller breed of an American Water Spaniel, a German Shorthair pointer or even a Boykin. But no matter what breed you decide on know that Waterfowl hunting may not be as strenuous as upland hunting but conditioning your dog for duck hunting is crucial for success
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After you have picked your dog make sure you take a trip to the veterinarian, they can spot any injuries or illnesses. These occasional trips as well will enable your dog to stay in the condition needed for wherever you may choose to hunt. If you are hunting in areas where they may be Lyme’s Disease, vaccinate your dog. Also consider antihistamines like Benadryl if you are in high areas of pollen, all these precautions aren’t 100% effective but will give that added protection to your 4 legged friends and keep them hunting beside you for years to come.
to train your best friend to hunt alongside you and work for the birds allow them the proper training that any good athlete would require. Even we hunters are quick to become short of breath after a hot pursuit on a running rooster or hiking fields searching for game. Your dog will take to swimming, that is why you probably chose the retriever breed and after all this is Waterfowl hunting. So swimming is a great option for conditioning, the water will cut the worry of heat exhaustion and it has a low impact on their joints and builds that cardio very quickly. Remember you are conditioning them, which means it’s probably the off season and heat is always a factor, so consider early mornings, late evenings. You want your dog to be ready for the cooler temperatures and ready to perform in any conditions. Remember that many injuries take place during conditioning of dogs. If you were to work out all day you would be sore too. Ideally year round It is fairly simple, consider if you were train- training is best exercise for dogs. A strict routine ing to run a marathon. You wouldn’t choose to is best. Remember if a dog is properly trained and sign up for a run and the day before finally put conditioned it can only take a month to whip them down the chips and take a try at the tread mill. back into shape before the season opener. You will begin conditioning yourself like any good athlete, eating right, learning the fundamentals and of course training. Many people choose to just walk their dog, that is great exercise but more so for us. Remember a Walk to a Dog is like a crawl for us. They require alittle more especially for the demands of a dog while waterfowl hunting. Rivers can have very strong currents, birds don’t always land where it’s easy to get too and in waterfowl hunting ice is always a factor. So if your are going
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Many things will come into play as far as what kind of hunting situations you should condition your dog for. If you are a hardcore waterfowl hunter you may want to concentrate on water exercise, some may want fields and running is a focus. Either way you must know the conditions you expect for your hunts and prepare for them. This is not only for yourself but also for your dog.
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It is very important to have your dog go to puppy waterfowl school and after trained continue with his or her education to become the best hunter possible. We personally work our dogs with a certified dog trainer at Gun Dog Kennels in Spotsylvania, Virginia. Mr. Bryan Jones has worked with dogs for numerous years and produced some of the finest dogs I have ever seen while Waterfowl hunting. This essential training makes the job of conditioning your dog and keeping them successful ten times easier for any hunter.
In conclusion training is necessary of all Waterfowl dog owners, yes they will be in condition by the end of the season but opening day needs to be injury-free, successful and fun. You can’t expect a dog to hunt hard on opening day without them being ready to hunt. Best said Prepare, condition and enjoy. There is nothing like watching your dog work alongside you, the joy of them brining you the game and coming home together to enjoy another hunt. A fine-tuned Waterfowl dog is a yearlong process and worth every moment of work. Duck, Duck, Goose Kimberly Snyder
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Long Overdue By Nancy Rodriguez
One of my favorite things about hunting is learning about different species of animals and with each hunt comes new adventures. Whether you’re glassing a large basin high above timberline in search of mule deer, or sitting against a huge old oak tree waiting to hear a distant gobble, each hunt brings it’s own feeling of excitement! One of my bucket list species has been an antelope. I have been trying to draw an antelope tag in my home state of California for the last 12 years without luck. A few years ago my husband, Joe said if you really want an antelope, we better start earning points in another state. What better state is there to hunt antelope than Wyoming? Well a few years later and a few antelope points earned, we each had an antelope tag in our hands from Wyoming. The preparation started immediately. My husband spoke with the local rangers; we studied maps, practiced long range shooting, and
went over shot placements and wind charts. I also tried to learn how to field judge horn size. We are definitely not trophy hunters by any means, but with the promise of seeing numerous animals, we thought it would be fun to go after a nice representative. With all of our ducks in a row, we were ready for some antelope hunting.
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As our hunt finally approached, we drove into our hunting unit full of excitement. We started to spot antelope immediately. Joe and I had planned for me to be the first shooter, since he had already harvested a couple of goats in years past. Our goal was to hike in away from the roads and do spot and stalk. By the second day of hunting, we had spotted numerous goats and 3 decent bucks that either one of us would have been thrilled to take. That evening we arrived at the hotel we were staying… that’s right I said hotel! It was the first hotel hunt we’ve had in over 10 years!!! As I strolled through the lobby, I couldn’t help but notice this cute young gal admiring my head to toe Prois camo. I smiled at her and said hello. She quickly asked if I was hunting and I told her yes… antelope. With a huge smile from ear to ear, she said she had just got one a couple hours ago. I asked her if it was a good one, and her response was absolutely refreshing! With a smile from ear to ear she said, “It was a big one, 72 lbs!!!” And that was that. With a “congratulations” and a high five, she practically skipped off. I never found out if it was a buck or a doe, but it really didn’t matter. Seeing her happy face, only caring about the meat was a great reminder of why we hunt!
stant concern. We belly crawled up the ridgeline to try and find a little shelter from the wind. Suddenly with 4 bucks and 5 does within 200 yards of us, we were in the front row of an unforgettable live nature show. The bucks were in full rut, sparing like crazy, each trying to herd the harem away from the other. As we watched the show, I slowly brought my rifle up into shooting position. I knew I had plenty of time, because all of the bucks were so busy trying to prove their dominance. I had the goat picked out and the crosshairs on the mark, but not for long. As I tried to steady my gun, my crosshairs bounced up and down, and side to side. The wind meter registered wind gusts up to 54 mph! I could not ethically pull the trigger with that The next day as we hiked across a sage flat strong of a crosswind. under the full sun, our eyes were on overload as we glassed each and every nook and cranny hopJoe and I decided we had to get lower in the draw ing for little white dots to appear. We searched to find a wind break and try to make the shot. As each of the draws from below and quickly spotted we crawled into a different position our gig was a group of goats about a mile away. As we set up up. Busted! It looked like 4th of July fireworks as the spotting scope, it was confirmed there were at least 2 decent bucks in the group. We slowly started to climb up the ridge on the opposite side of the goats. It was now becoming later in the afternoon and the Wyoming wind started to show itself. We made our final approach to the top of the finger ridge while looking up the main draw where the goats were. Now that we were on the exposed ridge, the wind was in full force. The gusts were so strong; it kept filling our eyes with dust and sage along with trying to steal my lucky hat! Not a chance!!!! As the temperature dropped, I was thankful to have an extra jacket to keep me warm for the remainder of the stalk.
Shooting with a high crosswind was a con-
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the speed goats flew in all directions! We kept an eye on one of the bucks and watched as he broke off from the herd. He slowly made his way down off the ridge into the sage flats. After watering at the creek below, he started to make his way up the opposing ridge that was closer to were we had parked our truck. We figured if we could circle and catch him on the lee side of the ridge, the wind would be less and I may get a shot. Off we went, down the ridge, across the sage flat, and up the opposite ridge. As we reached the top, Joe whispered, “There he is!” The wind was better at this point, so I quickly got into position and steadied my crosshairs. I slowly pulled the trigger and my bullet found its mark. With all of my hunts, my mind is always full of mixed feelings when I finally reach the downed animal. I am grateful for the meat it will provide, sadness for a life taken, and thankful to have the privilege to enjoy such great adventures, especially along side my best friend and hunting partner, Joe. But, most of all I feel proud…Proud to be a female huntress! We quickly took photos as the sun set behind the horizon. As Joe and I field dressed the antelope in the dark, we listened to the coyotes calling to one another. I’m sure they were saying, “Tonight we will feast!” Hiking out under a blanket of darkness with backpacks full of meat, I couldn’t help but smile. I was excited to share my latest hunting story with my fellow hunters/huntresses. And when they ask how big the antelope was, my response will be… It was big, about 72 lbs!!! Thank you to the young lady for the great reminder of why we hunt!!!
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By Beka Garris
Bow Draw Strength
When I got my first compound bow at age 16, I was shooting 40 pounds. In the state of New Jersey where I lived, a draw weight of 35 pounds was required in order to legally bowhunt. My first deer that I took that year was a little doe, a quartering too shot at 15 yards with a clean pass through. She went about 40 yards and died. As I became more confident with shooting, I began to slowly work my way up in draw weight. I currently am shooting 55 lbs on my hunting and target bows. This time of year, I always receive many messages and emails from other females via social media, asking what they can do to shoot a few more pounds on their bow. The main reason I wanted to shoot more weight was simple...being healthy and building stronger muscles allowed me to pull a heavier draw, which means I could take farther shots and pack more punch. Doing so also provided more confidence for me.
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Shooting a bow engages your back and shoulders as much as your arms, so it helps to work your entire upper body to strengthen the muscles you need for archery. Going to the gym and working out your upper body will obviously help. But there are various other ways to target the muscles important for drawing a heavier weight bow. Several years ago I was considering going on a bear hunt with my bow. Obviously shooting an animal 5 or 10 times my size would be intimidating. I decided to start training until I could shoot a bow at 60 lbs with ease. In a few short months I accomplished my goal, and I can give about 90% of the credit to one simple object: Resistance bands. Resistance bands are large rubber bands used for strength training and can be found at Wal-Mart in several sizes for under $10. Exercises to build upper body strength were included, many of which simulate the actual movements of drawing a bow. (I also googled “Resistance Band Training” for more results”). Some similar training tools include The Bowfit archery exerciser and The Bow trainer. Both are designed specifically to help archers. Exercises like push-ups, pull-ups and rowing-style motions that work the chest, back and arms are also extremely helpful. These other muscles will support and stabilize your arm’s draw strength during training and practice.
Whether you are right or left handed, be sure to work both arms etc. equally so you ensure you work all of your muscles. Exercise and a healthy lifestyle will be nothing but helpful. *One of the most important things to remember, is to not rush it. Being “over bowed” and pulling more weight than you should can result in hasty and bad shots. Being comfortable with the draw weight of your bow is key. Beka Garris wbp1304@gmail.com Proline Bowstrings www.prolinebowstrings.com
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Get your bow back in shape with the with the Truglo® Bow Accessory Kit. 3 TRU•BLOCK string silencers help quiet your bow, and 36” of high-tension BCY string serving helps repair the frayed results of hard practice and hunting. Also included is 5” of D-loop material, a slotted kisser button, and a 3/16” Centra Peep™ Xtreme with premium silicone tubing. •Slotted kisser button •3 TRU•BLOCK™ string silencers •36” high-tension BCY string serving •5” finished BCY D-loop material •3/16” Centra Peep Xtreme with silicone tubing
The RedHead® Bow Case 2.0 holds 2 bows up to 40” axle to axle. Features include 17 pockets; 2 interior compartments; a padded, removable shoulder strap; 5 security straps; and protective padding on all sides. Made from durable 600D fabric with a plush interior. Dimensions: 45” x 19” x 6.5”. Imported. •Holds two bows up to 40” axle to axle •17 pockets •2 interior compartments •Padded, removable shoulder strap •5 security straps •Protective padding on all sides •Durable 600D fabric •Plush interior
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s Up the F e r i F r a e mil s a e y
She’s 16 and just wrapped up one of the biggest weekends of her life: Prom. Now it’s time for Shannon Reaser to focus on one of her other passions: Hunting and enjoying the great outdoors with her family and friends!
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Shannon is one of the co-hosts of “The Outdoor Option,” a family oriented hunting and fishing show based in Elyria, Ohio. The show focuses on the interactions that take place between her and her other co-hosts, brother Danny, and father Dan. “The Outdoor Option” airs on Sportsman and Pursuit channels.
Question: What got you interested in hunting?
Shannon is also a varsity cheerleader and athlete at Elyria Catholic High School. She travels across the country hunting and fishing, and attends many of the big trade and consumer shows. She gets asked many questions along the way. Here are the top five.
Shannon: I have always enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with my family. From the time I could walk, I got to see how much fun my dad, brother, and Grampa Sherm had while they prepared and talked about their hunting trips. As I got older, I got to come along on hunts. It was a family experience that evolved as I got older.
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Question: As a role model, what advice do you have for other young hunters?
Shannon: Go for it! Try shooting all types of guns, experiment with bows, and find what you like. My pink TenPoint crossbow is my favorite. Question: What’s it like to co-host your own TV show? Shannon: It’s a blast! Not only do I get to spend time with my family, but I get to share my experiences with the whole country. For me, it’s an honor and a blessing that I’m very grateful for.
Question: Who do you admire in the outdoor industry? Shannon: I admire those who follow their passions, especially the younger people who aren’t afraid to make mistakes. Nobody is perfect, and I’ve learned those who truly enjoy the outdoors are always willing to teach the next generation. I admire those who take the time to teach and pass along what they’ve learned. Question: What role will women play in the future of the outdoor industry? Shannon: I think more young women will find out how thrilling it is to hunt, and more will realize that it’s a chance to spend quality time with family while helping to preserve our environment. I’m sure there will continue to be many more role models for women in the outdoor industry. Catch the new season of The Outdoor Option on Sportsman channel starting in January of 2015, and enjoy the current episodes right now on The Outdoor Option’s new YouTube channel: www. youtube.com/theoutdooroptionshow And keep in touch with The Outdoor Option team on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheOutdoorOption. Our website is www.theoutdooroption.com, Instagram Theoutdooroption, Twitter@outdooroption
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Ladies Hunting Camp By Candy Yow
So having been in the Horse Training world most of my life I have attended and put on numerous clinics and seminars on just about any discipline of riding and training, so when I thought up this great idea of a Ladies Hunting Camp I thought it would be so easy to put together and fill up. Well I had a lot to learn, and learn it I did but boy was it ever worth it. I came up with the idea after helping a friend at a Women On Target event; I was in shock of how much confidence it gave the women to learn to handle a gun safely and even more to shoot it accurately. My brain got to running in circles like it does and thought well how much cooler if we took a weekend and taught them all aspects of hunting? So the idea was born and away I went with it, first to secure a piece of property to hold this event on, I looked at 5 before we found a great place on the Luckiamute River. Chuck with Luckiamute Valley Pheasants not only had a beautiful facility but also was willing to let us use it free of charge to get this thing started. What a beautiful setting with shooting ranges, Barn for holding classes, camping along the river and Gods beautiful country surrounding us (as well as pheasants talking to us and strutting their stuff around camp).
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By the time I got the property located we were running short of time to pull this thing off, so now to set a date and secure Outstanding ladies in the hunting industry as instructors, trying to pick a date that will work with everyone is like trying to find a sea shell in the desert, but running short on time I set a date and just went with it, and of course 5 of the ladies I wanted to bring were already booked but that was ok, I grabbed a handful of ladies that were not and away we went to put classes together. I was looking for a broad overview of everything that pertains to hunting and I think we might have done it!!!; We had Jennifer Holbrook who is a former competitive rifle shooter and NRA instructor teaching Rifle & Pistol and the gals ate that up, they were all shooting good at the end of two days. Michelle Bodenheimer taught Shotgun, wildlife photography and Upland game bird hunting and awed the gals with her skills and photography. Robin Rick with Best of the West taught what to pack in a Back Pack and helped out in almost all the classes with her skills and knowledge of backcountry hunting. Charlie Cookson taught Archery with the help of Cheryl Shaver and Jake Russell. Heather Aldrich with Bravo Tents taught how to set up a tent in all weather conditions, we had classes on how to pack and set up camp in the back country, How to, when to and where to put in for tags, The basics of Hunting & Orienteering taught by Randy & Candy Yow as well as a quick quartering demonstration that all the gals got involved in. The list goes on, and so did the fun. For two days we lived and breathed what you need to know to go hunting and I believe we prepared some ladies to go and get it done. We encouraged the ladies to camp out with us to get the whole experience and we had ladies in pup tents, backs of cars and pickups, wall tents & R.V.s so we covered most the bases on that. Skills were taught, confidence was gained and friends were made, I would say that it was a pretty successful weekend.
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Saturday night we had Dutch oven cooking by Robert and Gayle Bonine followed by an Outdoor apparel fashion show and concealed carry options fashion show. Some of us ladies were a bit shy but before the night was over we were showing off our favorite clothing and explaining why we wear what we wear, and why it works for us in certain conditions. We had awesome door prizes for all the attendees, Alpen Optic spotting scope, Cabela’s camp kitchen, Dutch oven, OnXMaps Oregon map, Prois BadAssery shirts, Thirty One Bags, & Her Camo Shop gift bag.
So its over and I am kind of sad, but already putting thoughts together for next year, what can I improve on, what can I add, who can I bring in, where should we hold it. Yes, as you can tell I am learning more than the gals that attended, ha but isn’t that the way it should be, we should never quit learning, never quit trying and never quit standing up for what we believe in. So until next time, shoot straight and keep on hunting, Candy Yow Photography by Michelle Bodenhiemer
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Razorback Red By Anita Williams
They are coming in and they are running fast. There are 4 in all. I have only a few minutes of daylight left. For three evenings in a row I sat in the blind with my guide and never saw a wild boar. Suddenly, I remember a little trick that I learned growing up on a farm in Iowa. I raise the back of my tongue to the roof of my mouth and grunt like a piggy.
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Things change in an instant! I know what I have to do. I slowly raise my bow, hook up the trigger release and pull back to full draw. The larger black wild boar will not give me the right opportunity for good shot placement so I quickly settle my sight pin on the red spotted razorback. I touch the bow string to the tip of my nose and also anchor to the corner of my mouth. It feels good to be at full draw after a long winter. Wild boars are nervous and they continually move. I am not going to let this throw me or ruin my chance at arrowing a feral wild pig. I take a calming breath, flex my shoulder muscles slightly together and gently press the trigger releasing an arrow. I hear a thud like I have never heard before. It is as though my arrow has hit a solid wall. Wild boars grow a cartilage shield that completely covers their vital region and extends to the last rib. This wild pig is smaller and shouldn’t have developed this protective shield yet, unless it has been in a lot of fights. The size, red coloring and stripes are telltale signs that this is a juvenile wild boar. They generally turn black and lose any spots and stripes as they age. The red one is perfect for eating as they are the most desirable less than 60 pounds. The wild boar squeals and runs out of sight. The pink fletched arrow jabs up and down in a furious motion. The broadhead will slice the organs inside as it runs through the brush to seek shelter. Suddenly the mature black sow charges straight for the camouflage blind where my guide and I sit. At the last second, she whips her head and snorts as she races down the trail. My heart practically beats out of my chest. I sit dazed as my guide leans to me and says, “You missed’. I look at him puzzled, as if I were waiting for the punch line of a B grade joke. “I have it on film and I didn’t see the arrow hit”, he quips. I tell him that I saw the arrow sway up and down as the hog ran off. How did he miss seeing the hit? Now I realize what is happening, as he focuses on the larger black wild boar, I shoot the red spotted one. We sit and contemplate what to do as the sun sinks into the horizon. A chill works its way down my spine and I shake it off. Coyotes howl as my guide grabs a flashlight from the back-
pack. We shine the light on the dusty trail and see blood. Lots of blood! It is sprayed all over. I sure don’t want the coyotes to get my kill before I do. My guide tells me to stay put as the safest place for me right now is to stay with the last blood. Toward the sound of howling coyotes my guide tears down the dusty trail. The wild boar is an invasive species that causes damage to ranch lands all over the south. They root up the soil and leave deep holes as they search for food. In fact they can smell food buried twenty feet in the ground. They are almost impossible to eradicate. It will be dangerous trailing the animal in the dark. One wrong step and a man’s foot can drop into a hole causing an ankle to snap. I reach into my pack and pull out Mace and knock an arrow, not certain what will happen next. I turn on my headlamp shaking, but determined to remain calm. I prepare to defend myself against the coyotes or the wild boar sow if she circles back searching for her young. The grey sky turns pitch black.
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Twigs snap as I hear crashing through the brush a short while later. I spin toward the sound. My entire body trembles. I am on high alert. Suddenly, over the ridge and deep into the brush I see a light. It is my guide. Oh no! It doesn’t look like he is dragging a wild pig. When he gets within ten feet of me he flips his shoulder toward me. A rope is trailing over his shoulder and hanging to the ground is the limp body. It is dark outside but I can clearly see the razorback red! I feel a sense of satisfaction knowing that this razorback red won’t be doing any more damage to the land. We gather our gear and head back to camp. A fire is lit as my guide removes the wild boar backstraps and places them on the grill. They won’t get any fresher than this. 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 bow hunting, fishing, travel, and photography. Follow her on Facebook, YouTube and huntervids.com.
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Get Lost to Be Found Noise. Noise everywhere. Traffic, honking, typing, machinery, cluttered conversation, meaningless words. Everywhere. Every corner, every turn, every person. People in a constant rush, buy, wait, hurry, wait impatiently. The clock ticks, the clock tocks, the clock spins. Pushing, keep up, keep going, no rest. Get ahead but leave integrity,
humility, tradition, morals and self worth behind. The days fly by, minutes are meaningless, speech is abbreviated, handshakes are non-existent. Words are fake, staccato, misspelled and childish. Quiet moments interrupted by technology, the true feel of the world’s beauty missing from so many minds, forgotten, overlooked, incomparable to what could be surpassed next; pushing the limits, ignoring risks, but not accepting consequences. The noise, it’s silencing; Silencing the true beauty of the world and the heart of Mother Nature.
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The noise of the world is easy to get lost in. We all get lost there with jobs, family, and high speed haywire lives we live but for the lucky few who know how to escape it effectively we survive, I survive. I survive by consciously seeking the embrace of the road less traveled, the unbeaten path, the untouched breath of God in the quiet moments best spent alone in the marvelous outdoors.
I survive by anticipating the next moment outside, the next fulfilling sound, feeling, rush, and perfect instance that has been made known to me but only because I have sought it. I survive by making purposeful appointments with nature with no scheduled agenda; no plan of what I might see, feel, find, or embrace. Only the intent of knowing after each meeting I will survive the real world again. I am found here. Here with each burning sky of the sun breaking through the trees, or setting the horizon into a blaze of peaceful fury; the awakening of the awe inspiring moments that breathe life into the morning and into my yearning soul. My heart overflows with passion, gratitude, humility and everything that was lost collides with the simple untouched moments of the woods; the chaos is consumed and I am found.
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I am found as the dark is colored with light when the woods awaken, breathe and come to life. I am found in my tree stand, ground blind, or path to heaven on earth anywhere in the field. In a tree, in a chair, walking without a purpose, with or without a weapon, I am found in those moments of tranquility that are untouched by man, undisturbed by manipulation and unexplainable to anyone resisting the welcoming call.
small patches of fluffed fur, their eyelashes and ear tufts, their whiskers and breath on cold days, their movements as they almost always remain alert. I am alert, waiting, watching, enjoying every moment with the most resounding moments of peace in existence. Will there be a shot at an animal? It’s possible but so much must come together for that moment to occur. I am content being in their world and absorbing the refinement and artistry of a living painting before me. I am envious but protective of their ability to be free from the overbearing thoughts of chaos we as humans must endure. True freedom at it’s finest. Their movements, style, and grace are all with purpose; every step, head turn, flinch, jump, or sense used is calculated, with reason, for survival but it still fascinates me. Will I be disappointed without a shot? Never. The journey of being found while getting lost is more than enough to satisfy my soul, more than enough to refresh, renew, and relax my heart and mind, and more than enough to recenter my gravity and keep me grounded like the mighty oaks. Mother Nature’s foundation is my building block in life; it is what my heart yearns for, seeks out and influences nearly very decision I make; it’s what keeps me sane, provides clarity, and ensures my return trip to the chaos is safe; safe knowing that I will be getting lost again real soon.
I am found as leaves fall, crunch beneath my feet, blow in the wind and float on Gods simple transportation that changes everything as it remains the same. I am found with every sound; no longer noise but joyful notes of harmony and melody; the same tune but different verses. The moments of purity I witness as I walk to and from a hunting spot as I feel the touch of the bark of the trees, the hard and soft ground beneath my tired feet, and the smell of the perfume of the grasses, flowers and animal scents left behind in their daily life of survival. I am found as I watch the crazy critters scurry about all while I am observing from just a few yards away; unnoticed (most of the time) I peer into their lives, their personalities, their flaws and features as they exist in their perfect natural environment. I see their perfected paws and claws, the
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Setting Goals, And a Never Give Up Attitude By Christy Turner
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When I first started deer hunting twenty years ago, I would find myself in those first few years beginning to get discouraged if I sat in the stand and saw absolutely nothing besides maybe a squirrel. My husband Billy would remind me that it was called, hunting, not shooting. The Wikipedia definition of hunting is: Hunting is the practice of killing or trapping any living organism, or pursuing it with the intent of doing so. The word “Practice� has stood out to me. Just like everything else I do in life it takes, setting goals, learning, practice, patience, and a never give up attitude if you want to succeed. It might not happen as fast as I would like sometimes, but I believe God always has perfect timing. Setting goals is where I like to start, and I like to start small and work my way up to larger goals. This helps me keep a positive attitude and encourages me to keep reaching and seeking newer larger goals. Otherwise If I started with a large goal it could get very disappointing and I could easily quit before I succeeded. They say that, winners never quit and quitters never win. Sometimes I need to say that several times to help keep me going. My latest goal that I finally just achieved after five years of working towards was on May 10, 2014. I shot my first Gobbler, and I actually got to bring him back to camp!
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I have had several close encounters like on Thanksgiving morning I shot a Turkey with my bow. I was so excited thinking I just smoked a Turkey with my bow on Thanksgiving morning! It was flopping all over the ground and then all of a sudden it stood up and walked off! I got down from my tree stand and got my arrow that had feathers all entwined in it. Man, that crushed me, I was so close to reaching a goal I have had for some time. A few weeks later I was deer hunting with my 30.06 and one hundred and fifty yards away in a single file line there were about fifteen hens. I knew I was going to mess my deer hunting up that morning but I wanted a Turkey. I knew my rifle was on, so I took a deep breath and with determination I shot. The Hen dropped! The others just stood there so I thought, I have three tags, I could shoot one more Hen and leave the last tag for a gobbler. I shot once more and that Hen dropped too! I know some people may have no interest in shooting a Hen but it was a huge deal to me, and my family and I had a great dinner!
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I never did fill my Gobbler tag at our Texas lease during the Spring Turkey season, but I sure did have fun trying. Some good friends of ours knew how hard I was trying to achieve my goal and invited us up to their Ranch in Farlington Kansas on Mother’s Day weekend. Sometimes you just need some help, and Brian Black with B & B Outdoors did just that. My husband deer hunts up there every fall and I know they have some of the best deer hunting in the country but I also learned they have some of the best Turkey hunting as well! I had never seen so many Turkey; I was just so amazed and excited. Saturday morning Brian dropped Billy and I off in the dark and told us how far to walk down and get set up. We ended up right where they were roosting. I could hear them gobbling from the roost in the pitch dark! I watched with amazement as morning brightened the day and saw them fly off the roost. It was so thrilling to watch them strut and twirl around. Billy used his mouth piece to call them in closer to me. I waited for that perfect shot and it was everything I imagined it would be.
come is not how I expected it to be. But I have learned to recognize my bad attitude and I change as fast as I can. I just start thinking of how grateful I am and the opportunities I have been given. I trust God and his timing, keep my faith and have a grateful attitude. It usually results in something better than I could have even imagined. Spending It might have taken five years, but I have fulfilled time with family and friends and making wondermy goals as to harvesting a Hen and a Gobbler. I ful memories. have learned so much about Turkey hunting and how smart these birds are. I have really learned I would really like to thank Whitney and Brian Black how to control my patience and in order to make with B & B Outdoors for their hospitality, time and that easier; I have learned to appreciate every friendship. They helped make a dream come true hunt. I learn something new every time I’m out in for me. Please check out their web site at www. the field or woods. Even if I don’t see a Deer or a kansasgiants.com. They have thousands of acres Turkey on a hunt I find something to be thankful and they limit the number of hunters to reduce for. I have also learned through my years of trying pressure on the deer and turkey. Brian knows this to achieve my goals weather it is hunting, training amazing land through and through and with his a horse, or my career; my attitude makes a huge and his experienced guides they are there to make difference. It is not always easy for me because sure our hunts are enjoyable and successful. I sometimes I do get frustrated. Sometimes it costs can’t wait to go back! me a lot of money, time, hard work and the out-
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Blasting Birds With: Huntress Kristi Lynn Hair Spring Turkey Season 2014 was nothing short of AMAZING! I was fortunate enough to take a total of 5 birds & meet a true turkey legend along the way! Please follow along with me as I take you on my most adventurous season to date! I am on the quest for a grand slam! Therefore the pressure was on this season. I had 3 of the 4 species of birds booked for this season & plan on going for the 4th next year. For those of you who do not know, The Grand Slam is obtaining the following species of turkeys: Merriam, Osceola, Rio & Eastern. Due to a busy schedule, I was only able to chase 3 out of the 4 species this year. Thankfully I was successful on every single hunt! Now that we have an idea about my goal for this year, let’s dive into my Spring Turkey Extravaganza!
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I started out my season by heading to Florida to obtain the coveted Osceola. I chose to hunt with Dave Huston of Huston’s Outdoor Adventures. Dave is a very knowledgeable guide. Our first morning we set up & were anticipating catching one coming down off the roost. We were set up on an old cattle farm. Unfortunately, the birds decided to go in the opposite direction, but hey.... it is HUNTING. We attempted a spot & stalk, yet were unsuccessful. We reconvened & came up with a new plan for the evening hunt. We set up in our Spider Hunting Gear Blind & waited for several hours, calling very little, being extremely patient. It paid off. We had an Osceola come running in & I shot him on the move. OSCEOLA DOWN! Next up, we headed back to my home state of Tennessee. I was determined to get the first Eastern of the season on my own! I have a blind set up out back & knew the birds would be there, I just had to put in my time. I grabbled my Cypress Bottom Game call. I called very little, the birds responded. In comes the first Eastern with a hen. I patiently waited until he was within range, made a quick call, he lifted his head & BOOM. EASTERN DOWN! I firmly believe in being self sufficient. I took him back home, skinned him with my GRITS Custom Turkey Knife & cooked him up for dinner. Kill it, skin it, grill it, eat it - that’s my motto. This wasn’t my only Eastern. I had guests in town. Russ Adams of Public Land Junkies brought his two sons & father down to turkey hunt with us. I had the pleasure of taking Kraig Adams into the blind with me. Kraig spotted a nice tom walking in from the woods to my right. This joker came literally right in front of the blind. I had to stand up to shot & BOOM, shoot him I did. 2nd Eastern of the season DOWN. I want to thank Kraig Adams for sharing this experience with me. My next adventure was in my quest for a Rio. My family and I headed to meet Jay Decker of Gunn & Hook in Texas. Jay & Campbell Decker showed us the farm & got us set up in a fine location. My husband and I didn’t have any luck the first night while we were spotting and stalking. However, the next morning we woke up with a determination like no other. We were going to put in the time, sit it out & wait for a tom to cross our path. We sat for approximately 4 hours prior to hearing a tom. My husband used his Cypress Bottom Game Call
& called that tom right in. He was ON THE MOVE, booking it & we couldn’t get him to stop. I had to shoot him on the run. One shot. Dead bird. RIO DOWN!!! I truly had no idea what I had taken until I walked up on him. This Rio was a dinosaur. I used my Gobbler Gauge & his beard measured 11 3/4 inches!!!! A true giant. I was really choked up over this kill & cried like a baby. Emotions while hunting can be hard to contain. I am thankful to God for allowing me to take such amazing creatures.
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I have a new show airing on The Hunt Channel called “Cross Hairs With: Kris & Clay Hair”. It premieres on July 2, 2014 @ 7:30 PM (central time) on 266 DISH Network. As a result we were invited to be celebrity guests at The Hunting Corner along with Eddie Salter The Turkey Man & Mike Miller The Turkey Killer. It was amazing spending time in camp with two legends. Eddie Salter spent numerous hours with me, teaching me his techniques on calling in big birds. It was truly an honor. Hunting isn’t always about the kill, it is about the camaraderie amongst fellow hunters. Opening morning I went to the blind with Chef D. Wouldn’t you know it, @ 6:45 AM we had a BIG tom fly across the river and come straight into our decoy. BOOM! 3rd Eastern down for the season! As much as I love my fellow hunters at camp, I was the only one to get a bird that day & the only girl..... Felt good to pos-
itively represent us lady hunters! This time will always remain so special to me as I received so much insight from Mike & Eddie. I was truly blessed to meet them & share camp with such fine hunters. In summation, I was blessed and fortunate enough to take 5 birds this season & I have knocked off 3 out of the 4 species needed for my grand slam. Next year, I will be on the quest for a Merriam to make a dream come true & successfully harvest an: Eastern, Rio, Merriam & Osceola! Hunt hard. Believe in yourself & you can do anything you set your mind to! Peace, Love & Gobblers, Huntress Kristi Lynn Hair
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Family Hunting Traditions are Passed Down
By Judy Erwin Branham
Judy Erwin Branham with her granddaughters spring 2014
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Shakayla’s first hunting camp fire
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risp spring evening air sizzled as the campfire raised touching the sky with its flickering flames and crackling logs. Hotdogs and roasted marshmallows were being passed around for the men and boys as my granddaughter, Shakayla, found her place around her first ever hunting camp campfire. Being eight years old is hard enough these days without being the only girl at camp besides your grandmother. We stayed by the fire long enough to allow her to have a taste of what this wonderful comradery is like. Having a good experience the first time is important in everything as this sets the stage for what comes next. Teenage boys are pretty quiet around grandmothers and eight year old girls; besides, we had to pack for the next morning’s youth turkey hunt. One of the fathers of the boys made quite an effort to make Shakayla feel at home by giving her some tasty treats and making her feel a part of the camp which was very much appreciated. My husband Ken and I agree on the importance of allowing children to be themselves to encourage creativity and self-esteem. Being grandparents has been a wonderful experience for both of us. Shakayla is the oldest of three grandkids; Mylah is six and Wiley is one year old. Ken and I would not trade our experiences as grandparents for anything in the world. Our love of the outdoors has followed us through our grandkids
lives and we could not be more delighted. Beginning when Shakayla was a baby pulling her in the wagon around the yard touching tree leaves, grass and enjoying the sky, picking garden vegetables or just anything to feel, hear and see the outdoors. Following with similar education for the other two kids has paid off as they also love the outdoors; therefore teaching hunting is another way to share our love of the outdoors with them.
Shakayla and Mamaw Judy’s selfie on their way to the turkey seminar
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couraging seminar interacting with the youth and guides on the do’s and don’ts of turkey hunting. Shakayla and others asked a few questions which seemed to satisfy their curiosity. All in all the evening was a success for everyone who participated. Anticipation filled the air as youth of diverse ages were invigorated for the upcoming weekend hunt.
Odon, Indiana Christian Church youth turkey seminar
Youth hunting season during her eighth year has been a long time coming as Shakayla had been asking to go hunting for over three years. Her frame is petite as a girl desires; however, for hunting at an early age a larger frame is better suited for shotgun shooting to withstand the recoil of the gun. Being an Indiana Hunter Education Safety Instructor and an ethical hunter I desire everything be lawful down to the smallest details of the hunt to teach others and to set a good example. Youth have to not only pull the trigger of the weapon but they also have to take the brunt end of the weapon’s recoil according to Indiana law. Too many guides for youth hold the weapon and let the kids aim and shoot. While this may give confidence to the child, teaching children to be lawful is of the utmost importance for their adult lives. This is why I was so anxious to have my granddaughter partake in the youth season turkey hunt seminar and banquet at the Odon, Indiana Christian Church. Julie Helm Chapman, a friend from the Graveyard Hunt Club shared this event with us via Facebook. Graveyard Hunt Club and the Odon Christian Church gave her a friction turkey call, camouflage hat and gloves, facemask and a Graveyard Hunt Club t-shirt for coming to the seminar and participating in the hunt. Shakayla and I arrived in time for the fish fry being held to raise money for the youth seminar and banquet. Martin County, Indiana DNR Conservation Officer, Eric Doane and Davies County Deputy, J.R. Crew were there to assist. Church pews were packed before C.O. Doane educated the group of youth and guides reference safety issues and laws for the Indiana turkey season. Dennis Cecil and his associate gave an en-
Shakayla and her dad purchasing her 1st hunting license
Our drive home was late and the evening was tiring filled with all the excitement. Shakayla watched a movie on our way to the local Walmart to meet my son to fill her first ever youth tag for hunting. I was thrilled for her and overjoyed to have the opportunity to share in this special event. They were all smiles as the clerk completed her information. Only a few days to wait for youth season opening day. We had allowed her to shoot the 22 rifle and 410 shotgun the weekend before and she had done very well hitting the bulls eye. She knew she could hit a turkey and where to aim with the single shot 20 gauge if the opportunity arose.
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was almost like reliving my own first hunt in many ways. Ken and I wanted this to be a special day we would all remember with fondness for a lifetime. There are no words for how a person feels about their grandchildren that really describes the love you share. After breakfast and gathering gear we were off to the woods. Shakayla’s nickname is hawk eye due to her superb vision, so I wasn’t worried about her being able to see walking through the woods. We always take our time on opening day attempting to be as quiet as we can to not disturb the wildlife. Ken led us through the dark woods with little use of the flashlight then the light of Papaw Ken teaching Shakayla to shoot the 22 rifle
Trying to wind down to sleep was more of a feat for me than it was for Shakayla; a few minutes of Fred Bear movies and she was out. I lay next to her in bed daydreaming of her first hunt as if it were mine. Memories flooding my soul of years past watching my father and uncles hunting and fishing drew me into a life of loving everything about the outdoors. Shakayla is much like me with her love of animals, people and nature. To keep her nerves from frazzling I explained carefully that she did not need to have any pressure to shoot a turkey. If a turkey happens to walk in front of us she can decide at that time if she wants to shoot it or not, and I made sure she knew we would not be disappointed if she chose not to shoot. She wanted to harvest a turkey badly. Early morning 4:00 a.m. seemed like the blink of an eye when my alarm clock rang. I rose up quickly to make ready for the hunt. Although I am very enthused to turkey and deer hunt I hadn’t been this excited for years about opening day; it
Shakayla in the turkey blind
Shakayla at turkey target showing her good marksmanship
the moon shown bright enough to cross the field. Owls hooted while our steps crunched in the springtime woods floor. Every once in a while a tree limb swished back from our bodies pressure of passing by a tree. Once we were into the corn stubble Shakayla began to skip and was swinging her body to and fro in a happy rhythm. I smiled from ear to ear all the while enjoying her delight with the morning; the inner joy I felt will stay with me forever.
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Later two hens and another gobbler showed their faces across the field over 200 yards away. We woke her and let her glass them. She has always loved using binoculars and has her own pair at our house. She watched them for quite a while strutting back and forth. Papaw Ken would call loudly to them and she could see the gobbler stretching his neck out gobbling to his calling. We were also able to teach her the difference between a hen and tom turkey. Our day was full of joy and excitement as well as peace, patience and tranquility. She thoroughly enjoyed her first hunting experience and Shakayla and Mamaw Judy relaxing in the blind
Ken had set the blind up the evening before to save time and noise. After setting the hen turkey decoys in the field we all settled into our chairs, Shakayla studied her Papaw’s every move. We always carry an arsenal of food with us in case we decide to stay all day. Immediately I began to offer her oatmeal bars, milk, raisins, Colby cheese and other healthy items from my pack. Hunting has a way of making a person very hungry for some reason. We snacked a bit then heard the first turkey gobble behind our blind about 150 yards, the anticipation was great. After about a half hour some other hunters had moved up closer to us and began calling to him also, they called for over an hour making him gobble his head off. Shakayla received a firsthand experience of an excited gobbler on the roost. She soon tired of the calling game and lay down to rest on my lap. Soon the other hunters lost hope and withdrew from the area and the gobbler stopped his calling. Shakayla was soon snoring her morning away on my lap. Papaw Ken laid a thick rubber mat on the ground between us for her to sleep on and we covered her with jackets. Shakayla in the field wearing Papaw Ken’s backpack
Shakayla glassing the field for turkeys
has a deep desire to return next year for more of the same except she wants to harvest a bird next year. With more practice shooting throughout the year she will surely gain confidence and have a good chance of harvesting her first tom turkey during the 2015 season.
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I want to thank the Odon Christian Church, Graveyard Hunt Club and all the volunteers who assisted with the 2014 youth turkey season this spring. What a wonderful group of people encouraging our youth to love the outdoors, educating them to be respectful and law abiding hunters while setting great examples of how community service works when a team works together. All the youth were scheduled to attend a banquet on the evening of opening day of youth season and bring their harvested turkey for photos and DNR inspection. The following photo shows many of the guides and youth who harvested birds this youth season; 27 harvested birds out of 147 youth hunters is a great harvest.
Shakayla and Mamaw Judy in the field with a 20 gauge shotgun
27 Harvested turkey Odon Christian Church 2014
Youth Turkey Season turnout 2014 Odon Christian Church
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