LadyHunter
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MAGAZINE
Vol 2 Issue 3 May/June 2014
“Skull Bound TV” Host Jana Waller 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
From the Editor Contributing Editors
About The Cover Photo
Kristi Lynn Hair Candace Crick Kimberly Snyder Beka Garris Candy Yow Jen Shultz Christy Turner Judy Erwin Branham Candace Hubble
“The elk in my backpack, that was a do it yourself hunt. Jim and I were on our own, it was an incredible episode. That elk was packed out by a neighbor, Jim and me. It was difficult; we were 3.5 miles into the mountains. That is one of my favorite pictures and hunt memories. I was very excited as it took me three years to get a bull on public land here in Montana. It was a really exciting moment.” Jana Waller I want to thank you again for your continued support of our magazine.
Special Thanks to Mary Dugie Marketing and Sales
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
Thanks Team Lady Hunter Magazine
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Table Of Contents Andi’s Story Jen Shultz ....................................................................................................6 Bowfishing with Beka Beka Garris...................................................................................................9 Giving Back to The Waterfowl... Kimberly Synder...........................................................................................12 BACK COUNTRY HUNTING Red Rock & Bucks Candy Yow .................................................................................................16 “Skull Bound TV” Host Jana Waller Shares “Hunting’s Best Kept Secret” Judy Erwin Branham....................................................................................20 The Will to Pursue Candace Crick..............................................................................................27 First Weekend of Firsts Candace Hubble ..........................................................................................30 I’m That Kind of Girl Christy Turner.............................................................................................34 The Hardcore Huntress Point of View The Thrill of the Hunt Kristi Lynn Hair..........................................................................................36 A Day in the Life of a Woman Hunter Sharlene Todd.............................................................................................40 My Morning Judy Erwin Branham....................................................................................43
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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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Andi’s Story By Jen Shultz
“Even though I only have one hand, I can still do lots of stuff- just a little differently!”- Andi
W
hen you picture rugged determination, what image comes to mind? For most people, what that phrase brings to mind is a tough, intimidating figure who is relentless in their pursuit of what they want, like John Wayne or Clint Eastwood saving the Old West. That term- rugged determination- probably does not bring to mind a three foot something, blonde-headed ball of energy capped in a giant hairbow. Just give me a few minutes, because it will.
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What could this sweet face have in common with the gun-slinging men of the Old West? Grit, tenactiy and the refusal to let anything stop them would be my answer. Meet Andi, she hails from a map dot located in Northwest Missouri where huting is a family tradition spanning generations- not just for the men of her family, but also the women. Growing up, Andi watched her mother, father, aunts, uncles and grandfather hunt. Trips to the local archery shop, outdoor range and even the occasional living room challenge sparked interest in a three year old Andi. That is cute and all, but why does this put that pigtailed little lady in with the likes of Wayne or Eastwood- you mean besides a cuteness factor of about 1,000? Andi is such a whirlwind and unstoppable force, and she sees no limits to what she can do, it is easy to forget that she has to break limitations others set for her around every corner and she does, break those limitations that is- bow hunting, cheerleading, being a member of the art club, fishing and sledding and any other thing she sets her mind to doing. You see- Andi was born with a beautiful smile, a giant heart and without her left arm from the elbow down. Her parents had no idea just how amazing and inspiring this special little girl God gave them would turn out to be and at such an early age. What they did know was along with her older brother, Andi completed their family perfectly within God’s plan.
So, back to being three- Andi would shoot by pulling back on the bow while her mom or dad would hold it steady for her. Like any kid that age, it did not take long before she wanted to be independent in her shooting, like her big brother or mom and dad did. To make that request a reality, Andi’s dad and cousin fashioned a small strip of leather they placed just below where the loop might rest on your bow or mine. That opened up a whole new world of independence and practice for Andi. She could now mouth pull her own bow and the shot was all her- no more needing to have someone hold it for her. Andi and her family never looked back. Andi says, “It’s awesome fun” to shoot her bow and I could not agree more. Andi’s goals this year are to harvest her first pig and her first turkey. She will be hunting thunder chickens around her hometown with the man who taught her to shoot her bow, her daddy. The opportunity for a pig hunt came about after the folks at Game Seeker Outdoors saw a video of Andi shooting her bow on the Helping Handicapped Hunters Facebook page. They have offered to help fundraise and bring Andi down to Texas for the hunt of her choice. They will be filming the hunt and showing it on the Hunt Channel’s own “Chili Off
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see and share what Andi learns about hunting and revoking limitations through her hunts this year. What she already told us she has learned: “Even though I only have one hand, I can still do lots of stuff- just a little differently!”. That is a lot of wisdom from someone so small. So, what is holding you back from trying something new and how can you approach it Andi-style... just a little differently?
the Grid”. Andi is not aware of the viral internet success nor is she aware that her hunt will be televised. She just wants to get out and hunt- like all of us. She did say, in perfect little lady form, that if she harvests a pig or turkey she wants to eat what she can and have the mounts painted pink and hung on her wall. Are you able to see that rugged determination yetin Andi as well as the rest of her family? I thought so. There is plenty more where that came from. Continue this journey with Andi and her family as they GET ANDI TO TEXAS and show your support of this tenacious young huntress. We are excited to
Bowfishing with Beka Garris
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The other day I walked into the post office wearing one of my Bowfishing Hoodies. The girl behind the counter said, “Bowfishing? I saw that on a hunting show I think. I didn’t know people actually did that.” Yeah...there are those of who do actually do that. I have always been an avid hunter, and particularly a bowhunter. The credit for that goes to my father as he taught me most of what I know about hunting. Bowfishing is something I decided I wanted to do two years ago, and learned alone through trial and error. Since then, it has become one of my favorite outdoor activites...I rarely pick up a rod and reel anymore. Though it can certainly be a challenge, bowfishing isn’t as hard and complicated as some people expect it to be.
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shoot. The third basic type of reel looks much like your standard push button reel for regular fishing, and works much in the same way. There are several other “hybrid” reels out there as well, and again it all comes down to personal preference.
The first thing you need, obviously, is a bow. There are several options. You can start out as I did, and purchase a cheap youth/womens bow that will draw at 30-40 pounds. 40 pounds is the maximum I set my bow for bowfishing, and it is more than sufficient for the fish I shoot. Compound or recurve will work. Or you can buy a bow specifically for bowfishing. Companies such as AMS bowfishing, Cajun Archery, and Oneida sell bows designed for bowfishing. Some come setup with a reel already on them, some as a bare bow. Some come with a complete package: arrows, line, and reel.
The second thing you will need (if not purchasing a complete bow package) is a reel. The reel will screw into your bow where your stabilizer normally goes. There are several different types of reels, and it all comes down to personal preference. All are simple to use. There is a bottle reel, which is exactly as it sounds: a bottle that contains your line and a handle to retrieve your line once you
The arrows and tips you use for bowfishing are different from regular hunting arrows. Bowfishing arrows are made of fiberglass so they don’t skip off the water. You will also need special tips. Generally the arrows will come with them. Most of you will only need standard two or three prong “carp tips”. There are also special tips intended for gar, and stingray etc. if that is what you will be shooting the most of. Your arrows should also have “sliders” to hold your string on as well. If you are not buying a “Complete bowfishing package” that is all inclusive, you can find everything I listed and a spool of bowfishing string at Bass Pro, Cabelas, Gander Mountain, Backwater Outdoors, bowfishing websites or eBay. I started bowfishing my first year with a completely bare bow, which is perfectly acceptable but I had to constantly make sure my arrow was in place. This year I am using a quick draw arrow rest, and I highly recommend it. Esper rest and Muzzy also
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One of the most frequently asked questions for me as a bowfisher is, what do I do with the fish I shoot? Here in Ohio I shoot mostly carp, suckers, and gar. None of these are particularly considered wonderful table fare, though I do know of people who do eat them. Stingrays on the other hand, are one of the species legal to shoot and that are good to eat. In most states, bowfishing is largely about conservation. Carp in particular are considered a trash fish, because they destroy the eggs and habitat of gamefish such as bass and sunfish. They also cause excessive algae and are an invasive species that can take over the water they live in. In the past I have done the following with the have some great bowfishing rests as well. Here is where bowfishing is vastly different than fish I have shot; donated or sold them to fisherman deer hunting with a compound bow: you won’t to use as bait, given them to the turtle farmers or have a peep sight, you won’t use a release, you won’t even have a sight on your bow. Bowfishing is all about quick and instinctive shooting. If you are going to be bowfishing for several hours, you can wear a glove or finger tab to protect your fingers from getting worn on your bow string. You can also purchase “String things”, which are small rubber pieces you put on your bowstring so as not to hurt your fingers when shooting for long periods of time. Lastly, although no one ever talks about it, if you are bowfishing in the day you WILL need polarized sunglasses. Whether it’s a cheap $5 pair from WalMart or $300 Oakleys, they will make bowfishing much easier. Sunscreen also comes in extremely handy during summer days as being on the water only intensifies the suns rays. Once you have your setup, there are several ways to bowfish. Some people prefer bowfishing from a boat, others prefer wading or walking the bank near the water. Many prefer going out at night on a simply used them as fertilizer. What you choose to boat with spotlights. HOW you bowfish will largely do with the fish you shoot is up to you but please, be based on which species you are bowfishing for. do not leave the fish on the bank or boat ramps. Check your game laws to find out if bowfishing is To all the beginners out there, I highly recommend legal in your state, and also if it is legal both day checking out the website http://www.bowfishingand night. You will need to find out which fish are zone.com. There you will always find knowledgelegal to shoot and which are not. Most DNR web- able bowfishermen (and women) to answer your sites will also have a list of creeks, ponds, and riv- questions, and it could also help you find fellow ers where you are legally allowed to bowfish. The bowfishermen in your area. majority of states require a fishing and sometimes Beka Garris 973-879-6451 an archery license in order to bowfish. The number one thing to remember when you are Proline Bowstrings www.prolinebowstrings.com bowfishing, is the refraction of the water. You will Official Miss NJ Huntress USA need to aim low in order to hit the fish. The deeper Hardcore Huntress Top Shot 2013 the water, the lower you will need to aim.
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Giving back to the Waterfowl‌ By Kimberly Snyder
What is a wood duck? What is a wood duck box? Why would you put one together? Where does it go? But I don’t hunt, should I even come? These were some of the questions I received as I set up an event to be hosted at my house on March 2, 2014. My objective was to create just a few Wood duck Boxes and introduce children to the Wood duck, its habitat and have a good old fashioned fun time building some new homes for the waterfowl and eating some BBQ. Little did I know that the event would come with a final result of over 40 people attending, including 20 children, 40 wood duck boxes being built, and amazing gifts for the children including duck calls, hats and decals from the Rappahannock River Chapter of Delta Waterfowl.
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The wood duck is probably one of the most amazing ducks that I enjoy watching and of course hunting every waterfowl season. Where I live in Virginia the wood duck population is abundant and conservation efforts made, including building and putting up wood duck boxes has enabled the population to thrive for future generations of hunters. When I am asked, “Why would you build them homes?” it is very simple… I look at my children and I see the future of waterfowl hunting and I would do anything to preserve my passion for future generations. Unlike most waterfowl, Wood Ducks perch and nest in trees and are very comfortable flying through woods. The broad tails make them very maneuverable through the wooded timbers. You can find Wood ducks in wooded swamps, marshes, streams, beaver ponds and small lakes. Since the Wood Duck is a cavity nester they are quick to take to the nest boxes that anyone can build. The Wood Duck can’t make its own nesting cavity, they are quick to take over places where a branch has broken off and the tree’s heartwood has rotted. Sometimes they will use a woodpecker’s previous nesting cavity that is no longer being utilized. The Wood duck nest is usually near water but they have been known to use cavities up to 1.2 miles from water. All the amazing attributes of a Wood Duck have made it second to the Mallard for population and amount harvested every year in the United States. This in part is due to the conservation efforts that are made by many people that allow the Wood Duck a safe environment to have its babies and to keep predators away from the eggs.
Wood Ducks will easily accept the wood duck boxes that are made and place in good food/ habitat locations. Some would say that the Wood Duck is a poster child for Waterfowl conservation efforts. It is important to note that this beautiful species has been brought back from the edge of extinction at the turn of the 19th century to today’s healthy, increasing population in large part because of the passion so many share to giving back to the species and allowing them the opportunity to have safe habitats to nest.
I was so very humbled by all that donated the materials and time to enable the 40 Wood Duck boxes to be built. I was even more amazed by the outpouring of support by those that don’t even hunt Waterfowl. They just came to make a difference and enjoy a day with their children giving back to the Wood Duck. Compassion and Conservation go hand in hand. So many times we take for granted the amazing creatures that surround us. Watching these families come together, outdoors and share in this event was not only a huge benefit to the Wood Ducks but it brought families together making memories.
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The purpose and passion for conservation is one that can be shared among many. You can even turn a Childs passion for wildlife into a Conservation Career just by introducing them to the outdoors. My father instilled a passion for me for wildlife, something that has become as much a part of me as walking and breathing. I am thankful to all of those that are interested in wildlife and habitat, and especially care enough to want to save it. I am inspired by children that raise money to help wildlife and of course take the time in a backyard to build some homes for Wood Ducks. Together I believe we can change the world, increase awareness and continue to give back to the Waterfowl that have given me so much to admire and respect. Food for thought: There are more than 7 billion people on Earth. Could you imagine for just one second if every one of us committed to do something, even small, to protect and enhance Wildlife. Remember that minor actions can have major impacts when we work together, educating, volunteering, donating and pitching in. Duck, Duck, Goose Kimberly Snyder
Red Rocks & Bucks
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By Candy Yow
A
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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 were 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 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.
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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
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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 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.
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“Skull Bound TV” Host Jana Waller Shares “Hunting’s Best Kept Secret” By Judy Branham
As the sun sets over the horizon a small herd of elk gather to feed and rest for a time within Jana Waller’s eyesight from her Montana home. Wildlife artist, TV host, Producer, conservationist, hunter, and writer are among the many facets in Jana’s professional arsenal and each title is incredibly important to her. Herds of elk, flocks of wild turkey, spools of crappie and sharks all are on the radar of Jana’s passionate endeavor to raise awareness for conservation efforts to protect the planets wildlife. These and many other species have increased through Jana and her show, Skull Bound TV, assisting to protect our hunting heritage while encouraging others by example to give to conservation efforts. Jana works effortlessly to highlight the fact that hunters are true stewards of wildlife habitat and they reinforce this by supporting many conservation efforts across America. Perhaps the best way to describe Jana’s passion for conservation is highlighted by the statement, “Hunting IS Conservation” and Jana is trying to get conservationists outside of hunting to understand that this is actually the hunters best kept secret.
Skull Bound TV Host; “Bound to Make a Difference”
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http://www.skullboundtv.com/#!episodes/cxax Jana is passionate about everything she is involved with. Her adventurous television show “Skull Bound TV” on the Sportsman Channel partners Jana with Executive Producer Jim Kinsey. The episodes are designed to encourage and educate outdoor enthusiasts to support conservation efforts which will preserve and support the wildlife habitat they love so much. Jana Waller and Judy Branham at the NWTF Convention 2014 “We are a two man band just Jim and I producing our show start to finish out of a studio in our home, and we do all of our own marketing, sales, and social media. We will ride the wave as long as it’s in front of us. It is definitely a lot of fun, a lot of hard work goes on behind the scenes that many may not be aware of. We feel blessed every day to do what we love for a living. Especially with our conservation side of things I feel we are making a difference. It is tough to capture a good hunt and make a good video to tell a good story. We are really involved on so many other levels besides just filming our hunts; we film a lot of other different aspects of the hunting lifestyle. We both volunteer for Montana’s Fish and Wildlife Parks Department and belong to a lot of conservation groups whom I film for pro bono. It is pretty challenging to keep it all straight. Our schedule keeps us busy throughout the entire year, not just the typical fall hunting season,” Jana said. Jana and Jim try very hard to make it educational without it being heavy handed. Characters are the key to all the primetime reality shows, that’s what it’s all about, she said describing the industry. They try to show the goofy side of Jana. After a recent Skull Bound TV episode she received an outpour of emails and messages from people wanting to hang with her dad because he is so funny. “That is important too, the entertainment factor,” she explained.
Mainly male demographic: The main demographic of a network like the Sportsman Channel is men. “The great thing about Skull Bound TV is that the network is receiving feedback showing it is not just bringing in the typical male audience but also bringing in wives and kids. It’s reaching everybody. It is one of the only female hosted shows and we include the skull business side of things and the conservation messages on every episode. Hunters are really connecting with our message that “Hunting IS Conservation.” Hunters are the ones giving back. “We are the ones protecting our planet,” Jana said. Jana has partnered with three different conservation groups; the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF), and the Mule Deer Foundation (MDF). It is her mission to get their messages out about conservation. Due to these efforts Skull Bound TV appeals to a much broader audience than just the typical male hunter.
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What Jana would tell young women entering the hunting industry:
Experience in the field would be Jana’s first recommendation for a newcomer in the hunting industry. “It’s incredibly important to practice your shooting skills, be it archery, rifle, or any other weaponry but it’s equally important getting out in the field experiencing all aspects of the hunt from scouting and tracking to recovery and processing,” Jana explained. “I feel it’s important to have the experience of your weaponry but also fully understand the habits of the game you’re hunting,” she continued. When the conversation became specific reference female newcomers the subject of sexuality and its part in the hunting industry was discussed. Jana shared her wisdom towards this complex subject: “I think some women are doing themselves a disservice by overtly using their sexuality. We’ve all seen the Facebook posts of women in their bikinis drawing back their bows or dressed scantily while posing with their pistols. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look your best, but that’s different than using your sexuality to gain attention and I see some younger women doing just that on social media sites. What does that have to do with the hunting industry? I understand that ‘sex sells’ but if you want to be taken seriously in the hunting industry you shouldn’t need to combine the two. All I know is what my sponsors have told me, and that is they do not want to touch that image. Everyone knows branding is very important and these companies do not want to be branded with that type of sexuality image. They want strong powerful independent confident women hunters using their products,” Jana said with a compassionate tone.
What leading female outdoors women really feel: Although this is a subject not often spoken of openly Jana’s sentiment is the prominent thought by many women. Through the century’s controversy over sexuality and its place in many venues has been a difficult subject for young and old. Common sense will tell us to do our best setting good examples before others, especially before the young ladies desiring to begin outdoor activities. The objective is to share enjoyment of nature, not to cause competition between females. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder; inner or outer beauty. In too many circles woman are judged by superficial standards that could force them to react in ways that make them feel uncomfortable. Female leaders Jana Waller being interviewed from in the outdoor circles desire to send the message to her booth at the 2014 NWTF Convention young ladies interested in hunting and fishing that it’s not about keeping up with the latest fashion or about their sexuality, it’s about young ladies being who they truly are and then challenging them to push themselves to be the best version of them and not to feel they need to become what someone else thinks is best.
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Skull artist: Jana expanded her conservation outreach by utilizing her artistic passions to launch a skull design business setting another example of how one person can truly make a difference for wildlife habitat preservation. Jana’s father brought her a photo of a painted ram skull from New Mexico one year encouraging her to try this art form. Several whitetail skulls which she found shed antler hunting were her first endeavors. Jana began to paint them and when friends saw her art they began requesting pieces for their own homes and collections. “One thing led to another and I started beading them (see photos) which is quite different than what most people have ever seen,” Jana said. Subsequently, she launched her website www.paintedskulls.com where people can go on and see her work. All of this led to donating her art to conservation groups, “The skull artwork has just exploded in the last three or four years,” she said. Utilizing her artistic abilities Jana has raised more than $24,000 for conservation in the past six years via banquet auctions and donated hunts. Last year she generously donated a youth deer hunting trip to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation to film and guide a youth in Montana. She also donated to “Come Hunt with Me” a mule deer hunting adventure in Heppner, Oregon to assist the Mule Deer Foundation.
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Conservationist above all else: The Pittman Robinson Act
Jana validates her perspective that “Hunting IS Conservation” by explaining how millions of dollars are generated each year to preserve and support conservation efforts by combining donations from conservation groups with imposed sales tax on hunting related products and license called the Pittman Robinson Act. “The existence of hunters as animal lovers is my most important message. I’m a conservationist and it’s my intent both through Skull Bound TV and my articles that I pass on that message; hunters give back more than any other group to protect our country’s herds, habitat, and flocks. If it were not for hunters we would not have the amount of game we do in the United States. Many citizens who don’t hunt do not understand this relationship,” Jana said. The annual Wild Sheep Foundation Convention auctions off a very expensive sheep tag and the money goes towards building better big horn sheep herds in Montana. They just transplanted 60 rams from Wild Horse Island to Montana. Most of the money to do this is provided by hunters Jana specified. “I am proud that Skull Bound TV partners with these foundations; the NWTF, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Mule Deer Foundation. It makes me stand taller as a hunter to know all of the wonderful things they are doing,” she said with pride.
In conclusion: Conservation is Jana’s main passion in the hunting industry. She also cares deeply for Veteran organizations. Her sweet smile and delightful personality will no doubt continue to carry her efforts into the future so she can endlessly contribute to conservation and any other endeavors she chooses to partake in. Adventurous, energetic, passionate, artistic, realistic and beautiful inside and out are not only her characteristics but are her avenues to a continued successful future. Quote from Amy Hanneman: a fellow outdoor enthusiast from Missoula, Montana and the wife of Robert Hanneman of Huntin’ Fool, Built to Hunt. http://www.huntinfool.com/ “I know Jana as a good friend and I can tell you that she is the most genuine and sincere person you will ever meet. She is passionate about the outdoors and hunting but equally passionate about animal conservation. Striving to encourage children and other women to hunt, Jana donates her time and resources to accommodate others in following their dreams. There is always a spirit of joy and unselfishness with her and she truly finds satisfaction in others’ successes.” Another of Jana’s fierce supporters is her neighbor in the Bitterroot Valley, Donna Lorka-Miller. Don-
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na stated, “Jana is one of the most dedicated, driven women I’ve ever met. She is a powerhouse of passion when it comes down to what her beliefs are, and with that she will stand the test of time in this industry. She is “the” woman to be watched because she sets the bar for ethics and as a role model for our youth. Jim Kinsey, CEO Kinsey HD Productions and Executive Producer of Skull Bound TV, comments reference Jana: “Passionate, authentic, and giving are three words that come to mind if I were to describe Jana Waller. She’s a role model for many young hunters and an inspiration for all age classes. Her love for the natural world is contagious and her drive to give back through the many conservation organizations is unparalleled. Jana Waller was born to make a difference in the great outdoors and she’s doing just that!” The above quote is how I feel and what I’ve seen her accomplish through print, TV, and social media while Executive producing Skull Bound TV over the last four years.
Bucket list: Jana’s bucket list of adventures consists of hunting trips such as; muskox in the Nunavut Territory, Canada; guiding a friend’s 12 year old daughter for a second coastal black bear hunt in Alaska; and pursuing a North American wolf. Jana became very serious when she expressed her sentiments on wolf conservation and said, “The wolf is considered one of the number one trophy’s in North America. I just did a very unique wolf episode on Skull Bound TV where I had an amazing wolf encounter; unfortunately, I wasn’t able to connect on the wolf. The wolf issue is so misunderstood. People need to be aware of what is going on because of these predators and how they are affecting our other game populations such as elk, moose and deer.”
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A link to a 30 second trailer to the Wolf episode which recently aired. https://www.youtube.com/user/kinseyhd
To experience some of the products, organizations, and companies Jana is involved with see the following list. https://www.facebook.com/ElderHeartInc http://www.nwtf.org/ http://www.rmef.org/ http://www.muledeer.org/conservation/mdf-yourstate http://www.ussportsmen.org/ HerCamoShop.com carries Skull Bound TV scent products, clothing, and more. http://www.hercamoshop.com/ Skull Bound TV partners with Kryptek on many levels. This company was started by Veterans. http://www.kryptek.com/ Link to Pittman Robinson Act: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittman%E2%80%93Robertson_Federal_Aid_in_Wildlife_Restoration_Act Photographs submitted by Jim Kinsey of Skull Bound TV.
“Skull Bound TV has partnered with the leaders in conservation for Season 3, teaming up with The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, The National Wild Turkey Federation and The Mule Deer Foundation. Skull Bound TV will feature various conservation messages along with filming banquets, expos and exciting projects of each group. We hope you’ll join these groups today and help protect our hunting heritage.” Skull Bound TV stated.
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The Will to Pursue By: Candace Crick
C
om•pe•ti•tion: The activity or condition of competing. In recent years, the competitive hunting industry has expanded with such a force, it almost seems as if it is a new fad. As many of you know, I have competed for almost 2 consecutive years for titles. I was a finalist in the 2012 Prois Awards & the 2014 Extreme Huntress Competition. It was only 7 years ago that I picked up my first firearm ever, my trusty Remington 30-06 BDL. I barely knew how to properly shoulder a gun & I might even add that I hit the target on my first fire. 2 years after that, I started to dabble in the field of archery. I was quickly engulfed & fell in love with a passion which lead me down a road I could have never imagined existed before. I began competitive archery to help me gain the much needed confidence in my weapon of choice. When standing next to many other archers, or when in the field hunting game animals, I lacked mere confidence. I had difficulty finding shooting lanes such as shooting through small windows and
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tree branches. Some days, my nerves inhibited my release, for fear of the animal seeing me pull back. I watched several shows, or would listen to people’s tales of their adventures around a camp fire. I felt that hunting was supposed to be easy. I’d idolize almost every hunter I met. I began to know all too well- failure after failure, that this was not the reality. That’s why we call it hunting and not shooting. I’m not too shy to admit that I knew nothing about archery, hunting, or what country folks did before; but that doesn’t mean I can’t compete with the best of them. Competition archery has taught me so much about taking all of the shots I had once been to hesitant to take. 3-D archery helped me overcome my fears in the moment of truth, and forced me to brush up and micro tune my equipment. My skills as an archer excelled at a greater level than I could ever imagine. I now know exactly how my arrows fly when they are released from my bow. Also, what I need to be shooting to have the punch through power for a proper shot on an animal. Anchor points have been drilled into me time and time again. I learned a significant amount of self-discipline. The best shot any archer can take, is the one they don’t miss by simply letting down instead of flinging an arrow. I am so familiar with my bow; it’s as if it is a second. Limb. I cannot fully express all of the advantages of competition archery & how beneficial they are to help any archer. It’s not about winning a gold medal to me; it’s about excelling in the field as a hunter. It’s fine tuning your confidence & learning to succeed with only a stick & string.
In 2013, I spent 8 grueling months competing for The Extreme Huntress title. Questions plagued me; would I do it again? What did I learn from it? I concluded that, as far as voting was concerned, probably not. At times it seemed worse than campaigning for the presidential election. But did I want that title? I wanted it more than anything; without a doubt. Yes! I guess you could say rallying for votes was worth the title for me. I think the most beneficial aspect for me was making the Top 4 in the final round. I was set to compete with women who were hunters, not just archers. I was competing to prove to myself that I may have not been born and brought up with a hunting lifestyle, but I was indeed a hunter! It’s not the number of years that makes you a hunter. It’s your experiences, and your will to pursue. Being a hunter is simply a drive power that lingers in each of us. Hunting leaves us longing for that next pursuit. During The Extreme Huntress Competition, I was forced to do all of the things that literally made me uncomfortable. One can only imagine what it’s like to have Larry Weishuhn, Mr. Whitetail or Olivia Opre mere centimeters behind you with a clipboard in hand, judging your every move. Who knew clipboards would ever be a part of an actual hunt anyway? The second most unnerving part, was shooting firearms competition style. I had only the basic knowledge of shooting a gun. I had not hunted that way since I picked up my first bow & arrow. I did know gun safety and how to
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load and unload, but shooting long range was going to be quite the challenge. I do feel that being a diehard archer gave me an advantage against the other ladies. Archery has forced me to get up close and personal in a substantially closer range with the animals that I pursue. My shooting windows are a tenth of what I would have been able to shoot during this competition. That was the skill I was going to use to my advantage. For those of you who didn’t watch, I had 3 harvests in 4 hunting sits. I took a Barasingha the first evening, stalked a Blackbuck my 2nd day & missed my shot opportunity by mere seconds. My 3rd day, I harvested an incredibly beautiful Blackbuck with 27” of trophy curls. That particular Blackbuck was very mature & incredibly sharp. He had actually been missed by several men in the past at the 777 Ranch. If I had not hesitated on the 2nd day, I would have been 4 for 4. I did excel in that area and I truly believe it’s because I have learned to fine tune my abilities at such a short range with archery. I utilized that one advantage and completely took charge of that. I had the advantage with a gun to take my shot at a much farther distance. I came there to prove one thing; I know how to hunt. That is exactly what I did. Hunting is partly being in the right spot at the right time. Patience is one thing that every hunter must soon acquire. Most importantly, I had already learned from my past hunts that you literally miss all the shots you don’t take. I wasn’t going home not trying. I had a point to prove to myself and that was that I could hunt alongside the best of them. I was bringing home meat for my kitchen table! Lastly, I also learned a thing or two about long distance firearm shooting.
It’s not about the number of years you have put in that matters, it’s all about the lessons you take full advantage of. What I took home with me was far greater than any title. I no longer let the fact that I wasn’t born and bred a hunter intimidate me when standing next to such distinguished sportsmen. Hunter or Huntress isn’t defined by your upbringing. It’s something no one can raise you to be. It merely lives inside us; it’s something we choose to be ourselves. It’s not about the trophies we brag about to our friends, or how many gold medals and titles you possess. It’s about knowing your abilities and your weaknesses. Micro tuning yourself to prevail each time you enter the field. The way I see it is, as long as you learn one thing to improve yourself in each pursuit; then you are doing something extremely right. The word hunter or huntress is not defined by our success, but by our will to pursue. My pursuit has no ending.
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First Weekend of Firsts By Candace Hubble
The Texas Hill Country always refreshes my soul with the varying landscapes that although static most of the year, show adaptive changes during drastic weather. The prickly cactus, the solid strong oaks, the scent of the cedar that exposes its layers more and more as winter strips it away, and the sunrises and sunsets of each hunt that nearly take my breathe away every single time. The Texas Hill Country never disappoints and I knew this trip was going to be different, but I was not prepared for all that happened. It was the first weekend of the New Year of 2014 and although I love every minute of every hunt with my husband and dog Muzzy, we were being joined by some awesome friends and two young boys that would provide some of the most memorable moments of any hunt. This was a weekend of firsts, not just for me, but for Noah and Remington sleep that night with the morning hunt looming. (Remi) and their parents as well. Noah’s weekend was off to a great start for sure! The first evening hunt was slowly slipping away The first ‘first’ included making sassafras tea from but Noah and his dad were in their box blind, rifle the root of a sassafras tree. It was a fun process in hand, excitement building for the anticipation to make something like this and learning someof Noah’s first deer. As the sun was fading away, thing new from others is the best part. I love exjust at last light, we all heard a shot and the hit. panding my knowledge of the outdoors and I am Immediately phones were texting about what had forever grateful for this experience. After enjoyjust happened. Noah had shot a doe and was overing the sassafras tea it was time for another first flowing with excitement. We advised for them to for me. Although I have hunted for a while now, I stay put for 30 minutes because they had not seen have never actually had the opportunity to shoot the doe go down. As we all packed up and met at a cross bow. I love my compound bows but how their blind I could see the most excited boy I have could I say no? The 2 boys were having a blast ever seen. He told us the story in his head and his shooting it and I had to get in on the fun. I try not dad confirmed Noah was shaking so bad! Noah to pass up opportunities to try something new, essaid “Dad I have buck fever, no doe fever, I have pecially with weapons or the outdoors! You truly some kind of fever!” What a moment for Noah, but never know when the opportunity will come back now we had to track. around again, so seize the moment! After a little target shooting with the cross bow it was time to hit the woods with my bow and try for a deer. But enough about me, because this weekend was all about these two excited boys that were soaking up every minute of the trip. The first night Noah had the opportunity to shoot his first raccoon and this kid was a great shot! When he made it back to camp I could see the excitement in his eyes and was unsure how he was going to get any
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We confirmed it was hit when we found blood on the ground right where she had been standing when he shot. We tracked blood in the dark for about 30 minutes before running out. Noah was soaking it all up as we tracked blood and asking questions along the way. What a teaching moment this was. A little frustration sat in after our blood trail ended, but I told him we would get Muzzy to help track. I would hate to lose Noah’s first deer so we were going to do our best to recover her. Muzzy found the same blood trail we had and another couple of spots that we didn’t find but lost a clear trail after a while. We backtracked numerous times, checked around some downhill slopes, a tank, and under brush and trees for any signs but our hope was running out. Sadly we weren’t able to recover the doe, but after talking with Noah he said if he had to guess if he shot too high or too low, he said a little high, which we explained to him could have hit the void and missed vitals altogether and the doe would survive.
Although we weren’t able to recover Noah’s first deer, I was completely humbled by the way he responded. I have never seen someone with such a great attitude about the situation. He said “I did my best, we put our best into finding her, its ok...” Never once did he show signs of frustration or defeat. We all shared our stories of ‘the ones that got away’ and explained as much as we hate it, it happens and all we can do is learn from it, correct any mistakes we think we might have made, and get back in the woods. He was truly grateful for the experience of the situation and actually made me rethink some of the ways I have acted in the past over a lost animal; it is heartbreaking and we
all have our moments and that’s ok. But as sad as I was to not find his first deer, I was reminded of something along the way; little did Noah know, he showed and reminded me to be humble, grateful and resilient. A first deer shot, a first blood tracking experience, first frustration, and a first moment for me being reminded of a great attitude from one of the coolest kids ever, 20 years younger than me!
The frustration and defeat was wiped away as the boys headed back out for the evening for more predator control; this time Remi was on board! Another first for Remi who was able to take down his first raccoon! These kids were on a roll and grinning from ear to ear enjoying every moment like it should be. Noah was able to notch another first in his belt by seeing and shooting his first ringtail; these boys were great shots! Many people go their entire lifetime without seeing a ringtail in the wild, and while my husband and I prefer to watch them because they are rare to see, it was game on for Noah. Using his .410 shotgun to minimize damage, Noah took down this ringtail and it will forever be a memory because they are getting him mounted! Heck I have to say I am a little jealous of having that cool mount in the living room; they are such beautiful creatures but the true beauty was the smiles on Noah and Remi’s faces - priceless! The next morning hunt was cold and windy which seemed to keep the deer bedded down but not our spirits. After everyone met back at camp it was time to go search in the daylight for Noah’s doe just to ensure we put forth every effort to recover her. Driving and walking back around the area the recovery effort still fell short but we know we did our best searching at night, with Muzzy, and during the day. Fortunately or unfortunately something else happened that changed everything; another first for the boys and parents.
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It was a heartbreaking situation that was turned into a positive learning and educational moment for everyone. The cruel reality of nature presented itself but the end result was Noah’s first deer, meat in their freezer and an end to suffering for a young deer. I honestly can’t imagine being 9 years old and witnessing something like this and having the best outlook and attitude about the whole thing. I was truly blown away at the maturity of both boys and the respect they showed for the land, the animals, and the entire hunting process, having rarely been exposed to any of it before.
A yearling was spotted hung up in the fence with a broken leg, a partial hind quarter eaten, still alive. There was nothing good about this situation but acting quickly Noah was ready and ended the suffering of the yearling with a necessary shot. We weren’t sure if coyotes or a cat was the culprit of the destruction of the yearling but one thing was certain, Noah got his first deer in the most unconventional way with a hard lesson included. Luckily because she was still alive when found and only one hind leg had been destroyed the meat was still good. Noah again showed the best attitude and soaked up every moment, helping skin and clean the deer, getting bloody in the process and sharing the experience with his family and us.
It was a beautiful, cold weekend of firsts, during the first weekend of the year. I learned so much though beyond the hunt. Noah and Remi are 2 special boys who have a bright hunting future ahead of them. I was truly blessed to have spent a weekend with them and learn from them as they learned from us. I helped Noah understand that there a lot of people out there who will not agree with hunting or with the story behind his first deer but advised
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him of the good he did for the suffering yearling and how he turned something devastating into food for the family, instead of food for the coyotes or wild cats. He helped me remember to keep the best attitude possible and showed such a genuine, innocent and perfect mindset throughout the entire weekend. These two boys have a special place in my heart after this weekend and I can’t wait to get them back out there for some predator control and call in the coyotes. It will be a great moment to seek revenge on the destructive predators that almost succeeded on that yearling. Thank you to Noah, Remi, and their parents for allowing us to share knowledge with each other and for one of the best, most unforgettable hunts. Although my husband and I don’t/won’t have children of our own, there is something so rewarding about influencing and shaping the mind of the younger generation and passing on priceless knowledge, moments and memories that I know everyone benefits from.
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I’m that kind of girl By Christy Turner
I’m the type of girl that has always had a couple of girlfriends but spend most of the time with my “guy” friends. I have never liked just sitting indoors talking or gossiping. I would rather be outside doing something. I have been active in the outdoors with my husband and his buddies for the past twenty years. But seven years ago we got on a new deer lease with a couple of families on it and the wife and kids hunted too! It was great to finally have women to hang out with who share my same interests.
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When I finally made the plunge and discovered facebook I found a whole community of lady hunters. The first lady I met was the Guru Huntress, Miss Nancy Jo Adams. I would follow her blogs and then finally met her when I went on a “All Ladies Hog Hunt” in Mississippi that she organized. As I was driving by myself from East Texas to Mississippi I was thinking to myself, what am I doing? I have never met any of these people, didn’t really know where I was going. Was it safe? Was it going to be a bunch of women PMSing and hard to get a long with? Would it be a bunch of women who don’t know how to handle firearms and are going to be dangerous to hunt with? I had so many things run through my mind that first ladies hunt, four years ago.
It turned out I had an absolute blast! Everyone had driven in from all different directions and different states and we all had one thing on our mind, to have the best weekend ever! I have been to seven different ladies hunts since then and I have had the “best weekend ever!” on each of them. The lady hunters range from the first time hunter to professional hunters with their own TV shows and all in-between. The camaraderie has been like nothing I have ever experienced before. Everyone is so excited and willing to help without competition or jealousy. Everyone is actually happy for you when something good happens for you.
I have met some dear wonderful friends and I treasure all my memories on each one of these ladies hunts. I definitely recommend for you to check out some of the websites I use and who I have hunted with in the past. I know there are several more outstanding websites out there, but this is what I have used so far: http://www.ladiesincamo.com , http://proishunting.com, http://www.beckylououtdoors.com You can find them all on facebook too, to keep up with the newest postings. I promise, you will have the best weekend ever!
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The Thrill Of The Hunt..... By Kristi Hair
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I have a passion for hunting hogs with dogs and a GRITS Custom Knife. I was able to feed my passion during the month of March 2014. My journey begins with needing the appropriate knife for the task at hand. Since I am battling wild boars with a knife as my sole weapon, I need the best, most reliable knife available. Therefore, I only trust GRITS Custom Knives. House Norris, the owner custom makes the most beautiful, deadly pieces. She knew I was going on a hog hunt in Louisiana & she wanted me to be safe & deadly. House created a custom pig sticker for this hunt. This artistically crafted knife had a 10 inch Damascus steel blade. It was made to cut deep with ease. My knife arrived on Wednesday. It was time. So my journey begins...
I often get asked what is my favorite game to hunt. The answer is simple..... Hogs with dogs and a GRITS Custom Knife. There is something quite magical about watching the dogs work, the adrenaline pumping action when you let the catch dog go & the intensity as you approach the hog, knowing it wants to hunt you back & taking it’s life with a knife. There is nothing more gratifying or satisfying. I am going to take you on my latest hog hunting adventure. I hope you enjoy the ride.
On Thursday, my family and I made the venture from Tennessee to Louisiana. We arrived to be greeted by Mike Jones of Hogs R Us. Mike has an amazing team of scent dogs & one beautiful catch dog who stole my heart. His name is Kong. If you are going to stab a hog, you better have one heck of a catch dog that you can trust. I ONLY trust Kong! Mike Jones is a legend in Louisiana. When you hunt with Mike, this thought never crosses your mind, “Are we going to get a hog?” It is more like, “When are we going to get a hog & how many?” It’s 4:30 on Friday morning. Time to get our hunt on. Mike Jones brings “Squeal Team Six” & his dogs to camp. We load up on the 4 wheelers and off we head deep into the Louisiana Bayou. With-
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It is only about 5 minutes later when the scent hounds begin their distinctive barks, they are on another hog.... WOO HOO!!!! Mike tracks the dogs & we begin our journey. This time it is up a steep hill, a muddy embankment & through more swampy water... I must have fallen at least 8 times. Once again, the scent dogs bay the boar.... We release Kong & he holds the piggy steady as I go in for the kill.... Hog # 2 ~ DOWN! I was muddy & bloody & having a blast!!!! Squeal Team 6 & The Hairs had a successful morning & headed back to camp. We gutted the hogs and smoked them all day. Then we relaxed and had a great meal that evening, smoked hog!! I cannot adequately describe the feeling of being able to provide. I kill it, I skin it, I grill it. We eat it. There is nothing more satisfying than being self sufficient. It was a great day of hunting & camaraderie at hunting camp!
in the first hour, the scent dogs alert. We release the hounds and off they go. BOOM! We are on a hog. Mike tracks the dogs location & we head into the swampy waters of the Louisiana Bayou. Wet, Muddy & Cold..... The chase begins! Once we arrive to the scent dogs, we release Kong, the ultimate catch dog. Kong holds the hog down and I approach the beast and take out my GRITS custom pig sticker and drive the 10 inch blade deep into the hog’s heart. A quick, clean, ethical kill. Hog # 1 ~ Down! I drag the beast back to the 4 wheeler. & off we go to chase another....
Day 2. Alarm goes off.... 4:30 on Saturday morning. My husband, my son & I head to meet up with Mike & Squeal Team 6 at hunting camp. We hop into the 4 wheelers and off we go. The scent hounds are immediately alerting. The problem we have this morning is that there are TOO many hogs and the scent dogs are getting separated. About 2 hours into the hunt, the scent hounds bay a large hog. The brush in the Louisiana Bayou is taller than me & extremely thick. Not to mention the muddy waters. Getting to this hog was difficult to say the least and once again, I’d fallen many
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times. Once we get to the hog, we release Kong & he does what he does best, holds down the beast and I go in for a quick, clean kill. The GRITS knife penetrates the hog like it is going through butter. Hog # 3 ~ DOWN! We call it a day & a very successful hunt. I’d like to thank Mike Jones of Hogs R Us for such an amazing hunt. I’d like to thank Squeal Team 6 for being the best group of men I’ve ever hunted hogs with. I’d also like to thank House Norris of GRITS Custom Knives for making me such an amazing knife to be able to do this hunt with. I look forward to many more hunts with Mike Jones & Kong. They are my dream pig hunting team. This hunt will be aired in its entirety on my upcoming television show “Cross Hairs with: Kris & Clay Hair”. It premieres July 2, 2014 on The Hunt Channel (266 Dish Network) @ 7:30 PM. I hope you tune in to watch the action packed episode & all of my other hunts, every Wednesday, Channel 266 Dish Network @ 7:30 PM (Central Time). Peace, Love & Piggies, Kristi Hair
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A Day in the Life of a Woman Hunter By Sharlene Todd
5:30 A.M.~ Received a call from son David to wish his dad a happy birthday. He knew we planned to hunt for the day. He was at the airport waiting to fly out on business. I got to say hi to him. His last words ~”send pictures mom”! I have none to send! The pictures in my memory of today’s hunt will have to be developed on paper!! 6:45 a.m.~ Walking up the road from the truck my husband spotted a deer . Points it out to me with the look ‘like’ it’s your shot, Sharlene. Had hammer back took safety off ..pulled up ..shot..click!!! Checked safety.. pulled hammer back..Dick whispered “use my back” .. he knelt down .. plugged his ears. Click!!! . I looked at the safety darn had it on rimfire instead of center fire. Deer still there. Dick too!!! I put my gun back on his shoulder .. steadied myself..put one knee on the ground ..shot..it fired!! We both saw the deer take off but it stopped at the edge of the woods and looked at us. At that moment my colon fired!! Wish that sucker had a safety on it!!! Later Dick ‘pointed’ out that where I shot or should I say SHAT was on the road..well he exaggerated ,,but it was close!! Well I WAS excited! My eyes barely left the deer as I took care of that need! The deer left!!! Dick stayed ..what a guy!! We walked to wood’s line ..looked around. Nothing. Dick said he would track it after our a.m. hunt to see IF I’d hit it!!! Later on that day I asked Dick to measure the distance of my shot ..175yds! No sign of a hit! Why can’t they be closer???
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8:20 a.m. I’d been sitting under ‘my’ pine tree since 7:00.. patiently scanning an area of apple trees about 60 yards from me. Suddenly my eyes and brain spotted something MUCH CLOSER.. about 30 yds away !! When my brain registered what my eyes saw, I was stunned...In the tall grass all I could see were horns moving ..I noted they were quite light in color almost white .LIKE they had been bleached!..I saw no head, no neck, no body ~ just horns. My brain again registered... there had to be a deer attached to them! He had been walking straight towards me. .His head and neck came up ...no body yet ,he looked my way. I waited . He began to feed again. I turned left on my chair ..Son Jim ,a lefty also, would have been proud of that gentle maneuver...he taught me that last year!...What I did next was not too bright. I decided to scope it while his head was down..When he looked up again my crosshairs were right between his eyes ..I would never have considered that shot nor did I ... In retrospect, (how many times,this season, will I use that word?) I could possibly have lowered sight to his neck. I recently heard of neck shots being effective and saw a picture of a deer taken that way! Well I felt very steady as he looked at me and I, at him, through the scope. Seconds past! Then his head lowered. I must have moved too soon thinking I would get a body shot but all he was doing was moving his head down to bolt to my right ~~which he did so very fast and effectively!.. I quickly fired fast but not effectively! I watched him run across the road and leap into the woods. I was upset with myself. I could not settle down to hunt. I had half an hour before I was to meet Dick. I walked to where “white horns” WAS and where he WENT !!! In retrospect I never should have scoped him until I had a body shot. I must have been upset because I’d forgotten Dick had called on the radio after he heard the shot and said “was that you” ?? I probably ..in retrospect!!!! ..should have said “NO” ..If I had he would have had a more peaceful birthday breakfast. Patient as he is ...in the restaurant he listened as I retold the story he’d heard on the radio (short version!),walking back to the truck AND riding in the truck. But in the restaurant I had props !!! I used the flower decorations on the table and put my hand up through them so I could show him..using fingers for horns...what I saw through the grass... I now have a new perspective on grass!!! I was back at the pine tree by 11:00. Plans were to meet at sunset. Dick took his lunch. I planned to go back to the truck for mine. I realized after the morning sighting that I had been too used to hunting in snow last year and never realized how concealing the grass could be. I was waiting for the deer silhouettes like I had seen last year...As I said I am now much more INTO grass !.So there I sat quietly looking deeper into the grass I saw a face and ears..looking at me .Thought I saw something move behind it but was not sure. I felt way too confident that it was the small doe I’d seen a few weeks ago. With an attitude of cockiness, I said to myself I’ll let her go and watched her walk ..She must have been in a bit of a gully when I first spotted her cause as she walked on, with her own attitude of cockiness, I noted she was much larger and NOT the one I had seen before!!!! If I’d batted she may have stopped and I might have gotten a shot but I played the odds and did not reveal my position just in case a buck might be following her. I saw nothing. Not long after I walked back to the truck for lunch. What a surprise when I saw Trevor’s (grandson) Jeep parked there . I figured he probably went to #10 (yes my guy has them all numbered!) treestand to hunt..being safe and aware of where we usually hunt! As I headed back to hunt ,I saw Dick walking down the road .He and I shared stories. He said he had seen a fair sized doe and a fawn...Had I seen them?...Yepper I bet they were the doe and the ‘something moving behind it” I’d seen earlier! He said he had a shot but did not take it. He thought (we all do in retrospect!!!) about what David has often said ..take the shot, you might be sorry later that you didn’t. Dick returned to # 8 ..I wish the stands were in order! Dick drew me a map last year but I still need to be reminded .I returned to my pinetree ~ it has no number!
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2pm-4:50 ~Long sit ahead as I had gone back a bit earlier then I planned ,thinking I might see Trevor and give him some cookies. I vacillated between hunting in my hut or under the pinetree. While eating Trevor’s cookies..well somebody had to! I scouted past the hut to see if there were any sign . Saw some tracks but not as fresh looking as the ones near my tree. I decided to brave the elements.. nice though.. low 50’s by now, 30’s in a.m. but wind still a bit of a factor . BUT because I’d seen deer near the tree so that is where I decided to stay! I regreted that decision almost 3 hours later!! At sunset I got ready to return to the truck ..Buckling my fanny pack something caught my eye. I was almost certain I saw a flag right near the hut . I was so sure a deer was standing there and when he heard me..doing the buckling thing.. it turned and headed back to woods. I left! I did not see Dick or Trevor on the walk back to truck . But I did see something!!!! As I walked down the road ,,in the field near a hedgerow I saw a HUGE deer bolt and turn into the woods. I have never seen a tail that large. Yes, I know they always look large but I could see the body of THIS deer and it was tall and bulky and oh so big! I could not wait to get to the truck to tell Trevor and Dick .They were not there! As the sun was setting, I called Trevor’s cell phone ..left two messages . Last one was “if I do not hear from you in a half hour I am calling 911”! I drove the truck up the road and saw the two of them sauntering down and talking. I asked Trevor why he did not answer his phone ? “ Mima, I was hunting! “ Good answer ! I’d asked him if he’d seen the big one he said no, but had heard something! Oh forgot to mention Dick saw 7 deer including a brief glimpse of my ‘bleached buck’. He replied he thought it was quite large. I needed to hear that? ANYWAY! The three of us went to the same restaurant for supper. Trevor had already heard my buck story ..walking down the road...driving in the truck but, little did he know the restaurant had props! After dinner we gave loving hugs to Trevor ~ wishing him a safe drive back to college..It had been a long day and ,yes, I was tired when we returned home but I could not sleep. I had these pictures to develop! I have to add..if only to redeem myself..that on a five day hunting trip few weeks later with my guys (husband and two sons) I shot a nice size doe. One shot to the neck! Yepper right where I should have could have shot that buck. Hardly a day goes by since the season ended that I don’t think about that event ..But IF I see him next year ...NO ! When I see him next year...I will recognize him! I have a ‘picture’.
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My Morning By Judy Erwin Branham
When the gobblers are gobbling on the roost and from the ground And my heart is just a thumping up and down and all around The excitement of the sunrise with a cool breeze through my hair Well there’s nothing just quite like the feel of fresh morning spring air. As the sun begins to peek through the misty leaves and trees A peace fills my body that only God sees Fulfillment of my soul, fulfillment of my mind Fulfillment of my spirit, the natural kind. The turkeys hit the ground with a flutter of wings No words can express the true feeling of such things I make ready for calling, I make ready for the feast My hands hold steady as my mouth waters for the beast. Across the field he’s coming running fast and then he slows Tail fan opens slowly, warily he swings it too and fro His head pops up to listen and to look for what he can see It’s for a hen he’s looking, but finds it’s only me. My purr is so inviting he can hardly bare the wait He’s careful, oh so careful as he does anticipate He fluffs his feathers, spreads his tail flaunting his colorful head But when he stops to check me out with one shot he is dead. ~ My hopes for 2014 turkey season by Judy Erwin Branham ~
44 | May/June 2014 Lady Hunter Magazine | www.Ladyhuntermagazine.com