LadyHunter
www.Ladyhuntermagazine.com | Lady Hunter Magazine November/Decemberr 2014| 1
MAGAZINE
Vol 2 Issue 6 Nov/Dec 2014
Meat or Trophy Hunter Kristi Hair
Ladyhuntermagazine.com
2 | November/December 2014 Lady Hunter Magazine | www.Ladyhuntermagazine.com
Welcome to Lady Hunter Magazine
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Table Of Contents Alaska Grrrls in Florida: Spiders, Snakes and Alligators, Oh My! Joni Marie Kiser ..........................................................................................10 Meat Hunter Versus Trophy Hunter Kristi Lynn Hair...........................................................................................16 Waterfowl Hunting, Techniques Kimberly Synder...........................................................................................20 The Duck Capital of the World Stacy Young.................................................................................................24 We Love it Outdoors pronghorn hunt Anita Williams.............................................................................................26 Gun up, Safety on Payton Gunby..............................................................................................29 Meet Tracie Taylor of Flying Arrow Fitness Judy Erwin Branham....................................................................................31 The almost perfect hunt Candy Yow..................................................................................................34 Clearlake: Pronghorn Antelope August 26, 2014 Michelle Newlen...........................................................................................36 What is an Atlatl? Dawn Wagner..............................................................................................39 The Annual Girls Weekend Dove Hunt Christy Turner.............................................................................................42 My First Elk Ashley Westphal...........................................................................................44 Girls Can Do It Too Mark Tribble...............................................................................................46
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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
Amanda Jackson
Joni Marie Kiser http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/joni-kiser.html
Candace Crick http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/candace-crick.html
Amanda Bronder
http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/amanda-jackson.html http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/amanda-bronder.html
Danielle Friedman http://ladyhuntermagazine.com/danielle-friedman.html
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Welcome our Newest Team Members
-Raised in the woods of Georgia, Payton found her passion for the outdoors early on. She has been Hunting since she can remember with her father and family. She has a 2,000 acre loblolly timber farm that has been in her family for generations. It’s her favorite place to hunt and has almost any game the beautiful peach state has to offer. Growing up she was always surrounded by men who enforced conservation and gun safety. She is a Pro Staff member for Student Outdoor Experience, Final Glide duck calls, and Sum toy Chokes. She hunts deer, duck, turkey, quail, woodcock, geese, predators, dove, pheasant, grouse, anything she can. She has two labs, three English setters, and three English pointers who can hunt any upland game bird. It’s easy to see she has a deep love for nature whether it’s wildlife or managing the land. Www.facebook.com/huntressesofthesouth Www.instagram.com/huntressesofthesouth
Payton Gunby I have been blessed to hunt all over the United States with my 2 labs, 3 English pointers, and 3 English setters. Anything with wings is my favorite. I’m a shotgun girl because I love nothing more than getting my dogs on birds. My favorite bird to hunt is a quail. Coming in at a very close second is a duck. I do most of my hunting on my preserve in south Georgia.
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Dawn Wagner
Dawn Wagner is a 44 year old woman who is married to her best friend Brian who helped get her into hunting several years ago. She enjoys hunting whitetail and turkey with her Atlatl and 6ft darts and just recently was the first woman in Missouri to take a rabbit with her atlatl and darts! She also just recently started hunting with a bow too! Dawn has only been hunting for the last two years!!
When she is not hunting she enjoys teaching children and adults about her sport that she enjoys so much!! To see the looks on the kids’ faces when she hurls her darts is priceless. When she isn’t teaching she is gardening and canning. She enjoys putting food on her table that is good for her family!! Dawn is also an active member of the Cuivre River Wildlife Management Association and is the secretary of the board. She also helps out the CRWMA Lincoln County Youth Deer Clinic which is an annual event put on by CRWMA and with the help of Missouri Dept. of Conservation. The purpose of the day long clinic is to provide area youth (ages 6-15) with the opportunity to learn about deer hunting basic from experienced adults. Dawn is also a member of the World Atlatl Association and the Missouri Atlatl Association. In 2013 and 2014 she took First place out of the woman at the Cahokia Mounds Atlatl throw. Recently she started teaching children at Busch Wildlife in St. Charles Mo about the Atlatl and darts. And has been asked back to teach some more classes Dawn has a Facebook hunting page called The Atlatl Huntress if you would like to follow her Cavewoman experiences!!
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“Sassy” Stacy Young Learning to Live Out of the Comfort Zone I got into hunting and archery competitions for the simple reason that one person took me under his wing. With so much patience, he taught me a little bit about each kind of hunting, about wildlife and how conservation works. Because of these events, my entire life now revolves around training and passing on what I have learned from my experience and the expertise of others. Since my introduction into this wonderful outdoor world in 2004, hunting, shooting and the outdoors have consumed my life. I have become more than just a hunter, but also a strong conservationist. I am an NWTF chapter president, and have been elected by my peers as an NWTF Indiana State Board Member. Because of my involvement with the NWTF and the Indiana DNR, I have been chosen to mentor women on pheasant hunts, which I find to be very rewarding. I have gained some great friends, which is a big part of what spending time in the outdoors is all about. Active involvement with NWTF has provided me with a great avenue to connect with other women and young people to pass my knowledge and passions along to. I have planned and held three youth events with my current chapter, and am currently planning a forth. I have recently been given what I see as an opportunity of a lifetime by being a Bass Pro Shops Professional Sportswoman. I put on seminars so women and anyone else willing to listen can have someone to connect with. Because I have been in their shoes, I feel like I have a great way of explaining processes and techniques so women do not feel intimidated or silly for asking a question. Writing and social media provide additional opportunities for me to connect with both seasoned
and would-be outdoors people. I am an active member of the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers (AGLOW) and a columnist for Indiana Outdoor News. I write about the hunts I have been on, what I’ve learned and experienced, and anything else I think would be appealing to women or new comers. I do not sugar coat any of it. If I make a stupid mistake or think a silly thought while I am hunting or shooting, I will mention it in my column. I do this deliberately in order to let my readers know they are not the only ones thinking these things or making mistakes. I have been an accomplished archery competitor for years. I travel to shoot national and world level competitions every year all over the Midwest and East Coast. I’ve been successful because I’ve worked hard, but also because I’ve had good help. I have many sponsors who make products I use and believe in. I believe in them and they believe in me – that’s what makes these relationships work. I do all I can for each and every company by working outdoor expos and consumer events for them, commenting on social media pages to show them that I am actively involved in what they are doing, and promoting their products every chance I get. I’m not only an archer, but an accomplished gun hunter as well. I have taken a huge liking to duck hunting. I am on the advisory board for Coles Commanders Waterfowl Guide Service in Stuttgart, Arkansas. They are a non-profit organization that donates proceeds from their events to families with kids suffering from cystic fibrosis. I’m honored to donate my time to this cause. I am also a senior at the University of Southern Indiana. I have just a few more classes left before I earn my bachelor’s degree. That day will be as special to me as the time I shot my first duck or turkey. Being a positive role model is more than important to me, it is everything to me. I carry myself with dignity and respect, and I surround myself with others like me – people who don’t claim to know it all, but are happy to share what they do know. I have worked hard for everything I have, and plan on continuing my work as a hunter-conservationist and outdoor educator. People need to put themselves out of their comfort zones if they expect to excel and earn satisfaction from what they do. If you don’t get butterflies in your stomach over decisions you’ve made, you are probably playing it too safe.
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Alaska Grrrls in Florida: Spiders, Snakes and Alligators, Oh My! By Joni Marie Kiser
Joni with 10.5 ft Alligator taken by bow in Florida Photo by Glen Grizzaffe
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“Joni. Seriously. What the hell are we doing out arrow that is needed to punch through their thick here?” Jayme whispered to me. There we were, hide. I needed to be 15 yards or less! The guide kneeling down in tall grass in the edge of the warned me that out of over 720 hunts that he swamp. Our guide, Glen, had left us there to go had guided, he had only done 5 of the hunts as and set up an electronic alligator call off the right spot and stalk, and of those 5 - one got too of us, up the bank about 50 yards away. In the freaked out and called it off. And these were all grass all around us were spiders. BIG spiders. men, he had not ever had a woman do spot and Now to many, the fact that spiders creeped us stalk before. This just fueled me more. I was out sounds silly, we were after all, tough Alaskan taking this beast on land up close and personal! chicks. We were bear hunters. In fact in 2012, I Day 4 we hiked out to a little peninsula that stuck took a Pope and Young Brown Bear with my bow, out into a huge lake. We had seen several gators so if I could do that, then how in the world could swimming in the lake and were going to try to a bunch of spiders freak me out? I guess it just call some in. We were walking single file down depends what you are used to! We don’t have the bank and through the marshy grass. I looked many spiders, let alone big or poisonous ones in down to my right and saw a snake sunning itself Alaska. We don’t have snakes or anything of that on the bank. I pointed down to my right and sort either. The things that can hurt you in said “snake” softly over my shoulder to Jayme the woods in Alaska are big, huge so she wouldn’t step on it. We actually, and you can see walked another 10-15 ft. them coming! They and crouched down in don’t crawl up on the weeds. I whisyou without you pered to the guide, knowing like “there’s a snake these spiders right there in that were as big the weeds” and as my fist were described its trying to do! markings. He Jayme was said, “oh its looking all probably harmaround her in the less,” but I could a weeds, trying to see the wheels izz r Jo G flip the spiders back turning in his head. ni Kis l en G e away from crawling up A minute or 2 later he r an by d Ja h ot o P yme Ca g n on her. Glen started the i crawled over to the waters t rr Alligator Hun baby alligator distress call and edge to take a look and came came back and we hunched down to wait. back and whispered, “Uh, guys, that’s a Usually an alligator bowhunt is done out of a Water Moccasin and their deadly, just don’t go boat. It is a much safer alternative, it’s a lot easier over there, and keep an eye out.” Hmm... not too to get close and you have a far better opportuni- comforting for someone who had never seen a ty for shot placement. But in my mind, a spot snake in the wild before! Jayme’s eyes were huge and stalk alligator hunt with a bow sounded alot and she whispered to me, “couldn’t it just sneak more exciting! Over the course of the first 3 days over here in the weeds?” I shrugged; I really of the hunt we tried calling them in from various wanted a gator so I was just trying to not worry locations, spotting them from afar sunning them- about it. The guide started calling and immediselves on the bank and stalking in on them and ately the gators responded. We joked that he was were were having trouble getting within a good the “Alligator Whisperer” because when he called bow range. I knew I had the boat option as an vocally rather than using the electronic call - they alternative but I REALLY wanted to stick it out and would make a bee line for him! Right away we get it on land. The alligators eye sight and hearcould see 5 different gators that were swimming ing is great, so getting close enough for a good towards us from all different directions. Now you shot was tough; especially with the 850 grain have to imagine: you are on a thin peninsula
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Jo ni
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Spot and Stalk Alli
sticking out with water on 3 sides of you, crouched down in tall grass you can barely see over with Big Old spiders crawling all around you, a deadly snake laying in the grass about 10 feet away and 5 different alligators are headed toward you - responding to a baby alligator call because they think he is in distress and they want to EAT him. I am not gonna lie, our hearts were pounding! One gator was now about 10 yards away out in the water, but everything was under except its eyes. Glen whispered, “that’s a female, she’s real
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close, keep an eye on her she’s watching us.” Jayme’s nerves were getting the best of her and she said, “Oh hell no!” when she realized how close it was and started to slowly raise up and back up. I grabbed the back of her belt and pulled her back down in the weeds. “It can jump from there to here very quickly if it thinks you are food, stay down!” She looked white as a ghost. She kept looking back over her shoulder and I figured she was checking for the snake. Then she whispered, “there is one right behind us” and
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Glen says, “no I don’t think so.” He and I are focused on the one in front of us which was now moving forward to shore. Glen got a better look and said “she’s about 9 foot, I think you can do better.” About that time Jayme was frantically tapping on Glens shoulder looking behind her, “Glen! It is RIGHT there, I see its CLAW!” and her voice rose a little louder. Suddenly there was a huge Splash! A gator spun and dove into the water. Not the one in front of us, but a huge one behind us, which Glen later estimated was close to 12 feet long. It had snuck up on land behind us! We were now all shaking, it had been less than 5 yards away, obviously watching us, and we hadn’t even known it was there! But there was no time to worry about that because we needed to deal with the one in front of us
up and walked back up the hill. Jayme said, “my nerves are shot. I am just about over this, it’s really intense!” At this point I knew she was wondering how in the world I talked her into coming with me on this hunt - for only her 2nd hunt ever, and I was feeling a little guilty for putting her in situations where she was afraid for her life! Meanwhile, my mind was racing. I’ve never bounced an arrow off anything in my life. Everything I have ever shot has been a full pass through. Glen explained that I did exactly what he wanted me to do and that he knew it was going to bounce off. He said “that isn’t where you would ever shoot to kill one and even a bullet will bounce off that dense area of the head”. We regrouped and set out for a different area but still in the back of my
which mind I now had was thinkJay its head up on ing, CAN I ff e m e, izza J on i r G shore and was only r actually penetrate and th th e eir Hunting G by H e a o t o h P n e l u i G de about 4 yards away. She an alligator’s hide with my would easily be able to jump from where arrow? Maybe I am not pulling enough she was to where we were in a moment. Glen weight?” We spotted a gator quite a ways off whispered, “Just shoot her right in the forehead.” across a lake sunning itself on shore. We hiked “What?” I said, I was so confused. “Right in the out around the end of the lake which took about head, you don’t have a good shot on her anyhow, 20 minutes, careful not to get winded; we came but she isn’t backing off so that will scare her and down from above it. This time Jayme stayed back she will just swim off.” He’s the gator whisperer so up on the hill, her nerves were shot from 3 days I didn’t argue; I drew and shot her right in the of continuous close calls with gators and I wanthead. My 250 grain, razor sharp broadhead ed to be sure she was having fun on the hunt! bounced off her like a rubber ball, not even She videoed my stalk down the hill. Glen and I breaking the skin. She spun around with a huge snuck in to about 20 yards and the gator must splash and swam off. Jayme and I looked at each have heard us in the grass because he spooked other in disbelief; we were both shaking from the and dove into the water. My heart sank; but then last 10 minutes of excitement and finally stood he suddenly turned around! I crouched down in
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the weeds, which were over my head. He was just sitting out about 15 yards away in the water, facing me. Glen was about 5 yards behind me up the bank also crouched down. The gator was looking my direction and seemed to size me up huddled in the grass and decided that I looked like a pretty tasty little snack and he decided to come in for some lunch. I was thrilled that he was coming back to give me another chance. I slowly started to stalk in through the weeks towards the water. Later, Glen told me that he was really impressed with how my instincts took over without him being near me or saying anything, I just started stalking down the bank alone, staying low. He said as he watched me he imagined that I had inherited a lot of my father’s natural knack for hunting (my father - a very experienced hunter- is now too ill to hunt anymore, so this comment really gave me a sense of pride. There is no greater compliment than to be compared to him.) The gator continued to come straight at me, but I felt really calm, everything seemed like it was happening in slow motion to me. As he climbed up on the bank and started to slither out toward me, I could see the look in his eyes so well. It was angry and aggressive and there was no doubt that he was planning to make a meal of me. This was the break that I needed to get close to a gator! When he closed the gap and got to 6 yards in front of me I raised up and drew and shot, no bounce off this time! The broadhead went all the way through. The gator broadheads are barbed so they won’t come back out and he spun and dove back into the water where he felt safe, as they do when shot on land. My arrow was stuck all the way through him and was attached with a cord to the reel on my bow. The line deployed from the reel as it should, but the buoy was supposed to pop off the end to float behind the gator so we could go find him but it jammed. Now I had a cord attached to my bow from a fleeing gator and my hand got caught in my wrist sling - due to the heavy tension on the attached line. As the gator swam away, it drug me down to the waters edge at a rapid pace. I could not get my hand out. I was stumbling along thinking, “oh my god Im going in the water with a wounded alligator!” I yelled out, “Im stuck!” and Glen ran after me, grabbed the bow and pulled to relieve enough tension to get my hand out and then it pulled him out into the water up to his
Joni hunted with a Mathews Jewel at 55# with a 850 grain arrow Photo by Jayme Carr
knees before he finally just broke the reel off the bow and tossed it into the water. The buoy floated out to the middle of the lake. Glen walked back up to where I was and we looked at each other and started to laugh, that nervous happy laugh that you do after you have just avoided a disaster. Jayme came down from the hill above us and videoed us as we hugged and I jumped around so thrilled that I had just taken my bucket list animal with a bow at 6 yards! We went and got the airboat on the trailer and went out to retrieve my gator from the middle of the lake. He measured an amazing 10.5 foot Much bigger than I had ever hoped for! I couldn’t be more thrilled with the whole experience. I feel proud that I wanted to do it the “hard” way, that I stuck to my goals and that I harvested an incredible Alligator, spot and stalk.
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Meat Hunter Versus Trophy Hunter By Kristi Hair
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I often get asked if I am a meat hunter or a trophy hunter. The answer for me is simple. I hunt to feed my family. I hunt to provide nutritious, delicious wild game fare. I thoroughly enjoy providing meals for my family through my own effort. I truly enjoy the entire process from killing it to skinning it to preparing it to eating it. I am fortunate to travel all over the United States chasing big game with my bow. A lot of the places I hunt have size requirements on which deer you are allowed to take & I do respect their wishes. In regards to my farm or public land (which I also hunt very often), I will take the first available animal that provides me with an ethical shot opportunity.
I’d like to share with you the start of my deer season. It was opening weekend in KY. I was after the coveted velvet buck. I did see two very nice shooters on the first day, however, there were several branches in my shooting lane during the morning hunt. I just had to watch and pray that either buck would take just a few more steps presenting a clean ethical shot. The opportunity never presented itself. The evening hunt was upon us. I cleared a shooting lane in the event that the bucks came back in. I was prepared to take a beautiful buck in full velvet. As it is with hunting, you cannot predict an animal’s behavior, the bucks did not return that evening.
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The following morning I made the decision that my family needing meat on the table was more important than a set of horns on the wall. I was going to take the first doe that provided me an ethical kill shot. I was covered up in does all morning. None of which were providing me with a shot I felt comfortable talking. Several hours into the hunt I heard a noise to the left of my stand, coming into the corn. A beautiful doe standing broadside at 25 yards. Perfection, just what I had been waiting for. I drew my bow back and let the arrow fly. My Ramcat Broadhead penetrated deep, giving me a complete pass through. I saw blood hit the corn stalk where my arrow pass through. I watched my arrow as it penetrated what I thought to be a double lung shot. I listened with enthusiasm and heard her crash! EXCITEMENT!! Opening weekend, 2nd day, big KY doe down! Although I heard her crash, I still waited about 2 hours before tracking and recovery. During that time, the two bucks I had seen the day before came in. Was I upset that I took that doe? NOT at all! You can’t eat horns! I get so excited over taking a doe, just as excited as I do when I take a record book buck. You see it’s the thrill of the hunt that I so thoroughly enjoy! As I climb down my stand I go to the corn stalk where I shot the doe, it’s covered in blood, my arrow was right there, covered in bright bubbly red blood, definitely a double lung shot. Tracking was simple, bright bubbly red blood led me right to her after about 30 yards. I thank God for providing then proceed to drag my doe to the truck where I field dressed her & then take her to the processor. I travel back to Tennessee. I am on strictly a meat mission now. Knowing full well, the first deer I see will be meat on the table. I head back to my favorite stand which sits over a food plot that I’ve planted. It has been a successful spot for years. After about a 2 hour sit, in walks a spike, he slowly feeds my way. The food plot is grown up this year. The grasses are very tall & only a few select areas provide an ethical kill shot. As I pray he makes his way towards one of those areas, he feeds right to my stand, standing broad-
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side, providing me with a 15 yard shot opportunity. Once again, I close the deal. My Ramcat gets a complete pass through, again arrowing both lungs. I listen intently and hear him crash. As always, I wait a few hours until I head in for a recovery. My land has rolling hills, some are quite steep. I knew I needed some horse power (literally) to recover this deer as I knew the exact location he was at as I heard him crash. I head back to the house, saddle up my horse “Ole Cowboy”, bring a pull rope and head in for a recovery. Wouldn’t you know it, I didn’t even need to look for blood. I know the deer trails well as I live here. I heard him crashing. I walked my horse right to him. I tied him up, connected the horse rope to my saddle and uphill we went. It was a steep climb, but horses can go places ATV’s cannot & my horse lives for this type of riding. We successfully recovered my spike and brought him back to the house, loaded him up and took him to the processor. Once again, I filled my freezer. I understand there are two types of hunters, meat hunters vs. trophy hunters. I’ve taken both. I’ve taken several P & Y deer, my biggest deer even taken scored 194. However, I honestly mean this when I say it.... I was JUST as excited taking this spike (and he is the first spike I’ve ever taken) than I was taking that 194 class deer. Why? Because I am a hunter. I live for the hunt. Horns are merely a bonus. What excites me is the following: knowing that the food plot I planted drew this deer in. Acknowledging that the stand I hung was placed in the perfect location. 100% my effort from planting to harvesting to recovery to putting food on the table. Self-sufficiency. That is what drives me. I am unapologetically a meat hunter. I provide for my family delicious, nutritious wild game fare. I thoroughly enjoy the thrill of the chase, the moment where everything you’ve worked so hard for lines up perfectly & the opportunity to harvest is a success. I’d like to thank the good Lord above for providing me with several great opportunities this year. What a great beginning to what I know will be an amazing archery deer season. Peace, Love & Venison, Kristi Hair
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Waterfowl Hunting, Techniques By Kimberly Snyder
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As I gear up for Waterfowl hunting season, along with many of you other ladies, it is important to pass along some hunting techniques. There are three basic methods of hunting waterfowl: hunting over decoys, pass-shooting and jump-shooting and it should also be pointed out that there are virtually limitless numbers of variations and combinations of the three, depending on the species you’re hunting and the minute-by-minute changes in circumstances that occur while you are waterfowl hunting.
indicate that birds are likely to be found. And, like the pass-shooter, the person hunting over decoys needs to be well-concealed, so an outer layer of camouflage from head to foot is usually a must, and that outer layer should be both waterproof and warm. I wear Sitka (Gore-Tex) hunting apparel for its warm, layering system, waterproof and ability to blend into any environment still allowing some movement with the Optifade pattern. You will also need a place to hide from the birds, usually called a blind. Depending on the surThis article will roundings, you be concenmay be able trating on to fashion a hunting over very functiondecoys, it al blind from is the most available macommon terials such technique as tree limbs, utilized by grass or cata watertails. Be sure fowl huntto “brush er. Hunting up” any blind ducks and with whatgeese over ever natural decoys is in vegetation some ways occurs at the a much more site you’re complicated hunting. Where endeavor than you build or jump-shooting place your blind or pass-shootmay well be as ing, but, done important as how right, it can also be it looks and how well very productive. Like it hides you. As a genpass-shooting, the oberal rule it’s best to be ject is to wait for birds situated with the wind at to come to you, but unlike your back, ducks and geese pass-shooting, you have a prefer to land and take off into hand in enticing them to come the wind. Depending on the surcloser than they might otherwise. As roundings, you may be able to fashion with all hunting methods, you must first find a very functional blind from available maa place to hunt; a pond, timber, field, river, stretch of terials such as tree limbs, grass, cattails, or sageshoreline or whatever it might be where the scout- brush. Some hunters, especially those who hunt ing and other information-gathering efforts would geese on open fields and those who hunt ducks
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on large bodies of water, may use dozens, even hundreds of decoys to help draw birds into shooting range, but for starters you can get by just fine with a dozen mallard decoys. Most ducks seem to recognize mallards, even fake mallards, and will feel safe landing among them. In fact, geese will sometimes be drawn in by mallard decoys. The fact of the matter is that, if your decoys look real and are where the ducks might want to be, it doesn’t matter whether you’re using a dozen mallard imitations or five dozen decoys representing every waterfowl species. There are nearly as many opinions on the “right” way to lay out a spread of decoys as there are duck and goose hunters, but there are some general rules on which most hunters agree, and one of those rules is that there should be a an open spot, or hole, among the decoys where there’s room for incoming birds to land, or attempt to land. Also consider laying the decoys out in a spread that can be seen in the air, draw the birds into your spread and don’t forget “Don’t shoot the decoys” and “Don’t be afraid to move them if they aren’t working in the formation you have set”.
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One of the most important techniques that can go hand in hand with any other method of hunting is the utilization of a duck/goose call. This method of singing to the birds, regardless of how many times the ducks have been called to will bring them into your spread. It is vital to be a good waterfowl hunter you must master the calls. There’s a duck or goose call for virtually every species and hunting situation you might encounter, but do some research before you buy one and do lots of practicing after you buy it. Someone who knows how to use a duck or goose call can work miracles when it comes to drawing birds into shooting range. A bad caller, on the other hand, can chase them off even faster. Listening to birds on a roost or feeding area and imitating them is a good way to practice your calls, even if you are not hunting. Even after you
master the basics, use a call sparingly; over-calling is more likely to chase birds away than under-calling. The number one rule for me: If what you are doing isn’t working, change it up, don’t compete with your hunting partners and know when to put the call down. With the season almost upon all of us, best to remember, regardless of what technique you choose; be safe, have fun and enjoy every moment you can outdoors. Now is our time as hunters to enjoy all of our conservation efforts, see the ducks/geese migrate and finally get back out into the blind! Duck, Duck, Goose by, Kimberly Snyder
24 | November/December 2014 Lady Hunter Magazine | www.Ladyhuntermagazine.com
e h T
pital of the a C k c Wo Du
rld
By Stacy Young
F
rom the time I was introduced to waterfowl hunting, I heard of a place called Stuttgart Arkansas, the duck capital of the world. I knew that one day I would hunt this place. However, I didn’t think it would happen as fast as it did because it is hard for me to afford it, and get away because of my college classes. One day while posting on my Facebook page about my less then successful teal hunt here in southern Indiana, I got a message from a guy and his son who soon turned out to be like family to me. Joe and Jim Gignac have a waterfowl guide service down in Stuttgart called Coles Commanders. Coles Commanders is a non-profit guide service where all proceeds go to families with kids suffering from Cystic Fibrosis. Joe asked me to come to Stuttgart and experience the kind of duck hunting I have only dreamed of. I made it down there for opening weekend of regular season. It was so cool to finally get to meet these guys and learn from them, the waterfowl ways of the south. They made sure to let me
know that my choice of camouflage did not fit in well down in the timber. I think they referred to my camo pattern as looking like a pineapple. They worked with me on my calling and decoy placement skills. These are two areas that every waterfowler needs to understand because they can make or break your hunt.
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I was not a terrible duck caller prior to meeting them, but they got me to understand how to read the ducks when you start calling. When making certain duck calling sounds, you need to watch the duck and see what they do. When I call at ducks that are within range to hear me, I make a call that is called the “Come back call”. Quaaaaaaaack, Quaaaaack, Quaaaack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack. Kind of to the tune of “Three Blind Mice”. If the duck makes a small change in the flight pattern even as small as a twitch in the wing, keep up what you are doing. When the duck gets close, do not stop calling. This is a mistake that most people make. You want to get shorter and more spaced out on your quacks, but do not stop. What I found is that short spaced out quacks at a duck when it is just out of shooting range, will finish a duck quicker than you can imagine. The feed chuckle is a call that is a bit over used and not necessary to kill ducks. If you are a competition caller, then yes, learn this style because it is a sound that a duck makes. I was fortunate to see how two fantastic callers could work those ducks. Being down south duck hunting also made me realize that some of the stuff you hear from other waterfowlers about ducks being call shy, or decoy shy is not at all the case. If this were true, and ducks did become call shy or decoy shy, then by the time they got to Arkansas, don’t you think that the hunters down there wouldn’t even waste their money on decoys or even learning to call? However, they do quite the opposite. I saw ducks do a 180 when the calling started and had them land within the open space of our decoys at the beginning to the end of season. Both Jim and Joe can literally keep a duck from landing and turn them to come back when the ducks feet were down and wings cupped up. I had never seen anything so impressive in my life. That alone changed my whole way of thinking about duck hunting. After getting to know those guys down there and the lay of the land, they asked me if I would be on their advisory board. This means I help decide how we operate as a non-profit. Getting to hunt Stuttgart is more than great; it is a dream come true. But getting to hunt ducks and also help kids with Cystic Fibrosis get lung transplants, or help the families pay the bills they cannot afford on top of it, makes this a rewarding organization to work with.
I got the opportunity to guide beside Jim on a few of the hunts that I could make it down to. We took kids on hunts along with women, wounded soldiers, and individuals in wheelchairs. It helped me learn ways to be able to accommodate every kind of hunter I may encounter whether or not I am in Arkansas or back home in Indiana. This is only a very small portion of my 2013-2014 season, and what I learned. I think what I learned most of all is how great it is to be a waterfowler. I have met some fantastic people and made some irreplaceable friendships the few years I have been duck hunting. If you have never hunted ducks or geese then you don’t understand why a waterfowlers ears perk up and they get a sparkle in their eyes even when they see a simple park duck or local goose. It is more than just the hunt or the animal, it is the relationships you grow and maintain year after year.
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L e
oors prong d t u O t i hor e v n o
hu
nt
W
By Anita Williams
Several pronghorn antelope are within deadly range of my lethal broadhead. At least one shooter buck is in the group. Massive horns set him apart from the others. As he drinks from the murky water, I range him to measure the distance from the blind where cameraman Brady and I sit. It is 20 yards. Silently hooking the trigger release to the string, I motion that this buck is a contender for my arrow. The buck positions into a perfect broadside shot. He is impressive and is cooperating perfectly for the We Love it Outdoors TV show cameraman and me. Four hours into opening day of Wyoming pronghorn antelope season, I am at full draw and covered up with bucks.
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While the buck drinks, I scroll through my mental checklist as I judge the pronghorn buck. He has nice mass to his horns; in fact they are as wide as his eye. His white belly sags. Even though my trigger finger is itchy, I look at the horns a second time. I hesitate. To be a trophy buck, his horns should be twice as high as his ears. I let down my bow. He drinks. This buck is a little tricky to judge. I come to full draw a second time, this time noticing the tips of his horns. I am looking for a buck that has a wide curl, wide enough that I could fit a Coke can inside of that curl, with maybe even a little bit of ivory on the tips. I let down the bow a second time. Hunting the 4J ranch is exciting and I know from past experience that I will get more opportunities. Patiently, I wait for the right buck. On day two we move to a new location. We are set up at a watering tank. As the sun bakes the blind bucks will be looking for water. The eyes of a pronghorn are nothing short of exceptional; they can pick up movement as far as three miles away. They can run up to 60 miles per hour. Pronghorn are starting to move. My chest thumps loudly as the ungulates run toward the water. I knock an arrow and clip the trigger release into place. As the bucks get closer, one pops out of the herd that definitely has “WOW factor.” He has mass with tall cutters and height, his horns curl perfectly, his belly is plump and saggy. He is old and massive. He stops at the backside of the watering tank and drinks as I come to full draw. Pressing the trigger release, I pinch my shoulder blades together. The arrow sails right over the buck. Tufts of rich russet hair fly. The buck turns and runs off. How could I have missed when he was so close? Queasiness overtakes me. He was close, and massive. Brady replays the video footage to confirm that the arrow grazed the buck but didn’t hit the intended target. I misjudged the distance, which resulted in a disappointing miss. I spent a restless night. In the morning Brady and I are moved to a barley field on a ridge that overlooks a pond. At first I am confused as I can’t see water and wonder how this location will produce trophy pronghorns and at a range close enough for my arrow. Brady and I work out a plan. He will hold the rangefinder allowing me to concentrate on pulling my bow and executing a perfect shot. I learned a valuable lesson about distances yesterday when the buck was at 12 yards and my sight pin was set for 20. I move my pin
Brady Kangas, cameraman for We Love It Outdoors films the action.
to 15 yards. Within an hour we are covered up in does and fawns all within 15 yards. They are behind the blind, to the side of the blind and in front of us. Where are the bucks? I watch and wait, barely breathing. Brady glances behind me out the back of the blind. “There is a big buck coming. I think he is a shooter,” he whispers. Slowly, I turn and see a pronghorn buck heading my way. He has all of the criteria of a trophy pronghorn. Turning forward, I get my weapon into shooting position. “Pull your bow,” Brady instructs. Taking a slow, steady breath, I come to full draw and wait for the magic moment. Everything is happening quickly but it’s as though the buck is in slow mo-
Billy Mankin secures the hunting blind near a watering hole
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tion. Will he come perfectly around the side of the blind? My stomach twists in knots. Suddenly, he appears in the front window of the hunting blind, but it’s just his head that I see. “Oh please take four steps forward,” I coax silently. I wait. The bow is steady in my hands as I admire the massive horns on the buck. As the buck moves forward, giving me the broadside shot that I want his white rump hairs ruffle and stand on end. He senses danger and is alerting other pronghorns. I must react quickly or the pronghorn will startle and run. My finger presses against the trigger release shooting the arrow right into the kill zone. Shaking with excitement, I watch as he goes 40 yards and piles up. It’s lights out on my fourth pronghorn buck. Later that night as I serve fresh pronghorn back straps, I re-live the critical moment telling the story of my successful hunt, and I share the lessons I learned by my miss. We show the footage that will be on an upcoming episode of We Love it Outdoors TV show. High-five hand slaps and endless tales of the week’s glorious moments mark the end of a fabulous hunt in the Wild West. Anita lives in Grand Rapids, MN and is the mother of two adult children. She has been a hairstylist for thirty years. Her empty nest allows time to pursue interests of photography, bow hunting, fishing, travel and food. She is a graduate of Itasca Community College with an emphasis on wildlife, and also Quality Deer Managements level one stewardship program. You can follow her on Facebook and YouTube.
Dan Eigen, Walleye Dan congratulates Williams on a fine trophy pronghorn
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Gun up, Safety on By Payton Gunby
Have you ever been scared of someone’s muzzle control when you go hunt with them? Chances are if you’re an avid hunter you’ve found yourself in that uncomfortable position on whether to say something or just have your heart come out of your chest. I have found so many of my friends and acquaintances could acquire hunting licenses without ever taking a hunter safety class. There is also online hunter safety courses offered for people to quickly take where nothing is tru-
ly learned. You never know someone’s history on gun safety because it’s so simple to say you have been taught. It honestly doesn’t matter to what degree someone has been taught, even the best hunters aren’t above muzzle control. If you ever feel uncomfortable with someone you should say something. I’m an upland hunter which requires a lot of walking and dog watching. I’m the only one who stands between a hunter and them shooting my dog. It isn’t uncommon to have dogs hit with
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pellets but that’s not okay with me. That’s a close call! If I take control of the situation immediately I can end close calls and deaths. I can be seen as a not so nice lady when I give safety speeches or have to make a comment on how someone is carrying/shooting their gun. I can’t tell you how many times I see someone walking with their gun over their shoulder pointed straight back at me or facing down to the ground where one miss step can cause them to shoot their foot. Even saying something about shooting low birds can become heated because no one likes to be told they took a risky shot. If there is one thing I have learned it is to always treat a gun like it’s loaded and the safety is off. I will hold someone’s gun and their safety is off. What’s the point? You never know when you could trip and where your barrel will be pointed. Making sure you’re comfortable switching your safety on and off as if it were second hand is crucial. Once an accident happens it is too late. There is no coulda, shoulda, woulda when it comes to losing a life. People may get mad at you but a gun that isn’t pointed at someone, has never killed someone. It’s as simple as that but as complicated as that. Do not ever risk your life or others if you feel someone is being unsafe. Be independent enough to defend your thoughts on gun control and if someone doesn’t agree you probably shouldn’t hunt with them anymore. I know I’d rather be seen as a bad guy than a guest at a funeral. Always remember gun up, safety on.
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Meet Tracie Taylor of Flying Arrow Fitness By Judy Branham
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Coach Tracie Taylor has a passion for empowering other women to accomplish what they do not originally think they are capable of. Women who love outdoor activities who might not realize how fitness can propel their outdoor experiences are on her radar. Tracie feels health and fitness impacts your life in multiple diverse ways a person may not realize to begin with. She offers online coaching groups on Facebook to keep her ladies and guys accountable and motivated to reach their health and fitness goals as well as coaching them through their Beach body fitness and nutrition programs. Via her quest for huntresses on Face Book I met Tracie. She challenged me to become a better more accurate archer and huntress through her “Up Your Game” fitness challenge; I accepted the challenge and the results were astounding. Currently I am the National Women’s Selfbow Archery Champion partly due to Tracie’s challenge. When beginning Tracie’s challenge I could only do three women’s pushups from my knees. When I completed the challenge two weeks later I was completing 50 pushups one day and 50 squats the next day plus more; not to mention my self-esteem was improved as well as my archery shooting. How her career began Tracie elaborated, “I came to a place in life where I felt depressed and unhappy with myself. I didn’t feel good and none of my clothes fit like they used to. I was letting the weight of the world, particularly the state of our Nation and economy weigh on me as well. In the field I was struggling to pull my bow back with enough pounds to increase my accurate shot distance and sight picture. Many times I had to pass up a shot at a nice buck when I was hunting with someone else who could make a farther shot. Can we say I was FRUSTRATED? One day I was literally laying on the floor feeling a bit sorry for myself when my husband challenged me to complete the P90X program I had laying around that I had previously attempted three times and quit. He offered to support me all the way and encouraged me even more by offering me a cash reward. He must have known I would need some new clothes. I had been watching my future coach on Facebook and admiring her positivity and ability to help people reach goals so I contacted her and we got started right away.” “The small victories along my journey were really BIG victories for me,” Tracie said. “I am super grateful for my coach. There were times I messed up along the way, I had questions, and I needed motivation and accountability. My coach was there all along the way,” Tracie added. During the “Up Your Game” challenge Tracie encouraged all of us with the same motivation and support she had received from her coach. She is paying forward to others what has been given to her. Accomplishments Just to name a few accomplishments Tracie completed: * My upper body strength increased, allowing me to pull more pounds on my bow, giving me better accuracy at farther distances. * I can help my husband load, unload, and stack hay for our animals now. * I feel energetic, I sleep better, my clothes fit better, and my hiking abilities are improving. * I have a more positive outlook on life. * My kids are getting into fitness. * I don’t have as many cravings and I know how to make wiser food choices. * I am a happy girl and this change in my life has been a blessing. * I became a coach to share that with others, pay it forward, and help them along in their journeys. Tracie believes we should really live this precious life we are given and always follow our arrows.
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Daily Routine
Tracie’s daily routine includes:
* 5-6 small healthy meals, one of these meals is always Shakeology * She drinks a minimum of half her body weight in ounces of water * Right now she is doing work outs from P90X3 and loves this program because the work outs are only 30 minutes. Sometimes she adds more cardio. * She posts on her online coaching groups several times a day to keep her customers accountable and motivated. She checks in often to answer any questions or share ideas on meals or tips for fitness. She also mentors other coaches who have a heart to help others, want to earn an income, and love health and fitness. Tracie told me last year was the best hunting season she has had yet. One of Tracie’s slogans is, “There is nothing better than women supporting women and being passionate about what we do.” My hope is for Tracie to continue to offer these motivating programs so more women can improve their lives. Tracie’s contact links: Facebook: www.fb.com/tracie.taylor.fa Website: www.TracieTaylorFitness.com E-mail: taylormade_mttg@yahoo.com
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e
rf e p t
s
mo l a e
t
un h t c
Th
By Candy Yow
It was pitch dark when Randy wiggled out of his sleeping bag, fumbling around for matches to light the lantern. Stillness hovered over us after a long night of sounds that make you sit up wide-awake. A touch of fear was still hovering in my chest, we had been awaken in the night a couple times, once from trees breaking just on the edge of camp and the other when the horses became excited, probably a bear coming through camp. Now for the most dreaded time of the day, I grabbed my clothes and got dressed shivering as fast as I could before freezing to death. Knowing it would warm up later in the day I layer several items before hurrying to the cook tent to start breakfast for the crew. There is only 4 of us hunting so its not a big deal but still we need to have a big healthy breakfast before taking off to hunt all day, this is steep rough country and we all need the energy. While waiting for the food to cook I set out the lunch goodies to put in our packs, as we probably won’t get back till mid-afternoon at least. Breakfast done, we gobble it down, wash dishes quickly, then gather all the food to pull up into the food pole as we call it, sorta like a meat
pole but to keep the food off the ground to discourage Grizzlies. With all the chores done I grab my pack and bow put on another coat and off we go for our day adventures in the backcountry. Normally Randy and I leave at least an hour before day light to get as far back as possible before the sun comes up, but considering it was bear country we waited till the break of daylight before traipsing off into the woods. We are hunting Archery elk and the bugles are filling the air as we climb the first steep hill, difficult to hear the bugling over my gasping breath I take a break to locate the location. We had several going at once so its hard to pin point but after a couple minutes I pick out which bulls are closest and we take off in that direction. As we clear the hill we can tell he is close, we get ready, Randy stands back from me about 50 yards and cow calls, the bull comes closer answering blowing snot and steam from his nostrils as he gets more aggressive. His nose lifted towards the sky sniffing the air for the cow that he thinks we are, horns hovering over his back. 80 yards, 60 yards, he is easy in my range now but with the
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thick timber I am not able to get a shot, 40 yards, then to 30, I am straining to get a shot through the branches but it is just too thick. It’s a beautiful bull, and my heart is pounding with anticipation, I catch myself holding my breath and try to calm down. Just then a cow throws her head in the air, she has winded us, the bull blows town without me ever getting to take a shot. Disappointed I am still smiling, what an incredible part of nature I just witnessed and partook in. Few things can get the blood pumping like a bull elk in the rut screaming in your face. Still rubbing goose bumps we head off for another stalk and another chance to harvest a beautiful bull elk with my bow. We call in 3 more bulls, each with its own story, not close enough, cows winded us, or too thick of timber to get a shot, its all a part of the hunt itself. I was not discouraged, tomorrow would bring more opportunities. Now its time to head back and take care of the horses and put some dinner on, Bed will come early tonight after hiking so far and having so much adrenaline pumping through my veins. Feeling Blessed I reflect on my day, I am so fortunate to be a part of such an amazing life, my husband beside me hunting for our families, wit-
nessing Gods awesome wildlife (even the grizzlies) breathing fresh air and living our dreams. Dreams tonight will most certainly include screaming bulls, foggy brisk morning light, Grizzly prints along the creek and hopefully tomorrow will bring a successful day in the back country. Candy Yow
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Michelle Newlen Clearlake: Pronghorn Antelope August 26, 2014
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It was a stressful time for me. Summer was coming to an end and I was trying to get my kids back into a regular schedule. With 3 very young children at home for the summer months I was one wore out mom. I was ready to get my house back in order and have a little bit of normalcy return to our home. Every year the big game draw results is a very exciting event for my family. The anticipation is sometimes overwhelming. This year I wasn’t counting on being drawn for anything because I didn’t have the necessary preference points for some of the more likely draws. Twice before my husband had been drawn for pronghorn antelope and my mom once as well. Despite all my stress in the back of my mind I wondered if I would ever be one of the lucky few chosen. I checked my drawing results and was so excited to see that I got drawn for pronghorn antelope in Northern California. My excitement turned to stress as I realized the hunt was going to fall during the first week of school for my 3 kids Briley, 8 Chase, 6 and Janey, 4. Lucky for me I have a great mother who said “Go!! I will do whatever I have to for this to work for you”. My husband and I set off on our 10 hour drive to Tulelake California. We arrived just in time to have a couple hours to scout before the sun set. We saw the buck that I ultimately killed laying in a wide open pasture. I was thinking “Oh this is going to be easy”. The next morning we got up and headed out. Because of the other hunters and an off limits refuge the pronghorn were nearly impossible to get to. As the day passed we had no luck. The next day was amazing. It was slightly overcast and the pronghorn were plentiful. The problem was they still wouldn’t let us anywhere close to them. I tried desperately to sneak up to them covering myself with a decoy but that didn’t work quite like I envisioned. I was able to shoot at a decent buck but I missed. I was a little discouraged but so eager for the next day of hunting. We hiked to a little ridge and made ourselves a ground blind. For nearly 4 hours we sat there and saw nothing! The day ended in disappointment as we returned to the motel empty handed. We had one day left. With 3 little ones at home it’s really hard to stay away for very long. At this point I was missing my babies like crazy and the phone calls just weren’t enough. That final morning we once again made a ground blind in a perfect spot. We could even see the fresh markings from where a pronghorn had recently bedded down. It was actually kind of com-
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fortable. We decided to try a few tricks we had read about. We used a decoy and we used a white flag but still nothing. With only 3 hours of daylight left I decided in my head that it was over and I was just going to enjoy the last few hours in this beautiful country with my husband. As we turned a corner on a dirt road there he was. I got out of the truck as quickly and quietly as I could as my body shook and my heart raced. I stayed low and found myself a nice tree limb to rest my rifle on. I tried to control my breathing and find him in my scope. When I did he was looking at me standing broadside about 100 yards away! I squeezed the trigger and he took off. I ran to the truck and told my husband “I missed him” he said “No you didn’t baby, you got him, look...he’s down”. I turned just in time to see him drop. My eyes filled with tears and I quickly blinked them away as I walked over to claim my prize.
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What is an Atlatl? By Dawn Wagner
Y
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ou might ask yourself “What is an Atlatl”? An Atlatl is believed to be the oldest mechanical device known to man. They have dated it back to 35,000 years ago in Europe. An Atlatl is a simple but effective tool, it is a stick with a hand grip on one end and a spur/hook or socket on the other end to engage the dart. You hurl your dart with a flick of your wrist kinda like cracking a bull whip!! Your dart should be a foot taller than you to help with your aim!!
I have now been hunting for the last two years with the atlatl and darts, and this is how my first year of hunting went!! Hope you enjoy!!
I am a new hunter and Atlatlist. I had never hunted before in my life! I saw how much fun my husband Brian was having and I wanted to try it out! My husband is the third person in our state of Missouri to harvest a deer with it. I didn’t start hurling with my six foot ash darts till the middle of November 2012. I practiced hurling probably 100x the day I got it and was very frustrated because I wasn’t hitting the 3d target as well as I thought I could...every day I was out practicing, trying to hit the target...every day I got better! I went and got my very first hunting/archery permit(s) ever and started hunting with my Atlatl! I hunted out of our 101 year old barn that has clover planted around it and a salt lick at 15 yards out the back window (3ft x 3ft window) and used the barn as a ground blind...mind you I have never hunted before and the noises you hear while you are hunting are very interesting if you are hearing them for the first time! I did not see any deer while I was out those first nights...It’s called HUNTING not GETTING for a reason...
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Gun season opened up and I did not hunt until it closed...after gun season the deer didn’t want to come close to the barn so I moved to a ground blind we made at the beginning of our property out of cedar trees hoping they would come in...I would hear all sorts of noises I have never heard before like the sound a flock of birds make when they fly over or coyotes howling or an owl flying up on a branch above you!! I had two does about 50 yards out and that was the closest I had been to a deer...I watched them mill around for a bit and they never came close enough! I continued to hunt out of the ground blind, and the last couple of weeks in December I moved back to the barn. The first evening I went back out I had 3 does walk up to about 30 yards. I took off my glove so I could have a better feel of my atlatl. I could hear my heart pounding. Then they turned and went the other way. As I stood there watching, an 8 point buck walked out and was hot on their trail and never stopped! I was hoping he was going to come closer and my heart was pounding even harder now, but he had other things on his mind...even though I didn’t get a chance to hurl at him I GOT A TASTE OF WHAT IT FEELS LIKE TO HAVE BUCK FEVER!!!! I went back out a couple of days later and had a doe and yearling walk up at 30 yards. They were eating clover. They were coming closer as it was getting to be the last couple minutes of light, the yearling came closer, about 20 yards and I hurled my dart...I came up short by about five feet. WHAT A RUSH. I WAS SO EXCITED TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO HURL AT A DEER! My next opportunity to go out and hunt I had 3 does out the north window (that window is only 18in x 30in but they were at 40 yards, the older doe ran into the wood line and I was watching the younger ones when a deer went right in front of the window...I had no idea it was that close to me...my heart was pounding and I was disappointed I didn’t see it sooner! The doe came back out and they stayed at 40 yards and didn’t come closer. That was my last night I saw anything. With warmer weather coming soon I plan on practicing a lot more with my dart n Atlatl. We put up moving targets on a wire in our back yard to get me use to throwing at moving deer! With the atlatl you have a lot of movement so if the deer is moving you have more of a chance to hit them!! Cannot wait to share my next adventure with all of you!! The Atlatl Huntress
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The Annual Girls Weekend Dove Hunt Bt Christy Turner
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We like to kick start our hunting season when Dove Season opens on September first. I’m not a very good shot when it comes to those dove swooping and dodging my bullets. So when I actually get one to drop it is very exciting and fun. Sometimes if the wind is strong and they are flying with the wind, it is very challenging to lead them enough to get them (I have read that sometimes they can get up to 55 mph with the help of the wind, no wonder) . Or they get smart and fly to high out of range. But I manage to always have a bruised shoulder and go through a lot of shells just blasting them up in the sky in hopes of getting lucky. A group of my girlfriends like to have a “girl’s weekend Dove hunt” each September. We have so much fun getting together like a bunch of school girls giggling all throughout the day. But time for the hunt we put on our game faces and get serious and take care of business. Maybe just because Dove tastes so good with bacon and we eat really well all weekend long! No counting calories on this Dove hunting weekend. We really enjoy this time together making memories and I am so glad so many of the girls
can drive and fly in for this event each year. This is almost the quiet time before full swing hunting season starts. Then we are all too busy with our hunting schedules. Our Whitetail Deer Bow Season starts September 27th. I promised my husband and kids I would not obsess and act so crazy like I have the last couple of years. I really felt and believed I was telling them the truth, but I think there is something wrong with me. I think they call it buck fever. Just one weekend of sitting in the stand and I can feel it coming on. I am trying to stay calm and act like a reasonable person, but I feel the obsession and craziness sneaking in.
Pictured above from left to right: Our girlfriends who could make it this year were, Michelle Bodenheimer from Oregon, Kara Jo Lorenz from Oklahoma, Stephanie Wottrich from Texas, Amber Bradly from Oklahoma, Anne Vinnola from Colorado, Kirstie Pike from Colorado, Jody Geistweidt from Texas and I from Texas.
44 | November/December 2014 Lady Hunter Magazine | www.Ladyhuntermagazine.com
My First Elk By Ashley Westphal
It was a crisp fall morning in 2009, the kind every hunter dreams of. Not too cold, just enough snow to track. I had been a hunter for about seven years. Shooting an elk was obviously on my list and I faithfully bought a tag every year but had not been successful. That morning I just had a feeling my luck was about to change. My now husband, Cody, and I got up well before daylight to get to our hunting spot before day break. There was a skiff of new snow on the ground from the night before and hunting conditions couldn’t have been more perfect. We started our hike in the dark, hoping to get to higher ground with the intention of hunting high country mule deer that day. Cody is a successful elk hunter and has harvested many bulls in the past, both with a bow and rifle. His passion now lies in hunting monster muley’s. We started out at a brisk pace with no thought to hunting the lower ground. After one particular switchback, I noticed a lone set of fresh elk tracks. I insisted that we follow the tracks for a ways in hopes that we might come upon the elk. Cody decided to humor me for the moment. Three ridges later we were still on the tracks, but had seen no elk. I could see that Cody wanted to continue with our original plan and head back to look for mule deer. We compromised and decided to go over just one more ridge. If we didn’t see the elk by then, we would turn around.
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My hope was fading by this point. I figured that the elk were long gone. As we crested the ridge we spotted two cows and a bull. I was able to get off one shot with my 280 and they were gone. Blood in the snow told me I had hit the bull. It looked like lung blood but there was little of it. We tracked the bull for two hours with minimal blood. I was devastated thinking that I had wounded the bull and he would get away. About this time we came upon him lying in some thick brush. As every hunter knows, the work begins after the kill. We went home and got our horses to pack my first bull out on. It was an amazing day for me. I was so excited to have finally harvested a bull. The ivory taken from the bull would be used in our wedding rings a year later. Each day, when I see my ring, I am reminded not only of that hunt but of having shared the experience with my best friend, who is now my husband.
46 | November/December 2014 Lady Hunter Magazine | www.Ladyhuntermagazine.com
Girls Can Do It Too
T
By: Mark Tribble
he deer season is winding down and duck season has arrived. My son and I have hunted those elusive whitetails for many weeks. So a duck hunt or three will be a welcome break from deer hunting. It seems that the longer the deer season goes the more reclusive those deer become. And we see less and less of old Mr. Buck and Mrs. Doe. But those cool mornings and evenings in a stand are still very peaceful regardless if I see a deer or not. I am a hunter and love to hunt anything with fur or feathers on it so a late season dove or duck hunt when the deer get scarce is right up my alley. My son and I got an invitation to a dove hunt during the Thanksgiving holiday by a close friend early Saturday morning. We got into a mad rush getting prepared the night before because our bird hunting gear had be put away and deer hunting gear was everywhere. We finally got all of our stuff together and in the bed around eleven o’clock. Back
up at five am and to the bird field. There were lots of dove in the field but I could not hit the broad side of a barn for some reason. Maybe it was the bulky clothing or the cold morning air or maybe it was just me not having shot my trusty shot gun in several months. I don’t know exactly what the problem was but we had a wonderful time slinging lead in the air at those acrobatic birds and laughing at one another. I don’t mind eating a little humble pie every now and then. The cell phone is a wonderful tool and sometimes I wonder what we ever did without them. At first it was a tool to stay in touch with friends and family and now it has become a necessity of life. With call waiting, caller ID, text messaging, picture messaging, video and camera capabilities, and even internet access is available. These things are truly a modern marvel. Especially when one of my friends kills a nice buck or their child kills their first deer. We don’t have to wait till next week when the pic-
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tures to get developed and circulate around town to share in the excitement. We now get a picture message on our cell phones. I got one such picture during the bird hunt. One of my friends sent me a picture of his daughter with her first deer ever. I called her when we left the bird field and congratulated her on a job well done and told her how excited I was for her. She proceeded to tell me the whole story of how the deer came into the food plot and how she laid the smack down on it. I could hear the excitement in her voice and I knew how proud her dad was of her. Her older sister had already taken two deer already this year and I had gotten pictures of them as well. One of the girls on her softball team had also taken a huge seven point buck and I had gotten a picture message of that one as well. It warms my heart to see these Dads sharing the outdoors with their daughters. These girls aren’t having any trouble shooting either. These are one shot kills. I call that laying the smack down on it. They are as proficient a shooter as any man I have seen shoot. My brother in law also sent me two picture messages several weeks ago. My two nieces killed their first deer this year. The oldest took a nice doe and the younger an eight point buck. Both were taken with the same 243 rifle and both with one shot. Of course they had to call their Uncle Mark to tell him the story of the hunt. And how they got excited and were breathing really heavy and their heart was beating so fast and took their time and squeezed the trigger and the deer just disappeared. Another friend of mine showed me a picture, yes on his cell phone, of his girlfriend’s daughter with a monster buck she had killed. He had to tell me the story because she wasn’t there. He told me the daughter and a friend of hers were going to the deer stand for an evening hunt and rounded the corner in the road heading to the stand and there in the middle of the road in a mud puddle stood the buck. She raised her rifle but could not get steady enough for a shot so her friend got down on all fours and she laid the gun across her back and dropped the big ole 12 point in the mud puddle. That was some quick thinking and some good improvising. I am so glad to see these dads and step dads taking the time to spend with these girls enjoying God’s great outdoors. These girls don’t let the fact that they are GIRLS keep them from getting the
job done. They can hunt with the best of them and sometimes better. Just like in the outdoors girls and women have are an important part and belong in God’s church just as much as men. They are an important part of the machine that without them it won’t run. That is the way God designed it. I think these girls have already proven that there ain’t much they can’t do. If more women and girls took that kind of attitude in serving the Lord there is no telling what they could do for the kingdom of God. Go gettem girls!
48 | November/December 2014 Lady Hunter Magazine | www.Ladyhuntermagazine.com
Women That Hunt-WTH
"I Shoot For The Girls" Mail in Archery Tournament Attention: Archery Clubs, Shop Owners and Ranges. Contact us to participate in the annual Shoot Like A Girl “I Shoot For The Girls� mail in archery tournament. Help us raise money for breast cancer awareness and education! Last year we raised $10,000. This year our goal is to double that! 100% of the profits go to the NBCF! For more information email tournament director Raychel Shaw at Raychel.Shaw@ShootLikeAGirl.com