Deer Hunting Season

Deer Hunting this season has been less than stellar. I have not hunted much; and when I have hunted, I have not seen much while I was hunting. I hope that the late black powder season and bow season is more successful. The last time that I hunted, I saw two does and a fawn, out of bow range. A coyote messed up any opportunity for a shot at them. I was able to quietly view a lot of other wildlife though. I am writing an article about that experience.
The colder weather has set in; and deer will be focusing on limited food sources. The late rut can kick in also, so there will be a chance for a buck for the wall or a fat doe for the freezer.
I am trying to plan a bowhunt for wild hogs late this winter, and a combination bear, deer and hog bowhunt in East Tennessee this fall. That should prove to be pretty interesting.

Rabbit Hunting

11/19/08

While I was off on vacation and bereavement leave, I had the opportunity to hunt rabbits with my buddy Paul Moore and some of his friends. We had a great time, jumped 12 rabbits and killed 4 rabbits. These were some of the biggest cottontail rabbits that I've seen in my life and ran circles that were over 3/4 of a mile at times. Incredible. We had the opportunity to observe some great dog action too.

Family Loss

11/19/08

I have not done anything with my blogging lately. I was off last week; originally for vacation for deer and rabbit hunting and a fall crappie fishing trip. A phone call Monday night brought sad news, my grandmother died. Kathy and I made a trip back to Delaware, for the funeral. She was 99 years old and will be sorely missed. She was suffering these last 2-3 years, so she said she was ready to go. It is a time of grieving for my family.

Protecting Our Gun Rights

I read a book titled "The Great New Orleans Gun Grab" recently. This book reveals, with first-hand accounts of the victums of what happens when the politicians and bureaucrats toss the Constitution and 2ND Amendent in the trash, for their own political agenda and gain. We can expect the same thing if the Socialist Regeme of Barack Hussain Oboma gets in power. He has been associated with avowed anti-American radicals and terrorists throughout his whole college and adult life. Why do people think that will change, because he is running for President?

Late Season Bowhunting Opportunities

I just completed a couple of articles on late season bowhunting opportunities, this weekend. I sent the articles out to magazines, with photos.
Late season bowhunting offers a plethora of different hunting opportunities including deer, elk(in some locations), wild hogs, small game, game birds, bison and predators. A few states, such as Texas and Florida have free ranging exotics. There are numerous high fenced hunting opportunities that offer hunting for exotics also. High fence doesn't necessarily lesson the challenge or guarantee you'll get meat for the freezer. In large high fenced areas , the animals remain wild and may NEVER see the fence.
Get out and enjoy some late season bowhunting action this year.

Crappie World magazine

Kathy called me Friday and informed me that CRAPPIE WORLD magazine had acepted my article on "Why Use a Guide"; and had sent me a check for payment. I was ecited and happy about that!. It's a slow process to get published in National magazines, but the payoff is bigger and a lot more people get to read my articles.

American Bass Angler magazine

My wife informed me today, that I had an article published in American Bass Angler magazine. A copy of the magazine, a nice letter and check came with it. I was happy about that. ABA was the Military Bass Anglers Association years ago, when I fished the MBAA tournament trail in the 1990's. I was happy to get an article published in a national fishing magazine.

Check out River Country Outdoors magazine, if you live in KY, IL or MO. I had four articles published in the October issue.

Small Game Season

In 2007 and early 2008, I had the opportunity to hunt small game again, after many years. It was great! Thanksgiving weekend, I had the opportunity to rabbit hunt with my buddy and fellow outdoor writer/editor and publisher of OUTDOOR VIEW magazine, Paul Moore. A couple of Paul's buddies had great rabbit dogs and excellent hunting area. It was exciting, and a ton of fun! Later in the year, during the New Years weekend, Paul, COL Dave Bowman, SF and Terry Allen all got together for a pheasnt and quail hunt at Moore's Hunting Preserve in Possum Trot, KY. We had a great time, watching an excellent bird dog work and enjoyed a lot of wingshooting action.
Get out and enjoy some small game hunting this season and have some fun!

New World Record Elk

The Outdoor Life website listed a possible new potential non-typical world record bull elk killed in Utah. That is exciting news!. It green-scored over 500B & C points.

I'm anxious to see how it turns out in the end!

Tribute to a Warrior Outdoorsman

Sunday, October 5, 2008 I learned of the death of a young warrior outdoorsman, Sgt. Josh Kell, USMC. Josh was the 25 year old son of my college friends, John and Denise Kell of Dunlap Tennessee. John, Denise and I went to college at Tennessee Tech. University. John and I graduated in 1977, and were commissioned as 2LT's, John as an Artillary Officer and I as an Infantry Officer. Josh followed his Dad's footsteps into the military, to serve his country on the war on terrorism.
Josh did not pass on from wounds in battle. He was struck down by the dreaded disease, cancer.
Josh was preparing to deploy to Iraq with his unit, when pre-deployment physical and blood test revealed a high white blood count. Further test found that he had cancer. Josh was treated, and thought he had it beat, but the disease kept returning, until it took his life last week.
Josh was an avid outdoorsman,; hunter and fishermen. Both John and Denise Kell, his parents are avid outdoorsmen also, and love fishing off the coast of Lousianna for redfish and sea trout.
Josh fought a valient, but long and painful battle with this disease, and finally passed after his long fight. He is in a better place now, and looking down on all of us.

Small Game Hunting Opportunities

I had the opportunity to hunt small game this past year. It was the first time in many years. I really enjoyed chasing rabbits, quail, pheasnts and squirrels again. I started out hunting small game as a kid. It is fun, exciting and enjoyable, especially when you share the time with good friends.
I hope to get my wife involved in hunting this year. Kathy is an avid angler, especially when it comes to big bluegills, shellcrackers and crappie. She has never hunted, an has expressed an interest in bird hunting. I hope she'll go with me this year!.

Spoons for catching a variety of fish

Spoons catch a variety of fish; and provide a "different look" from the usual spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jigs that most fishermen use. The spoon is a versatile tool that every angler needs to have in his arsenal. Capt. Kirk Weber, of Captain Kirk's Guide Service (www.captainkirksguideservice) and I loaded the boat using small spoons, utilizing the "stroking" technique to fish them. We caught bass, yellow bass, crappie and white bass on them. The action was fast and exciting.
Large spoons were used to make some big catches during the BASSMASTER Elite Tournament in June, 2008.

Buckmaster Whitetail Magazine Articles

I am proud to have two articles published in BUCKMASTERS Whitetail Magazine. The first article was published in the September issue, and was titled "Hunting With The Enemy". This article was on poaching, and the types of poachers. Every outdoorsman should read this article. The second article is due out in December and is about late season blackpowder hunting.
Mid West Outdoors, River Country Outdoors and Outdoor View magazine, West Tennessee Outdoors and Tennessee Valley Outdoors all publish my article regularly. I am happy and proud of that.

2HANDEE Tool

Hi Fellow Outdoorsmen:

This past summer, I had the opportunity to get my hands on a 2HANDEE TOOL. This fishing tool is a great addtion to any fisherman's tacklebox. This compact tool has all of the necessary tools that a fisherman could want in one package. It has a clipper, hook sharpener, hook disgorger and crankbait tuner. This little tool also comes with a great knife that will cut braided line. You can check out Buck and Beel's web site at www.2handee.com

You'll love this great little tool! Check out my article about it in the September issue of OUTDOOR VIEW magazine.

Take Care,

Chuck Smick

Guides and Outfitters in Kentucky

Hi Outdoor Friends:

I've had the opportunity to work with and experience the professionalism and dedication in Western Kentucky.
Capt. Kirk Weber is an experienced and knowledgable fishing guide on Kentucky Lake. Kirk and I experienced a great trip on August 31, when we caught big numbers of yellow bass, crappie and largemouth bass, while "stroking" a spoon. We had a great trip and the results were a number of nice largemouth bass and a bag full of crappie and yellow bass filets. This would be a great trip to take a new or in-experienced angler on. The action was fast and furious. For more information, contact Capt. Kirk Weber at info@captainkirksguideservice.com. You can view his web site at www.captainkirksguideservice.com
My wife and I had the opportunity to fish with Capt. Tim Griggs and Capt. Tim Dillon. We caught big numbers of Huge Redears and Bluegill while fishing with Tim Griggs, and had a great time fishing for yellow bass while fishing with tim Dillon. You can view their web sites at
www.KentuckyLake.com
For excellent hunting opportunities in Western Kentucky, you need to check out Bret and Sharon Wilson's Operation at DEER HAVEN TROPHY BUCKS; see their web site at
www.deerhaventrophybucks.com. Deer Haven has some phenomenal hunting and big bucks. In Kentucky, you can buy your deer and turkey tags over the counter. For great hunting in Western Kentucky, give Bret and Sharon a call at (270) 334-3748.

Take the time to come to Western Kentucky and enjoy the outdoors, and all that we have to offer here.

Chuck Smick

Traditional Broadheads

Hi Fellow Traditional Bowhunters:

I have read a lot of research on traditional broadheads. Dr. Ed Ashby's research both in research and in the field indicate that single bevel broadheads perform the best, and leave a good wound channel. That means a good blood trail.
Heavy arrows seem to work the best for me, with my 65-80 pound pull longbows and recurve bows. Plus these heavy arrows have a distinct advantage with penetration.
Take Care,

Chuck Smick

Chuck Smick Outdoors

Hi Fellow Outdoorsmen:



My name is Chuck Smick. I am a freelance outdoor writer and photographer from Paducah, Kentucky. I am an avid traditional bowhunter, with over 45 years of experience hunting, fishing and trapping, in 19 states from Alaska to Florida. My wife and I are also avid anglers, and enjoy fishing on our home waters of Kentucky and Barkley Lakes.

I have a B.S. degree in Natural Resources Management from Tennessee Technological University, a M.S. degree in Safety Management and professional diplomas in outdoor writing and photography. I am also a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving both on Active Duty and the U.S. Army Reserves for 20 years, in Infantry, Airborne and Special Operations units. I am currently a Major in the Retired Reserves.

My passion is tradtional bowhunting and outdoor photography, along with my writing. I am an Active Member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and Kentucky Outdoor Press Association. I currently write for; and have been published in 14 national and regional outdoor publications including BUCKMASTERS Whitetail Magazine, Professional Bowhunter magazine, Mid West Outdoors, River Country Outdoors,Tennessee Valley Outdoors, West Tennessee Outdoors, Tennessee Outdoor News, Ohio Valley Outdoors and Outdoor View magazine. I also write a column on Traditional Equipment for Outdoor View magazine.

I would love to hear from other veterans and outdoorsmen and women who enjoy the outdoors.



Take Care,



Chuck Smick