Selecting the right camo pattern can be a daughting task. The key is to not appear a "blob"; whether in a tree or on the ground. Jon Washburn, owner of Buck Stop Archery in Brownstown, IL has developed a pattern using a tanned deer hide as a background, blended with leaves, twigs and branches. This pattern breaks up your outline and is very naturally appering in the woods.
You can view Jon's web site at www.hide-n-camo.com. Check it out!
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Monday, May 18, 2009
A different bug repellent
Take a small pump spray bottle and mix Listerine and absorbine Junior. This concoction will work to ward off mosquitoes, gnats and other annoying insect. This is suppose to last up to two days according to my friend, LTC(RET) Marc Miller. Give it a try this season.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Arrows and Broadheads
I recently had the opportunity to hunt wild hogs in Southeastern, MO. It was a hot, windy, late April day. Not ideal conditions for a still-hunt/spot-and-stalk hunt. The hogs were bedded up in heavy/large brushpiles and were VERY SPOOKY. I was using my 80 Lb pull Howard Hill longbow, Alaska Bowhunting Supply-GrizzlyStik-Safari arrows(see www.alaskabowhunting.com), tipped with a Grizzly broadhead for my hunt.
I had read Dr. Ed Ashby's research on the use of heavy bows, heavy arrows and single bevel broadheads, that he has conducted over the last 25 years, both in the field and while hunting. The hog hunt was an opportunity to test out his research myself.
After a very hard, long and difficult hunt, I managed to shoot a nice hog. The arrow BLEW THROUGH the hog easily. My guide said that he'd never seen an arrow create an Instant and Massive blood trail like that before. The hog went down within 15 yards.
I am a very firm believer in heavy bows, heavy broadheads and single bevel cut-on-contact broadheads. Dr. Ashby's research has proven out, time after time.
Light Arrows and poor quality broadheads cause wounded and lost animals. Most bowhunters need to go to a heavier arrow and solid broadhead for better results.
I had read Dr. Ed Ashby's research on the use of heavy bows, heavy arrows and single bevel broadheads, that he has conducted over the last 25 years, both in the field and while hunting. The hog hunt was an opportunity to test out his research myself.
After a very hard, long and difficult hunt, I managed to shoot a nice hog. The arrow BLEW THROUGH the hog easily. My guide said that he'd never seen an arrow create an Instant and Massive blood trail like that before. The hog went down within 15 yards.
I am a very firm believer in heavy bows, heavy broadheads and single bevel cut-on-contact broadheads. Dr. Ashby's research has proven out, time after time.
Light Arrows and poor quality broadheads cause wounded and lost animals. Most bowhunters need to go to a heavier arrow and solid broadhead for better results.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Following Your Dreams
Following dreams and attaining goals are things that make life worth living for most of us. I've had a number of dreams and goals in my live over the last 54 years. College, serving my country in the military, earning my paratrooper wings and getting married to a great lady (I finally found someone who will put up with me!) are important goals, which I have achieved.
I've had a variety of outdoor related goals also. These have included trapping full-time for a living, successful tournament fishing, becoming a successful traditional bow hunter and decent shot with a traditional bow; and becoming a successful, published outdoor writer and photographer. More importantly to me, my goal is having a fun outdoor experience, and sharing the outdoors with my wife Kathy. She is an avid fisher-person and I'm trying to nudge her into the shooting and hunting field now, after nearly 11 years of marriage.
I hope to continue to grow, improve and achieve success in my outdoor writing and photography career also. My goals for the future include traditional bow hunts for a variety of big game throughout the US, Alaska and Canada.
Keep striving to be successful; set goals, use proper planning and they will come.
I've had a variety of outdoor related goals also. These have included trapping full-time for a living, successful tournament fishing, becoming a successful traditional bow hunter and decent shot with a traditional bow; and becoming a successful, published outdoor writer and photographer. More importantly to me, my goal is having a fun outdoor experience, and sharing the outdoors with my wife Kathy. She is an avid fisher-person and I'm trying to nudge her into the shooting and hunting field now, after nearly 11 years of marriage.
I hope to continue to grow, improve and achieve success in my outdoor writing and photography career also. My goals for the future include traditional bow hunts for a variety of big game throughout the US, Alaska and Canada.
Keep striving to be successful; set goals, use proper planning and they will come.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Early Season Crappie Fishing
I had the opportunity to talk fishing with Captain Kirk Weber of Captain Kirk's Guide Service out of Benton Ky. Kirk said that early season crappie fishing can produce some of the biggest fish of the season, as big females make the first forays into the shallow water during the pre-spawn period. Weather is the key ingredient for early season action. Three to five days of warm, sunny weather bring in the bigger fish. These fish can be caught on a tube jig under a bobber in 2-5 feet of water. A cold front will put fish back in deeper water from 12-20 feet.
Look for fish in rocky areas, on the west side of the twin lakes. Black crappie will be the first fish to move in during late February and March. White crappie will follow a little later, as the water warms. So don't sit at home during the warm early spring days, get out and chase some early season crappie. You can contact Captain Kirk through his web site at
www.captainkirksguideservice.com. For great fishing action in Tennessee, contact Richard Simms through his web site at www.sceniccityfishing.com
Look for fish in rocky areas, on the west side of the twin lakes. Black crappie will be the first fish to move in during late February and March. White crappie will follow a little later, as the water warms. So don't sit at home during the warm early spring days, get out and chase some early season crappie. You can contact Captain Kirk through his web site at
www.captainkirksguideservice.com. For great fishing action in Tennessee, contact Richard Simms through his web site at www.sceniccityfishing.com
Monday, February 9, 2009
Views and Reviews
I recently had the opportunity to review a new bowhunting video, that is being produced by some regular working guys. The video is titled "FULL PURSUIT". The video shows some fast-paced hot bowhunting action in Missouri, Illinois and Canada. The Three Timbers Outdoors Team gives you hunting action from early bow season through the end of the season. This video is worth watching. You can get a copy by going to http://www.threetimbersoutdoors.com/ or you can contact Jeff Tourville at jstour93@yahoo.com.
A friend, outdoor writer and fellow paratrooper, Gordon Hutchinson gave me a copy of his new book to review, titled "The Great New Orleans Gun Grab-Descent into Anarchy". This book is a first-hand account of how the politicians and police in New Orleans disregarded the Constitution, laws and sworn duty to to protect the citizenry of the city, and attempted to run them out of their homes, steal their guns and leave them totally unprotected from the gangs of thugs, thieves and other criminals that roamed the streets, preying on those unprotected. This book tells of a few brave souls, who stood their ground, kept their guns and stayed to protect their homes, families and businesses from the huge crime wave that ensued after Hurricane Katrina.
This book is well-worth reading...because, with the politicians in power now, it could easily happen again!
A friend, outdoor writer and fellow paratrooper, Gordon Hutchinson gave me a copy of his new book to review, titled "The Great New Orleans Gun Grab-Descent into Anarchy". This book is a first-hand account of how the politicians and police in New Orleans disregarded the Constitution, laws and sworn duty to to protect the citizenry of the city, and attempted to run them out of their homes, steal their guns and leave them totally unprotected from the gangs of thugs, thieves and other criminals that roamed the streets, preying on those unprotected. This book tells of a few brave souls, who stood their ground, kept their guns and stayed to protect their homes, families and businesses from the huge crime wave that ensued after Hurricane Katrina.
This book is well-worth reading...because, with the politicians in power now, it could easily happen again!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Planning for a new season in 2009
Now is the time to start planning for the 2009 hunting season. You can start the planning with five major items: (1). If you are planning a hunt out of state, get a copy of their hunting regulations, tag applications (if needed) and research the best hunting areas. Apply for the necessary tags for the animals and areas that you plan to hunt.
(2). Plan your vacation and start a savings program for the hunt. You need to figure one-half to twice the amount needed to cover the variety of costs, to cover unexpected expenses. You may need to work overtime or work a second job, to pay for your hunt.
(3) Get in shape for the type of hunt you are planning; and shoot your weapon of choice frequently before the hunt. Get familiar with your weapon, shoot from a variety of positions and ranges, so you will be prepared for your hunt. Familiarize yourself with the anatomy of the animal(s) that you plan to hunt, so you can make an ethical shot and clean kill.
(4) Obtain a quality pair of optics and learn how to use them. Practice by spotting game and bird watching during the off season at home.
(5) Contact booking agents and outfitters. I would highly recommend that you contact Howard Gulick with OUTDOOR CONNECTION at hgulick@msn.com or Neil Summers with Bowhunting Safari Consultants at Neil@bowhuntingsafari.com to arrange the hunt of a lifetime. This will be money well-spent and save you a lot of heartaches fro a bad hunt.
(2). Plan your vacation and start a savings program for the hunt. You need to figure one-half to twice the amount needed to cover the variety of costs, to cover unexpected expenses. You may need to work overtime or work a second job, to pay for your hunt.
(3) Get in shape for the type of hunt you are planning; and shoot your weapon of choice frequently before the hunt. Get familiar with your weapon, shoot from a variety of positions and ranges, so you will be prepared for your hunt. Familiarize yourself with the anatomy of the animal(s) that you plan to hunt, so you can make an ethical shot and clean kill.
(4) Obtain a quality pair of optics and learn how to use them. Practice by spotting game and bird watching during the off season at home.
(5) Contact booking agents and outfitters. I would highly recommend that you contact Howard Gulick with OUTDOOR CONNECTION at hgulick@msn.com or Neil Summers with Bowhunting Safari Consultants at Neil@bowhuntingsafari.com to arrange the hunt of a lifetime. This will be money well-spent and save you a lot of heartaches fro a bad hunt.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
End of Season
Well, it's the end of the season. I never had a shot at a deer this year. I saw very few deer on public land, and the outfitter that I work with is under a QDM program. All bucks have to be 8 points and the rack spread has to be outside the ears. I saw 33 deer one day, 9 were bucks. But, none met the requirements for his QDM program and he doesn't allow does to be shot.
Now is the time to plan hunts for 2009. I am researching material for articles on choosing an outfitter and a booking agent; and why you need to consider using both. It's been interesting, interviewing these guys for the articles.
I hope to do a deer, bear and wild boar hunt in East Tennessee this fall, if my vacation plans don't get screwed up due to family issues. Time will tell.
Now is the time to plan hunts for 2009. I am researching material for articles on choosing an outfitter and a booking agent; and why you need to consider using both. It's been interesting, interviewing these guys for the articles.
I hope to do a deer, bear and wild boar hunt in East Tennessee this fall, if my vacation plans don't get screwed up due to family issues. Time will tell.
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