Home is -60 Below. You Better Put on Your Booties...

Home is Williston, ND, where the Bakken Oilfield is providing jobs to thousands, housing to few, and an answer to "how bad do you want it" right now. Fact: I never had a single day of school canceled due to poor weather. In TX, they cancel school on the threat of snow.

No matter the temperature, you do all the things you need to get done. You can't allow weather to affect your daily life because you'll never know when it is going to change. Fact: I once competed in a track meet in May where it was blizzard like conditions. I couldn't believe they allowed me to throw the javelin...you couldn't see it after you let go. 

Ice fishing is the sport of choice and every year some poor fools wait a little too long to get the house off the water. Nobody can ever blame them. They have an addiction...fishing.

Lake Sakakawea, a two-minute stroll to the bank from our front door. Walleye fishing is great, but in my younger years water skiing came calling more often. Fact: My friends and I would go smurfing every year. Smurfing is water skiing just after the water had opened up. The temperature was just above freezing and when you would get back in the boat, your body was completely blue...all you young bucks can google the term "smurf" and get a good idea of the little cartoon characters.

We take the kids home every summer for the Fourth of July Celebration. I typically get asked weekly when we are going back to North Dakota. I think they need to experience -60 Below and see if they still ask me when we're going back. 

To all the riggers out there...suck it up boys, you're in the home stretch! And by the way, who can finish the title of the post?

Iowa Deer Harvest Decline Continues

Iowa’s deer harvest declined for the seventh straight year as hunters adjust to the smaller herd, and to fewer antlerless tags. Hunters reported 115,606 deer to the harvest reporting system for the 2012 season, a decline of nearly 5 percent. The harvest is down 23 percent from its high in 2006.

Deer hunters purchased 378,447 licenses, nearly 14,500 fewer than in 2011, due to the elimination of the three-day November antlerless season, a shortening of the January antlerless season, and reduced antlerless license quotas in some counties.

“Hunters are doing their part to help us manage the deer herd by judiciously using available antlerless tags in counties were we would like to reduce the population, and by working with landowners to be more selective in other areas,” said Dr. Dale Garner, chief of Wildlife for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. 

Deer hunting seasons stretch from September to middle January providing different types of hunting opportunities to Iowa hunters. 

Deer hunting is also big business in Iowa, providing an economic impact of nearly $214 million, paying more than $15 million in federal taxes and nearly $15 million in state taxes. It supports more than 2,800 jobs, and provides more than $67 million in earnings.

The harvest data will be used as a consideration when the DNR begins the process of discussing hunting seasons later this winter. 

New Wisconsin State-Record Typical Whitetail

After hunting hard for several days straight, William “Dusty” Gerrits of Waupun, Wis., thought Nov. 6 might be a good time to take a break from the deer woods. It was Election Day, after all, and he also needed to get caught up on work at his auto parts business. But some promising trail cam photos and a favorable weather forecast changed his mind—which meant that Gerrits was in his stand when Wisconsin’s next state-record archery typical charged in to challenge a smaller buck working a nearby scrape.

Waiting out a five-minute game of cat-and-mouse between the bucks, Gerrits finally got his shot at a record. A final scoring completed earlier this month made it official: The big mainframe 12 with two stickers that Gerrits and his hunting buddies nicknamed “Big Surprise” netted 189 3/8, making it Wisconsin’s third new typical record in seven years.

What a wonderful trophy and he actually took it from his 180 acre tract of land. Great stuff. There is a complete story and photo gallery over at Field and Stream for your enjoyment.

Mule Deer Foundation Donates to Restore Habitat

The Mule Deer Foundation donated 11,600 pounds of Sage Brush seed valued at $253,000 to reseed important California wildlife habitat destroyed by fire.

MDF donated the seed to the Eagle Lake Field Office of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) in Susanville, CA to reseed portions of Eastern Lassen County, which was devastated by one of California's largest fires in recent history. The Rush Fire destroyed more than 315,000 acres, including some of the best deer hunting habitat in the state.

MDF California Regional Director Randy Morrison said, "The Rush Fire burned almost exclusively in hunting unit X5B, a limited-entry only area, and 80% of it was burned completely to the ground. It was critical deer habitat that is now gone. It looks like the dark side of the moon. It needs this help from MDF."

He said the seed from MDF conservation partner Native Seed Company of Lehi, UT will help restore approximately 75,000 acres of habitat for both mule deer and sage grouse, as well as a host of other wildlife species.

Morrison worked with Valda Lockie of the BLM and Justin Dean, owner of Native Seed, which will store it until next summer, when the BLM will begin planting.

Volunteers who want to help bring this area back to life are encouraged to contact Randy Morrison with the Mule Deer Foundation at 707-592-9998. There will be seed planting opportunities as well as a number of water development projects

About MDF

The Mule Deer Foundation's national convention will be held in conjunction with the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City, Utah, Feb. 21-24, 2013, featuring a keynote address by Wayne LaPierre, CEO of the National Rifle Association. Visit www.huntexpo.com.

The Mule Deer Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 charitable non-profit organization, is one of the key conservation groups in North America working to restore, improve and protect mule deer, black-tailed deer and their habitat. With a focus on science and program efficiency, MDF has put millions of dollars and countless hours on the ground for mission-critical projects. MDF acknowledges regulated hunting as a viable management component and is committed to recruitment and retention of youth into the shooting sports and conservation. Get involved at www.muledeer.org or call 1-888-375-3337.

Press release found at the Outdoor Wire

Elk Hunters Offered a Challenge with AZ Tag

Hunters that are looking for a physically challenging hunt in an area with limited vehicular access should consider applying for tags for the “Peaks Hunt Area” in Game Management Unit 7 East, just north of Flagstaff.

For the second year in a row, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission has approved any-elk and antlerless elk tags in the Peaks Hunt Area in Unit 7 East to promote successful aspen regeneration. Approximately 90 percent of all aspen found on the Coconino National Forest are found in this limited hunt area. Recent wildfires have killed some of the adult aspen trees, but have also stimulated extensive sprouting of young aspen that elk prefer to eat especially during the fall. Wildlife biologists believe that by focusing elk management in this area now, chances will increase for robust aspen regeneration. 

“We are offering these permits in coordination with the Coconino National Forest as another habitat management tool for aspen regeneration on the Peaks,” says Carl Lutch, wildlife program manager for the Flagstaff regional office. “There are other factors impacting aspen trees, but reducing the number of elk that utilize aspen is one piece of the puzzle in helping aspen recover on the Coconino National Forest.”

For more than a decade, wildlife biologists and land managers have been working to keep aspen stands healthy on the San Francisco Peaks. The U.S. Forest Service has invested more than $600,000 in recent years to promote aspen regeneration in the area through a variety ofmethods. Monitoring indicates that without intervention many of the aspen in the area could be lost. In addition to browsing by wildlife and livestock, some of the factors that affect aspen health include lack of fire, disease, drought, insects, late frosts, and crowding by other species of trees like conifers. While aspen are short-lived trees that are susceptible to many disturbances, their natural defense is to sprout vigorously from the roots when adult trees die. If sprouts are killed several years in a row, the root system and the trees will eventually die.

Game and Fish and the Forest Service want hunters who put in for this area to know that the hunts are primarily wilderness hunts that are more physically challenging than other hunt areas. These hunts are tailor-made for hunters who want to get away from roads and hunt on foot or horseback. An added benefit to hunters is that the Peaks Hunts are offered at a time of year when elk are rutting and the aspen are in full fall splendor. The unit includes both the San Francisco Peaks and the very scenic Hart Prairie.

The Flagstaff Ranger District on the Coconino National Forest is anxious to help motivated hunters who choose this hunt unit. Limited areas of the unit are closed to horseback access to protect Flagstaff’s water supply in the inner basin. Special regulations also apply in the Kachina Peaks wilderness, but with advance planning this unit provides outstanding opportunities to hunt elk in a remote setting. The Forest Service will have a special link on their website that will provide Peaks Unit hunters with updated information and tips on access into prime hunting locations. 

“This hunt unit offers the type of setting you would normally expect somewhere like Colorado or Montana, so the tactics need to be a little different,” says U.S. Forest Service District Ranger Mike Elson. “In addition to providing a unique experience in Arizona, this hunt is also a critical tool in helping us manage for healthy aspen and healthy elk habitat.”     

The 2013 Pronghorn and Elk hunt regulation booklet is available now. The deadline to apply for hunts is by 7p.m. on Tuesday, Feb.12.

To view the hunting regulations and apply for fall hunts on line, go to www.azgfd.gov/draw.

For more information about the Coconino National Forest visit www.fs.usda.gov/coconino.

Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show Cancelled

Reed Exhibitions has decided to postpone, for now, the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show given the controversy surrounding its decision to limit the sale or display of modern sporting rifles (also called ARs) at the event. The show was scheduled to take place February 2-10 in Harrisburg, PA.

“Our original decision not to include certain products in the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show this year was made in order to preserve the event’s historical focus on the hunting and fishing traditions enjoyed by American families,” said Chet Burchett, Reed Exhibitions President for the Americas. “In the current climate, we felt that the presence of MSRs would distract from the theme of hunting and fishing, disrupting the broader experience of our guests. This was intended simply as a product decision, of the type event organizers need to make every day. 

“It has become very clear to us after speaking with our customers that the event could not be held because the atmosphere of this year’s show would not be conducive to an event that is designed to provide family enjoyment. It is unfortunate that in the current emotionally charged atmosphere this celebratory event has become overshadowed by a decision that directly affected a small percentage of more than 1,000 exhibits showcasing products and services for those interested in hunting and fishing.

“ESS has long been proud to participate in the preservation and promotion of hunting and fishing traditions, and we hope that as the national debate clarifies, we will have an opportunity to consider rescheduling the event when the time is right to focus on the themes it celebrates.”

Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show Fallout Continues

Despite the withdrawal of at least 183 exhibitors, and 23 scheduled celebrities, British-owned Reed Outdoor Exhibitions refuses to budge on a prohibition of the presence or display of images of the modern sporting rifle at its Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show scheduled for February 2-10 at the State Farm Complex in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Yesterday, Smith & Wesson, the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) joined the growing list of companies withdrawing both their participation and sponsorship of the east's largest sport and outdoor show. In protest of the Reed Decision, former advertiser MyNortheastOutdoors.com plans to build and host a no-cost "Virtual Sports Show" online for vendors who have pulled out of the show. 

Click here for a complete list of companies withdrawing from the show.

Getting Back To "OLD SCHOOL" Thinking and Living

Before getting into the topic too much, I will say this is selective "Old School" thinking for me. I dig my Ipad and Iphone; both simplify my life professionally and I think they're amazing. However, both end up on the window sill every evening when I get home. 

I enjoy all sports so I think I'll keep my DirecTV package and television.

And music keeps my home "thumping" so when the time comes, I will be upgrading to the next great Bose system. 

Other than that, the system goes like this; If I haven't touched it for the year...Craigslist, garage sale, donate, trash. It will fall into one or all the categories and everything will be filtered. I'm just tired of all the ****. You have to live in this neighborhood, your house has to be this big, your kids have to go to this school, your vehicle has to look this way, AND you have to shoot this bow, you have to have that gun, you have to wear this camo, and use that scent block. Can't keep this post all serious. 

Anyways, my mentality shift got me thinking of hunting and how it used to be. I love all these vintage hunting photographs and noticed no camo, no scopes, no cam systems, just keeping it simple. Crazy how they all still filled their tag...go figure.

Now I just hope my wife sticks around for the ride.  

300" - 400" B & C Class Whitetail

I did a little work for a Fort Worth family a couple years ago and after getting to know them, I found they own the 4M Ranch. From their website, "The 4M Ranch is located near Paluxy, Texas in eastern Erath county. Considered plateau country in the northern part of the Texas Hill Country, the ranch is just a short drive from the DFW Metroplex." The 1,800 acre ranch offers both Texas whitetail hunts and Texas exotic hunts and after taking a quick peek at their website, I got extremely excited. I thought "I'd better get to know this family a LOT better". Then I looked a little closer and my eyes about popped out of my head. The title said "Texas Whitetail Breeding" and if you take a look at what combining superior whitetail genetics looks like, it will leave you scratching your head.

Now, I don't want to get into a debate, (I'm a little tired of dealing with the whole gun ban), but I will make several points.

1. This was a wonderful family.
2. They run a first-class operation.
3. They produce 300"- 400" B & C class whitetail...not a typing error.
4. It's a BIG business.

Take a look at what genetic manipulation can create. WOW!

Now, since this is my blog, I will express several of my own personal beliefs.

1. I don't believe in genetic manipulation for the purpose of sport. Just isn't for me.
2. I don't believe in high fences.
3. I don't believe shooting deer with a rifle to be hunting...sporting yes, but not what I define as "hunting".
4. I believe we need tougher gun laws and better enforcement.
5. I'm not smart enough to know what that should look like.
6. I am a gun owner.
7. I think too many idiots are speaking out on behalf of gun owners. 
8. I think most of those idiots should not own a gun.
9. Owning a gun does not make me feel any more or less safe.
10. I think Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone. Are you still reading?

I could keep going, but that should suffice for now. Have a wonderful weekend.

Carhartt Supports Grass-roots Anglers

Bass club competitors, known for working hard and fishing harder, now have a perfect opportunity to be dressed for it: Carhartt, America's premium work wear brand since 1889, has extended its sponsorship of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail to include the grass-roots B.A.S.S. Nation events.

The new multiyear deal expanded Carhartt's roles of Supporting Sponsor and Official Apparel Provider to include six regional Cabela's B.A.S.S. Nation Divisionals, as well as the annual championship. With the B.A.S.S. Nation events addition, Carhartt lends its support across the Bassmaster board: the Bassmaster Classic, Bassmaster Elite Series and the nine-event Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens Series, plus the collegiate circuit to which Carhartt lends its name, the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series.

"Our first year of partnership with B.A.S.S., especially as title sponsor of the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series and as the Official Apparel Provider of the Elite Series, was a great success," said Tim Humes, senior brand marketing manager at Carhartt, which is based in Detroit, Mich. "What better way to expand our partnership than to support B.A.S.S. Nation? These anglers are working hard at their day jobs during the week but always with an eye toward the weekend and their favorite fishing hole. At Carhartt, we understand working hard to play hard."

Added Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S.: "Last season, when this leader in outdoor apparel first became a B.A.S.S. sponsor, it wasn't long before Carhartt brand awareness took off within the fishing community. Now, with the addition of B.A.S.S. Nation events to the already wide scope of Carhartt's support of the Bassmaster Tournament Trail, even more B.A.S.S. members and fans will have the chance to discover the apparel."

The new deal means anglers who compete in B.A.S.S. Nation events can look forward to a new challenge: winning the Carhartt Big Bass bonus. For bringing the largest bass to the scales during a divisional event, a B.A.S.S. Nation competitor who was wearing either Carhartt pants or shorts at the time of the catch will win a $500 bonus. In the annual B.A.S.S. Nation Championship, the Carhartt Big Bass bonus also will be $500.

To win a bonus, a B.A.S.S. Nation angler will have to master the big bass in one of America's best tournament waters. The first divisional of the season will be on California's Clear Lake, April 8-12. Other lakes on the schedule are Tennessee's Douglas Lake; Sam Rayburn in Texas; Lake Erie out of Erie, Pa.; South Dakota's Lake Francis Case; and Sebago Lake in Maine. A full schedule and more information about B.A.S.S. Nation are available at Bassmaster.com.

In other Bassmaster circuits, Carhartt Big Bass awards will again be offered in 2013 to anglers wearing Carhartt pants or shorts when the qualifying catch was made. The first award of the season will be at the Bassmaster Classic presented by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa, Feb. 22-24, on Grand Lake O' the Cherokees out of Tulsa, Okla. The biggest bass brought to the scales over three days of Classic competition could be worth a $2,500 bonus.

Moving into the 2013 Bassmaster Elite Series, a Carhartt award of $1,500 will be offered in each of the eight regular-season events. In the 2013 Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Opens, the bonus will be $500 for each of the nine events. In the Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, merchandise awards will be offered in the six collegiate competitions slated for 2013.

In 1889, Carhartt Inc. was established in Detroit by Hamilton Carhartt. Today, the company remains privately held by the Carhartt family to ensure its founder's mission is carried through in every garment it produces. For more than 120 years, Carhartt has been delivering best-in-class enduring apparel that respects the hard-earned dollars of America's hard-working men and women. Standing for rugged construction, innovative design and exceptional standards of quality, durability and comfort, Carhartt work wear has become a legend among America's skilled tradesmen and craftsmen. The product line is available globally through its ecommerce site,www.carhartt.com, and at retail locations across the United States and Canada.

About B.A.S.S.
For more than 40 years, B.A.S.S. has served as the authority on bass fishing. The organization advances the sport through advocacy, outreach and an expansive tournament structure while connecting directly with the passionate community of bass anglers through its Bassmaster media vehicles.

The Bassmaster brand and its multimedia platforms are guided by a mission to serve all fishing fans. Through its industry-leading publications - Bassmaster Magazine and B.A.S.S. Times - comprehensive website Bassmaster.com and ESPN2 and Outdoor Channel television programming, Bassmaster provides rich, leading-edge content true to the lifestyle.

The Bassmaster Tournament Trail includes the Bassmaster Elite Series, Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Open Series, Carhartt Bassmaster College Series, Cabela's B.A.S.S. Nation events and the ultimate celebration of competitive fishing, the Bassmaster Classic.

B.A.S.S. offers an array of services to its more than 500,000 members and remains focused on issues related to conservation and water access. The organization is headquartered in Birmingham, Ala.

Press Release found at the Outdoor Wire

Anglers spend the big bucks helping save the U.S. Economy

Recreational fishing is more than just a pleasant getaway for millions of Americans. As an industry, it provides a living for countless people in businesses ranging from fishing tackle and boating manufacturing to travel and hospitality to publications, magazines and much more. As reported in Sportfishing in America: An Economic Force for Conservation, a new fishing statistics report produced by the American Sportfishing Association (ASA), the trade association that represents the sportfishing industry, the number of anglers increased 11 percent over the past five years and fishing tackle sales grew more than 16 percent. When expenditures are multiplied by our nation's 60 million anglers, their dollars have a significant impact on our nation's economy.

Sportfishing in America: An Economic Force for Conservation highlights how recreational fishing not only endures as an activity that permeates all social and economic aspects of Americans' lives, but also plays a significant role in the country's most successful fisheries conservation efforts.

"As an industry, we are keenly aware of the impact that sportfishing has on this nation's economy," said ASA President and CEO Mike Nussman. "Just by enjoying a day on the water, men, women and children across the United States pump billions of dollars into this country's economy."

Nussman further said, "And it's not just the economy. In many ways, America's anglers are the nation's most powerful force for conserving our nation's fisheries and waters, investing more than $1 billion dollars each year in fisheries management and conservation through taxes on fishing equipment and state fishing license sales."

According to the new study, America's nearly 60 million anglers are estimated to spend $48 billion per year on fishing equipment, transportation, lodging and other expenses associated with their sport. With a total annual economic impact of $115 billion, fishing supports more than 828,000 jobs and generates $35 billion in wages and $15 billion in federal and state taxes. Despite the economic difficulties facing the U.S. economy over the past five years; the total amount spent on sportfishing, which encompasses tackle, travel and other equipment, grew five percent.

A number of reports strongly indicate that fishing is identified by American families as one of the best ways to spend quality time together. According to the National Sporting Goods Association, fishing as a leisure-time activity ranks higher than playing basketball or softball, skateboarding, jogging or hiking.

"Despite the uncertain economic conditions that beset all Americas, or because of it, anglers continue to fish and spend even more time outdoors," said ASA Vice President Gordon Robertson. "A growing interest in the outdoors helped fuel the growth in angler numbers which we believe will create even more momentum in fishing participation and sales in 2013 and beyond."

Substantially more than any other groups, anglers support the nation's conservation efforts through the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund Program. Special taxes on fishing gear and motorboat fuel channel more than $1 billion of anglers' dollars to state fish and wildlife conservation and recreation programs each year.

ASA's new analysis is based on data from the 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, conducted every five years on behalf of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies by the Census Bureau and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Sportfishing in America was compiled for ASA by Southwick Associates, Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Facts about Recreational Fishing

• There are approximately 60 million anglers in the U.S. of which 46 million are estimated to fish in a given year.

• One of every four anglers fishes in saltwater.

• Fishing tackle sales grew over 16 percent in the past five years.

• Since 2006, angler numbers grew 11 percent.

• More Americans fish than play golf (21 million) and tennis (13 million) combined.

• If fishing were a company, the amount spent by anglers to support fishing-related retail sales would rank number 51 on the Fortune 500™ list.

• Fishing generated more revenue ($48 billion) than Lockheed Martin ($47 billion), Intel ($44 billion), Chrysler ($42 billion) or Google ($38 billion).

• The economic activity generated by sportfishing is greater than the economy, measured in Gross State Product, of 17 states.

• At more than 46 million anglers, more than twice the number of people fished in 2011 than attended every NFL game combined.

Press release found at the Outdoor Wire

Minnesota Elk Hunt Extended

The need to manage the size of northwestern Minnesota’s elk population and control depredation has prompted the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to extend the elk hunt beginning Saturday, Jan. 12.

“Our rules for the 2012-2013 elk hunt authorized an extended season if harvest goals were not met during the regular seasons,” said Leslie McInenly, DNR big game program leader. “We are committed to managing these populations at levels identified within the management plan. We need to take additional animals to keep us moving in that direction.”

Only six elk were harvested in the September and December hunts, well below a quota of 23 animals DNR established to meet population management goals and address depredation concerns.

Elk hunters who were selected to participate in either the Grygla zone or Kittson Central zone  but did not harvest an elk may hunt their zones during the extended season. In the Kittson Central zone, hunters will be restricted by time period. Hunters in the Kittson Central zone will be scheduled to hunt one four-day period, either Jan. 12-15 or Jan. 17-20. They cannot hunt during both time periods. Hunters in the Grygla zone will be allowed to hunt the full nine-day period from Jan. 12-20.

Elk are native to Minnesota but were extirpated from the state in the early 20th century. They were reintroduced into the state in the 1930s, and in recent times elk from Manitoba have naturally immigrated to Minnesota.

Two small herds exist in northwestern Minnesota, one near Grygla in Marshall County and another in Kittson County. Minnesota’s elk population is 80 to 120 animals, depending on the location of a herd that moves back and forth between Minnesota and Manitoba, Canada.

By law, elk hunts in Minnesota can be authorized whenever the pre-calving population exceeds 20 animals.

Press release found at the MN DNR

Muzzleloader Deer Hunters Harvest more than 21,000 Deer during 2013 Season

What a successful season! Be sure to check out the ODNR Photo Gallery to enjoy more trophies like this one taken last week.

COLUMBUS, OH – Successful hunters checked 21,555 white-tailed deer during the 2013 muzzleloader season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Muzzleloader season concluded on Tuesday, Jan. 8.

The 2013 harvest total represents a 12 percent increase over the 2012 season, when hunters checked 19,251 deer. The muzzleloader harvest was 17,375 deer in 2011.

Counties reporting the highest number of deer checked during the 2013 muzzleloader season include: Guernsey (821), Coshocton (813), Tuscarawas (784), Muskingum (751), Belmont (739), Carroll (683), Harrison (677), Licking (675), Jefferson (619) and Knox (520).

Deer-archery season remains open through Sunday, Feb. 3. More information provided by ODNR Division of Wildlife about Ohio deer hunting can be found in the 2012-2013 Hunting and Trapping Regulations or at wildohio.com. Hunters can also share photos by clicking on the Photo Gallery tab online.

Hunters are encouraged to donate any extra venison to organizations assisting Ohioans in need. The ODNR Division of Wildlife is collaborating with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) to help pay for the processing of donated venison. Hunters who donate deer are not required to pay the processing cost as long as the deer are taken to a participating processor. To see which counties are involved in this program, go to fhfh.org.

Press release found at Ohio DNR

Colorado Bobcat With Morning Coffee

My aunt sent me this photo over the holidays. Little kitty came in and joined her while she enjoyed her morning java. You may remember, about a month earlier, she had a mountain lion visit her casa oso grande. They must know my uncle isn't the same hunter from years prior. His name is "Bear" and he has a couple bear mounts, among others, to prove the name fits. He says he retired to camp cook, but I think he's just hybernating.

Anyways, I guess I'll have to continue to enjoy their photos while I suffer with car pool and city folk. Thanks Von!

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers Host 2013 North American Rendezvous in Boise

Do you hunt or fish big, wild country? If so, please join Backcountry Hunters & Anglers (BHA) - an organization dedicated to protecting wild habitat, non-motorized access and sporting traditions on wild public lands - for their 2013 North American Rendezvous, March 22 - 24, 2013, in Boise, Idaho.

Following on the heels of last year's sold-out event in Missoula, Montana, which featured a keynote address by Steven Rinella, this year's event will again feature a variety of how-to seminars on backcountry hunting and fishing; lively discussion with fellow outdoor enthusiasts; auctions and raffles; and great food and drink.

The keynote address will feature Jason Hairston, Sitka Gear and Kuiu founder, with seminars and workshops hosted by panels of BHA members, Lily Raff McCaulo, author of Call of the Mild, and a host of national conservation leaders.

Backcountry Hunters & Anglers has become a vocal leader for sportsmen that value hunting and fishing in landscapes that are quiet, wild and challenging and decision makers at state and national levels are listening to their opinions. Whether you hunt or fish on wild public lands, or are simply interested in learning more about it, you're invited to join them at this year's national gathering in Boise, Idaho.

To register, or to learn more about the schedule of events, please visit BHA's website:http://www.backcountryhunters.org/. 

The Evolution of an Eight-Point Three-Legged Bull Elk - TRIPOD

Over the years, I've been continually amazed at the power of the internet without truly being able to figure the whole thing out. Web store, blogging, SEO, social networking...information overload! This Christmas Day however, I received an email from a wonderful lady who had been lucky enough to come across photos I have of a Colorado Bull Elk we affectionately named Tripod. How she found them among all the trillions of bits of information I will never wrap my mind around, but what a Christmas gift. She lives in the area we hunt and she had seen (and photographed) Tripod over the years. The first photos are from December 2004 and you can see a much more symetrical rack. She guessed he is about 5-6 years old at this time placing his birth in 1998-1999. With the average life-span of an elk in the wild at 8-12 years, Tripod has easily surpassed the 12 year barrier and from the photos on Christmas Day, looks extremely healthy. Considering the number of hunting seasons, weather elements, predators, and being on three-legs throughout most of his life, Tripod is one amazing Colorado Bull Elk! Thanks again Melinda for the photos.

December 2004

October 2005

July 2006

September 2009

Christmas Day 2012