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

IMPORTANT 2012 YEAR END HUNTING HEADLINES

1. New Hampshire Has Change In Shot Sizes for Turkey Hunters: For more information on turkey hunting in New Hampshire, visit here


2. Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to Consider Hunting with Suppressors: For more information on suppressors and their advantages, please click here.


3. Pennsylvania Takes First Steps Toward Permanent Crossbow Hunting: For more information visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission


4. USFWS Releases New Guidelines on Importation of Trophies: For more information visit the Safari Club


5. Antlerless Deer Permit Part of Nebraska Big Game Changes: For more information visit the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission


6. Board Votes to Increase Vermont's black bear Hunting: For more information visit Vermont Fish and Wildlife


7. New Pennsylvania State Record Elk Confirmed: For more information visit the The Boone and Crockett Club


8. Wildlife Commission Moves Toward Night Hunting of Coyotes and Feral Swine: For more information visit www.ncwildlife.org


9. NSSF Will Intervene in Latest Lawsuit Against Traditional Ammunition: Learn more about traditional ammunition click here 


10. Senate Passes Farm Bill: To view a copy of the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012, please visit the Senate Agriculture Committee website at http://www.ag.senate.gov/issues/farm-bill 


11. NYDEC Adopts Deer Hunting Regulation Changes: The full text of the adopted regulations is available at www.dec.ny.gov/regulations/81317.html


12. Top 10 Wolf Hunting Tips from RMEF Members: For more information visit the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation


13. Nebraska Game Commission Approves Hunting in Park Area: For more information visit the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission


14. DU Supports Opening Some CRP Lands for Drought-Stricken Ranchers: For more information visit Ducks Unlimited


15. New Indiana waterfowl hunting zones go into effect: For more information visit Indiana Fish and Wildlife


16. LDWF Agents Rescue More Than 1,500 In Hurricane Isaac Aftermath: LDWF is the lead agency for search and rescue operations during natural disasters. LDWF has over 200 agents with vessels at the ready to assist those in need during flooding conditions.


17. Colorado Approves Lion Quotas, Tweaks Falconry: For more information visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission


18. Apprentice Hunting License: New Way To "Take A Friend - Make A Hunter": For more information visit here 


19. Louisiana's New Hog Trapping, Hunting Regs in Effect: For more information on using snares in areas occupied by bears, visit here 


20. Oklahoma: Hunting With Suppressors Legal Nov. 1: For more information visit the Oklahoma Department of  Wildlife Conservation


21. Portion of Funds from BP Settlement Will Benefit Gulf Coast Fish and Wildlife: Under the terms of the settlement, BP will pay approximately $4.5 billion in installments over a five-year period, with nearly $2.4 billion going to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), an independent non-profit conservation group chartered by Congress in 1984. NFWF will directly oversee the use of those funds to maximize benefits for fish and wildlife habitats in the Gulf Coast region.


22. Florida Wildlife Commission moves forward with new hunting opportunities: For more information visit The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission


23. Kentucky Commission Proposes Modifications for Deer and Elk Hunting: For more information visit here

For all your hunting and fishing news an updates visit the Outdoor Wire

ARCHERY EQUIPMENT INTRODUCED IN 2012

With the New Year upon us, I had to take a look back at all the new archery products introduced in 2012. Amazing advances in the field of archery and can only look forward to what 2012 brings.

Quest BowhuntingTM, a division of G5 Outdoors, introduced the new Torrent Bow that focuses on the perfect combination of smoothness, speed, and forgiveness - a supreme bow for all types of hunters. 
For more information visit Quest Bowhunting

Carbon Express®, a leader in arrow technology, innovation and precision introduced the all new The Crush™ arrow. The Crush™ arrow by Carbon Express is an exciting new arrow that combines the performance engineering and quality of Carbon Express and a co-branded, promotional partnership with Lee & Tiffany Lakosky of The Crush™.
For more information visit Carbon Express Arrows

S4 Gear announced the release of the Jacknife Smartphone bow mount. Thanks to the new patent-pending JackKnife smartphone bow mount from S4Gear, hunters will no longer have to wait to get home to see their latest adventure. With the ability to view and share their footage filmed right from their bow, its social media live in the woods!
For more information visit S4 Gear

Carbon Express®, a leader in arrow technology, innovation and precision introduced a new broadhead designed exclusively for crossbolts and crossbow hunting, called the XT Dual Blade. Hunters seeking the latest advances and innovation in crossbolt broadheads will find the XT Dual Blade Broadhead one of the most remarkable designs in the industry.
For more information visit Carbon Express Arrows

NAP, New Archery Products, the industry leader in broadheads and archery accessories, introduced the KILLZONE broadhead. The KILLZONE is a rear-deploying 2-blade, 2" cutting diameter broadhead that incorporates new technology which allows both blades to open and work together in unison. This design allows the broadhead to gain maximum penetration while avoiding any single blade deployment or deflection upon impact or during penetration of the cavity.
For more information visit New Archery

Gamo Outdoor USA, distributor of Laser Genetics unveiled a new laser illuminator designed specifically for bow hunting. The ND3® Bow-SZ laser illuminator uses advanced green laser technology to create true night vision and turns any bow or crossbow into a night hunter.
For more information visit Gamo Outdoor USA

X-Press introduced its new Pro Series Bow Press which is designed to work on all bows and crossbows, including those with parallel limbs.
For more information visit X-Press

APEX Gear, known for their Performance Driven Archery sights, introduced the new GAMECHANGER™ Sight. The GAMECHANGER features the new TRU•ZERO™ pin design that minimizes pin gaps and patent-pending TRU•FLO 2.0™ allows for quick and easy fiber replacement.
For more information visit APEX Gear

Rage Outdoors introduced a lethal broadhead, The Rage X-Treme. With a 2.3-inch cutting diameter, the sweeping blade angle on the new X-Treme maintains kinetic energy longer and penetrates deeper than any other blade, and produces larger entry and exit wounds for even better blood trails. This new broadhead is uniquely designed with a single-bevel blade that improves bone and tissue cutting performance on even the toughest of prey.
For more information visit Rage Outdoors

Rage Outdoors introduced two new turkey broadheads. These rear-deploying broadheads are designed with extra-long blades and extreme cutting diameter for massive entry holes and quick kills.
For more information visit Rage Outdoors

Dead Down Wind announced the newest product in their scent-control line of products, the Speed Stick Polymeric Bow Wax.
For more information visit Dead Down Wind

Sure-Loc introduced a revolutionary new sight that adjusts to your natural position, the Icon. The unique design of the Icon produces the world's first sight that easily puts you and the sight in perfect alignment, regardless of your hand cant or bow position. Until now, shooters have been forced to physically adjust their form to ensure that their sights are in line with gravity, but with the Icon, a simple twist changes everything.
For more information visit Sure-Loc

Rage Outdoors has combined the proven technology of its rear-deploying SlipCam broadheads with its new bone-busting chisel point to introduce the new Rage Chisel Tip broadheads.
For more information visit Rage Outdoors

Limbsaver introduced their new Kodiak-Lite Sling. Designed for crossbows, compound bows and firearms, the sling provides amazing comfort and technology.
For more information visit Limbsaver

Sure-Loc added a new Lethal Weapon™ to its arsenal of hunting sights. The new Lethal Weapon is loaded with a host of new features, including the popular Retina Lock™, as well as Sure-Loc's new Gravity Drop Technology™. 
For more information visit Sure-Loc

Blacks Creek introduced a new line of bow cases under its made in the USA brand, Remedy 7 Gear.
For more information visit Black Creek

Parker Bows, a manufacturer of high quality Compound bows, Crossbows and Crossbow Accessories introduced the Velocity. The Velocity features Parker's all new and proprietary Advanced Split Limb Technology with integrated Fulcrum Pocket System making it Extremely Parallel and Devastatingly fast at 315 Feet Per Second (FPS).
For more information visit Parker Bows

Rage Outdoors introduced the new patent-pending Rage Cage™ Quiver. The Rage Cage is a compact, low-profile and ultra-lightweight quiver that was designed specifically to securely hold five arrows equipped with Rage and other mechanical broadheads.
For more information visit Rage Outdoors

Xtreme Sighting Solutions introduced the Terminator Bow Sight. Aircraft grade aluminum is used to make the sights for lightweight construction and superior strength while having its patent-pending "MIM" stainless steel "Viper Fang" sight pins. 
For more information visit Xtreme Sighting Solutions

Limbsaver introduced their exciting new Pod technology with the FletchPod and the Broadhead Pod. The FletchPod quickly snaps onto arrows to eliminate fletch damage. The unique design protects fletches in the field, when traveling, when storing arrows, and FletchPod nestles perfectly into arrow boxes and quivers. 
For more information visit Limbsaver

Easton Technical Products® introduced the Bloodline™ arrow. Bloodline's lightweight N-FUSED® construction and low-profile H series diameter combines the ideal balance of high-intensity speed and carbon-structured strength, to create the industry's first reduced diameter high velocity arrow.
For more information visit Easton Archery

GC Archery, a developer of innovative, game-changing sporting equipment, introduced the GameChanger™ Archery Target System, a revolutionary archery target system that simulates a real-life hunting experience with high-definition, interchangeable image rolls of wild game animals in their natural habitats. The system is ideal for bow hunters and archery enthusiasts of all skill levels who are looking to hone their accuracy and experience the thrill of the hunt year-round.
For more information visit GC Archery

Bohning Archery family of vanes introduced its newest member, the IMPULSE - this revolutionary vane is the result of over 2 years of research in aerodynamics and materials engineering. IMPULSE is a super low-profile, light-weight, high-durability vane.
For more information visit Bohning

Easton Technical Products®, introduced the XX75 Magnum, an arrow with hard-hitting accuracy and proven technology. 
For more information visit Easton Archery

Outer Limits made available The New Blood Vane, a ground breaking new way to fletch an arrow. Now anyone can fletch or repair an arrow in the field with only a tube of glue required. The one piece flexible design allows for the ultimate in durability and accuracy. Just slide on a Blood Vane and place a drop of glue in each of the external ports. Internal channels then pull the glue over the length of the arrow creating an indestructible bond.
For more information visit Outer Limits

Parker Bows, a manufacturer of high quality Compound bows, Crossbows and Crossbow Accessories introduced the Python. Built for speed, the Python is forgiving, smooth, quiet, and deadly accurate.
For more information visit Parker Bows

Easton Technical Products®, introduced ultra-micro Injexion arrows which utilize many of the same design characteristics as the X10 arrow - the shaft that many Olympic archers will be shot in the 2012 London Games.
For more information visit Easton Archery

Trijicon introduced the AccuPin in 2011, but has been upgraded with a new larger, highly-visible sight level. The sight level is easily seen at full draw and exhibits the same extreme durability and accuracy as found in the original AccuPin. Trijicon has also increased the size and added a nylon patch to all set screws for even more security, easier adjustment, and less likelihood of losing one.
For more information visit Trijicon

The Block introduced The BLOCK GenZ, designed specifically with the young archer in mind. With its open-layered technology, The BLOCK GenZ offers easy extraction of arrows since it is intended for bows of 40 pounds of draw weight or less. This provides for longer target life, no matter what kind of arrow tip the GenZ shooter is using-field tips, fixed-blade broadheads or mechanicals.
For more information visit The Block

Rage Broadheads introduced a new blade-retention accessory for the world's best selling mechanical broadhead. Designed to be used in conjunction with the O-ring on the original Rage 100-grain Broadheads, the new Legacy Shock Collars simply slip onto the back of the ferrule and over the O-ring for an additional level of blade-retention security. These Legacy Shock Collars are specifically intended for hunters who stalk their prey or tend to move around a lot in the stand with a nocked arrow.
For more information visit Rage Broadheads

Limbsaver has once again scientifically improved two of their product lines by introducing the AWS (Adjustable Weight System) modular stabilizer and the new Broadband Limbsavers.
For more information visit Limbsaver 

Check out Field Dress, classy archery, firearms, and fishing t-shirts for your stocking stuffers this year. The Evolution of Archery continues to be our best seller. New designs coming in 2013.
For more information visit Field Dress 

Take time to think "Why"

I'm smart enough to know I don't have all the answers, however, I took away a lot from Sunday service regarding last week's tragic event. After the Columbine shooting, the following letter was written by a teenager and was used by our pastor this weekend. Click to hear it read (approximately 4 minutes).

I am a member from the upcoming generation, the one after Generation X. So far, most people are rallying behind the idea of calling us Generation Next and I think I know why. The older generations are hoping we'll mindlessly assume our place as the next in line. That way, they won't have to explain why my generation has had to experience so much pain and heartache. What heartache you say? Don't you know you've grown up in a time of great prosperity. Oh yeh, we know, believe me it's been drilled into our heads since birth. Unfortunately, the pain and hurt I speak of can't be reconciled with money. You've tried for years to buy our happiness but it's only temporary. Money isn't the answer and it's time for people to begin admitting their guilt for failing this generation.

I will admit I wasn't planing to write this, I was going to tuck it away in some corner of my mind and fall victim to your whole next mentality. But after the massacre in Littleton, I realized that as a member of the generation that kills without remorse, I had a duty to challenge all of my elders to explain why they had allowed for things to become so bad. These questions don't only represent me, but a whole generation struggling to grow and make sense of this world. We all have questions, we all want explanations, people may label us generation next, but we are more appropriately titled Generation "WHY".

Why did you lie most of the time when you made the vow to death due us part? Why do you fool yourselves believing that divorce really is better for the kids in the long run? Why do so many of you divorced parents spend more time with your new boyfriend or girlfriend than with your own children? Why did you ever fall victim to the notion your kids are just as well off being raised by a stranger at a daycare center than their own mother or father? Why? Why do you look down at parents who decide to quit work to stay at home and raise their children? Why does the television do most of the speaking in our family? Why is work more important than us? Why is money regarded as more important than relationships? Why is quality time generally no more than five minutes? Why do you try to make up for the lack of time you spend with us by giving us more and more material objects we really don't need? Why does your work, in the form of an IPhone or laptop, always go with us everywhere we go? Why have you neglected to teach us morals and values? Why haven't you lived moral lives we could follow? Why isn't religion one of the most important words in our house? Why do you play god when it comes to abortion? Why don't you have enough faith in us to teach us abstinence rather than safe sex? Why do you allow us to watch violent movies, but expect us to maintain some sort of childlike innocence. Why do you allow us to spend unlimited time on the Internet and are still shocked with our knowledge about how to build bombs? Why are you so afraid to tell us no sometimes? Why is it so hard for you to realize that school shootings and other violent juvenile behavior result from the lack of your attention, leadership, and guidance more than anything else?

Call us Generation Next if you want to, but I think you'll be surprised about how we fail to fit in your little categories. These questions should and will be asked to the generations that have failed us. You've pursued your selfish desires for years, but now is the time for you to reap what you've sown. Some rude awakenings, like the Littleton massacre have occurred and probably will continue until you can begin to answer our questions and make the drastic changes to put us, your children, first. To lead us, disciple us, teach us that there is a right. Time is running out, for in just a few short years we will be grown and it will likely be too late. You might not think we're worth it, but I guarantee you, that Littleton will look like a drop in the bucket compared to what might occur when a neglected Generation "WHY" comes to power.

If you would like to listen more to this past weekend's service, visit Watermark and view Darkness in Newtown and the Light of the World.