Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Think it through, dont over think it


Random but funny


Recently on my quest to find the perfect marinade/recipe for steaks, ribs and such, I made a great discovery. The less I do the better things turn out.Just the other day I just had to finish cooking the bacon for our bacon swiss burgers on the grill. Lets just say we had swiss burgers, there was no bacon left within 20 seconds of putting it on the grill. I can laugh about it now I suppose. One of my friends at work just uses salt & pepper on his steaks, so I tried it a few weeks ago and I will never do anything different. I have nearly perfected my rib recipe, at least according to me, by not using so much stuff. My point being, often times with all of the information available to us these days we tend to over think things. I believe this holds true for hunting also. With all of the new products, TV shows and crazy fast bullets and bows on the market today, I find my self making things harder then they need to be. As you know I have a list a mile long of hunting stuff I need. I have to remind my self that I really have what I need. Scent Lok, scent free technology wasn't around 50 or even 25 years ago, but somehow people managed to kill deer. All of the great camo patterns we have today haven't been around that long, hunters killed great bucks without wearing it. These really light weight aluminum climbers haven't been around that long either. I recently watched an educational hunting video from 20 years ago that referred to a "hang on" stand with ratchet straps as a "portable" stand. Today's compound bows are approaching speeds of 350 fps and some of the new rifle calibers shoot well in excess of 3000 fps. This is all fine and good. I have absolutely no problem with any of it. I use scent lok, and take every precaution with my scent before entering the woods.I cannot own enough new camo and my favorite rifle caliber is the fairly new 270 WSM. My bow is fairly old, but I would love a newer faster one. I watch just about every hunting show I have time for, and I subscribe to a few different hunting magazines. With all of this information being thrown at me I find my self really thinking hard and analyzing every step of my next hunt. On many occasions I find my self really torn on wear to sit, or what tree to pick, and taking valuable time to make a decision. I find my self failing to commit to a well thought out plan at the first sign things aren't going right. Usually I have the latest greatest tips and tricks floating around in my head making me doubt what I know to be true from experience. Many times I have abandoned my original plan 30 minutes into the hunt only to regret it later. Hunters were successful way before present technology existed by using much simpler methods. Next time you find your self in an outdoor dilemma, tred through all the TV shows, magazine articles and latest greatest equipment floating around your head, focus and rely on your instinct, draw on your experiences to make your decision. Here are some time tested salt & pepper principals for hunting that won't do you wrong.

-Know the area your hunting
-Master your weapon
-Pay attention to the wind and weather
-Stay focused, be patient and stick to the plan

Thanks for stopping by,

Andrew

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Spring Turkey Tactics



A picture I took from a few years back. This is Frank Askew before the Up-close Outfitter days. This hunt took place in Boone,NC on private land. I remember this hunt very well because it was my turn to shoot and I never got the chance. When Frank saw the length of the beard on this guy I guess he couldnt resist. It was almost 12 inches long.

Its approaching that time of year again. For most big game hunters spring turkey season provides the perfectly timed reason to get back into the woods. Winter has passed, thoughts of beaches and cookouts loom in our heads and that warm sunny afternoon with the window down and radio playing is almost here. I am always looking for any excuse to get out into the woods when the weather turns nice,and there really is no greater spring time sound then that of a gobbling tom.
These days turkeys seem to be gaining more popularity with hunters. This is a double edged sword since they arent making land anymore. Especially around the triangle area where I live, with it being one of the fastest growing places in the country. While I dont know the numbers for turkeys in our area, I believe there is a healthy population. With the upcoming season a few weeks away, here are a few tips to keep in mind if you plan on joining the masses in pursuit of our feathered friend Tom. Dont get me wrong, more hunters is what we are after. However some of the ones I have run into in the field lack any common courtesy or sportsmans etiquette.


-Scout Scout and Scout-
Dont just show up on opening morning and expect a turkey to be roosted 100 yards from the parking lot. Even during deer season I take note of any turkey sign I run across. Get into the woods and go for a hike, whether it be public or private land, begin to develop a game plan. Many people locate the birds on the roost the evening before the hunt. This is a great way to help you develop a game plan, but dont rely on it. Try to locate turkeys on the land you have access to a couple of times before the season. Maybe once on a rainy day and once on a sunny day. Turkeys tend to behave a little differently when it rains. Do not under any circumstances use calls to locate birds before the season starts. Your gig will be up. Just sit and glass if no sign is found.

-Calling- There are a great variety of calls on the market now from $5 to much much more. The majority of hunters tend to use the same calls. Be aware that most of the guys you will be sharing land and birds with will be using whatever calls happen to be on sale when they go into the local sporting goods store. Turkeys become pressured and call shy very quickly. Trust me when I tell you I know how tight things can be, especially for us married guys who have to get approval for new hunting toys. Spend a few more $$ and get a better call. You want to sound unique. Ok even if you cant afford a new call, at least master the one you have, dont wait until the night before or even the week before to start cuttin and cluckin. Being a good caller means being proficient with whatever you have.
There are two different schools of thought when it comes to calling. One being call often and aggressively, the other being a much more conservative method of calling softly and less often. Both have produced for me in the proper context, use your judgement. Take into consideration the weather, hunting pressure and what point of the season it is. Turkeys are less chatty in the rain and later in the season.(There are always exceptions use your thinker)

-Stay Focused- Do not stop hunting until you get all of the way back to your vehicle. Even when you are covering ground you have already covered, stay focused and remain in hunt mode. Several times I have missed out on a bird because I was walking back to the truck and thinking of other things. One time, a gobbler was literally beside my truck, I never saw him until he saw me, that bird hasnt stopped running yet. Remind your self what you are doing, stay sharp, stay aware. This alone will go a long way to helping you bag that bird. You would be surprised at the number of missed opportunities because you were not paying attention to your surroundings.

-Cover up in Camo- While you might think this is a given, I have seen some guys who do not take this seriously. Turkeys have ridiculously good vision, camo from head to toe is a requirement in my book.

For more great TURKEY tips click on the link for Up-close Outfitters in MY LINKS.

Thanks for stopping by, go get em.

Andrew

Sunday, March 14, 2010

The Brew boy is sidelined for a few days




Yesterday I had Brewer out running around on the game lands. We were shed hunting and had worked our way down to the lake shore in a bedding area. Just as I began to notice all of the trash that had washed up on the shore, here comes Brewer limping up to me with blood everywhere. I was really worried at first because of the artery that runs just underneath a dogs foot pads. Luckily I noticed a chunk of skin hanging off of his pad. It was bleeding pretty bad, but it seemed to resemble a skinned knee or elbow on a person. He must have cut or scraped it on a piece of trash. He was still running around chasing things, but I figured we needed to go because he was leaving a trail of blood with every step. By the time we got home the seats in my truck and my clothes were covered in blood. We tried for a while to get the bleeding stopped, but everytime he walked around it would continue. We found the only vet open in the area on Saturday afternoon which happened to be the vet at Pet Smart. Normally I shy away from stores like this when shopping for Brewer, but I must say I was impressed with the Dr and her staff. I will not hesitate to take him there again if needed. After a long wait he was finally fixed up. I have to take him back to the vet this afternoon to change his bandage. The wound bled a little more last night but I think it has pretty much stopped now.Banfield Veterinary office(the one in Pet Smart) was much cheaper then the emergency vet we called. It was going to cost us $100 just to show up there. Yesterday it was $98 for everything and it will cost $40 more today. I know it would have been double that at the emergency vet.
Any who, I think he will be fine. As you can see in the pictures his paw is rapped in a bandage and then covered with a plastic bag. He hasnt really messed with it at all in 24 hours, I think he knows it is helping him. Hopefully in a week or so his foot will heal and he can return to playing outside, until then, it might get a little crazy around here because he will have loads of energy. Dr's orders for him to take it easy. They couldnt stitch or glue anything because of the location of the wound, it moves and bends with every step he takes. I will keep you posted on his progress. So far he is being a real trooper.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Dixie Deer Classic

I finally made it over to the Dixie Deer Classic on Sunday about lunch time.(had to work in the morning) I did not get to spend nearly as much time there as I wanted. I was however very impressed with what I saw. I am sure by the time I got there some vendors had closed up shop and the merchandise was picked through, but it was still impressive. I planned on attending a few seminars, that didnt happen either, and I am kicking my self for that now. There were thousands of people that represented many different walks of life.It was great to see a variety of people interested in hunting. As many people have reported after viewing this years trophy wall, what we thought would happen with the quality of deer in our state seems to be happening. It appears that the best bucks are becoming better each year and that there are greater numbers of shooter bucks as well.Obviously this is very encouraging for us hunters.I think this will be a continuing trend. The number of people involved with deer management and conservation movements in our state and around the country is growing. One other thing I noticed about this event was the amount of information available there. Just about anything you wanted to know related to hunting was there. It was funny to walk around inside the buildings and hear all of the turkey calls simultaneously being used. It sound like a turkeys where takin over.
Quick funny side story. I told my self I wasnt going to spend more then 20 or 30 dollars at the show and only if it was on something I had to have. So I went to the ATM after work and entered $40 into the computer(costs $10 to get in). When I reach over to get my cash I realize it is a thicker stack then I expected. The ATM had given me $200. Not only did this nearly put us in the red, but it was already burning a hole in my pocket. Remember, my wife says I am really impulsive, and I dont deny it anymore. I thought to my self, I smell T-R-O-U-B-L-E (sing it like Travis Tritt).Luckily I controlled the urge on more then one occasion and left having only spent 20 dollars on a new lead for Brewer of all things. But it wasnt easy!
There were vendors from all over the country including outfitters, hunting gear manufacturers and lots of other related stuff. All I can say for next year is, clear the calendar and save some cash. I cant wait to go back. The lines for Lee and Tiffany and Michael Waddell were really long, but I would have waited if I had the time. Just the chance to small talk it up with those folks would have been awesome. If you really want to get a better look at what went on this weekend, slide on over to Moose Droppings and check it out, he spent a lot more time there, talked with more folks and took lots of pictures. His link is to your right under MY LINKS. Thanks for stopping by.

-Andrew

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Oh --Oh --Oh --Oh --Oh (Say it like Tim the tool man Taylor)

Yesterday I got to yank somebody out of the mud in my Tacoma. It was a shining moment for my truck, and it made my day. Brewer and I had just gotten out to our local stomping grounds (a huge open field of mud surrounded by lots of woods on either side) when I saw someone pull up behind me. I have never seen anyone else there, but there are always tons of tire tracks.(The land borders public land and is not posted at all) This guy and his son were going to ride dirt bikes in the field and got their 2 wheel drive Nissan truck stuck in the mud. Turns out he was neighbors with the owner of the land. So any way, on to the good part, the guy had a chain and a tow rope, so I told him I would try and pull him out. I must admit I was a little skeptical of my 4banger Taco with less then half of the tire tread left(he was stuck pretty bad).Not only did I have to pull this guy out, but I also had to navigate some pretty deep mud to get in position to give him a tug, but my doubts would soon be put to rest. The good old Tacoma passed this test with flying colors. She navigated the mud like it wasnt there. We hooked up the rope and I dropped her into 4 low, one slight tug and out he came. My pride immediately swelled. We talked for a few minutes "That truck sits pretty high" he said, "yeah she has 2.5 inches of lift" I replied, you get the idea. After a little more small talk we went our separate ways. This event did 2 things for me. It made me more confident in my trucks abilities and made it me want to get going on all of those modifications I talked about in the last post. Got to be prepared, right. HAHA. Just a cool story I thought yall would appreciate. Well I am looking forward to tomorrow, I am finally gonna go to the Dixie Deer Classic. I hope to spend a good amount of time there, I know I am gonna try to catch a seminar or 2. I will let ya know how it all goes.

-Andrew

Monday, March 1, 2010

Wish in one hand.......

As I have mentioned before I suffer a setback common to most outdoorsman. Too many wants, too little resources. I have a 2004 Toyota Tacoma SR5 4X4. In my younger years I was an avid 4wheeler, or maybe more like a wanna be. I broke enough stuff on my first few vehicles to make a believer out of my dad, thats for sure. Any way, I thought I might one day grow out of this phase, and no longer enjoy the humm of a mud tire screaming down the road. Turns out I was wrong. Although I must admit I am more attracted to the expedition style rigs these days, as opposed to the rock crawlers. Here lately I have had my Tacoma on the brain 24/7. I recently purchased a campershell from a friend who sold his Tacoma. I still need to paint it to match my truck, but I love it. I stay awake at night thinking of how cool it will be to store all of my hunting gear in my truck all season long next year, and how I need to put in a herculiner bed liner, and how I need to build a false bottom with all sorts of compartments for all my other stuff and so on.... And that is just the beginning, I need to buy a whole new leaf pack from Old Man Emu because I run a 2.5 inch Add a Leaf right now that makes the truck ride like a dump truck. Along with that I will need new shocks (Bilstein 5100's), and new coil overs (OME 881's) for the front to replace the spacer. Then the other thing that I cant stop thinking about is a rear selectable locker like the ones that are standard on the Tacoma TRD's. Ohh how nice it would be to have a TRD. But before all of this lets not forget I will need new tires soon, what tire should I get and in what size? Do my 265/75/16's look small ? I have not even mentioned the fact that ever since I got in a wreck (THAT WAS NOT MY FAULT) my front bumper has been a little dented and crooked, How great would an ARB bumper look on the front of my truck, and why not go ahead and throw in the winch too, the 2 go hand in hand.If only I could have all of this stuff..... Then I could start to seriously consider an ARB selectable air locker for the front diff. HAHA, its never ending. Luckily my truck came from the factory with 4.30 gears so I can run a larger tire without having to re-gear. I guess I will have to take it one step at a time. I got the campershell, that is a big step. This stuff has been driving me crazy, and it will just have to keep on doing that, because those wishes arent coming true anytime soon. I really need to replace some of my camo before next deer season rolls around, there goes a couple hundred. I need a dozen arrows and new broadheads, my rubber boots are beginning to dry rot and I dont even have a stand to hunt from. I used a friends climber all season this year, I am sure he will want it back. My binocs cost 17$ 4 years ago, they only work at high noon(just kidding, but not a big stretch), and if I had a scope on my 8mm Mauser I would have probably killed a nice buck this year, those iron sights just dont cut it in low light. Wouldnt it be great to have another gun, maybe a revolver, maybe a lever action 30-30(always wanted one of those)or maybe another 270 WSM(my favorite caliber, I sold my last 2 for different reasons). Not to mention, I always hunt on gamelands. How nice would it be to have access to private land away from the crowds and crazies.Maybe I should lease some land next year. I also need waterfowl decoys in the worst sort of way.
What is funny about all of this stuff I have mentioned is that is doesnt even make the list( the long long list) of things we really need according to my wife, rightfully, painfully so. I listed all of this stuff just to give you a bit of an insight into some of my mindset here lately. Recently Steffi had a real health scare and it has really reset both of our perspectives. Right now it looks as if everything will be just fine, but a few days ago our world nearly turned upside down. This has all played out in the best possible scenario up to this point and it has really brought us closer together and began to strengthen our marriage. I do not believe that God brings on sickness or hardship to anyone, but I think sometimes he allows it, giving us a chance to learn something we would not have otherwise learned and increase our faith in him. One of our prayers recently has been for God to reveal a part of himself to us that we never knew before, and he really has. We often hear of people talking about how God provided for them in some amazing way, or how God healed them, or how he taught them something, but when it comes to ourselves, we often believe we are the exception. The one person too far isolated from God by our actions and mistakes to know him as a healer, provider, or Savior etc... Instead of living out our lives apart from God, we should understand that God constantly pursues each of us and he wants us to trust in him completely. All things do work together for the GOOD of those who love him. (Romans 8:28) Consider this, in your next trial, hardship, or battle, perhaps God wants to reveal himself to you in a new way. The Bible says that his grace is sufficient for ALL of our needs, and that we are made righteous through faith in his son Jesus, not through our lack of mistakes, proper behavior, or knowledge of God, its a matter of the heart.
Through all of the stuff with Steffi I have learned a few things about my self, whats important, and what I really want. That list of things above is on my mind all the time, but I dont need any of it. The other day I chose to make a decision in Church when our Pastor read this verse Luke 12:34, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Of course I treasure my wife more then those things, but often I fail to show it. When I realized this it literally changed me. Being married is probably the hardest thing, and the most natural thing I have done. When Steffi and I got married I vowed to always put her first, to treasure her, to make her feel irreplaceable to me, because she is. Through her being sick I realize I have failed up to this point. I havent been unfaithful or anything along those lines. I just need to be my best for her and to her. A pastor once told me just in case he died before his time, he was gonna make darn sure that no other man could be a better husband to his wife then he was. I am thankful now for the opportunity to do that.
And to think all this stemmed from a simple verse I have heard 1000 times before. Funny how that works.

-Andrew