Saturday, March 31, 2012

US Sportsmen's Alliance

The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance has launched a new blog targeting informing the outdoors community about legislation that affects our hunting rights.   The current blog takes to task California House Bill 1221.
http://protectwhatsright.wordpress.com/

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

The Real Hunger Game

I have just finished reading the Hunger Games trilogy written by Suzanne Collins.  Needless to say I love the fact that Katniss Everdeen provided for her family by hunting.  My choice to hunt, while not based in starvation, was based in feeding my family.

I rarely buy meat from a grocery store, rather most days I head to my freezer to choose which type of meat my family will eat every day.  A few years ago I made a purposeful decision to take responsibility for myself and my families food supply.  Hunting was just one portion of that responsibility but one that I cherish.

Being in the woods allows me to shed the demands of every day.  It allows me to step back, take a deep breath and interact with my environment in much the same way my ancestors did.  The actual harvesting of an animal is the reward at the end of a successful day afield, however, it is often the smallest part of the reward.  The actual opportunity to be still, to listen to what is around me, to seek time with those that enjoy the hunt are all part of the larger picture that makes up the why of hunting.

I feel so lucky to be able to share this ability with my family and friends.  When hunting season arrives our camp is filled with stories and catching up with friends that we don't get the opportunity to see as often as we'd like.  Often new people come into camp and we forge new relationships and new stories.



As turkey season approaches, I look forward to the ladies weekend I have planned.  I can't wait to experience first hand as some of the ladies try to harvest toms with bows.  Seeing strutting toms this afternoon on one of our farms got me bouncing in my seat with excitement.  It's all part of the opportunity I am lucky enough to enjoy.

Passing the tradition down to my children not only allows for more food in the freezer but gives me the opportunity to teach them a way to provide for themselves.  It teaches them patience and persistence. Hopefully we will see the kids in our family harvest toms and jakes during the youth season next month here in Indiana.  Hopefully they will also share their experiences with their friends and family in the future.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Coming out of Hibernation

Winter seems to be over. I don't want to say that too loud, not here in northern Indiana.  We've have plenty of snow and ice storms this time of year to warrant being wary of  making bold statements about winter or the lack there of.  This unseasonable weather has made me long for a nice run.
Last year at this time I was in training to run in the 500 festival's 5k race.  A friend had talked me into signing up to run.  Three of us signed up to run to give each other the motivation not to back out even if we had to walk.  I was in good physical shape, I had been running indoors on the track at the gym I belong to but I've never been a competitive runner.
I figured that it was a good way to build up stamina for spring hunting season.  I couldn't have been more right.  When I had to run and gun for my Boss Tom last year it was this training that allowed me to maintain a steady heart rate.  The training also allowed me to calm down to shoot.  I know that doesn't seem like much but it can in the field make the difference between a hit or a miss.
Lining up for the 500 Festival 5k was a bit over whelming.  The 500 Festival 5k and Mini-marathon is one of the largest races in the United States.  I don't know what I had been talked into.  I was sure that despite my training I was going to be humiliated with my performance in the race.
I wore all black and my snappy little skull head band.  I figured I would blend that way and no one could really see how badly I did, it was like urban camo.

It was a cool day, great for running.  I kept a steady pace through out the race.  The truly unique part of this race was the live music along the route.  There were even belly dancers.  I finished the race in a new PR for me and I didn't throw up, so bonus!!  The unsuspected surprise of the race was the fact that I finished 4th in my age division.  Sometimes motivation and accomplishment come from unusual quarters.  The results of the hard work was not only the accomplishment in the race but the ease that I was able to translate the skills learned in running to running down my big boss tom.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Gearing up for the Season

The warm weather has me excited for turkey season.  I was just looking through photos rom last year and they reminded me how difficult it was to harvest a big boss tom.  This year I am planning a ladies weekend to hunt hard for the big boss toms.  I am hoping that this early unseasonably warm weather will not inspire early breeding.  If it does I can imagine that we will be doing more running and gunning. 

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Indiana Firewood

A new permanent rule for visitors to Indiana state park system regarding firewood takes place on Saturday.   Under the new law, visitors to state parks, forests, fish & wildlife areas and reservoirs may not bring firewood from out of state.  For in-state visitors: firewood may be brought in, however, the bark must be removed.  The insect larvae live in the sapwood under the bark.  Removing the bark cuts down on the chance of spreading the emerald ash borer.

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Beholden

Excellent point by the US Sportsmen's Alliance.  It is sickening to see this environmental terrorism group trying to strong arm a government employee.  There was an excellent article in a recent Indiana Outdoor News regarding the dangers in Indiana for excepting funds from this same group.
US Sportsmen's Alliance Article