Monday, April 23, 2012

Turkey Tracks Foundation

Turkey Season will be opening here in Indiana on April 25.  That means that Turkey Tracks will have hunters in the field this weekend.  The Turkey Tracks Foundation is an organization that provides turkey hunting opportunities to individuals that are disabled or terminally ill at no cost to those individuals.

Carol Corey with her son-Eric
Eric Corey lived to hunt.  If he could,  he would hunt 24 hours a day.  In 2001 at 15 years old he was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's Disease.
Mark Smith of Raghorn, INC. knew what should be done, he started making phone calls.  They were able to secure a hunt with Safari Nordik and airfare in a private plane through family friend, Leigh Smith.  Tina Pattison of Hunt of a Lifetime arranged a shopping spree to outfit Eric for hunting in northern Quebec at Gander Mountain.  The film that was captured on that trip broadcast on the Sportsman Channel where it drew the attention of the Raghorn's key sponsor-Rangemaster Outfitters.
Brian Busch, the owner of Rangemaster Outfitters contacted Mark and asked if Eric's parents would let him travel to Africa to pursue game there.  These trips were just the beginning.  Through numerous other hunting related organizations Eric was able to go on hunts that he had only imagined.

Eric told his parents that he felted he was so blessed to have had so many opportunities but he wanted to share this opportunity with other hunters with disabilities and terminal illnesses.  He wanted to give back to others in the community the opportunities that he had.

Measuring Spurs at the Annual Turkey Tracks Event
In April of 2009 Eric hosted the first Turkey Tracks.  Ten hunter's attended.  The event ran through the weekend resulting in 6 of the 10 hunters harvesting a turkey.  Eric accomplished something that very few ever will. Every year since on opening weekend hunters have taken to the field with the Turkey Tracks Foundation.  On January 18, 2012 Eric Corey passed away, leaving an incredible legacy behind.
This first weekend in turkey season the Turkey Tracks group will be together again guiding hunters in the field.  This will be our first year without Eric.  I know we will all miss him terribly but as we see the smiles on the faces of the hunters bringing in turkeys, we can measure the legacy that he planned.
If you or anyone you know would like to donate to the Eric Corey Turkey Tracks Foundation you may do so through the Northern Indiana Community Foundation.
Here is the event on Facebook.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

HR 4089-Positive Legislation, finally

Usually it's something negative that we are talking about in the Outdoor community.
US Sportsmen's Alliance on HR 4089  This legislation is designed to protect our rights for hunting and shooting on public lands.

Take a look here and see how your Representative voted: The vote on HR 4089  If your Rep voted for the bill, give them a call and thank them for protecting your rights.

Saturday, April 21, 2012

NRA Show Wrap Up


NRA Banquet 
Finally back home from the Show season.  The cumulation of Curves in Camo second season working the outdoor show circuit was the NRA Annual  Meeting and Exhibits.  I had never attended a NRA Annual Meeting before.  I learned how to shoot through the NRA youth shooting programs years ago.  Growing up in a house with my dad, a proud life member of the NRA since the 1950's, I know the importance of keeping and bearing arms.
Myself with Joe Sarafini (Top Shot season 2) and Iain Harrison (Top Shot Season 1-winner)
 The first time my dad instructed me in shooting a handgun safely was exciting.  36 years later to attend the NRA Annual Meeting was a treat.  Seeing all of the new products available this year, speaking with others that share my passion for firearm ownership and hunting, and hearing others stories of their adventures in the field was something I want to repeat next year and every year after.  Something interesting occurred interacting with other enthusiasts during the week in St Louis.  The number of older women wanting to tweak performance when slug gun hunting was incredible.  I spoke to countless women and men wishing to tune in their slug guns for greater accuracy and consistent performance.  I was able to share the unique attributes of Lightfield Slugs to achieve those expectations.
The NRA gives its members access to this information all in one place, putting on a heck of party along the way.  On my to do list for next year will be to attend the foundation dinner again, it was a fabulous dinner and auction.  I would also like to go to the Ladies Luncheon.  So many women shared stories of how fabulous the luncheon was this year I don't want to miss it the next time I attend.
If you are a member of the NRA attend the meeting and enjoy the experience of 73,000+ like minded individuals.

Next year the show will be in Houston, Texas May 3-5.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Guns, Guts, And Glory



Do you enjoy the smell of gun powder?  I know if someone marketed a men's cologne I would buy it for my husband.  The next best thing? Kicking off Thursday April 12th, 2012 with the banquet auction, the annual NRA meeting and exhibits in St. Louis Missouri.
NRA Annual Meeting

I refined my shooting abilities through the NRA youth programs  but this will be the first national meeting I  attend.  I am excited, not only to be working in the Lightfield Slug Ammo booth  (booth # 3741), but also to be fortunate enough to  celebrate an essential right, the 2nd Amendment.

I am hoping to score some new gear and then I will be heading to Kansas on the first of my quests to complete the Wild Turkey Grand Slam.  I can't think of a better way to start off spring.
If you are attending the NRA Annual Meeting stop by and share your hunting stories with us in the Lightfield Slug booth #3741.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

'Shroom season

Up here in northern Indiana 'shroom season is starting.  This morning I got reports of nice yellow and black morels coming in. YUM!