general outdoors

A warriors final steps…

The sound of antler tines colliding with juniper branches in the early morning light brings my senses to high alert. The frozen ground gives away the bulls position as hooves skid on slick rock and stone. I see three bulls moving through the dense juniper and cedar brush, the first two move through the morning too quickly to allow for shot. As the third bull enters a small opening I utter a low whistle, stopping him in his tracks and take careful aim.

The sound of a rifle shot echoing away on the early morning wind always seems so alien to me, I usually hunt with bow and the birds are still singing and the forest sounds still heard even after the killing shot has been released. As I approach the old bull his last breath is escaping on the breeze, the smell of elk hangs heavy in the air. I say my prayers to the creator and thanks is given for the harvest, I offer up some grass and water to the bull, an old way of honoring our fallen prey. The sun begins to rise over the eastern mountains while magpies start to chatter from the surrounding trees in excited anticipation of the feast that will remain after the bull is butchered and packed out. I wonder aloud, how many trails has this old bull has walked, how many dangers has he escaped, what hunters has he eluded, only to find his end here on this red earth on a cold October morning. When I reach the end of my journey on this earth, will I meet death with as much honor and strength ad this old warrior? Probably not.. but I will recall in my last moments …so many mornings like this, filled with the chatter of magpies, the smell of rich earth and the sight of new sunshine.. And know that I have been fortunate to have known the wilderness, to have felt her embrace and to drink from her natural splendors.. yes brothers and sisters of the wild places.. I will be able to say that I have lived…not just existed.. Hawk a/ho

This article by: Journey with Red Hawk

See the original article at GotHunts.com

general outdoors

Muck Boots Get a Thumbs Up!

I wanted to take a second to write a quick review about the Muck Boots I got from Hanks Clothing. I ordered the Muck Woody Max Cold Conditions Hunting Boot, and from the first time I put them on I knew that they were going to become my “old reliable” pair of boots. They were durable, good looking and best of all, they fit and were comfortable. They’re not going to work for chasing elk around, but for pretty much everything else I can’t think of a better “fit”. I’ve had slip on boots before and they were great for quick chores around the house, but not much else. That’s not the case with my new Muck Boots. They’re good for both work and play. I do wish I had gotten them 1/2 size smaller though because there was a tiny bit of slip. That would be my only advice for somebody buying a pair. I solved that problem be just wearing an extra pair of thin socks. No big deal and I usually wear two pairs anyway for just that reason.

The first chance I got to wear them was on a recent pheasant hunting trip to South Dakota. I was surprised at how comfortable they were when I wore them all day. I was hunting with Dave Olsen from Pheasant Phun and I noticed he was wearing a pair of Muck Boots as well. I asked him about them and he gave me a rave review and told me that he had been hunting in his pair for four years and they’re still going strong.

Here in Idaho, my favorite place to pheasant hunt is a cattail slough below my house. This place is thick, muddy, nasty and tough on boots. The biggest problem is the muck. It just sucks the boots right off of your feet. I thought that Muck Boots would be the same way, especially since they are slip-ons, but I was wrong. I’ve tromped all through that swamp all season and my socks come home white every time. The pheasants sure aren’t happy about it though.

I’m looking forward to wearing them goose hunting this winter. I’ve always struggled with the right kind of boot for hunting in the fields. I have a good pair of leather boots that keep my feet warm, but they’re not the best in the mud and slop. I think my Muck Boots are going to be just what the doctor ordered for goose hunting. Warm and dry.

I don’t do a lot of tree-stand hunting, I’m mostly a spot-and-stalk type of guy, but I think that this is what most people would use them for and I’m sure that they would be great for that. As soon as I get a chance to try that out, I’ll let you know. In the mean time, all I know is that I’m going to have a lot of fun trying to wear them out.

See the original article at GotHunts.com

general outdoors

The Looney Bin – Haircuts and Colts

My husband Mark and I did something yesterday we haven’t done in awhile together – visit our parents.  Our first stop was his Moms.  She just had surgery on her knee a couple of weeks ago and can’t get around much.  She mentioned she hadn’t had a haircut in a couple of months so my husband volunteered to trim her hair.

Jody:  What?

Mark:  I trim my hair all the time.

Mother-in-law:  You sure you can cut my hair Markie?

(Jody thinking:  OMG. PLEASE. NO.)

Jody:  Maybe we can call her hairdresser to come to the house.

Mark:  I can cut it.

(Jody thinking:  Oh Mother-in-law, you don’t let your son cut your hair. I’m trying to save you.  I know it’s your pain pills.)

Jody:  I’m sure her hair girl will come to the house. MARKIE.

Mark:  I can handle it.

Mother-in-law:  Just a little around the ears Markie.

Jody:  But…

(Jody thinking: Oh heavens. Wonder if there’s a bottle of vodka hid down stairs?)

My husband cut her hair and then I gave her a good shampooing.  It actually turned out alright.  Well, until her real hair dresser asks, “Who cut your hair last Marilyn?”

On to my parents house.  My Dad was diagnosed with throat cancer 8 months ago and is still having a few issues.  Because of some swelling he needs to write what he wants to say. After a few notes back and forth with my husband Mark, I took the notepad to see what my Dad had to say earlier in the day.  Maybe he was having a good day and wrote love notes to my Mom.

But … well … is this what happens after being married 50 years?

Umm yea.  The meatloaf was good but the squirrels are as fat as her.  And the birds.

WT?

I need a cupcake.

I’m going to blame it on the pain pills.

P.S. – The spelling?  My Dad use to do the newspaper crossword puzzles daily until he got sick.  Instead, he has found his entertainment walking around the house with his gun holster on and his Colt in it.

P.S.S. – For those of you that don’t own a gun … his Colt is NOT a horse, it’s a gun.  I thought he finally bought that lil pony I always wanted.

Have a good day all … my Mom and I are off to the gym right after I eat a few checkers.

See the original article at TheHuntersWife.net

general outdoors

2009 Success in Alaska

One of our Outfitters sent in these pictures from some happy clients. We thought you would enjoy.

See the original article at GotHunts.com

general outdoors

Building Trail, Fishing & Wolves

My buddy Kris Keller who runs Sulphur Creek Ranch invited us on a wolf hunt / scouting trip for elk season. There was one catch though. We had to help him build “a little” trail first. No problem. It was only a 3 1/2 hour ride from the trailhead, but by dark we still weren’t to base camp and a big storm was headed our way fast! Did I mention I had never been to this camp before? Kris told me to “…ride to the lodge, take a right, go to the top of the ridge and then take another right to the top of the next ridge. Once you’re there, head left down towards some lake looking stuff“. Easy right?

So, 4 hours later it was pitch dark and I was hoping we were at least getting close when the rain and hail hit… Hard. I was leading my mule and trying to track Kris’s horses (I could only see during lightning flashes after which I was blind), but their tracks were fading fast in the rain. Just when we were about to stop and make camp I spotted a flashlight a we were there. Relief, ’cause I hate long nights in the rain. Been there. Done that.

Kris and his crew helped us unsaddle and get our gear out of the rain and the saddles stashed under mannies. Camp was at a spectacular high mountain lake and consisted of a tarp stretched over our sleeping bags. Usually just fine this time of year, but we hadn’t been counting on a torrential downpour, so we spent the next hour tying down the tarp and digging ditches so we’d have a dry night.

I’m not going to go into details about the next two days because I’d rather forget. If you’ve never built trail with a Pulaski before, well… I don’t recommend it. ‘Nuff said. Even though it was hard work it was nice getting out of the office and in the evenings we fished the lake for some BIG trout. I’ve never seen such a well producing high mountain lake. Gonna have to go visit that lake again.

With trail building over, we headed back down to the lodge to start wolf hunting. This would be my first experience hunting wolves and we were all excited to get started. For the past week the wolves had been hanging out on the runway every night and hopes were high. We spent the next few days covering lots of miles on the horses. We worked a few bulls for my buddy Brent Martell who had an archery elk tag and looked over some pretty country, but we never caught up with the wolves. Oh well, so it goes more often than not when you’re hunting. All that means is that I still have a tag in my pocket. Now I get to try again.

See the original article at GotHunts.com

general outdoors

Aeon Meridian Chocolate Giveaway

I’m giving another set away today…

It’s a giveaway!

Sponsored by Aeon Meridian. Your #1 source of chocolate novelty products.

The Giveaway:

One of the things that I love about running this site is that I’ve had the opportunity to share some unique gifts with my readers. A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Aeon Meridian about sharing their newest line of chocolate. What is so different about this chocolate is it’s in the shape of bullets and shotgun shells and they come in these beautiful vintage collector tins for any lover of the outdoors.

The fishing vintage collector tin is filled with gummi worms.

And here is a closer look at one…

And would you have a look at the chocolate in the shape of a shotgun shell…

I love it! So creative!

And hopefully you didn’t notice one of the missing bullets.

Because … well … I ate it.

But the set I’m giving away has never been opened. So you’re safe.

Contest entry and rules:

Answer the following question:

Have you started your Christmas shopping?

Yes I’m curious.  I need to know I’m not the only one that waits until the last minute.  Or I’ll find out that I’ll the only one that waits until the last minute.

Leave your comment in the comment’s section and please one entry per person.

The winner will be selected randomly to win a set of 4 keepsake vintage tins filled with chocolate and one with gummi worms.

The contest will run from today, November 23, 2009 – Thursday, November 26, 2009. The winner will be announced on Friday, November, 27, 2009. An e-mail notification will be sent and the winner must claim their prize within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. US residents only.

Have a good day all and good luck!

See the original article at TheHuntersWife.net

general outdoors

Aeon Meridian Chocolate Giveaway

I’m giving another set away today…

It’s a giveaway!

Sponsored by Aeon Meridian. Your #1 source of chocolate novelty products.

The Giveaway:

One of the things that I love about running this site is that I’ve had the opportunity to share some unique gifts with my readers. A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by Aeon Meridian about sharing their newest line of chocolate. What is so different about this chocolate is it’s in the shape of bullets and shotgun shells and they come in these beautiful vintage collector tins for any lover of the outdoors.

The fishing vintage collector tin is filled with gummi worms.

And here is a closer look at one…

And would you have a look at the chocolate in the shape of a shotgun shell…

I love it! So creative!

And hopefully you didn’t notice one of the missing bullets.

Because … well … I ate it.

But the set I’m giving away has never been opened. So you’re safe.

Contest entry and rules:

Answer the following question:

Have you started your Christmas shopping?

Yes I’m curious.  I need to know I’m not the only one that waits until the last minute.  Or I’ll find out that I’ll the only one that waits until the last minute.

Leave your comment in the comment’s section and please one entry per person.

The winner will be selected randomly to win a set of 4 keepsake vintage tins filled with chocolate and one with gummi worms.

The contest will run from today, November 23, 2009 – Thursday, November 26, 2009. The winner will be announced on Friday, November, 27, 2009. An e-mail notification will be sent and the winner must claim their prize within 48 hours or a new winner will be selected. US residents only.

Have a good day all and good luck!

See the original article at TheHuntersWife.net

« Previous Page