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Current Articles
The Mystery of Tree Damage - Are Trail Markers Bad for Trees?
Nomadic Hunting Babes
Kickingbear One-on-One Campout and Shoots
Customer Success Story
Antelope Hunt in Wyoming
Be Still & Know
Past Articles
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Nomadic Hunting Babes
Women's Mississippi Whitetail Hunt at Tara Wildlife
By Linda K. Burch
© February 2003
"Come here," said the lady with the friendly dancing eyes and a personality with enough magnetism to spin a compass. I could not help but smile big as I stopped in my tracks and then approached her booth. This was the July 2002 Tennessee Deer and Turkey Expo in Nashville where she was helping Ravenwear at their booth. I had met this dynamic lady in passing earlier that day, and even in those first brief moments, I had felt some unspoken synergy with her and knew I would seek her out before the show was over. After a lengthy conversation with her, and her teenage daughter, Joella Bates invited me to a Fall women's Illinois whitetail hunt. I later spoke with the landowners who were hosting that hunt and found that Illinois non-resident tags were sold out, so I could not attend. Joella was quick to invite me on two subsequent hunts, and I eventually made my way to Mississippi in January 2003 right before attending the ATA (Archery Trade Association) show. There were eleven ladies in all, some familiar faces and many new ones. One thing jumped out at me when I arrived a bit late for the orientation, and that was the immediate sense of kinship, not only from the Tara Wildlife management, but from all the other women hunters too. And, I would later find out about Tes Jolly and her little known society of serious hunting women: The NHB's or Nomadic Hunting Babes. This group of women travels from near and far to hunt with each other every year. Each lady at the Tara Wildlife hunt was unique, but each had those same friendly dancing eyes that immediately made you feel welcome. I could see why Joella had invited them.
Tara Wildlife was like being in the land of "Narnia", from the trilogy "Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis. Not only was Quality Deer Management practiced as an art form there, but also the features and creatures of the land were staggeringly beautiful. I saw my first armadillo and enjoyed the ever-present antics of the black fox squirrels that seemed always to be warring with the larger gray squirrels. There were countless varieties of birds. Even the lodge had the ambiance of one's own hunting cabin, replete with a monstrous antler-lined stone fireplace and cozy semi-private sleeping accommodations. After the orientation, everyone shot a few arrows before heading out for the evening hunt. The request of our hosts was to only shoot Pope and Young animals, or does - and we were allowed to shoot one of each per day. The first evening I saw 21 deer and chose not to shoot. The 10,000 acres of Tara were dappled with food plots, groomed and marked trails, and countless twenty-foot high portable tree stands. Mississippi in January is not cold by Minnesota standards, but definitely required layering and hand warmers. It was the last hunt of the season. The whitetails were somewhat educated and bit jittery, bit I still had many shot opportunities. I used my can call and brought in bucks and does on numerous occasions.
I felt lucky the third morning in the pitch dark when I got quietly to my stand and looked up to see a million of glimmering stars. As soon as the woods took on some light, the dew point produced a pea soup fog that descended like a shroud. I could not even range the distances around me, but heard whitetails stirring in all directions, as well as ducks chuckling on the pond a hundred yards away. The barely imperceptible wind swirled in a maddening fashion, both for the deer and for me. I had no idea which direction they would come from, so I opted to stand up so I could have more shot options. I slowly turned my can-call over 4-5 times, toward my jacket so the sound would be ambient and less detectable. 30 seconds later, I saw a buck 80 yards in the distance, skirting some bramble brush and looking for the girlfriend he thought he heard. It was the second rut in Mississippi, and bucks were chasing does with a passion, but with the does mostly disinterested, bucks seemed to respond to calling more than usual. This buck lateralled away from my stand, so I let go with the can-call one more time, then put my release on the bowstring and got ready. The buck did an about face and made his way toward me through the trees, heading for a shooting lane 30 yards from my tree. I went to full draw and waited. He stopped broadside and looked right at me. I held as still as a statue. He was a nice eight pointer with tall tines, but certainly not a booker. I could feel the sweat gathering on my temples and trickling down my back. The Tara guides had indicated that if we shot less than P and Y, we would get an asterisk by our name. If we shot a second lesser buck, we would not be invited back to hunt again. I understood and appreciate the Tara Wildlife dedication to Quality Deer Management. I stood there vacillating whether to chance the dreaded asterisk, or pass on this beautiful animal. I was beginning to tremble at full draw, and the buck caught the movement, perked his ears and stamped his hooves. He turned slowly to walk back the way he came, his tail straight out and eyes darting back and forth. I let back on my draw and my screaming muscles quivered in gratitude as I sat down and let out a heavy sign. Several more does and small bucks arrived and wandered around under my stand until 10 a.m. All of the other gals saw many deer as well. The next day our hosts indicated we could shoot any deer we wanted, but I didn't have a shot opportunity after that.
During one of our roundtable discussions back at the lodge, we all exchanged histories and hunting stories and I was introduced to the NHB's or "Nomadic Hunting Babes". Tes Jolly hunted with several other women in her area of the country and they had coined the name, with one member of the group even making pendants and other things, bearing the "NHB" logo. Their group had met at a Becoming an Outdoors Woman workshop years before, and had hunted each year since then. Her hunting partners came from various places near and far, to hunt, enjoy each other's company, and to have "hen parties" as Tes called them. By the end of the Tara hunt, I was unofficially inducted into the Nomadic Hunting Babes as their first member from the North. I'm not sure what that means, but I guess I will find out at the hunts that are planned for 2003. A couple of ladies made unsuccessful shots and Kathy Butt was after a big buck that left many trees shredded to pieces. She never had a shot at the big guy, but did arrow a doe the last day. We all said our farewells and exchanged e-mails. Our hunting group at Tara ranged from younger (Karen Roop with NWTF) to older ladies (me!) from all walks of life, including Sheila who hunted from her wheelchair in a ground blind.
From Tara, I traveled directly to the Archery Trade Association show in Indianapolis where I saw several of the same ladies from the Tara hunt. Shortly after ATA, Joella Bates accepted my invitation to join our ProStaff at WildTech, which will provide more opportunities in the future to hunt with this world-class archer, very classy lady and fellow Nomadic Hunting Babe.
Author's notes:
JOELLA BATES, full time hunting professional and five-time world archery champion with a Masters Degree in Wildlife Biology, has conducted seminars before millions of people all over the United States, where she shares her shooting and hunting secrets. Joella has earned the respect of the hunting industry for her dedication, experience, tenacity, professionalism and infectious positive attitude. The first woman ever to arrow an African cape buffalo (pulling 85 pounds), Joella does workshops, hunting clinics, schools, video and seminars on both large and small scale.
For booking information, contact WildTech Corporation at www.firetacks.com.
TARA WILDLIFE, located near Vickburg, Mississippi in the Eagle Lake Community and has more than 13,000 acres of hardwood forests and intermingled agricultural land designated for bowhunting only. More than 200 Pope and Young bucks have been harvested from the Tara properties. Tara also has the largest wetland ecosystem in North America with 20,000 acres of well-managed lakes and forests that are abundant with wildlife. For information call 601-279-4261.
Front row: left to right
Pat Brady, Billie Norman, Karen Roop, Shiela Burnham, Gloria Montgomery
Back row: left to right
Shirby Evans, Tes Jolly, Kathy Butt, Joella Bates, Linda Burch, Suzan Laney |
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2003 Kickingbear One-on-One Campout and Shoots
By Ray Howell
Kicking Bear One-on-One is a nationwide mentoring program developed by bow hunter Ray Howell. The program encourages sportsmen and women to get involved with today's youth and become mentors and possibly establish life-long relationships. The campouts and shoots are a great way for sportsmen and women to introduce our youth to the outdoors and the sport of archery. The program's target is towards helping children from outside our immediate families, such as children from broken homes. Many of these children, who were mentored in the past, would have never had the chance to experience the outdoors, camping, archery, and most of all hunting had it not been for sportsmen and women like us. By encouraging our sportsmen and women to reach outside their homes and become a mentor, we can really enlighten a young person and make a difference in his/her life, as well as make a difference in the future of our sport.
These events are totally funded by the hosts and sponsors and there is absolutely no cost to anyone attending. The sponsors donate all of the archery equipment such as bows, arrows, etc. This allows anyone to attend even if they don't own any archery equipment. All the participants have to do is to show up and be ready to have a great time!
This year's first Kicking Bear One-on-One Campout and Shoot kicked off in Blanco, Texas at the Franklin Family Ranch on March 13 and 14.
People who were in attendance had found out about the Kickingbear One-on-One Campout and Shoot through the local newspapers, radio stations, local archery shops, and through the great efforts by Jason Borchardt and the Franklin family.
I've known Jason Borchardt for many years through hunting. Jason and his wife Kristi are members of the Franklin family. The Franklin family had asked to host a Kickingbear One-on-One a year ago after they heard what the program was all about. The ranch is a perfect setting for such an event-big open spaces for camping; large ponds and creeks for fishing; and lots of different types of animals to see on the ranch.
We arrived at the ranch on Thursday, March 13 to set help set up the camp and the 3-D archery course. We also took care of last minute arrangements with Jason such as picking up a large tent for use as a "mess hall".
Jason showed us the area he thought would work for the 3-D shoot. It was across a picturesque shallow creek that meanders through the ranch. The kids and adults would be able to cross it by walking on a small hand-made bridge. Shortly after checking things out, Dan Platte from DPT Archery arrived with his truck full of 3-D targets. He volunteered to donate his 3-D targets for the weekend along with his time to help mentor some kids.
Later, Jason and his ranch hands Nathan and Brandon mowed the area for the shooting lanes. They also helped set out orange ribbons so that no one would walk into the wrong areas on the
3-D course.
My wife Karen, good friends Mark Jackson (from MI), Chad Hall (from MI) and Pat Aucoin (from TX - who is on the pro-staff of several archery-related associations), started setting up the bows and other archery equipment. They also sorted the many donations that were going to be given away as prizes for the shoot. Everyone worked well into the evening.
Tired and aching bodies did not prevent us from getting up early the next morning. By noon on Friday, everything was ready for the event. We set up the registration table just in time for the arrival of the first group of participants. As Karen registered people and crosschecked names against a list that Jason had supplied earlier, people started setting up their tents.
Good friends Dennis Doherty (from KS) and Brian "the pigman" Quaca (from TX) along with Dennis' son Chance, fired up the huge outdoor wood grill in order to start cooking hamburgers and sausages for the evening meal.
More and more people were arriving and were setting up their tents. The creek was teeming with giant large-mouth bass and catfish and some of the kids had already started to fish.
It was about that time when Karen told me that three of the kids she registered wanted to go fishing and needed some help. That's when I met Grace* and her three young foster children.
I grabbed three fishing poles and Dennis' son Chance and I headed to the creek with the foster kids. There were lots of kids already catching fish along the creek banks with their parents and/or mentors.
The water was crystal clear which made it very easy to see these giant fish swimming around and everyone was hoping one of them would bite on their hook. As the oldest of the three kids and I were watching his bobber, the dinner bell rang. Everyone started filtering up towards the large "mess" tent.
The young boy I was with, David*, asked me if we could stay just a little bit longer because we could see a giant catfish swimming back and forth in the area near his bobber. I thought to myself what a neat thing it would be if David* could hook into such a monster catfish. Then, just as though it were meant to be, the fish made a wide circle, came right back towards David's* bobber and grabbed the bait with the hook firmly in its mouth. David* instantly went into an excited panic. I think I was even more excited than he was watching his dream unfold! As the fish was taking all the line off his reel, David* was fighting it with all he had. At one point I thought his pole was going to break in half! After a few minutes David* was able to reel the fish in and let me tell you-he was excited! It was a thrill to see him pull that big fish in and to see the smile on his face. We half ran, half walked up to the mess tent where David* proudly had his picture taken with "his" fish before releasing it!
Following a super supper, kids and grownups enjoyed watching a couple of videos in the great room located in the main building. Afterwards we started a large bon fire where we gathered around and got to know one another better while we talked, laughed, and roasted marshmallows. Lights went out fairly early. I believe everyone was tired from traveling and setting up their campsites. It was quite a tranquil picture-with all the lanterns shining in and around all the tents that were lined up alongside the creek.
Bright and early the next morning, kids and adults alike could be seen along the creek trying to catch the "big one" before breakfast. Brian "the pigman" Quaca, with his helpers Dennis and Chance Doherty, had made scrambled eggs and sausage. The camaraderie between the cooks and the kids was quite the humorous sight to see. Our hosts, Larry and Charlotte Franklin, gave a warm welcome to everyone. Before breakfast, Pat Aucoin started the day with a humbling prayer that would touch the hearts of both kids and adults. Brian made sure there was plenty of food to go around so no one went away hungry.
Once everyone finished eating, we went to the target range and began our safety meeting. The rules were laid out so that everyone would have a safe and fun day. I asked how many kids had never shot a bow before and about 95% of them raised their hands!
We formed several lines depending on the age of the kids and one by one the instructors Pat Aucoin, Brian Quaca, Dennis Doherty, Mark Jackson, Dan Platt and I, showed the kids how to hold the bows and to release their first arrow. As each kid released their first arrow, cheers of encouragement erupted from the other kids and adults. Earl Bateman, from E.W. Bateman & Company was also on hand to lend his expertise and encouragement to the kids.
After the instruction, we split into groups of no more than six kids with at least two mentors per group. The mentors were in charge of the archery equipment. Part of the groups started at the beginning of the 3-D course and the rest started at the halfway point. All morning and well into the afternoon you could hear sounds of laughter and excitement throughout the valley as arrows hit or missed the 3-D targets.
A "feast" was served for lunch, from which I had a hard time recovering. Then the kids went on to the novelty shoots where they tested their newly formed skills by trying to hit balloons tied to hay bales. It was quite humbling to see the kids popping the balloons after only a day of instruction and shooting.
Later in the afternoon it came time to give out all the prizes that were donated by the many sponsors. Everyone went home with numerous prizes. Those mentors who had brought kids from outside their own homes were awarded major prizes for their willingness to help these kids. The three kids that stuck out in my mind the most were the three foster kids I had gotten to know from the first day of fishing. As if it were meant to be, each one of these children had won a new bow. Their foster Mom approached me after the shoot and said she had no idea of how much fun the kids were going to have at this event. She said she had read about the event in the local newspaper and decided to see what it was all about. She also said that her kids would be joining a local archery association to continue their newfound sport because of their eagerness and interest and what it had done for their confidence.
This is just one of the many heart-warming, positive stories that came out as a result of this Kickingbear One-on-One in Blanco, TX. I know that when our time comes to leave this earth, all the trophies we have on our walls will mean nothing to anyone except the amount of money they can be sold for. But by taking the time to help kids who need it, we can all leave something here in their hearts for generations to come.
We received many "thank-yous" and positive comments from adults and kids alike after the event. We also received letters from kids that had attended who said how much they enjoyed the whole experience and how they would like to be able to attend a future Kickingbear One-on-One. As a result, we deemed this event a huge success! The second annual Kickingbear One-on-One at the Franklin Family Ranch is already in the planning stages and is tentatively scheduled for April 2004. There will be three other Kickingbear One-on-One Campouts and shoots for 2003: Minnesota, Wisconsin and Kansas. For more information, check out www.rayhowell.com.
Hosts:
Larry & Charlotte Franklin
Jason & Kristi Borchardt
Food:
Brian "the pigman" Quaca & the Triple Q Ranch
The Franklin Family
Archery Equipment:
PSE Archery & Browning Archery
Easton
E. W. Bateman & Company
Sponsors:
Franklin Family Ranch
American Archer Television Show
Badlands
Bass Pro Shops
Bersherse Brothers
Blanco Rental
Bohning Co.
Browning Archery
Croft Funeral Home
Double Bull Archery
DPT Archery
Easton Archery
EW Bateman
Field Logic/The BlockJo Jan Sportsequip
Krause Publications
Mossy Oak
New Archery Products (NAP)
North American Shed Hunters Club (NASHC)
Primos
PSE Archery
Robinson Outdoors
Sims Vibration Laboratories
SKB Bow cases
Triple Q Ranch
WildTech (Firetacks)
Winn Archery
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Customer Success Story
By: Earl Carter
It was cool morning on 11/25/02 and the temperature was in the upper 20's on the third day of rifle season. I used Firetacks to guide my way to my stand quickly and quietly in the dark.
I had been sitting in my stand for about 45 minutes and hadn't seen an thing. I decided to move down the ridge closer to the bottom. I had been hunting this ridge for three staight days and had seen several small bucks but it is a hunting club and we do not harvest small bucks. At 8:15, I had still not seen a shooter buck, just a couple of spikes. I
thought I would try rattling. After 5 or 6 minutes of rattling I sat quietly waiting. 15 minutes passed then I hear something running down the ridge across from me. When I saw him it took a couple seconds to make sure he was a shooter(heavy cover). When I decided to take the shot he was quartering away about 65 yards I raised the .270 and sqeezed. I saw him flinch then I saw blood on his front left shoulder but he didn't go down. I fired again as he ran off. I waited 30 min. then went looking for blood, but found none, and thought "oh no - he couldn't get away". I waited 20 more min. and followed the path I thought he took. I didn't walk far and found him laying down with his head up I didn't take any chances and finish him.He dressed 150 and scored 125, 3 1/2 years old.
Your friend, Earl Carter
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The Mystery of Tree Damage
By Linda Kistler Burch
President, WildTech Corporation
copyright May 2010
Last year I got an email from a customer in Japan, of all places, scolding me for alleged tree damage caused by all tack trail markers. He heard this “through the grapevine” but had no reference to scientific proof. At first I was defensive. But then, I always strive to consider the impassioned views of others, so I listened – seeking to understand, but ready to refute. He was doing a nighttime treasure hunt with friends and wanted to use FireTacks trail markers to guide him and his friends through remote areas in the dark. However, he understood that FireTacks are just that… tiny tacks, with pins that affix to trees for forest navigation purposes. I was able to direct him to others of our products that did not involve pins but were either adhesive back or “Velcro” affixed, so he was happy. That could have been the end of it, but then I really wanted to know – do tack trail markers cause tree damage? Not just FireTacks, but any commercial tack trail marker available on the market today? I was out to refute this notion for obvious reasons. I wanted integrity for my product or at least total knowledge of what it might do. In the course of doing research however, the selfish motive for commercial gain gave way to the reality that there just might be some validity to my customer’s concern. But - could a trail marker manufacturer do legitimate research on this issue without being perceived as a fox in the henhouse? Yes, I thought I could. The truth is the truth no matter how we might fool ourselves and dance around it and I wasn’t about to become “the emperor with no clothes”.
When I first bought my 80 acres of heavily wooded Minnesota forest land ten years ago, the first thing I did was to build a permanent tree stand. I had hunted only from portable stands on public land in the past, so having permanent stands was to me a primary privilege of being a land owner. I don’t do anything half way however. I found a tri-cluster of 14 inch diameter oaks and spent two weeks building a triangle stand with shooting rests and gear hooks. I did use a commercial folding step ladder that I ratcheted to the tree. The rest of the stand was 2x4’s and I thought it was a thing of beauty. I hunted from the stand cloaked in the oak leaves that first year, and was ready to build more permanent tree stands. The following spring, the tri-cluster of oaks did not leaf out and in fact died and never leafed out again. I was stunned. The nails used to construct the stand had killed the tree(s). There were a couple other permanent stands on the property, built by former land owners over the years, and I began to notice they were dead or dying as well. Right then and there I vowed to never build another permanent stand unless I could do it without nailing into the trees. Instead, I erected 18 or more portable stands with strap on steps. However, over the years I have put thousands of FireTacks on just as many trees, on public and private lands, and not one tree ever died or sustained damage.
So, from experience, I was not convinced that pins from trail tacks killed trees. But maybe I just had tough trees?
Being a computer nerd, I started my research first with searches on the internet for tree damage, and secondly, asking experts I knew in the hunting and outdoor industries. Cambium damage was the foremost concern. The cambium is a thin layer of tree cells that lies just below the bark. The cambium transports water and nutrients to and from the roots and leaves. It also produces new bark tissue as plants grow. Anything that damages the bark or the underlying cambium can weaken trees and make them more vulnerable to disease and insects. An example of the reality of this is when a tree is “girdled”, that is, the bark is either intentionally removed or cut deeply at the base of the tree with the intent to kill the tree. This is a valid way that foresters thin volunteer trees from clear cuts or remove undesirable trees, for example. Animals that naturally chew and scratch on trees can cause their death for the same reasons. Bucks rub, bears scratch, beavers chew and squirrels girdle the tops of evergreen trees.
I posed the question of possible trail tack damage to foresters, scientists and college professors. One forester noted to me that while he was unaware of specific research tying tacks to tree damage, he was sure that nails into trees certainly could cause damage or death to trees because he had actually seen it. Of course I agreed, since I inadvertently murdered three of my own trees. He further noted that if the trail tacks only penetrated the outer bark and not the cambium, no damage would occur. He noted too that if tacks were clean and free of bacteria before being inserted, the probability of tree damage was nil to none because of their tiny size. The tiny size also would not affect or compromise the cambium structure in a tree.
I then found comments about trail markers with pins, on the groundspeak.com web site and a string of posts relating to tree damage noted from an organization in Great Britain called the “The Woodland Trust”. The comments there aligned with the comments from the scientists at the biology archive of the United State Department of Energy. Objects driven past the bark and into the cambium could introduce disease bacteria and fungi into the cambium. Further, if left in trees, nails or pins with deep penetration can also end up being “included” or incorporated into the tree, meaning the tree will grow around them which also interferes with the tree health and growth. If markers are clean and free of infectants, and not inserted deeper than the outer bark layer, no damage would be imminent. Forestry experts indicate that there is no problem with small profile trail markers and they themselves use such marking systems for their research.
I then contacted several experts who provided information from a USDA Forest Service lab, as well as University Professors, Arboretums and other sources. One USDA location had developed a tree marking system that involved driving a 3mm wire into the base of a tree for marking purposes. These were long term experiments and would not have been employed if they caused damage to trees, I was told. Otherwise, the experiments would be useless. One expert shared that the compaction from foot traffic on trails (not to mention mountain bikes or ATV’s) caused far more stress and damage to trees than a tiny pin marker could ever do. I was additionally told that trail markers will not become incorporated or included in trees if they are affixed to the bark only.
“What is left unsaid”, says PhD Ray Hicks, professor of Silvaculture, Division of Forestry at West Virginia University, “is that trees are wounded by many natural events (ice, insects, animals, wind, etc.) and have evolved very effective mechanisms for dealing with injury. In fact work done by the USDA Forest Service shows that even logging wounds up to 50 square inches in size are capable of healing and walling out decay.
“I don’t believe a shallow penetration like a pin will cause any disruption to the vascular system of a tree. In fact, scientists have attempted to experimentally disrupt water flow in tree stems by cutting part way through, and find that trees are capable of redirecting flow laterally around the wound” said Hicks.
Another wildlife biologist and tree expert noted “a tack might damage a half inch diameter sapling because it would penetrate the cambium. But if a tack goes into a 5 inch oak, it will not penetrate to the cambium. So I would say on any tree bigger than a sapling, there is no effect and certainly no effect when you are talking about timber sized trees 12 inch diameter and greater.”
What I gathered from this research was that scientific proof of small trail marker damage is not available because the markers have not demonstrated damage. What can be concluded however is that trail markers with longer pins could be suspect and cause damage to trees just as nails cause damage. A longer pin would be required if a trail marker was physically larger or heavier. The larger or heavier the marker, the longer the pin would need to be for the marker to stay in a tree. When you are looking for tack trail markers, be sure the markers are featherweight and that the pin length is less than 10mm (7/16inch or so) to avoid reaching the cambium on smaller trees. That said, trees have an amazing ability to heal and redirect even with the most invasive violations of the cambium layer. As such, before small tack trail markers are maligned, many other things riddled with bacteria and disease should be scrutinized - like, woodpeckers, porcupines, bears, whitetail deer, insects, and the countless other things in nature that are significantly detrimental to trees. Yet, the trees have prevailed since the beginning of time.
Common sense and knowing the facts are keys to woodland preservation just like they are to most issues we face in our world.
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Antelope Hunt in Wyoming
By Karen Howell
Sept. 2002
As I peered around the side of our antelope decoy on a warm Wyoming afternoon, the buck we were trying to "lure" into us, headed off in the opposite direction. This was the 11th "stalk" we had attempted in the last two days and I thought we had blown it again. My guide and husband, Ray, decided that we should "camp" there for a while to see if anything else might head our way as there were small herds of antelope in every direction.
In the distance we could see a fairly good sized herd of antelope does running back and forth, being "herded" by a very controlling, dominant buck. The buck we had first seen headed in that direction and was now attempting to steal some of the does. However, in an instant, the larger buck charged at the smaller one and chased him back over to where we were situated. We slowly rose to our feet from a kneeling position, and proceeded to move forward hiding behind our decoy, hoping to get the attention of the larger buck. We were actually thinking the he might spot our decoy and want to "kick" its butt too! Of course, this would be the perfect scenario.
Then the smaller buck looked our way, and then started walking in our direction. We sat very still trying not to show ourselves as the buck made his way ever so slowly towards us. Ray motioned to me to draw my bow. I was at full draw waiting for the buck to get within range. When the buck had wandered a little closer, Ray checked his range finder and told me that he was approximately 32 yards away. At this point, the buck picked up his pace to a fast walk and I told myself it was now or never. I released the arrow, which struck the buck just behind the front leg. It was slightly back from where I had aimed, as I hadn't allowed enough for "leading" him. The antelope charged off at a lightening pace and Ray assured me it was a "perfect" shot. We tracked the buck a short ways over a few small hills and found him lying on his side with my arrow still intact. Although he wasn't the P&Y buck we had hoped would come in, I was totally thrilled, as this was the first time I had harvested an antelope with my bow!
Ray and I hadn't actually hunted antelope in Wyoming for almost five years so we decided to try and get drawn and visit with some old friends. As soon as we were notified that we had been successful, we called our friends Darrell and Audrey who live near Rozet, WY. They had previously given us the names of some friends of theirs who would allow us to hunt on their property. Darrell and Audrey made the necessary contacts for us before our arrival in Wyoming, so all we had to do was to introduce ourselves to these people before we could actually start hunting.
We talked to other hunters who grumbled and complained about the lack of availability to access public land in Wyoming. According to facts and figures put out by the Wyoming DNR, this is a sad fact. More and more Wyoming property owners are either allowing hunters in for an "access" fee of $500 or more plus an additional amount for a trophy fee. Some of them are now only allowing outfitters in. However, we found that there are many friendly and helpful ranchers who welcome hunters on their property.
Our experiences were, for the most part, exceptional, and we made new friends in the process. We were invited to share their homes and even their meals! Some of the people we met were glad to see us hunt their property because of all the damage the antelope were doing to their shrubs, flowers, and other vegetation. Probably the only bad experience we encountered was having a landowner refuse to allow bow hunters on his property. He either didn't know that bows can be just as accurate as guns or he just didn't care for bow hunters.
After harvesting my antelope, it was Ray's turn to "be the hunter". He said it was actually more thrilling for him to see me get my antelope than for him to take one. Our plan was to go back after some of the larger bucks we had seen while on my hunt.
On the second day of Ray's hunt, we got uncomfortably close to a large, heavy-based buck's harem. It was very different being that close to so many animals and not being detected while just using our decoy for cover. We could tell by the buck's reactions that he was becoming unnerved by the presence of our decoy. He must have thought our "buck" was going to steal his "girls".
The pronghorn had finally had enough-he was going to run our decoy off! The large, charging buck came in fast and then stopped with a startled look on his face. Ray was already at full draw and then said, "move the decoy". I quickly slid the decoy from my right to my left, which opened up the shooting lane for Ray and just that quick he released his arrow. The "lofer" then spun around, ran back towards his harem and expired within 40 yards of where the arrow passed through him. The thrill and excitement of this hunt left my heart pounding so loud that I thought Ray was going to hear it! What a great hunt!
If you've never tried "decoying" antelope, you're really missing out on a fun hunt!
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Be Still and Know
By: Linda K Burch ©
This perfectly still and overcast winter morning, I sat nestled in my tree stand 17 feet off the ground. It was an hour before sunrise, but the snow covered forest floor provided a white canvas backdrop against which each tree stood black in contrast. As cold as it was, the warm blanket of darkness was peaceful, and made everything surrounding me seem close. The silence was stark. "Be Still, And Know That I am God". In solitude and on such mornings, this verse and others resound in my mind as I let the presence of God wash over me and as I revel in fellowship with my Creator. Except for here in these woods, there are very few places in my life
where enjoying quiet or being still are even possible. The sky blushed to gray in varying degrees of dawn and the fabric of morning rippled as a red squirrel leaped from his hole to the bark of an oak tree near me. He hesitated upside down, head cocked in my direction, tail twitching. Deeming me harmless, he skittered down the tree and across a log to burrow in the snow for acorns. A nuthatch landed six inches from my face, exploring the bark for edibles. As if in a chain reaction, the woods came to life just as a cold sun pierced orange through the naked trees. A volley of bird
calls caught my attention, familiar since this call was one I mimic to beckon my hunting buddies in the woods. I rose slowly to call back to them. Whistling was a challenge through my soggy face mask, but when I did make my first noise, my cohorts went silent. I called again, and got a response, and then another. For five minutes we called to each other. Crows cawing overhead sent the birds to flight and I realized I was standing there with my bow at my side, quite unprepared if a whitetail were to present itself. I closed my eyes and gave thanks. God's creation is a living signature to his awesome and incomprehensible glory. Hours later, the predicted winds stirred the Aspen crowns, so I quietly crawled out of my tree and crunched through the snow back to camp. How very wise is God's word to "Be Still". I thank God that my hunting provides those times to "Be Still and Know".
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