Mount Your Own Antlers

Outdoor Life has a great article about mounting your own antlers, it's certainly much cheaper than a full mount from a taxidermist and an excellent way to preserve your trophy.

I can't wait until my trophy is back from the taxidermist this year.  I will be posting pictures as soon as I get my eight point buck back!  Please feel free to send in photos of your hunting season.

Public Land Hunting

Outdoor life has a great article about hunting on public lands here in Pennsylvania.  Hunters this year have taken some outstanding

Whitetail deer on public land as you can see from this picture.

As a person with a disability I find it much more difficult to hunt on public land. Gaining access to the woods with my wheelchair is very difficult and I find private lands much more access friendly.

I have a plan for gaining access next year that involves a Polaris four wheeler and cart. I will talk more about that in a future blog.

What are your thoughts on hunting public land? Do you prefer private property or public game lands?

Man, 86, hunts from recliner, bags buck

Man, 86, hunts from recliner, bags buck   What a great story!  " NEVER GIVE UP " is right !  It's so nice when things work out for someone who loves to hunt.

I feel so lucky to have taken two deer this year, I know how this gentleman must feel.

Pa Bear Season 2010

Bow hunters took 224 bears during the first-ever statewide, five-day bear season, and 2,815 bears were taken with a rifle during the restructured three-day season, which included a Saturday-opener this year.

The total number of bears taken was 3,039 in 53 counties throughout the Commonwealth.  The top county this year was Clinton with 248 bears.  The record for bears taken in Pa is 4,164 harvested in the 2005 season.

I was never fortunate enough to harvest a bear in Pennsylvania or anywhere else.  I did take one Hunting trip to Canada but did not even see a black bear.  That's a story for another blog entry. 

If you were successful in harvesting a bear this year, I would love to see your pictures and hear your stories.

Rare White Deer

Local hunter bags rare prize in white deer - The Item: Local Sports
Wow, can you imagine taking this trophy with your rifle or bow? Congratulations on a once-in-a-lifetime trophy buck!

Pennsylvania Whitetail

My friend Chris was fortunate enough to bag this Pennsylvania Whitetail on the opening day of rifle season 2010.  Congratulations Chris on a beautiful deer, all of your hard work and dedication paid off again this year. 

Teen bags six-point bull elk from wheelchair

Teen bags six-point bull elk from wheelchair Here is a great example of what can be accomplished with a little bit of time and effort. Congratulations Mikey on a trophy Bull Elk !

41 Elk were taken in 2010 here in Pa.  You can read about them HERE

1st Big Game Hunting Certificate

Today is the first day of rifle season here in Pennsylvania for white tailed deer.  If you are fortunate enough to be taking your first white tailed deer today, the Pennsylvania game commission has a beautiful certificate on their website suitable for framing.  Check it out by clicking here    

Cold-Weather Hunting

One of the difficult things about enjoying the outdoors and being a person with a disability is, I cannot regulate my body temperature.  This goes for heat as well as cold.

When the cold weather comes and I still want to do some hunting I take a few precautions.   In addition to a heavy jacket and balaclava I try to be sensible about my lower extremities. 

Because I cannot feel from the chest down I cannot tell how cold my legs and feet become. So I usually put a blanket on my legs and wear boot blankets over my normal tennis shoes.

 I know my tennis shoes are not going to bother my feet, causing a blister or sore to develop.  The boot blanket's slip on easily overtop, camouflaging my white sneakers not to mention adding a little style to my roll.

When the cold weather sets in, what do you like to wear?

Join an Organization

One thing I really recommend doing is joining your local Sportsmen's Club.  It's a great way to meet men and women who enjoy hunting and recreational shooting.  It's also an opportunity for you to educate them regarding individuals with disabilities.

I belong to a fantastic club called Falcon Archers and have met some really great people.  The clubhouse itself is not completely accessible, but I'm able to get into the building with my portable threshold ramp.  I enjoy using the outdoor range for my crossbow and plan on spending a lot more time there this summer.