This is what I am after on Saturday, Oct. 1st.... I would love to harvest a mature Pa Buck like this with my Parker crossbow. Good luck Archers, be safe and shoot straight.
Friday, September 30, 2011
October Buck
This is what I am after on Saturday, Oct. 1st.... I would love to harvest a mature Pa Buck like this with my Parker crossbow. Good luck Archers, be safe and shoot straight.
House Bill 1854 Letter to your Rep.
Please feel free to use this sample letter to e-mail your representative.
As a concerned citizen I am writing to you to voice my opposition to House Bill 1854. This bill was recently introduced by Rep. Godshall on September 19, 2011. This legislation limits the harvesting of whitetailed deer to one per hunter, and makes absolutely no sense as far as a game management strategy.
I urge you to listen to your wildlife managers and sportsmen within the Commonwealth and oppose this legislation. As a lifelong hunter I am very concerned with all the wildlife in Pennsylvania and feel this legislation is counterproductive to proper whitetailed deer management.
As a concerned citizen I am writing to you to voice my opposition to House Bill 1854. This bill was recently introduced by Rep. Godshall on September 19, 2011. This legislation limits the harvesting of whitetailed deer to one per hunter, and makes absolutely no sense as far as a game management strategy.
I urge you to listen to your wildlife managers and sportsmen within the Commonwealth and oppose this legislation. As a lifelong hunter I am very concerned with all the wildlife in Pennsylvania and feel this legislation is counterproductive to proper whitetailed deer management.
House Bill 1854
Thursday, September 29, 2011
2011 Buck Season in Pa
Archery Buck season starts this Saturday here in Pa, I plan on hunting 2B with the guys from Whitetail Mgt. Associates. We will be hunting the same property that I harvested a doe on this season.
I need to pick up a new battery for my laser range finder and batteries for my head lamp and GPS. But other than that, I am all set. I have been going through my mental check list of gear and my shot process. I would love to have this site picture on Saturday.
I would love to send a Rage broad head through this Monster Buck. Archery season has always been very special for me. It's what I look forward to all year. I hope all the preparation pays off with an opportunity for a mature Buck, a quick clean kill and a easy recovery.
I need to pick up a new battery for my laser range finder and batteries for my head lamp and GPS. But other than that, I am all set. I have been going through my mental check list of gear and my shot process. I would love to have this site picture on Saturday.
The temperature is only expected to be a high of 50 Saturday, so it will feel like fall for sure. I will be using the Action TrackChair and Mobi-Blind, so check back for pictures. What are your plans for opening day? Good luck and be safe out there!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Youth Outdoors Unlimited
A guest post from Cindy over at Youth Outdoors Unlimited..
When we first started Youth Outdoors Unlimited, Y.O.U. it was a passion for hunting and fishing and a desire to share this great world with youth that we considered less fortunate. This shortly became so far from the truth as these families and kids quickly taught us. These kids and their families do not consider themselves less fortunate but very fortunate and have a real desire to help others who are less fortunate than them. Boy were we surprised at what we would learn over the coming year.
Shortly before our late archery hunting season I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Mike Macko with A Hunt Above . The youth that I first read about from Mike and his group was a boy named Nick who was born with no legs, one arm and on the one arm he had one finger. One finger was enough to pull the trigger on his rifle which harvested a beautiful 3 pt buck.
I was so touched by this story and with my new found passion for big game hunting I let my husband and hunting partners know that I wanted to start an organization to take youth like Nick on hunting and fishing trips. These inspiring kids should be able to experience the ultimate thrill of hunting (regardless of a harvest) just as I was . Of course my husband Joe, Don and Chris and Curt were all in. Immediately we started contacting Private Land Owners for permission to bring our youth hunting on their property. We have been blessed thanks to Wilson Creek residents, Tom and Cheryl Kammerzell of Maple K Farms and landowners in Spokane, WA
I consulted with Mike when we got home from deer camp and he gave me our list of things we would need to do. We would need an attorney and become incorporated and get our 501(c)3 status. So that's exactly what we did. Of course we didn't have any money so we had to get all of our services donated. We gathered a group of directors, established a mission and moved forward. Thanks to the donated services of our attorney and our website designers Heidi and Jason Backus we started looking for our first youth. And then we were blessed. Don called us and told us he'd found our first youth! First thing, we got him enrolled in Hunter's Ed.
This is Spencer Kimbro. Spencer was born with Spina Bifida and so many other medical challenges too numerous to mention. He was also born with a lower limb deficiency which caused him to be missing the lower portion of his left leg. Spencer turned 11 this year and has had over 15 surgeries. Although the doctors never thought Spencer would survive to delivery let alone beyond he continues to prove them wrong. He is strong, a character and a leader in this organization. He has a passion for the outdoors and doesn't let any physical disability keep him from being just like any other boy. His upper body is so strong, if he can't get somewhere in his wheel chair he is out of it and traveling on his hands. He is excited and well prepared for his hunt.
Because of Spencer's Spina Bifada we immediately contacted the Seattle Spina Bifida Association to let them know we were looking for more kids. What a thrill to get a call from Nicole Williamson and her son Mikey.
He had a real interest in hunting from watching the Outdoor Channel and his mom was looking for an organization to guide him through the process. She was thrilled to hear of us and we were thrilled for our next youth. Of course we asked them to immediately enroll Mikey in Hunters Ed. This really lets us know which kids are capable and ready for hunting and which ones aren't.
Mikey is smart as a whip and also passed his Hunter's Ed test with flying colors. Mikey is not 100% restricted to his wheelchair and walks with the aid of crutches. He plays Quad Rugby, Skis and any other sport he can get his hands on. He does have a unique challenge because he is missing parts of his fingers on each hand. (Again, part of the side effects of youth born with Spina Bifida). With the creativeness from the team of guys at Red Dawn Tactical we began a gun stock modification specifically fit for Mikey's hands.
Chad and his crew measured, sketched and went back to their shop with this specific mission in mind. With a 9 inch gun stock and a specially built thumb rest Mikey was very successful at our last training session. We so enjoy Mikey's humor and his desire to be the best. Because of Mikey's Hunter's Ed class we met Justin!
Justin is a healthy 11 year old boy who was born without his right arm. His dad and grandpa have always had a passion for hunting and were excited to have our help to teach him how to handle a firearm safely and confidently in spite of the missing of a limb. Justin is a perfectionist! Since he has never had a right arm he has learned to do everything without it including playing Guitar Hero on expert with his left hand and right foot! Do you think that's weird - we think its AWESOME!!! If you've ever play Guitar Hero it's not easy and he Rocks, literally.
Have these kids inspired you yet? We're not done. We just accepted our next youth from Eolia, MO. Zack Winkle is a 13 year old boy born with Muscular Dystrophy. Although Zack is confined to his wheelchair he is a straight A student and let us know that if he gets his deer next year that he would like to donate the meat to someone less fortunate than him. Wow! We will be flying Zack and his two parents to WA for the next fall buck hunting season.
People are trying to be encouraging and tell us what a great job we are doing. Although we appreciate the encouragement we are not doing anything special, we are the blessed ones. The fact that these families would share their amazing gifts with us and all of you will change our lives forever and hopefully yours. Please look past a person's disability or an illness, get to know them, ask their story. These kids are not Disabled but Differently Abled. When you find out what they can do it will definitely put perspective in your life.
Thanks for letting us share and we can't wait to share more. Follow Spencer, Mikey and Justin's fall hunts on our website . You can also follow us on facebook where we post lots of pictures. Spencer's mom has been doing special blog posting from a mom's point of view. It is a must read!
Want to help? Shoot me an email anytime at you@youthoutdoorsu.org - there are lots of ways to help and it doesn't all revolve around giving money. Since we started this journey we have been blessed to connect with additional landowners who have since offered land for Turkey hunts, guided hunts from Alan Fowles of TrophyCreek , guided fishing trips and it continues to grow.
Mission Statement - Youth Outdoors Unlimited, Y.O.U. is a Central Washington based 501(c)3 non-profit corporation organized to take youth who have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness or physical disability and who have a DREAM WISH to hunt or fish on their own outdoor adventure.
Y.O.U. Fully funds all expenses associated with these trips including getting our kids outfitted from head to toe, cutting and wrapping of any meat harvested on a hunt, taxidermy, if desired, and video and pictures associated with their trips. We do not want these families to have to spend a dime for their youth to enjoy the great world of hunting and fishing as most of them already have enough medical expenses. All trips include travel, food and lodging for a youth and two parents or guardians. More information available on our website .
Thanks for listening. We love to brag about these kids and can't wait for the next gift.
Cindy, Joe, Don, Curt and Chris
When we first started Youth Outdoors Unlimited, Y.O.U. it was a passion for hunting and fishing and a desire to share this great world with youth that we considered less fortunate. This shortly became so far from the truth as these families and kids quickly taught us. These kids and their families do not consider themselves less fortunate but very fortunate and have a real desire to help others who are less fortunate than them. Boy were we surprised at what we would learn over the coming year.
Shortly before our late archery hunting season I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Mike Macko with A Hunt Above . The youth that I first read about from Mike and his group was a boy named Nick who was born with no legs, one arm and on the one arm he had one finger. One finger was enough to pull the trigger on his rifle which harvested a beautiful 3 pt buck.
I was so touched by this story and with my new found passion for big game hunting I let my husband and hunting partners know that I wanted to start an organization to take youth like Nick on hunting and fishing trips. These inspiring kids should be able to experience the ultimate thrill of hunting (regardless of a harvest) just as I was . Of course my husband Joe, Don and Chris and Curt were all in. Immediately we started contacting Private Land Owners for permission to bring our youth hunting on their property. We have been blessed thanks to Wilson Creek residents, Tom and Cheryl Kammerzell of Maple K Farms and landowners in Spokane, WA
I consulted with Mike when we got home from deer camp and he gave me our list of things we would need to do. We would need an attorney and become incorporated and get our 501(c)3 status. So that's exactly what we did. Of course we didn't have any money so we had to get all of our services donated. We gathered a group of directors, established a mission and moved forward. Thanks to the donated services of our attorney and our website designers Heidi and Jason Backus we started looking for our first youth. And then we were blessed. Don called us and told us he'd found our first youth! First thing, we got him enrolled in Hunter's Ed.
Because of Spencer's Spina Bifada we immediately contacted the Seattle Spina Bifida Association to let them know we were looking for more kids. What a thrill to get a call from Nicole Williamson and her son Mikey.
He had a real interest in hunting from watching the Outdoor Channel and his mom was looking for an organization to guide him through the process. She was thrilled to hear of us and we were thrilled for our next youth. Of course we asked them to immediately enroll Mikey in Hunters Ed. This really lets us know which kids are capable and ready for hunting and which ones aren't.
Mikey is smart as a whip and also passed his Hunter's Ed test with flying colors. Mikey is not 100% restricted to his wheelchair and walks with the aid of crutches. He plays Quad Rugby, Skis and any other sport he can get his hands on. He does have a unique challenge because he is missing parts of his fingers on each hand. (Again, part of the side effects of youth born with Spina Bifida). With the creativeness from the team of guys at Red Dawn Tactical we began a gun stock modification specifically fit for Mikey's hands.
Chad and his crew measured, sketched and went back to their shop with this specific mission in mind. With a 9 inch gun stock and a specially built thumb rest Mikey was very successful at our last training session. We so enjoy Mikey's humor and his desire to be the best. Because of Mikey's Hunter's Ed class we met Justin!
Justin is a healthy 11 year old boy who was born without his right arm. His dad and grandpa have always had a passion for hunting and were excited to have our help to teach him how to handle a firearm safely and confidently in spite of the missing of a limb. Justin is a perfectionist! Since he has never had a right arm he has learned to do everything without it including playing Guitar Hero on expert with his left hand and right foot! Do you think that's weird - we think its AWESOME!!! If you've ever play Guitar Hero it's not easy and he Rocks, literally.
Have these kids inspired you yet? We're not done. We just accepted our next youth from Eolia, MO. Zack Winkle is a 13 year old boy born with Muscular Dystrophy. Although Zack is confined to his wheelchair he is a straight A student and let us know that if he gets his deer next year that he would like to donate the meat to someone less fortunate than him. Wow! We will be flying Zack and his two parents to WA for the next fall buck hunting season.
People are trying to be encouraging and tell us what a great job we are doing. Although we appreciate the encouragement we are not doing anything special, we are the blessed ones. The fact that these families would share their amazing gifts with us and all of you will change our lives forever and hopefully yours. Please look past a person's disability or an illness, get to know them, ask their story. These kids are not Disabled but Differently Abled. When you find out what they can do it will definitely put perspective in your life.
Thanks for letting us share and we can't wait to share more. Follow Spencer, Mikey and Justin's fall hunts on our website . You can also follow us on facebook where we post lots of pictures. Spencer's mom has been doing special blog posting from a mom's point of view. It is a must read!
Want to help? Shoot me an email anytime at you@youthoutdoorsu.org - there are lots of ways to help and it doesn't all revolve around giving money. Since we started this journey we have been blessed to connect with additional landowners who have since offered land for Turkey hunts, guided hunts from Alan Fowles of TrophyCreek , guided fishing trips and it continues to grow.
Mission Statement - Youth Outdoors Unlimited, Y.O.U. is a Central Washington based 501(c)3 non-profit corporation organized to take youth who have been diagnosed with a life threatening illness or physical disability and who have a DREAM WISH to hunt or fish on their own outdoor adventure.
Y.O.U. Fully funds all expenses associated with these trips including getting our kids outfitted from head to toe, cutting and wrapping of any meat harvested on a hunt, taxidermy, if desired, and video and pictures associated with their trips. We do not want these families to have to spend a dime for their youth to enjoy the great world of hunting and fishing as most of them already have enough medical expenses. All trips include travel, food and lodging for a youth and two parents or guardians. More information available on our website .
Thanks for listening. We love to brag about these kids and can't wait for the next gift.
Cindy, Joe, Don, Curt and Chris
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Wheelchair Access, Falcon Archers
My archery club, Falcon Archers recently installed a new ramp to the clubhouse! Prior to the new ramp, I had to take a portable aluminum ramp to every meeting.
It did not take the club long to recognize the need for a permanent ramp. They are a great group of men and women dedicated to the outdoors and made it happen.
The new ramp not only provides physical access to the building, but also says we are an all inclusive organization. Everyone is welcome with or without a disability. Thank you Falcon Archers !
Does your archery or gun club provide wheelchair access? If not, please be an advocate and get your organization accessible.
It did not take the club long to recognize the need for a permanent ramp. They are a great group of men and women dedicated to the outdoors and made it happen.
The new ramp not only provides physical access to the building, but also says we are an all inclusive organization. Everyone is welcome with or without a disability. Thank you Falcon Archers !
Does your archery or gun club provide wheelchair access? If not, please be an advocate and get your organization accessible.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Racks and Tails Magazine
Racks and Tails Magazine published my accessible turkey hunting story. It's great to work with companies who include all hunters with or without disabilities.
It looks like I am in great company, judging by the cover...
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Elusion Camo Mobi-Blind
The new Mobi-Blind from Elusion Camouflage will change the way hunters with disabilities hunt. Yes it's that good, easy on, great camo patterns and its mobile.
I am so proud to be a part of Elusion's Team, they jumped into creating a product for hunters With Disabilities. This Mobi-Blind is exactly what I need to get out there and enjoy the outdoors. I blend into my environment now and that has never happened with any camo, in any wheelchair. .
I am so proud to be a part of Elusion's Team, they jumped into creating a product for hunters With Disabilities. This Mobi-Blind is exactly what I need to get out there and enjoy the outdoors. I blend into my environment now and that has never happened with any camo, in any wheelchair. .
Lumenok Lighted Bolt
Since I do all my crossbow hunting on the ground I am going to give these bolts a try. Lumenok has been around for years as an insert, but they are now making complete carbon bolts .
The 20'' bolt weighs 319g with the lighted nock, my regular carbon bolts weigh 300g so its not much more. I will let you know how they shoot in my Parker. Have you used them, any thoughts?
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