Team USA Shines at Paralympics : The Outdoor Wire

Team USA Shines at Paralympics : The Outdoor Wire

The first round is complete and TEAM USA is leading the way !  These men can get the arrow on target, something I am hoping to do this September on a few whitetail deer.

Shooting 2'' High

I went to the archery range yesterday evening and was surprised to see my crossbow was shooting 2'' high all of a sudden...

It was shooting great the last time out so maybe it was me.  I know I will be back at Falcon Archers and get it dialed in before doe season this September.

I was on a little bit of a slope so I was fighting gravity and my brace that holds the crossbow was a little unsteady... that may have added to the issue.

My brother is going to make me a small ramp from three 2 x 4's glued together.  This mini ramp will be 12'' long and allow me to drive one wheelchair tire up as needed, to level out while hunting in a ground blind this year.

something like this

Being level makes a huge difference when you have no trunk control, gravity sucks!

Zombies 2012, Are you ready?

Air Pistol 2012 Paralympic's

Eric Hollen Set to Compete in Air Pistol to Begin Paralympic Games : The Outdoor Wire

Good luck Eric Hollen and TEAM USA , as you compete for gold in this years Olympics ! I have two friends who won gold at the veterans games in air rifle this year in Pittsburgh Pa. It seems these wounded warriors can still put some lead on target down range.

"Hunting With Heroes" Sponsors Deer Hunts for Disabled Hunters : The Outdoor Wire

"Hunting With Heroes" Sponsors Deer Hunts for Disabled Hunters : The Outdoor Wire

Sounds like a great program in Ohio, good luck to all who get a chance to go after an Ohio whitetail !

GAME COMMISSION LOOKING INTO DEER DEATHS IN SOUTHWESTERN PENNSYLVANIA

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officers are investigating the cause of death for more than 35 white-tailed deer in Beaver and Cambria counties. Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) is suspected.

Game Commission biologists recently submitted three samples for testing from deer found in Greene Township and Ohioville Borough in Beaver County (one male and one female), and Summerhill Township in Cambria County (one female) to the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study at the University of Georgia. The agency will continue to gather samples from other dead deer being found in other municipalities.  Due to decomposition, samples must be collected within 24 hours of the animal’s death for the samples to be viable.  Once the results are available, the Game Commission plans to release the findings to the public.

“While we must wait for test results to confirm just what caused these deer to die, at this time, we are suspecting that the deer died of EHD, based on field signs that we are seeing,” said Dr. Walter Cottrell, Game Commission wildlife veterinarian.  He noted that, earlier this month, EHD was confirmed in Oklahoma and Nebraska.

EHD is one of the most common diseases among white-tailed deer in the United States, and is contracted by the bite of insects called “biting midges.”  EHD usually kills the animal within five to 10 days, and is not spread from deer to deer.  While EHD is not infectious to humans, deer displaying severe symptoms of EHD may not be suitable for consumption.

Cottrell stressed that even though some EHD symptoms are similar to those of chronic wasting disease (CWD) – such as excessive drooling, unconsciousness and a loss of fear of humans – there is no relationship between EHD and CWD.

Cottrell also pointed out that EHD should be curtailed with the first hard frost, which will kill the insects that are spreading the disease.  He noted that EHD, unlike CWD, is a seasonal disease and the affected local deer herd can rebound quickly. 

“The good news from this situation is that the public is reporting these sightings to the Game Commission,” Cottrell said.  “Should the state’s deer herd be infected with more serious diseases, the Game Commission will need to rely on the continued vigilance of the public so that we can respond in a timely manner.”

Game Commission Southwest Region Director Pat Anderson is urging residents to report sightings of sickly-looking deer, particularly those found near water, by calling the Region Office at 724-238-9523.  The Southwest Region serves Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Somerset, Washington and Westmoreland counties.  Residents in other counties are encouraged to contact their respective regions

NWTF Youth Calling Contest Sept 15th

Team DBR Bow Bash 2012

I want to thank everyone who came out to Rogersville park yesterday to support Team DBR and raise money for veterans and people with disabilities.

Several hunters will get to go on a once in a lifetime hunt this year thanks to your help !  I was not able to stay as long as I would have liked due to the heat.  But it was great to meet so many new friends !

Team Work

Being a hunter with a disability I rely on lots of people for assistance.  When I seen this photo today I had to post it.

Hunting solo can be fun but I enjoy getting out with family and friends.  Sharing the hunting experience together can be the best part of the hunt.  One man may not be able to change the world, but a Team, well that's a whole different story.

Crossbow Hunting Checklist

This is my generalized crossbow hunting list.  It changes by a few item's depending on where I hunt and for what...

1.      Bolts

2.      Brace for wheelchair

3.      Broadhead’s

4.      Cocking rope or crank

5.      Crossbow…duh

6.      Drag rope

7.      First aid kit  

8.      Flashlight

9.      Gloves, wet ones, zip ties, zip lock baggies

10.   GPS

11.   Ground blind

12.   Head net

13.   Knife

14.   License

15.   Lighter

16.   Range finder

17.   Scent eliminator

18.   String wax, rail lube

19.   Trigger activator

20.   Water bottle