Becoming an Outdoor Woman....

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am a HUGE advocate of the BOW (Becoming an Outdoor Woman) program.  It is directly responsible for me being a hunter today.  BOW is not just about hunting.  BOW is about exposing ladies to all the wonders that the outdoors has to offer.  From mountain biking, outdoor cooking, hunting and more these programs offer women a chance to try things they may have never had the chance to.

I strongly encourage EVERYONE to check our your state's Department Natural Resourses' education opportunities.  If your state doesn't offer BOW, check neighboring states.  TRUST me, you'll love it!

http://www4.uwsp.edu/cnr/bow/

Finally...

This season has been tough. It seems like fate, life or whatever you want to call it has decided to do everything it can to prevent me from spending time in the woods. Granted, some of the things I've done I've deliberately chosen over spending time in the stand. Those things i do not regret! For example, of course my family has been my top priority...time spent with loved ones will always trump time spent in a tree!

But even the enjoyable things have drained me. My emotional well is running dry. I've felt pulled in too many directions this season. I have mostly felt surrounded and inundated by life's noise. The things I want to do and the things I feel like I have to do are rarely on the same path lately. The thing is, I don't know what to do about it.

I realized on my way to the stand this afternoon that this is probably the least time I've hunted since I began this journey. What the hell is wrong with me? I'm furious with myself but truly don't know what I could have done to change anything. I feel helpless to change it and that infuriates me.

I was determined to hunt today. It's the first day of a new year. I refused to allow the noise of my life overwhelm me and prevent me from doing what I love on this day. So FINALLY I'm in a stand. At this point that's going to have to be enough.

Get real…

Earlier in the year a group of women that I’m friends with and are fellow hunters had thrown our hats in the ring in an effort to win a chance at a BeyondBOW hunt that the La. Wildlife and Fisheries was offering.  My friend Rhonda’s daughter was the only one lucky enough to snag one the 4 available spots. We were thrilled for her, but honestly a wee jealous too.   In an effort to assuage our bruised feelings, my friend Donna decided we’d have an event of our own.  I called it the DamnitI’mHunting@Donna’s Event.

She and her husband have 800 acres of beautiful land that they have been hunting on for years.  She  graciously offered to allow us to come hunt.  It turned out to be an amazing weekend.  Late one Friday evening, four women descended upon Donna and her husband, Vince.  We spent the weekend hunting, laughing (A LOT) and consuming a ridiculous amount of food.  It was amazing. 

Among the five of us, there is a huge range of experience. Rhonda and Billie Ann are the veterans. They are seasoned, experienced hunters. I don’t think it’s an overstatement that my friendship with Billie Ann and Rhonda is the one of the main reasons why I am a hunter. Rhonda encouraged and invited us to attend BOW events which planted the seed and Billie Ann is why I’m a bow hunting fool!

One of the things that kept coming up over the weekend was how we don’t see ourselves or anyone we know (male or female) in most of the current outdoor programming.  The overemphasis on rack size, the unrealistic portrayal of ease, the extreme bravado that so many of the shows seem to glorify is something that is foreign to us.

Where are the hunters, female and male, that hunt to fill their freezers?  Where are the hunters that sit for hours and don’t come home with venison but still consider it a successful hunt?  Where are the hunters that juggle their family lives with their hunting lives?  Where are the hunters squeezing hunts in between work hours? Where are the women hunters sweating and swearing while hanging a tree stand?  In general, I’m not seeing that on my TV.

I can’t help but think that in addition to sending a mixed message to hunters-that it’s easy, that it’s a rack race, that it has to cost a ton of money- what message are non hunters getting when they flip by the hunting channels on their way to their favorite shows?  Is the current programming adding fuel to the anti-hunting fire?

The general consensus among the ladies I hunted with at Donna’s is that there are some shows that are doing it right but in general there’s a lot of room for improvement.  Hunting for us isn’t about trophies on the wall. It isn’t about killing.  It’s about sitting in a stand and hearing the world wake up.  It’s about seeing a doe and her fawn play in the dew.  It’s about the squirrel that stalks me at my stand.  It’s about feeding my family healthy protein.  It’s about sitting around a campfire with other hunters laughing and learning.  Don’t get me wrong…I want a monster for my wall but that’s not the reason I hunt. 

I follow a gentleman on twitter who is getting it right.  Rudy has taken it upon himself to document real hunters.  Huntography is what he calls it.  It’s pretty fantastic.  Real people, hunting in real situations.  Realism…kind of crazy.

I am hopeful that I will see myself and the people I know on television one day.  A hunting show with REAL people becoming the norm.  Fingers crossed.

It's not just about hunting...

Today

I am thankful for the amazing people that God keeps putting into my life. I have always felt that people are put in our lives for a purpose. The last few weeks have further solidified that belief. I am blessed to have some the greatest friends in the world. They span the gamut in personalities, gender, age, political leanings and religious views. They are indeed a motley crew. Each one of them makes me a better person for knowing them. I can only hope that I bring them some small blessing as well. I do know that I can never repay the gifts they've given me. I spent this weekend 20ft up a tree and felt closer to God than I have ever been on the ground. I was afforded this opportunity by the generosity and giving spirit of friends that He placed in my pathway. Surrounded by the majesty of this earth, surrounded by the sounds of the forest, I was transported. It's difficult to explain the peace that is available in the cold darkness waiting on the light of day. It's certainly a metaphor some of the darkness I've wandered through in my life. If we wait, patiently, the sun will rise and warm us. The sun will rise and show us what bounty there is. A life lesson in real time, what a gift to be given. God, the universe, fate...whatever you call the driving force in your life...has been good to me. I have been given more than I deserve, more than I need. And so, today and everyday, I'm thankful for the friends I love and need.

Texas Two Step at the Quatro B…

When I sit and reflect about the events of the last three years I’m often stunned by the amazing things that I’ve gotten to do.  I’ve had the good fortune to be surrounded by some great hunting mentors.  I’ve also gotten the opportunity to hunt in some amazing places!  A few weeks ago, I got to go back to TEXAS with some folks I definitely consider mentors.

Let me rewind a bit….last April a group of 9 folks and myself made the trek to D’Hanis, Texas to try our bows at some exotics.  As a relatively new hunter, I’m acutely aware of my limitations.  That trip certainly pushed them, and not always in a good way. One of our party sat in a bar stool chained to a tree for a deer stand. I would have been completely uncomfortable with that situation.  And while I certainly enjoyed the camaraderie, the hunting was less than wonderful.  The animals were not healthy  looking. They were few and far between.  A handful of our group killed a few animals and we DID have fun, but the trip was not really what I expected.  All I brought home was fleas.

Contrasting that trip is our recent one to the Quatro B Ranch.  The term “night and day” comes to mind. 

We left my house at 3:30 in the morning headed to the Quatro B Ranch in D’Hanis, Texas, a 10 hour drive.  I couldn’t help but wonder if this was going to be worth it.  I’d checked out their website, but appearances can be deceiving.  In this case…they were not.

From the moment the gates opened I knew that this was going to be a COMPLETELY different experience.

We were met in the lodge (which is beautiful) by the owner Doug Boazman and our guide, Carlos.  After unloading the vehicles and choosing our bunks (the bunk house is amazing) we reconvened in the lodge.

Doug went over the rules, discussed our skill levels and reviewed what we were looking for.  The package I chose included a horned exotic, a Texas whitetail buck and two hogs.  I added a red stag doe and an axis doe for a minimal fee.  Carlos then took time and reviewed the animals, their habits, distinguishing features with us.  He had a wonderful reference book as well.  I was the only one in our party that really needed it, but it was a great resource.  Fallow doe vs. axis doe?  There is a difference! Now I felt confident that I would be able to tell the difference once I was on the stand.

We took a brief tour of the ranch with Carlos.  It’s truly an amazing place.  It’s situated on part of an old GM test track.  Do you know how surreal it is to be driving along a test track and see a herd of fallow deer cross not 25 yards in front of you? 

The animals we saw were in fantastic shape.  Healthy, slick and beautiful.  I couldn’t wait to get into the stand.

This was going to be an amazing trip. 

Absence makes the heart grow..

well, pretty lazy actually.  I realized a few weeks ago that it had been ages since I’d stopped long enough to blog.  Something I loved had fallen by the wayside.  I pledged to do better.  I was determined to start blogging regularly.  That was weeks ago.

How do I let life get in the way of doing the things I love?  Everyone is probably guilty of letting their priorities slip occasionally, but lately I really feel like I’ve let life run rampant over me.  How screwed up is that?  Shouldn’t the things that are truly important to me be my first priorities?

What does this have to do with hunting?   A lot actually.  I found myself last season letting things get in the way of my hunting time.  I’d stay up too late watching TV and feel like damnit in the stand the next morning.  I’d bring work to the stand with me, not physically but mentally.  I’d bring my worries about other peoples problems to the stand with me.   Getting my ass in a tree sometimes took second place to other things.  I’ve realized that I’d allowed that mentality to bleed over into my real life after the season ended. 

It takes dedication, hard work and time to truly do anything worth doing.   What’s important to me?  We choose the things we allow in our lives.  We choose the things we allow to become our priority.

My family is of course my number one priority.  My wonderful circle of friends is next.  After that, well the proof is in the pudding as they say.  So, with that in mind I have a new recipe as it were. 

The ingredient list is short: COPIOUS amounts of family and friends, mix with generous portions of laughter, stand time, reading, and writing!  All the rest, well I’ll sprinkle those on top as I see fit!

*Thanks Food Network for the bread pudding pic!

Lessons to be learned

Last deer season was an interesting one in so many ways. Looking back I'm amazed, disappointed, overwhelmed. I think it must be like that for most new hunters. I made some huge strides and experienced some incredible failures. Does it ever get easier? I'm thinking it probably doesn't. My husband is fond of reminding me that "It's called hunting. If it was easy it would be called killing".

He's right of course, but it's not just the blown shots or the hours spent without seeing anything except birds that I'm referring to when I say it's hard.

I've pushed myself physically more in the last two years than I ever have. This season, I climbed higher than I ever have. I've slowly overcome my almost paralysing fear of heights. I've trekked through more forest than I thought possible while tracking animals.

I've pushed myself emotionally more in that last two years than I ever have. I've learned lessons and had spectacular failures. I can't wait for season this year.

Baby it’s cold outside…

I got to head to Alabama with the NHB’s again!  And this time, I was going with a kill under my belt.  No more newbie status for me! Nu-uh. No sir!  I’m a proven killer.  I’ve got meat in the freezer and freezer don’t lie!

That was my plan. Mother Nature had another.

There had been a terrific drought this year and I think everyone’s green fields have suffered.  Our plots on the lease here  have some fairly sad bare spots.  The Shed wasn’t unscathed.  They’d gotten enough rain that the fields had grass but nowhere near the lush fields we got last season.  Still, we were put onto some beautiful areas.  I hunted green fields and hardwoods.  All of them great areas.

The other issue was the weather.  FREEZING! Our first morning on the stands it was a balmy 29 degrees. HOLY POPCICLES BATMAN!  With a nice brisk wind.  Not so great for bow hunting.

That being said, we still had a terrific time.

This go round the crew included myself, Billie Ann, Tes, Kathy, Linda and new addition Tammy.

I was once again afforded the luxury of being in the presence of seasoned, true huntresses.  These ladies combined hunting experience is an invaluable resource to me.  I enjoy sitting with them and soaking up the knowledge (this time SO much more made sense).  I love to hear them share their stories of successful and unsuccessful hunts.  We always end up laughing.  I always come home sore from the hunt with them.  Some soreness due to the hunting, a lot of it due to laughing!

As per tradition a run down of LESSONS LEARNED.

Day 1: Morning hunt…BRING YOUR TREE STRAP.  

Paul Meeks of API was generous enough to send safety vests with Kathy for all of the ladies hunting.  I wore mine.  However, I forgot the tree strap.  So much for tree stand safety.  My dad would kill me.

Day 1: evening hunt…TAKE YOUR ZYRTEC!!!!

I’ve GOT to take allergy medicine since I’m ALLERGIC TO EVERY FLIPPING TREE IN THE WOODS!!!!  This is going possibly be too much information, but I am sometimes amazed by the amount of mucous I can create without any obvious signs of dehydration.  It’s bad.  Just bad.

Day 2: Morning/afternoon hunt…BRING BETTER LUNCH!

We went out a little later this day because the temps were in the mid 20’s.  The thought was we’d stay in the stands from 8:30ish to 2:00ish.  I brought a piece of beef jerky and 5 Hershey’s Special Dark bite size pieces.  That’s it.  Because I’m sort of stupid.  I don’t usually eat in the stand so I wasn’t thinking about how long we were actually staying out.  Next time I’ll do better! I was STARVING!

Day 2: Evening hunt…the sun is evil and capable of melting the human face.  This is what I was looking at for quite awhile.  I was grateful for layers. 

Sadly, Billie and I left Saturday night to head back home.  We had family obligations that prevented us staying the entire hunt.  It was a quick but wonderful time.  Getting to see the NHB’s and the fellows at The Shed is always worth any trip!

Why I hunt…

the reasons are varied and change daily but one of the main reasons I hunt is for the camaraderie.  I love people.  I love meeting new people and love making new friends.  Hunting has provided ample opportunities for both!

I once thought of hunting as a solitary endeavor.  While I am often alone in my stand for the actual act of hunting the experience itself is anything but solitary.

There has yet to be a time when I feel alone in my endeavor.  Whether it’s my husband, my dad or my father in law, my daughter or my friends someone will be waiting for me to give a report. Fellow lease members instant message me on Facebook for reports.  The guys at the local sporting goods store always ask how the season is going.  Technology has provided me with the means to stay in contact with friends while hunting.  Text messages fly through the airways on each hunt I go on. 

I can feel each person’s encouragement every time I climb into a tree.  I know that despite the fact that I am in a one man stand, I am not alone.  

I spent a weekend a few weeks ago meeting new friends on a women’s hunt I participated in.  I’ll get the pleasure of revisiting some old friendships and making new ones on our Albama trip in a few weekends.

We’ll sit beside the fire, tell our tales.  Congratulate one another in the glow of our successes and sympathize and encourage one another in the face of failures. 

Friendship and fun.  One of the reasons I hunt.

Technorati Tags: Friendship

Killer Girls…

I had the singular pleasure of going on a women’s bow hunt with some great friends.  I realize it probably isn’t politic to say it, but I thoroughly enjoy a hunt with “just us girls”.  That’s why you’ll probably never hear me begrudge the fellas the pleasure of a “just us guys” hunt.   I love hunting with everyone, male or female, but there truly is something empowering about being around women who hunt.  Some of it I’m sure is the sheer novelty of it.  The fact is there are just less of us than the fellas! 

We were invited to bow hunt at Joe and Tina’s.  Joe had made arrangements with some of his friends to provide some extra hunting opportunities to accomodate all the ladies. 

We invaded arrived late Thursday night.  We would spend the next three days in the forest in the trees.

We were a motley crew with a wide range of skills.  Tina and Billie have been hunting for years; Bridgette and Debbi have hunted for a few years but are totally new to bow hunting; Cassandra and Amanda are totally new to hunting, this is their first season; and I’m in my second year.  I felt a tinge of sympathy for the fellows that were going to have to try to get us situated each morning!

The weekend was amazing.  Each and everyone of us came away from the weekend with new skills and new knowledge.  Bridgette, Cassandra and Amanda experienced lock-on stands for the first time and did beautifully!  (We got to experience the WONDER of a Millineum Stand- my couch isn’t as comfortable!) I’m slowly learning how to sit still and WAIT FOR THE DEER BEHIND ME TO GET IN FRONT OF ME! 

I had successful hunt, didn’t bring home horns but an ice chest full of doe isn’t something to scoff at.  (Can’t eat horns anyway!)

Brigette and Amanda both got their first kill with a bow!

Amanda scored a  beautiful 8 point, a nice first deer by anyone’s measure.