The Freedom of the Outdoors

Today is January 29th 2021 and I've been doing a lot of reflecting on why I've let my blog go for so long.  I have written very few posts the last few years and have chalked it up to spending more time with my family.  Truth is, my time has always been filled with my family.  My free-time, my weekends, my evenings are consumed by their presence as that's what I have always prioritized and have chosen to occupy my time with.  So the question remains, if I was already spending time with my family, why have I stopped writing? Why did I use my family as the excuse for not continuing my blog.  

Truth is, it has all boiled down to passion.  When I started the blog, I had no expectations, no influences other than my upbringing, and no objective other than journaling to document the memories I wanted to hold onto.  I wrote freely, I expressed my thoughts, concerns, passions, as well as my fears.  I was myself and my writing reflected that.  Then came the, "stuff"... 

The "stuff", as I refer to it, is everything that changed for me once I started to write.  The stuff came in the form of physical things such as hunting or fishing gear, food, or other outdoor products.  The stuff was also attention from companies, other bloggers, or local outdoorsmen and women.  One other type of stuff was a following... Regardless of how small my following has been or is, it has been one thing that has left an impression on me.  From likes and follows on social media, or comments on videos or posts.  Each token of connection was interpreted as personal and intentional.  

The "stuff" has a way of changing a person. The stories I chose to share on my blog before the stuff were authentic, raw, and unadulterated.  They were full of feeling and had no purpose other than documentation for my own objectives.  When the "stuff" started showing up, there was an unintentional pressure placed on my by myself to meet someone else's needs.  I took the "stuff" in stride and ran with my passions while not recognizing the influence the "stuff" was having on myself.  Slowly but surely, my writings became less of me and more of "them".  

As I analyze my writings over the past few years, I search my post for my personality, passions, or any other inclination that I was the one who wrote those words.  Searching those posts brought the same feeling as staring into the dark cloudy night searching desperately for a glimpse of a shining star yet knowing what you're looking for has been covered up by all of the other "stuff" in the sky.   Being disappointed in my writings, I no longer felt the passion to write.  

As most of us do when we don't feel the connections we once did, I turned to the things in my life that brought me the satisfaction I was searching for.  I turned stronger toward my family.  Not that I had turned away from them, but more so that I was letting the "stuff" of social media cloud up my skies while complaining that the stars were becoming harder and harder to find.  I turned toward the outdoors.  Not the outdoor channel, Instagram hunting and fishing pages, or Facebook groups but the unadulterated natural influence of the Idaho wilderness!  I hunted to provide for my family and for the pure joy of being in God's canvas surrounded by his creations.  The further I got away from the "stuff" of the world and the influences of social media, the closer I became to who I once was.  Closer to who I was when I started this blog.  

This was a wonderful feeling, yet my new insight and clear sky was easily clouded over when I exited the outdoors and entered the grind of daily life.  I had "connections" that pulled me back to the cloudy skies and obligations to companies to promote products or influences readers.  My realization had to bring about change if I wanted it to become more than a feeling.  I cut ties and used the one excuse that was difficult for people to shame someone about.  I told them that I needed to focus on my family and that they needed my attention, while the truth was that I needed my attention.  I needed to find myself again.  

Now that it has been a few years of putting the blog on hold, I find myself in a better place.   Not in the sense that the place I was in was bad or wrong, but I was not being me in my writings.  I was letting the "stuff", as I've called it, control what I wrote and how I wrote it.  There was always a sliver of "me" in there, but not the full me... not the person I wanted to be.   I am glad to say that I am confident that no matter what "stuff" comes in the future, I am in a place where I have my foundation of who I am as a blogger and writer.  I will still promote products that I am passionate about and feel would benefit those who read and follow my blog, yet I will not let a company pressure me directly or indirectly to produce a review before I feel I've given the product a thorough review.  I won't write a post or review just to get more "stuff" as in the end stuff is just that... just stuff. 

To conclude, my heart leads me to ask myself which "stuff" is in our lives that distract us from the things that bring us closer to who we really are.  What are our purposes and passions that we wish to aspire to.  If you change to be a better version of yourself than the change is more of a conversion to our convictions rather than an adaptation to our surroundings.  The inward reflection rather than the outward influences is what should bring the changes in our future.  Both will have an influence on our decisions, as they should, while the bigger picture is being true to ourselves and who we are.  

My Everything 

Unwritten Rules of Sportsmen

Oh the joys of social media :)

Now days it's nearly impossible to post a hunting photo or start a discussion without finding someone who disagrees enough to publicly "call you out" on something.  Often times these conflicts are exaggerated and perpetuated with works such as "ethics", "unethical", "sportsmanship", "fair chase" and many more.  Unfortunately these disputes do one of two things which essentially makes the problem bigger and bigger every day. 

The two things that often happen are:
1st - Some people stop posting about hunting or fishing as they are afraid/annoyed that they will be attacked by sportsmen.
2nd - Those who share the overly critical mindset of policing and correcting everyone on social media finds empowerment and belonging when they see others criticizing other sportsmen. 

Sadly the second consequence of this behavior perpetuates the problem to a younger generation that is on social media while still learning what is acceptable behavior not only on the internet but also in the field while hunting.  These young sportsmen need guidance in a positive direction not a negative outlook on anything and everything.  While those who are criticizing other sportsmen feel they are doing so out of an ethical obligation or way of preserving a sacred tradition, the truth is it is doing more harm than good. 

To combat this I wanted to create a post of some of these "un-written rules of sportsmen" that get debated on the internet and give some guidance and direction to those who may be on the fence on a few of these topics.  Of course you may not agree with what I write and that's completely okay.  The main point I'll be focusing on is being a law-abiding sportsmen who understands conservation and their role as a consumer of our natural resources.  These are not in any particular order so lets get started.

Personal Property - regardless if it is a treestand, trail camera, land, or any other type of personal property.  We all need to respect others property not in the way we would want our personal property treated, but by the way we know that person wishes for us to respect their property.  Just like our vehicles, homes, and other personal items, we give people permission to use or handle our property.  You wouldn't want into someone's house uninvited and help yourself to their commodities they have available inside... The same respect needs to be given to outdoors gear or land/property.  Concepts such as "Public Land Owner" has created an entitled mentality that if someone puts their personal item on public land, such as a treestand, then that personal item is now accessible to all who wish to use it.  We hear the comments all the time such as, "well its on public land", or "He doesn't own the tree it's on so why can't I use it...".  The bottom line to avoid conflict is that if is not yours, don't use it and don't touch it.  If you feel so entitled to someone else's property, I have a masters degree in counseling and I'd love to talk to you about some of your deep seeded issues contributing to this entitlement...

Law vs Ethics - Many of us know that the laws are in place for a reason and that they should be followed at all times.  This is no exception in hunting, fishing, or public access.  Sadly I didn't say all of us when I mentioned that the laws are in place for a reason... Some people feel that the bag limits, hunting seasons, weapon restrictions, or the sex of the animal is all irrelevant.  Fact is that we are not mountain men who live off the land, regardless of how off the grid we tell our social media following we are!  These laws and restrictions are in place to protects the passions we all love and wish to enjoy.  Conservation at its finest looks at the bigger picture rather than the here and now.  So i'm sorry if you see the biggest buck of your lifetime a week after your hunt closes, the laws are set to give all of us a fair shot at that buck and that memory.  Laws are laws and they should be followed.  If you don't agree with them or don't like them, there are ways to go about them to get them changed rather than taking it upon yourself to disobey them because you don't agree... NOW getting to the ethics side of the conversation.  When I hear a sportsman start a conversation with, "Ethically speaking" I cringe because what usually follows is a personal opinion that is often set as a standard to judge another sportsman.  Now when it comes to a personal conviction to live a higher law and follow what you feel to be ethical, then that is a personal commitment that governs the individual.  These ethics and teachings can be passed on through generations and companionship between hunting partners but should not be used to judge another hunter.  As long as the hunter is following the law, your own personal views on what ethical is should be a personal conviction.  I do strongly believe however that every sportsman should be ethical in all that they do.  They should always follow what they have been taught to take an animal ethically.  Now I know for myself my "ethical compos" has changed over the years and has motivated me to change some of the ways I have hunted in the past to hunting in a way that I feel is more ethical for myself.  Once again this is a personal journy that all hunters should be constantly pursuing to better themselves as sportsmen, but when looking at other hunters the laws should be the standard of judgment while ethics become the higher law sought for individually. 

Trail Cameras in lock boxes because we have trust issues

Fair Chase - Following the ethics discussion, the topic of fair chase is brought up a lot.  High fences, guided hunts, running dogs, archery vs long range rifle, shooting ducks on the water vs in the air, etc.  Whatever the game, every hunter has their own view of what fair chase is.  Each state has their own fair chase law and that is what should be followed.  If it is legal to shoot a duck while its on the water, then sorry if you disagree with it, a hunter has the choice to do so.  Idaho has been very clear in regards to using bait or salt blocks to "scout" for deer or elk.  Regardless if you remove the bait prior to hunting season, the area is considered to be a bait site and you cannot legally take an animal off that specific sight without it breaking the fair chase law.  They have stated that if the bait is removed and a season (year) has passed with no back at that sight, then the area is once again considered legal to hunt over.   Trail cameras that send pictures to a hunter is another item that gets brought up under this topic of fair chase.  Trail cameras, walkie talkies, lighted knocks, and so many other items all have restrictions and guidelines given by the IDFG.  Bottom line is, if it is legal, then it is allowed regardless of your personal opinions.  You can write into IDFG if you feel strongly about a item and they are great at listening and bringing concerns to the attention of other hunters and allowing public feedback on these issues. 

In conclusion many of these "unwritten rules" are really personal beliefs that can influence the way we all hunt.  Now there are items such as respect that we discussed when talking about a persons property such as trail cameras and treestands that there are no laws set in place that prevent someone from sitting in someone else's treestand.  We are hunters should have enough respect for the sport and other sportsmen that we respect one another's property.  Don't touch someone else's trail camera unless its to clear off some debris.  Don't take someone's SD card out of them camera no matter how mad you are they are in "your spot".  Don't sit someone else's stand unless you have permission.  Don't hunt on private property unless you have permission.  Pursue your game in an ethical and legal manner.  The laws are set to protect you, the game, the sport, and our future.  Be kind to others, if you feel you're standards are higher than others feel free to mentor younger hunters and allow them to follow your foot steps not your keyboard battles on facebook!

Now I'm sure some of you may have an opinion on this post or one of the items I touched on so I would love to hear your thoughts or rebuttals.  Comment on this post or on our social media as long as you do so respectfully and with an open mind.  I myself am open to any opposing viewpoints and would love to try and look at an issue from your perspective,  I only ask the same from you :)

Get out there and enjoy the outdoors!

My First Steelhead Fishing Trip

Catching an Idaho steelhead has always been up toward the top of my "To-Do" list, but I had never even fished for them until a couple of weeks ago.  Year after year I would see my friends come back from their trips and talk about their adventures while fishing for steelhead.  I was envious of the stories, I coveted the fish they would bring back, and yearned for the adventure.

A couple of weeks ago I broke down and asked a buddy if I could tag along with him on his next day trip to chase after these fish.  We spent the next few days getting me set up with the right gear, and coached up on how to fish for these picky eaters.  These steelhead at this point of the run don't have huge appetites, but mostly eat something if it is put right in front of them just out of convenience and survival.  We put together multiple presentations and pre-rigged a lot of different items up to save on time while on the water.  The night before we took off my buddy said one thing that will stick with me about steelhead fishing... he said, "I just hope you don't get discouraged if you don't catch anything tomorrow, stick with it and it'll become a passion."

The next morning we took off at 3:00 a.m. and made it to the river around 8:00 a.m.  We both excitedly grabbed our fishing rods and enthusiastically cast out into the current hoping for quick hook up.  I'll admit, my hopes had been building for the past few days and had reached an all time high as soon as my line hit the water... Cast after cast after cast, I kept thinking this would be the one... I envisioned a large buck steelhead swimming upstream and grabbing my bait as it crossed in front of his face at just the right time.

Sadly my hope slowly diminished a little with every cast... hours passed with nothing but an occasional snag on the bottom.  I was starting to consider if waking up at 2:30 was really worth casting for hours and hours without even a bite on the other end, when all of a sudden my buddy hollered, "fish on".   I ran to get net and rushed to the side of my friend to help him land the first fish of the day,  He told me that it wasn't a big fish but it was at least a steelhead so he wasn't going to complain.  We netted his fish and made sure it was a hatchery fish before handling it too much.  Here in Idaho if you catch a native steelhead it will have it's adipose fin and needs to be released.  We snapped a few pictures, he notched his tag, and then we both set back at it in hopes of catching another fish... unfortunately that was the only fish of the day.  We fished for 10 hours straight and I hadn't gotten a single bite let a lone catch that big buck steelhead I was after...
On the long drive home I did a lot of thinking.  I didn't even see a lot of fish caught so it was hard for me to consider going back and giving it another shot.  A few days later I was chatting with my uncle about my experience and he told me that my experience was unfortunately not too uncommon when it comes to steelhead fishing.  I'll admit, even though this wasn't my first time hearing that many steelhead fishermen can go days without landing a single fish, I was hoping my luck would be better than it was.  Talking to my uncle didn't get me any more excited to get back out steelheading but something inside me made me view this goal as more of a challenge. I was determined to get back out there and prove that I wasn't just going to give up on my dream of catching a note worthy steelhead.

About two weeks after my first attempt at steelhead fishing, I was able to plan another trip to get back over there.  Once again I left at 3 in the morning and drove for hours before stopping at a local gas station close to where we would fish.  My uncle and I grabbed a few snacks and hit the road, before we could even get 2 miles away from the gas station, a dumb deer decided to run out in front of my car... We hit the brakes and tried to miss it, but before we knew it the deer and my car had a less than pleasant introduction to each other...

We pulled off the road to assess the damage and do our surprise the radiator wasn't punctured.  I had a lot of damage to the body of my car but it was still driveable.  My heart sank because this was the car my wife and I both use to commute to work every day to save money on gas.  I was already pinching pennies to justify going on another steelhead trip let alone make car repairs.  We gathered up a few of the random pieces of my car that were scattered all over the road and then drove to where we were going to go fishing.  Everyone grabbed their gear and headed right to the river.  I sat in my car and sulked in my own little pity party while beating myself up for driving all the way over here to try and catch a fish which I was probably going to fish all day for and still leave empty handed.  After feeling sorry for myself I finally got annoyed enough to just get out on the river and try to fish my problems away.

It didn't take long for a few people around us to pull in a few great fish.  The jealousy and frustration were getting a bit hard for me to hold in.  Soon, my uncle hooked into a good fish and hollered at me to grab the net.  I ran over and helped him pull in a great male steelhead! Watching him catch that fish lifted my spirits just a little to give me that sense of hope I was needing.

I hit the river again cast after cast in hopes of fulfilling my goal.  I cast out and let my line start drifting down through the current.  I felt my weight bumping across the bottom of the river and then I felt a slight tug on the other end! I set the hook and felt the other end start to pull back in resistence.  I took a step back to get on dry ground and begin my fight in hopes of landing the fish I was seeking after... as I took that step back, I stepped on a frosted over piece of drift wood that was sitting on the bank of the river... between my wet boots and the frosted drift wood I lost my balance and fell backward.  My tacklebox that was right behind me broke my fall but of course also broke open and threw all my beads, leaders, bobbers, and all of my other gear into the air.

Needless to say, with all this ruckus, I had brought a lot of attention to myself by this point and I now had a mixture of laughter and words of encouragement helping me land the fish I was still fighting... or the fish I thought I was fighting... As I rushed to get back on my feet, I heard a fisherman other side of the river say, "Sorry bud I think I hooked your line"... As if I wasn't already having a bad day, this was just the final straw.  I sat there muddy, sore, frustrated, embarrassed, and flat out discouraged.  If I hadn't have driven my uncle all the way over here I may have packed up and left at this point.  I spent the next 20-30 minutes cleaning up all my gear, re-tying my set up, and thinking to myself how this had been one of my worst days fishing I had ever had.

Eventually I decided things couldn't get much worse so I might as well start fishing again so right back at it I went.  Once again people around us caught a few, and then my uncle was able to land another good fish.  The discouragement started to sink in again so I decided to take a break and eat some food.  My uncle and I chatted a bit and he decided to take a break for a while.  He sat for about an hour or so while I fished in the same spot he had just caught two great fish.  Unfortunately my luck wasn't changing.  My uncle decided that after over an hour he was ready to give it another shot, he grabbed his rod, walked over to where I was standing and cast out... almost as fast as his line hit the water, he set the hook and yelled, "fish on!"  I wasn't even happy for him, all I wanted to do was throat punch him and steal his rod.  I resisted the urge to yell out profanity and proceeded to grab the net.  This fish was different, it was staying deep and fighting hard! He fought it for a good 20 minutes before we were able to land it.  Once in the net we realized it was a wild steelhead so we quickly unhooked it, snapped a few pictures, and then let it go.  My uncle apologized for catching another fish and told me that it was literally just luck.  I pretended not to care and quickly grabbed my rod to get back to fishing.

My second cast after my uncle caught his wild steelhead, I felt something bump my line.  I set the hook like I had done a million times before and expected the same result as if it were just my weight drifting into a rock or what not, but this time I knew I was into a fish.  As soon as I set the hook I felt the head shakes of a heavy fish on the other end of my line.  Quickly my drag started pealing away and I knew I had finally hooked into a steelhead.  My uncle grabbed the net and I began the fight to get this fish in.  The whole time I was praying that I wouldn't lose this fish and also praying that this may make my horrible day somewhat bearable.   Just as we were able to get my fish into the net, I finally let my guard down and started to show some real excitement.  The rush that went through me was amazing.  With all of the negative emotions I had been dealing with, landing this fish was the complete opposite feeling I had been juggling for the past 8 hours.  What a relief.  What a rush, What a fish... I took some photos, notched my tag, and sat down for a well deserved break from 18 hours of fishing before I landed my first steelhead.

I'll admit, if I had caught that steelhead on my first trip with the first few hours I don't think I would have appreciated it as much.  I have caught a lot of fish in my life but this fish is something special to me.  I can see what draws fishermen to keep going back to chase these amazing fish.  Not everyone has to go through the adversity of wrecking their car, breaking their tackle box, and public humiliation before landing their first steelhead, but every fish has a story to tell.  These fish are not fish you catch every day.  I'm hooked, I can guarantee I'll be back out there trying to catch a steelhead again.  I may make someone else drive, but I can't wait to get back out there to try my luck again with these great fish!

27 3/4" long and 12" girth 

What is Idaho Pursuit?

Lately I have had a lot of people ask me what Idaho Pursuit is... I've given many of these people the quick simple answer such as, "It's my online blog/website about the outdoors... I also sell hats and hooded sweaters and what not..." As simple as this answer was, it never sat well with me because to me Idaho Pursuit is something more... a lot more! So he is my detailed answer of what Idaho Pursuit is.

Lets take it one word at a time.
"Idaho"
According to the US Census Bureau, Idaho is the 7th LEAST POPULATED STATE yet the 14th largest state in our great United States of America.  What does that mean... it means that Idaho is all about being outdoors!  It means miles and miles of rivers and mountains to explore.  It also means that yes, people do live here in Idaho. We do exist and we do matter!  Whether it's hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, socializing, photographing, boating, spelunking, surfing, or any other outdoor activity, you can find it in Idaho.

Idaho is known as being the Gem State seems how nearly every type of gem can be found within our boundaries.  When you think about this literally, this is quite unique and gives Idaho a one of a kind reputation.  Figuratively speaking, when you look at the state of Idaho as a state that you can find nearly every type of gem (whatever type of gem you are looking for in your life) Idaho can be that state which helps you find what you are looking for in life.  Some of my own personal gems are my family, my religion, my education, as well as my hobbies and interests.

Idaho is also known for its mountains and rivers.  The Sawtooth Mountains, The Lost River Range, The Clear Water, The Snake River, The Salmon River Mountain, Frank Church - River or No Return Wilderness Area, and the White Clouds just to name a few.  These lands represent freedom, public access, uniqueness, and diversity.  These areas are full of fish and wildlife which give life to everything they interact with.  They also are areas that show just how dangerous and fragile life can be.  As an example, just less than a hour away from where I live, the all-time lowest temperature of Idaho was recorded at a chilling -60 °F (−51 °C) without windchill, at the Island Park Dam on January 18th, 1943.  As a comparison, the coldest temperature recorded in the lower 48 states was -69 degrees.  This shows the extreme conditions that you can experience in Idaho!

Idaho is also know of course for their potatoes! Literally, I have held potatoes that are bigger than my own head.  Potatoes so big that one single potato could feed my whole family.  When I lived in Texas for a few years, the joke was, "Everything is bigger in Texas.... except the potatoes".  I'm hear to tell you that it's not just the potatoes, Idaho is plentiful in lots of agriculture as well as plentiful in their wildlife! Of course I won't get into the elk populations prior to the re-introduction of the wolves, but I will say that our populations of wildlife are abundant.  I love when people come to visit and I can take them up into the mountains and almost guarantee them that they will see some deer, a moose, or a few elk.

So... Now that we have clarified what Idaho is, let me explain one thing before moving on to the "Pursuit" section.  When I named my blog Idaho Pursuit, I knew that I was "limiting" myself to just Idaho, but the more I thought about all of the items I listed above, I realized that Idaho Pursuit isn't just about Idaho, its about the lifestyle and activities Idaho supports! I've sold Idaho Pursuit hats to Idaho, New York, California, and about 10 other states which goes to prove that the content and attitude of my blog is not just limited to Idaho.  Which leads me right into explaining the Pursuit.

"Pursuit"
Here are some of the definitions of the word pursuit - "1. The act of pursuing.  2. An effort to secure or attain; quest. 3. Any occupation, pastime, or the like, in which a person is engaged regularly or customarily.  4. When someone tries to get, achieve, or find something in a determined way".  These definitions were exactly what I was looking for when I wanted a name with a meaning.  To me the outdoors are much more than just a moment, its a lifestyle, a journey.  When I head outside for a hunt or even just a leisurely stroll, I often find myself reflecting on so much more than just the journey at hand.  

I have seen the meme which says "There is no WI-FI in the forest, but we can promise you'll find a better connection".  This is exactly how I feel when it comes to the outdoors in Idaho.  I find myself yearning for more, searching for purpose, and it becomes part of who I am.  As they say, you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy... 

Another quote that helps me understand the word Pursuit is, "If you're not getting better than you're getting worse, you never stay the same".  This applies to all aspects of your life.  It is impossible to  stay stagnant in this world that we live in.  With all the influences for both good and evil, you are either becoming a better person or a worse person.  What you constantly do is a outward reflection of who you are on the inside.  If I spend my days watching TV and yelling at my kids, the amount of satisfaction I will have in my life is going to be minimum.  Of course it is relaxing and I am not against sitting down and watching a show, but my personality is more about getting out of the house and doing something that will make me a better person.  When I chose "pursuit" this is was I was hoping to capture as well as convey to share these messages with those who read my blog. 

So, what is Idaho Pursuit? It is what you make it.  It's a little bit of everything without a limit of what it can or can't be.  Just like the state of Idaho, Idaho Pursuit is a place you can come to find that gem in your life that you may be looking for.  If there is something you haven't seen or want to see on Idaho Pursuit, let me know... who knows it may lead to you and I making an adventure to explore together.  Idaho Pursuit is more than a blog, more than a hat company, and more than just some online outdoorsy website.  Idaho Pursuit is you, your life, your passion... I hope you enjoy it and make it something wonderful!

I appreciate all those who read and comment on my posts. Please keep in touch and lets get out and enjoy the outdoors!

3 Year Journy Ends With Unique Buck

It all started 3 years ago when I decided I needed to head down on the river bottoms south of the desert to look for sheds.  While walking on a game trail I ended up jumping a small white tail spike that took off immediately.  Shortly after it took off I heard a loud crash, sticks breaking, and then the sound of the young buck running off.  Seems how there was snow on the ground I followed the tracks to see what all the commotion was about.  Based on my assumption from the tracks I was following, I assumed that the deer attempted to jump over some fallen logs, landed in between two smaller snow covered branches and crashed... I continued to follow the tracks where the buck had hoped back up and continued to run away... This is when my heart sank and I automatically had a deep emotional connection with this animal...

 

When I began to follow the tracks after the spot where the deer crashed, I noticed that about every so often there would be a couple drops of blood in the snow on the left side of the trail.  I slowly tracked this buck for about 15 minutes attempting to catch a glimpse of him to make sure he was okay, at that point I decided to back out and just hope that the little guy would be okay.  As any hunter knows, even though we take the life of an animal, we all hate to see the animals suffer.  All I could think about for the next couple of days is how this area was know to have quite a few coyotes and other predators who loved to prey off weak wintering animals... I felt responsible for this buck and hoped that I would see it come next fall to see if it was alright.

 

Throughout that summer and into the first part of fall I was unable to get a picture of a buck that I thought was the deer I encountered that winter.  Then, luckily, I was able to catch a photo on my trail camera of a buck who was growing a odd antler on it's right side.  I had heard that if a deer or elk happened to break a bone on one side of their body, the opposite antler growth is affected.  I had always thought that was a myth, but when I caught this guy on camera I couldn't help but be convinced that this was my deer!

 

Sure enough, I was able to get another picture of it which confirmed my thoughts, while at the same time, made my heart sink more.  When I looked at this pic, I saw this deer's left foot completely busted, pointing in the wrong direction, and a huge bone growth cluster at the bottom of his leg... I could tell this buck had a rough life seeing how bad his leg was,  I told myself I wouldn't hesitate using my tag on this buck if I saw it during the season, but unfortunately these two pictures were the only evidence/sign I had that this buck was even still alive.  All season long, I looked for this buck with no avail.  I assumed that some other hunter had taken the buck, and I hoped that the hunter was smart enough to realize it was a broken leg rather than some random growth or tumor.  I was afraid that if another hunter took this animal they would leave the animal rather than pack it out because they were afraid to eat it due to the abnormality on his back leg as well as the odd set of antlers on this deer.

After the 2014 season I will admit, I didn't think about this buck much and pretty much called it off as dead or gone.  I spent the summer getting ready for the 2015 season as normal, and was even able to play a part in getting my cousin who is 23 years old into hunting.  This was a great experience for me as I was able to answer a lot of questions, coach/mentor him while practicing his archery skills, and just spend some quality time with him.  Of course, as any hunter would do, all summer long I was hoping more that my cousin would have success than I even hoped that I would have success.  I wanted this first time hunter to be hooked, and experience the amazing moments that hunting provides.  As the season got closer, my younger brother and I set out 5 different cameras looking to locate a few certain bucks in anticipation for hunting season.  The very first week we pulled the cards, I was not only impressed with how many deer we had on our cameras, but I was thrilled to see that my buck with the broken leg was back in the area!   This year,  the buck's leg was almost twice the size it was the previous year and the antler growth was looking a lot more effected by the broken leg.  The left antler grew decent yet was not a typical white tail antler, while the right side was more of a failed attempt at any shape at all..

For the next few weeks, we kept pulling our cards and getting more and more pictures of deer.  We were all getting excited for the season and felt that we would have a decent shot at a few of the bucks we were getting on camera.  As the season was about to start, like always, the deer started to become a lot more nocturnal and the number of pictures started to decrease.  Luckily, the frequency of "The Hoove" had stayed about the same.  We were even able to get a few early morning or early evening pictures before the dark set it.  Even though there were numerous other bucks with larger antlers in the area, I told every, I was seeking out to take that buck this year.

 

 

When the season started, I did what I typically do, and took off to chase elk the first few days of the season and then later that week decided to go after deer.  On September 5th, my cousin who I had helped throughout the summer decided to go back down where my younger brother and I had taken him a few days prior while looking for deer.  That night he was sitting in one clearing while his other cousin was sitting in a different clearing waiting for the deer to move around right before night fall.  Sure enough, at 7:48 P.M. my phone range... On the other end, my cousin Jeff was whispering to me how he had just arrowed his first deer at 28 yards away! The excitement in his voice and the adrenaline I heard running through his body was the moment I had anticipated all summer long when shooting bows with him in my backyard!

I hurried home from the errands I was running and headed down to help take care of the deer.  Jeff and my other cousin had waited until I showed up before they tracked it just to be safe.  I had Jeff be the one to lead the way and follow the blood trail.  By this time night had set in and we were using our lights to follow the trail.  In less than 40 yards from where this deer was first hit, there it lay taking a dirt nap!  When we first found the deer, Jeff was needless to say, overwhelmed with emotions, not knowing what to do or how to feel other than the surge of adrenaline and assurance that he had just successfully tagged his first deer!  As I looked a the deer, I realized that the deer he had just tagged was "The Hoove" who I was set on taking this year! I was ecstatic that Jeff not only got his first deer, but also his first bow kill, as well as tagged a very unique buck!

 

Without going into all the lengthy details of the pack out and taking care of the animal, I will just say that numerous times Jeff would say that now he knew why people say that hunting is addicting.  He stated over and over again how he couldn't remember the last time he felt this good!  He had work hard for quite some time practicing, learning, taking his hunter's education courses, and spending time getting ready for this moment.  All of his preparation came down to one moment and he was able to seal the deal on the buck I had been following for three years.   My emotional connection with this buck did not end after I was assured that he was tagged, instead, my respect and connection with this buck deepened as I could see just how strong and resilient this warrior truly was!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game Gear Camouflage Review: Function and Durability

One of the main reasons I attend the Hunting and Outdoor expos are to find some outdoor gear that I haven't heard about yet through main stream media.  This past year I attended the Western Hunting and Conservation Expo in Salt Lake City and was introduced to some great new gear.  One of the new companies/gear I was introduced to was Game Gear's hunting clothes.  My first impression was that I liked the pattern that seemed close to a few other brands I was familiar with, yet different enough to give it a unique break up.  I sat and chatted with the people in the booth for quite some time and then moved on my way.  After the expo, it didn't take me long to decide I wanted to know more about Game Gear and their hunting clothes.  I checked into their company and decided I would do some research and share what I found with my followers!  One of the first things I will point out is that Game Gear has been making athletic clothing for over 72 years (Since 1943) so even though they may be new to the hunting/camo industry, they are well seasoned in making clothing built for active life styles!

I ordered me their Tala Mid Season System which currently runs at $230.00 for the following items:

Tala Shirt (BT3002LH50)
Tala Pant (SL3003H50) 
Tala Vest (WS3004H50) 
Heat Tech Shirt (H603S)
Heat Tech Brief (HT113)

Considering that some of the camouflage companies these days are selling their pants alone for prices between $150 - $650, the package deal from Game Gear is a great purchase considering what you get! The pants are polyester with a mesh liner and the vest is polyester with a fleece liner.  Both are stitched with 100 weight heavy duty thread to hold up to the elements while hunting.  The shirt is extremely soft and comfortable made out of a polyseter/lycra blend.

I received the Tala System around the first of May and have been hitting the mountains pretty hard testing out the gear.  I could have easily written a quick post in June stating that the camo was great and that I would recommend it to anyone looking for new camo, but I wanted to make sure to give the gear, and my readers, an in-depth review to make sure I wasn't just writing out of excitement of owning a new set of camo.

The pattern: 
At first I will admit I thought the pattern was kind of a knock off of the Kuiu pattern, but when I set them side by side to Kuiu, Sitka, and other brands of camo, I realized how all of them have similarities and distinct features which set them apart from one another.  As far as how it works in multiple settings, I will let the pictures do most of the talking while I just say that I'm glad that I finally own camo that I can wear in all of my hunting elements! I love how well the patter performs in everything from desert sage brush, cattails in the duck blind, and high mountain pines or aspens.  I would say the best performance out of the Game Gear pattern would be in the desert/sage brush, the aspens, and in the cottonwoods.   Be sure to click on the pictures to make them bigger. I also have lots of other pictures if you would like to see them in other settings please let me know in the comments and I can email you a few pics.

Aspen trees

Aspen trees with shadows

Rocky high country pines

Crawling in the desert

Kneeling shooting my bow in the sage

Sitting then standing in a tree stand

Standing in the cattails

Here is my 411 on the Tala Pants:
The pants were comfortable, durable, and as with the rest of the camo, I like the pattern.  The pant waist band is built structured in the front and elastic in the back to give them a comfortable snug fit.  With the the way the waist is constructed, I could wear these pants without a belt and they would sit right all day long while hunting.  The length of the pants seemed a bit long when I first tried them on but when I put on my hunting boots I loved how they stayed low while hunting and walking through thick brush.  On the Game Gear website, the state how the length of the pants is "generous" to keep ankles covered while squatting or kneeling.  I would say that their design and purpose behind the longer pants was one thing I wouldn't have thought about when looking for a good fit of pants.  Another feature I like about these pants is how the knees are sewn differently than any other camo pants I have ever owned.  They are sewn angled which is a lot more aligned with the stance and movement involved with hunting.  It didn't matter if I was walking, running, standing, kneeling, climbing into my tree stand, or crawling the pants never bunched up, crawled up, or became uncomfortable.

The pants also have a mesh liner to "optimize air flow and breathability" as stated on their website. They also have two back pockets, two deep hand pockets, as well as two convenient zipper pockets on the thigh.  I will say though, that if you plan on hunting in cooler weather, it would be wise to wear thermals, or a warmer base layer, rather than what comes with the Tala System.  I ended up getting caught in a snowstorm while looking for bear mid May and needless to say my legs were pretty cold.  The pants are also water repellent and wind resistant.  Don't confuse that with water proof... Hiking in wet cold conditions, my legs still got wet when wearing these pants after hiking for a while.  If you are hunting in such conditions it would be wise to wear gators (Just like with most other camo/hunting pants).  I myself would like to see Game Gear make some water proof gators that they would offer as accessories for hunting in such conditions. 
 
Now onto the Heat Tech Shirt:
The shirt is very comfortable and extremely soft.  I won't go on an on about the shirt; I will just state that the cut is very supportive of the movement of both bow hunting and rifle hunting.  The material was a great match for hunting due to how fast it dries when aired out.  As I would hike around either hunting or scouting I would work up a sweat, stop for a rest and let me gear air out, and within just a couple minutes the shirt was dry and ready for me to comfortably continue on my way.  When in the cooler conditions the zipper zips high enough to cover the base of my neck securely to help keep the heat in and keep my neck warm.

Next up is the Tala Vest:
The vest is a great piece of gear which I really enjoy hunting in.  The vest has two chest zipper pockets as well as two hand pockets down by the waist.  The zipper is a high quality quiet zipper with a sturdy rubber zipper pull.  The vest keeps your warm and protects you from moisture without restricting the movement needed when hunting.  I enjoyed wearing the vest on all of my outings even if they weren't always outdoorsy just because of how comfortable it was.

Now to be fair, I will post the one concern I have/had...

I wore this system for quite some time and put it through some pretty good tests.  I feel the products are all built great and should hold up for any of the hunters out there.  I do wish the pants were a bit thicker/warmer... The polyester is a pretty thin material and it didn't seem to take much before my lower half started to feel the chill when the temperature dropped.   I'm not one to get cold while hunting so this was not a comfortable feeling for me while in the mountains.  The shirt and vest kept my upper body warm, while my lower half was a bit cold.  This could easily be fixed by wearing the warmer base layer offered by Game Gear so, I wouldn't say this would be much of a deal breaker when considering purchasing this gear, just something that is good to be aware of.  I want you all to know that I worked very hard to give the Game Gear as unbiased of a review as I could. If it wasn't for the the cold weather I wouldn't have anything to say in this section.

Sooo... to wrap this all up:
 To me,  the Game Gear camouflage is a great purchase for what you get.  For a company who has been building athletic clothing for over 72 years, it shows in their new line of camo! This is not a company who looked around and tried to copy what someone else was doing.  These people are hunters, athletes, and outdoors men/women who know what works, and who have decided to start marketing their line to hunters!  If you see me in the mountains this year you can bet I'll be wearing my Game Gear camo... but then again that's if you see me...