BUSTED TIP

HAVE YOU EVER LOST SOMETHING WHEN OUT IN THE FIELD?  I'M SURE WE ALL HAVE.  TYPICALLY MISPLACED ITEMS INCLUDE BINOCULAR LENS COVERS, KNIVES & GLOVES.  MY HUSBAND HAD A FAULTY LEATHERMAN HOLDER, AND LOST HIS PRICEY WAVE.  I SET OUT TO LOOK FOR IT, WITH A CERTAIN AREA IN MIND.  I WAS DETERMINED NOT TO LET A $70 MULTI-TOOL BE LOST FOREVER IN NATURE.

I COMBED THE OPEN AREA ALONG A FENCE IN A ZIG-ZAG PATTERN.  SOMETHING CAUGHT MY EYE IN THE GRASS, AND I DISCOVERED A BROKEN ANTLER TIP! 

I NEVER DID FIND THE LEATHERMAN.  THERE IS A CELL PHONE OUT ON THAT PROPERTY TOO SOMEWHERE!  

N.D. RANCH

JASON & HIS PALS GOT SKUNKED ON FINDING SHED IN NORTH DAKOTA.  THAT IS,  UNLESS YOU COUNT THE ONES IN THE GARAGE! 

THEY GUYS DID DO THEIR WORK FOR THE RANCHERS, IN HOPES OF PLACE TO STAY FOR THE OCTOBER MULE DEER HUNT.  IT TURNS OUT THE COWS WERE CALVING AND A GRAIN TRUCK BROKE DOWN, SO THEY PROVIDED VARIOUS ASSISTANCE. 

THEY COYOTE HUNTING DIDN'T GO SO WELL EITHER.  THE SNOW WAS DEEP, AND FREEZING WINDS BLEW.  I HEARD A LOT OF EXCUSES!  I THINK THEY ALL AGREED NOT TO EVER GO BACK IN THE WINTER.

Minnesota Elk

UNBELIEVABLE!  Here is a story about a hunter that found a record size elk with it's antlers stuck in the mud, barely alive.  IN MINNESOTA! 

http://www.findmeahunt.com/blog/2011/02/26/minnesota-record-elk-found-pinned-alive-with-antlers-stuck-in-the-mud/

BOWHUNTER EDUCATION

NORTHRIDGE ARCHERY RANGE IS OFFERING A BOWHUNTER EDUCATION CLASS SUNDAY APRIL 3 AT 9AM.  THIS IS AN ALL DAY EVENT. THE STATE REQUIRES PASSING AN ONLINE TEST BEFORE ATTENDING.

THE CLASS COVERS BOW HUNTING TECHNIQUES, EQUIPMENT, SAFETY AND RESPONSIBILITY.  WE ENCOURAGE THIS EDUCATION FOR YOUNG HUNTERS, PEOPLE NEW TO THE SPORT OR THOSE WHO INTEND TO HUNT OUT OF STATE.

THIS COURSE WILL LIKELY OCCUR AGAIN IN AUGUST. 

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/safety/bowhunter/index.html#calendar

AWESOME SHED MAN!

WOW.  NOW THIS GUY IS A TRUE SHED HUNTER, TO THE CORE!  HE PUT HIS KIDS THROUGH COLLEGE BY SELLING ANTLERS! 

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT???  THIS PHOTO IS ON HIS WEBSITE, PLEASE VISIT IT AND APPRECIATE HIS EFFORTS! 

http://www.antlerman.com/index.html

WINTER LINGERS

WE'RE ALL SICK & TIRED OF WINTER IN MINNESOTA.  WE GOT ANOTHER 7 INCHES ON WEDNESDAY.  ALL THIS, WHEN THE PUDDLES WERE STARTING TO DIMINISH IN OUR YARD.  BUT THE WORST OF THE STORM WAS THE HORRENDOUS WIND!!!  IT LEFT RIPPLES IN THE SNOW.  SOME PLACES ARE BLOWN DOWN TO DIRT, WHILE OTHERS HAVE FEET OF SNOW DRIFTED UP.

IT'LL BE A WHILE BEFORE WE CAN GET OUT AND SEARCH FOR ANTLERS AGAIN.  JASON PLANS TO SEARCH IN NORTH DAKOTA THIS WEEKEND WITH SOME FRIENDS.  I GUESS THAT DEPENDS ON THE SNOW CONDITIONS OUT THERE.  THE RANCHERS THAT HE'S GOING OUT TO SEE FOUND 30 ANTLERS SHEDS BY THEIR HAY RECENTLY!  YOU CAN EXPECT SOME PHOTOS & UPDATES ON HIS TRIP NEXT WEEK.

A BIG FIVE!

MY SON WAS OUT SHOOTING PIGEONS AND PLAYING IN HIS FORT WITH FRIENDS, AT THE ARCHERY RANGE LAST SATURDAY.  HE FOUND AN AWESOME SHED!!!  HIS PAL HAD TO HELP HIM GET IT OUT OF THE SNOW AND ICE.  THERE WAS A LITTLE RODENT CHEWING ON IT, BUT THIS IS A HEAVY BIG ONE.  THAT'S THE THIRD SHED TO BE FOUND AT THE ARCHERY RANGE LOCATION IN ABOUT 2 YEARS!

SHED HUNTING-MARCH

I WENT OUT IN THE MIST YESTERDAY SEARCHING FOR ANTLERS.  I DIDN'T FIND ANY, BUT HAD A GREAT WALK. SOMETIMES THE GLOOM AND FOG MAKES FOR A MEMORABLE TRIP. THIS REFLECTION IS TOO PRETTY.

THESE BRIGHT COLORED FUNGUS CAUGHT MY EYE.

I SAW TWO GEESE.  A GROUSE AND TWO WOODCOCK.

I WONDER WHY THIS TREE HAD STRIPES.

 I STUMBLED UPON SOMEONE'S COYOTE OR FOX TRAP.  I'M GLAD IT WAS CLOSED, SINCE SMOKEY WAS WITH. 

THIS LOCATION HAS NOW BEEN CHECKED FOR SHEDS TOP TO BOTTOM! 

VENISON CHILI

WE GRIND MOST OF OUR DEER INTO "VENIBURGER".  WE DON'T BUY BEEF.  VENISON CHILI IS A HOUSEHOLD FAVORITE, SO I WANTED TO SHARE THE RECIPE. 

1 1/2-2LBS HAMBURGER
ONION
2 CANS TOMATO SOUP
1 CAN WATER
1 CAN TOMATO JUICE
2 UNDRAINED CANS CHILI BEANS
CHILI POWDER
OREGANO
SALT
PEPPER

                                 BROWN THE MEAT AND CHOPPED ONION

ADD THE REST OF THE INGREDIENTS. THROW IN SOME SEASONING.

CROCK POT LINERS ARE SO AWESOME, THEY MAKE CLEAN UP SUPER EASY.  SO CONSIDER USING ONE OF THESE LINERS BEFORE ADDING INGREDIENTS.

TURN THE CROCK POT ON LOW AND LET IT COOK FOR 2 HOURS OR ALL DAY.  CHILI IS SO EASY & DELICIOUS.  I'VE NEVER MADE A BAD BATCH, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO SCREW UP! 

DANGER!

I am often reminded of the simple dangers that linger in the trees above when I'm out in the forest.  Especially when it's windy!

Falling trees and branches can kill people!  This happens more often than you'd think.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/25/person-killed-by-falling-tree-in-central-park/

http://www.kirotv.com/news/21537669/detail.html

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/fallen_tree_limb_hits_kills_ea.html

In fact, last year we heard about a man that was killed while setting up 3D targets in the woods for a archery shoot in MN!  It weighs heavy on our minds, that life can change in an instant.  So BE SAFE, aware of your surroundings and use extreme caution in windy weather.

ALBINO MOOSE

CHECK OUT THIS UNIQUE MOOSE!  THESE PHOTOS CAME AROUND ON EMAIL A WHILE BACK, AND I JUST HAVE TO SHARE THEM! 

BOTH A BEAUTIFUL AND GOOFY LOOKING CREATURE. 

SO I WONDERED IF THESE HAD A STORY.  AND WHAT I FOUNDS WAS... MORE PHOTOS!

I LOVE SNOPES.COM, THEY BRING THE TRUTH OUT WHENEVER POSSIBLE.  THEY COULD ONLY PLACE THESE MOOSE IN CANADA, NEWFOUNDLAND OR NEW BRUNSWICK IN AROUND 2006.  THE ANIMALS ARE NOT ALBINO, BUT WHITE-HAIRED.  I GUESS THEY LACK THE RED EYES.

SNOPES PLACES THE SNOWY MOOSE PICS AT WESTERN U.S. OR CANADA IN 2009. 

SO THERE YOU HAVE IT, NO STORY BEHIND THEM.  JUST A COUPLE OF ANONYMOUS EMAILS!

Yarding deer

I always think of Ely or the north country when I think of deer "yarding up" in the winter.  They even have signs up there on the roads warning about deer yards.  But this winter was deep snow here and I'd dare say our deer have yarded up. 

I got a tip about a highly populated area.  So the whole family went for a drive the other night right before dark.  And we saw DEER!  Lots of deer.

I'm not sure how many we saw that night, but I'd guess around 100+.  We also saw a big flock of bearded turkeys!  They were so keen and ran off before I could snap a nice photograph. 

Crock Pot Venison

I love the idea of set it and forget it.  So today I'm featuring a crock pot recipe for Swiss Style Venison Steak.  The recipe comes out of the 2007 East Central PTO cookbook.

Start out with about a 2 pound venison roast.  Add some vege oil to a skillet and get that started heating up.

Cut it with a good sharp knife into thin slices.

Next you'll salt, pepper and flour each piece.  Brown each side. Meanwhile slice a big onion.

When they're just browned (not cooked all the way), remove them from the pan.  Add onions and fry them up.

Mix up your sauce while frying onions. 
*one can cream of mushroom soup
*1 Tblsp steak sauce
*1/2 cup broth

This is a lumpy sauce.  I put a little in the bottom of the crock pot. Then start with a layer of meat, then top it with some onions.  Repeat this until everything is stacked.  I had to make two stacks, so it wouldn't tip over.

Finally, top with the sauce.  I know, it looks gross.   IT'S NOT!

Leave cooking on low in the crock pot for about 8 hours. 

ZEON FUSION

CURIOSITY GOT THE BETTER OF ME.  I ORDERED THESE NEW VANES.

IT'S SOMETHING NEW FOR 2011.  ZEON FUSION 2.1" VANES  ARE MADE BY NORWAY INDUSTRIES.  THESE PUPPIES ARE SIMILAR TO FIBER OPTIC MATERIAL.  THEY ARE INTENDED TO ENHANCE ARROW VISIBILITY IN LOW LIGHT SHOOTING CONDITIONS.  I WAS SO CURIOUS ABOUT THESE, I JUST HAD TO HAVE THEM!  SO, WE'LL TEST THEM OUT AND KNOW WHAT TO TELL FOLKS COME HUNTING SEASON.  I LOVE LIGHTED NOCKS, BUT THIS WOULD BE EASIER & CHEAPER. 

THIS VIDEO GIVES AN ASSESSMENT

IF YOU'D LIKE INFORMATION DIRECTLY FROM NORWAY, CHECK OUT THIS LINK.

http://www.norwayindustries.com/products/zeon-fusion.aspx

Antlered does

It's a freaky subject.  But sometimes a doe can have antlers!

I love the joke from the movie Open Season "Half deer, half buck, I'M A DUCK!"

Here are the facts;
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/volunteer/mayjun04/fndoes.html



Kansas example;
http://www.buckmanager.com/2008/12/11/kansas-hunter-bags-an-antlered-27-point-doe/

Michigan;
http://www.fieldandstream.com/blogs/hunting/2010/11/michigan-hunter-bags-potential-record-antlered-doe

Texas;
http://www.texashuntfish.com/app/view/Post/17049/Rare-Deer-Antlered-Doe

Illinois;
http://www.prairiestateoutdoors.com/index.php?/pso/article/hunter_shoots_9-point_doe/

Wisconsin;
http://outdoornews.com/wisconsin/news/article_3066442e-027c-11e0-ae52-001cc4c002e0.html

West Virginia;
http://www.gilmerfreepress.net/index.php/site/comments/19-point_antlered_doe/

Pennsylvania;
http://sharonherald.com/homepage/x1208362583/Hermaphrodite-deer-bucks-trend?keyword=leadpicturestory

Florida;
http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/outdoors/hunting/article/florida-hermaphrodite-whitetail-stokes.html

The all time weirdest harvest goes to the 7 legged hermaphroditic deer from Wisconsin!  Just look at the creepy photograph below!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16210496/ns/us_news-weird_news/

Cub shooters banquet update

The Cub league shooters are done for the year.  The banquet was a fun way to end it, and we hope everyone had a great time.  The kids got a chance to shoot at some 3D animals, and practice scoring their shots. 

They also played tic-tac-toe, archery style!

The ping pong and ball bin balls were a HUGE hit.  Many kids were successful at this, which goes to show what great shots they've become!

Here is a super quick clip of a near hit on the floating ball they shot at. 

                                        
There were some great products donated by BOWTECH & HHA & PRIMOS.  Northridge gave out hats and we threw in a stabilizer and a folding hunting chair.  Check out the spread:

The trophies were awarded on Saturday also.  So we congratulate the winners!  They were well earned. 

I love the above photo, which features our only female Cub this year.  She used a recurve! 

Thanks to all the parents for bringing their kids faithfully each week.  We hope to see some of them throughout the summer at our 3D shoots.  Let's hope they all become ethical hunters someday and enjoy the sport of archery for a lifetime!

SKUNKED AGAIN!

Sunday, Feb. 27th I went out snowshoeing again for antlers.  No luck. Again.

I did, however, find lots of winter wonderland!  I just savor every moment in the woods, and find beauty and wonder in the oddest sights!

But back to shed hunting, I did see lots of deer sign.

There were lots of beds to check.

And I did manage to get one totally blurry pic of a whitetail!

But it didn't matter, because I was captivated by the river's beauty!

And I kid you not: I saw about 20 ducks!  Yes, on Feb. 27!  They flew off, and returned again shortly.  They must have been seeking other open water.

The tiny mice tracks made a nimble path near a spent wildflower.

And I was totally stoked to see where the otters had slid into the river!

Unfortunately, my camera would not focus on the other shore!