CALLING ELK BOW CLOSE

Whether hunting public or private land, the fundamentals of calling elk remain the same

By: Michael Waddell

We heard the bull bugle at first light and snuck into his core area. When I hit a lick on my bugle, the bull sim­ply came unglued and stormed our position like a tank, crashing through brush and small lodgepole pines like they were match­sticks. Before we could react he was in our lap and we were pinned down, myself hiding behind a camera, too afraid to even touch the tripod for fear of my shaking hands would run the footage. All I could see of my partner wedged against a stunted pine was the tip of his undrawn arrow shaking uncontrollably on the rest. Before a shot presented itself, the bull smelled a rat and disappeared as quickly as he arrived. While this experience didn’t result in a dead elk, it did hopelessly addict me to calling them.

 It seems that in all walks of life, be it the animal kingdom or humans, communication is a key ingredient for all social interac­tion. However not all living things communicate to the same degree. If you ask my wife, I am sure she will tell you I lack in the communication department, in fact I am sure she believes I don’t listen to her at all, but when it comes to communicating with animals I can barely shut up. Of all the animals I love to communicate with elk rate right at the top.

 By nature elk are very vocal. The uninitiated often simply think of bulls bugling, but cows, calves and bulls make all sorts of noises year around. If you encounter a larger herd of elk while you might not hear a thing from a distance, if you get close you will hear lots of subtle vocalization. Most of the time these are sounds of contentment, but depending on what’s happening the vocalization reflects it. Elk can convey contentment, danger, curiosity, or a cow in heat. Bulls for instance only bugle primar­ily in the rut, but they also communicate to establish a pecking order. After spending a considerable amount of time chasing the mighty wapiti, I’m convinced every elk in the herd knows each other by sound alone. This happens with the cows as well as the bulls and based on my evaluation somewhere in this mix is the deadly secret to calling elk archery-close.

Imitation Is The Sincerest Form Of Flattery

It seems that the more vocal a herd the better the odds are for success at calling them. Some cows call subtle, while others are loud-mouth ladies actively looking for a date. By listening it gives you a better opportunity to imitate the particular tones and intensity of the herd.

Master the cow call and you will call in elk bow-close. Use the bugle to locate as well as seal the deal on an aggressive bull.

By calling we are automatically intruding into the social club without an invitation. The closer we can sound to a known elk, and match that intensity the better the odds are of filling a tag. Even though we may sound like an outsider to the herd, luckily for us, love crazed bulls are not looking to be intimate with just one or two cows they are looking for all the love of every cow in the world, so taking advantage of their sexual frustrations and promiscuity is what we aim to do.

It doesn’t take a world champion elk caller to trick bulls within range. By simply paying attention to the herd and under­standing simple elk rhythm, tone and more important volume when calling, a hunter can depend on an elk call to be a valuable asset to dulling broadheads.

Public Versus Private Land

Since I started hunting elk 16 years ago, on private as well as public ground, I have realize that comparing these two  different types of ground are like comparing night and day and it is all about the amount of pressure each receives. Generally speaking private ground bulls are way easier to call than public ground animals, but this is not always the case. Some private land does get a lot of pressure, which can make for some pretty tough calling duels with elk that can serve you up a humble pie every time you bust out a call. While conversely some public land either through sheer remoteness or hard-to-get tags is like calling the best private land in the nation.

Hunting un-touched land and cow calling to bulls that have never heard a Hoochie Mamma would obviously be nice and it wouldn’t take long work­ing over these uneducated elk to start feeling like an elk calling pro only to be deflated the first time we went to the national forest and mixed it up with bulls so well-known by local hunters that they have knick names. However, regardless of where you hunt the basics of calling remain the same.

Start with mastering the cow call and all its various inflections. Your basic reed type calls are the easiest to learn as well as get proficient with. You will find two kinds; both are bite down reed-type of calls, one being enclosed and the other having an open reed or reeds. These calls make a very realistic sound and before your wife can run you out of the house you will master the basics.

I rely heavily on the cow call and think most of the time hunters are better off sticking with it over a bugle no matter where he is hunting. But learning how to make a basic bugle is important, especially for locating bulls at a distance before getting close and working him with your cow call. In addition, sometimes it is the bugle that finally provokes a dominant bull to commit, especially during the early season when bulls are still sorting out their peckin’ order.

Earning Your Public Ground PhD

Lets face it, unless you have deep pockets much of the private ground in the West is pretty much off limits, so you have to learn to hunt public land. This is not a bad thing as public ground comprises millions upon millions of acres across the West and happens to have some of the biggest bulls found anywhere. While it can be tougher than private, once you learn how to hunt it you won’t be disappointed. Over the years, one of my favorite places to hunt is the Gila National Forest, in New Mexico, and even though this is a trophy area tags are fairly obtainable through application.

The “Professor”, Waddell’s largest bull came from the Gila National Forest in New Mexico. Public land bulls like this can be call shy and may require some double teaming with a separate caller to fool.

In the Gila, the trophy potential is off the chart, sporting some of the biggest bulls in the country, but just because the big ones live there doesn’t mean that you automatically make one call and they come running to get in the back of your truck. These mature jokers have a PhD in avoiding hunters.

Over the last six years I have hunted this area religiously and have had the op­portunity to shoot some nice bulls all by using elk calls as an aid to close the coffin.

Notice I said, “as an aid”, meaning the call was just one thing in a bag of tricks to help smoke these monarchs. My biggest bull that came out of the Gila was a 378 P&Y bull that had earned the name Professor because he always seemed to take you to school when you applied too much pressure. However, this bull was vocal and would bugle his butt off. He also seemed to be fairly easy to find, not only by his gnarly, raspy bugle that set him apart, but frequently he could be found early in the morning in a large meadow just south of a particular water hole that always attracted a large herd.

The Professor was not the only bull in the area that had large headgear, but it was The Professor that seemed to call the shots. I had caught this bull in the open several times, but calling seemed to really make him uneasy when you were in close. The Professor however would bugle hard to distant cow calls and seem to be whole heartedly interested, but had a sixth sense when you moved in for the attack.

Finally we decided to have a caller stay behind as we worked him coming off the meadow at daybreak. By doing this we could keep him interested and bugling as we stalked in closer. The caller always was no closer than 80 yards behind me. While the caller kept him occupied, I slid within 50 yards and gave him a G5 Tekan right behind the shoulder. This hunt was really a stalk, but the call and caller had a big part to do with his demise. Once we started quartering the bull up, we found a piece of an old arrow lodged just below the backstraps, so obviously someone had him in close before and gave the Prof and education, which explained why he was so wary.

The Double Team

As this old bull showed, hunting with a partner can work extremely well. It not only puts the hunter out in front of the call, but it gives the hunter a chance to move and adjust the angle based on where the bull might be ap­proaching. Likewise, the caller has the flexibility to move as well and apply a lot of different calling techniques.

This public land bull didn’t sound like much when he bugled, but he turned out to be a lot better of a bull when he responded to some subtle calling and snuck into 16 yards.

The double team plan worked again on another hunt. It had been hot and the bulls were only bugling early and late. As soon as the sun would rise the elk woods would turn in to a ghost town.

Just after daybreak on the fourth day of our hunt we heard this bull bugle. He hit it only two times, both very weak and he sounded like the littlest rag horn in the land but with no other game in town we went after him. Getting as close as pos­sible to where we thought the bugle came from I eased up and sat down by a pine stump while my buddy moved back and to my right about 40 yards. Neither of us were very optimistic about our chances. My buddy made one or maybe two very soft cow calls on a two reed diaphragm then he started raking a tree and rolled a few rocks. We sat there for possibly 10 minutes in silence, then out of nowhere appeared a wide 340 inch 6 x 6 coming directly to us, at 25 yards the bull let out a soft chuckle, looked over his surround­ing and kept walking in the direction of where the last rock had been rolled, which led him 16 steps from my pine stump. By now I was at full draw waiting for a broadside shot. When the arrow left my bow, I knew we had killed a call shy monster by keeping it low key and stay­ing patient. Needless to say, I was never convinced by the two times he had bugled earlier that he was a shooter. This was a lesson in itself. Never judge a bugle until you can see what is making the sound.

The most exciting way to bag a bull elk is to get him in close, and the best way to do that is with a call. Confidence in your call is critical, because if you’re insecure about using your call there is a good chance you will spook elk. Have confi­dence in your calling ability and become just another elk in the herd where you are hunting. Find a call that works for you and not what works for some else. Think like an elk and do as elk do. Real­ism, rhythm, and volume control can make the difference between bringin’ them in or running them over the next ridge. And remember its not always about calling, it can be just patiently listening to the sounds around you and applying minimal calls, while practicing good woodsmenship, and stalking skills that could help you put that monster on the back of the truck.

http://www.petersenshunting.com  

I never realize how time consuming filming for a TV show could be. As I watch the shows on the Sportsman’s channel and other hunting channels, I have always thought “It would be so cool to do what they are doing hunting all the time. I now realize it’s not quite as easy as it looks.

I never dreamt I would have the chance to be on a show and now that I am I have tons of stuff to work around.

As most of you know I have a two year old that I have to find a babysitter for, just to get out hunting. I also have to work around my husband Tom’s schedule, my partner Kale’s schedule, Joe’s schedule (my camera guy), his wife’s schedule and their kids’ schedules! Sometimes it is a miracle when all things align and we actually get out into the stand.

All in all it has still been a really fun season with some great footage. Hope you all join us this season on the Sportsman’s channel for the Battle of the B.O.W the end of Dec. We will be on Tuesday nights at 7:30 CT. If you haven’t done so also join us on www.wisconsinoutdoorsnetwork.com and add Team HuntingLife as a friend. Then you can vote for us once the show starts!

Find more videos like this on Wisconsin Outdoors Network

REVOLUTIONARY TEAM HUNTRESS OUTDOOR ADVENTURE CLINIC

COMBINES OUTDOOR INSTRUCTION WITH THE PAMPERING WOMEN LOVE

Just because a woman wants to learn outdoors skills doesn’t mean she wants to stop being a woman. That’s why Team Huntress created the Outdoor Adventure Clinic, a revolutionary three-day event that caters to women who want to learn or expand on their outdoor skills while enjoying beautiful accommodations, spa treatments and the camaraderie of like-minded women.

Following the resounding success of its inaugural Outdoor Adventure Clinic for women June 12-14 at the Pheasant Phun/OJ Bar Ranch in Hitchcock, S.D., Team Huntress has announced plans for its second clinic to be held at the beautiful Buffalo County Outfitters in Mondovi, Wisconsin Aug. 21 -22 - 23. 2009.

The Outdoor Adventure Clinic offers training in archery, firearms, wildlife photography, gear and survival skills from the expert Team Huntress staff of prominent women hunters while a team of clinicians offers the kind of pampering women love: massages, facials, foot rubs, nature walks and wine tasting.

Because the majority of the teaching staff is female, the environment is particularly welcoming for women who are interested in learning outdoor skills, but intimidated by the overwhelmingly male nature of the shooting sports. Team Huntress understands that women want and need a supportive and pleasant environment for learning - no ribbing about missed shots, no competitive bravado, no substandard accommodations that make a woman cringe.

That formula - instruction, female staff and pampering - proved highly effective at the inaugural Team Huntress Outdoor Adventure Clinic at Pheasant Phun in June. Women who’d never fired a gun felt secure taking those first steps and found they really enjoyed what they were learning. By the end of the weekend, participants were abuzz about the shooting sports and the new friendships they’d formed.

The Team Huntress Outdoor Adventure Clinic is the ideal gift, whether it’s a woman treating herself to something she deserves, or an outdoorsman who’s been looking for a way to bring his wife, daughter or girlfriend into the lifestyle he loves.

Team Huntress Wisconsin Outdoor Adventure Clinic

Empowering Women for Outdoor Success

DATE: August 20. 21, 22,& 23, 2009

 SPACE IS LIMITED: Only 20 Participants; Call today!

LOCATION: Buffalo County Outfitters, Mondovi, WI 54738  

FOR: Women ages 18 and over who want to learn or expand their outdoor skills 

BY: Team Huntress, an expert staff of prominent women hunters and outdoor enthusiast including Terri Lee Pocernich Camp Wild Girls, Kirstie Pike Prois Hunting Apparel, Barbara Baird the Women’s Outdoor News, Stacey and “Hawk” Huston A Focus in the Wild, Holly Heyser NorCal Cazadora, Jane Keller Team Huntress

 INSTRUCTION: Archery, firearms, gear, wildlife photography  

SPA SERVICES: Massage, facials, foot rubs, nature walk, wine tasting

ACCOMMODATIONS: 2-3 women per room, 5 full bathrooms, spacious great room

TRAVEL: Mondovi is 25 miles south of Eau Claire, 1 hour and ½ from MSP airport; pick-up and drop-off will be offered on the 20th & 23 if August. 

COST: $995 - includes instruction, meals, spa treatment, gifts from sponsors (clothing, skin care, and food), lodging and transport two and from airport for those who fly in. 

SHOPPING: Women’s hunting apparel from Prois, Camp Wild Girls will be available for purchase at discount Team Huntress rates. The Team Huntress camp store will be open.

# # #

CONTACT: Team Huntress founder Jane Keller, jane.keller@yahoo.com, 605-450-0931

I often see hunters, that wait until their children are “old enough”, to take them out in the woods. I feel this is a big mistake. My kids went with from us from day 1.

I have never let having little ones stop me from enjoying the great outdoors. I just adapt to bringing the child in the woods. For me this often means bringing the diaper bag along with snacks and drinks and toys to keep the little one busy.

My youngest, has been riding with us in the Rhino, to check deer stands and enjoy nature, since she was 2 months old. We buckle her car seat right into the ATV. She loves riding through the woods and seeing all of the things in the outdoors.

Children love to explore and see all the things in the woods. Touching the leaves and climbing the rocks, looking at the sky and clouds, and especially seeing all the animals with them is such a blast.  On our rides or walks will often see deer, birds, turkeys, mice, snakes, and occasionally a bear. Little kids get so excited when they see animals. We can teach them right at this point, that we have to be quiet or we will scare the animals.

My older kids were always in the woods playing in the woods. (For those that don’t know me, I had 3 kids in 3 ½ yrs, and then 19 ½ yrs later, had one more.) They even came back to the house with what they thought was a great big set of “sheds”. They were absolutely ecstatic at their priceless find! You couldn’t wipe the smiles off of those beaming little faces!

In reality, it was my first 10 point buck. A bear had stolen the rack and scull a couple of weeks earlier from the top of the old truck. They happily chopped the scull in half with their little hatchet, making it easier to carry, and brought it to me announcing… “Mom, mom, look at these sheds we found!” to which I sadly sighed and answered. “Good find kids, but sheds don’t have the sculls attached!” Oh well, they thought themselves pretty cool, and I would never have had it back if they hadn’t found it!

As they grew older we started taking them with us hunting. It was usually a frustrating yet rewarding day, when we would take one or two of them with us. (One per adult) Those of you, that have taken kids with you, know exactly what I mean. Children don’t have much of an attention span and usually get bored easily. Holding still, well that is almost impossibility.

I remember having my oldest daughter with on the stand one time (we group hunt, stand one drive one). I had her sitting slightly behind me next to a tree. I was trying to minimize her movement and desperately hoping that she might even fall asleep. First came the breaking of the logs. Ok they were little twigs, but they sound mighty big when you want the cherub to be quiet.

I told her, “be quiet and sit still”. She replied, “I can’t see.” So I answered back, “Alright stand up very slowly and quietly so you can see”. Of course she jumped up quickly and not so quietly.

I waited and watched, even knowing nothing would be coming my way. There was still a lot of movement behind me. I whispered again very sternly this time, emphasizing each word, “What, is, wrong? To which she replied, “I still can’t see!” At this point I turned around to see what was going on. There she was, with her orange stocking cap pulled clear down over her eyes, and moving her head back and forth like Stevie Wonder!

Now this story would be really very comical, if she had been four, but she was twelve (ok it is still funny). I was really not amused, but I couldn’t help but laugh. I realized at that moment that it didn’t really matter. There would be other chances to see deer, and that that day was about learning and having fun together and fun we had. (We did however have a discussion later about the importance of being quiet and staying still while hunting.)

Things like this are going to happen when you take kids into the woods, they are just learning and exploring. Like any other skill, while they are being introduced to kids need to, and will make mistakes! How we respond to those mistakes will determine if our kids continue hunting or not. Our attitude is everything!

I have seen kids that have not been in the woods much when they were young and when they finally are allowed to go it is very hard for child, as well as their parents because they have not been taught how to act in the woods. It is much easier to teach them when they are young. I have also seen kids that were brought into the woods very early, and those kids are as comfortable in the woods as any experienced hunter. Sometimes they even teach me a thing or two! It makes a huge difference.

Is it easy to take kids into the woods? No, absolutely not. I am not saying you have to take them every time.  No, there are definitely times when it is not appropriate. As parents we know our kids and what they can handle, but don’t leave them out just because it is easier for you.  They are our future and it is well worth the hard work, taking them with when they are young. You will teach them skills that will last a lifetime and build memories that will amuse you forever!

Monday was just one of those days. You know the kind I am talking about. You get up in the morning and wish you hadn’t!

The day started out with the typical Monday morning flurry of phone calls. Now Tali, is not a very patient two year old (patient 2 year old would be an oxy-moron), and she wanted her breakfast right now. So we got her made her some “wheat”, (maple flavored cream of wheat) and got her settled into the highchair. The whole time, I was speaking to a potential product sponser, with the phone tucked into my shoulder, as I so often do.

At this point I was no longer giving my cherub my full attention. I continued talking with the gentleman, as Tali was making raspberry sounds with her “wheat” in the background. I am most certain that the potential sponser was thouroughly impressed by my professional ablility, to completely ignore what was going on, in the background.

As I was finishing that conversation, I heard, “Uh Oh mommy, mess!” You guessed it “wheat all over her, her hair, the highchair, wall and floor! No problem, I can handle this! I take another phone call while I clean up the sticky mess, put child into the tub, and answer questions for a potential client.

Wow, I think I am doing great, until I heard that sweet innocent voice announce, “Uh Oh, momma, poop…float!” to which the client bursts out laughing, while I am apologizing profusely and asking him if I can call him back in a couple of minutes! I am sure he was also impressed with my professional manor!

O.K. dry off the rug-rat, get diaper on, get her dressed and clean out the tub. Throw the new birthday movie, into the VCR we are good to go for a while. I finished the call with the client who was very understanding and quite amused.  The morning finished pretty smoothly.

Lunch went by, pretty uneventfully too and lulled me into a temporary but peaceful existence. It is now naptime for Tali and I am excited to get back to my work! With her asleep I can really accomplish something, without being interrupted to go monster dance or stack blocks only to knock them back down.

Day is looking better and then…unexpected company shows up! I now have to entertain, because her husband dropped her off for a visit! (I am at home all day anyway, Lol)

No big deal, I will work later this afternoon! Two hour naptime is over, the company is still here, and the phone is still ringing! Frazzled is beginning to take on a whole new meaning! Finally, company returns home and we eat supper, a very uneventful boring supper! (I like it).

Hubby calls from out of town, and during the course of the conversation says “You, really need to get a ‘real job’!” (If this isn’t real honey, get me out of this dream! Lol) Now, I know what he meant was, that I should get paid for what I do, but on that particular day, in my state of mind, his choice of words could have been a little bit better chosen!

Loosing my patience fast, I know it is time to go outside, shoot the bow and blow off a little steam! Shooting my bow always makes me feel better! It’s a beautiful calm evening and Tali and I go outside. She is playing so nicely on the deck, and as I unzip the case I hear that sweet little voice saying once again…Uh Oh mommy…mess! I look inside my bow case and she has hit it right on. Mess.

A critter had chewed its way through the nylon zipper of the case and made a nest inside. I gingerly removed the unoccupied nest and took my bow out to examine it. Wouldn’t you know it, those dirty little mice had chewed my sting, which was now unsafe to shoot.

I just sat down and started laughing. Tali and I laughed until she got the hiccups. I guess the site of mommy loosing it was quite amusing to her! My dad always told me…”cheer up things could get worse,…and sure enough you cheered up, and they got worse”.

We finally decided to go inside and get ready for bed, knowing that the next day would be better. As I started to drift off to sleep, I could smell the unmistakable odor of our former, under-the-garage occupants. Can you believe it, the skunks were returning home after being gone for weeks!

Favre comes to Hunting Camp

There are two things in Northern WI that you will never change. Rifle season is Holy week and, we love the Green Bay Packers.  So the year that we got the word that Brett Favre was coming to camp, it was like a dream come true for our hunting crew.

It started off as a usual hunting season. Our group is to big to house in one place, so the Adermans and the Koels, stay at their shack (a.k.a the “Happy Family Cabin”) which is just down the road from our shack (a.k.a. my aunts basement). The rest of the guys i.e. the two Patko families, live in the area and stay at their homes. On the Friday before season, it is a tradition that we all converge on the “Happy Family Cabin” to have a few beers, (third thing about WI, we love beer) catch up on what everyone has been doing throughout the year, and strategize about where we will be going the next morning. We generally hunt on land that is owned by Butch Johnson of Johnson Timber and Futurewood, and it adjoins the Summit Lake Game Farm which is also owned by Johnson.

6:00 p.m. rolls around and the people in the crew start arriving. The regular banter is going on and guys/gals are greeting each other. The noise level is at a dull roar. Hunters/Huntresses are almost giddy as “the season” starts the next. The young guys are scrapping in the yard and burning off some of the extra energy they have. There’s lots of handshakes and backslapping going on. It is the normal, total chaotic transition, but everyone loves it. We have waited an entire year for this week.

By now, everyone that is old enough, has found their favorite flavor of beer (another thing about WI we love our beer) and is settling in for the big “discussion”. It most always starts out the same way each year. Someone, out of respect, starts by asking the “Grey Beards”, where they would like to start in the morning. They usually defer to the younger, 40 something “salt and pepper” group, stating they are just glad to be in the woods and don’t really care. DJ Aderman, President for Futurewood Corp, a division of Johnson Timber, normally gives the status on the land that adjoins the perimeter of Summit Lake Game Farm, and what parts we are permitted to hunt on, what is expected of us,  and what they have been seeing throughout the fall. This year, he had a unmistakably mischievous grin on his face and little twinkle in his eye that could not go undetected.

He started out giving us his diclaimer, and the following news. ”I can’t say for sure, but there is a chance, that Brett Favre, Mark Chamura, and Jeff Dellenbach of the Green Bay Packers, as well as WI Gov. Tommy Thompson, may be hunting at Summit Lake after the Packer/Viking game on Sunday”. He went on to say, that “Butch Johnson, the owner of Summit Lake Game Farms and Johnson Timber, is probably going to invite us to do some drives in the farm area and meet the guys. However it cannot be made public until after it happens.”

At first we were simply stunned. Sitting ther silently wondering, is he joking? Then all hell broke loose, every adult in the room turn into a little kid, chattering and gigling about the news we had received. Unbelievable, we are going to get to meet Brett Favre and hunt with him. I don’t know who was more excited, the kids or the “Grey Beards”! I do know, however, that nobody slept and it dang near killed everyone not to tell!

Season continued, and we did our usual hunting, harvesting several nice bucks and waiting for the big day to arrive. Finally, we get the word that they would like us to be there on Tuesday.

Monday night I know nobody slept again . Tuesday morning we headed down to Summit Lake. It is about a twenty minute ride from where we meet in the morning. We arrived very early, with our parade of 8 or so 4 wheel drive pickup trucks, to the parking lot at the Summit Lake game farm. We stood around in nervous silence pacing or kicking stones with our feet. We felt like bunch of little kids waiting to see Santa. In the meantime DJ checked went into the lodge to check out the situation. One of the guys looked at me with a very confused look and said “Are you wearing…make-up?” something that was unusual for me while hunting. I retorted back, “Of course I am, are you stupid! We are going to meet Brett Favre!” That started the others rolling and seemed to beak the tension a bit.

 My sister Lori and I went in first and were introduced to Favre, Dellenbach and Thompson. Chamura had been injured and had to leave to go to physical therapy.  Favre’s hair was a mess and he was wearing jeans and a shirt with cut off sleeves. He looked just like anyone else would, in the morning, at hunting camp. (This was back in his drinking days and they had gone out on the town the night before, but that is a whole different story).

We started chatting with him and what amazed me immediately,was that he was just an ordinary guy, just joking around. (Except that he is Brett and he is gorgeous! Lol) Everyone then walked out to the parking lot and Brett was introduced to the rest of the crew. Mysteriously people had Packer shirts and souvenir with them, stuffed in pockets and behind truck seats, and he graciously signed them. We took lots of group photos and joked around for a short time.

Brett and the other guys were loaded up in trucks and SUV’s to go out to the stands, while we did drives on the property to encourage the deer to head their direction for the remainder of the day. After a fun day of hunting we headed back to the lodge. The only one that had had a successful deer hunt was Favres agent, and he took a doe.

Brett’s hair still a mess, he was now in a blaze orange jacket and was chowing on, as he put it “some pretty good dingle-berry pie”. There were lots of snacks and more WI beverages while we all sat around and listened to, or told stories about the hunt. It was pretty much like every other night after hunting hours only way different! Brett listened and laughed and told his stories right along with the rest of us.

Soon the  local game warden arrived. She had heard that Favre was there so she just happened to stop by to check the game tags on deer and register them. She also wanted her picture taken with the quarterback and he obliged. He would not however wear the handcuff she asked him to wear. As he was standing there just after the picture, he turned and looked straight-faced at one of the guys and said “Hey Roscoe, what did you do with that bear you shot today?” He knew full well it is illegal to take a bear during deer season and that the warden would start questioning the poor guy!

Well the whole group including Brett, errupted in a fit of laughter, while Roscoe sat there stammering and stuttering and trying to explain to the warden that there was no bear, nor had there ever been one, and he certainly hadn’t shot one! That was a moment that is forever etched in our minds. He was just like one of us!

He continued to sign autographs on shirts, dollar bills, back tags, hats and whatever else we could come up with til late in the evening. He was such fun to get to know as a person and never acted like he was any better than any of us. His attitude of having fun and being able to relate, is the reason so many Packer Fans fell in love with him. He is just one of the guys.

The smiles on the faces of our crew were priceless. That day forever seared into our memories. He is welcome to come anytime and hunt with us or just shoot the bull (not the bear). We have many great pictures and very fond memories of the day “Brett Favre came to hunting camp!

Well I have finally decompressed from the fantastic TeamHuntress weekend that Jane Keller put on at Pheasant Phun, in South Dakota, hosted by Dave Olsen. I have never, in my life, had such a wonderful time, with a bunch of women.

Team Huntress Family

Life for, me, has forever changed. I was the first to arrive at the TeamHuntress event and as I met each woman that arrived there, I knew something was different. I immediately started to connect with each of the gals arriving. We all had so much in common that it felt like we had known each other for a lifetime. I didn’t have to try to explain my love for the outdoors, the others felt that way too.

Growing up I always had more guy friends, than girlfriends. Not that the girls I knew weren’t great, they were just not interested in hunting and fishing and being outdoors, like I was. I related more to what the guys were talking about. Things like, where the big bucks had been seen, or what kind of food they were eating. I hated going shopping, and didn’t really get into things like home parties, or doing your hair and makeup, etc. Participating in such things, for me, was usually agonizing. On the other hand, as I grew older, a lot of my guy friends’ wives, didn’t exactly want me to go hunting with their husbands anymore.

I started to realize I was gaining a new “family” or “Sisterhood” as northern California girl, Holly Heyser from Norcal Cazador Blog calls it. For me, someone who has lots of girlfriends, that she doesn’t have much in common with, it was an unbelievable experience.

We had a great mix of personalities. Joining us from the state of Colorado, were Kirstie Pike of Prois Hunting Apparel, Anne Vinnola from Colorado Institute of Taxidermy Training Inc., Big Timber South Taxidermy Studio and Annie Got Her Gun, along with Gina Pollard who is an up and coming huntress. Wyoming brought to us, wildlife photographer Stacey Huston, author of , A Focus in the Wild, and her Husband Mike “Hawk” Huston from “Journey with RedHawk“. (O.k. he’s not a girl but he has a great respect for women with weapons!). Joining us from Missouri was Barbara Baird, with “Women’s Outdoor News” and “The WOMA“, as well as her husband, and gentleman photographer, Jason Baird. Our mother daughter team, Janice McKenney and Marin Broucek , along with Julie Rozell all from joined us from South Dakota and all fantastic outdoorswomen. Last, but not least, Realtree’s Lynn Pankey from Alabama finished the mix.

Our mornings started us out with some social time or yoga followed by a tasty but healthy breakfast. Directly after that, was either some kind of fun skills in the outdoors or an interesting presentation indoors, depending on the weather.

It was hard to tell who was supposed to be the teacher, and who was there as a student. Everyone had very interesting experiences to share. I don’t think any one person walked away without having been both, a teacher and a student, at one point in the weekend. If one person was an expert in something, there was someone else, wanting to try it and to learn it. Others were practicing and the skills they already had.  Fresh eyes and new perspective were just what was needed to hone them. Without pressure or preconceived expectations, it was, for the most part, gals helping gals. Occasionally the guys added their perspective, but never in a demeaning or “better than you” way. They always treated us as equals and as skilled outdoorswomen.

We learned about archery with longbows and compound bows. We gained shooting skills in both handguns and shotguns. GPS, optics, gear, safety, emergency care, field dressing for taxidermy, native wildlife to South Dakota, we learned it all and just when you thought there couldn’t be anything more, there was.

At the end of the day we would come into the beautifully decorated lodge and be treated to fabulous food(Thanks to Annie and staff!), incredible massages, refreshing facials, marvelous manicures, soothing foot massages, outstanding wine-tasting,  and a relaxing social time. To top it all off there would be gifts on our pillows.

I mean cool gifts, like camo t-shirts, hats and videos, nutritious bars, scent-free personal care items, leather journals or gift certificates, and everyday there was something new and special waiting on your bed when you arrived there. I have never been that pampered before, ever. I didn’t even know how much I would like all those things. I am now ruined for life. I tried it all and found out, I like it!

Most of all, I will never forget the unbelievable time I had at TeamHuntress. The special feeling of knowing I had been accepted. That becoming part of an unbelievable group of gals, with whom I have so much in common, will far outlast any of the skills that I gained. I have never before felt that way.

I can’t explain my new found self confidence, my improved self esteem and the feeling of empowerment that I left there with. Those things will never be taken from me. It is not something money can buy.  It was a weekend that, for me, was simply…priceless!

A Special thank you to those who donated our gifts!

Haley Vines: www.haleyvines.com/

Hahn Creek: http://www.hahncreekwinery.com/

Realtree: http://www.realtree.com/

Prois: http://www.proishunting.com/

Camp Wild Girls:  http://www.campwildgirls.com/

Tanka Bar: http://www.tankabar.com/

Berdette Zastrow: Women’s Guide to Hunting

Faini Designs: http://www.fainidesigns.com/

Doeville:  http://www.doeville.com/

NEWS RELEASE
HuntingLife.com is Pleased to Announce Huntress Terri Lee Pocernich as the Newest Addition to their Pro-Staff.
Terri Lee Pocernich, founder of CampWildGirls.com and resident of Ashland, WI joins HuntingLife.com’s pro-staff.
Fredericksburg, VA June 16 2009: HuntingLife.com the world’s best outfitter directory and International source for hunting news welcomes Terri Lee Pocernich, Founder of CampWildGirls.com, to their pro-staff. Pocernich is an avid huntress and outdoor writer.
“We are extremely excited to have Terri Lee as a part of our team and representing our entire Pro Staff Team in the “Battle of the Bow” in Wisconsin,” stated Kevin Paulson, Founder of HuntingLife.com. “Terri Lee’s passion for introducing women and youth to the hunting, outdoor and conservation world is infectious and we are honored to have her as a part of our team. Terri Lee’s writing on our Pro Staff Journal will serve to inspire and educate others in the world of hunting, fishing, conservation and the passions and traditions of family and the outdoors.”
Terri Lee (Clark) Pocernich, originally from Hayward, Wisconsin and currently of Ashland, enjoys hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. Terri Lee has been an avid rifle hunter, chasing whitetail for almost 24 years and has harvested many deer through the years. Terri Lee recently stepped into the bow hunting arena and has successfully arrowed her first buck. Turkey hunting, grouse hunting, and fishing are a few other outdoor activities she enjoys. Terri Lee, is the wife of an avid hunter, mother to three grown children and one busy toddler, and she recently became grandma to two fantastic grandchildren.
Terri Lee started her own hunting and fishing resource site for “Women of the Wild” called CampWildGirls.com. She blogs at www.skinnymoose.com/campwildgirls, and writes articles for “Women’s Outdoor News”, “The Women’s Outdoor Media Association” and “Base Camp Legends.com”. Pocernich continues to empower women through TeamHuntress events around the country. Terri Lee is a member of the NRA and Whitetails Unlimited. Along with her youngest son Kale Williamson, the two will be representing Team HuntingLife.com in the Battle of the B.O.W., on WisconsinOutdoorsNetwork.com. She will be an active part of our business team as well.
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Fredericksburg, VA, HuntingLife.com’s conservation commitment is the strongest in the industry! We are an international resource for hunters and wildlife conservationists. We offer value across the board from our sponsors, outfitters, advertisers and most especially our readers. For more information you can contact us at: www.huntinglife.com

In this day, some say sex sells everything. I have been involved in some interesting discussions with both men and women about that very subject. We discussed such things as hunting or fishing product and sites using “Booth Babes” and scantily dressed women, to promote their products and or some of their outdoors sites.

Websites, and companies that say they are now welcoming and encouraging women and kids into their outdoor community, are using these beautiful half naked girls to sell their sites/products to whom? I know as a woman it just irritates me and I certainly would not send the kids to get a peek!

I have found some really great websites that I would like to frequent, and because of these pictures, I do not. In turn I don’t promote these sites to anyone else either, male or female. I would like to join the e-mail updates on one website, but I am afraid I will get the “Model of the Year Calendar”. In turn I will not stop at the booths, featuring half-dressed, well endowed bimbos that know nothing about hunting or fishing, at the trade shows, no matter how great their products are. It’s so demeaning.

It’s not that these girls aren’t beautiful, they certainly are gorgeous. I am sure a lot of these “chicks” work very hard or pay dearly to have bodies like that. These pictures would be great shots for Maxum or some other men’s fantasy magazines.

It’s that women have worked so hard to be seen and treated as equals in our industry and it is like a slap in the face to see how some companies still portray the women that hunt or fish. These pictures do not encourage women to participate in the outdoors. It sends a message that women are only good at one thing, and it isn’t our sport. More times than not those using this selling tactic turn away a good majority of the women they are trying to recruit to use their sites or products. These customers leave in silence never to return.

Women usually don’t want to make waves so they stay quiet even when offended. They do however, keep it stored away. I happen to be one of the more vocal women about this subject, and when I mentioned it on Twitter, it started a “flurry of fury”. On this particular day these gals had had enough and all that had been stored came brewing out.

On the other hand, I had some of the men say to me “They didn’t hold a gun to her head” or “You’re just jealous.” Those guys are missing the point. I agree that those girls have every right to sell their goods to anyone who wants buy them. Am I jealous? Sure, I would love to still have the body I had at their age. But the point is, even when I had a body like that, nobody ever knew it, when I was hunting or fishing! It’s about hunting and fishing not the “chick”!

I don’t want to look at women in bikinis or underwear, making women that hunt and fish look stupid, every time I check out new hunting gear or go to chat with someone that hunts. This is what real women hunters look like! http://www.campwildgirls.com/Womens_Hunting_Photo_Album.php

I know that this post may upset some people that like the “Booth Babes” and the risque pictures and…Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn!

I have a great friend that sums up the feelings of many “silent” people on this matter. Many thanks to Mike “Hawk” Huston for going to bat for us! Ladies and Gentlemen Please at http://highcountryarcher.blogspot.com/