2009 Deerassic Classic scheduled for August 7 & 8th in Cambridge, Ohio

Tickets currently on sale now

Gander Mountain Main Stage will present Sammy Kershaw,Ruff Creek and Aaron Tippin

Visit website for more details and check back with HER OUTDOORS for more info to come!

www.deerassic.com

Come and visit the Ohio Deer & Turkey Expo

 in Columbus, Ohio with me March 20-22 2009 !

For more info on the Expo visit www.deerinfo.com and click on the Ohio link!

Hope to see you there!

Antler Addiction

By  Jacob Barnett

Well here it is! The time of year all of you hardcore whitetail fanatics have been waiting for since the 2008-2009 season has came to a close back on the 15th of January. Today is February 5th, and the deer are starting to shed there antlers here in the Midwest. The passion and drive too find a monster set of sheds in this area is an addiction all hardcore hunters have this time of year!
Everyone of us has a drive to pick up antlers this time of year, some more than others ! My brother, Scott, and I have been shed hunting for quite some time know and we cover a lot of ground this time of year. Some of the bucks in the area are holding there wonderful headgear, but yet some are letting it hit the ground so shed fanatics like us can go around and try to pick them up before the squirrels do some damage too them. Scott and I were picking sheds up in Pike County on January 24th . The bucks over there seem to drop a little earlier than they do in the other parts of Illinois.
How do you find Antler Sheds? This is a question that I am asked over and over. There are guys and gals out there that ask me how I pick up so much bone (antlers) every Spring. They can walk there boots off and not pick anything up all year or maybe pick one or two up in a year. My theory is, you have to know your areas and the deer that use it. Eyesight is another major key to finding these magnificent pieces of antler laying in the grass or in a standing stalk field. For instance, my brother and I will train our eyes at the beginning of the year with some sheds we have picked up in the past . We will go to the woods or a grass patch and one of us will go hide the sheds in the area using the same scenario as it would be us out there looking along trails and bedding areas. This gets our eyes trained and ready to go out and look for the real thing. Shed antler eyes are like your morel mushroom eyes. You develop the same thing in your mind.
Walking Food Sources.
Another Key to our success is late season food sources. If you can drive around food sources, such as food plots, standing cornstalk fields, bean stubble fields, or even some hay fields. Go take a drive around those areas and see what is out there in the evenings feeding. A lot of bucks are rebounding from the rut and need to replenish there body weight. We walk a lot of trails from the food source to back to the bedding areas also. The trails that skirt the edge of the fields are also hot spots for picking up bone (antlers).  Another spot we try and concentrate on are south facing hillsides with food somewhere close around. The deer seem to like these spots because they are out of the bone chilling north or northwest winds we tend to have this time of year and the southern sun can keep them warm. Concentrate on major trails that have fence jumps on them. Creek crossings are also good areas to pick up bone(antlers). We also spend a lot of time in waterways which are the low spots in the fields. The deer tend too like these spots because they are out of the wind and out of sight from us hunters.
Carrying a good pair of binoculars is also a key to our success in the field for picking up shed antlers. A good pair of binoculars saves you a lot of walking. I have done it many of times even with binoculars around my neck walking and glassing a stick , but still having to walk over too it just to make sure I was seeing it right. We like to use our binoculars glassing down cornstalk rows also. You will notice they will save you a lot of walking around in the cornfields.
I hope that I can help you put a little more bone on your fireplace with this article. Maybe even find the biggest shed antlers of you hunting career. Remember to pack a lunch and some water, and get you a good comfortable pair of boots. Memories in the field will last a lifetime. Good luck this year, and Happy Hunting!
 
Jacob Barnett
Midwest Monsters Outdoors

Enable fellow hunters to enjoy the thrill of the hunt! With your help this once in a lifetime hunt can happen for a man or woman with the same love for the outdoors we all share!

The PCBA annual fundraising dinner will be held Feb 14 in Loudenville, Ohio to benefit the disabled hunters of the PCBA . Funds raised will enable hunters unable to hunt without assistance for October 14-17 2009.  For more info visit www.pcba-inc.org  or contact HER OUTDOORS ASAP for more info. Any donation is greatly appreciated! Help out today!

My First Ohio Hunt
By Mark Preston

  “Wow, I’m not sure I know where to start or if I can even find words that describe what an awesome experience this was for me.

    First of all, I would like to offer many, many thanks to all the people who are responsible for this hunt to take place. Starting with the landowners who so graciously opened their  land and hearts for giving us a place to hunt, thank you!! Next, a special thanks to PCBA and their staff who work so hard all year long with planning, fundraising and for the genuine care and details these folks put into this hunt and for that matter their whole organization. Now, a great applause for the hunt organizers and guides, you guys do a great job planning, setting up and putting the hunters on deer, wow!! To all the kitchen staff, what can I say?  I bet I gained 10 pounds, the food and meals were fabulous, not to mention the hospitality!! Thank you so much!! OK, now for all the rest of the volunteers, and I know there are many, I for one very much appreciate all you do, thanks.

   As I briefly mentioned to Karen at the hunt, the timing of this hunt couldn’t have come at a better time for me. Just a little over two months ago, on August 4^th, 2008 my girlfriend Dawn unexpectedly passed away in my arms. This by far has been one of the most difficult things I’ve ever had to deal with. I know that in time all things heal, but I must say that being on the hunt helped me to take a break from all the grieving from this tremendous loss in my life. Just being around a hunting camp provided camaraderie, stories, goodness and most of all laughter that again showed me this is one of the most enjoyable activities I ever had the pleasure of being part of. Being in a hunting blind, outside, enjoying nature is also very healing and for me, very spiritual indeed.

    The six point buck I harvested on the first morning was the first buck I ever shot with my bow. This actually was just about a half hour after shooting right over top of a nice doe, but I know, you shouldn’t talk about the ones you miss, HaHa. I’m not sure who was more excited, me or the guides (Lonnie, Ben & Jack) who helped me out. All I know is there were a lot of high fives, these guys were pumped!! This was just the beginning of what turned out to be one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve ever had. I was fortunate enough to also shoot a real nice doe the next day, not to mention the one I hit with my van driving into the hunt that day. All together the fifteen hunters harvested 19 deer!! It was great to hear all the stories during meals and down time. I’m not sure it gets any better!!

    So again, thanks to PCBA and all wonderful people involved for making such a great event possible for those of us who otherwise might not ever get to experience it. Good luck to everybody in this year’s hunting season and most of all God Bless!!”

13 FAIR CHASE WHITETAIL HUNTS- 6 BONUS HUNTS -BLOOPERS

 all available on Season 2 of the Droptine Divas!

Shelly and Tara are back hosting the 2008 season of the Droptine Divas in Droptine Divas Season 2.

2008 has been nothing short of an amazing year for the ladies, their families, and their friends. The family aspect of the hunt shines throughout this DVD and while encouraging, teaching, and bringing along the children, the Droptine Divas and the men of Team Droptine get some monster bucks down on the ground. 

Featuring Tara Seilers amazing whitetail hunt of the 4th biggest buck harvested by a woman on film with a bow, the dvd includes many other amazing firsts for the ladies as well as many proud moments.

Visit www.droptinedivas.com to go straight to their site and purchase a dvd!  

THE WILDLIFE PRO NETWORK
Nick Pallo was involved in a tragic accidental shooting while
conducting a night fox hunt on Dec 17, 2008. In short he needs
extensive surgeries and most of a chance to regain eyesight in his
left eye.

The Wildlife Pro Network is doing a benefit Auction Online. Any
vendors who want visibility for their products are encouraged to make
a donation and allow us to auction off your item, presently we have 17
items for sale that may interest anyone here. The auction will start
Sunday at 12 Pm and run through Jan 11, 2009.

You can view what we already have on hand now at the auction site at
http://www.wildlifepro.net/group/wpnauctiontobenefitnickpallo

On Sunday, January 4th, at 8pm EST, The Wildlife Pro Network will again host its Live PodCast called Night Predator Hunting & Calling. The PodCast can be heard at  http://www.talkshoe.com/tc/16456 and you can join in by calling 724-444-7444, enter call ID #16456 and then the pin “#1”.
Nick Pallo, will have a chance to explain his story in his own words
and talk about how the accident affected him, surgeries he expects to
have in the next few months, and get an update on the efforts made and
amounts raised to date.Nick will also take part in the main show.

Brent Saxton of Kees Productions and Ron Jones of Redneck Pride, Calls
& Scents. are two well spoken speakers in the trapping & game calling
industry and always put on a well informative show. They will join in
on Nick on Night Hunting safety and cover all topics related to Hunter
Safety,the proper use of calling techniques and the use of scents.The
show will last from 8 PM-10:00 PM and is definitely a show not want to
be missed. Sponsors: Kees Productions , Rednecks Pride Call and
Scents, & Skinny Moose Media.

[So far I have raised $803.33 for Nick pallo and have a goal of $5000 by 12 PM, Jan 11, 2009]

Robb Russell
www.wildlifepro.net

HER OUTDOORS will be attending the 2009 ATA Trade Show!

Jan 8-10 2009

Indianapolis, Indiana

Visit www.archerytrade.org for more info!

Have a few extra Christmas dollars and want to buy something original for yourself or that special person in your life? HER OUTDOORS has done some research on one of my most favorite sites! I  have found some great things for the outdoor men and ladies out there! If you are interested in any of these items listed in the article, click on the pic and go straight to the site to purchase! Remember: Etsy is a site where items are not mass produced - you truely are getting handmade, unique items! This means if you are interested in an item, it may not be available for long! You do not have to worry about bidding, just someone else alerting the seller about interest and purchase of items!

Deer Antler Bracelet - From Etsy seller Malodora, this is one of my favorite items! This has to be one of the most original ideas out there! This is a faux antler but so realistic looking! I had to include it as a top item!

Deer Head Necklace - Made by HModine Studio, this one of a kind deer necklace is a great addition for your favorite outfit to show your love for the outdoors! Click on the pic to go straight to the sellers page!

“Beautifully papered resin deer head” - Crafted by rubyslounge, and made to order, this is a creative gift to add to the wall next to your harvests for your wife or girlfriend who may not hunt. What a great way to include the kids or your significant other until they harvest that first deer for themselves! Click on the pic for more options!

Deer Decals - This vinyl wall art decal from TastySuite can be put on anything from walls to bathtubs to tile floors! Many more decals are available from this shop owner so visit today! This decal can be found in over 15 colors! Hit the pic to see more!

“Handcrafted Wooden Puzzles” - From Puzzimals, you can find everything from bucks to your favorite dog breed in this unique puzzle form! Great for kids or the outdoor lover who has yet to find such a unique gift!

Visit the HER OUTDOORS archives for my original article on ETSY ! If you are ever looking for that one-of-a-kind gift visit today! Go to www.etsy.com for more!

I have so many different reasons on why I choose to hunt.

Believe it or not, I am one of the biggest animal lovers you will ever meet, so it usually doesn’t make sense to people when I tell them I am a hunter.

In the beginning, I began going out and sitting in the woods just to watch the wildlife. My love of animals got me out there with my camera. I did this for a year or so…just taking my camera out to snap a few shots of life in the woods.

( Fall Buck, picture taken by Sarrah Knapp, 2004)

A place to be alone, sit in silence and watch nature. I became a fixture under any given tree. As I began to notice more species of animals, trees and plants, I became interested in the conservation of the outdoors… keeping nature beautiful and clean for my new outdoor animal friends. I began to notice more litter around and pick it up, care about recycling and how others treated the animals of the land we all belonged to. In researching and learning about conservation and what part I could play to keep everything more clean and natural in a world that looked to me like it was spiraling downhill, I began to understand what hunting was all about.

Everyone always asks if I love animals so much, why I hunt. To be honest, I thought it was mean and heartless to go out and harm or kill anything. And still to this day I believe it is if one is not properly outfitted, trained and respectful to the proper kill shots on their animals.

As I started out, I became a part of many organizations in my area who taught and encouraged wildlife management. I quickly learned that while humans were overpopulating the earth with just our presence and trash that these animals were running out of food and places to live. They would suffer from starvation with their growing numbers and lessening of crop for feeding. I began to realize what was behind the state hunting and fishing seasons. They were not just set up for the fun of hunting and killing, but in managed seasons and hunts; that taking a few animals a year was best for the herd or any animal group.

I have seen starving deer, numerous auto verses animal deaths and farm crop destroyed by overpopulated animal groups which feeds all of us at our local supermarkets. I began to see what these groups were talking about.

If I was disciplined in practice and was confident in my shooting skills, I could make clean kill shots keeping pain and suffering for my animal to a minimum and help balance the ecosystem at the same time. I then began to understand that hunting for the right reasons, and doing it in the respectful way was better for all of us… animals and humans.

And so it began. In dating my boyfriend, I started to notice all of the excitement hunting had to offer. From fish, ducks, deer to turkey, an entire new way of living was unfolding in front of me.

Everything was so new to me and I did not know a thing! But behind most men, and like my boyfriend at the time…they were out there for the same reasons as I was…and the passion ran deep. The love of nature, the silence and stillness, just to name a few. All I had to do was ask, and my teacher was there. So there it began, my life in the outdoors.

I eagerly began to tag along, just observing on the hunts. Soon after,with my knowledge of the wildlife management goals set aside for the seasons, I had been learning through the group events…I found the confidence and courage to go out on my first hunt.

I respected the reason on why I was out there, not just to kill but to learn, appreciate and watch. I was ready.

That year, I took my first spring turkey. Not only did I appreciate the meat he provided with, I was thankful for the life lessons my recent hunt had enlightened my spirit to. I learned about myself. I found an inner peace and silence I had found nowhere else.

It has never been, or will ever be about going out just to kill something. Yes, there will be fun and laughs but when a kill is made, there is so much more than that celebration I am feeling inside.

I will say my prayers over my harvest and I will continue to take the time to show the upmost appreciation to whatever animal I am fortunate to cross paths with. I will never stop thanking each animal for his donation to my own spirit and for the meat he has provided for myself, my family and my friends.

So when anyone asks why I hunt… it may take me over an hour to explain but it’s not just to get out there with all the trendy camo, guns and bows and blow something away. To me it is one of the best ways I can learn about myself, appreciate the animals of the land around me, and contribute in any way I can to the wildlife management goals of my area.