John Stabley Interviews Jeff Hajari, President of Tree Apron Products

John Stabley, the host of Stabley Outdoors Interviews Jeff Hajari, President of Tree Apron at the 2008 ATA Show.
To find out more about Tree Apron Products, visit them on the web at www.treeapron.com.

Listen to the interview now.

(18:47) Read more

Desert Rat Interviews First Lady of Hunting

Marshall over at the Desert Rat Blog interviewed Brenda Valentine, The First Lady of Hunting. Brenda has a great website set up here. and you can order her book here. You can check out the Interview here.

Here is a quick excerpt of the interview: Read more

Richard Interviews John Navan of Homestead Taxidermy

Located in Woodstock, Connecticut, John Navan of Homestead Taxidermy was interviewed by our very own Richard Kratzke of Tails and Trails.

Rick - First thanks for doing this interview and taking time on a Sunday night for showing me what obviously you love doing. I guess my first question would be What made you decide to get into Taxidermy?

John - Ever since high school I have been interested in Taxidermy. I used to hang out at Hobby Taxidermy in Killingly and have been around hunting all my life.

Rick - How long have you actually been doing Taxidermy?

John - I started working with them 15 yrs ago and stopped after a short time, then began to work with them again a few years ago when I heard they would be retiring. I also took a workshop with Bill Yox who is one of the tops in the industry. I did have referrals from Hobby Taxidermy when I started but this is my real first year on my own and so far I am off to a good start with 1 moose, 1 bear, 2 wild boars and 1 deer not counting all the other stuff I got from Hobby before they left.

Rick - Do you hunt and if so how long have you been hunting?

John - I have been hunting all my life really, even now I go out with my dad every year and hunt state land and private land when we can get it. I love hunting Whitetails and I have hunted Turkey and Moose. I even tried Elk once. I have to say deer is my favorite. I am a fanatic when it comes to deer hunting.

Rick - “Fanatic” now your beginning to sound like me, that’s cool.

Rick - What types of animals have you mounted and what would be your favorite to do?

John - I have worked on mostly North American Game that is available in New England. I approach every animal with the same attention, with the use of ref. materials I do my best to make it look natural. The customer needs to be happy with the end result and I need to be proud to put my name on it before it leaves my shop. I subscribe to a lot of magazines and they have great photos of live animals in all different positions plus excellent photos are available from suppliers. My best inspection method through out the mounting process and after completion is to have my wife look it over and it is not done until we are both happy with it. My favorite I would have to say is of course deer.

Rick - What has been the most challenging mounts that you have worked on?

John - I would have to say a full bear mount and a moose had to be the hardest to do mainly because of the size of the animals, it sometimes is tough to work on by yourself.

Rick - Is this a full time profession or a part time thing?

John - Right now it is part time but I have hopes of doing it full time some day. My full time job is being an estimator for a sheet metal aerospace company during the day. I spend at night and weekends doing Taxidermy.

Rick - How is business now compared to when you started a year ago?

John - Pretty good actually for my first year. I have had a gentleman who has come back as a repeat customer which is good and I have had others that were very satisfied and said they would return as well.

Rick - I’m curious what is the biggest Whitetail that you have ever mounted?

John - I would have to say a 205 pound buck that scored approximately 160″

Rick - When you say scored does that mean you measured the antlers?

John - Yes, I am a certified measurer for the Northeast Big Buck Club. I became certified after taking a class that they put on last year.

Rick - That is awesome and good to know that we have a certified measurer in the quiet corner of Connecticut. I have thought about taking that same class myself and as a matter of fact I have a rack that I will bring over for you to score.

Rick - What do you charge for say a full shoulder mount of a whitetail or maybe a antler mount or a european mount?

John - Right now I charge $395.00 for a shoulder mount and for a antler mount it is $125.00 and for a european mount it is $180.00

Rick - For someone who is thinking of have a deer mount done how long would it take before delivery of completion?

John - Right now I would have to say 8 to 12 months before they get their trophy back. I know it seems like a long time but you can’t rush these kinds of things if you want them to come out right.

Rick - Last question and that would be Do you have any tips for someone who might want to become a Taxidermist?

John - There are video’s that you can get that help and there is a website that you can visit called Taxidermy.net but the best thing to do is try and find a Taxidermist that would be willing to teach you. Hands on training is always the best way to learn.

Rick - I want to thank you again John for your time and I also want to thank your wife Christine for the apple cider, it was very delicious. I have to say that if you ever need help on the weekends please do not hesitate to call me. Taxidermy has always been interesting to me and I would consider it a honor to just be able to help.

If you are from the area and wish to have John do some work for you than contact him via email at northeastwhitetail@hotmail.com

Skinny Moose Media Bloggers Continue to Interview Industry Leaders

One of our newer bloggers, Brad of Southern Adventures, recently interviewed the Founder of Youth Outdoor Connection, Inc. The following is only a excerpt of the actual article, but feel free to follow the link to read the entire thing.

“Youth Outdoor Connection was founded by me, Keith Southern. We officially got incorporated in October, 2006 and are currently celebrating our 1 year anniversary.

I’ve been hunting and fishing here in North Western North Carolina as far back as I can remember. I’ve always wanted to share the great outdoors with others. Once my son was old enough to start tagging along with me, I realized what I should do, provide free outdoor events to all kids regardless of wealth, disability, creed, national origin, religion, or any other reason…”

Read entire post >>

Skinny Moose Media Bloggers Continue to Interview

John Stabley, a few days back, reported on the ‘blue tongue’ virus detected in the Illinois white tailed deer population. Of course we all have many questions regarding the virus and how it may impact us and the deer population so John contacted Dr O’Keefe to answer a few of them for us.

John: If someone has livestock, what symptoms should they watch out for?

Dr. O’Keefe: The blue tongue virus has several different varieties in the US there are 2 forms: one that primarily affects white-tailed deer primarily and another that affects primarily affects livestock (mostly cattle). Livestock (cattle, sheep, goats) do not die from the virus that affects deer. There have been reports of cattle that have developed excessive salivation or drooling, cloudy nasal discharge, moderate to severe lameness, poor appetite, and a severe drop in milk production in a dairy herd. Beef cattle have been affected as well. The virus causing EHD was isolated from these herds. These signs can mimic other more serious diseases and a veterinarian should be called to make a diagnosis.

Read the entire interview here.

Bryan at deerPhD interviews a Huntin’ Junky’. Apparently he films his own hunting shows. Bryan’s next interview is with Richard Bednar, the CEO of TenPoint Crossbows. Stay tuned.

Lance Dutson, New Skinny Moose Blogger, Interviews Fox’s Carl Cameron

Lance Dutson of Maine Web Report has been covering the GOP Presidential debate as a blogger and a legitimate form of press. This is great news for all bloggers as he was credentialed to cover the UNH / Fox News hosted debate.

Lance was able to catch up with Fox News Chief Political Correspondent Carl Cameron after the debate and get his take on it. Check out the short interview below.

Enjoy!

Spencer Interviews Rick Bradshaw

Spencer Spellman of the Skinny Moose Media golf blog Fore, was able to get an interview with Rick Bradshaw of the world famous Jim Dent and Rick Bradshaw School of Golf in Florida.

Bradshaw is in the middle in the following photo. Enjoy the interview…

1-Rick, why did you decided to get into teaching golf rather than playing professionally?

In 1979 I had a chance to open a computerized high tech golf school in West Chester County N.Y. I felt this was an opportunity to truly study and research the golf swing to not only help golfers but give myself the understanding of the golf swing that might propel me into playing the tour. My plan kind of back fired on me as I became very successful at teaching the golf swing to all level golfers and my lesson book filled to the extent of 70 lessons a week. The more people I helped and the notoriety I achieved through television, writing articles and pouring my full emotions into teaching and discovering the true secrets to an efficient and effective golf swing, the less time I had to compete and practice. Becoming a tour professional requires great commitment almost selfish desire to be the best at every aspect of golf. I chose through time to become the best I could be at communicating and teaching the fundamentals and techniques of the golf swing.

2-What’s the allure to you of teaching golf?

The allure of teaching golf is to get an individual to swing a golf club with virtually no effort yet strike the ball with great club head velocity. Teaching someone to achieve and apply the secrets I have discovered about learning the golf swing in virtually one lesson gives me a feeling of an artist creating a sculpture or magician performing a unbelievable trick.

3-What’s a normal day for you? Do you teach golf for a couple hours and then hit the links for the rest of the day?

A normal day for me is teaching golf from 9 am until dark with no lunch, 6 days a week for the last 20 years.

4-How is going to the Jim Dent and Rick Bradshaw School of Golf different from going to your local driving range and getting lessons?

Going to the Jim Dent/Rick Bradshaw School of Golf guarantees you learning the true secrets to effortless power in the golf swing. Participants will receive instruction from Rick Bradshaw, 2 time section PGA Teacher of the Year, first hand not assistants. The true physics and forces responsible for the club head swinging into the ball striking it square in the center of the club face with tremendous velocity will be revealed. Few golf schools or teachers understand the forces involved in the golf swing. The fact that I drive the ball over 300 yards with only one hand on the club is proof of how to create great club head velocity with minimal effort or work being performed. Examine laws of circular motion and apply them to the golf swing and body and the swing very easy to understand and perform.

5-What’s involved in the process of someone enrolling at your school of golf?

Visit my web site at Tourexperience.com and send me an email. I am more than happy to speak with people who want to learn the golf swing.

6- What is the most challenging aspect of golf?

Probably keeping it simple. Knowing the important things to focus on and eliminate the many unimportant thoughts. Once you understand the true secrets to achieving the swing you can begin to perfect. Getting the correct information on how the swing works and is learned is paramount to success. Skill, strength, and talent are very much secondary. Anyone can definitely be successful at golf.

7- What advice would you give to people who are just getting started in golf?

Please study laws of circular motion, read Percy Boomers’ golf Book “On Learning Golf’. Find a teacher that keeps it simple, fun, and cares about your success.

8-Could you comment on your thoughts of the recent headlines of steroids being in professional golf?

The interesting thing about the golf swing is to be successful you need lightness and quickness to transmit velocity from the body to the golf club, not big muscles or bulk. Slight of hand and dexterity is a plus and feel of the club head as well. I don’t see any benefit that steroids could give to a professional golfer. Power is generated through a pivot, not a forced hitting motion. Like a figure skater performing a pirouette. The great golfers in the past have lengthy and quick muscles. Steroids if used by golf professionals could prove more of a detriment than advantage.

Desert Rat Does Interviews; Community Award

Skinny Moose Media blogger Marshall MacFarlane of Desert Rat has been busy lately. He has been able to interview a couple people and blog about it.

The first interview was with Rick Forrest, the Founder of Sonoran Bowhunting Products, Inc.

Marshall’s last interview was with Ben Brochu, Unit 37B Wildlife Manager out in Arizona.

So I would actually like to take this opportunity to award Marshall with the Community Bloggers Award. This is a new thing we are doing here at Skinny Moose, and for those who make that extra step and get out into the community, do interviews, cover events, etc… and blog about it are eligible for the Community Bloggers Award. Marshall has the option to place this badge on his blog somewhere with a link back.

Congrats Desert Rat!!

Interview With Shai Coggins of b5media

As some of you may be aware, I spent a short time as a blogger at b5media. While I was there I met a good handful of people. b5media is one of the largest blog networks on the web. Shai Coggins is Co-Founder and VP of the Network and has agreed to a short interview. Shai is also an experienced blogger and offers up good advice on how to stay on track and even possibly making a career out of it.

But I would like to thank Shai for taking time out of her busy day and answering some questions. Enjoy!

1- Shai, how many blogs do you have and how long have you been blogging?

My one big addiction is starting blogs. I probably have over a dozen floating around. However, as part of my 2007 online clean-up act, I started archiving most of my blog projects.

So, right now, I only really have 2 active blogs - http://shaicoggins.com and http://justmakemoneyonline.com.

Other than these two, I have http://chrysaliscreativity.com, which I try to update every few weeks or so. And, I have my video blog, http://freshwavetv.com, which gets updated a few times a year.

And, as co-owner and VP (community) of b5media, I also blog at http://b5media.com occasionally.

2- As long time blogger and co-founder of b5media what would you say is the most rewarding part of blogging?

Community, hands down. And I say that not just because it’s my official job scope at b5media.com. I’ve always loved blogs and blogging because of the connections we are able to make. It’s amazing.

3- In your opinion can any person make a living as a blogger?

Short answer: Yes.

But, of course, you know that I have to qualify that answer.

Anyone can make a living as a blogger - but it depends on a lot of factors. Where you live, the lifestyle you lead, your personal expectations, etc.

For example, if you live in a country where the dollar exchange rate is massive compared to your local currency, then making $200-500 a month can make such a big difference.

To those who may not have the same situation, then yeah, it will depend on how much money do you actually spend on your day-to-day life. For some, making a decent living means $500-1,000 a month. That’s certainly doable. For others, anything less than $2,000 is not enough. For these people, it’ll take a lot more work to “make a living off blogging.”

4- For someone who is an expert in the blogging industry, what would you tell a first time blogger if you had the opportunity? What should the blogger focus on the most to really make that blog excel?

Every time someone comes to me for advice in blogging (and probably applicable in other things too!), I always say the same thing: Go ahead and create something that you love. Something that will make your heart sing and dance. Something that will add that extra zing in to your life.

Once you’ve got that part down, then your blog will shine no matter what. It will draw the right kind of readers in to your life. It will resonate with the kind of people that you wish to connect with. And from there, all sorts of wonderful things can - and will - happen.

Now, if you want to take a step ahead by attracting more readers, making money off your blog, etc. - then, you will need to equip yourself with other blogging strategies like SEO, marketing, and such.

5- If you had to think back on your time blogging, can you remember any mistakes you made as a blogger or something you wish you could go back and fix?

Mistakes come part and parcel with attempting anything in life. I wish I can re-do a lot of things in my past! But then, I consider it all part of my learning experience, so I consider it all good in my blogging history.

However, having said that, I did go through a patch of my blogging life where I decided to be a recluse of some sort. I didn’t turn on IMs. I wasn’t answering all comments in my blogs. I didn’t leave enough comments on other people’s blogs.

Not good at all.

If I were given a chance, I would’ve chosen to be a lot more sociable. Make more connections. Then again, I needed that space at that particular time in order to learn a few things in life. I’m just going to have to make up for lost time now.

6- What are the top 5 blogs you personally read every day?

Seriously, I follow so many blogs that I really don’t have the time to follow anything on a daily basis. If I did, I won’t have a life outside my computer.

What I do try to read as regularly as possible:

http://b5media.com - Not only because it’s part of my job!

http://problogger.net - A good way to stay in touch with the world of professional blogging.

http://the-parody.com - My sis is the most regular online connection I have with my family who live overseas.

http://karencheng.com.au - She inspires me on a personal and creative level.

http://lifehacker.com - It’s overwhelming to read it on a regular basis; but I love it anyway.

7- Blogging has evolved in the last year or so. Do you have any predictions as to what blogging will be like in 3 years time?

Growth is still happening in the world of weblogs. There is still so much scope to breathe and grow!

I’m not really one to ‘predict’ things, but I have a wishlist of things to happen in the next few years:

- faster, better, cheaper Internet connections worldwide (dial-up will be phased out slowly, as more people move to broadband); which will introduce blogs to more people
- more use of multimedia, especially videos and even more photos
- more people using blogs professionally, not just as a quick way to make money off adsense and affiliate programmes, but as a way to enhance their working life
- better way to stamp out spammers and sploggers
- most people will know what a ‘blog’ is, without a lot of explanations and blank stares.

Skinny Moose Media Gets Interview With Quality Deer Management Association

Skinny Moose blogger, Rick, from Tails and Trails is at it again. Rick has been diligent about getting interviews with people in the industry. Late last week he was able to get an interview over the phone with Mr Mathew Ross, New England/Canada Regional Director of the Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA).

Below is the interview…

First off I want to show what the Quality Deer Management Association is all about.

The QDMA promotes:

• Safe and ethical hunting.
• Adherence to wildlife and trespass laws.
• Adequate harvests of adult does.
• Restraint in harvesting young bucks.
• Hunter involvement in education and management.
• Cooperation with wildlife biologists and enforcement officers.
• Education of hunters and non-hunters toward a better understanding of wildlife management.
• Stewardship and appreciation of all wildlife.

Rick - Today I had the honor of speaking with the New England/Canada Regional Director of the QDMA Mr. Mathew Ross who lives in the great state of New Hampshire and who graciously took time to answer a few questions even though he was getting ready to leave for Quebec, Canada to do a seminar on Food Plots. I appreciate your time and your willingness to preserve our hunting heritage and promote Quality Deer Management.

Matt - You are very welcome and I am pleased to answer whatever questions that you may have.

Rick - First I would like to ask How long have you been working for the QDMA?

Matt - I started working for the QDMA back in May of 2006

Rick - What would you say is the most favorite part of your job?

Matt - I would have to say meeting new hunters and talking with them about quality deer management, doing what we can to create a healthy balanced deer herd and talking about our environment and what we can do to preserve it.

Rick - That leads me to my next question and that is What type of seminars do you do?

Matt - I travel all over New England doing seminars about wildlife habitat, forestry, food plots, managing what is already in your habitat area. I have four basic categories that I talk about and that is 1.) Habitat Management, 2.) Herd Management, 3.) Herd Monitoring and 4.) Hunter Management. I also like to talk about aging live deer and helping hunters to determine if that deer is old enough to harvest or young enough to leave alone.

Rick - I understand the philosophy that the QDMA lives by and it’s importance of balancing the deer herd. Do you feel the QDMA’s approach is working?

Matt - I feel it is working even on a national scale. The QDMA has over 17 million acres that are practicing Quality Deer Management across the country. That includes working with food plots enriching the existing habitats and deer management, which is having hunters concentrate on harvesting more Doe’s and letting the younger buck’s grow to full maturity.

Rick - I see you are also a Wildlife Biologist and a Licensed Forester, How long have you been doing that?

Matt - For about four years now. Before I came to work for the QDMA I was working as an apprentice for a Forestry and Wildlife company and some of my duties work supervising logging operations, marking timber so as not to destroy or endanger wildlife habitat. All that was working toward my degree.

Rick - I was reading about the “REACH” program and it sounds very interesting. Can you tell me how long that has been in effect and how it has been working?

Matt - It is a brand new program which has taken some time to put together, as a matter of fact the last couple sections of the program which are Certify and Hunt we just implemented to past month. As you know “REACH” stands for,

• Research – Fund whitetail research projects related to Quality Deer Management.
• Educate – Expand educational activities for QDMA members and the general public.
• Advocate – Increase the QDMA’s involvement in whitetail hunting and management issues.
• Certify – The QDMA’s individual and property QDM certification programs.
• Hunt – The QDMA’s National Mentoring and Hunting program.

Rick - Do you have any other programs that you have coming up in the future?

Matt - We have a program that has not started yet but will be soon which iscalled Cyber Deer for hunter education. It will be like shooting in 3 dimensional which can teach shot placement and shot trajectory. More will be mentioned in the days to come.

Rick - What would you say attracts hunters and non-hunters alike to the QDMA?

Matt - I would have to say two things in particular stand out. 1.) This would be that people enjoy the aspect of creating food plots for the deer and wildlife in general. 2.) It is creating a overall healthy and properly managed deer herd.

Rick - Last question I have is as a Wildlife Biologist and Regional Director for the QDMA how would you say the deer population is in New England?

Matt - From what I have seen in all my travels the herd in New England appears to be healthy and on a gradual rise in numbers. It appears to be as good if not better than twenty years ago.

Rick - Well Matt it was nice meeting you and I want to Thank You for taking the time to talk with me and I wish you and the QDMA luck in your adventures.

Matt - It was my pleasure and I hope to meet you in person when I come to Connecticut for a Deer Management seminar on Sunday August 26, 2007 at the Nutmeg State Branch of the QDMA in Oxford, Connecticut.

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