When I read this I just had to share. Now these are stories that I like to read about. It shows that some people do care about the wildlife. Some would just have shot the buck that was still alive. Even though the man who freed the buck that was alive was a DNR Officer I don’t think it mattered. He gave the one buck a chance to live a little longer and with some people like myself a showing of compassion like that goes a long way.

Rack up this Deer’s second chance at life to a good Sharpshooter

When two battling bucks got their antlers locked, a DNR officer freed the remaining live animal by shooting off two tines with a pistol.

By Doug Smith, Star Tribune

The antlers of the two trophy bucks — a big 10-pointer and a bigger 14-pointer — were locked in a death grip after a battle that already had claimed the life of the smaller whitetail.When bucks battle for dominance — and breeding rights for does each fall — the fights can be deadly.

When conservation officer Greg Oldakowski arrived in the woods north of Wadena on Sunday, the live deer was dragging his dead sparring partner out of a small wetland.

The smaller deer likely weighed about 180 pounds and appeared to have been dead a couple of days, Oldakowski said Tuesday. The 14-pointer probably weighed more than 200 pounds, and was still very much alive despite its ordeal.

“He was all full of fire yet,” Oldakowski said. “There was no way I was going to get close to him. He was thrashing and throwing that 10-pointer around like a rag doll.”

So Oldakowski, 38, an expert marksman, pulled out his .40 caliber pistol.

Not to put the big buck out of its misery — to try to free it by shooting the tines off the dead deer.

The landowner who discovered the pair and called Oldakowski asked him not to hit the live deer’s antlers. After all, the regular deer season opens Saturday.

“I said I’ll see what I can do,” Oldakowski said.

From about 15 feet, he waited for the deer to stop thrashing, then fired, blasting one tine off the dead deer.

The live buck’s response?

“He went kind of crazy,” Oldakowski said. “The rack got a little bit loose then; before it was so tight it wouldn’t even rattle.”

So he aimed for another tine, shot twice, and missed. He prepared to shoot again.

“I was just squeezing the trigger when he moved and I just about shot him,” he said. “He thrashed around some more, then I got another clear shot,” and fired, breaking off a second tine. “He cracked her loose and away he went.”

It was one of the biggest deer he’s ever seen. “He was going to die had something not been done. It was certainly worth the try. It was really nice to see him go.”

Oldakowski, who has been a conservation officer for six years, was the right officer for the job. He’s a member of the DNR’s conservation officer pistol team, which, for the fifth consecutive year, won an annual multi-state competition earlier this fall.

“If I didn’t have confidence in my handgun skills, I wouldn’t have tried it,” he said.

It is always nice to get to know the pro staff members of a organization I think. Why you ask well let me tell you , in my experience of dealing with people and talking about deer and deer hunting whether it be the products we use or the techniques we use to complete the hunt I like to address people by their name and know a bit of who I am talking to.

Mossy oak is adding a name and a face to their roster and without further adue here is their news release.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 2007 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Joedee Henry RobinsonMossy Oak 662-494-8859 x234 jrobinson@mossyoak.com The press release as a Word document and images in low and high resolution are available to download at www.howardcommunications.com

Anderson Joins Mossy Oak® As Pro Staff Manager . WEST POINT, MISSISSIPPI - Mossy Oak announces the appointment of Tim Anderson as their new Pro Staff Manager.   Tim brings with him over seven years experience in the outdoor industry, overseeing some of the biggest brands on the market.   “Tim’s experience and enthusiasm are great additions to our team, and we are happy to have him as part of the Mossy Oak family,” said Ben Maki, Mossy Oak’s Director of Marketing.   Tim lives with his family in Delhi, Iowa.  He and his wife Karen have four children.  “I am excited about the opportunity to join the Mossy Oak team.  The chance to be a part of one of the top brands in the outdoor industry doesn’t come along often,” said Anderson.  “Mossy Oak is so much more than a name, logo, or pattern.  It is about a lifestyle and all the enjoyment and privileges that go along with it.”   Tim Anderson goes on to say, “As Pro Staff Manager, it will be my responsibility to build on an already solid foundation of Pro Staff personalities.  We will be working with our partners on both the retail and manufacturing sides to build a staff that benefits all of us in a very competitive environment.”   For more information about Mossy Oak, log onto www.mossyoak.com.   Haas Outdoors Inc. is headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak (www.mossyoak.com). Mossy Oak specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoorsmen. Mossy Oak patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the outdoor industry leader in modern camouflage design, international licensing and marketing. Haas Outdoors Inc. markets its services and products under widely recognized brands including: Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions and Mossy Oak Properties   ###

IT’S NOT A PASSION. IT’S AN OBSESSION

Bryan Olson of Fargo North Dakota originally want a couple of antler lamps made and after walking into Jeanne McKinney’s shop in Montana he immediately knew what he wanted to do, and that was make lamps and chandeliers out of antler.

Mr. Olson has created his own business and it is ironically called “The Antler Outpost”.

Antler Art

by: Kevin Schnepf - Forum Communications Co.

Antler Art

Kevin Schnepf, Forum Communications Co.
Published Sunday, October 28, 2007

It never hurts to refresh your memory about safety in the outdoors so here is an update on safety tips from the CT DEP that you should check out.

October 23, 2007

DEP Offers Fall Outdoor Safety Tips

The Department of Environmental Protection issued a safety reminder today for all outdoor enthusiasts, including hunters and non-hunters alike.

“We are approaching the peak time of year for a variety of hunting activities in Connecticut,” said Dale May, Director of the DEP Wildlife Division. “This is also a popular time for others to enjoy the many outdoor opportunities that our state has to offer, including hiking, biking and paddling.

It is especially important for all outdoor users to respect the rights of others and be aware of all activities that may be occurring outdoors. Connecticut hunters have an excellent safety record and awareness on the part of non-hunters can help in our efforts to keep hunting safe for everyone.”

Whether you like to hike, camp, horseback ride, mountain bike, hunt or fish, it is a good idea to observe a few safety precautions while outdoors.

Basic SAFETY TIPS all outdoor users should follow include:

• When you use the outdoors, whether for hiking, biking, hunting, fishing or some other activity, let someone know where you plan to be and when you will return;
• Familiarize yourself with the area you will be using and know the activities that occur there;
• Obtain landowner permission before accessing private land;
• Wear brightly colored clothing;
• Avoid wearing gray, brown, tan or white when hiking in or near hunting areas;
• Consider using a bell on your bike or horse during hunting season;
• If you see someone hunting, call out to them to make them aware of your location;
• Report wildlife or hunting violations to the DEP Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police at (860) 424-3333. You may also use the Wildlife Violation Hotline at 1-800-842-HELP, where callers can choose to remain anonymous and receive cash rewards for information leading to arrest and conviction of the violator.

Hunters should also follow three basic, but important, rules:

In general, peak hunting occurs during early morning and late afternoon, primarily during the period from mid-October through mid-December. The general firearms season for deer begins on November 14^th this year.

Want to Learn More? Take a Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Course.

For those who want to learn more about outdoor safety, hunting and wildlife management, the DEP offers a comprehensive course of instruction to anyone wishing to increase their knowledge and understanding.

All first time firearms hunters in Connecticut are required to successfully complete a 16-hour class offered by the DEP Wildlife Division’s Conservation Education/Firearms Safety Program. A dedicated core of more than 300 certified volunteer instructors teach the classes, which are offered free-of-charge throughout the year. In addition to firearms safety, laws and regulations, all courses include topics such as outdoor survival and first aid, wildlife management, wildlife identification and hunter ethics and responsibility. For a listing of available classes, visit the DEP website at www.ct.gov/dep and click on Education.

I have heard about donating your deer to feed the hungry which by the way is an awesome idea but, this is a new one to me. “Hides for Habitat” is a program where you can donate your deer hides which our then sold to raise money for critical wildlife habitat restoration. In my opinion that is another awesome idea that should be spread from state to state.

Hudsonites ask to help with ” Hides for Habitat “

Hudson Star Observer: Published Friday, October 26, 2007

Every year deer hunters donate millions of dollars to aid habitat and increase the health of wildlife.In particular, the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association’s “Hides for Habitat” is a statewide program that collects hides during hunting season. It then sells them to raise money for local chapters to provide critical wildlife habitat restoration.

Since 1985, more 525,000 hides have been collected at sites that include several near Hudson and more than $2.4 million has been generated to fund habitat projects. Hides are accepted from whitetail deer, mule deer, elk and moose.

A total of 85 percent of the money is returned to the local chapters for projects such as land purchases, clear cutting, prescribed burning, winter feeding, site preparation and clover planting, and 15 percent is managed by the MDHA State Habitat Committee for similar statewide projects.

“As insignificant as it may seem, this program helps restore and enhance tens of thousands of acres of wildlife habitat in Minnesota each year,” said MDHA Executive Director Mark Johnson. “Through Hides for Habitat, each hide basically triples in value as MDHA (links) with chapters, state and federal matching funds. Each hide can really make a difference for wildlife of all species across Minnesota.”

For local information about the Hides for Habitat program, visit www.mndeerhunters.com, contact the St. Croix Valley Chapter by calling Mike Dahl at 651-324-1078, or phone the MDHA State Office at (800) 450-3337.

Collection boxes will be at these area businesses during November:

Cenex Station, 4201 Manning Ave. N., Lake Elmo, Minn., (651) 777-6029;

Gary Lorence, 782 N. Third St., Bayport, Minn., (651) 439-0437;

Jimmy’s Bait, 806 S. Main St., Stillwater, Minn., (651) 430-2554;

Mike Wock, 11440 St. Croix Trail N., Stillwater, (651) 439-1808;

Bald Eagle Qik Stop, 5960 Hwy. 61 N., White Bear Township, Minn., (651) 407.8868; and

Sportsman’s Warehouse, 9895 Hudson Place, Woodbury, Minn., (651) 731.4400.For information on becoming a member of a MDHA chapter, or to help with the Hides for Habitat program, contact mikewock@yahoo.com.

Here is something that is interesting. It is no longer allowed to use bottled deer scent as an attractant on Novia Scotia. I have used it in the past and given the right stuff it does work and sometimes it does not. I have even gone a few years and not used any. This year I am going to use some, a different brand that a friend suggested I try. I did a post a while back about scents which tells about one I have tried and one that I am going to try. It is called as funny as it sounds “Still Steamin” by Scent Shield. Getting back to the article I am writing about I would like to here from everyone and find out who uses scents or who doesn’t also, do you think it works or doesn’t work.

Hunters no longer allowed to use deer urine as lure

Sat. Oct 27 - 5:19 AM
Deer hunters are no longer allowed to use bottled deer urine to attract the animals during hunting season in Nova Scotia.

The five-week deer hunting season opened Friday with more than 70,000 hunters eligible to take part.

A new regulation this year states that while in a wildlife habitat, no person may possess or use a product that contains any body part or fluid of a member of the deer family, says a Natural Resources Department news release.

The rule is designed to prevent the introduction of the deadly chronic wasting disease found in some deer populations in Western Canada and the United States, the release said.

Many hunters have long relied on rags or undergrowth saturated with bottled deer urine and placed strategically throughout deer habitat as an attractant.

This year, hunters must rely on their own cunning and perhaps a few well-placed apples and carrots.

The season runs until Dec. 1, excluding Sundays, and hunters may bag one deer.

With the exception of 5,750 people who, during a phone-in lottery, successfully won the option of hunting an antlerless deer, only fully antlered deer may be harvested.

Many hunters also donated some or all of their kill to Nova Scotia’s food banks last year through the Hunters Help the Hungry program.

Today is my wife’s birthday and Heidi is at the magic number 40. Last night I took her out to dinner on a train which was a lot of fun and I think she enjoyed her self very much. It was called the Essex Clipper Dinner Train, and it served a four course meal while it took you on a scenic train ride along the Connecticut river. The ride lasted for about two and a half hours.

The food was awesome and the people that worked on the train were very nice and polite and I would recommend this to anyone who would like to take a ride and have dinner on an old 1920’s train. I know my wife had a very nice dinner and was happy that the two of us were able to get away for a little while. Actually we both got something out of our excursion. Heidi got a dinner and a scenic train ride for her birthday and I got to see three doe’s and a buck watch us as the train went by them. They were so close to the train I could have served them a drink, it really was cool to see and the buck was nice to.

This is her 40th birthday and in another 5 days it will be our 22nd. wedding anniversary. It has been quite the train ride so to speak for the last 22 years but, without Heidi and the kids I think I would not be in the shape I am in and for that I thank her very much. She has always been there and not has thought about herself probably as much as she should have. I have to get going now because there is one more thing I have planned with the help of my sister in law and that is a surprise birthday party and what she also does not know is that her father from New Jersey will be there which she has not seen in quite a few years.

I thought I had heard everything when a friend told me he had bought battery powered socks last year for hunting. I believed him but thought it was kind of like one of those novelty items. Then I received this news release and realized it is not a novelty item at all but a real line of clothes.

NEWS RELEASE

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Haas Outdoors Inc. PO Box 757, 200 East Main Street, West Point, MS 39773 662/494-8859 Fax 662/494-8742

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 2007 FOR MORE INFORMATION: Matt RiceBlue Heron Communications (800) 654-3766matt@blueheroncomm.com The press release as a Word document and images in low and high resolution are available to download at www.howardcommunications.com

ThermoLogicâ„¢ - The Next Generation of Heated Apparel PITTSBURGH, PA - The new ThermoLogicâ„¢ apparel by NTA Enterprise is the latest advancement in heated clothing. Reliable, efficient, and unlike anything currently available, ThermoLogic allows users to control their own environment with ease and simplicity. Unlike other electrically powered heating garments, the technology behind ThermoLogic is applied directly on the apparel itself resulting in a product that is durable, washable and very effective. Utilizing the proven INK-TEX Technology, ThermoLogicâ„¢ apparel is offered in seven unique clothing options. Consumers have their choice of ThermoLogic hunting jackets (both hip and parka length), bib overalls, and vests available in sizes M - 4XL, and gloves, hats and socks available in M - XL. Each garment has been especially designed to offer unmatched durability and comfort in any cold weather environment. ThermoLogic utilizes a revolutionary patented technology that is built into the article of clothing. Using the new technology, an electronically conductive printed strip of silver/carbon-based ink is applied directly onto the lining of the apparel. Once in place, the ink patterns are protected with a polyurethane lamination and cured in a low temperature oven. After the pattern is cured, energy can be pulsed through the patterns allowing the carbon in the ink to heat up resulting in a soft, radiant heat. Each garment in the ThermoLogic line features a manual control that allows the wearer to select the temperature for their apparel. By operating the control, the wearer can select from three pre-set temperatures: low (85 degrees Fahrenheit), medium (98.7 degrees) and high (110 degrees). ThermoLogic hats, gloves and socks come complete with two pieces of hardware: a battery re-charger and a pulse modulator/battery combination that regulates the power flow. Jackets, vests and bibs in the ThermoLogic line are complete with a battery charger plus two batteries and two pulse modulators. Each battery and pulse module is housed in a specially designed pocket allowing for simple removal before washing. Once turned on, the 2″ x 3″ batteries will maintain the constant temperature setting up to six hours on the lowest setting; and two hours on the highest setting. Carrying an additional battery will allow most users to comfortably spend the entire day outside even in the coldest winter months. ThermoLogic apparel is currently available in Mossy Oak® Break-Up® and Mossy Oak Duck Blindâ„¢. For more information, log on to www.thermologic.net. NTA Enterprise produces official licensed products of Mossy Oak/Haas Outdoors Inc. Haas Outdoors Inc., headquartered in West Point, Miss., was established in 1986 and is home of Mossy Oak (www.mossyoak.com). Mossy Oak specializes in developing and marketing modern camouflage designs for hunters and outdoorsmen. Mossy Oak patterns can be found on a multitude of products worldwide. Haas Outdoors Inc. is the outdoor industry leader in modern camouflage design, international licensing and marketing. Haas Outdoors Inc. markets its services and products under widely recognized brands including: Mossy Oak, BioLogic, Mossy Oak Productions and Mossy Oak Properties. ###

IT’S NOT A PASSION. IT’S AN OBSESSION

———

If you’re new to fishing or just starting out in the world of hunting then you may not feel comfortable when it comes to buying your new hunting and fishing gear. For those who aren’t sure which shooting equipment would best suit their needs, or perhaps the appropriate archery supplies instead, searching online could be of great help.

Cabela’s in East Hartford Connecticut that just opened it’s doors for the first time last week had it’s unveiling of the sculpture that will sit out in front of the store. The title for this sculpture is called “Fallen tree, startling a Turkey to Flight”.

The secret is out! What sculptor Mike Hamby had in mind for the entrance of the new Cabela’s superstore in East Hartford is a scene that few would not agree it is a fitting tribute to, both, New England wildlife, and Rentschler field itself: a large-size composition of a whitetail deer, jumping over a fallen tree, startling a turkey to flight.

Mike Hamby’s 11-foot bronze revealed in front of Cabela’s on opening day, October 19.

Everything so well detailed and life-like, that it’s almost as if watching a chase in the woods, frozen in time.

“I picked the deer and the turkey because they are beautiful animals, and they represent the whole of the United States, but mostly New England,” Hamby explained during the sculpture