In North Carolina swan hunting has been a tradition and a pastime for years. Each winter as the migration occurs and birds move south thousands of tundra swans make their way to North Carolina. These swans migrate to many fields, ponds, impoundments, and refuges along the NC coast giving waterfowlers the opportunity to harvest one of these glorious birds. Each year the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission gives out 5000 permits, this year I was fortunate enough to be drawn and lucky enough to harvest my first swan.

Duck hunters are a completely different breed, whether it be sleep deprivation or hunger, nothing will stop them from accomplishing another day in the field. With little sleep, 3 am came fast on January 17th as I headed to Washington County to meet a few friends for our hunt. Once I met up with them around 5:45 we headed to a private field close to the Pocosin National Wildlife Refuge to try to fill our swan tags for the year. Arriving around 6:00 am in a bitter 9 degrees we head for the ditch to set up and await our shot at a tundra swan and maybe even a shot at a snow goose or two. We got settled in the ditch and one of the guys realized he had forgotten to put his plug in so away he runs back to the truck and made it back with 20 minutes to spare. As legal shooting time slowly got closer we had the opportunity to watch thousands upon thousands of snow geese make their morning trek across the sky. Next in line were a few swans and ducks in numbers that would make your head spin. Shortly thereafter the swans started to fly and were flying strong. Throughout the morning there was a stream of swans that seemed never ending as they continued to make their way across the sky and giving us the opportunity of filling each of our tags. By 7:30 am we had filled 2 of the 5 tags in the ditch and the swans continued to come. A single swan is headed our way, it’s my turn, I wait for him to get close enough and BOOM, down he goes. It was bitter sweet for me as it was only one shot but unreal as I held a bird many in the US will never have an opportunity to harvest. As we sit waiting to fill the last two tags we notice a snow goose closing in fast and much to our surprise in the decoys he lands. Two of us decide to sneak down the ditch and get as close as possible, as we get close we noticed he is preening himself paying us no mind. We hop out of the ditch to try and jump him and he doesn’t move, finally he jumps and we take him. In one day I harvest not only my first swan but also my first snow goose, UNREAL! By 9:30 am there had been a few misses, some guns that did not want to cooperate, more birds then you can count, and 4 of the 5 tags filled. Finally, the last tag was filled but it wasn’t over head. The swan was hit prior and we never saw him go down in the field. As we sat waiting for the one last swan we notice a swan about 600 yards out in the field and we knew it was the one that had gotten hit that we never saw drop. We gathered our things and head to the truck to drop some things off and head to the injured swan. The last swan tag was now filled and another awesome hunt to tell about for years to come. What a great way to spend a January morning. There is nothing like hunting with friends, meeting new friends, a few “firsts”, and all in all a hunt I will never forget.

We have been honored to have a guest blog from Mr. Michael Waddell himself. Great read for everyone so here ya go…

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.

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.

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 subtlecalling and snuck into 16 yards.

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.

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.

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.

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. 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.

Bible Study Verse
Luke 15:1-2
Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” (NIV)

Thoughts
The Pharisees thought the tax collectors were lost. They believed the tax collectors had compromised with Rome by collecting taxes. But, the Pharisees themselves had made their own compromises with Rome. Their leaders, the Sanhedrin, were put in place by the Romans to control the people.

Both groups were doing the same wrong. But, only one group knew it. The Pharisees like the elder son, in Jesus’ third parable in Luke 15, were the ones who were lost. They were reliant on their own good works for their favor with God, and refused to be gracious toward others.
(Steve S)

Action Point
We don’t admit it when we’re lost. Sometimes when we know it, we deny it. “I’m just turned around a little,” I sometimes say.

But, we can be lost without knowing it. I’ve been lost in the woods a couple of times. I’ve been lost in the car a few times. It’s difficult to admit that you’re lost. My excuse is that I see it as a challenge. But, thinking of being lost as a challenge represents the way of self-reliance. This was the mistake the Pharisees made. They were lost in self-reliance. This is not the way of Jesus. It is not the way of grace.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Make your own reliable fire starters by filling all 12 spaces in a paper egg carton with wood shavings. Then melt wax and pour it into each space. When it dries, you can light the paper easily and the waxed wood chips burn hot enough to light your firewood. Keep them in a zip-lock bag if you take them hunting or camping.

Bible Study Verse
Luke 15:21-28
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ ”
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.” (NIV)

Thoughts
In this great story told by Jesus, a reckless sinner is restored to his family by the free and generous grace of his steadfast father. But, his older brother is full of resentment. This illustrates two types of sin. We can sin by acts or by attitudes.

This story about a lost son followed a story about a lost sheep and a lost coin. We fail to notice that there were really two lost sons. The one who was physically and spiritually lost is found and returned to the security of his father’s estate. The other, who never left home and thought he was secure in his place, turned out to be spiritually lost.
(Steve S)

Action Point
The story of the Prodigal Son clearly illustrates two ways of life that clash. Tim Keller, in his book The Prodigal God, says, “The person in the way of moral conformity says: ‘I’m not going to do what I want, but what tradition and the community wants me to do.’ The person choosing the way of self-discovery says: ‘I’m the only one who can decide what is right and wrong for me. I’m going to live as I want and find my true self and happiness that way.’ ”

These two ways are so ingrained in us that almost everyone thinks the moral choice is between being the wild-living runaway and the pleasing, obedient non-roaming son. But, that’s not the choice Jesus is giving us in this story.

You can only find yourself by abandoning your pride. It took a pigsty for the younger son to abandon his pride. What will it take for the older son to abandon the pride he has in his lifelong obedience? We don’t know.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
If a landowner allows you to hunt on his land, do all you can to keep that relationship intact. Don’t abuse the privilege. Don’t invite other unwanted guests. Do pick up trash you find. Do share the bounty with him. Do send a Christmas card and occasionally give a small gift. Express appreciation and keep the welcome mat out.

Bible Study Verse
Colossians 1:25-27
I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. (NIV)

Thoughts
Deer hunters spend days, weeks, and sometimes years trying to unravel the mystery of a big buck’s pattern and habits. When we actually do see his mystery revealed through tracks, rubs, and other sign he leaves behind, we’ve gained significant information that will help us in hunting the buck.

But remember, he is revealing himself through the signs that he leaves. We’re just reading the sign – the message he leaves for us.
(Steve S)

Action Point
God has left “sign” for us, too. He has revealed His truth through the sign that we read – it’s called the Bible. He mercifully grants his favor to undeserving people. That’s called “grace”, and it’s a mystery that He has made known to us.

It seems illogical, but the truth is that we do not earn God’s favor. He has revealed His mystery to us – that we are saved through His grace alone, not through the works that we do.

Salvation through works is a false teaching that comes normally and naturally to everyone. It’s grace that is the new idea, the novel concept. It’s grace that is the amazing thing – a mystery that has been revealed to God’s people.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
One mystery every deer hunter has to cope with is the wind. One way to beat it is to collect milkweed pods. Take the floaters out and put them into a film canister or pill bottle. Use them to check the wind. They’re completely natural, they introduce no foreign odors, and they’re easy to see. Watch them float along the air currents, and you’ll know where your scent is going as well.

Bible Study Verse
Luke 10:25-28
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind;’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” (NIV)

Thoughts
Ever been on a hunt when everything just seems to fall into place? Glassing up an animal, making the hike, then the stalk, and followed up by a perfect shot? Don’t you love it when that happens? Of course we do!

How about when one of the pieces falls through? Missed shot. Blown stalk. Hey, that can happen to anyone. But how about when you spot a shooter buck on a far ridge and your body says, “I ain’t gonna make that hike.” The heart is there, but the body is weak or vice versa. It takes the heart, mind, and body working together to put the hike, stalk, and shot together. Leave one out, and well, you get the picture.
(Ruben C)

Action Point
There is a danger when we treat our relationship with God like cruising for cottontails along a farm field. You know, all you gotta do is see them, jump out, and shoot. Doesn’t take a lot of heart, just a sharp eye and a little fleet of foot.

If we love the Lord with only our heart, we have only an emotional relationship. If we love him with only our mind, then we only have an intellectual knowledge of him. If we love him with only our strength, then we may have only a hard lined (legalistic?) relationship with him.

Heart, soul, strength, and mind. There’s a reason God gives us that guidance men. Many of us can have a tendency to lean too far one way or another.

Combine the traits so we can love God and our neighbors with true compassion, strengthened by our knowledge of the truth and His promises! That means we got to stay in the Word too!

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
I’ve been discouraged on hunts that I’ve waited a long time to be on. Maybe because a lack of animals spotted, blown stalks, or worse yet, poor shooting.

For me, the last two have to do with impatience. Don’t let the panic monster make you rush a stalk or rush a shot. A stalk delayed or a shot not taken, beats a spooked or poorly hit buck any day.

Bible Study Verse
Judges 6:11-12
The angel of the LORD came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the LORD appeared to Gideon, he said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” (NIV)

Thoughts
While traversing a small canyon while elk hunting in Arizona, I came upon a beautiful small healthy cactus growing out of what appeared to be solid rock in a small protected crevasse. I stopped and took a moment to contemplate the wonder of such a thing, realizing that God is definitely in control of all things and cares even for this small cactus that maybe even the birds missed seeing in order to steal its fruit in season.
(Ruben C)

Action Point
I immediately thought of Gideon when I discovered the thriving cactus. Read Judges 6 and Hebrews 11. Like so many of God’s faithful, though he lived in a cave, felt he was the least of his family; he thrived in the most impossible of situations, and became a “mighty warrior” for God. He was commended for his faith in spite of his social standing.

If you are negatively affected by today’s economic situation, don’t forget that God is in control of everything. Put your faith in Him, nothing is impossible. Encourage yourself, read Matthew 17:20. You can stand on this promise.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Always carry enough water with you on the fall hunts. Even in northern Arizona, temperatures exceeded the 80’s through September. I found it took me a few days to realize I needed more water than I initially thought for a day’s hunt. I doubled the amount of water I carried than I had started with on opening day.

Bible Study Verse
Genesis 3:1
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (NIV)

Thoughts
Two days into my 2009 Arizona archery elk hunt I was target shooting in camp. I missed the entire target at 50 yards and had to go hunt my arrow down. Found it, immediately reached down to pick it up, and just before my fingers grasped it (the following occurred in about the span of let’s say ½ second) saw the rattle snake, my brain registered “rattler”, and then my brain screamed, “Rattler!” I affected a rapid reverse evasive maneuver (RREM) while releasing a defensive yell in order to confuse and disorient the enemy. It worked; the “RREM” that is.

The rattler was unimpressed with the whole situation and just laid there coiled up flicking its tongue at me seemingly harmless.
(Ruben C)

Action Point
But, rattle snakes are not harmless are they? Neither was the serpent in the garden. Though he didn’t strike Eve, his venom was deadly nonetheless.

That is exactly how sin strikes. Seemingly appearing harmless, then it engulfs us, and we are deceived by our own thinking. Justifying our sin, we ask ourselves, “Is that really what God meant?”

II Timothy 3:16 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that all God’s people may be thoroughly equipped for every good work,” (TNIV). Read on in Genesis 2:16, “And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will certainly die,’ ” (TNIV).

God’s word is clear. Do not put a question mark in scripture where God put a period!

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
As the weather cools rattlers and other reptiles (on this hunt I encountered numerous horned toad lizards and even a Gila monster) will find their way into the sunshine to warm up where you’ll find them lazing in the sun. Give the poisonous ones a wide berth. They’ll more likely than not, not even mind your passing.

Bible Study Verse
Psalm 50:23
“Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders his conduct aright I will show the salvation of God. (NKJV)

Thoughts
For those of us who love the outdoors, we have much for which to offer Him praise. Starting my day off with a good time of devotion and praise, in a spot where I can see the mountains, sets the whole day’s stage for me. It is easier to conduct myself in a Godly way. I thank God that He rewards me with His salvation.
(Jimmy S)

Action Point
Find a way to start each day praising God and see what a difference it makes for you.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
When sitting around a campfire on a very cold night, try putting a small shovel full of coals under your lawn chair for added warmth!

Bible Study Verse
Luke 10:20
“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven. (NKJV)

Thoughts
I couldn’t contain myself. I had just arrowed the best deer of my life. As soon as the buck left my sight, the adrenaline in my system made me a basket case– my knees were knocking, breathing shallow, and all I could say was, “Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus! Thank you, Jesus!”

It happened so fast, and needless to say, I was excited. I had to sit down; and although it was a balmy 65 degrees, I was shivering all over. I shook the tree stand, the tree, and all the limbs. That is the excitement that I anticipate when I go hunting; and why I spend time and effort to get a chance at a good deer.

I called every hunting friend that I knew. I emailed pictures to every friend and relative that I could think of. For the next month if anyone was interested even a fraction, I would tell them the story of the hunt. I started carrying around a picture and gave glory to God every time I looked at it. It was a special day for sure.
(Dennis W)

Action Point
When Jesus’ disciples went out to preach, they soon found that they had power they had never had before, and they were excited. As a matter of fact, that is all they could talk about. They spoke of the great things that God had done through them–that they had the power to cast out demons in the name of Jesus. Jesus basically responded to the disciples’ excitement by telling them that what they had experienced doesn’t compare to the fact that they had eternal life.

I look at my own experience with the same thought. As exciting as my hunt was, there was a time in my life that is even more incredible–the moment God graciously took my sins away and gave me eternal life. That moment was more exciting than any deer hunt, even the biggest deer. Only God can do something like that. If you don’t have a relationship with Christ, start one today.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
A deer’s eyes are set high and wide on its head enabling it to see all the way around itself. When its head is down and feeding, movement in any direction except directly behind it is detectible.

Bible Study Verse
John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (NIV)

Thoughts
The words are a little bit figurative to paint the word picture, but the message is very clear. We are designed to be part of Christ, and He, a part of us.

Have you ever seen wild grape vines while in the field? The grapes they produce are small and bitter. With Christ in us, we produce His spiritual fruit, as He trims and cares for us. (Brent B)

Action Point
Being a branch of Christ’s vine needs to be seen as the honor it is. It is not difficult. But, it demands our obedience. When we’re combined with Him, we produce the good results we were intended to.

Look around at real-life examples of the negative consequences of those not in Christ to see supporting evidence of this truth.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Always use a safety harness when hunting from a tree stand. You may be very agile, but there are a number of ways the harness can save you.

For me, an unplanned nap was the hazard. I had no trouble maintaining balance after waking with a start from one such unplanned snooze. However, the harness came in handy when, upon seeing the wide- eyed look of terror on the faces of two near-by cow elk, I realized I had not only jolted out of a nap from my own snoring, I had scared the cows who had fed into my location while I was “quiet”. The laughter that followed was as dangerous in that position as a near fall. The solid feel of the harness locked to the tree trunk was a comfort.

Bible Study Verse
Matthew 7:13-14
“Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it. How narrow is the gate and difficult the road that leads to life, and few find it.” (HCSB)

Thoughts
When I go hunting, I often find myself walking back to camp in the dark. This can be a little unnerving at times. So I try to find a wide path to follow and prefer a wood cutter’s old trail. These trails crisscross the area I hunt and are easy to follow. But, be careful, easy can sometimes be dangerous.

There have been a few times I got on the wrong trail and had to backtrack a great distance to return to where I should have been. I was reminded this week of the scriptural teaching how narrow is the gate and how difficult is the road that God wants us to follow.

A friend recently found one of those wide trails and decided to follow it. He has not realized that he chose the wrong trail. There has been much destruction along the way and relationships have been broken.

The backtrack will painful. This is not a time for him to strike out on his own. Only by God’s mercy and grace will his relationships be restored.
(Ernie W)

Action Point
So what can be done now? Our first thought might be to go it alone and repair the relationships ourselves. Now is the time to stay on an established path. The right path, though narrow, is available to us through God. As a Christian, the only way we can have truly good relationships is through a right relationship with God.

The first step to getting back on the narrow road is to seek God and ask His forgiveness. Proverbs 3:5- 7 tells us to, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the LORD and turn away from evil,” (HCSB). We must ask Him to repair our relationships.

This might be a long and painful time. We cannot do this on our own. We need to find godly men to help us by praying with us and making us accountable for our choices.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Don’t wait until the first day of your hunt to find the right path to and from camp. Spend time during the pre- season scouting the paths as well as looking for the spot you will hunt.