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
Matthew 7:14
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (NIV)

Thoughts
Over time, my family’s interest in camping has shifted away from public campgrounds to experiences that are more rustic. When we first started camping, we would pull into a campground, set up camp, and then establish our plan for the week–sights to be seen, trails to hike.

After doing lots of day hikes and taking in beautiful scenery, we thought it would be nice to take the next step with our hiking and venture into backpacking. Our thinking was that if the day hikes were nice, just think of all the amazing things we could see if we went to the interior of the trail systems. The idea that we were seeing a side of nature that most people didn’t ever get to view was appealing. We became fascinated with “the road less traveled.” As a result, our trips–planning and time–are now focused on the narrow trails that we enjoy following.
(Dave M)

Action Point
The Bible is very clear that the road that leads to God is narrow. As a believer, we are confronted daily with options that either lead us away from God or to God.

I pray that as your journey of faith continues you would become fascinated and encouraged to follow narrow path that God has laid out before us. That it would become your heart’s desire to pursue it. There is a definite reward for pursuing the narrow path!

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
When you are trying to capture the depth of a view in a photo, make sure to get a bush, a weed, or a tree limb in the foreground. This little technique improves picture quality tremendously.

Bible Study Verse
Ecclesiastes 3:1
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: (NKJV)

Thoughts
“Dad,” my son exclaimed as I entered the back door of our home from a three-day speaking engagement in another state, “Pepper had her puppies this afternoon and you should see this one big one. I named him Hoss.” It was a fine, solid-white pointer pup and my teenage son had helped Pepper deliver her litter.
“He is going to be awesome,” He said as he placed Hoss back with the mother and the gang.

Boy was he right. Hoss went on to be an incredible dog, having his picture in magazines, being on TV shows, and setting the bar high for any other dog in the field with him on a particular day.

“Dad,” Dr. Jay, my son the veterinarian, assured me, “I’ll take care of Hoss. It’ll be okay.”

As my bus pulled onto the road and I headed out to speak at a wild game dinner hours away, I knew that it would be okay. The hands of the teenage boy that helped Hoss enter this world, were now, some sixteen years later, going to help him exit this world. With his systems failing, it was time for Hoss to take his final rest.
(Joey H)

Action Point
As the bus traveled that asphalt ribbon to a group of men and boys waiting for me to speak, I couldn’t help but think about how Hoss and Jay spoke to my heart about God and me.

Jay loved Hoss and was excited about his birth. God loves me and was excited about my coming into this world.

Jay saw Hoss in the field even though his eyes weren’t opened and he could walk. God saw me in the field of life, and called me to fulfill His plans for my life, Jeremiah 29:11.

Over the years Jay fed Hoss, gave him his monthly heart worm medication, and took care of him. God takes care of me each day. At the end of the days afield, the last bird retrieved, and the last covey pointed, Hoss looked to Jay for help. With his body worn out and used up, Hoss turned his heart to Jay, and trusted in the same hands that he trusted before he even saw them.

Someday, I will walk out of my last field, step off my last stage, and God will be there with His hands around me. When that time comes, what a blessing it will be to know that the same hands that guided my entrance will guide my exit and grace me for all of eternity.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
How many times have we seen pictures of dogs waiting for their masters, or heard stories from years gone by of dogs waiting day after day at the train station for their master to return? Take time each day to spend with your pup. He is more than another piece of hunting equipment; he needs your touch. Take him for a ride, throw the ball with him, or just let him hang out with the family. It will pay big dividends in the field and in the future.

Bible Study Verse
John 15:8
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. (NIV)

Thoughts
Perhaps nothing in the fishing world can compare to the strike of a fish on a top water lure. Top water lures aren’t species specific. What was once only a mainstay of bass fisherman, surface lures now entice everything from redfish and tuna, to blue marlin. I remember the first time I saw a big sea trout explode one–I had to have some of that action.

We had just finished bottom fishing a peak some 70 nautical miles offshore, when a good friend sat down next to me and shared that he had recently given his life to Jesus. I really didn’t know how to act or what to say. My first thoughts were: how will this affect me and how will this change our relationship? (Isn’t it remarkable how life before Christ is so self- centered?)

The next several months, I watched him carefully. I wanted to see just what this whole Jesus thing was about. I immediately noticed that his language changed; his demeanor too–he had this peace about him. His outlook on life improved–he had purpose. I also saw him turn the sources of worry and distraction into the focus of his prayers. I admired his change, As I watched Christ grow and make these profound changes in him, I knew I had to have some of that action.
(Will D)

Action Point
Every time you and I witness, we open the door to the scrutiny and watchful eyes of the secular world. But, that is good news. We don’t have to act or try to be something we are not. The “old us” has been replaced with a new, born again Spirit–God’s promise to us.

Rejoice in the fact you no longer have to strive to fit in some worldly pattern of existence. Thank our Lord of Heaven for the Grace He offers us and the eternal life-saving change it provides.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Top water lures work much better when utilizing a loop knot. A good one that is easy and quick to tie is the Rapala Knot.

Bible Study Verse
II Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (NIV)

Thoughts
If I had to pick a favorite animal, I believe it would have to be the pronghorn antelope. It is truly an icon of the American West and unique to North America. As the fastest land mammal in North America, everything about the pronghorn is designed for speed–an oversized windpipe, huge lungs, and a large heart.

Pronghorns are not related to goats or sheep as some may think; they are one of a kind and the only horned animals to shed their horn sheaths. They shed their sheaths every year. In my area they usually drop in early November. The new sheaths start to grow soon after the old ones are gone.
(Ron T)

Action Point
The pronghorns get rid of their old beat up, broken horns. They fall to the ground and there they stay until the elements and rodents reduce them to nothing.

When we receive Christ, we are born again. Our old self is gone, forgotten. We are new creations.

Jesus said, . . . “[n]o one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again,” (John 3:3). To be born again–to be “in Christ”–one must confess with his mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in his heart that God raised Him from the dead. Do this and one will be saved (Romans 10:9-10).

When this transformation takes place, the person is a new creation. The old has gone and the new has come!

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
To keep your rifle scope clean and dust away from your lense, try making your own scope cover. Cut a section about a ½ inch wide out of an old tire inner tube, cut the ends about an inch wide, depending on the size of you scope. It will look like a big rubber band when you done.

Bible Study Verse
Colossians 4:5
Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. (NIV)

Wen you guys stay aroun peopo dat no trus God still yet, try tink first, da way you guys ack aroun dem. Everytime you guys get chance, tell um bout Christ!” (Da Jesus Book, Hawaii Pigin New Testament, Wycliffe)

Thoughts
The terminology in the Wycliffe translation of Hawaii Pigin may be a bit tough for some. But, it is a good read on the verse. The New American Standard Bible translates the last line, “making the most of every opportunity.”

If you are a “Christ Follower,” a Christian, no doubt you are around people each day who “no trus God still yet.” They don’t trust Him, because they don’t know Him. They may believe He exists in some way: “Yes, I believe there is a God.” But, they don’t know Him.

To know Him is to trust Him. Trusting Him is to know Him by experience. (RE)

Action Point
Do you know God on a personal level? Can those around you who don’t know Him see the reality of your knowing? “Try tink first, da ways you guys ack around dem.” Our acting as Christians is evidence of our knowing Him…or not! Do you know Him?

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Consistent success in hunting means “making the most of every opportunity.” This requires quick recognition of game, quick targeting, and a well- placed shot. I know of no better way to practice this sequence to success than cottontail rabbit hunting. Sporting clays is a close second though! Go ahead my friends; make the most of your opportunities. When possible, take a buddy “with” you!

Bible Study Verse
1 Corinthians 3:5-8
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe-as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. (NIV)

Thoughts
It was a new stand. We had just stood it up on the pipeline the previous day. There I sat, wondering if it would be a good spot. An hour later, I was admiring a small buck that I had just taken.

On the way back to the four-wheeler, I saw a huge scrape that I had not seen before then. It was fresh. Its size told me that a good-sized buck had been tending it. I was leaving for the weekend, so I told my dad about the scrape and urged him to go sit in that stand.

In the rain the next morning, he shot a huge nine-point. Sometimes you just have to set someone else up to succeed in order to accomplish a common goal. In our case, it was fresh deer tenderloin and a mount to go in the game room. His reward was a filled tag. My reward was having helped him to succeed.
(Brian H)

Action Point
Our society puts too much emphasis on having the spotlight firmly on ourselves. But, God’s ways are not like our ways.

In the passage above, Paul and Apollos were working hand-in-hand for a common goal–to see people come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Sometimes Paul would preach and then Apollos would go talk to the people one-on-one, and they would be saved. Basically, Paul says, “I don’t care who gets to lead them to the Lord as long as they get saved!”

Sometimes we’re called to plant a seed. Sometimes we’re called to water it. Other times, we get to harvest. But, don’t forget that we do exactly what God calls us to do–and nobody harvests unless God makes our efforts grow. The spotlight is not on us. We’re in the shadows. The spotlight is right where it belongs–on our great and glorious God!

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Keep your eyes open for unusual forage no matter what you’re hunting. Sometimes you might think that game would be hitting one food source hard only to find that they’re interested in something else. Scout hard and don’t overlook lesser food sources.

Bible Study Verse
Luke 21:34-36
“But be on your guard. Don’t let the sharp edge of your expectation get dulled by parties and drinking and shopping. Otherwise, that Day is going to take you by complete surprise, spring on you suddenly like a trap, for it’s going to come on everyone, everywhere, at once. So, whatever you do, don’t go to sleep at the switch. Pray constantly that you will have the strength and wits to make it through everything that’s coming and end up on your feet before the Son of Man.” (MSG)

Thoughts
I had been sitting near the water tank for a few hours, with a cow elk tag in my backpack. Nothing had come in and darkness was near. As I grew tired and my senses seemed to dull, I suddenly detected the unmistakable smell of elk. It hit me in the face like a Mike Tyson upper cut, but I could see nothing.

For several minutes I searched the areas in my line of vision, nothing in front of me and nothing to the sides of me; it must be behind me I thought. After fifteen minutes of waiting and the sun setting, I decided I needed to turn to see if it was behind me, even at the risk of alerting it to my presence. Slowly I turned and there it was, a large bull elk standing 20 feet behind at the edge of the tree line.

Fortunately he hadn’t seen me. For the next twenty minutes he stood motionless. With an extreme amount of patience and diligence, he slowly scanned the area for danger. His head moved so slow as to be undetectable, until I noticed his antlers where now facing a different direction. He continued this for the better part of an hour and well into the darkness.
(Brett M)

Action Point
Jesus tells us to look at the fig tree. When the leaves begin to change colors we know that the season is beginning to change. He says that we will be able to recognize the season of His return in the same way. We will not know the day or time. But, we will know the season.

Many of the signs He tells us to look for are all around us. Many believe we are in the season of the end times. Whether we are or not, Jesus instructs us to be watchful. We are to be like that elk and diligently watch out for the signs and dangers, to “look to the heavens” for His return. Many of us have seen the surprise when an animal steps into our line of sight during hunting season. Do not let that day take you by “complete surprise.”

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
During rain or snowy weather place a small piece of black electrical tape over the tip of your muzzle. It will keep the moisture out of your barrel and will easily give way when you take your shot.

Bible Study Verse
Mark 1:35
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. (NIV)

Thoughts
Late September, archery elk camp in northern Arizona. What a great time to be in the woods with my good friend, Bobby. I remember four things from this particular hunt:

1. My dog Herman who wouldn’t let, shall we call them “chunky” people into our camp (we found that out when we came in from a rain storm with our ponchos over our packs, and when a particular friend tried to come in to camp. Herman didn’t like him). But then again, Herman wouldn’t let anyone into our camp.
2. Bobby’s green broke mule named Utah (emphasis on the word “green”). We planned to pack our elk out on him. It’s too bad we didn’t get one. That would have been a rodeo to see!
3. The lightning storm that broke 100 foot pine trees in half. The trees literally exploded about thirty feet above the ground. Makes you think twice about sitting a tree stand.
4. Bobby’s camp coffee. Now you have to understand that in his younger and wilder days (translated pre-Nancy), Bobby was a cowboy on the Boquillas ranch near Seligman, Arizona. Making coffee consisted of pouring grounds in a pot, adding water, and boiling. Bobby’s rule was to never throw out the grounds, just add more coffee and water. On Thursday of the week long hunt I was dumping the contents of the coffee pot on the ground. Bobby hollered at me to stop, and to just add more coffee and more water. I pointed out to Bobby that there wasn’t any room for more coffee or water in the pot. It was full to the top with the week’s coffee grounds!(Cliff S)

Action Point
Camp coffee. For many of us, a necessary part of the morning. If we don’t have our morning cup of coffee it’s going to be a bad day. Some of us make it at home and take a Thermos full with us. Others make the obligatory stop at Starbucks or Circle K for their caffeine hit. I like to make camp coffee, then slip away, and enjoy a little time by myself. There’s something about a cup of coffee, my Bible, and my prayer time that just makes the day better.

It was recorded that Jesus would go to the mountains alone for His time of refreshment with the Father. If it was good enough for Jesus, it’s good enough for me. I wonder if there was a Starbucks in Jerusalem.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
By boiling water and using instant coffee and instant oatmeal you can have a pretty easy breakfast, and sleep a few minutes longer while the water heats up. If you’re cooking inside the tent or a camper, remember to vent the enclosure by opening the windows so you don’t trap carbon monoxide inside.

Bible Study Verse
Proverbs 12:25
Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression, But a good word makes it glad. (NKJV)

Thoughts
(Kevin & Tom, Part II continued from yesterday)
Kevin hacked away at some weeds in Tom’s garden like a man chopping wood. Tom stopped his own work and watched as Kevin’s fury intensified until finally he threw the hoe, dropped to his knees, and began to sob audibly as he dug up fists full of dirt.

Tom walked over and again put a large calloused hand on Kevin’s shoulder. “Wanna talk about it?”
Kevin shook his head and looked up at Tom. “Everything I thought I loved is now gone. I’ve lost my job, my car, my house is being foreclosed on, and my wife left me this morning.”

Tom looked sad. “So, Tammy left too, huh?”

Kevin nodded again.

Tom continued, “You know, Kevin, the Bible says in Proverbs 12:15 that a guy that listens to good counsel is smart. Well, that’s my own translation of it. So, will you listen to me?”

Kevin nodded again.

Tom spoke softly to Kevin. “Did you know that God is absolutely crazy about you, Kevin? Did you know that He thinks that you are awesome? Kevin, you were so important to God that He gave His Son to die for you and He’s got bigger plans for you still to come.”

Kevin wiped his face. “When, Tom?”

Tom smiled again. “Don’t know for sure, buddy. But you’d better get ready, because God is waiting on you to get some stuff straight with Him so He can bless you big time.”

A hint of a smile came across Kevin’s face. “You think so?”

Tom helped Kevin up from the ground. “I’ll bet that bucket of tomatoes that God has a big plan for a hot rod like you!”

For the first time in weeks, Kevin laughed.
(Brian H)

Action Point
People hurt. There’s no two ways about it. At some point in your life, you will be one of the hurting ones. But, with God’s help, at some point in your life, you will also be one of the helping ones. Have you found yourself just getting tired of being around people? You know what I mean. You get tired of grumpy and grouchy people that honk at you in the parking lot or that grumble at you when you’re taking too long in the checkout line. Let’s face it, people can aggravate us to no end. But, why are they that way? Have you ever thought that the guy that’s yelling at you out the window of his car may have just lost his job?

God loves people. There’s no two ways about it. If you’re breathing, then God loves you. Today, look for an opportunity to douse somebody’s anxiety with a good bucket full of love by way of a few kind words. You don’t have to preach to them. Just give them a good word, a very quick proverb with no strings attached, or just a friendly hand on a slumped shoulder. Our world if full of anxious people that are teetering on the brink of depression. A good word can make their heart glad.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
A wooden box made out of 2 X 4s with clear plastic over the top makes a great winter grow box. You can raise lettuce, radishes, and onions in a box like this to enjoy a great garden salad during the winter.

Bible Study Verse
Proverbs 12:11-12
He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread, but he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding. The wicked covet the catch of evil men, But the root of the righteous yields fruit. (NKJV)

Thoughts
Kevin smirked as he leaned up against his fifty thousand dollar sports car. His neighbor, Tom, was sitting on the tailgate of his worn-out pickup truck filing a hoe that he used in his garden. Pushing his sun-glasses back up his nose with one finger, Kevin sauntered over to Tom. “When are you going to give this garbage up? You’re out here every day sweating, working, and for what? A bucket of tomatoes? I’ve got a sweet deal about to go down at work. Sure, it’s a little shady. But, I’m going to earn enough this month to buy all of the tomatoes in this state!” With that he headed back to his car. He revved the engine and tore out down the road with radio thumping.

Tom smiled, shook his head, and kept filing the old hoe.

That very afternoon, Kevin rang the doorbell of Tom’s house. He was clearly broken as tears ran down his face. “It’s over, Tom. My boss found out about my big deal. He said that he didn’t do business that way and he fired me. Now, on top of that, the other company is suing for my actions. I guess you were right all along, Tom.”

Tom placed a big calloused hand on Kevin’s shoulder. “The Bible says that we don’t have any understanding if we follow frivolous things, Kevin.”

Kevin was quiet for a minute. “Tom, how can I learn to be more like you and less like the jerk that I’ve been?”

Tom smiled again and handed Kevin a hoe.
(Brian H)

Action Point
Attention! Attention! This is a call to work and a call to live in righteousness! Just picture the writer of the Proverbs standing up on a hill overlooking the city. He clears his throat, cups his hands, and shouts out that line. Now, that’s probably not how this proverb was written. But, no doubt, I have your attention now. Have you noticed a theme in the evening news over the last few years? I have seen two things:

* How can I get more money or things?
* If what I’m doing is wrong, I just need to change the rules so it is now right?

I can’t think of any attitudes that are more contrary to the above mentioned verses! You can always find a clear contrast between worldly thoughts and what God has to say. You’ve seen the two themes of the world above. Now let’s state those thoughts as God did in His Word:

* Wealth is not evil, but you have to work for it.
* The Bible is ultimate truth. Align yourself with it and live in righteousness.

Now compare and contrast those statements. Mull them over in your mind. Does your life square up with the Bible, which is ultimate truth? Do you work for your wants and needs or are you looking for a get-rich- quick scheme? Are you living in righteousness? Read the entire chapter of Proverbs 12. The root of the righteous yields fruit. There is life and no death.
(To be continued. . .)

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Even if you don’t have a place to put a garden, you can fill some five-gallon buckets with soil and plant tomatoes, squash, and cucumbers. You should be able to raise enough vegetables to supply your table for the summer. Yes, it’s a little extra work, but it’s a blessing that you don’t need to miss out on!