Bible Study Verse
Isaiah 46:4
Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you. (NIV)

Thoughts
I “drew” a tag this year and took 9 days off from work to go hunting. Today I had a chance to hunt with my dad all day and had a chance to see God’s hand at work. This morning we “cut” (observed/found) sign on what appeared to be a big buck crossing the desert. We proceeded to get on the track and go to work. 2½ hours and 4 miles later we had to let the deer go as he entered an impossible mesquite thicket that would surely result in us spooking him before we could ever get a shot.

On our walk back Dad mumbled something about too much “dead heading”, told me to go on ahead, get the truck (about a ½ mile out), come back, and get him. He headed for a shady palo verde tree. I continued on without looking back. I got to the truck and started back just in time to see him headed my way not 100 yards away. He just said, “I got tired of waiting for you.” He must have been behind me the whole time!
(Ruben C)

Action Point
I understood why my dad wanted me to come back for him, he’s 71 years old and not 40 (40 is the new 30)! I was very surprised that he actually made the whole walk back. My old man is a man of faith. Physically, it seems impossible that he can still endure the many challenges he puts his body through on our hunts. It may not always be so, but for now God carries him on!

I Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” (NIV)

Sportsmen, men of God, take heed to this scripture. I see too many sportsmen who are not in good physical condition. I confess, I could easily loose 15 lbs myself, but I’m talking about excessive unhealthy eating and drinking that leads to adult onset illnesses such as diabetes which can kill you! Do it so you can enjoy the hunt more. Do it so you can enjoy the hunt with you children and grand children! I thank God I can still hunt with my old man.

Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Stay in shape. If you are preparing for your annual deer hunt, no one knows better than you what shape you should be in. So are you? If your hunt is a not planned to be grueling or physically challenging, you still need to be prepared for the worst. Being in good physical condition has saved more bad situations from getting worse than you can imagine. If you’re taking brisk walks for the month prior to your hunt, you can accomplish a few things: conditioning your joints, breaking in new hunting boots, finding out what your weight limit is for your pack, and spending some quality time with your loved ones before you hunt.

It seems some coastal impoundments may not be wet enough either!  WE NEED SOME RAIN!

Coastal Waterfowl Impoundments May Remain Dry

RALEIGH, N.C. (Sept. 27, 2007) – Due to severe drought conditions, some coastal waterfowl impoundments may lack adequate water levels for hunting, according to the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.

Most impoundments are filled by pumping water from adjacent sources, but this approach may not be an option unless the Coastal area receives significant rainfall in the coming weeks.

All impoundments on the Roanoke River Wetlands Game Land currently are unable to be flooded and will be dry during early season hunting.

The following may also lack sufficient water sources to flood completely: Lodge Road Impoundment and portions of the Greentree Impoundments on Holly Shelter Game Land, parts of the J. Morgan Futch Impoundment, and much of the rainfall-dependant Parker Farm, which is part of the Goose Creek Game Land.

Many of these locations offer randomly drawn special permit hunts, which require a $5 application fee per entry. While the drawings will still take place, applicants should understand that drought conditions may negatively impact hunting opportunities.

To learn more about the Commission, or other waterfowl hunting opportunities, visit www.ncwildlife.org.

Hey everyone, Zach here! Just wanted to update everyone on what to look for in the upcoming articles. As many of you have seen, September 15th was a successful day for the for us here at Tobacco Road, however KJ was not the only Tobacco Road pro staffer to succeed last week. Sean Ottaly also connected with a nice 9-pointer in Chatham County as well. Congratulations to both of you yet once. Sean’s story will be up within the next few days.

Also, for the upcoming waterfowl season we are working on several very good comparison articles so be sure to keep your eye open on updates for that!

Take care and God Bless!

-ZQ

Hey just wanted to let all of you know I added four more dove hunts to the list so if you still do not have anywhere to go, give one of them a call. Only a few more days until opening day!

The Dove hunts are listed in the outdoor news category.

As many of you already know a bridge has collapsed in Minneapolis, MN. Please say a prayer for these families and folks that may still be trapped under the bridge and/or in the water. There is only one confirmed death at this point but please keep them in your prayers.

As this event continues to take place now two days later please  continue to keep them in your prayers as there are still people missing.