Bible Study Verse
Psalm, 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. (NIV)
Thoughts
Mountains–They are majestic in their glory of God and His creation. This verse is not talking about the hills being our source of help. It is acknowledging that our helper is the Maker of the hills– none other than God, Himself. But, this verse did prompt my thoughts to go to hills of significance in the Bible: the hill where the Sermon on the Mount was preached; the hills where Jesus went to be alone and to pray; the Mount of Transfiguration; and, especially, the mount called Calvary. You see, our help does come from that hill, in the form of Jesus’ death and His subsequent gift of salvation. (CS)
Action Point
The next time you’re climbing a hill, burdened down by your pack, rifle, and maybe even the trophy you sought, imagine the burden Jesus carried up the hill to His crucifixion. Take time to give Him thanks for not turning back. Jesus was seeking us, you and me, to draw us to Himself and the Father.
Bible Study Verse
Hosea 9:10
I found Israel like grapes in the wilderness; I saw your fathers as the firstfruits on the fig tree in its first season. . . . (NKJV)
Thoughts
Wild blackberries are one of my favorite outdoor foods. They’re not nearly as seedy as the hybrid garden-variety berry, and they’re much sweeter. I know of several places where blackberries grow wild. This gives me an additional incentive to hike or fish in those areas. Because I know where to look and when they’re in season, I know I’ll find them when they’re ripe and ready to harvest.
God knew exactly where Israel was, too; not only where they were in the wilderness, but also where they were in relationship with Him. And He “found” them and made them His people. The message here is not so much about His searching, since He knows where everyone is; but about His delight in “finding” people who desire Him to be Lord. Likewise, He knows where we are in our relationship with Him. If we’re without Jesus as Lord of our lives, then we’re not ready for the final harvest. When God finds us by His word of truth, we become a kind of firstfruits of His creatures, just as Israel was before Jesus came (James 1:18) –we become children of the living God. May He find each of us as grapes in the wilderness, ready to turn loose of the vine that gives earthly life so that we can abide in the Vine who gives eternal life. (John 15:1) (DH)
Action Point
Even as Christians, we experience highs and lows in life. Sin, wrong choices, or just the heavy weight of daily living can cause our sweet, ripened life to be bitter and unsavory. (Kingdom terms, of course) Think of how you will look to God if He should suddenly find you in any of these situations. Remember, He already knows where you are in your relationship with Him. It’s a matter of how much you want to be like Jesus every moment of every day. In your daily prayer time, pray to be more and more like Him.
Bible Study Verse
John 10:27
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: . . . . (KJV)
Thoughts
We live and we learn.
I know much more now about training dogs than I did twenty-five years ago when I first began. Then, I had just bought two grown English setters from a gentleman battling cancer. The best information that I could find out from his wife was that the dogs were trained. I was about to learn the hard way that the word trained has many different meanings. The day after buying the dogs, I took them to the field and released them. The brown ticked setter dove straight under the truck, while the solid white setter took off like his tail was on fire. I blew the whistle and neither dog came, from under the truck nor from the end of the field. I called them by name and then added a few names of my own choosing! I was able to drag the brown ticked setter out from under the truck fairly easily; but it took two hours plus to catch the white setter. I should have worked them with my check cord to get them used to me and my voice. I meet people everyday who don’t recognize the voice of the Lord. (JoeyH)
Action Point
How do we hear the voice of God? I believe that we hear the Lord through the study of His word, through prayer, the counsel of Godly people and teaching of the word at church. A cool morning in the woods, a beautiful sunset, or the crashing of waves on the sea shore certainly prepares our hearts and minds to hear from God. We must be both intentional and unintentional hearers. Sometimes, we just need to be still and listen for His voice. The Lord is ready to speak to you today. Are you ready to listen?
Sportsmen’s Tip of the Day
Naming the family dog can be fun with the kids, but naming your hunting pup is important. Use a short name that is distinct. In the field while hunting with other dogs, your pup’s name should be easy to shout and distinguish. Most dog trainers use a short name like Buck, Pete or Jack. Use his name often as you pet him and train him. Make hearing his name a good time in his life, not just a “here-comes-the-judge” moment. This tip will make your day in the field much more enjoyable and productive.
As many of you already know September 15th was an amazing day for archery here at Tobacco Road.Pro staffer Sean Ottaly was the second to take an awesome buck that Saturday.With all that has been going on with the wedding and such, I owe Sean an apology for the time it has taken to get his article up but here it is!
On opening day I missed a doe in the evening hunt, followed by another miss on an evening hunt during the week.I began to get very frustrated at my shooting and wondered what it could be, however, little to my knowledge the third time out would not be as disappointing and would show the third time is a charm!
This particular hunt was fairly unique from the start.It was the first night of the year all the boys were spending the night at camp, we had a first time bow hunter, and a hunter who is in his second season trying for his first bow harvest as well.We all met at camp about an hour early that evening to put in our requests as where we wanted to hunt and enjoy each other company.A little before four we pack up our things and were off.Where I had chose to hunt that evening was a stand I had wanted to hunt after some observations the year before.During the rut in the 06’ season I had seen several bucks and does but they were out of my range.I observed their travel route and was more then excited to hunt this area. Although I hadn’t completely walked this area in the past I knew where I wanted to be.It was picture perfect, a big draw in a little strip of hardwoods connecting two giant cattle fields.This spot was truly the perfect funnel.At about 5:30- 5:45 I finally got settled in after trimming the limbs that needed to be taken out and reaching my desired elevation.Archery season during September in North Carolina can be tricky weather wise, it can be unbearable.On this particular afternoon it was around 78 after several days above 90 and a week of 100+ so it was just perfect.I had hardly got my bearings in order, after just getting situated, and I heard footsteps.I figured it was a few cows, as the cattle have access to the block of woods I was hunting but to my surprise I turned around to see the legs of a whitetail.Looking a little closer over my left shoulder I then saw horns and knew right then I was going to take this deer.He was heading right down the draw, straight towards me.I reach around to grab my bow, turn back slowly in hopes I wasn’t busted by all the movement seeing he was only about 45 yards out.I hadn’t anticipated deer moving down the draw at all, I was set for them to come up it instead, besides the wind was blowing up the draw virtually eliminating any chance of seeing a deer from that direction.Anyhow, here we go, I wheel around to this bucks direction and manage to do it unnoticed.Once turned in his direction I notice another buck behind the first.My heart is beating out of my chest at this point because the bigger bucks are usually the last in the group and this first deer was already wall material.As it turns out the second was actually a little smaller, which was a little disappointing actually, but with that behind me now I can focus on the first one.He hung up around 30 yards grazing through the under brush, about that time I notice the smaller of the two stick his nose in the air and check the wind, my heart sank as I had gotten this close only to be busted by this deer I have no interest in.Much to my surprise they continued on, apparently the scent free shower and scent blocker suit worked to my advantage.Fifteen minutes had passed, I had gained my composure and was awaiting the perfect shot.They covered more ground with every second and were going to pass me right at 20 yards.Just at that point I realized where they were about to come out, a severe downhill shot was in the works and a vision of last years identical shot and miss on a potential record book buck pops in my head.I knew what went wrong then and told myself not to let it happen again!As he steps behind a tree without a care in the world, I draw my bow, three more feet and he stops broadside, THWACK!Astonishingly he drops right there, the shot was a little high but had penetrated the vitals as well.I sat down, gathered myself, called the rest of the crew and let them know we had a big buck down (BBD Baby!), and started down the tree.Not but about 8 feet down the tree at this point I hear something else coming down the draw, a dang coyote, “Great!†I think myself, my bow is 30 feet at the base of the tree and there is a great buck dead 15 feet from this mangy coyote.Without thinking twice I let out a “Yaaaaaaa!, Yaaaaaaa! Get Out Of Here!! Just as he had smelled my buck like a flash of lightning he gone with his tails between his legs. I finally reached my dee, thinking he was a nice 10 I realize his left side only had four points. He may not be a monster, but this excellent 9-pointer is my personal best with a bow! Looks as if the ante has been raised for the rest of the season.
Starting on Monday October 29th Tobacco Road will have a daily devotional courtesy of www.sportsmandevotional.com. IF you have not had a chance to check out their site you should it is well worth it!
NCWRC has set some baiting guidelines and here they are.
Guidelines Established for Mineral Supplements
RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 25, 2007)– The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission has established guidelines for the placement of mineral supplements to attract or feed deer, effective immediately.
Under the guidelines, any commercially available mineral supplement is considered a processed food product, which would prohibit the taking of black bear or the release of dogs in the vicinity.
In North Carolina, placement of processed food products in areas with an established bear hunting season is against the law. General Statute 113-294 defines a processed food product as any food substance or flavoring that has been modified from its raw components by the addition of ingredients or by treatment to modify its chemical composition or form or to enhance its aroma or taste.
The use of commercially available mineral supplements was not specifically addressed within the definition of processed food products under the state statute. That led to uncertainties about areas where mineral supplements had been placed for deer, but were also open for bear hunting. A resolution adopting the guidelines was approved by the governing board of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission at its Oct. 19 meeting.
In areas containing non-processed food products, such as corn, sweet potatoes and peanuts, it is against the law to still hunt for bear. Hunters using dogs to hunt bear may release dogs at a site containing these non-processed food products.
Placement of mineral supplements specifically for attracting or feeding deer remains legal. Bear hunters are reminded they cannot hunt or release dogs on these sites.
For more information, click here or call (919) 707-0030.
As some of you may have heard already on October 10th Avery Outdoors lost well known pro staffer Josh Leger in a tragic accident. Here is the tribute to him directly from the Avery Outdoors website at www.averyoutdoors.com. If you get a chance go take a look at the slide show at the bottom of the tribute! Rest in peace Josh!
The Last Migration…A Tribute to Jocelyn “Josh” Leger
By Mathieu Bouthillette & Hugues Leblond
The Last Migration…
For the past 25 years, Josh Leger had lived one migration at a time. It started as a 15 year old when a friend and his friend’s father took them hunting and as so often happens after one’s first experience with waterfowling; Josh became hooked right away. He got a duck boat before he even could afford a car to tow it around. Since then, he has been out fishing and hunting at every opportunity. Being a man of passion, Josh would not leave it at simple outings. Waterfowl hunting soon became a way of life and filled every aspect of his daily existence. Before long, he wanted to share what he had learned in the field with the people around him, and that group of people grew larger everyday. He was a charismatic man who was eager to get people excited about all types of hunting and fishing, but it was waterfowl hunting that really made the fires within Josh burn. Whether it was blind concealment, scouting, decoy spread tactics, calling or dog training and handling; he mastered every aspect of this hunt, and it wasn’t long before he was asked to share his thoughts and observations in magazines, web sites, forums, DVDs and as an industry Pro-Staffer. His opinion was so valued that when the Destination X film crew produced their first DVD, we sought (aside from our own team) one man’s approval only: Big Josh’s.
Jocelyn was most content when his house was filled with friends. Every occasion was a good reason to have a BBQ or diner. He had many friends and he helped out anyone who needed it without seeking anything in return. I guess I realised we had become good friends when one day he needed help and he turned to me. If I had to guess if Jocelyn had regrets, I would say he regretted the fact he never had any children to pass his passion on to. I don’t know if he ever realised it, but we all inherited his passion and his love for waterfowl hunting. Seeing now how his death has touched us all and brought us together, it makes me realise he made us all into one big family and that he his engaging human nature will live in all of us who were touched by his life.
He spent most of his life promoting ethical hunting method and stood firmly against crawlers. The tragic irony in the fact that one of them caused his death is unbearable. On October 10, 2007 at around 4:00 pm, a man saw Jocelyn’s spread of decoys and thought they were real snow geese. The man stepped out of his car and shot one round of a .22 rifle from about 400 feet into the spread. He hit Jocelyn in the head.
Jocelyn was taken off the respirator at 11:00 pm on October 10 th , 2007. We are all in mourning of a great man, a great hunter, a great mentor and a great friend. He will be missed. We can find a slim consolation in knowing he did what he liked best, surrounded by good friends, but never again will the sound of geese echo the same memories in our minds, for, from now on, his memory will be at the forefront of every flight of migrating birds that announce the upcoming hunting seasons.
For those of you who have not heard yet Ducks Unlimited will have a Waterfowl Hunters Party in Laurinburg, NC on November 3rd. Here are the details.
Saturday November 3rd 2-5 PM at Wallace Lodge Aberdeen Rd Laurinburg, NC
Prizes Include:
60 Dozen Avery decoys
Guns by Benelli, Ruger and Remington
Field Blinds
Blind Bags
Gun Cases
Decoy Bags
And Much, much more!!
Tickets $25.00 per person includes DU membership,food, beer.
1st 25 people to purchase Sportsman’s Raffle Package will recieve a dozen decoys.
Wear Camo clothing and recieve a free raffle ticket
Pre-sell tickets only No tickets will be sold at the door
Call 252-425-1842 or online at http://www.ducks.org/states/50/events/event13225.html
This is the only 1 that will be held in this area.
Fun and different. This isn’t your usual DU event.
RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct 11, 2007) – Despite continuing drought conditions, the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission is reminding the public that no changes have been made to upcoming hunting seasons.
“Although we are planning no changes to the upcoming hunting seasons with respect to the current drought, we do urge hunters to use extraordinary caution while afield due to the current dry conditions and the extreme potential for wildfire,†said David Cobb, chief of the Wildlife Management Division.
In past drought years, the Commission has received numerous calls asking if hunting seasons would be cancelled or altered due to prolonged dry weather. This season, as in those of the past, no changes are planned. While some outdoor opportunities – such as waterfowl hunting – may be negatively impacted by drought conditions, such seasons will remain open.
However, the Commission does urge hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to use extreme caution during dry weather. While campfires and cigarette butts are obvious wildfire threats, muzzleloader rifles, a vehicle’s catalytic converter (which gets extremely hot and can set dry grasses ablaze) and general carelessness also pose risks.
For those of you who have yet to make it to the State Fair yet make sure to check out the Resources Commision’s Exhibit!
Wildlife Resources Commission’s “Habitat Is Where It’s At†Exhibit at State Fair
RALEIGH, N.C. (Oct. 9, 2007) – With urban development exploding, wildlife habitat is becoming a scarce commodity. Like humans, animals need good habitat to live, gather food and raise their young.
The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s “Habitat Is Where It’s At†exhibit at the 2007 State Fair provides visitors with information on what they can do to help conserve wildlife habitat, while offering them a close-up view of some of the priority species identified in the state’s Wildlife Action Plan.
Stroll down the universally accessible boardwalk to see an otter splashing playfully in the marsh, a peregrine falcon swooping in to grasp dinner with its talons and frogs calling to potential mates. These mounts and many more are scattered throughout re-creations of three North Carolina habitats — the cool, moist spruce fir forests found in the mountains; the fire-resistant longleaf pine savannah of the Piedmont; and the marshes, dunes and sandy beaches of the Coastal Region.
Two 150-gallon aquaria showcase the many different aquatic animals that call the Tar River home, including the Roanoke bass, bluehead chub, Eastern elliptio and swallowtail shiner.
New for this year is the “Test Your Wildlife Knowledge†game for kids 12 and younger. Participants who identify six animals correctly will receive an official “Junior Wildlife Biologist†certificate, courtesy of the Wildlife Resources Commission.
In keeping with this year’s theme, the wildlife button — a free, traditional state fair keepsake — features the robust redhorse, a fish that has declined in numbers and range due to habitat degradation.
Commission biologists, educators and administrative staff will answer questions, provide literature and staff the N.C. WILD Store, where visitors can purchase the newly arrived “Frogs and Toads of North Carolina†book with audio call CD, pick up a free copy of the award-winning Wildlife in North Carolina magazine or buy a wildlife calendar.
Wildlife officers from the Enforcement Division are staffing their free air rifle range where visitors can learn more about firearms safety from trained professionals. They also will staff the Sensory Safari, a hands-on exhibit of pelts, taxidermy specimens and animal bones.
More Information
The state fair will open Oct. 12-21. Fairground gates will be open from 8 a.m. until midnight daily, but the Commission’s tent , which is located downhill from the Holshouser Building, will be open to the public 10 a.m. until 9:30 p.m.
