Backwoods Bound Bullet

ARTICLE: MY SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE HUNTS - Part 1

 My; latest series of unfortunate deer hunts started last December during Illinois' second firearm season. Not to bore you with to much history, I lost a doe after my shot went awry after hittng a small limb on a tree and not striking the deer with a clean shot. My misfortunes continued the following weekend during the muzzleloader season when I flat missed another doe at 35 yards standing broadside to me. What had happened? I had started off with a bang the first weekend of archery season by filling both my tags on back to back days. I didn't know it at the time but someone somewhere had put a mojo on me.

 Needless; to say I was looking forward to this year's seasons to make my comeback into the ranks of the happy, smiling deer hunters. So far, it is not to be. Time nor space permits me to relay all of my tales of woe this month, so I'll start at the beginning.

 The; first weekend of bow season I had everything set. I was going to hunt a trail from my climbing stand that was used very heavy in the morning and then I was going to hunt from some hay bales set up on the end of a food plot to hunt from in the evening. I was hoping for a repeat of last year and fill my bow tags early in the season. My game plan was to first take a mature doe, just to take the pressure off and then to go for a nice buck.

 The; first morning no deer appeared on the trail. I wasn't disappointed because I knew that the deer always come out to the food plot toward evening and my chances would improve. Besides, it was only the first morning.

 Arriving; back to the field around three I was determined to be set up well before the deer would move in the late afternoon. With not much to do except swat bugs, I waited. I waited and waited then dozed off, woke up and waited some more. Stupid deer never showed up where I was wanting them to. They decided to appear up on a hill that was planted with clover and grass that we cut for hay. That was okay. It was only the first evening.

 After; hunting the trail the next morning from my climbing stand, with no deer sighted, I came up with a plan. If the deer wouldn't come to me I would go to them. I would set up my ladder stand in a small group of trees on the hill where the deer had been coming out to feed and where I saw them the evening before.

 I; arrived back later that afternoon and drove out to the spot. It seemed like that in no time I had the stand up and shooting lanes cleared. Leaving my pack there, I drove the truck out to the road and walked back with bow in hand just in case I spotted a deer that was dim witted enough to stand still at 20 yards so I could get a shot. Damn the luck, there weren't any. Oh well I'd have to do it the hard way.

 Getting; back to the stand, I used a few arrows to mark off 20 and 30 yard distances in the open field for reference and sprayed a little doe urine on them. Climbing into the stand I was full of anticipation for the evenings events.

 At; about 6:40 I spotted a doe coming up the hill to my right and the adrenline hit my system. I contained my excitment the best I could and waited for my chance. I watched her duck in and out of the growth in the fence row for what semed like half an hour when in reality is was closer to 10 minutes. I kept on trying to mentally will her to keep coming to the left and into the shooting lane.

 Like; the doe I had taken the year before, this one spotted one of my 20 yard marker arrows and went in for a sniff. It surprised me when she jumped back about 6 feet after getting a swiff of the doe urine I had sprayed on it. I figured I was busted right then and there. Instead of running off, she circled around to the left of it and came at it from a different angle. "Keep moving left, keep moving" I was saying to myself. She finally had her fill of the arrow and started to my left. Alright! I drew back the bow and waited for her to step into the shooting lane. I was hoping I could stop her there. If not I would have to wait for her to go another 25 feet before she stepped into my next shooting lane.

 Luck; was with me, to a point anyway, when I got her to stop right where I wanted her. In my mind I remember saying "red pin" since that is my 20 yard pin and released the arrow. "What a shot! I hit her in the heart!" That's what I thought when she first went down. But something didn't look right when she stood up. The arrow was sticking out both sides of her just below the spine and above the lungs. I had hit her too high. What a mental mistake! She wasn't at 20 yards she was more like 16 yards away and the arrow had hit her too high. At this point I thought I had at least nicked her spine the way she was rolling and flopping on the ground. She rolled and flopped right under my stand and down the hill to my left. I could have jumped off onto her back with my knife and finished her off had the safety strap not been holding me in place and the thought of damaging my bow when I dropped it 12 feet to the ground stopped me.

 I; was still hoping for the best until she finally got her feet under her and her wits back. I watched as she beat it across the corner of the field and into some honeysuckles along the fencerow. Knowing the chances were slim that she would expire I still clung to that one small thread of hope. You know the one. The one you get when the lottery hits fifty million dollars and you didn't buy a ticket but still hope to win.

 Since; it was getting late and I didn't want to push her, I packed up and started in willing to come back in a few hours to trail her. Not wanting to spook her, I was going to take the long way out. As I approached the area where I had been the evening before, the food plot, a deer stepped in view looking right at me. Well son-of-a- *#^&*%. Why didn't they show up when I was there. Not wanting to bust everything out of that field, I slowly backed up until I couldn't see the deer any more and took a different route to the truck.

 Arriving; back after supper that evening with my brother-in-law along for help we started the search. Starting where it all began we picked up the faintest blood trail and then lost it. That was okay because I had seen where she had went into the bushes. We searched that area of the fencerow from top to bottom. Looking under every bush, we found nothing. We came to the conclusion that she had crossed the fence and hightailed it across the other field. Since it was cool that night I wasn't worried that she would spoil if she died soon and laid there all night. I decided to hunt awhile in the morning and then take up the search again. Hopefully I could find her or at least some sign of her.

 After; hunting for a few hours the following morning, I went back to resume the search. I climbed back into the stand and visualized the sequence of events again and to more accurately pinpoint where she disappeared into the bushes.

 Going; to the spot she had ran to, I found a crossing on the fence there. The fencerow is pretty grown up along this area and there are only 4 or 5 spots where the deer can cross. I followed suit and crossed the fence. Starting a search pattern on the other side my efforts came up empty. I then started to search the small groups of trees in the field and the trees that border it.

 After; much walking and looking I found myself walking up a ditch surrounded by trees on the edge of another field. I'm not sure what made me look down, perhaps it was divine intervention or just dumb luck, I spotted some blood. Not a lot mind you, but a blood trail nonetheless. Alright! There's hope after all. Well the jubilation didn't last long. The trail, if you could call it that quit at the edge of the field. Another hour of looking resulted in tired feet and a sweaty back and armpits.

 I; left the next day with no deer for the freezer and a that low lonesome feeling you get when you lose an animal. I was hoping the deer would survive and the coyotes wouldn't get her. I made a mental note to tell the guys that if they killed a doe during firearm season and it had a hole in it's back that I had called dibs.

 The; story is just getting started. The next in the series of my unfortunate hunts takes place in Oklahoma. Until then have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I'm going to try. Jim Bob

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BACKWOODS HEALTH: DEVELOPING A FITNESS ATTITUDE By Helen Norse

 While; I was doing research at my local library, I found his title: "Fitness without Exercise - The Scientifically Proven Strategy for Achieving Maximum Health with Minimum Effort." Written by Bryant Stamford and Porter Shimer, this concept misses the point. Fitness is, after all, an attitude more than it is a destination.

 I; found another book title that has more to recommend it, and has a concept with which I whole-heartedly agree. "Walking: the Pleasure Exercise," written by Mort Malkin. In fact, during the library catalogue search, under the search-word *fitness*, five out of the first twenty listings had the word *walking* in their titles. This makes sense.

 Walking; is naturally one of the best places to start creating a Fitness Attitude. For one thing, it gets you outdoors, and that's good for the fitness of your head! In addition, it uses all the large muscles in your body, it's low-impact, and it doesn't require any special equipment. It is something you are already expert at doing, and your body is perfectly designed for it. Hooray! You've got an awesome place to begin on your way to having a Fitness Attitude: Go for a walk every day.

 Now;, I'll admit something here. Even though I highly value fitness, nutrition and good health, sometimes it really is an effort to put on my walking shoes and get out the door. Today was cold and rainy, for example. I had eaten a big lunch and wanted to get caught up on answering emails. It would have taken very little nudging to convince myself to stay indoors by the woodstove basking in the glow of my computer screen.

 Momentum; is helpful. A daily walk is so much a part of my life by now that I feel strange when I don't walk out. Another thing that is useful, if you'll try it, is having a routine. A ritual will get you out the door and into the flow. Rather than choosing a distance, set a length of time you'll walk, and then Go! You'll develop some routes that become your favorites, and require no planning - which is the beauty of a routine. They can free your mind so your thoughts during your walk can be about more interesting topics than which way to turn at the next intersection.

 If; you use a gym, treadmill, or other walking strategy like mall walks, good for you! However, if you can possibly swing it, arrange it so that at least some of your walking time is outdoors. Time spent in the open air is part of the concept of fitness as an attitude.

 Which; leads to the topic of nutrition in relation to the Fitness Attitude. Mostly, when you eat foods that have a natural basis, (for example, fresh salads not drowning in oily vinegar dressing, or stir-fried vegetables that aren't swimming in a sugary sauce), you don't crave non-food junk like my own favorite: red or black licorice. Nevertheless, the portability, packaging, and easy availability of 'snack foods' in our fast-paced society mean that it's inevitable, sometimes you are going to eat junk. The good news is that once you've got your Fitness Attitude, processed 'foods' easily stop being a feature of your diet.

 As; you put attention on fitness, your life will soon include the pleasure of walking daily and a natural hunger for whole foods that are nourishing to you. A Fitness Attitude isn't complicated, and you'll feel better. You simply will.

 Health; writer, Helen Norse is a contributing author of The Health First Ezine, the pre-eminent on-line resource for health information. Visit Helen's archive of articles at: http://www.healthf.com/arch/

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NEWS RELEASE: NWTF HELPS DEFEAT BEAR BAITING BANS

 Hunters; scored two major victories over anti-hunting groups on election day as voters in Alaska and Maine rejected ballot measures banning bear hunting methods.

 The; Alaska and Maine State Chapters of the National Wild Turkey Federation donated $10,000 each to help combat ballot initiatives that would ban bear baiting.

 "These initiatives were not about bear hunting at all but about hunting in general," said Rob Sexton, vice president, U.S. Sportsman's Alliance. "They were prime examples of the state's professional biologists supporting hunting as a means of bear management with opposing campaigns funded by anti-hunting organizations."

 Maine; sportsmen united under the banner of the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Council, launched by the Sportsmen's Alliance of Maine and the Maine Professional Guides Association. The campaign committee raised $1.5 million from more than 13,000 donors. Fifty-three percent of Maine voters cast their vote against the anti-hunting initiative.

 The; victory in Maine is especially impressive given a late infusion of cash from the Humane Society of the United States and the Fund for Animals, which pumped nearly $600,000 into television ads during the three weeks before election day. The two out-of-state groups bankrolled more than 90 percent of the cost of the anti-hunting campaign.

 The; animal rights groups' focus on Maine was a real break for sportsmen in Alaska, who were able to capitalize on the lower funded anti-hunting campaign. Sportsmen in Alaska received nearly $500,000 from national hunting organizations including the NWTF and the USSA. Anti-hunting forces mustered only $115,000. Forty-two percent of the Alaska residents voted for the bear-baiting ban while 58 percent voted against the initiative.

 Alaska;, a state without a wild turkey population, has more than 400 NWTF volunteers and two chapters. Since 1998 the state chapter has donated more than $20,000 to provide educational literature, scholarships, hunter safety education and women's programs for Alaska residents.

 "There are no wild turkeys in Alaska, but we believe very adamantly that any unfounded attack upon hunting has to be combated, and we're willing to fight to preserve our hunting heritage," said Dean Hughes, Alaska NWTF state chapter president.

 According; to a press release from the USSA, the two ballot issues are the latest battles in the "bear wars" launched by anti-hunting groups in 1993 with a federal bill before Congress to ban bear hunting over bait.

 "Donations from all types of conservation and hunting organizations helped us win this round of battles," said Rob Sexton, USSA's vice president for government affairs. "With the help of the NWTF and other sportsmen's organizations that steadfastly defend our hunting heritage we will continue to fight to preserve all that is great about hunting."

 For; more information about the National Wild Turkey Federation or to join, visit their web site at www.nwtf.com.

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In this issue:

~ Recipe: "Fried Deer Steaks"

BACKWOODS TRIVIA:

What U.S. president proclaimed the last Thursday in November as a national day of Thanksgiving?

Bonus question: What president changed the date of Thanksgiving twice?

Find the answer at the end of this newsletter.

Send your trivia questions to [email protected] .

** SOUTHERN OKLAHOMA GUIDE SERVICE **

 We; offer a premium guide service specializing in striper fishing, duck hunting and catfishing on Lake Texoma and the Red and Washita Rivers. We offer over fifty-years combined experience guiding on Lake Texoma. Our fishing boats are all modern off-shore style boats, 23-26 feet in length, that easily accommodate 2 to 7 people. Lake Texoma is the premier striped bass fishery in the United States. In addition, our lake is a major migration transition area for waterfowl on the Central Flyway.

 Our; goal is for you have a rewarding and memorable experience fishing or hunting on our beautiful lake. We are located at Soldier Creek Resort, a full service resort and marina south of Kingston, Oklahoma. Check us out on the web at WWW.SOUTHERNOKLAGUIDES.COM, or contact Doc Walker at 877-664-2208 or [email protected].

RECIPE: RABBIT IN MUSHROOM GRAVY

* Season the flour to taste with the salt, pepper and garlic powder.

* Heat some oil in a large skillet or an electric skillet.

* Roll the rabbit in the seasoned flour and brown in the hot oil.

* If using an electric skillet, drain the oil. If not, tranfer the rabbit to a crock pot.

* Mix together the soup and the water. Pour over the rabbit and cook on low for 4 to 5 hours or until tender.

* Serve using the gravy over mashed potatoes.

Our thanks go out to Diana Harris for sharing her recipe with us in time for rabbit season. For more great recipes visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/recipe.html

** BACKWOODS BOUND CHILI SEASONING MIX **

• As hunting season and the cool fall weather hits, the urge for a great pot of chili hits too. Backwoods Bound Chili Seasoning Mix can fulfill that urge! Our unique blend of spices makes a perfect pot of chili every time. Besides making a hearty pot of chili, give it a try for delicious tasting fajitas, enchiladas, jambalaya and now tostadas! Backwoods Bound Chili Seasoning Mix, it's simple to use and great tasting too! What else could you want? Use our secure on-line ordering system at www.backwoodsbound.com/chili.html. Or pick some up today at Columbia Mini Mart in Columbia, Illinois or Evansville Food Mart in Evansville, Illinois.

• Backwoods Bound Chili Seasoning Mix - "Not To Mild... Not To Hot. Treat Yourself And Make A Pot!"

RECOMMEND THE BACKWOODS BOUND BULLET TO A FRIEND!

Know a friend who enjoys the outdoors as much as you do? Recommend The Bullet to them. It's easy to do, just follow this link or copy and paste the url into your browser! http://www.cumuli.com/ezines/backwo.ezine Thank you!

HUNTIN' TIPS: We have tips this month on a variety of subjects. The first one comes from Paul who says, "While skinning a rabbit, here is an easy way to do it. Cut a small slit in the rabbits foot. Then take a straw and stick it in the slit and blow on it. All of the fur puffs off making it slip right off the rabbit. Remember to pinch the straw when you are done blowing so the blood won't come back in your mouth."

Next up Brian Bachman sends us this one on deer hunting. "When grunting try blowing two 4 second grunts followed by a short blow. It will show you much improvement on seeing more deer."

And finally for the waterfowlers we have this tip. To avoid scaring ducks before they come into shooting range, lock your eyes onto the bird you want to shoot and disregard all the others. Remain motionless until your bird slows down and drops its feet for landing. That is the moment you want to rise, mount your gun and fire.

Thanks guys for sharing your tips. For more tips visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/tipshunting.html.

** STATE SHAPED TROPHY PLAQUES FOR CHRISTMAS**

• Christmas is in a few weeks but there is still time to order a Backwoods Bound State Shaped Trophy Plaque for that special someone! Place your order on-line and pay with your Visa or MasterCard through PayPal or use your PayPal account. Visit http://www.backwoodsbound.com/catalog.html today to place your orders!

Our plaques are made from real hardwood not that imitation wood? you get in other plaques from the discount chains. They are handcrafted right here in the heartland of America not overseas. Americans working for Americans. Mount your trophy on something unique this year and have it stand out from the rest.

Don't forget about that trophy fish you caught this summer or that trophy trout you caught this fall. Tell your taxidermist that you'll supply your own plaque and order a Backwoods Bound State Shaped Trophy Plaque. ALL states and Canadian provinces are available. ORDER TODAY!! You'll be glad you did! For more information and photos or to place your order go to www.backwoodsbound.com/antlrplaq01.html .

WHAT'S NEW

• We want to start off by making a correction from the November issue. Last month we stated that the price of our Camouflage Hats was $11.95. That is incorrect. The correct price is $10.95. Sorry for any confusion and remember there is still time to order before Christmas!

There is still time to order all of our great Backwoods Bound products. Whether its a camouflage hat, window decal, trophy plaque or some of our chili seasoning mix, they will all make great gifts. Place your orders now to receive before Christmas. Go to www.backwoodsbound.com/catalog.html for ordering information.

Plus there is also time to order gifts from all of our affiliates. Our two newest affiliates Santa Claus.com and Mr. Beer offer great things for the holidays. Don't forget about our long time affiliates, Bass Pro Shops and Cheaper Than Dirt. They are offering many great deals for the Christmas buying season. Order early for best selection and to get them before Christmas. Go to our Gifts page at www.backwoodsbound.com/gifts.html and click on their respective banners to place your order or for more information.

If anyone has any questions or comments on our new products, affiliates or shipping charges, send a note to [email protected] and we will help anyway we can. Thank you and have a great holiday season.

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See this month's Crazy Captions photo at: www.backwoodsbound.com/funphotos.html and send us your Crazy Caption. Have a photo that would make a great Crazy Caption? Send it to [email protected].

INTERESTING QUOTE: "Sometimes you're the lawnmower and sometimes you're the grass." - Kenny Gregory

Seen or heard an interesting or humorous quote? Send it in and we'll post them next month. Send them to: [email protected]

RECIPE: • SQUIRREL BOG

* Place the squirrels in a large pot or crock pot. Add water to just cover. Be sure to measure the water as you will be using the broth for your rice.

* Cook until the meat comes of the bone. Remove the squirrel and finish deboning them.

* Brown your sausage if you are not using the ready to eat variety.

* Add the squirrel meat and sausage to the broth.

* Add the carrots, celery and rice. Experiment adding different vegetables if desired.

* Cook until "boggy" or any texture you like and the rice is cooked.

Thanks to Justin from South Carolina for sending in this recipe. For more great recipes visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/recipe.html

FISHIN' TIP: - This month's tip comes from The Catfish Boat on Lake Conore in Texas. The trick to using the liver as bait for catfish is cut it with scissors. Visit The Catfish Boat on their web site at: www.thecatfishboat.com.

And Mike Truax of Indiana sent us this add-on to last month's fishing tip. "I liked the tip on using empty Altoid tins, I've been doing it myself for a couple years. One note though - be sure and scrub the inside thoroughly to get rid of the mint scent or most fish will avoid you. Catfish do seem to like it." Thanks Mike.

Send your tips to [email protected] and we will post them on the site or use them in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.

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Place your ad here for only $6.00 an issue. Be seen by 1400 potential buyers! Reduced rates for multiple issues. Contact us at [email protected] for details.

FUN FACTS: - Here are this month's Fun Facts. Zamo sent us this one: All polar bears are left handed. The next one is from Alyssa: Bats always fly to the left when coming out of a cave. And Rory Evans tells us that: Sloths move at an average speed of zero miles per hour.

Thank all of you for sending in your fun facts. For more Fun Facts visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/funfacts.html .

RECIPE: • FRIED DEER STEAKS

* Season the pancake mix to taste with the seasoning salt and pepper.

* Pound the steaks with a meat mallet to tenderize.

* Roll the steaks in the pancake mixture.

* Heat a little oil in a skillet. Add the steaks and cook over medium heat until done.

Thanks to Roxie Vance for sending in this recipe. For more great recipes visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/recipe.html