Backwoods Bound Bullet

ARTICLE: KANSAS HUNTERS LOOKING FOR AN EXCELLENT UPLAND BIRD SEASON

  PRATT - Farmers are saying it, and hunters who have driven country roads this summer and early September are backing them up: the 2009 Kansas upland bird season should very good. Now the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks have completed its summer brood count survey, and the results of the agency's Upland Bird Hunting Forecast mirror the coffee-shop predictions.

  Last year's pheasant harvest of 636,000 roosters was lower than the previous year - which had been the highest in 20 years - likely due to late milo harvest and lower numbers of hunters. After a relatively mild winter, the number of pheasants going into the 2009 nesting season was slightly higher than in the spring of 2008. A cool, wet spring this year slowed development of the wheat crop, resulting in a later-than-usual harvest. Many pheasants nest in winter wheat, and the delayed harvest gave hens more time to hatch their nests and rear young.

  The timing and quantity of early summer precipitation also plays a big role in game bird productivity. Success of nests and survival of young is generally best when rain comes slowly and in near average amounts during May and June. Most of the state's primary pheasant range met that prescription. A few areas received heavy rainfall during the nesting and early brood-rearing period. Production was likely below average in these areas, which include portions of Barton, Rice, McPherson, Marion, Reno, Stafford, Republic, Washington, and Cloud counties.

  Still, because habitat and weather conditions were favorable in much of Kansas' pheasant range, the number of birds available to hunters should be better than last year in most regions. Compared to 2008, pheasant numbers will be much improved in northwest Kansas, slightly improved in southwest, north-central, and northeast Kansas, and down in most of south-central Kansas. The best pheasant populations will be found throughout the western two-thirds of Region 1 (northwest) and northern portions of Region 3 (south-central) where the pheasant hunting is expected to be outstanding.

  The outlook for quail is good, as well. Going into the breeding season, quail numbers were up nearly 30 percent statewide from the previous spring. The increases were the result of a mild winter with little ice and snow. Ample vegetation and mild summer weather were good for nesting and brood rearing in most locations. A few storms negatively impacted local quail numbers, but the majority of the state will have much improved quail populations from last year.

  The best quail hunting will be found throughout the central part of the state from the Red Hills northward all the way to the Nebraska line and eastward to the edge of the Flint Hills. Field data and landowner reports from central and north-central Kansas indicate that populations are higher than they have been in many years. Compared to last fall, quail numbers will be up substantially in north-central and northeast Kansas and slightly improved from last year across the remainder of the state.

  Lesser prairie chickens are found in the west-central and southwest regions of the state. The spring prairie chicken lek survey indicated that the lesser prairie chicken breeding population was down overall from the previous year. This decline was most likely due to poor production in 2008 because of drought that affected much of southwestern Kansas. However, nesting conditions for lesser prairie chickens improved this summer throughout their range due to timely rainfall that occurred in southwest Kansas. It is likely that populations will be up from last year, and the best hunting will be in the central and northern portions of their range.

  Greater prairie chickens are found primarily in the Flint Hills and Smoky Hills. Greater prairie chicken breeding populations were down this spring in the southern Flint Hills and up farther north and west throughout the Smoky Hills. In the Flint Hills, almost all pastures were burned again this spring, and there was little vegetative cover available during the nesting season. A few small areas within the central Flint Hills were also hit with heavy June rainfall that likely hurt local production. Conditions were good for production throughout most of the northern Flint Hills and the Smoky Hills. The best greater prairie chicken hunting should be found in the northern Flint Hills westward throughout the Smoky Hills region.

  A detailed "2009 Kansas Upland Bird Hunting Forecast" is available online at the KDWP website, www.kdwp.state.ks.us. Click "Hunting/Upland Birds/ Upland Bird Regional Forecast" for the complete report.

- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ARTICLE: THE HUNTERS PERIL by David L. Falconer

  I don't believe in UFO conspiracy theories and the study I did of Project Bluebook files left me bored to death, but there is a phenomena that is real in America's hunting woods and it seems primarily targeting hunters. I am not making this up, it is real and 60 Minutes and 20/20 have totally overlooked the significance of the phenomena's existence! I write this today in hopes that I am not alone in cataloguing this clue to a higher power, a mystery that deserves to be answered and possibly revealing a hidden danger that each of us face as hunters in North America. Let me start this with an example.

  I hunt with a friend of mine I will call Kevin (His name actually is Kevin) and I can remember at least two times since we have hunted together in the past five years that Kevin entered the woods prepared to hunt Oklahoma Whitetail: a Winchester .308 rifle, blaze orange hat and vest, long sleeved camo sweatshirt and scent suppressant camo pants with water-proof boots, a grunt call hung around his neck. We parted ways at the truck, each of us heading to his respective stand with the hope of taking a trophy buck. Each time we have done this, nothing has marked the two times something happened as different or ominous. Yet, the results were the same. Around noon, Kevin would walk from the direction of his stand to the truck attired pretty much the same way he entered the woods, but with a sleeveless camo sweatshirt! That is right! His sleeves had disappeared all the way to his shoulders! I don't mean they were just gone, but they had the look that someone had taken them off at the seam with a laser or a sharp instrument like a razor.

  The first time I brought this up I noticed his eyes dart away nervously, a scowl of some faintly remembered discomfort briefly flashing across his face. He tried to dismiss my observation nonchalantly claiming he often wore sleeveless shirts because as the sun came up the day grew warmer, but I told him I distinctly remembered him entering the woods with sleeves on his shirt. He was quiet, almost sullen when I brought it up later and I could see that it was not a subject that he would openly discuss with me, a friend of many years.

  Something had happened to my friend.

  Certain that Kevin had experienced an event that may have traumatized him, I was happy to see he was ready to hunt the next day with no seemingly ill effects. I did not bring up the disappearance of his shirt sleeves through lunch and during the evening hunt Kevin killed a nice doe. We dressed it quickly, Kevin letting me skin it as I am a little quicker than he is at skinning a deer as long as I have a sharp knife like Kevin's and we checked it in at the local check station, stopping at one of the grills across the highway for a burger before going home.

  Some of the locals were old friends and we talked about the hunt and I decided that Kevin's experience might be easier to handle if others had experienced similar events while in the hunting woods. I mentioned casually that Kevin had gone into the woods the day before with a long sleeve shirt and came out with a sleeveless shirt and the locals erupted in laughter. Kevin's face turned red and he ducked his head, his eyes burning holes right through me. I was shocked by the local's reaction to Kevin's trauma and I quickly paid for dinner, mollifying my friend's anger a bit at my seemingly indifference to his pain.

  As we drove home, he asked me not to mention it again in public. Deciding that his change in character warranted investigation I got out my old UFO encounter books, watched some of the Project Blue Book files and I came out with the only conclusion. Aliens had abducted Kevin. From all the tales I could find, it appeared that aliens preferred hunters and men accustomed to the rigors of the country life. For some reason aliens preferred the rough-hewn men of the woods over soft, slender runway models, professional athletes or even Republicans. Kevin's aversion to explain what happened to him was natural from the drug-induced trance many of the people professed to be in when the aliens were doing their thing to them.

  Sadly, I also figured out why he was increasingly hostile. Aliens prefer a method of study known in scientific circles as anal probing. Kevin had gone on an everyday hunt, had gotten probed and then had his shirtsleeves swiped with little or no memory of the occurrence. Hell, he had not even seen a deer!!

  It is important to remember Kevin was armed and not a single shot was fired the day his sleeves disappeared! This in itself suggests a power and technology above our own.

  I really felt bad about exposing this to the locals in my innocent attempt to bring solace to my friend.

  Thanksgiving is right in the middle of gun season in Oklahoma and Kevin was unable to hunt over the holiday weekend, but my friend Brentt from Texas was coming up. After buying the necessary tags, he said Kevin had mentioned that he had a good stand and Brentt was welcome to hunt in it. I was immediately faced with a dilemma! Do I tell him what happened to Kevin or do I keep my mouth shut?

  Based on the fact that aliens are normally not from our planet, I decided there was little chance of Brentt being accosted in the same manner Kevin had been earlier in the week. The first day's hunt went well, Brentt had seen many deer, but opted to wait for something worth hanging on the wall. We had decided to camp out and we heated some chili I had made earlier in the week and kept on ice for supper that night. It was a nice night and we woke early, ready to hunt the holiday morning and then go to my house where my family was preparing Thanksgiving dinner.

  Brentt donned his orange vest; his long sleeve camo shirt remarkably like the one Kevin wore on that fateful day. We left the truck and I glanced at him, unknowingly picturing him in a way that would not be the same as he returned.

  Shortly after dawn I noticed a large 8-point trying to slip past my stand, angling across the flat bench I had been watching. A well-placed shot filled my tag and I walked back to the truck, unloading my 4 wheeler and retrieving the deer. I had hog dressed the deer when Brentt came stumbling from the woods, his face ashen as he held his gun in his left hand. His brow beaded with perspiration, his eyes reddened as if he had had a major strain on his body. His orange vest was gone, but he appeared otherwise intact as I rushed to him.

  "What's wrong?" I asked and he just shook his head, rolling his eyes. I took his rifle, ejecting the magazine from the receiver and the round from the chamber before putting it in the back seat of my truck.

  "I don't feel right," he mumbled, climbing into the seat of my truck, facing out the door as he opened a bottle of water, drinking it with slow, long swallows that emptied the bottle in seconds.

  "What is wrong?" I asked.

  "I think it was the chili," Brentt said, obviously devising a cover for his confusion.

  "Where is your vest?" I asked, my eyes noting the now recognized reluctance in my friend's eyes, the hesitant manner as he struggled to put vaguely remembered memories into words.

  "I . . . I'm not sure," he stammered, wincing gingerly as he swiveled on his buttocks to put his feet on the floorboard. I hastily averted my eyes as I observed the very evidence I needed to confirm my suspicions! Brentt had been abducted and the aliens took his vest! The deep painful wince on his face as he turned in my truck sadly confirmed that he too had been violated in the same heinous manner as Kevin.

  More savvy in the ways of handling the recently abducted, I did not pressure Brentt as he sat quietly, trying to gather his thoughts over the brain-numbing events that he tried so valiantly to piece together. A few times as we drove home he would lurch, hugging his stomach and moaning at some residual memory of his experience that the aliens had missed when erasing his mind of the occurrence.

  Brentt spent the holiday in bed, his nerves shot and his constitution divested of the amazing strength he had shown just the evening before in camp. The next morning he did not hunt, deciding through the night to go home after a fitful night of sleep.

  I did not hunt Friday; my doe tag lying unfilled on my kitchen table. Saturday morning I awoke before daylight and with a determination to set things right I strapped on my .44 Magnum pistol beneath my hunting coat and got the old .30-30 out of the gun cabinet.

  At daylight I was sitting in Kevin's deer stand, my eyes watching a trail that followed the length of the bench and the intersection of another trail from below the hill. My hand remained close to my handgun, my eyes sharply on the lookout for aliens.

  By 10 AM I had seen two smallish bucks and a doe that never presented a shot that insured a clean kill and I was getting tired. Climbing down the ladder when my feet hit the ground my stomach cramped and I felt in my pack for my toilet paper. Grumbling to myself as I found that it was missing, I remembered my wife had used it on a fishing trip and obviously never put it back. I walked back towards the truck until I could almost see it when I finally doubled over with cramps. Drawing my knife and taking a big sigh, I stepped off the trail to take care of business.

  My wife giggled as I complained to her that one of the functions of a proper hunting or fishing partner is to always make sure there is toilet paper in the daypack. Lying in bed, a smoozy romance novel in her hands, she said, "So am I going to have to buy you a new pack of underwear?"

  "No, I have plenty," I replied, my face blushing. She was unmerciful when she got started.

  "Did you cut up another pair of underwear?"

  Biting my lip, I said, "Had too. Did not have anything else to use."

"How about the sleeves on your shirt?"

  I got real quiet, my eyes squinting as I studied my wife anew. Everybody knows if you don't have toilet paper in the woods that you cut off your underwear so no one knows your predicament. It is one of those things men know, that they don't have to be taught! My wife was from this area and as I thought about it I realized that I had not had any intentions of getting married when I met her 20 years ago. Her eyes seemed to glint in the light of the reading lamp beside the bed and I swallowed hard. Was it possible that the reason I had never been abducted was because I was married to one of the aliens?

  She laughed again at my silence and I realized that after 20 years of marriage that she knew how to tease me and she was no more an alien than I am. Besides, when she went to her sister's house that night I went through every dresser drawer she had and I could not find a single sleeve or extra hunting vest, though I did find two pairs of shoes I didn't know she had.

  My point is whatever causes this phenomena is still out there and the only way to protect yourself is to be aware, don't hunt alone and if your partner should happen to stumble from the woods with no sleeves when he had sleeves before -- be sympathetic to his plight and his recent experience. If he seems a little grouchy just remember you would be too if a couple of little green men had just went home with pictures of your innards as a trophy!

- ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ARTICLE: THE BUCK BLUES a poem by Tiffany Wiser

- The other day was spent and passed away...

• Hunting antelope through out the morning rays.

• When all of a sudden came to our view a beautiful buck or two! No three!

• One of the three mulies was so wide and tall it made you fall.

• His reddish velvet shining like rubies...a five by five...oh made ya cry.

• But to my frustration and realization...my permit wouldn't admit the shot of my dreams.

• No further than a hundred and fifty yards...my heart's desires were expired.

• Seeing him walk away tore my heart in two... and now I dream about the day to come...

• When I hope to meet again...

• On the opening day and pray that he'll be mine.

• Oh the buck blues! Oh the buck blues!

- PS - True story!

- Written by Tiffany Wiser of Wyoming Country Outfitters, www.wyomingcountryoutfitters.com.

- - ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this issue:

BACKWOODS TRIVIA: - Here is this month's question. John Denkins sent it in. See if you know it.

"Does caffeine keep you awake by supplying you with more energy?"

Find the answer at the end of this newsletter. Send your trivia questions to [email protected].

RECIPE: VENISON AND BEEF BARBECUE

* Salt and pepper the meat liberally. Wrap in foil. Bake at 350 degrees for 3 hours.

* Remove from foil and let cool.

* Once meat is cool, cut into small pieces.

* While the meat is cooling, mix the other ingredients together in a large pot or dutch oven.

* Add the cubed meat to the sauce and simmer for 2 - 3 hours. Stir occasionally.

* Serve on rolls with your favorite side dishes. Freeze part for a later date.

Thanks to Suzanne for sending in this easy to make recipe. For more venison recipes to try this season go to www.backwoodsbound.com/zdeer.html.

Send your favorite recipe to [email protected] and we'll post it on the site or use it in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.

** THE NASHVILLE ATTIC **

Do you enjoy backyard birding? For the best in feeders, houses, feed and accessories check out www.wildbirdshopper.com.

You can also visit us at our Ebay Store at http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Nashville-Attic .

FUN FACT: On August 17, 1833, the first steam ship crossed the Atlantic Ocean.

The Mayflower set sail from Plymouth, England on August 15, 1620 and the Panama Canal was officially completed on August 15, 1914.

Send your Fun Facts to [email protected]. For more Fun Facts visit www.backwoodsbound.com/funfacts.html.

** WILDTKY'S WILD OUTDOOR SPORTS **

Wildtky's Wild Outdoor Sports featuring tips, tactics, books and gear up to 50% off. Fishing, hunting, camping, skiing and more.

Visit our web site at: www.wldky44.com.

RECOMMEND AND VOTE FOR THE BULLET

Tell a friend about The Bullet. Just go to: www.ezinefinder.com/rec.html?ez=backwo and follow the instructions. It's free and easy!

To vote for The Bullet follow this link: www.ezinefinder.com/backwo-vote.html.html.

Thanks for your help.

** STATE SHAPED TROPHY PLAQUES **

We have a complete line of plaques for all of your trophies! We offer sizes for mounting your antlers, trophy fish, full shoulder mounts, plaques for your memorable photos, plaques for awards and plaques for European Skull Mounts!

All of our plaques are handcrafted from solid oak not plywood or particle board. They all come with hangers installed and the Picture Plaques come with glass and picture backing for your 4" x 6" photo.

Don't settle for an ordinary looking plaque hanging on your wall! Go one better and order your Backwoods Bound State Shaped Trophy Plaque today. Prices start at $24.95. Don't wait, order today!

Visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/antlrplaq01.html for photos and information on how to order your plaque.

And remember, "It only takes a little more to go first class."

** KAREN'S KREATIONS **

Are you the Thanksgiving host this year? This month our Fall and Thanksgiving theme charm sets are on special- only $12.49 per set of 6 (regular $17.94). Order charms for everyone at the table! We can personalize all charms with each person's name and we do charms on elastic bands (for plastic bottles) for the kids! Our charms are also great place-cards for the table setting. One on each glass marks each persons spot!

All other products are 20% OFF and All Halloween theme Charms are just $2.39 each! Visit our website to see new designs with more on the way!

Sale ends October 31, 2009 so visit our site at: www.karensglabels.com or e-mail us at [email protected].

FISHIN' TIP: - Before putting your fishing reels away for the winter, strip off all the old line, disassemble and clean. Wipe away all of the old grease/oil then wash them in warm soapy water. Use an old toothbrush to help scrub away dirt and debris. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Then apply a new coat of lube to all of the spots where necessary. Wait until next spring to spool new line.

Be sure to recycle your old line. Many stores have bins for old line. If you're not sure what to do with it, visit http://www.berkley-fishing.com/about_conservation.php or mail your old line to them at Berkley Recycling, 1900 18th Street, Spirit Lake, Iowa 51360.

Send your tips to: [email protected] and we'lll post them on the site or use them in a future issue of The Bullet

INTERESTING QUOTE: "I never drink water because of the disgusting things that fish do in it." - W. C. Fields

If you'vee seen or heard an interesting or humorous quote send it in and we'll post it next month. Send them to: [email protected].

RECIPE: TURKEY TISHABEE

* Slice turkey breast in half laterally so you have two large, thin, flat fillets.

* Slice each fillet into 1/8" thin strips. Cut across the grain for tenderness.

* In a large skillet, add the oil and heat. Add the garlic, mushrooms, bell pepper, onions, salt and pepper to taste and saut' lightly. Remove while bell pepper is semi-crispy.

* Heat the oil quickly and saut' the turkey. Leave some pink. Don't overcook!

* Remove the turkey. Pour in the wine, cream and tomatoes.

* Boil slowly until reduced by half. Large shiny bubbles will appear on surface.

* While mixture is reducing, cook the fettuccini in salted water until done. Drain.

* Place the meat, sauted veggies and water chestnuts into mixture. Bring to a quick boil.

* Serve immediately over hot pasta with a spinach or Greek salad on the side.

Thanks to C. Crawford Williams for sending in this recipe. For more turkey recipes visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/zturkey.html.

Remember to send your favorite recipe to [email protected]. We'll post it on the site or use it in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.

HUNTIN' TIP: - "Duct taping your pant legs, waist and shirt sleeves closed can help prevent chiggers and ticks. Some bow pin lights are too bright so to darken them simply shoot some hot glue over the glass lens to reduce the glare." - Bill Mark

"During early archery season when it's hot, wash some hand towels with scent free laundry soap, when done place them in a freezer bag and place them in the freezer. When leaving to go hunting place one in your pack. If you work up a sweat going to your stand take the towel and wipe yourself down. It will cool you off and help you remain scent free." - Bob

Send your tips to: [email protected] and we'lll post them on the site or use them in a future issue of The Bullet.

WHAT'S NEW

• We are real close to unveiling a new addition to our line of State Shaped Trophy Plaques. We'ree really excited about this new addition and hope you will be too. The announcement will be coming soon so keep an eye on your inbox. Until then check out the complete line of State Shaped Trophy Plaques at www.backwoodsbound.com/antlrplaq01.html.

We are now offering advertising on select pages on our site. These pages are averaging over 7800 hits per month with some over 14,500 hits per month! Details can be found at www.backwoodsbound.com/advertise.html. Also look for our banner on select pages as examples of where and how your ad could look.

We'vee been getting a lot of new recipes from you guys but then again our inbox is never lacking with new and exciting stuff. Thanks everyone for sharing. Just keep in mind that if you don't see your recipe or tip on the site immediately it probably means we are holding it for an upcoming issue of The Bullet. Also with the volume of recipes we receive some of them are basically the same recipe only with a different name. Obviously we don't want a dozen recipes for the same thing on the site so if the recipe you send in is the same as one we already have then we have to pass using them. This is really a rare occurrence with the most common recipe duplicated is dove breasts stuffed with jalapenos and cheese wrapped in bacon. We'd still like some recipes for elk and buffalo though so send them in.

Keep sending us your tips, stories, fun facts and recipes. We truly appreciate everything sent in. Send your stuff to [email protected].

• ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

** ART OF NATURE COLLECTIBLES **

Art of Nature Collectibles by Rustic Originals has fast become the source for custom rustic picture frames. Browse through our Spirit Series, One-of-a-Kind, Rustic Collection and Special Edition Collections of unique, hand-crafted, real wood rustic frames. Each one is a collectible!

Each frame comes complete with glass, hanging hardware and a Rustic Originals Wildlife photo for your enjoyment or add your own special photo to the frame for years of admiration. We have frames to fit most sizes of photos.

Hurry to our site at www.rustic-nature.com or www.rusticoriginals.net for the best selection!

RECIPE: BUTTERMILK PIE

* In a bowl, mix the sugar and flour together.

* Mix in the eggs and butter. Add the milk and vanilla.

* Pour into pie crust and bake at 375 degrees until the browns on the top and edges.

* Reduce heat to 325 and bake until the middle is firm and no longer liquid.

* Total bake time, 45 - 60 minutes.

* Cool before slicing.

* "Voila...grandmas buttermilk pie! May take a couple of tries to get it just right."

Our many thanks go to Amber Adcock for sending this recipe to us. Visit our site at www.backwoodsbound.com/zdess.html for more tasty dessert recipes.

Send your favorite recipe to [email protected] and we'll post it on the site or use it in an upcoming issue of The Bullet.

** LAST MINUTE STUFF **

Last month we posted a note from our buddy Garr Fitzgerald explaining that something had got into his fish cage/basket and ate 45 - 50 bluegill with no signs of escape. We received several notes from readers with their theories as to what had happened to Gary's catch. Here's Gary's note to refresh your memories.

The question of the day is?