Hunting in a Social World

I may just be speaking about myself, or perhaps there are others like me out there.  As hunters, we all get excited to get out and jump into the action when opening day rolls around.  We've been practicing all year long.  Our bows have been fine tuned - probably multiple times.  We are more than ready to pick up our bows and carry them into the woods.

With the social media world captivating us and offering the opportunity to connect with others who share similar interests, it allows the convenience of sharing the journey along the way.  But it's more than just that.  You can be guaranteed that the instant a hunt turns into a success story, the excitement is shared on-the-spot.  Cell phones are whipped out directly after high-fives are exchanged, and the images spread like wildfire across social venues online.  In a way it sometimes feels like a race to fill the first tag and post a trophy picture / story.

It seems as if we are all lined up on the starting line of opening day, 

bows in hands,

 waiting for the gun of daylight to go off.

I've found that the early season mixed with the social world becomes an avenue for the envious hunter to emerge within myself.  I can't help it ... the little jealous hunter wants to get out at times and I have to make a concerted effort to kill this little monster.  Please don't get me wrong - I love it when I get to see a picture of my fellow hunting friends who just moments ago tagged that monster buck, bull of a lifetime or long-beard.  However, if I'm totally honest, I want to post the next picture.  I want to jump in the social frenzy and join the party!

Continue reading HERE on PSE's Blog

I want to hear from you!

Am I alone in this?  How do you combat the envious hunter within?

The Hunting Glow

Maybe I'm the only one, but it seems like my skin always looks fabulous during hunting season.  Okay fabulous may be a bit of a stretch, but it does seem to have a certain glow. I guess it could be all the camouflage face paint.  Or it could be that I live in Colorado and the winter dryness soaks every ounce of moisture out of my skin, leaving it pasty and craving that slathering of greasy camouflage paint.  Or maybe it is something more?

For kicks and grins, I thought I'd throw together an Ode to the "Hunting Glow" as I was sitting here contemplating it all.  Just for fun, I give you...

An Ode to the "Hunting Glow"

O skin's appearance during hunting season

layered with colors of sage on cheeks and nose,

you're glowing; I suppose there is a reason

There seems to be more to it, but who knows?

Just camo on my skin can't produce this sheen

that reflects and blends with hunting clothes

Perhaps adrenaline flowing through my veins

explains the shine my face now displays

but there's something more, so the question remains

Why the shine my skin now portrays?

The only explanation that I can attain

is a source from deep within that stays

My skin holds tight and won't let go

a simple solution glows through camo stains

and succumbing to a greater pull...

The "Hunting Glow"

When Biscuits, Gravy and Elk Sausage Collide

We journey through wooded lands, in pursuit of wild game, traveling along unfamiliar paths, known to only those who call the forest home.  With each step taken, we neatly tuck memories in our packs, a keepsake to carry home.  This memento is enough, as the hunt lives on and dwells in one's memories, impressed in the hunter's thoughts for years to come.

For the hunter who carried home more than just memories, the recollection of last season's hunt comes flooding back with each winter meal.  The smell is mesmerizing.  One taste and you can't help but smile.  Thankfulness overflows as you acknowledge the strength and nourishment it provides; a healthy meal placed before you.  The hunter is reminded again of the path traveled, and the pursuit's reward.

Yes, each meal prepared in winter months, reminds us of our journeys from the previous year, and brings new hopes of replacing retrospection with new destinations.  An upcoming adventure that fills the freezer once again!

For those who are fortunate to have wild game in their freezer, dig out some breakfast venison sausage, or sweet Italian elk sausage, and find out what happens when homemade biscuits, gravy and elk sausage collide ...

Click HERE for the recipe on the PSE Archery Blog

Sweet Italian Elk Sausage

Preparing Homemade Whole Wheat Biscuits

Biscuits - Ready to Bake! 

Biscuits, Gravy and Elk Sausage Collision

Loosen Your Grip

When first shooting a bow there is a lot to learn ... stand this way, find an anchor point or two or three, back tension, don't punch the trigger, level, breath, etc.

The list goes on and on.

I remember getting so frustrated with my husband when I was first learning because he wanted me to get everything right.  Now don't get me wrong, he had my best interests in mind which is admirable.  While I appreciate his concern for my accuracy and desire for excellency, it can also be exasperating when you are trying to remember everything and your spouse is whispering in your ear, "You did it wrong, again."  I know he was just trying to help, but I felt like he was secretly enjoying pointing out my errors.  Ugh.  I wanted to throw an arrow at him, and since I'm confessing, I think I chased him around with one at some point.  Don't worry, a broadhead was not fixed to the tip of my arrow!

Gals, if you are just learning to shoot, here's a piece of advice:  Find a non-biased friend or someone from a local pro-shop to help with your shooting technique.  I've found that it is much easier to hear constructive criticism from a non-husband source.

Continue reading here on PSE's blog

What is a Huntress?

I have a confession.  The word huntress annoys me.  There I said it.  Now before I ruffle any feathers, please understand that there are many women hunters whom I'm friends with and truly respect who gladly claim the newly marketed term.  I mean no disrespect to them.  It is their prerogative to do so.  However, I just can't seem to wholeheartedly embrace it.

I've been trying to justify in my head the reasons why I disdain dislike the word.  This is my feeble attempt to put words to paper and do my best to vocalize the fingernails on the chalkboard feeling I get when I'm categorized as such.  I'm just being honest.  Please don't shoot me.

Maybe it's the idea of being put into a box.  Or the automatic association with the color pink that seems to come with it, which honestly is probably what annoys me most...  Oh you hunt?  And you're a girl?  That's awesome.  You probably want all of your gear sprinkled with the color pink and to be called a huntress.  Um.  No.

What exactly is a Huntress anyway?  A princess turned hunter?  Okay - that's not really fair... I apologize to all the princess hunters out there.  But seriously, why do I need a special word to describe me as a female hunter? Doesn't the word "hunter" serve the purpose well? I'm so confused.

Here's the deal.  I honestly like being a girl.  I rejoice in the unique differences between men and women.  There is an unique purpose and value in these differences.  I'm not on the soapbox of equality in all things pertaining to gender, because I have no qualms with the idea that men can do some things better than women and vice versa.  In fact I'm pretty old school in this way of thinking, but that is a whole other blog post. I do think there is a difference between equality in position and equality in worth, e.g., we are all equal in value.  Big difference.

Okay... now that the ground work is laid, I can move on.  So maybe "huntress" is just a fun catchy term to describe the female hunter.  I'll admit - it's cute.  I'll even concede that searching with #huntress on twitter is a great way to find fellow female hunters.  However, I also have no issues with the word "hunter." Yah, it may be considered a more male-like term.  But so what? I'm a female who hunts and I don't have a problem with being coined as a hunter. I'm comfortable with going from heels at the office to camouflage in the field.  If you can't tell that I'm a woman when I don my face paint and camouflage, who cares.  I'm not out to impress anyone, or prove my feminine hunting skills.  I just want to have fun and hunt.

So what does this picky gal want?  It's simple.  I want hunting clothes that fit my body with options that don't always include a pink narrative.  I want to be respected as a hunter, because she carries her weight  by helping to haul an elk off the mountain and is welcomed around the campfire.  I don't want advantages simply because I'm a girl, but want to still be acknowledged as a lady, standing back in order to allow a gentleman to open the door if the opportunity arises.  (Of course... if he can see past the non-pink camouflage, recognizing I'm a girl.)  I want to take part in the thrill of the hunt, and rejoice with the team at the end of the day.  Oh, and I want my husband to rub my feet after a hard hunt, because I may be wearing heels to the office tomorrow.  Is that too much to ask?

I'm off to paint my fingernails a fun shade of teal, hang up my princess tiara next to my bow, and wash off my cynical non-girly face paint.  Don't judge.

P.s. I'd love to know your thoughts!  Have I fallen off my rocker?  Girls, do you like being classified as a huntress?  Do you care?  Should I cave and go with the flow?  Guys, does the word bother you?  Why?  Let me know what you think.  I really want to know!  Maybe I'm the only one that feels this way!

An Archer's Morning

Carrying bow in hand and arrows in the other, the archer journeys through the open field.  An established target lays waiting along a well worn path.  The archer doesn't want to miss the moment.  She makes an appearance briefly each morning, nods and slips away after illuminating the land with glorious stretched out rays.  Each new day is introduced in morning splendor as she swings her lantern of light across the horizon.  She is making her way, evidenced by the surrender of darkness, so the archer quickens his step.  Dawn is drawing near and the archer will be there to greet her.

They rhythm of the draw, aim, and release is mesmerizing, which somehow pauses the spinning of the world as an arrow slices through the crisp clean air.  Fingertips begin to grow numb as Jack Frost makes an appearance, but Dawn's soft golden rays greets the archer with a kiss simultaneously as the string is anchored to lip's edge.  The favor is returned as glistening rays dance off the tip of the arrow now slicing through the thin veil of breaking light.  The dance continues...

Anchor.

Breathe.

Aim.

Release.

Morning is now chasing Dawn across the prairie, threatening to snatch up her golden rays as the sun inches higher in the sky...

continue reading here on PSE's blog

Book Review: Shawn Buckner's Outdoor Adventures

Cory Pedersen, a freelance writer from Rochester, MN contacted me a couple months ago and offered me the opportunity to review his book, Shawn Buckner's Outdoor Adventures: Spring Turkey Chronicles (Volume One).

I was delighted to read his fictional book for kids, teens, and young adults which incorporates hunting and the outdoors.  The adventure of Shawn Buckner takes place in the hills and valleys of the Whitewater Wildlife Management Area in southeastern Minnesota.  The story quickly draws you in as the young 14-year-old Shawn takes up bowhunting and pursues his first wild turkey.  Several close encounters occur with wildlife and responsible hunting ethics are incorporated throughout the book.

As turkey season is quickly approaching, if you have a young archer in your circle of influence, I would highly recommend getting them a copy of Cory's book.  It would be a great read while sitting in a turkey blind this spring.

I passed along my copy to my 8 year old nephew and he quickly lapped up the pages and is already asking for the next volume in the series.  Thanks, Cory, for publishing a great book for young outdoor enthusiasts.

Now it's your turn... Read the first chapter, and then get your own copy of the book.

Disclaimer:  The reviews on From the Draw are solely the honest opinions of Emily.  The book in this review was provided at no cost to me by Cory Pedersen for the purpose of this review.  From the Draw received no monetary compensation in exchange for this review.