​In the early weeks of August 2013, I packed up the camper and prepared to leave for the mountains. I was excited to be back up in the pines and aspens where the elk and deer make their home. This is a place where I go to shed the year of mental anguish of all the stuff I endured and experienced at the fire house. I love my job, but things seen on duty can really take a toll on you, from a fatal car accident to a structure fire where the family loses everything.  You feel so sad for them, and yes, the calls involving kids seem to tug the hardest on your heart.  Come September, I'm ready for the stress-relief of living in the mountains for a while where the only 'call' heard is from a bugling elk in the distance.
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​Back to my topic: Meeting new friends! 

You see, I'm a social hunter. At least I think of myself as one and some people in my camp don't necessarily dig that I am. I spend 32-35 days in the mountains of Colorado hunting elk and part of this time I'm by myself.  I think of the other folks in the mountains as my neighbors and I like to make sure that if my neighbors ever need something, they can call on me to help. And this year was no different. Upon arriving in the mountains on Wednesday night the 28th of August at 5:00 P.M., the area we always set up camp was still open. I began to set up our camp and settle in for the month.

The next morning, I woke up and started my usual routine of visiting abandoned summer camps, picking up the left-over fire wood. ​On the way back, I noticed a couple of archery hunters that moved in just above us and they had a motor home pulling three four wheelers. I, being a "Social Hunter," stopped in to welcome them. I had never seen these guys in the area and I always like to know my hunting neighbors. So, I pulled in and introduced myself. They said their names were Darwin and Mark from Michigan and offered me a beer. While talking, they stated there would be a third hunter, Jeff, joining them during the third week of the season.

That morning, we sat talking of seasons past, and figured out the reason I hadn't met them before.  They had hunted the area in 2003 when we didn't draw that unit.  After our talk, I let them know if they needed anything to come on over. They returned the same offer and I went back to finish getting camp set up for my fellow hunters that were scheduled to arrive on Friday, the day before opening day.

I have met some great people while elk hunting and would encourage other hunters to be friendly to your 'neighbors' while hunting.  It doesn't take a lot of effort, but it is worth it for several reasons. A friendship could develop, especially if you hunt the same unit year after year.  Or it could be that you simply end up helping each other out ... a flat tire in mountains, tips on the area, etc. (I'm not suggesting that you give away all of your honey-holes, but even coordinating where you're planning on hunting the next morning so you aren't "stepping on toes" - is a good thing.)

After our elk calling lesson 101, we made our way to an area not far from camp, but where we've frequently seen elk come through.  A​fter a sequence of calling, several cows and a really nice bull showed themselves to us. However, a shot wasn't presented for Jeff.  The next morning, Jeff made his way back to the same area by himself, while I headed to town to wash some camouflage badly in need of becoming scent-free once again.  When I returned, Jeff was in camp waving his arms up and down.  He had shot a cow and was waiting for Mark and Darwin to get back to help him with the meat. Not knowing when they would return, I quickly told him, "Let's go get your elk!"  We ended up packing it off the mountain before his buddies returned to camp.

I loved helping out my new friend, because I knew he paid a lot of money for an out-of-state tag in Colorado.  I was thrilled to see him take some meat home!  He only had one week to get it done during the archery season, and he did just that.  I was glad I got to play a small part.  If I can help one guy put an elk on the ground it's worth it to me!

This is what hunting is all about. Meeting great people, enjoying the country that God has given us to hunt, and feeding our families. Congratulations, Jeff!

After Jeff headed home, Mark (one of the other Michigan hunters) harvested his biggest mule deer ever.  We were in camp that afternoon, when he came by with his Muley strapped to the front of his 4 wheeler.  He was taking his time, one hand on the antlers and the other steering, making sure his buck would make it safely back.  We saw him coming and all ran out to congratulate him.

​I'm going to let you in on a little secret of mine ---->> I have been using liquid smoke as one of my secret ingredients in wild game (elk, venison, etc) burgers for a while now.  It adds a nice little kick to burgers, and I've recently started incorporating it in some of my other recipes also.  Recently I threw away an old bottle of a non-natural version of smoke in my fridge because I was given the chance to try Wright's Liquid Smoke, which is the only all-natural liquid smoke brand on the market.  

Oh. My. Goodness.  It is deliciousness in a bottle.  
 

​Finding an all natural Liquid Smoke made me a happy gal!  Wright's Liquid Smoke flavoring is truly natural liquid smoke in a bottle. It is made from hickory, applewood or mesquite wood that is burned in chamber.  When the smoke rises it is captured in a condenser and it cools. Then the cooled smoke in the form of condensation is collected and filtered.  How cool is that?  And the extra boost you get when adding this flavor to your favorite recipes ~ let me just say now ... your welcome. 

While adapting a venison meatball recipe that my friend in Kansas recently shared with me, I came up with the below Venison Meatloaf smothered in homemade smoky BBQ Sauce.  It is to die for!
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​Venison Meatloaf Ingredients:

• 1# ground venison
• 3/4 cup oatmeal
• 2/3 can evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 tsp cajun spice (I used Camp Dog)
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp garlic salt
• 1 tsp Wright's Liquid Smoke (I used the Hickory flavor)

Mix above ingredients thoroughly, adding additional oatmeal or evaporated milk to get desired consistency, e.g., if it is too runny, add more oatmeal.  Place in meatloaf pan and shape as desired.
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​Smoky BBQ Sauce:

• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1 Tbl Wright's Liquid Smoke (Again, I used the Hickory flavor)
• Sprinkle of garlic powder
• 1/3 cup chopped onion

​Mix sauce ingredients well and drizzle over uncooked meatloaf.  

Bake in a pre-heated 375 degree oven for about 45 minutes, or until meat is cooked thoroughly. Enjoy!

This November I arrowed my biggest whitetail to date.  I had a blast hanging out with my husband, Troy, in Kansas for this hunt.  I am blessed that he puts up with me in the tree stand, and is willing to follow me around with a camera to capture our hunts on film.  Although just between you and me, I think he is trying to catch all those moments he is familiar with... the times I fall in holes, trip in the dark, and almost shock myself on electric fences.  It's bound to happen!  Filming is a new endeavor for us, and we are enjoying the challenge.  He caught the kill on film and I'm thrilled to have it documented, so I can relive the moment over and over. 

But before you watch this hunt, let me tell you the story briefly ...
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Originally I had the 3rd week of November scheduled for my whitetail hunt in Kansas.  Troy had gone out the last week of October to finish setting stands, check trail cameras, scout and do a little hunting.  After seeing the deer movement and witnessing indications of pre-rut activity.  Troy and Evan convinced me to move up my vacation time to get out there while the bucks were cruising through the area.  They had seen some nice shooter bucks and it was definitely time to get in the stand.  So on November 2nd I found myself sitting in a tree stand, and was excited for a week long of hunting.
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After several days of hunting in crazy wind and rain, on Thursday morning we settled into our stands, and it didn't take long for the bucks to emerge from the woods.  Troy worked a rattling sequence, and the first buck came running over the top of the hill straight towards us.  We had the full attention of a little curious fellow, who looked around perplexed when the fighting bucks were no where to be seen.  He began feeding below us.  A few Muley Does then arrived and I watched as they leaped the fence-line 20 yards from our stand.  Momma jumped over and her yearling, acting unsure of the springs in her legs, nosed the fence line and then ducked underneath.  Perched twenty feet up in a huge cottonwood tree, I was enjoying spying on the deer below me.  Better than a dollar movie on a Friday night with a bowl full of popcorn, I had a front row seat to my kind of entertainment!

It didn't take long for a few more bucks to make an appearance.  A young 8 point that we had named "Movie Star" showed up and began feeding towards our tree.  Another year or two, and he will be a buck worthy of his name.  I'm not big on naming deer, but we couldn't resist ... because he loaded up our trail camera with not dozens, but hundreds of photos of himself.  He had it coming.  If you are going to be that much of a diva, then I'm calling you Movie Star.  A pic from this angle, then the other ~ front, side, rear.  We had it all.  Camera hog!

As I sat watching Movie Star, I initially had a little debate in my head ... should I shoot him?  Or let him walk?  I knew I should let him walk, but he kept hanging around and tempting me.  I quickly convinced myself that he needed a chance to grow up, so I quietly sat there just watching him.  If he stayed any longer, I might as well grab a bowl of popcorn.

While Movie Star had my attention, there was something else going on in the field behind me, from Troy's view.  He was hanging out on the opposite side of the tree, filming the buck I was about to shoot ... I just didn't know it yet.  Due to the size of the tree, and not wanting to spook the buck heading my way, he was caught and couldn't reach around to give me a heads up.  Instead he whispered... "don't shoot Movie Star, big buck coming."  Yah... I never heard that.  But it all worked out.  He couldn't see me, so he didn't know I was at full draw .. until I let my arrow fly.    ​

Grab a cup of coffee and watch how it plays out... ​
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The first time I looked through a set of Hawke Sport Optics was during my 2013 Elk hunt.  Rudy with Huntography.com let me use his set while we scanned the mountain side for elk movement.  I was impressed!

I need to first tell you, that while I understand the importance of having a good set of binoculars out in the field, especially for scanning the mountain-side to figure out where the animals are located, I'm usually the one who either opts to forgo bringing them along, or has them buried at the bottom of my pack.  My old binos are heavy and clunky.  I hate having the extra weight around my neck and feel like there is something in the way when drawing my bow back.  This means that when everyone is scanning the next ridge and oohing and awing over the elk they spotted, I'm left waiting my turn for a peek through my husband's lenses.  He'll then have to unclasp his binos just so I can have a look.  I usually get "the look" followed up by, "where's your binos, Emily?"

When recently given the opportunity to review a set of Hawke binoculars, I jumped on it.  I already knew after using Rudy's optics that Hawke is a quality product.  I was excited to have my own set that I could be proud of, put to good use, and also quit bugging my husband to "borrow" his.

I opted for the Endurance Phase Corrected (PC) 10x42.  While I'm confident that you'd love any of the versions Hawke offers, here are the factors that helped me in choosing the Endurance PC.
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​Extras - Grip, Lens Covers, etc.
Here are some of the extra features the Endurance 10x42 includes... 

Phase Corrected Optics - Helps with impressive image resolution

Fully Multi-Coated Lenses - This feature helps provide crisp, clear and bright viewing, with excellent light transmission
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​Textured 'high grip' - I LOVE this feature because it makes my binos very comfortable to hold!

Close Focus - I'm going to be honest with you ~ I have a hard time finding my subject when trying to use a set of binos.  Using the focus feature has always been a struggle for me.  However, I was able to easily adjust the focus to bring things into view.  Often, I'm the last one looking at a subject on the opposite side of a ridge, but this time I found myself pointing things out to everyone else.  That was fun!  Plus, if you are wanting to bring something into view, that is up close and personal... no problem!  I had my binos in my tree stand last month and enjoyed watching the woods awaken around me through the lens of my Endurance binoculars.

Padded Neck Strap - Awww! I was in heaven.  I really like the strap that comes with the binos.  Now, I know there a lot of options available these days for after-market bino straps / holders, but I honestly struggle with some of these. Yes, there are convenient for carrying around your binoculars and help with keeping the weight off your neck, but when it comes down to trying to raise your binos up to your field of view, I always struggle.  I like the option of being able to sling my binos across my off-shoulder and having a little more range of motion.  Having the padded strap was an extra bonus for me. 

Stay-On Lens Covers - When they say, "stay-on" they aren't lying. I loose things ~ a lot.  I never had a problem, hiking all over the mountains, in and out of a tree stand.  My lens covers never went missing.  Often, I'd find the lens cover hanging open when I forgot to tap it on tightly, but the rubber loop attaching it to the lens held it on safely.  I was impressed!

Nitrogen Purged Fog Proofing - While fog proof doesn't prevent the physics reality of external lenses collecting condensation during temperature changes, or even breathing directly on the lens; however, the internal portion of the binos are nitrogen purged which prevents the condensation from occurring on the inside of the lens.  It works ~ because I never had an issue with moisture / fog building up on the inside of my binos.
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