R.E.S.P.E.C.T. Find Out What it Means to You

Respect is one of the most important qualities you can have in hunting.

Respect

• Other hunters 
• Your weapon 
• The animals 
• The environment you’re in 
• Laws 

Hunting is not something where you can just buy a gun and go out into the woods to shoot an animal. You need to take a hunter’s safety course, find out more about the hunting laws, and learn how to hunt first.

I applaud anyone who is interested in becoming a serious hunter without family or friends that already hunt. I learned everything I know from my family through years of stories and tag-a-long hunting trips. I couldn’t imagine learning it any other way.

Someone who is learning about hunting needs to understand the dangers. You have to be careful of your weapon (always have the safety on until the minute you’re about to shoot an animal and don’t shoot until you are absolutely positive what you’re shooting at,) and other hunters (wear the required amount of orange and be aware of other hunters in the area.) Also know the area you are in. Are there any dangerous animals that could be near (bears, wild pigs, cougars, snakes, other predators?) What is the weather usually like in the area (quick changing weather or consistent patterns?)

After the safety issues, respecting nature and the animals is one of the most important things in my strong opinion. When killing an animal, it needs to be humane and quick. That's why the target spot on big game is the heart. I don't care if you do some kind of ritual after killing an animal, but somewhere in your mind you need to understand that the animal died to be food for you. It is not an object it was a living creature. Hunting is a natural part of the food chain though, and it is necessary. If you only get one thing out of this idea let it be that nature and animals are an important part of life, not just objects to do with as we please.

Finally you need to respect hunting laws. I know that sometimes they can be frustrating, but they really are there to make everything better for everyone.

Biggest Rules to Follow

• Don't hunt out of season 
• Don't drink and hunt 
• Don't drive with any ammo in the chamber of a gun 
• Only point your weapon at something you intend to kill 
• Shoot and tag only your animal 
• Keep evidence of sex on the animal 
• Wear the proper amount of orange 
• Only hunt on land you have permission for

Tanner Gun Show

This weekend I went with my dad and my Uncle Leo to the Tanner Gun Show. We had 2 tables set up to advertise products for their business (LCL Hunting Shop.) I went with them Saturday and we worked from 7:30 to 5.

If you have never been to a large gun show I highly recommend it. Yes everybody there wants you to spend your money, but you can learn a lot from the products they are selling or by just talking to the people themselves. The experience itself is worthwhile and fun (even if you don't enjoy shopping.)

There’s booths for every hunting thing you can imagine (weapons, ammo, books, hunting tools), and there are some booths that don’t really fit (fine jewelry, gourmet foods, candles.) It is important to make a budget for yourself and visit every booth before spending your money at LCL Hunting Shop.

If you want to be a vendor at a gun show, there are a few things to keep in mind.

• Make sure your table is set up to be most visually appealing 
• Know that customers will mostly walk around for the first hour 
• Customers are like fish, if you move too quickly they’ll get scared and leave 
• Make sure you have extra of your best product (we sold out of fire starters the first day) 
• Get to know and be friendly with other vendors, the more connections the better 
• Know the product you are selling, don’t sell anything you don’t know the name or purpose of 

It is a good idea to have someone running the booth with you. That way one of you can watch the booth while the other can use the bathroom, or get lunch, or walk around a little to wake himself up. It also makes it easier to deal with more customers and keep an eye out for shop lifters when there's more than one person.

I love going to gun shows because it is a chance for all the vendors to show the world what they have to offer. The shows are filled with stories, knowledge, good merchandise, and great times

Tools of The Trade

The tools that a hunter uses can determine the difference between a successful hunt and a terrible one. My dad and uncles have been hunting since they were little kids, so they have gone through every hunting scenario and have learned from it. Check and double check and triple check that you have everything before you leave for your hunting trip. Otherwise you will certainly forget something. Do the same before you leave camp to go afield. It’s less of a problem if you forget something, but no one wants to miss out on a great shot because they left the tag at camp.

Make sure you have:

• Weapon, ammo, and knife 
• Proper clothing and accessories
• Tags and any necessary paper work 
• Food and water 
• Phone 
• Any other essentials you need 

When my family goes hunting we bring a few extras that make the hunt a lot more enjoyable. The biggest thing we bring is our blood tracker. My dad and Uncle Leo created an amazing, beat-all blood tracker spray that has saved us over and over again from losing the animal. It's terrible when you lose an animal because you lost the blood trail. If you haven't lost an animal this way, trust me you will.

Another invention of theirs that we always bring is fire starter's. Personally I am terrible at starting a fire. I have gone through an entire bow of matches before just trying to get one started. In my family we prefer to fix things and make them better rather than work hard with something inefficient.

So the main point of this post is make sure you are completely prepared for all possibilities before you go hunting, and keep an eye out for tools that could make the experience easier and more enjoyable.

Pride and Prejudices

You know personally I love it when people make assumptions about hunting. They're either ignorant or stupid, and I enjoy educating them. I've heard a lot about the unfairness and inhumanity of hunting. My favorite is when some hates the idea of hunting, but will eat meat from a store with no problem. Have they ever heard of Food Inc. Trust me hunting is a lot more humane.

The Facts

• Hunting controls herbivore pop. when carnivores cannot 
• Without pop. control the animals will overgraze the land they need 
• The goal is to hit the animal in the heart (quick death) 
• Many animals are shot later in the year (young can survive on their own) 
• Animal harassment is not allowed 

The second stereotype that tickles me pink is when people under estimate my hunting abilities because of my age, size, and gender. This fall my friend Liz came hunting with my family and I. Two 18 year old girls with my dad, 2 uncles, and a family friend. At the end of the day it was Liz and I that skinned and quartered 3 pronghorn by ourselves. The guys sat nearby drinking beer and talking with the B&B owner.

This goes to show that when they get the chance guys will be lazy, and girls are awesome. I really enjoy hunting, and I really enjoy going past what people expect of me.

So here's my message to all lady hunters out there. We know girls hunt better. So let's prove it to the world.

For the Ladies

Now it's been proven that confidence and clothing are connected. When you know that you look great, you feel better about yourself. When you feel better about yourself, you’re more confident in your shots. When you’re more confident in your shots, you out shoot the cute hunter from out of state (and you look good doing it.)

Now it would be ridiculous to dress up to go hunting. There’s no heels, no curling irons, no make-up. When you’re out in the sticks surrounded by nature and fellow hunters,sexy is jeans and a tank top. And smart is layers.

I usually start the morning with: knee-high socks under ankle-high socks (knee-highs prevent blisters), jeans under sweats, and on top a tank top under a short sleeve camo shirt under a long sleeve camo shirt under a large jacket. By mid day I am down to my short sleeve camo shirt (forest hunting) or my tank top (prairie hunting.)

Now time to add the accessories. Cheap sunglasses (must have UV protection),earplugs to go around your neck, fingerless gloves (fingerless with mitten top is the best), a belt to hold your knife and other gear, waterproof hiking boots, and a bright orange hat.

Add caption

Not only can you make this outfit work for you, but most importantly you will be comfortable and have everything you need for a safe hunt. Also you should accept before you enter the field that by the end of the day your clothes will be covered in dirt and, if you do it right, blood.

Bow vs. Rifle

I have been lucky to have a father that is skilled at both rifle and bow hunting. I first learned to shoot a rifle, then a bow a few years later.My .7mm-08 rifle (Morticia) has served me well over the 5 or 6 years I have been using her. She is responsible for all my kills, except one deer.

Gun

• either hit or miss 
• you can shoot again if you missed 
• requires a lot less physical strength 
• packs a more powerful punch 
• can hit the animal from a much farther distance 
• doesn’t require a lot of tracking 

My compound bow.... that I have yet to name... has taken down one deer in the one season I used it. Though I have been shooting a bow for a few years, last year was the first time I used it in the field.

Bow

• felt a lot closer to nature 
• walked through the forest 
• requires more physical strength 
• quiet kill 
• usually requires tracking 
• within 30 yards of the animal 

In my opinion the bow is more difficult to shoot, but I really enjoy it. Both methods have their benefits and disadvantages, and both are very enjoyable. What tips the scale for me is the intimate factor with a bow. I am happiest when I am walking through the woods, and it feels more natural.

Let's Get to Know Each Other

I grew up hunting. It is a huge part of who I am. It started with just observing and enjoying the quality time with my dad and uncles, and it has grown into a résumé of 7 pronghorn, 3 deer, and 1 beautiful elk all before I turned 18

When I was 7, I began to go on hunting trips with my Dad. I loved stalking prey with him and rocking out to Elvis (because it attracted the animals.) This was my time to be with my family, and I truly loved it.

Early on I figured out a system for the way I like to hunt. Enjoy looking for the animals all morning, eat lunch, take a nap, and then shoot an animal in the afternoon. It is a fun carefree way to hunt.

I don’t get upset if I miss a shot because I know that I enjoyed my day. If I am meant to get an animal and I am trying, then I will.

As I grow up I am learning more about my place in the world, and the kind of person I want to be. I want to hunt for the rest of my life, and I plan on passing the passion on to my children.