Quick Red Star Trip

Made a quick trip to the Save the Acorns World Headquarters this weekend with my parents.  The picture above is the old barn.  It probably won't be standing to many more years.  The purpose of the trip was to get the tractor running and mom wanted to do some cleaning in the trailer.  However, we look for any reason to go out there, even if just for a short visit.  We accomplished both tasks.  It was good to spend some time with my parents.  My dad cooked one of his famous breakfasts for mom and me.  The weather was great for this time of year with the temperatures in the 70's and a few clouds to shade us.  It even sprinkled a little rain in the morning to keep the dust down.  We left before it had a chance to get hot.

We did see a lone hen turkey.  I couldn't get a good picture, but below is what I did get.  Have fun trying to spot the turkey in this picture.  I promise its in there.

Summer 4-wheeler ride

For the 4th of July, we went on a day trip 4-wheeler ride to Dripping Springs and Kings River Falls.  The weather was great and the dust wasn't bad considering the time of year.  We saw several deer out in the heat of the day and my daughter saw a bear cub.  The water was low at Kings River Falls, but there were several visitors out anyway.

Arkansas Elk Hunt 2017

Every year I apply for an elk tag in Arkansas with hopes of being one of the lucky 25 or so to draw a public land tag.  Back in 2013, I had the privilege of assisting a friend of mine who drew a youth tag. We had a blast, he harvested a unique bull with drop tines, and the AGFC made it a wonderful experience.  Prior to that in 2001 my dad and I went on a non-guided public land elk hunt in Colorado.  We also had a great time, harvested a nice 5x5, made some great once in a lifetime memories and learned that elk hunting can be some of the hardest work you can do.  Up until this year, that was the extent of my elk hunting experience.

Winning the tag

While I was on vacation with my family, Jason Dodson, my best friend and one of the founding members of Save the Acorns, texted to inform me that he was one of the lucky ones that drew an elk tag this year.  There’s a slim chance that I was more excited than he was.  So naturally, I begged and pleaded to go with him.

The Details

Jason drew a cow elk tag for the early season the first week of October.  He studied topography and satellite maps to preliminary locate some potential hunting spots and a place to camp.  After the research, he decided to focus the hunt near the camp Erbie area.

The plans were set. My dad and I would tag along for any support Jason would need.  We set up base camp at camp Erbie with a bumper pull RV.

The plan of attack

The plan was I would follow Jason around and try to video the hunt.  We all know the first rule of hunting is hunting where the animals are, so our first step was to find where the elk are.  We would cover a lot of ground trying to find fresh sign.  Once we would find the sign, we would strategize a plan of attack.

Day 1 The perfect hunt

The time was finally here. We had done all of our research and preparation.  Had all of our ducks in a row and ready to go.  Well, so we thought.  It took us a little longer than expected to get everything ready so we were just a little bit behind sunrise once we got started.  Late or not we started our boots to the ground strategy looking for elk and elk sign.  The temperature got into the upper 80’s.  We hiked about 10 miles checking out different areas that he had marked on the map. We were starting to realize that this was going to require some effort.  This was an effort we were willing to give since we were given this opportunity. We had time for the last hunt of the day and decided to go to a spot where we found some promising sign.  We set up on a field edge where we had a good Vantage point with the wind in our favor.  The wind was becoming a more important factor the more we hiked in the near 90-degree weather.  Sure enough, just as if there was a script, we heard and then watched a young cow elk enter the field at about 40 yards in front of us.  This was the first elk that Jason had ever seen in the wild and it happened to be on the first day of his first elk hunt.  What were the odds?  This was the perfect hunt.  It could have ended right here.  But then with my infinite wisdom, (I say that sarcastically) I suggested, “don’t shoot. It’s a little one and more will probably join it, and this is our first day.”  We watched that elk dine by itself with the exception of a couple of deer until the day faded to night.

Day 2 back where we started

With the events of the previous day in our minds, we had more than enough motivation to go at it again. Since only one little elk came out at the spot we found the sign, we continued to cover about another 10 miles during the course of the day and it rained most of the time.  We were starting to wonder if we made a mistake by not taking the elk the night before.  Through miles of wet feet, we were not able to find more sign so we decided to go back to the same place as the evening before because we knew there is at least one elk in that area.  This time we set up a blind for better concealment and protection from the weather.  In the last 30 minutes of daylight, Jason spots an elk.  As he glassed it to confirm if it was legal to be taken, he noticed that it was a spike bull.  As much as we like to watch wildlife, we were just a little disappointed as he had only a cow tag.  On the bright side, we had seen two different elk in the same location.  At this point, we thought we were closing in on them and it was just a matter of time.

Day 3 making it happen

For the third day in a row, we were sticking to our boots on the ground game plan in hopes of finding the elk honey hole.  However, it’s starting to wear on us and we are starting to wonder if we made the correct decision on day one.  We were feeling the fatigue from two days of packing it up and down the beautifully rugged Buffalo River National Forest with wet feet.  After another full day of hiking, it came time for the evening hunt. We decided to change things up in a way that would increase our odds.  The plan was for us to split up and watch three different areas.   Jason would watch an area where some hikers claimed to see some elk the day before, I would watch a field a ways to the north, and my dad would watch a field to the east.  If my dad and I were to see something we would then radio Jason.  We thought it was such a good plan that we wondered why we haven’t been doing this all week.

Jason was trying to cover as much of his area as he could by sneaking from opening to opening.  He ended up back where he started which was the largest field near an old barn.  From across the dirt road up the hill, he heard an elk bugle.   He took that as his invitation to make something happen and headed straight to where he heard the elk.  As he made his way through the thick brush he noticed the top of a small tree moving.  It was so thick that he could only see about 40 yards.  As luck would have it, he snuck his way to within about 40 yards of a nice bull elk rubbing a tree.  The only problem with this situation is that Jason didn’t have a bull tag.  He continued to watch this amazing display until he noticed something to the right move.  It was a cow elk within about 30 yards.  He glassed it to confirm its gender and shot it in a matter of seconds. The animal went straight down as the only thing he had to shot at was its neck.

Finally, after all the miles, he made it happen.  We got to experience about everything that an elk hunt had to offer.  We spent a lot of time in the woods, got to see some wildlife, spent some quality time with Jason and my dad, got excited, second-guessed some earlier decisions, powered through tired legs and wet feet, but at the end of it all, it was the perfect elk hunt.  I feel like when an animal is harvested in a way like this,  it makes you appreciate and respect it more.  A lot of effort goes into making it so we can hunt, especially elk in Arkansas.  It has taken years for them to bring elk back to this area and manage them to the point where the public can have the opportunity to hunt them.  That is something to think about if given the privilege to take an elk in Arkansas.  Taking three days to find the right elk to take is nothing compared to what it took to make that possible.

Game Camera Video's

Deep Roots

 

All families have Thanksgiving traditions, but I believe my family has a unique one. Every year my family and some we consider family meet at my grandparents house to celebrate Thanksgiving.  There are usually between 20-30 people that show up. That doesn't sound unusual except that they don't live there anymore. In fact both my blood grandparents are no longer with us.  The place is an old farm where my grandparents once made a living.  The property is still in the family and the house is still there, but no one lives there anymore.  However, I go there every chance I get.  This is my playground, hunting grounds, and family roots. My parents and uncle spend a lot of time, energy, and money out there maintaining the property, mostly for this once a year event. Without their efforts the gathering wouldn't be possible. 

It is located in what I consider one of the most beautiful places in Arkansas.  It is near where almost all of the major rivers in northwest Arkansas originate. The Kings river, Mulberry river, Buffalo river, and the White river all originate from this area. The wildlife is wild and there is plenty of it. The nearest town is about 45 minutes away and that town is not that big. When I need to get away, this place fits the bill. 

After we finish the noon meal we take a hike to the other side of the hill.  This is not just any hike to walk off lunch or just to see some of the amazing scenery, we hike to what we call the "big tree" or the "Bob place".   You may wonder why this is special to us. I will try to explain. My great great grandpa Bob homesteaded there from Kentucky. When he did he brought an Eastern Hemlock with him from Kentucky and planted it here.  It is a rare tree for this area because they are not native to Arkansas.  The government now owns that piece of land and it is part of the Ozark National Forest. The tree is still there. We visit it every year on Thanksgiving to remember those who came before us and maybe make us wonder what kind of legacy we will leave behind. If that tree could only talk it could tell us over a 100 years of history. It once stood at a homestead where every day activities took place to survive and now resides in the middle of the forest. I know it's just a tree, but this tree has a story.  One of these years that tree will fall, but because of that tree we will remember. What tree will you plant for the future generations to remember?

A head start

My friend Colby has is own deer camp that he attends every year with his family and friends.  They typically go out the day before gun season and set up camp.  Colby usually takes it a step farther and bow hunts on that day before gun season. This year it paid off for him.  This just proves the more time you spend in the woods, the better your chances. 

Late season buck

My dad's schedule didn't allow him to join us for deer camp, but he was able to go out later in the season and score this buck. 

Deer Camp 2016

Deer camp was a little different this year because of everyone's busy schedules.  We didn't have it till the second week of the modern gun season, the weather wasn't great, and then it was somewhat of a rotating door. We all didn't arrive and leave at the same time and I had to make a trip bank to town for a day during the trip.  However, with all of that we still had some quality time with some great friends and managed to harvest 4 deer between 4 the of us that were able to attend. One of them was a decent buck, two younger bucks, and one doe.  I only have a picture of 3 of them.  

First deer kill of the season

After a long summer and running out deer meat in the freezer, I was eager this year to bow hunt and start replenishing our deer meat supply. Besides that, bow hunting is my favorite method.  Little did I know that this would be a start to great season.  Since my number one goal was to harvest meat, I was hunting for the first good shot I could get. I've learned that sometimes you have to take what is giving to you or go home empty handed. 

This hunt couldn't have gone any better.  I had set up my tree stand the day before so I could just walk in and climb the tree with as little disturbance as possible.  I was settled in the stand about 30 minutes before shooting light.  It was a beautiful mild morning with a slightly overcast sky as I got to watch the sun rise.  Then it was one of those days that you dream of as far as deer movement is concerned.  I had a couple small groups of deer come by from different directions, but they were just out of bow range.  Until two deer come within ten yards of me. At that range I was able to make a text book shot, which qualified as the first good shot I was looking for.  This deer wasn't a trophy, but it was exactly what I needed. 

I consider myself very lucky and the harvested deer a blessing from God. Because, in no way I'm that skillful of a hunter.  If we are all honest, very few of us are. I harvest my fair share of deer at what I consider a pretty high percentage rate regarding number of deer taken verses number of hunts and number of shots taken versus kills.  But the reality is I'm just really lucky and blessed with just enough ability.  I do my best to put myself in a high percentage situation and I happen to be a pretty proficient with a bow and a gun. But at the end of the day most of the deer I harvest, I feel like they were "given" to me. All I had to do is make the shot.  

Tannerite fun

What's in your hunting pack?

The Boy Scout in me causes me to want to be prepared for just about anything when I'm in the wilderness hunting, working, or just for fun. To accomplish this I've put together a back pack that I call my emergency/hunting pack.  I primarily use it when I go hunting, but I take this pack with me anytime I venture into the wilderness for any reason.  It's impossible to be prepared for every possible scenario, but it is possible to prepare for scenarios that are probable.  If you spend enough time in Gods wonderful creation, it's not a matter of if something will happen, it's a matter of when. It doesn't have to be a tragic event, but in the woods a minor event can turn into a major event quickly without some preparedness.  Little things like having so much fun that the time got away from you and it's now dark, or get lost, or get stranded, or a pop up thunder storm happens, or you or someone in your party has a minor medical event (headache, fall injury), or all of the above. This post is not a how to for survival, it is just a what do I need. We will save the how to for another day.  I'm going to show you the basics I start with for deer hunting.  My pack is fairly loaded including some tools of trade because my pack is more than just an emergency pack. For each trip I will add or remove things as the conditions or activities require. I will always have some water and some snacks in the pack.  If I know It's likely going to rain I will pack actual rain gear.  If it's winter time I will have cold weather hats, gloves, and extra socks.  If it's "bug" season I will throw in some bug repellent. If I'm elk hunting or going further than normal, sometimes I will throw in a small tarp. I think you get the point.  The key is to pack as much as you comfortably can without packing things that you will never need.  This is not intended for backpacking, just to get you by when needed and have the need tools take care of your game in the field.   My pack could be a little lighter, but I've built in some redundancy and back up for some of the more important items. Everything in my pack is something that I wish I had with me at sometime and didn't or makes my life easier in the field. 

Here is my starter list:

1. A comfortable multiple pocket pack.  Mine just happens to be camouflage since I primarily use it when I'm hunting. I have a screw in hanger similar to a screw in tree step. This way I can hang the bag on a tree off the ground. I also keep a carabiner clip and a piece of para cord attached to it.  These make it easy to attach to tree stand pull up ropes. 

2. Poncho, candles, and water proof matches. Believe it or not these could be the most important items in the bag. Obviously the poncho can keep you dry, but in cold weather with the poncho on you can squat down and lite a candle with the water proof matches all under the poncho. It catches the heat and if needed you can build a bigger fire using the candle.

3. Compass.  No matter how good you think you are you can still get turned around. 

4. Toilet paper. Enough said. 

5. First aid kit with a sewing kit, hand warmers, tylenol, and a lighter in addition to the the first aid items the kit came with.  Hand warmers are just to get some easy warmth. Tylenol is safe to give to just about anyone. You maybe wandering why a lighter if I already have water proof matches?  Fire/heat is so important that you need to have two reliable sources so you will have a backup. 

6. Wet ones cleaning clothes and hand sanitizer. I use it after field dressing and can be used to help clean around a wound, or just to clean your hands before you eat. 

7. Two flash lights, one hand held and one head lamp. They both require the same type of batteries so I only have to carry one type of extra batteries.  You always need to have spare batteries. 

8. Ropes. I carry two ropes that are about 10' to 15' long and some para cord. These are your building tools for shelter if needed, field dressing equipment, tie downs, and what ever else you think up. 

9. Electrial tape and orange flagging ribbon. There is nothing handier than Electrial tape except for duct tape, but duct tape is to bulky.  Flagging ribbon so you can mark trails, where you've been, or game sign.

10. Extra carabiner clip. Sometimes it's easier to clip to something than tie to. 

11. Rubber gloves and zip lock bags.  The gloves are used when field dressing and can be used if you need to administer first aid.  Sometimes I will keep the heart of a deer so that is where the bag comes in. 

12. Things that cut. A knife, bone saw, folding wood saw, multi tool, and  a sharping stone.  Knife and bone saw are for field dressing deer. The folding wood saw can be used to clear shooting lanes, build shelter, or cut walking sticks. The multi tool is a backup knife along with a hand full of useful tools. A dull knife is not much good so you need to be able to keep it sharp with the sharpening stone. 

13. Pens to fill out tags with. In Arkansas it's actually illegal to not have a pen with you when hunting game that requires you to fill out a tag. 

14. Small red strobe light.  These are made for runners, but can be useful to mark a spot in the dark when tracking a wounded animal or to use if you are lost. 

15. A dragging harness.  These are handy because you can drag a deer hands free and still carry your weapon and use your hands for navigation. 

Trying Reloading the Economical Way

If you have ever wanted to try reloading your own ammo, but was turned off by the cost of the traditional reloading equipment required there is another option.  LEE Precision, Inc. makes LEE LOADER kits for some of the more common calibers.  No press, scale, or any special equipment is required.  Everything you need comes in a small kit for about $40 per caliber.  The only thing additional required is a rubber mallet and the materials for the ammo (brass, primers, gun powder, and the projectile).   I have two of these so far, the .44 mag. and the .270 win.  They both are producing more accurate ammo than factory and are fun and easy to use.  The kit comes complete with instructions and a chart with tested combinations.  You just select the combination of powder and projectile from the chart and it will work.  Since you are reloading your own, you can test different combinations to see which one(s) work better for you and your gun.  The kits are somewhat limited in that they neck size only so they are not recommended for semi, pump, and lever action guns.  With that being said, I’m not having any issues running reloads through my .44 may semi automatic rifle.  Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations and instructions.

At the end of the day, these kits are great to try out reloading without breaking the bank.  If your are just doing a few now and then it may be all you will ever need for reloading.  Or, it might have confirmed your desire to get started with a full-blown set up.  Either way, for the money if you are half way interested in trying reloading this is defiantly a good way to get started.

View the video I made for reloading a .44 mag. to see how they work.

Save The Acorns,

Brent Watkins

Another visitor...

I think I will call him Fluffy.

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Chronic Wasting Disease

I attended a meeting this week put on by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC) in regards to the recent discovery of CWD (Chronic Wasting Disease) in Arkansas.  The purpose of the meeting was to inform the public of what they know, what they have found, and what they plan on doing about it.  This is a new problem to Arkansas, but is not a new problem in the nation.  Even though it is a new problem for Arkansas, the AGFC has had a CWD response plan in place since 2006.  So they have been watching for this and are ready for this unfortunate event.  They have done their research, consulted with experts that have dealt with this, and have come up some proposed regulations.  You can visit agfc.com and review the prosed changes and voice your opinion.  I highly recommend you visit site anyway because they have additional information on the subject.  They know that it is not probable to completely eliminate the disease, so they are trying to contain it, limit its spread, and weed it out.  They can’t do it on their own, it will be up to the hunters to “manage” the states herd per the states regulations.  What I mean is we will need to follow the practices and regulations set forth by AGFC in order to accomplish the goal.  From what I gathered from the meeting, the overall strategy is to initially manage for a younger deer herd because of how the disease spreads.  I know that won’t set well with a lot people and trophy hunters, but we need to look at the bigger picture for the future health of the herd for generations to come.  It appears the regulations will allow for a more liberal bag limit and more opportunities to harvest deer and elk.  From a hunting and meat point, I think this is a good thing.  Who doesn’t want to hunt more and harvest more deer?  AGFC can’t make you pull the trigger on smaller deer, but it might be worth it if it helps the overall goal.  This is likely to only affect the areas of the state where the disease is an issue.  Right now that is the Buffalo Valley area.  So parts of the state may see very little changes.  In the future once the herd and CWD is in check, I’m sure the regulations will adjust accordingly.  Go to the web site, do your research, and be ready for changes in the hunting regulations this upcoming season.

Bear Visitor

We had a visitor checking out the tractor.  It must not have been just right, because the bear left it alone.  Thankfully!

Family Fun Camping Weekend

Thanks to some good friends of ours, we had the opportunity to spend some time camping with them at their get-a-way spot.  It was a fun filled weekend of great company, great food, good weather, four wheeling, fire arms, fishing, swimming, and relaxing.  We had an amazing time, ate like kings, and enjoyed every minute of it.  Just sitting around the fire visiting was a great time.  Anytime you get an opportunity to spend some quality time with your family and friends away from the everyday distractions (TV, electronics, work, school, etc.) you should make the effort to do so.  I believe it is necessary just to maintain a healthy outlook and to keep things in perspective.

Turkey Hunt 2016

This year’s opening weekend of the 2016 spring turkey season was a little different.  A couple of the usual suspects were not able to attend.  Jason’s baby James was born just a few days earlier, so obviously he was staying home to enjoy that family time.  Our star turkey caller Robert had prior obligations with some of his friends to celebrate birthdays.  However, my dad Jack was able to join me and a first time guest Colby from work.  Just want to take a moment and say that even though we focus on hunting and fishing, that family is a priority to us. 

The Friday afternoon before opening morning my dad and I tried to located some birds and look for sign.  We covered a lot of ground and only got one bird to gobble and found very little sign.  During that process it rained twice on us.  To provide some protection from the rain we attached a tarp to the top rack of the RZR.  That turned out to be good move.

Since we only had one confirmed area with a gobbler, we knew where we were going to hunt in the morning.  We had planned on being in the woods 30 minutes prior to sun rise.  The weather had other plans.  It rained all night and was raining when we got up.  With all of the cloud cover it pushed daylight back about 30 minutes and we really didn’t want to get wet first thing in the morning.  At around 7:00 am the rain let up a bit and I decided to go.  It was still wet enough that dad decided to stay in.  When I got to the area, after a few crow calls, I heard a gobble up the hill.  I immediately started heading that direction.  I quickly realized how out of shape I am.  When I got close to the top of the hill I called at them with a slate call to see if they were interested.  Turned out they were very interested and distance between us was getting shorter.  Things were happening fast at this point.  I needed to find a spot to set up quickly.  I finished the trek to the top of the hill and set up.  I called again and I could tell they were well on their way.  I waited a couple more minutes and called again and they were only about 30 yards out, but just out of site because of the hill.  At about that same moment I spotted not one, but two turkey heads appear at about 25 yards coming towards me.  They were both gobblers with what appeared to be equal length beards.  By the time I identified them and compared them they were at about 15 yards and I took the one in front.  The turkey has a 10" beard.  It was one of the quickest and most exciting turkey hunts that I’ve ever been on.  Sometimes things just work out and come easy.  This was one of those rare times.

04/04/16 Fishing Report

Lake: Beaver
Location: Highway 12
Time: 3:00PM-8:00PM 
Air temp: 65 degrees
Water temp: 58 degrees
Clarity: Stained
Visibility: 12"
Wind: NE 10-15
Sky:  sunny
Winning tactic: Casting 1/8th oz white grubs on the hump in 4 FOW
Catch: 1 largemouth, 1 smallmouth, 1 walleye, 4 stripers, 3 hybrids, 4 whites

We started out trolling flicker shads in 18 FOW. We weren't really marking anything in the cove so we went out to the gravel bar between the island and the ramp. We picked up a fish on each pass on the north side of the bar. We went to the brush pile by the bluff to get out of the wind a bit. Caught a few on the white grub casting at the shore. As the sun set, there was some surfacing by the buoys. We sat on the south side of the bar and cast up in the shallow. We would let it hit bottom, reel a few turns, repeat. Jon caught about 80% of the fish because I was caught up in using what worked last time instead of finding out what the fish wanted and giving it to them. When we got back to the house, one of the fish had coughed up a shad that looked like the grub he was using. I think the wind was blowing the bait towards the bar and as the sun was setting the fish started chasing bait up on the bar. I think we might have been a little more productive if we had tried a little george since the water was so stained, that way the fish could feel as well as see the bait.

Wind is blue, casting is red.

Trolling route.

03/29/16 Fishing Report

Lake: Beaver
Location: Highway 12
Time: 3:00PM-6:00PM 
Air temp: 55 degrees
Water temp: 55 degrees
Clarity: Stained
Visibility: 12"
Wind: S 10-15
Sky:  sunny
Winning tactic: Casting 1/8th oz swim jigs from 5-25 FOW.
Catch: 2 crappie, 2 largemouth, 1 bluegill

The water is warming up and clearing up. There were quite a few bait balls, but no schools of fish. There were a few fish on brush piles, but none biting. A friend on another boat caught a 27lb striper on a trotline with brooder minnows from a treetop in 20 FOW to the shore. I think we need to try trolling next time to find where the fish are hanging out.

03/26/16 Fishing Report

Lake: Beaver
Location: Highway 12
Time: 9:00AM-2:00PM 
Air temp: 45-60 degrees
Water temp: 52 degrees
Clarity: Muddy
Visibility: 6"
Wind: S 5-10
Sky:  sunny
Winning tactic: Jigging 1/16th oz  tube jigs on brush in 20 FOW.
Catch: 3 crappie, 2 spots - all short