Blog Entries

South Africa - Day 2

chad@followmeoutdoors.com — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 06:00:00 +0100

The 2nd mor [...]

A Summer on the Porch

willie@magicmorning.net — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 06:00:00 +0100

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said "Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience". I found Mr. Emerson's words to be on point this past Summer.

After long days in the shop working on trailers, each evening brought a nice, and relaxing celebration. I'd come home to the cabin, start the grill, grab a beer and sit on our rocking bench......and watch. Binoculars by my side, I watched the birds and the occasional deer or turkey meander thr [...]

Wild Time This Summer! Turkey in the yard!

willie@magicmorning.net — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 06:00:00 +0100

Hope this entry finds everyone doing well! After a LONG, but relatively mild Illinois summer, I'm ready to get back into the woods after those whitetails. This summer I had the great privilege of living at our family cabin in Central Illinois. I worked for a portable stoplight company and enjoyed living on my own for the first time in my life. Learned a lot, saw literally hundreds of deer (a couple BRUTES!) and many turkeys this summer. I also tried to shoot my bow daily to prepare for the mo [...]

South Africa - Day 1

chad@followmeoutdoors.com — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:04:12 +0100

After 3 days in Paris, I was itching to get on the plane for South Africa and my first ever hunting safari. We got to Johannesburg the next morning, and a few hours later we were on a short flight to East London to meet Ray Kemp of Lalapa Safari and headed off into the night to camp. We arrived about 8:30 for dinner and meeting Ray's mom & dad as well as another PH named Scotty, then it was straight to bed for 4 weary travelers. It would only be me, my dad, Bert Hill & his wife Carolyn in ca [...]

The World of Custom Guns - Step 1

chad@followmeoutdoors.com — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:00:00 +0100

Serve Outdoors' Turkey Hunt

chad@followmeoutdoors.com — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:00:00 +0100

Roughly 15 disabled hunters descended on the Friar Ag Center in Cuero, Tx., last Friday afternoon for Serve Outdoors' annual spring turkey hunt. It's a hunt that's been going on for years, but the first time for Serve Outdoors.

Personally, I've been going on it for almost ten years.

I thought it might be fun to add them to my hunt journal here on OF and [...]

Once in a lifetime!

willie@magicmorning.net — Sun, 01 Feb 2009 06:00:00 +0100

Sometimes in life, things show up unexpected.

Yesterday my mom and dad went over to our old farm to pickup a couple of treestands, and run to a grocery store nearby that we have come to enjoy for their Free Willy size shrimp.

On the way back, they drove past this stunning scene! The pictures were taken from my mom's phone, so they are less then stellar. The bald eagle was munching on an 8pt buck that had been hit by a car.

Thanks for the pictures [...]

2009 Gear Reviews

chad@followmeoutdoors.com — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0100

I think every year around this time, I find myself taking inventory of last fall's equipment as well as planning for next year's trips. Thought I would take some time to tell you about some of the things I use in the field that I take with me on my hunts.

On top of my list from last season is a pop-up blind I recently discovered by Yukon Tracks. This is more important of a tip for disabled hunters because it has a wheelchair ac [...]

Recap of First Season on My New Property

jmbuckhunter@sbcglobal.net — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0100

Recap of First Season on My New Property

After my first deer season hunting my new property in Illinois I have mixed feelings. I had very high expectations going into the bow season. I know what kind of bucks this area produces, and I thought I could harvest one on my new property this year. I did manage to take a descent buck just not one of the monsters ru [...]

Crossbow debate

willie@magicmorning.net — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 06:00:00 +0100

As with most things in life, there are two sides to every story. This certainly holds true in the crossbow debate for bowhunters across the globe. Why not utilize a crossbow? It is seemingly easier to shoot accurately, and you do not have to worry about holding your draw weight after the intial pulling back of the bow.

Is it ethical? THIS is where people start to bitch and moan wine (rightfully so?). Nearly every state archery organization oppose [...]

Nature can be harsh

willie@magicmorning.net — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0100

John Burroughs one said "Nature teaches more then it preaches." How true this is. Yesterday while taking a break from working in the turkey call shop, I got a phone call from a friend who was wondering when I could take him down to our family farm.

No time like the present I decided, and he showed up at my house shortly after. While taking a ride around a neighboring lake, we discovered how cruel nature can be. This little whitetail buck must have gone down to the lake t [...]

Merry Christmas fellow Freaks and outdoorsmen!

willie@magicmorning.net — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0100

The time has come! The Christmas season is upon us which brings memories, football games, annoying family members you have not seen in awhile and quality food! I wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas and hope the rest of your hunting season is safe and enjoyable.

Now is great time to invite your family members (that don't normally hunt, fish or enjoy the outdoors) on a hunting or fishing trip with you in the coming year. Try and make it a point to invite someone alon [...]

Kansas Experience - 2008

chad@followmeoutdoors.com — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0100

"There's some deer coming down behind us," Merle blurted out as I whipped my head around to see out the back window of the blind. "One's a buck!" I replied, "He's just an 8 point though."

We both watched as the buck followed a doe down into the osage thicket behind us, rub his scent on a few bare limbs at eye level and then bed down in a run of tall grass, 50 steps away. I could just see the tips of his creamy white antlers. "He's got a little kicker on o [...]

Hunting Late Season Food Sources

jmbuckhunter@sbcglobal.net — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0100

Hunting late season food sources can be very rewarding and also very frustrating at times. The deer have been hunted for months and are extremely wary about coming out in the open during daylight at this time of year. A lot of times they won't show up until right at dark.

Crossbow Myths

chad@followmeoutdoors.com — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0100

I wanted my first journal entry to be about something I feel passionately about, and after a recent trip to Bass Pro Shops to get a crossbow restrung for a friend of mine, I felt compelled to write about my experience as soon as I could.

Every able-bodied hunter I ran into that day that noticed my bow kept stopping and asking the same questions: "How far does that thing shoot? A hundred yards?" The first time I replied with a simple 'no'. [...]

4 keys to late season success

willie@magicmorning.net — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 06:00:00 +0100

The rut for the most part is long gone for bulk of deer across the country. Most hunters are Christmas shopping with their wives (gay) and watching football next to their pup (less gay). This is a time when some of the best deer hunting can be had. Whether you're looking to thin your doe numbers, or whack that monster who has eluded you most of the season, this time can pay off handsomely if you remember these important late season basics...

Number one
FOOD. Find some [...]

It's that time of the year!

willie@magicmorning.net — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:00:00 +0100

The big dudes are starting to move! For the next 3-4 weeks hunters across the country will be heading to the woods in pursuit of the deer of their dreams.

Remember to stay safe, wear your safety harness, and sit as long as you can. This time of year, it can happen at anytime. The bucks are starting to slowly switch to daylight hours in pursuit of does. Now is a super time to use hunting c [...]

Deer season off to a good start

willie@magicmorning.net — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 06:00:00 +0100

As I sit here in the new cabin typing this Field Journal, I’m pretty happy with the way my Fall has gone, so far. I’ve sat 24 hours and have seen on average more then one deer per hour. The family farm in Illinois has really been good to me.

As of October 25th, I’ve harvested two mature does. Both with quick, clean killing shots. This doe, taken October 11th at 5:50pm was my first deer sinc [...]

How To Test One Turkey Choke Against Another One

sconover@duo-county.com — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 06:00:00 +0100

One of the questions that I am frequently asked by fellow turkey hunters is, "Just how do I go about testing one turkey choke against another one to see which works best in my gun?" This month I want to address that question, and give you some guidelines on how to go about this very important process.

You can make this as simple or as complex as you like, but there are a fe [...]