A Day Off

I was supposed to sleep in this morning… Yeah right. I tend to rise around 4am, and sleeping in is generally around 6:30am. Today was my day off and I did NOT “sleep in”. I woke up and tended to some of my designated chores. Hank was nice enough to drive the Little Gal to school so I at least didn’t have to rush around too much. When he returned, I had my camo, mud boots and gators on. We were headed to scout for mountain lions.

Scouting for mountain lions means “cutting tracks” which is not so easy this year since the snow seems to be heading everywhere but here. Such is life. I haven’t gotten to go much so I was out the door today!

We loaded up the dogs and drove some of the side roads. There were patches of snow here and there. Then we came to a good patch of snow covered ground. We spotted some tracks. I was so excited. They looked big. As we got a little closer, we noted that they did not have pads. They were cow tracks; aka: bovine cattle.

We continued on our trek cutting to the left, coming back, cutting to the right and up the hills and down the hills. As we progressed, the road became less and less firm. Mind you, it IS January and we ARE in the Rocky Mountains. What comes to mind? 1. Snow 2. Cold 3. Ice. Well, that is exactly what we did not encounter much of today. The temperature was in the mid 50′s and we hit MUD. Felt a little more like spring the dead of winter.

We put it in 4-wheel and motored along. We saw some deer tracks and then some coyote tracks. More bovine tracks and then finally some elk tracks. Then we took a turn to the right hand turn and headed up a steep hill. We chatted as we were looking for tracks, and then the road started to get real sloppy. Now by sloppy, I don’t mean a foot of snow like it should be this time of year. We had a foot of “greezy” mud. Hank told me “no worries” we were doing fine. Next thing we knew we heard “Uh.”

No, not “Uh-Oh.” Just “Uh.” It came from both of us at the same time as we rounded a bend. The sloppy, rutty road suddenly turned and it was then sloppy, rutty, full of big rocks and had deep ditches along side. We pressed on and had to stop and put chains on. Here is the view as we chained up.

What do you think a view like this can mean? You guessed it. Four-low, chains and as a friend said “Yee-haw!”

We made it through, cut more roads and never saw a single cat track. We did however scout and learn a new area.

What do you do on your day off? It’s always an adventure!

Note: We do not offer lion hunting through the outfitting business…. I happen to have a license and am out hunting.

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Don’t forget to read about Mia & the Little Gal’s adventures at the Women’s Outdoor News

Visit Prois Hunting for hunting and field apparel for women.

Visit TenPoint Crossbows for “the mark of perfection” in crossbows

Prois introduces cutting edge technology in lady’s hunting gear

I am anxious to try out Prois’ new Intuition line I viewed at SHOT Show last week. It is a revolution in concealment technology for the lady hunter.

“Prois launches the new HECS Intuition line.

At ATA and SHOT Shows Prois launched their new Intuition line. They are the only US licensee of the HECS technology which is pioneering a new technology in hunting! They are the only company making a women’s line using the revolutionary HECS STEALTHSCREEN fabric. HECS STEALTHSCREEN is a revolutionary material that allows you to get closer to animals in their natural, undisturbed state and experience life in the wild like never before. HECS STEALTHSCREEN helps you stay undetected by combining three simple scientific principles.

1. All living things emit a faint electric signal.

2. Science has now proven that some animals have the ability to detect faint electromagnetic signals.

3. A conductive grid known as a “Faraday Cage” can block electromagnetic signals.

HECS effectively creates a “Faraday Cage” for your body that is quiet,  flexible, lightweight, and comfortable. To learn more about this technology and see some great videos and testimonials visit http://www.hecsllc.com/research.html“The Intuition line is made of conductive carbon fiber but remains thin and flexible. It can be worn under or over your winter under/insulating wear. Prois Intuition is scheduled to be released the summer of 2012. You can contact me to plan a “Home Hunting Party”. Invite all your friends and try on and purchase Prois hunting apparel for women.

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Don’t forget to read about Mia & the Little Gal’s adventures at the Women’s Outdoor News

Visit Prois Hunting for hunting and field apparel for women.

Visit TenPoint Crossbows for “the mark of perfection” in crossbows

Prois’ – Grand Events at SHOT Show

Prois will be at SHOT Show this year. They are booth #10223. Be sure to stop by and say hello. Also, they have grand events scheduled that are a must see. Find time and add them to your schedule. I look forward to seeing you at one of these special events.

Tuesday, January 17th in the Prois booth they will be unveiling their new Elevation and Intuition lines and will be discussing them with all who stop by. At 4:30pm, Prois will be introducing Andrea Fisher as the new Prois Award Recipient. If you are at the show, be sure to stop by for this event. It is a must on everyone’s schedule. There are going to be many influential ladies of the outdoors and shooting industries that you quite simply must meet. Be there!

Other Cool news from Prois!! Wednesday, January 18th at 2:00 pm Prois is hosting a meet and greet with Lindsay McCrum, author of Chicks With Guns!  We have the honor of an opportunity to meet her at this special Prois event!

“We are thrilled to have such a talented and dynamic person such as Lindsay to appear with Prois at this year’s SHOT Show”, explains Kirstie Pike, CEO of Prois.  “Her energy is unmatched and her recent book, Chicks With Guns, has made such a huge impact on the women’s shooting and hunting world.”  Lindsay is a well-known photographer based out of San Francisco.

Prois welcomes all who wish to meet Lindsay McCrum!

Lindsay McCrum, author Chicks with Guns to appear at a Meet & Greet event to be held on Wednesday, January 18th at 2:00 pm in the Prois Hunting Apparel Booth (#10223).

In Chicks with Guns, Lindsay McCrum has created a cultural portrait of women gun owners in America through photographs that are both beautiful and in a sense unexpected. The book examines issues of self-image and gender through the visual conventions of portraiture and fashion, but the guns are presented here not as superimposed props but as the very personal lifestyle accessories of the subjects portrayed. And it defies stereotypes often associated with aspects of the popular culture of both guns and women. Like the 15-20 million women gun owners in this country, the women we meet in Chicks with Guns ( their portraits are accompanied by their own words), reside in all regions of the country, come from all levels of society, and participate seriously in diverse shooting activities. The women here are sportswomen, hunters, and competition shooters. Some use guns on their jobs and some for self-defense. They may not all be classically beautiful, but in these photographs they all look beautiful, exuding honesty, confidence, poise, power and pride. They are real women with real guns that play a part in their lives. By focusing her camera respectfully on this particular aspect of the American scene, gun-wielding women and girls, Lindsay McCrum sheds new light on who we are in America today. 

SEE YOU THERE!

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Don’t forget to read about Mia & the Little Gal’s adventures at the Women’s Outdoor News

Visit Prois Hunting for hunting and field apparel for women.

Visit TenPoint Crossbows for “the mark of perfection” in crossbows

 

WCO – A Great Show

Wolf Creek Outfitters, Inc. (WCO) spent the past four days at the International Sportsman’s Expo in Denver, Colorado. Hank and I truly enjoyed meeting some amazing people and we look forward to your spring turkey hunts and fall big game hunts.

To those of you who were not able to make a decision or needed time to “hash” it over. I will be in touch with you and also send you the additional information you requested. Today, we will be unpacking after our booth teardown, dinner, quick last visit with our parents and then the 6 hour drive home.

Remember, show specials are good through January 31st, 2012. Visit our website, www.wolfcreekoutfitters.net and contact us for additional information.

Ladies, and husbands who were interested in purchasing Prois hunting and field apparel for women, simply follow the link. http://www.proishunting.com/index.php

WCO says “Thanks to you all!” We genuinely enjoyed meeting you.  It’s always and adventure.

Thank you for stopping by!

 

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Don’t forget to read about Mia & the Little Gal’s adventures at the Women’s Outdoor News

Visit Prois Hunting for hunting and field apparel for women.

Visit TenPoint Crossbows for “the mark of perfection” in crossbows

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QUACK!! A New “Mia and the Little Gal” Post at the WON!!!

Happy New Year with Mia and the Little Gal! It’s ready and it’s at the Women’s Outdoor News.

Mia & The Little Gal: Starting the year off with a quack and a ‘bang!’

As we start the New Year I have been sick – sniffling, sneezing and now … coughing. The Little Gal has been helpful (as well as tolerant), but the cold doesn’t seem to go away. Hank and the Little Gal put me to bed before 7 p.m. on New Year ’s Day. I woke up [...]

WCO – A Year of Firsts

As we look back on 2011, we are thankful to everyone for a great year. It has been a year of firsts for Wolf Creek Outfitters, Inc. (WCO). We had a lot of hunters who were not new to hunting, but who had not made a successful harvest on the animal they were chasing this year. We are so proud to have been a part of their “firsts”. As we say good-by to 2011 we reminisce, celebrate and look forward to 2012.

Our grand finale of the year. A friend who used to be a wrangler for WCO, Colton, was given and elk hunt by his father, Dennis. He has hunted elk for the past 8 years and this year finally tagged one as his own. Colton, his father and good friend, Raz, came to hunt in New Mexico with us. He and Raz held cow elk tags and both were after their first elk ever.

The crew got up before dark and headed out in the below zero temperatures in search of elk. Right away they spotted a group of cows, but they were on the wrong side of the fence. They continued on with their hunt and found a larger heard of cow elk but those were a long way off. With the hard crusted snow they knew they could not hike close enough or quiet enough to get a good shot. They decided to go warm up, eat lunch and head back with the horses for an afternoon-evening hunt. The horses would give them an advantage because the elk are familiar with their presence.

Early afternoon the group set out on horses and rode into an area that was thick with elk tracks and sign. They knew the elk would be back so they dismounted and sat on the cold frozen ground to wait for the herd. As they shivered and dozed Colton opened his eyes and saw a cow. He watched and saw her moving through the trees. He nudged Hank from his afternoon nap and Hank asked if Colton could see her through the scope. Colton said yes that he could see her perfectly as she moved out into the field. Hank handed him the shooting sticks. In the freezing temperatures the rest cracked off and Colton was left to make his shot free-hand. He remained calm, steadied and shot. He hit his mark. Mind you, elk are hardy animals. They do not always fall with the first shot, even if it is a “perfect” one. Hank told Colton to shoot again. He re-positioned a little closer and made another shot from his belly. He hit his mark again. Finally he scooted up to a fallen tree. Using it as a rest he dropped his prize in the middle of the field.

The four, Colton, his dad, Raz and Hank cheered as Colton took his first elk ever on the first day of the last hunt of the year. What a Christmas present for a father and son.

Dennis and Colton with his first elk.

The following day Raz took his first elk ever as well. What a successful season and year.

Colton with his first elk.

WCO says “Thanks to you all!”  It’s always and adventure.

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Don’t forget to read about Mia & the Little Gal’s adventures at the Women’s Outdoor News

Visit Prois Hunting for hunting and field apparel for women.

Visit TenPoint Crossbows for “the mark of perfection” in crossbows

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Via theWON: Mia and the Little Gal: Road Hunting (Don’t worry … they’re shooting cameras!)

www.womensoutdoornews.com

It is a year round event but tends to really pick up just after the first thick snow. It’s called “Road Hunting” and it is something I’ve been working on with the Little Gal for many years. During this time of year, the Little Gal has to get her morning chores done early so we can hit the road early…

Click here to read more.

Winter Elk Hunt

I had to opportunity to use one of the landowner tags that wasn’t taken for a muzzleload hunt in New Mexico. This would mean I can use a muzzleloader, crossbow or compound/traditional bow. I only had the weekend to hunt, but took advantage of the opportunity none the less. I chose my TenPoint Crossbow for the hunt.

It snowed and snowed the night before my hunt. We woke up before light the first morning and headed to look for an elk. The tag was E/S (either sex), meaning I could take a legal bull or a cow. I chose on day one to look for a bull. Hank and I hiked through the snow in 27 degree temps all morning. The area we were hunting had NO fresh tracks. With the storm all the animals were hunkered down, except a few random coyote tracks, ours were the only fresh in the snow. We headed back to the truck and decided we would saddle horses and ride another area.

With only two days to hunt, we decided we could cover a lot more ground on the horses and locate where the elk were hunkering down.

It was 28 degrees and the wind blew through us. We bundled up and mounted our horses for the afternoon. After we crested the first hill, we saw two bulls bedded about 1000 yards away. I would need to get a lot closer to get a show with my TenPoint. We decided we would play the wind and circle around. Next thing we knew, we saw a spike run from the trees, and then a cow was standing directly in from of us. The wind circled and swirled. We knew the stalk was going to be tough, but we dismounted and slowly began to circle toward the bulls.

It seemed like forever as we hiked, sweating in the 28 degree weather and wind. We got closer and closer and then the wind changed direction. We must have been 200 yards from the bulls. We never saw them, but we could hear them slip through the brush. They winded us. We looked at each other, shrugged and I sighed. We went ahead and eased our way up to where the bulls were. We peered over the edge of the hill. There they were, 250 yards away, a nice 6×6 and a small 4×4. They trotted across the field and eased their way to the other side. We sat and grinned as we watched. I “picked up” my fake rifle and pretended to shoot them as they “laughed” at me knowing I couldn’t reach them. Hank laughed as he always thinks I’m crazy!

We giggled and hiked our way back to the horses and rode toward the truck as the sun dropped, somewhere behind the gray skies.

Day two brought us similar experiences. We spotted, we stalked and toward the end of the day as we rode across a field, I spotted what I thought were three cows in the trees less that 100 yards away.

I dismounted from Cowboy, aka “Mr. Man”, and snuck a little closer. Two of the elk were back behind the oak brush, but one was up front. I could see the whole body but not the head. I asked Hank “Can you see if it’s really a cow?” He looked and looked. I found my mark and waited for the word. He kept whispering to wait. We couldn’t get a clear view of the head. Then he said “NO.”

As Hank spoke, the elk stepped and turned. It heard him and jumped and ran. It was a spike. WHEW! Thank you again, to my guide, Hank. A spike is not a legal antlered animal. It was extremely exciting and I was thankful that I have learned to be patient and to listen. We had a lot of fun hiking and riding through the sagebrush and snow. The wind… You can have it! Haha! I can’t wait for my next adventure.

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Don’t forget to read about Mia & the Little Gal’s adventures at the Women’s Outdoor News

Visit Prois Hunting for hunting and field apparel for women.

Visit TenPoint Crossbows for “the mark of perfection” in crossbows

You Have to Get It!

It’s Black Friday and you just HAVE to get these! The www.proishunting.com Generation X system. I received mine last weekend and the first thing we did was head out to chase mountain lions in the rugged rocky mountains. This gear did great and they are now at the top of my list in favorites for ladies camo. The jacket and pants are fleece lined and ideal for winter time spot and stalk hunting.

There is not the bulk of other insulated items. GenX is sleek and like all Prois items, they are tailored to fit us ladies. I own LOTS of their items and the quality surpasses others by leaps and bounds. It is tough. It is durable and will last for many years. Whether you are a long time lady hunter or just starting out, this Prois item IS a must have for you camo gear list. Guys, you need to add this to your ladies Christmas list. Visit www.proishunting.com for specials.

The BEST news is that these and other items are on sale for Black Friday!

“The Pro-Edition Generation X Jacket is constructed with wind-stopping and water-resistant Pro-Edition fabric and lined with Prois’ signature nylon tricot lining system. New integrated design to optimize movement. Includes Prois’ signature Scapular Pockets located between the shoulder blades built to house activated hand warmers thus enhancing thermoregulation. Deep lumbar pocket across the back to hold softgoods, additional hand warmers or to function as a vent. Zippered arm pocket to hold valuables. Extended hooding offers additional warmth and concealment during the hunt. Deep hand pockets. All zippers with snap down sliders for enhanced silence. Zipper garage at chin to reduce chaffing. Perfect for the rugged hunting expedition!”
“The Pro-Edition Generation X Pants are the perfect companion for the Generation Jacket. These pants the new mid-weight pants and are engineered with our unique Pro-Edition fabric which affords wind-stopping and water-resistance to the huntress. Warm micro fleece lining. Deep cargo pockets with micro closures for the ease of access and enhanced silence. Boot zips to ease donning. Elastic drawstring with cord stop to draw pants close to boots reduces infiltration of debris and dampness into the boot. Waist sits at the natural waistline and is complete with camstrapping and ladderlocks to create the perfect fit. Knees with articulated pleats to optimize movement while sitting, squatting or crawling. Constructed with ample room through the hips and thighs. Strait leg cut. The Generation X series offers the utmost in performance for the hardcore female hunter!”

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Don’t forget to read about Mia & the Little Gal’s adventures at the Women’s Outdoor News

Visit Prois Hunting for hunting and field apparel for women.

Visit TenPoint Crossbows for “the mark of perfection” in crossbows

Travis’ First Mule Deer

Fourth rifle season in Colorado provided Wolf Creek Outfitters with a hunt for a mule deer buck. Hank and Travis headed out opening day only to see a plethora of does and not a single buck.  On day two they decided to try another valley and then another.

The two saw more does and more does. If there were does in there, there just had to be bucks among them. They hiked and glassed but only saw some small bucks. They didn’t see what they were looking for. After lunch they headed back down a ridge and saw large buck tracks crossing their foot tracks. They laughed at how smart the deer are but knew they could outsmart them.

Travis rides through the snow in search of a mule deer.

The temperatures dropped and the two rode their horses down a ridge then up another. Hank stopped and got off his horse. He glassed and then told Travis to dismount. There at the edge of the field was a great buck! Travis dismounted from his horse, un-sheathed his gun and slowly lay on the ground. The horses watched in anticipation because they knew what the rifle meant. Suddenly the shot was heard. The horses flinched and stood still. The buck had been hit good but it leapt and ran into the brush.

The two tended to their horses, grabbed their packs and added more layers. They knew it was time for some work to be done. After a little searching, they found Travis’ prize. His first mule deer and it was a great buck!

Travis with his first mule deer