Just a short note . I have made it to Utah ok . Got checked into a hotel and started work this morning . The scenary is beautiful here . Ive seen several mule deer , I here the buffalo hunting here is good as well . Im having computer problems so things will be off/on for a bit . Good luck to everyone hunting . Ill keep you posted on my ventures here .

Good morning everybody . Hope all is well and evryone is enjoying the weekend . I am loaded and heading to Utah for work . I should be there till around the xmas break . In the meantime , I will be posting as I can . Also , will keep you updated on the info as I get it from Rut-Wear . www.rutwear.com , be sure to check out there site , partnering sites and gear . Good luck to everyone who is hunting this weekend .

Good morning on this 'Black Friday' as its so commonly referred to . Not alot goin on here on the homefront . Today is the day of putting up xmas lights and gettin the tree up . Other than that , we wont be out amongst the crowds of shoppers much .

I am getting my gear together for the trip to Utah . I will be out west working for awhile . Keep an eye on the blog for updates , I am going to try to make an appearance at the Cabelas store south of Salt Lake City and possibly a visit to the Bass Pro in Las Vegas . It would be nice to meet some new friends in the area . I am planning on taking a rifle and my bow with me . Hopefully will be able to get some hunting in while Im there .

Another 'Congrats' to my uncle Jackie and my cousin Michael . Here is another nice Indiana buck taken by them .

Happy Thanksgiving ...

Wanted to take the time this morning to wish everybody and your family as well as friends a 'Happy Thanksgiving' and holiday season .

Got notification yesterday , I have been selected to be on the Rut-Wear Field Expert Team . They are a good company offering a variation of clothing and camo gear for big game , upland , and waterfowl hunters alike . Some of there affiliates include , Drake , Mc Alister , and Ol'Tom . Looking forward to the upcoming year involved with them . Look for more info coming soon .
Well another 'rifle' deer season has come and gone . No deer for me . I was reminded by my wife that it has been 3 years since I killed a deer (during rifle season) . I guess I dont find it that challenging . Sure , I tried , and I did miss 2 . I also have alot of photos of them on my phone and alot of memories of watchin them tromp around the woods . Some people would say 'failure' , I look at it as a success . I refuse to kill yearlings , and smaller deer . If more people practiced these ethics , we would have alot more 'trophy' class animals being taken each year . For proper deer management , you have to restrain . This is why I have got the bigger deer on my property . Did I get one , no , did I get shot at one , yes , did I miss , yes-twice on 2 seperate deer . However , next year I will be a little better prepared , as will the deer , and , I will have a better deer herd .
Besides , today the stick / string season comes back in . To me that is more sporting . An age old arguement . Anybody can sit in the woods , wait for a deer to stroll by , and pull the trigger at 100+ yards . Now , put yourself with a stick / string in your hand , try some spot / stalk , get yourself into good bow range and try to hit a deer ( under 40 yards ) . For the record , most bow kills are inside of 20 yards . That goes for deer , elk and bear .

So today is the day - last day of rifle season . I just got back from the woods , was a pretty quiet morning . Except for the rain , wasnt real bad though . Just drizzle and sprinkles . Well , I hate to be a bambi killer , but if nothin else prevails this evening , bambi is groceries . It is back to the stick / string tomorow .
I have to leave Saturday for work in Utah . Ill be gone for awhile , may have to take the bow and a rifle with me out west .
Ive got a meeting this evening with a few key members of the Rogersville Strutters . We are making final changes and finishing touches for our new and exciting venture . Key notes will be explained later .

Well we didnt see anything yesterday evening . We didnt stay out that late either . Ethan was done after about 2 hours . He had been playing all day and he was tired . So we came home early and bbq'd . I did go out this morning for a few hours . Seen 4 deer total , only 1 shooter that wouldnt give me a shot . Ill be back at it this evening for a bit . Tomorow is the last day of gun season and we are supposed to have rain coming in tonite .
The loggers got started on the property today . I talked with them on my way out this morning .

Well , went to the woods this morning early . Seen 3 deer total . No good shooters though . Gonna try to get out again this afternoon and take Ethan with me . This will be the last chance he gets to do any rifle hunting with me before the end of season on Tuesday . Hopefully the deer will be moving . Here's a pic of the family with Santa . Sarah ended up in the picture because Elizabeth wasnt sure what to think of Santa again this year .

No hunting today , atleast this morning . Dedided to sleep in a little with the family . Heading into Bass Pro today . Need to do a little politic'n and pick up a few things . Might even let the kids play in 'Santa's village' and get there picture taken . Hopefully all is well for everyone , and I wish everybody the best in the woods . Be safe , shoot straight , be sure of whats beyond .

Headin out to the woods for an evening hunt . Im sure Ill have my boy with me in the morning . I went out this morning and didnt see anything moving . I walked the north and south edges of the property , painting trees purple (missouri law - no trespass) . After I finished painting , I rewalked and searched for the 2 does again . Still no sign , Im convinced I missed (makes me feel better) . Hopefully this evening Ill see some movement . Rifle season ends Tuesday , then its back to stick / string .

Today was the day , Woke up early and head'd to the woods . Deer started moving early , right before shooting light and were still movin around 9 am . It was really foggy this morning , slowly burned off as the sun rose and air temps followed . I have to admit I made a couple bad shots today . 2 to be exact . I shot at a doe around 7:15 , as I was waiting to give her time to expire , I pulled the trigger on a second doe around 8:15 . I stayed in the blind till around 9 am and then went to investigate . From where I have my blind , I am on a hillside looking east down the hill to a creek bed and up a ridgeline on the other side . I can watch deer move on the whole hillside to the east of me but only have several good shooting windows . As it was , I shot at both doe's in the same area (within around 15 feet) as each other . I found no blood , no hair , did a half circle search in the direction the headed (one went northwest , the other east) to no found sign at all . I felt bad and went to the rifle range to check my scope , that didnt help . Im shootin 2 1/2 " groups @ 100 yards (with 1 out of 3 in the bullseye) . Not sure what happened but I never like leaving wounded game , so off to the woods I went again . Searched the area again , checked my shooting lane , broadened my search area , nothin . Hopefully they were both clean misses . I will be out again in the morning trying to get some groceries . Hopefully better luck .

Ok , so we all know I havent been feeling well lately , hence I havent been hunting much . ( Instead I am going crazy in the house , as well as pissing off my wife - god love her ) . We also all know I have been having problems with people , strangers , hunting on my property . Today I feel better and figure I will go to the property , pull the cards on my trail cams , and maybe hunt awhile if I feel up to it . So I burn out of the house headin to the property , drive like a maniac to get there , sneak out into the woods , pull the card , sneak back to the truck , just to find a strange pickup sitting in my lane . NICE , I think to myself , as I draw my .40 thinkin this will make nice target practice @ 50 yards . Then I hear 'Hey , how yah doin ?? ' ... 'Excuse me and who the $#@& are you!!??!!' I believe is what I said . As the nice gentleman approaches me in his crisp starched uniform , with one hand on his sidearm I might add ... not a good way to meet your friendly neighborhood gamewarden .

No hunting for me today . Slept through my alarm this morning , then woke up to damp drizzle , clouds , fog , and wind . Hasnt changed all day . Made for a good day for me to take med's all day and get some rest . Hopefully I will not only feal better tomorow , but make it out hunting as well . Did have a phone discusion with the power company today in regards to a security light on the property .

So it appears the deer have gone nocturnal on me . Havent been seeing much movement during daylight hours since the middle of last week . I snuck in today and pulled my card from my trail cam . Have a few descent shots of some deer and some turkey . Most of the deer movement has been early am before shooting light and the middle of the night . Hopefully I will catch a break at some point .

Congrats to my Uncle Jackie , he got this 9 point yeeterday in central northern Indiana . As for me , nothin . Im feelin a little down in the dumps today , however it off to the woods for me this afternoon . Good luck to everybody ...

Opening day of deer season today , spent 8+ hours total in the blind . Spent the morning with my son and I went out this evening by myself . Ripley's 'Believe it or not' - did not see 1 deer today . Dont ask me , I have no answer . Heard alot of shooting early in the day coming from state land about 3/4 mile away . Usually that pushes the deer to our place for sanctuary . This evening I only heard 4 shots in the far off distance . We have rain coming in tonite , with possible strong storms tomorow evening . I will try again tomorow and see what happens .

So I did go to the property yesterday evening and sit in the blind just to observe . Didnt see any bucks while I was there but did see plenty of shooter does . Me and Ethan should have a good morning tomorow for the rifle season opener . Look for changes coming to the website . I am working on some info updates , as well as sponsor links and hunt info . I have team'ed up with an outfit from Florida that arranges hunts for disabled Veterans and children alike . They video and air on television starting next summer . We are working on a deal for a hunt here in Missouri either next spring for turkey or fall for deer . This may turn out to be a partnership with our local chapter of the NWTF , The Rogersville Strutters . Ill post info and links for application process on my website as well as any and all upcoming and new info . I have also been working on teaming up with several other outdoor companies . Look for new changes coming soon .

So no hunting today . Trying to stay off the property and let the deer get used to the blind bein up and not spread any scent . Anxiously waiting for Saturday morning . Im not sure who is more excited , my son or myself . We have both been checking and rechecking our gear . Packing and repacking our backpack . The excitement in his voice and the expression on his face is priceless as he talks about the upcoming hunt .
We did meet with the builder this morning for our cabin on the property . They are as excited as we are as well . Hopefully be able to break ground after the holiday season . Not much else goin on . I am working on getting with my IT guy ( Clay ) , to get some updates and changes made on the website . Should have a fresh look on the front page and a few changes with the links .

So here is the best pic off the trail cam this week . Hopefully this guy shows up to visit while Ethan and I are gun hunting this weekend . Rifle season opens on Saturday . I did manage to get our pop-up set for us today while I was at the property . Im sure once Ethan see's this pic , he wont want to be gettin out of the blind much .

No hunting today , spent the morning at the local shooting range . Wanted to make sure all is good for this coming weekend (Opening of rifle season) . I did get some stuff together to take to the property tomorow . The weather man cant make his mind up , so even though me and my son had built a 3-sided blind , I am going to set up our pop-up (just in case) . I want to have it up a few days prior . Always a good idea , if you are going to hunt out of a pop-up , set it up a few days before if at all possible . Give the animals a chance to get used to it . Really , how would you feel if some stranger just showed up and popped a tent in your front room ??? ( Think about it ... ) I also want to pull the card on the camera one more time before rifle season opens . Want to check travel times . This way we can leave it all alone for a few days and let the habitat get back to normal . Remember , while you are tryin to scout , check cameras , set blinds/stands ... try to get in / out as fast and as silent as possible . Plan your strategy , straight in / out ( dont wander around ) . Also , practice scent control ( dont wear greasy work clothes / boots to your favorite hunting spot ) , treat the situation as if you were really hunting . Try not to brush up on or touch any vegetation , so you dont leave any unwanted scent behind . Also , leave the cigarettes and chew in the truck .

WORD OF WARNING .... So I get up this morning and head to the property for a good day of hunting . Im on stand by 5:30am , sun breaks a little after 6:00am , Im enjoying the scenary . Not bad for a Monday morning . Around 9:30am or so , I decide to get down , check the blind that me and my son had built for upcoming rifle season . All is well there , seen a few deer movin on the distant hillside (good for them its not rifle season yet - I hope that cant read a calendar) . On my way back to my truck , I stop to check another one of my stands , what do I find ...??... Some jack has been hunting out of the stand and even felt comfortable enough to leave his gear keeper tied up . Just to let YOU know .. its pretty apparent you are on private property , not only is it posted , about a quarter of it is fenced , we have a partially cleared building site , as well as a cleared building site with a well/septic/power . IF I CATCH YOU , I will not ask you who you are , where you came from , or what you are doing ...!!!! I can answer all of those questions for you ... AFTER I defend myself and my property with force . You know who you are , and you know who I am . GOOD LUCK .

So another weekend has come and gone ... Unemployment keeps goin up (10+ %) , foreclosure rates are still at an all time high , Bankruptsie's are settin' another record , and I have still NOT put any groceries in the freezer . Oh yeah , we do have a medical plan now though ... or do we . Ok , wife had drill this weekend , I had the kids . I have realized ... I am not a housewife ... haha . Had my 'stuff' ready , as soon as my wife brought my truck home and it hit the driveway ... I was in . Ive got my bow , my boots , my camo , calls , rattlin horns , yahda yahda yahda , I think Im ready to hit the woods in the mornin . If there is any more $#:? I need to take , please send the UPS truck to my property , I will meet him at the lane . This is the last week for bow season (temporarily) , rifle season opens the 14th here in Missouri . My son is excited and cant wait to hit the woods with me , probably a good thing - he has better eye sight than me . Ill keep you posted .

Conrat's again to Adam . Here is a better pic than the one sent lastnite . Not sure on green score yet . I will post it when I here .

Congrats to my buddy Adam . A 'Muzzy moment' , dropped this 14 point non-typical at nightfall today in Illinois .

I didnt do it !!??!!

Thought this was a funny pic off my trailcam .


Nothing new to post today . Im working on a deal with http://www.secoutdoors.com/ as a future rep for the midwest area . Hopefully good things will come to both of us out of the deal . No hunting today . Ive spent the day on the phone dealing with builders , operators , and loggers . Working on getting the property a little more ready for semi-residential habitat .

Well the turkeys finally mada an appearance . I havent seen them in awhile . Spent a couple hours in the stand this morning . Didnt really see anything . I do have more good news however ,,, Be sure to check out Athens Archery ( www.athensarchery.com ) . They have a very nice line of bows with new things in the works . I was informed lastnite late that I had been selected for there Field Staff . Start looking for me in local bow shoots as I am now representing Athens Archery - Field Staff / Dead Center Archery - Staff Shooter .

No hunting today . Spending it at home workin on the yard , gettin ready for winter . I did manage to pick up some new 'No Trespas' signs for the property . I figure Ill hunt in the morning , pull the card on my camera , hang signs all in one shot tomorow morning .
For those interested , be sure to check out our new web partners site www.outwriteoutdoors.com . Check there site for all your buyers guide / tactics / product reviews . I should have a hard link for them soon posted on my website www.moprostaff.com . Ill be updating the site and makin some minor changes in the near future .

So I spent the morning in the stand again , no real deer to speak of , no shooters anyways . Ive been holding off trying to cull the heard a bit of older mature does . Rifle season opens the 14th and then I will target my non-conformative bucks to weed out of the gene pool . I have seen a total of 3 different button bucks , as well as 2 spikes . The next few years will be a growing stage and should prove well . I did some walkin today and found a few new rubs and alot of sign . Im gettin ready to do some more select cutting on the property , as well as clearing alot of the under brush on the front half . I want to open up the woods a bit for better view and to let some of the cedars have a better chance . Wanted to let everybody know , I got the official word on Sunday , I have been chosen by Dead Center Archery , www.deadcenterarchery.com , as a Staff Shooter . I am awaiting word from a couple other companies on different deals . Im lookin forward to getting more involved with the 3d shooting and competition .

Well , another day of deer season has passed and yet still no 'groceries' in the freezer . I spent the morning in one of my stands , as well as this evening . I didnt see anything moving around this morning however this evening I did get to watch a button buck mull around without a care in the world , he just doesnt realize how grateful he should be that I am managing the deer population on my property , and today he was lucky enought o be a blue collar worker . Even without any trophy to speak of , I am pleased with - take that back , I should say that I am blessed and fortunate . For today I have witnessed things that most will never come to enjoy . As the sun rose in the east this morning , I sat still in my stand . Taking in the fresh crisp air as the suns rays began to tingle my face with warmth . This afternoon , I watched the button buck play , witnessed the sun setting to the west , as the blue sky faded from fire orange to purple . The full moon was cresting the treeline on a distant ridgeline to my east , lighting up the ending daylit sky . As I watched the moon rise over the ridge , it dawned on me , everything I could see from my stand to the ridge top , belongs to me . If I got anything else in the bag today , it is the joy of being my own man in my own little place in the world . Today , my place , was better than disney land .

No deer today . I passed on a couple shooter doe's this morning in hopes of the big boy following them in . He failed to get his invitation . However , there is always tomorow . Weather has gotten nice here . The rain is gone for awhile . Temps at night in the mid 40's with highs during the daytime reaching in the mid-high 60's . Should be this way most of the week .