My first successful hunt in pictures

 This was our beautiful backdrop! We camped on the side of a dirt road by a little creek! It was absolutely fabulous! We had quite the setup and I'm regretting not taking a picture of it. It was nice waking up to this view every morning though.

 Opening day

 The Guide....

 My first Mule Deer!!!!

 I shot it down a deep canyon which meant packing it up wasn't going to be easy.

 Thankfully our friend brought some mule tape and hooked it to his quad. We dropped it over the side wrapped it around the buck and slowly, painfully lifted the buck up the canyon. Taking care not to damage the horns or hair for a mount.

 Thankfully my guide is also a mountain man so I booked it up the side of the hill and guided them from the top while they did the grunt work.

 The end result: A happy couple. :)

I suck at Blogging

Okay so... lets be honest. I kind of suck at blogging but I've promised to re-new myself and be better at it.
That being said, you have to watch this youtube video called lhamas with hats. Random, I know but it has hilarious, sick humor and yes, there are 4 of them. Don't blame me if you start walking around saying Charlie.

http://youtu.be/kZUPCB9533Y

BowCast at the Bird 2011

I know its been a while but I went to a really fantastic event back in early July and wanted to share my experiences with you all! It's called BowCast at the Bird and it's held at Snow Bird resort in Utah. BowCast, an online podcast site, puts the event on. It includes 4 different 3D courses that are from easy to extreme and this year Shannon and I flew out to represent Nikon Sport Optics sponsorship. As soon as we got there we met up with some of our industry friends and got our bows out. Let the games begin!

The first day four of us ladies, Kerry, Shannon, Melissa and I, set out to test the intermediate course before opening day. We found ourselves blazing a trail through creeks, ant hills and brumble bushes and had an absolute blast. We were slightly muddy by the end of the course but we felt pretty bad ass when it was all said and done. ;)
The next morning we met with people an

Turkey Trophy!

I'm sorry its taken me so long to post this but it's been quite busy at work and well I'm in the midst of getting ready for yet another adventure. That being said... here are some fav photo's from my South Dakota hunt. I was successful in shooting my first turkey, a jake (aka teenager). Therefore, there were not any beards or spurs to show off but I was incredibly excited that I shot my first Turkey. Whole story to come shortly.

PS. Hanging out with Justin Moore was super cool. What a talented bunch of artists!

 Justin Moore, his manager and song writer

 My host, Mike Lipa from Outdoor hub. An awesome outdoor online advertising company!

Proud as puck over my first turkey kill (even if he is a wee little thing)!

 This is my "bad ass" shot

 The band jamin' out in the lodge

 Amy showing off her layers

 Half dazed at 5 am in the blind

Turkey Hunting in Michigan

Hi Friends and Family, 

So I'm going turkey hunting this week. I leave Sunday and fly into Detroit, MI. From there I'll be riding with Mike and his co-worker Andrea to their company's ranch. 

This is the town the ranch is near... and the town is near nothing. 

http://maps.google.com

This is the projected weather.... UGH

And this is what I will be wearing thanks to Shannon. 

SHE Outdoor Apparel Rocks

Outside Hub owns the land they are taking me hunting on (this means good odds) and they use it for their clients. While there, we will be meeting up with a team from Chevrolet who will also be there to film a 30 sec tv spot featuring the up and coming country singer, Justin Moore. Justin is actually bringing his whole tour bus so I'm looking forward to the jam session that I was told will take place. He will also be filmed on his turkey hunt, which will be featured in an upcoming TV show. 

I, on the other hand, will be tromping around in the woods in the second rate blind, praying that I get a turkey so I don't look like a complete idiot in front of Justin Moore... And probably freezing my butt off!

Anyways the Outdoor Hub guys are great and I'm stoked to go on this adventure! I've never been to Michigan, let alone Northern Michigan and I'm excited to see a video shoot, especially when the truck is 8 ft high and Justin if 5ft 2in. Not quite sure how they are going to do that camera angle. 

More importantly, this will be my third season turkey hunting so if I can't shoot a bird, with a shotgun and a guide I think I'll just move on with my life. 

Gobble Gobble!

National Geographic un-contacted tribe

Saw this today and it kind of blew my mind. It's amazing to me that their are still humans in the world who have know idea what the world has become... contacted or un-contacted. Very Cool.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2011/02/pictures/110202-uncontacted-tribe-pictures-photos-amazon-science-indians-brazil-arrows/?source=fohomesc1#/uncontacted-tribes-new-pictures-huts_31965_600x450.jpg

Rogue Blackberry Pie

Making a pie isn't the easiest of things. There have been many a times where I've thrown my hands up as well as the pie crust and landed it in the trash. However, over time and my mom's amazing pie skills, I've slowly learned the secrets.

Last night I was cleaning out the freezer and noticed a frozen bag of blackberries from last september when we had gone picking on the Rogue River. So... I decided to work on my pie skills and whipped up a blackberry pie. With a little effort and some vanilla ice cream, I was quickly ascending into heaven.

Pie Shell:
2 slightly mounded Cups of Flour
1 t Salt
1 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
3-4 T cold water (put a glass of water in the freezer before you start)

Filling:
Enough blackberries to fill a pie shell (4 cups or till its nicely mounded)
1 Cup Sugar
3 T tapioca pudding balls
1 T Salted Butter (cut into small pieces)

Filling: Combine everything except the butter. Let sit for 15 min or while you make your crust.

Pie Shell: Combine flour and salt then add your butter (making sure it is straight out of the fridge so it is cold). Use your pastry cutter to cut in the butter. After a couple minutes you'll start to see clumps forming, if not... keep working. Once you see these clumps, get your water out and a fork. Throw in 3 T of the cold water and then quickly stir it around with your fork until its starts to combine and their aren't any little bits of dry flour, but instead little dough balls. If it still seems dry, add 1/2 T water at a time till it starts to combine. Then Feel the weight of it. It should be slightly moist and heavy (not dry and crumble-y. Then gather the bits of dough to form 2 small balls. One will be for the bottom crust, the other for the top.

Role out normally and place the bottom crust in pie pan - make sure to press it against the sides and bottom. Poor your filling into it and cut up the 1 T Salted butter evenly on top of the berries.

Role out your top crust and pinch together with the bottom crust. Then take a knife and put slits in the top for the liquid to breathe.

Bake at 450 for 10 min, then reduce to 350 and cook for another 40 (or more) minutes.
Wen the crust is dry looking and golden brown on top, it is done. If your dish is clear you can also check the bottom to see if it is cooked. That is the best indicator.

Top with ice cream and enjoy!

Sturgeon Derby on the Willamette

This Saturday I was finally able to get out onto the water and it was absolutely, ridiculously fun! As soon as we got to our hole (around 10 am... my kind of fishing day) they were jumpin' all around us having a hay day. 5 minutes with our lines in and we were catchin' fish left and right. Unfortunately we could only catch and release but we ended the day totaling 15 caught!!!

I hooked and reeled this bad boy in all by myself! (Although I did need help getting it in the boat)

P.S. Thankfully my wildwoodsman has some style. Check out my purple LaCrosse boots. Best insulated rubber boot out there... I heart them!!! Thanks Christopher! Check their site out if you're itchin' for a pair. 

The plywood was probably my best and toughest catch of the day!  

                                                       Another little guy! Check out the whiskers on these dinosaurs!  

Sturgeon on the Willamette

Chris recently wet his line, while I slaved away at my desk.