Thursday, July 29, 2010
Velvet Bucks
I got these trail camera pictures from my friend Marc yesterday. These are some great looking bucks! The first one has some really good mass. The second one has some really cool brow tines. And the third one has some character to his rack.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Latest Camera Build
My obsession with trail cameras continues to grow, and building my own has really added a new dimension to my hunting experience. I recently put the finishing touches on another camera and thought I would take this opportunity to unveil it here on my blog. So here it is, complete with custom 3-D camo:
This trail camera utilizes a 7.2 megapixel Sony digital camera with a 2.5" LCD view screen for reviewing pictures in the field. The control board I used in this camera features 8 different delay settings and can also be set to "Rapid-pic" mode where the camera continues to take pictures as fast as it can as long as motion is detected. This is perfect for a trail setting where multiple deer might be walking by in a situation where a camera set to a 30-second or 1-minute delay could easily miss the second, third or fourth deer.
Here is a view of the guts of the camera. The control board runs on a 9-volt battery which should last several months. The Sony camera runs on a Sony "G" rechargeable battery. This camera also has a walk-test mode in which a red LED lights up when motion is detected so you can get it set at just the right angle.
Another feature I added to this camera is the pipe-through security system which allows you to run a cable through the case to secure and lock the unit to a tree. If you aren't concerned about the unit being stolen, I also added a quick-connect to the back of the case which allows for easy setup on multiple sites. The quick-connect is the same style used to hold quivers on archery equipment.
This camera is only 7.5" x 5" in size, so it easily fits in a backpack or coat pocket. Here are some more views of the camera.
This camera was deployed to the deer woods a little over a week ago, and I can't wait to check the camera and see what it captured!
This trail camera utilizes a 7.2 megapixel Sony digital camera with a 2.5" LCD view screen for reviewing pictures in the field. The control board I used in this camera features 8 different delay settings and can also be set to "Rapid-pic" mode where the camera continues to take pictures as fast as it can as long as motion is detected. This is perfect for a trail setting where multiple deer might be walking by in a situation where a camera set to a 30-second or 1-minute delay could easily miss the second, third or fourth deer.
Here is a view of the guts of the camera. The control board runs on a 9-volt battery which should last several months. The Sony camera runs on a Sony "G" rechargeable battery. This camera also has a walk-test mode in which a red LED lights up when motion is detected so you can get it set at just the right angle.
Another feature I added to this camera is the pipe-through security system which allows you to run a cable through the case to secure and lock the unit to a tree. If you aren't concerned about the unit being stolen, I also added a quick-connect to the back of the case which allows for easy setup on multiple sites. The quick-connect is the same style used to hold quivers on archery equipment.
This camera is only 7.5" x 5" in size, so it easily fits in a backpack or coat pocket. Here are some more views of the camera.
This camera was deployed to the deer woods a little over a week ago, and I can't wait to check the camera and see what it captured!
Sunday, July 25, 2010
Summer Update
Well, the dog days of summer are here. It's hot. Really hot. But, that means that cooler days and fall hunting seasons are just around the corner. As I write this, dove season is only 37 days away and archery season for deer is only 68 days away.
I've been really busy this summer with work and family activities, and I haven't had many opportunities to keep my blog up to date. So, with that being said, I also haven't had many opportunities to make it to my hunting grounds this summer. A few weeks ago, I was finally able to go, and when I got there I discovered this:
That my friends is prep-work on an oil well pad site. That used to be solid woods with a small clearing where one of our ladder stands was located. Now it is a two-acre clearing. I also had one of my homemade trail cameras on a tree in this location. The ladder stand had been taken down and was laying on the ground, but the camera was nowhere to be found. Needless to say, I was a little aggravated. But sometimes that's the way life goes. When I look at this on the bright side, I think that after the well is drilled and the trucks and equipment are gone, this might make for a good food plot site, since there is really good cover surrounding it. And I also have vehicle access to a location where I used to have to walk.
On to some trail camera pictures. Since I was unable to locate the camera, I don't have as many pictures to show you as I would like, but I do have a few from some other cameras. These are the first pictures I have of bucks in velvet from the summer. Nothing huge, but at least something to look at.
This one looks like he has something strange going on with the G-2 on his right antler. Maybe he bumped it against something and caused it to grow funny...
This little guy better hope that his left antler branches, otherwise the antler restrictions won't be in his favor...
I think this is the same deer that was in the first picture. If so, looks like he added a little bit of length on those tines in just a couple weeks...
Here's a couple pictures of a doe I got from one of the cameras I built that was placed in my camera test location. I had about 20 pictures of this doe in front of the camera, and in every single one of them she had that horsefly on her forehead...
Those last two pictures are from my homemade trail camera while the first three are from a store-bought Cuddeback. Based on image quality, which one would you rather have?
I've been really busy this summer with work and family activities, and I haven't had many opportunities to keep my blog up to date. So, with that being said, I also haven't had many opportunities to make it to my hunting grounds this summer. A few weeks ago, I was finally able to go, and when I got there I discovered this:
That my friends is prep-work on an oil well pad site. That used to be solid woods with a small clearing where one of our ladder stands was located. Now it is a two-acre clearing. I also had one of my homemade trail cameras on a tree in this location. The ladder stand had been taken down and was laying on the ground, but the camera was nowhere to be found. Needless to say, I was a little aggravated. But sometimes that's the way life goes. When I look at this on the bright side, I think that after the well is drilled and the trucks and equipment are gone, this might make for a good food plot site, since there is really good cover surrounding it. And I also have vehicle access to a location where I used to have to walk.
On to some trail camera pictures. Since I was unable to locate the camera, I don't have as many pictures to show you as I would like, but I do have a few from some other cameras. These are the first pictures I have of bucks in velvet from the summer. Nothing huge, but at least something to look at.
This one looks like he has something strange going on with the G-2 on his right antler. Maybe he bumped it against something and caused it to grow funny...
This little guy better hope that his left antler branches, otherwise the antler restrictions won't be in his favor...
I think this is the same deer that was in the first picture. If so, looks like he added a little bit of length on those tines in just a couple weeks...
Here's a couple pictures of a doe I got from one of the cameras I built that was placed in my camera test location. I had about 20 pictures of this doe in front of the camera, and in every single one of them she had that horsefly on her forehead...
Those last two pictures are from my homemade trail camera while the first three are from a store-bought Cuddeback. Based on image quality, which one would you rather have?
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Trip to the Archery Range
This past Sunday afternoon, in the sweltering heat, I went to a local 3-D archery range with my Dad and a friend. I haven't been to a range in a long time, and this one was really neat. It is located right next to a National Wildlife Refuge and the targets are placed in realistic hunting scenarios throughout the woods. It was a lot of fun, and a good way to stay in the hunting mode during the summer. We even saw some wild turkeys while we were there.In several ways, the archery range was kind of like an archer's "golf course". You walk from station to station through the course, becoming frustrated with bad
shots, and occasionally making that one good shot that keeps you coming back for more. Each person shoots from the same spot at each target, and the yardages are different for every shot. And just like losing a ball in golf, if you make a really bad shot and completely miss the target you might lose an arrow!
I don't practice with my bow as much as I would like, and the trip to the range definitely reminded me of that fact. But you know what, no matter how much I practice I will never hit the mark every single time. The same is true in life. No matter how good we act, how many good deeds we do, or how much we go to church, sin is still present in every one of our lives. We have all missed the target!
The Bible says we are all sinners, and that the wages of sin is death. Because of this we are separated from God and we are all in need of a Savior. That is why God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to save us from our sins. He took our punishment and died so that we can have eternal life in Heaven with Him. All we have to do is accept His free gift by acknowledging that we are sinners, asking Christ to forgive us of our sins, and inviting Him into our lives to be our Lord.
I hope there is a time in your life in which you can say you have done this. It is the most important decision you can make. I urge you to make that decision today. Don't hesitate!
Saturday, May 1, 2010
2010 SYC Turkey Hunt
This past weekend I was blessed to be a part of an amazing event. The Special Youth Challenge Ministries of Northwest Iowa held their annual turkey hunt, and I was fortunate enough to get to participate as a guide during the hunt. It was definitely an experience I won't forget!
SYC is a non-profit, volunteer ministry that exists for the purpose of reaching people for Jesus Christ. The organization's vision is to empower physically challenged youth to enjoy hunting and the shooting sports and diminish a portion of their disability by teaching them to overcome barriers of the outdoors through the use of special methods, equipment or assistance from volunteers who desire to share their passion for shooting and hunting.
The event kicked off Friday afternoon when the hunters and guides began to arrive. The hunters are given the opportunity to get familiar with the equipment they will be using. The guns are modified so that hunters with limited mobility can use them by looking at a small video screen that shows the view through the scope and pressing a push-button controller that squeezes the trigger. Here is a picture of the setup.
Here is a short video I took of one of the hunters getting familiar with the gun. This was the first time this young man had ever fired a gun. (You can also click here to check out the video.)
On Friday evening a banquet was held where a delicious meal was served, a speaker delivered a message from God's Word, and each of the hunters were introduced. This year's event was one of the largest ever, with a total of 23 hunters participating. Each hunter is usually accompanied by a parent or guardian, and they are paired up with at least two guides for the hunt. There are also many behind the scenes volunteers who prepare food, landowners who donate the use of their property, and lots of people setting up and tearing down before and after the event. So altogether there are several hundred people who are involved to make the weekend a success.
The first hunt was scheduled for Saturday morning as all 23 hunters took to the field with their guides in search of that trophy longbeard. Despite some windy weather, that morning's hunt turned out to be great as five of the hunters harvested a turkey.
I was paired up with a young man from Minnesota named Zach Olson. Zach was involved in an automobile accident a few years ago that left him in a coma for 5 1/2 months. The injuries he suffered during the accident also affected his mobility which is improving, but he primarily has to remain in his wheelchair. I was also accompanied on the hunt by two other guides - Greg Somers and Josh Nelson.
During the first morning's hunt we heard turkeys gobbling all around us, but we just couldn't seem to coaxe one within shooting range. So we came back to camp empty handed on Saturday morning. But that evening proved to be a different story!
When we got to the blind that afternoon, the rain was steadily falling and at one point it was literally a downpour. That's when we noticed a hen and a gobbler walk out into the cornfield to our right about 100 yards away. The turkey calling duties had been assigned to me, and I tried my best to get the gobbler's attention with the slate call, but the rain was coming down so hard that he couldn't hear me. About 30 minutes later, after the rain subsided, I started hitting the call again. By this time the gobbler was out of sight, but I got him to respond to the call.
We could hear him answering back with a loud gobble almost everytime I hit the call over the next half hour. The rainfall hitting the blind and the sound of my slate call had apparently sung Zach to sleep, so as he snoozed the other guides and I kept our eyes peeled for the bird. After about a dozen gobbles from the tom in response to the call, it finally sounded like he was closing the distance. We could tell he was not far behind our blind, and when I looked to my right I saw him walking in directly to the decoys.
That's when all three of us guides began to frantically try to wake Zach up! We finally got him awake and ready to make the shot when we realized the safety on the gun was still on. So we got the safety off and helped Zach get realigned on the bird again. The slow day of nodding off in the blind quickly turned into about a minute of tense adrenaline. Zach fired the gun and made a great shot! The bird was standing 26 yards away, just past the decoys, and Zach hammered him with the 20 guage. Josh and Greg had no problems recovering the bird. We all celebrated, high-fived, and enjoyed the moment. The bird was an old tom that had a 10 1/2" beard and 1" spurs.
Congratulations on harvesting your first turkey Zach! I also should mention that SYC has taxidermy work done for each of the hunters who harvested a bird so they can show off and enjoy their trophy!
There were lots of memorable moments from the weekend, and one that I don't want to fail to mention was the opportunity I had to meet a young man named Matt Stutzman.
Matt is such an inspiration! He was born without arms, but has become one of the best archers you will ever see shoot a bow. How does he shoot a bow you might ask? Check out this video of Matt in action! (You can also click here to check out the video.)
As you can tell, it was a weekend full of inspiration and ministry. For more information about SYC Ministries or to make a donation check out their website at http://www.syciowa.com/. Here are some more pictures from the event.
SYC is a non-profit, volunteer ministry that exists for the purpose of reaching people for Jesus Christ. The organization's vision is to empower physically challenged youth to enjoy hunting and the shooting sports and diminish a portion of their disability by teaching them to overcome barriers of the outdoors through the use of special methods, equipment or assistance from volunteers who desire to share their passion for shooting and hunting.
The event kicked off Friday afternoon when the hunters and guides began to arrive. The hunters are given the opportunity to get familiar with the equipment they will be using. The guns are modified so that hunters with limited mobility can use them by looking at a small video screen that shows the view through the scope and pressing a push-button controller that squeezes the trigger. Here is a picture of the setup.
Here is a short video I took of one of the hunters getting familiar with the gun. This was the first time this young man had ever fired a gun. (You can also click here to check out the video.)
On Friday evening a banquet was held where a delicious meal was served, a speaker delivered a message from God's Word, and each of the hunters were introduced. This year's event was one of the largest ever, with a total of 23 hunters participating. Each hunter is usually accompanied by a parent or guardian, and they are paired up with at least two guides for the hunt. There are also many behind the scenes volunteers who prepare food, landowners who donate the use of their property, and lots of people setting up and tearing down before and after the event. So altogether there are several hundred people who are involved to make the weekend a success.
The first hunt was scheduled for Saturday morning as all 23 hunters took to the field with their guides in search of that trophy longbeard. Despite some windy weather, that morning's hunt turned out to be great as five of the hunters harvested a turkey.
I was paired up with a young man from Minnesota named Zach Olson. Zach was involved in an automobile accident a few years ago that left him in a coma for 5 1/2 months. The injuries he suffered during the accident also affected his mobility which is improving, but he primarily has to remain in his wheelchair. I was also accompanied on the hunt by two other guides - Greg Somers and Josh Nelson.
During the first morning's hunt we heard turkeys gobbling all around us, but we just couldn't seem to coaxe one within shooting range. So we came back to camp empty handed on Saturday morning. But that evening proved to be a different story!
When we got to the blind that afternoon, the rain was steadily falling and at one point it was literally a downpour. That's when we noticed a hen and a gobbler walk out into the cornfield to our right about 100 yards away. The turkey calling duties had been assigned to me, and I tried my best to get the gobbler's attention with the slate call, but the rain was coming down so hard that he couldn't hear me. About 30 minutes later, after the rain subsided, I started hitting the call again. By this time the gobbler was out of sight, but I got him to respond to the call.
We could hear him answering back with a loud gobble almost everytime I hit the call over the next half hour. The rainfall hitting the blind and the sound of my slate call had apparently sung Zach to sleep, so as he snoozed the other guides and I kept our eyes peeled for the bird. After about a dozen gobbles from the tom in response to the call, it finally sounded like he was closing the distance. We could tell he was not far behind our blind, and when I looked to my right I saw him walking in directly to the decoys.
That's when all three of us guides began to frantically try to wake Zach up! We finally got him awake and ready to make the shot when we realized the safety on the gun was still on. So we got the safety off and helped Zach get realigned on the bird again. The slow day of nodding off in the blind quickly turned into about a minute of tense adrenaline. Zach fired the gun and made a great shot! The bird was standing 26 yards away, just past the decoys, and Zach hammered him with the 20 guage. Josh and Greg had no problems recovering the bird. We all celebrated, high-fived, and enjoyed the moment. The bird was an old tom that had a 10 1/2" beard and 1" spurs.
Congratulations on harvesting your first turkey Zach! I also should mention that SYC has taxidermy work done for each of the hunters who harvested a bird so they can show off and enjoy their trophy!
There were lots of memorable moments from the weekend, and one that I don't want to fail to mention was the opportunity I had to meet a young man named Matt Stutzman.
Matt is such an inspiration! He was born without arms, but has become one of the best archers you will ever see shoot a bow. How does he shoot a bow you might ask? Check out this video of Matt in action! (You can also click here to check out the video.)
As you can tell, it was a weekend full of inspiration and ministry. For more information about SYC Ministries or to make a donation check out their website at http://www.syciowa.com/. Here are some more pictures from the event.
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