en-us http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal.aspx?id=113 10 Journals http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1401 That afternoon after I’d put the smack-down on the wide 8 point, we set my dad up overlooking the area where I’d taken him because we’d seen two more good bucks hanging around there and there were plenty of does visiting the trough. Meanwhile, I still had another tag so my friends Jim, Jack... 12/20/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1400 The next morning was one of the kind you dream about seeing in west Texas... 22 degrees, still, clear, frost on the ground.  We left camp 40 minutes earlier this time to make sure we had time to corn the road and be parked in our spot well before it got light. As the light blue glow got... 12/20/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1399 A cool north wind and a clearing sky met us at Iraan, Tx., when we drove in about lunchtime last Sunday. It had been nice seeing all the rain that day, but I planned on getting in the jeep that afternoon so I was glad to see the sun. All the hunt reports coming back from the 1st week of the ... 12/20/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1377 A month prior to our annual group teal hunt this September, I seriously considered cancelling it. There was no end to the drought in Texas and half of the duck ponds we would’ve had to hunt were as dry as Mother Hubbard’s cupboard. Had it not been for two special people coming from out-of-state, one... 10/19/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1372 I made it up to my first Abilities Expo last weekend in Houston at Reliant Park and was not disappointed. I just recently found out them when I discovered that their newsletter, The Buzz , is publishing a profile story about me next month. I also needed to drop of my application (for be... 8/30/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1369 It was our last day in the bush, and with another pristine morning dawning in Namibia, the sweltering 97 degree heat of the Texas coast actually seemed 10,000 miles away (which wasn't that far off the mark).  Tomorrow, Greg and I will be headed to Windhoek to spend one night at the Kalahari San... 7/31/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1361 A strange thing happened today.  I felt something that I'd never had before on a trip, a kind of sadness.  I knew I'd be leaving soon, and with two days left on my safari, I wholeheartedly did not want it to be over.  It was that good of an experience.  But Rudi would made sure i... 7/20/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1352 Some blogs I've written took some effort to put together.  This one is not going to be one of those times.  Today was one of the greatest days of the trip...  and it all happened before lunch. We got up this a.m. at 6 as eager and excited as we were seven days ago.  This is one ... 7/13/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1351 Got up at 5 again this morning.  Left camp before sunrise.  We wanted to get in the blind early today.  If zebra came to drink, we were going to be there ready. The sun was just up when we parked some 300 yds away.  We got down and, carrying everything we'd need for a long sit, ... 7/11/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1349 We were still basking in the glory of the kudu kill over breakfast this morning, a late breakfast.  We pushed back our wake-up call to 7am this morning instead of 5 since I had therapy last night and didn't get to bed until after midnight, and because we'd taken one of the toughest animals to g... 7/8/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1348 I forgot to tell you about the conversation I had with Rudie before we ever started the safari. It's one that every hunter should have with his PH. We talked about what animals we'd be going after and what kind of standard we should put on each one. Every area is different when it comes to c... 7/6/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1347 Let me start today's entry by trying to give you some idea about how remote and pristine this country is. When we left Windhoek, we had a 3.5 hour drive north to get to Mount Etjo lodge. During that time, I counted 2 power lines, and there was 1 place where two highways intersected where t... 6/30/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1346 It was an excelsior day in the bush today. At Elephant lodge (the hunting camp), a soft 5 a.m. knock at the door and a friendly “good morning” got us stirring. We were to meet in the breakfast room at 6 for a light breakfast before striking out. That’s where the PH’s and the hunters would meet every... 6/23/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1345 We're in Namibia finally! And at a computer after 3 days in the bushveld.  The 14.5 hr flight from Atlanta to JoBurg went by quickly and our hosts from Afton Guest House were waiting in the airport to help us get through with my rifle and back to there place for a BBQ (brai) dinner before bed.&... 6/21/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1340 Hey I wanted you guys to be the first to know that I drew a mule deer tag for the southern region of Utah!  It'll be my first hunt out there and I'll be guided by a friend of mine, Blaine Saunders, who works for Fremont River Guides . I just found out yesterday so we don't really have a plan ... 5/29/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1339 I'd often wondered what it would take to make it to Africa someday, all that goes into the planning, prep and packing, especially the packing.  Well, since today is a week and two days away from my second trip over, I think I have a pretty firm grasp of it now.  Turns out that the packing ... 5/27/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1333 Leave it to a drought to teach me some new lessons in turkey hunting. The thought certainly never occurred to me before this year that a turkey hen might refuse to nest, or that the older toms would go silent during the breeding season. That’s exactly what happened though because of this throat chok... 4/28/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1318 The Pathfinder award presentation for Chad Waligura and Rick Ramsey.  Respresentatives from Oelofse Safaris, Sandhurst Safaris, Highveld taxidermy and Fauna & Flora support us onstage. It’s a bit awe inspiring to roll into the Tuscany Ballroom at the Peppermill hotel where all the dinner ... 2/10/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1317 Made it over to the convention hall about 9:40am this morning. Eva Wilson & Ron Bartels were both waiting there for me at the Humanitarian Services booth. (That's the branch of safari club that runs the blue bag program and all the disabled hunter services which includes the pathfinder award.) ... 2/5/2011 http://huntingnet.com/fieldjournal/fieldjournal_detail.aspx?nID=1316 Landed in Reno, NV, about 10:30am last Thursday and my excitement level was peaking to finally be here. There was an accessible shuttle to Harrah’s, but since we'd have to wait a half hour for it, so dad and I took a cab. Safari Club booked a room for me at the Peppermill, but my 'entourage' of fa... 2/4/2011