PETA visits Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer

The last two days I noticed that my blog received an unusual amount of visitors from the PETA. That’s right the hypocrites that bad mouth hunters at every turn. Of course I wanted to know why PETA all of a sudden shows so much interest in my blog. With some difficulty –PETA seems to hide controversial issues deep in the bowls of their forum – I found the cause of that sudden interest. It seems not all PETA members take what the leaders of this fanatic organization say as the undisputed gospel.

A young member of PETA2, a forum aimed at teenagers and children, wondered what PETA had to say about the allegations that they kill animals and why they didn’t help the stranded and starving cattle in the recent blizzard hitting Colorado. That kid posted up some links to reports about PETA and their hypocrisy. One of theses links was to a post I made on January 10, Governor of Colorado: “PETA are a bunch of Losers and frauds". Other links lead to ActivistCash.com and AnimalScam.com, two websites that inform the public about the true agenda of PETA and other organizations like it.
PETA was hit hard recently with two of their staff members on trial for cruelty to animals. Maybe you remember reading the newspapers about the two PETA staff that were arrested and successfully prosecuted for brutally killing dozens of puppy dogs and little kittens and then dumping then in a public garbage containers.

This young person asked a plain and simple question and got a lot of abuse from brainwashed fellow members for it. One of the moderators wrote a lengthy reply with the usual PETA logic we have come to expect from them.

You have to read the reply the young person got, from an adult no less, unbelievable:

Here we go again... Anti-PETA people all seem to be so against the "propaganda" PETA spouts, what on earth do you think "PETA Kills Animals" is? That is *completely* one sided propaganda.

As I'm sure you're aware, no organisation, especially one as big as PETA, is perfect. When you have thousands of people together, you can't expect that they will all be good. Are you going to hold the entire organisation at fault for the unacceptable actions (and PETA has acknowledged that these actions were unacceptable) of two of its members? “

Here the moderator talks about the two PETA employees - not members as wrongly stated -that have been prosecuted for the cruel killing of kittens and puppies (it's believed that they took some of the puppy dogs from peoples yards). They committed this crime during working hours killing the animals in the back of a PETA van on orders of the organizations management, so they said in court under oath. The police found boxes full of poison and syringes in the van, supplied by PeTA. Everything inside the back of the death van appeared to be in frequent use. She also blatantly lies to the kid by saying that PETA acknowledged that these actions where unacceptable. They never did that, they made excuses for the criminals.

Here is more of the comment the moderator made.

Moving along to the Colorado cattle. The fact is, that those animals were all destined to be eaten, and PETA didn't want to step in and temporarily preserve their lives so they could be eaten later. They want no part in the meat industry. What happened to those animals is tragic, and no one is saying otherwise, but it was the responsibility of the farmers and others in the meat industry to feed and rescue their cattle. If PETA had helped them, they would have just been sending them on to gory, bloody deaths and further profiting the meat industry. Whenever humans are fencing animals in to paddocks to prevent them moving on to search for shelter when conditions change, we will always have tradgedies like this.

That's an unbelievably ignorant answer to give to a kid. What she's actually saying is that PETA really doesn’t give a dime about animal welfare. In fact, with that statement she promotes cruelty to animals by saying that it is O.K for animals to die a slow horrible death while humans stand by and watch if it serves their political purpose and agenda. What kind of message is that to pass on to a child! Words simply fail me.

The unusual attention my blog got from PETA members makes it to me all worthwhile. One kid started so ask questions about the organization and searched for answers, part of which he found on my blog. Then he posted what he found on PETA’s forum and with that he maybe got other children thinking too. At least I hope so. I do know that this kid is not any longer happy about PETA and in future he will spread the word about his experience with this selfserving uncaring organization. It’s just one kid that I played a small part in rescuing it from the claws of PETA. And that makes my day. One at a time that is how we can succeed against these hypocrites.

Politics: British Columbia Resident Hunters Under Attack

This press release has been sent to me by email with the wish to make it available to my readers, some of which are residents of British Columbia, Canada.
In the following I publish the entire unedited press release. If you’re a resident of British Columbia please take action and voice your opinion about this issue, contact your local political representatives, the government of BC and the Wildlife Agency of British Columbia. If you're a member of a hunter organization please support and lobby your orgaization in the work they do on behalf of the resident hunters of British Columbia. This not the time to stand by watching with our arms crossed and shrugging our shoulders.

Resident Hunter’s Association of BC

PRESS RELEASE
(For Immediate Release)

“B.C.’s Resident Hunters Under Attack Once Again”

Smithers, British Columbia - January 22, 2007

The Resident Hunter’s Association of BC (RHABC) is calling on the Liberal government to immediately put a moratorium on the Ministry of Environment’s (MOE) bureaucratic plans to adopt a new and radical policy that will allocate more of the province’s wildlife to non-resident commercial interests.

A longstanding Allocation Policy and Procedure (APP) document, which sets out the procedures for managing and allocating hunting opportunities in the province of British Columbia, is being shelved in favour of a new one that abandons BC resident’s priority interests. The policy process was developed in secrecy, with only select interests invited, and the 99% of resident hunters excluded are very unhappy with how it has been handled.

Lobbying by the RHABC had previously delayed the signing off of the new Policy, which was originally scheduled for late January 2006. “BC resident hunter priority in allocation is a fundamental issue that must not be sacrificed” demanded Chairman Bill Zemenchik of Smithers, BC “and the government is heeding flawed advice if it really thinks this rewrite will benefit the province and its citizens, either socially or economically”. But now, with no real changes to the flaws so obvious in the document, the rewritten policy has been signed off with no thought to the consequences for B.C. residents.

The existing APP document has been in place for decades and it entrenches BC resident priority, which means that this province’s hunters should always maintain a minimum 70% to 80% share of the licensed allocation and harvest of wildlife species. Under the new document, resident priority is gone and non-resident hunters are favoured by means of a complex methodology that transfers wildlife quota to the commercial sector based on the value of guided hunts to the industry. Zemenchik adds “The last draft of the document which resident hunters saw gave the non-resident hunters from the U.S. and Europe a minimum of 40% to 45% of the allocation of most species in some regions of BC. This non-resident minimum share will only increase due to the continued over-regulation of the average citizen trying to harvest wild game for their families ”.

The fundamental issue of BC resident priority aside there are other serious factors that, on their own, should require the new policy to be abandoned. The RHABC is presently reviewing two pertinent sections of the provincial Wildlife Act which may give rise to a Charter and/or Human Rights challenge to the recently signed-off APP in view of it being discriminatory towards resident hunters in general; and more specifically towards disabled hunters, senior hunters and this province’s youth ”.

The RHABC recommends that our elected MLA’s intervene once again, ensuring that the existing APP and the clearly stated concept of BC resident priority are implemented and upheld by the Ministry for the future generations of hunters to come. “There is absolutely nothing wrong with the original, longstanding policy ” reaffirms Chairman Zemenchik “it is just that the public servants refuse to follow the policy as laid out”.

The RHABC also strongly urges all residents, hunters or not, to call your local MLA and protest the implementation of this unpublished new allocation policy. We should refuse selling off our natural resources to non-residents at the cost of B.C. resident priority.

Feel free to copy this message and email it to as many friends as you can. Let your friends know what the government of B.C. is up to behind the backs of the resident hunters. Thanks

Polar/Grizzly Hybrid about to be displayed

The, meanwhile famous, polar-grizzly crossbreed bear shot earlier last year is about to be put on display at a Safaris Club International show in Reno, Nevada, in January. Taxidermist Greg Robertson has just finished mounting the bear in time for the great event.

You can read my previous reports about this remarkable bear and the hunt right here on Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer here and here.

The full story on the taxidermist that had the privilege of mounting this ones in a lifetime trophy can be read here.

Fishing: Idaho New Walleye Record

I just found out on the Idaho Fishin' Times that the old Idaho Walleye Record has been broken.

Mark Abel of Sun Valley, Idaho isn’t your typical fisher. While most people fish on weekends, Abel is working and fishes on weekdays. Fishing when nobody else is on the water often can make all the difference. It certainly did for Abel. On Sunday night he went out to the Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir and made a lifetime dream come true when he landed a 17.6-pound walleye, breaking the 10-year-old Idaho state record of 16.2 pounds. “Nighttime is the best time to catch these big predator fish and this is the best time of year to be fishing as they are fattening up for winter,” Abel said. “Being semi-retired allows me to go fishing three or four times a week down at Salmon Dam. Only fishing at night can mess up your sleeping patterns, and most people won’t do it. But when you are catching six or seven big walleye each night, it’s worth it.”

Tags: Walleye, Fishing, Idaho, Trophy Fish

Cool Hunter T-Shirts

On January 18th I reported about the beautiful wildlife photography of Artemis Graphic and Design in Wildlife and Nature Photography.

Today I can report that Artemis offers a real neat T Shirt with a female archer printed on the back and front. This is sure to make a neat present of every hunter, male or female.


The T-Shirt can be purchased here plus other cool apparel.

Political Stupidity on Steroids

Today I found the following article in the Herald-Tribune. Read and weep. Sometimes I really have to wonder how far this zero-tolerance-politically-correct nonsense will go and how long it will take for the normal people in society to stand up and say, “Enough is enough.”

City taking resolution to FCM

By KEVIN CRUSH
Herald-Tribune staff
Replica firearms should be banned in Canada, suggests the city in a resolution to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).

The replicas are far too dangerous to have on the streets, said Grande Prairie RCMP operations NCO Staff Sgt. Karen Simon.

"Locally, we've responded to several complaints in regards to replica firearms, Some of them have been involved in robberies that have taken place. Some of the others we have are people in the city who are shooting around paintball guns or whatever and people aren't aware of what it is. We've had issues in the schools, of course the one that locked down the Comp school."

That incident took place Oct. 12 when a 16-year-old boy brought an air pistol without its cylinder to the high school. He also admitted to showing some female students in the hallway 33 pills of ecstasy and asking them if they wanted any. He then showed them the pistol and said he would shoot the teen who had threatened him when the noon hour came.

The boy, who can't be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act, was sentenced to one year of probation that includes a curfew, house rules, counselling and a firearms prohibition.

It was the second replica-gun incident at the Comp in less than a year.

On Nov. 9, 2005, the school was locked down after a staff member saw a male youth with what appeared to be a handgun on school property. Two young offenders were eventually arrested and a replica handgun was seized.

In the city's resolution, which may be debated at the annual FCM conference later this year, the city will ask the organization to lobby for a national ban on the sale, production, and carrying of replica firearms.

Municipalities can enact their own bans, but they would be difficult to enforce.

In response to security concerns, the United Kingdom has a similar ban.

Replica firearms can often be made for collectors, for paintball or BB guns, or even as toys.

But all too often, criminals are using the replicas and that is putting people in potential danger, said Simon.

"It's dangerous for all of the public as well as the person who has the replica firearm. As a police officer, you don't have that time to say, 'Stop and let me look at that firearm.' It's not 'if' it's a real firearm or not, you assume that it is."

If police officers come across an incident and someone happens to have a replica, officers have no choice but to treat it as an actual firearm, said Simon.

That can all too easily lead to someone being shot.

"Those decisions are made in a split-second to deal with the situation at hand. If you truly believe someone could cause significant injury or death, then deadly force will be used," said Simon.
The resolution, passed by city council in a special meeting on Tuesday, remains broad in describing replica firearms to ensure that it refers to objects that resemble the real thing. Ald. Bill Given said he just wants to make sure that items like water guns that don't resemble firearms at all would not be banned.

Hunting: 10 Yr Old Girl Takes Record Book Brown Bear

The 10 year old Fern Spaulding-Rivers from Talkeetna, Alaska is no stranger to trophy hunting. Her list of hunting accomplishments is impressive she has harvested already most of Alaska’s game species. United States Game Fish and Wildlife Service measured the bear’s hide at 11’4. The bear’s skull scored 29 1/16” Boone and Crockett points.

Fern is a very dedicated hunter and not afraid to shoot larger caliber rifles like the Remington 700 Stainless chambered in .375 H&H, and she also is an avid handloading expert as well. For this hunt she used a customized rifle with a muzzle brake and recoil pad plus she wears a special custom made padded shooting vest to help her withstand the heavy recoil.

I like to read reports like this. It warms my heart and makes me feel good about the future of our hunting legacy.

You can read the full story here.

Tags: Brown Bear, Bear Hunting, Hunting Records, Trophy Hunting

New CVA Muzzleloader Unvailed

On this years SHOT (Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade) Show, held in sunny Orlando, Florida CVA unveiled their newest product, hailed as the worlds most modern muzzleloader. Other than that this new muzzleloader used a nifty electronic ignition system I could not find more information about it. But I am sure it won’t take long before the Internet will be buzzing with rumors and opinions about this muzzleloader. Until I can find out more about this gun I leave you with CVA’s description of the new muzzleloader.

Our new Electra™ rifles are like no other muzzleloaders on earth, featuring the patent pending ARC™ Electronic Ignition. The ARC™ Electronic Ignition is completely sealed from the elements – there’s not even a flash-hole. No parts other than the barrel have to be cleaned of fouling – ever! Ignition is absolutely instantaneous. The trigger pull is incredibly clean – because the “trigger” is really an electronic switch. And since there is no pressure explosion, as there is with primer ignitions, there is no accuracy robbing displacement of the charge – allowing full and consistent burn of the powder charge at the bottom of the barrel. One 9-volt battery will reliably fire the rifle at least 500 times, and the battery will last 600 hours (25 days) – and that’s if it is left turned on! The Electra is the ultimate muzzleloader in ease-of-use, rapid reloading, ease-of-cleaning and never-fail reliability. And all Electras are equipped with a premium Bergara Barrel – for unmatched accuracy.

The Electra™ muzzleloader is offered in .50 calibre.
Stainless steel/black at $521.95
Stainless Steel/Realtree camouflage at $573.95
Blued/black at $458.95

Wildlife and Nature Photography

Today I am particularly pleased to introduce to you a very talented outdoor photographer. Artemis is the Greek hunter goodness, but that is not where the similarity with hunting ends. Heidi Koehler applies the same tactics and strategies as we hunters do. Her weapon of choice is the camera and a sharp eye for the subject. Like hunting, the deciding factor is knowledge about the subject and to be at the right place at the right time.

Behind the name “Artemis Graphics and Design” stands a multi talented artiste with phenomenal skills in photography and graphic design. Heidi Koehler has won many contests with her photography, photo manipulations and digital art.

From wildlife and nature photography to romantic art and the abstract her talent and attention to detail is apparent in everything she does. I leave you here with a small sample of this outstanding multi talented artist.





















































This is just a very small sample of what Artemis Graphics and Design has on offer for art printing, stock photography, illustrations, advertising and many other occasions where good photography, inspiring art and quality graphics are essential.

To see more of her art and photography or to purchase a limited line of printed apparel please visit the following links.

Artemis stock photography and art.
This is a huge website portfolio filled with 100's of images, photos, graphics and artwork. Follow the links in the right hand pannel in the categories such as "My Prints", "Traditional and Digital Art", "Photographic Art", "Photoshop Patterns, Stock Photos and Texture Stocks", "Stock Photos" and "Textures".

Artemis Apparel
I particularly like the T-Shirts with the archer and the Haida girl prints.

Check out the newest apparel addition of Artemis Grphics & Design. The perfect goft for every bowhunter!

If you would like more information about available photo stock, illustrations and available, or custom made, graphic designs for advertising, stationary and more, you can contact Artemis Graphic Design directly by email.

The Outdoor Blog Campfire

With the click of the mouse - computer mouse that is – the reader can visit other blogs with the assurance to find more information, stories and gossip in the field of his interest.

The hunting seasons are closed for the most part in America and Canada, with the exception of a few states way down south.

What is there to do now? Well, if you’re living in a northern U.S.State or Canada where the lakes are covered with thick ice you can go ice fishing. Or, you can join the outdoor blog campfires that burn bright and warm everywhere on the Internet. No need to get outside and brave the frigid weather, you can join the campfire from the cozy warmth of your living room.

When I started bloging, back in 2005, only very few blogs on hunting and fishing could be found on the Internet. Boy has time changed. Today there are a dozen a dime. Most blogs share links with other outdoor blogs, the good ones anyway. These so called “blogrolls” come very handy for the readers. With the click of the mouse - computer mouse that is – the reader can visit other blogs with the assurance to find more information, stories and gossip in the field of his interests.

Unlike a website, where the visitor becomes a passive reader, blogs are fully interactive. The reader can write comments or ask questions in a special provided field, called “comments”. Click on it and a dialog box comes up and you’re ready to comment on any topic you like. Looking at it like this, outdoor blogs truly are a huge campfire where hunters come together from everywhere celebrating our passion for hunting and the outdoors.

Here at Othmar Vohringer Blog Network the “blogroll” has steadily grown over the last few months. Today my blogs exchange links with such reputable blogs as the:

Sportsman’s Blog : Jim Braaten is an outdoor writer and covers many different outdoor related issues and news on his blog.

Deer Camp Blog: The subtitle of this blog says it all. “THE BODOCK TIMES- (a satirical periodical) Humor and Hunting at the famous Christmas Place Plantation Hunting Club on the edge of the Mississippi Delta.”

Bright Idea Outdoors: It was a bright idea to start this blog, providing information and commentary on outdoor adventure and products, current events, philosophy and some other stuff.

ESPNOutdoors.com News Hound: This blog is written by the noted outdoor writer J.R. Absher. The news hound is, as the name implies, a blog that keeps hunters up-to-date with the lasted headline news and comments on many outdoor related issues.

East Coast Hunting: Is devoted to hunting, fishing, and other outdoor sports on the East Coast.

Frank Baron: Not really an outdoor blog, Frank is a writer and avid fisherman. He wrote the book "What Fish don’t Want You To Know” if you do not own this book you're missing out on fishing wisdom (the link will lead you to my book review). His blog is full of satirical and humorous random musings destined to cheer up the dullest person.

Ron’s Journal: A photographer, writer and bowhunter, his blog concentrates on issues in and around the state of Minnesota. I especially appreciate his persistent efforts in exposing the twisted hypocrisy of animal rights organizations such as PETA.

Shed Antler: Ever wondered how to extend your hunting season? Easy! Take up shed antler hunting. On this blog you can find all the information to get you started on this fast expanding sport. Master Shed hunter Steven will show how.

Moose Droppings: Don’t take that literally! Moose lives in North Carolina, he is an avid outdoors man that does it all, hunting and fishing are his game. On his blog he keeps the readers up-to-date with his outdoor endeavors and news from his state.

Whitetail Roundup: This quote says it all; “For those of us who have a true passion for the pursuit of the North American Whitetail Deer, the quest for more knowledge and information on this animal is endless.”

Black Bear Blog: This blog is written by Tom Remington, Co-owner of Skinny Moose Media his blog features the latest news, events and politics effecting the sports of hunting, fishing, and all outdoor activities in North America.

Last but by no means least there is my own network of blogs, besides Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer, the blog you’re reading now, there are four more:

Whitetail Deer Passion: I have a passion for deer hunting and in this blog I share that passion with other deer hunters and in doing so hope to provide my readers with what I have learned from the deer, and has helped me to become a better hunter

Wild Turkey Fever: I get a fever every year, from anticipation, that lasts from the end of deer hunting season to the beginning of the spring turkey hunting season. This blog is dedicated to the turkey hunters and provides answers on hunting these magnificent birds.

Outdoor News Daily: Caters to writers and the informed hunter with daily outdoor headline news fresh of the press.

My Stand: This is the newest child in the fold of my blog family. The name has a double meaning as in hunting “stand” location, and where I “stand” on issues pertaining to hunting. This is the place where I publish my bi-weekly outdoor column.

Looking at this long list of interconnected and interactive blogs you would have to agree with me, that this is one huge and very impressive campfire. So don’t be shy, pull up a stump and join us by visiting each blog. Say hello and join the conversations or tell a story. Oh yea, tell my friends Othmar sent you that will make them happy and me too.

Thinking of taking up hunting?

by Othmar Vohringer

So you want to become a hunter. But unlike most hunters you have no family background experience to draw from. I admire you for the decision you are making, despite the bad rap hunting and hunters get these days in the one-sided politically correct media.

Of course you know that hunters are not primitive Neanderthals, and that is why you press on with your wish. But you have questions, many question. How do I get started? Whom am I going to ask? What will all the equipment needed cost me? And finally but not last, why do we hunt?

I know about the questions you have, because I have heard them often asked myself. I get many emails asking me something like – “how can I become a hunter?” or “what do I need to do before I can go hunting?” It was emails and letters like these that gave me the idea to write this column and answer to everybody that is interested in becoming a hunter but does not know where to turn too.

If you want to become a hunter for the sole reason to shoot with guns and kill something, hunting is not for you. In fact, you never will become a hunter.
I know, I know:
The anti-hunters keep telling everybody that hunting is for feeble minded, drunken slobs that have a perverted joy for killing. If they only would know what a real hunter is all about.

I thought for some time how I am going to write this column and what advice I could possibly pass on. Then it hit me and a thousand light bulbs went off simultaneously in my head. You see, we hunters are all different, some hunt with bow and arrow while others use high-powered rifles, but one thing we all have in common is a deep respect for nature and animals and we all feel privileged to take part in the important task of wildlife and nature stewardship.

Hunters for the most part are a friendly and outgoing bunch. This comes from being close to nature - the root of our very existence - and understanding our place within it. We love to sit together by the campfire exchanging knowledge, experiences and yes, sometimes telling tall tales too. With this in mind I thought, “Why not enlist the help of other hunters in providing some of the answers?” So, I posted a topic on the BCHunting Forum and my own SHS Hunting Chat Forum asking for some input on the subject from my fellow hunters.

So if you’re thinking of getting into hunting it would be worth your while to stop in at the HuntingBC and the SHS Hunting Chat Forum. Better yet, register as a member. You will need to choose a user name. If you are looking for me, I go by the user name of “Huntwriter” at HuntingBC forum and by my first name “Othmar” at SHS Hunting Chat Forum. Both of these forums have a special section dedicated to the newcomers, both young and old. You’ll meet many hunters and huntresses willing to share their knowledge with a newcomer (and plenty of strong opinions too.)

Such forums are great places where you will find topics on just about any issue concerning hunting, such as different game species hunting, different styles of hunting methods, hunting politics and much more. Like I said, we talk about every issue that concerns our sport. Look around on the forums and you’re bound to find members from your area. Many lasting friendships are formed between hunters this way by the sharing of our common interest.

What follows now are some thoughtful and knowledgeable quotes from a variety of experienced hunters that I received when I posted this question: “What is your advice on getting into hunting?”

416: “My first question would be how does the perspective hunter feel about being responsible for taking the life of an animal. Everything else is secondary in terms of what you use, seasons, species etc.
I understand my place on the big wheel of life and its a fact that l need nourishment to survive and that usually come at the expense of something else. How a person makes peace with himself over this issue has a lot to with how enjoyable the total experience is perceived. Personally, if l have done everything l can to make the harvest as quick and humane as possible, it’s good…”

Rod: “While starting small can be a benefit it certainly isn't necessary, choose what interests you and give the animal the respect it deserves regardless of size. If you are not going to put it to use then don't kill it PERIOD…”

Vadim: “I would say that it would probably be a good idea for a person who thinks that they would like to go hunting, to go out with an experienced hunter to see weather or not it really is for them…”

Gatehouse: “Internet sites like this help as well, as hunters tend to be a pretty good bunch, and many new hunters have been taken out by more experienced ones that they meet here. I've taken out several (I think 5) new hunters that I met on one site or another…”

Bsa 30-60: “When I first started hunting I know I asked the same questions over and over and to many different people and always got different answers. Once I had these answers I was able to decide what was best for me…”

Bushman: “…I think that besides hammering the point of the importance of safety at all times, the best advice I could give an up-and-coming hunter would be to obtain books (perhaps from the library if you can't afford to buy them) written on each and every animal or bird they intend to pursue…”

Sideofbarn: “…I hunted with a friend who was at my level for a time, and I cherish those experiences as we found things out together…”

Phil: “…New hunters should spend time with the people who inspire them to hunt. Hunting is contagious and eventually family friends become interested in it. The excitement of a new hunter makes hunting new again for experienced hunters…”

Fisher101: “I think you should always start by asking a lot of questions from older hunter or at least hunters that have been hunting for a while…”

Retiredmedic: “First, I would let a new hunter use one of my weapons on his first hunt. Some people state they don't know if they can harvest a animal and to buy a weapon and find it's not for them is a waste of cash…”

Tobybenoit: “It is important to learn the basics of the hunt, i.e. when and when not to move, sitting quiet and still, looking, listening, and basic safety…”

So there you have it. Lots of good points have been made and more can be read on the forums. Why not introduce yourself, and perhaps a friend too, to hunting by joining a forum and get involved. Make some friends, have fun and become part of an important heritage. As I said before, hunting is part of human nature. The only difference is, some deny and suppress it and others enjoy it.

Here are the links to the forums mentioned in this column. HuntingBC and SHS Hunting Chat Forum.

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Note: I have created a new blog, "My Stand" where I will post bi-weekly outdoor activity related columns.

Stryker Crossbow by Bow Tech

Just saw an advertising flyer on the new Styker Corssbow and I have to say they have some strange way of advertising.

Right there on the front is a warning that reads; “Warning do not attempt to operate Stryker before reading the following…” Okay it’s the usual warning I think. But then I read on; “The Stryker Crossbow creates testosterone…” followed by more of that.

So…if women shoot this crossbow do they grow facial hair?

Next in bold letters; Danger Highly Explosive. “What the heck” I think, “what about the people who do not read past that point.

Who is doing the advertising for this company? I got a tad upset thinking that the advertising does not speak in favor of the product or Bow Tech, the makers of the Stryker. But then the lights went on in my head. Hang on a minute, that is smart advertising. In fact it is part of a very clever advertising plot that started sometime last year.

Last year, out of the blue, we heard talk about a new crossbow called Stryker. Nobody knew who manufactured that bow and nobody knew if it is already on the market or not. It did not take long to create a buzz on the Internet and became the most talked about topic on hunting forums. Then finally a website was mentioned and everybody visited it, but there was nothing to see other than a static picture of a very stylish and mean looking crossbow and a big countdown clock.

More speculations and rumors followed, until at the end of 2006 here it was, the Stryker, the worlds most modern Crossbow manufactured by Bow Tech. There is still no exact data available other than that the Stryker is a very powerful crossbow. The only specs I could find are that the crossbow can generate speeds of up to 402fps and has a price tag of a little over 1,000.

If you have any reliable news and specs on this crossbow let me know.

Anti-Hunters: Governor of Colorado: “PETA are a bunch of Losers and frauds"

In southeastern Colorado’s most recent blizzard like snowstorms over 240,000 cattle have been left stranded starving and cold. The National Guard units are helping ranchers in frantic attempt to rescue the suffering cattle. 15-foot snowdrifts make it impossible to reach the animals by road and so the National Guard is airlifting bales into the area to at least provide food for the stranded cattle. (Photo: Colorado National Guard crew chief Tom Castillo drops hay Wednesday to cattle near Lamar from a UH-1 helicopter, one of eight aircraft used in the drops.)

Enter PETA: Colorado Governor Bill Owens called PETA “a bunch of losers” and “frauds”. In addition the Governor expressed utter amazement that; “PETA doesn’t want to feed freezing cattle”. He stated that “it’s symbolic of what PETA stands for” and that PETA “is a strange group of people. DON’T send money to PETA”.

Why is Governor Owens so upset with PETA The cuddly animal lover organization? Maybe they are not as cuddly and caring as some like us to think.

The Governors justified outburst started shortly after KRFX morning hosts Rick Lewis and Michael Floorwax called PETA to ask them if PETA would help feed and rescue the stranded cattle herds. After all that is what PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) stand for, helping animals in distress is the ethical thing to do. Right? Not according to PETA spokeswomen Reannon Peterson who took the call, and in typical PETA fashion replied: "You're going to save them, and then in six months they're going to be killed and end up on someone's plate. So I don't know that it's really the most noble cause." When asked what about helping to feed the wild animals that starve too Peterson said: "It's an act of God. There's really nothing to be done." Remember, these are the same people that at very turn portray hunters as cruel and wicked people.

People in Colorado now shaking their heads in disbelieve about what PETA really stands for. But honestly what can you expect of a organization whose founder and President publicly declared: “I wish that the foot and mouth disease and mad cow come here (North America) it would be good for animals, good for human health and good for the environment."

PETA is the organization that brutally disposes “slaughters” 90% of the animals (PDF file) that have been given into their custody or that they snatched out of pet owners backyards. It is also the same organization that was caught killing dozens of puppy dogs and little kittens in the back of PETA vans and then dumped these cute baby animals in a trash container at a Wal-Mart. Two PETA employees and paid animal killers awaiting trial on January 22nd, 2007 for animal cruelty.

While these may come as news to some of my readers, I have known and reported about PETA’s , the Humane Society of the United States plus every other bigoted, self-righteous, hypocrite animal lover groups true anti animal welfare and anti human agenda for the past ten years. I am glad that more and more ordinary everyday people wake up and smell the rat.

You can listen to the phone conversation between the radio host and PETA here.

Last Hunt

From the beginning of November to the end of December we held a hunting and outdoor contest on my SHS Hunting Chat Forum. The members where asked to submit a story related to their outdoor experiences. The prizes for this contest where graciously donated by Heirloom Custom Turkey Calls.

Our members have voted the article below as the best story and the winner of our contest. As you read “The last Hunt” you will be touched by the deep friendship two hunters shared and the memories they made that will last a lifetime. Enjoy.

Last Hunt
By Anthony Santamarina

In the beginning of September 1971, I came was home after serving my time in the Marines. From the first day back I started to plan some small game hunting with my Father and two Brothers. This was going to be my first season back for hunting in four years. We wind up picking an area where we all had been and had a good chance of filling our bag limits. On the day of the hunt we all felted we were going to have good day due to the weather and the positive energy we all had that morning. Later in the day of some good small game hunting, I met a guy coming back to our vehicles. His name was Joe Lopez. After visiting for about an hour, I found we had many of things in common. This was also his first year hunting after serving in the Army. He had come home in the early spring of 1971. I never expected this relationship would last almost 20 years together as fishing and hunting partners. We went out on a few outer state trips, sometimes we both were successful and sometimes we were not. It also got to a point that our families were very close with our kids growing up together.

In the spring of 1990, I got a call from Joe’s wife, taking panicky and telling me that Joe was rushed to the hospital, having hard time breathing with chest pain. Thinking it was being caused by a pulled rib muscle he had from moving his dining room closet a few days before and being in the medical field (Paramedic), I was not really worried. After calming down his wife and meeting him at the hospital, we sat in the ER for over 5 hours before finding out they found a small mass about the size if a pea on the outside of his left lower lung. Here is a guy, 40 years old, never smoked and healthy as a horse, having this kind of episode. After about an hour of taking to the doctor, Joe and his wife decided to take the doctor advice and have surgery to remove the mass from the lung. Later that day, after 7 hours of surgery, the doctor informed Joe’s wife and me that the mass was being tested for cancer and he was doing well after the surgery and should recover quickly. On the third day in the hospital Joe and his wife were informed that the mass was not cancer and it was some kind mass that sometimes develops from a virus. All was happy and after 9 days in the hospital Joe came home.

In August of 1990, as it been for the last 19 years, we started to plan our hunting trip dates and what we would need to stock up my upstate house for the season. Being it was so soon after his surgery, we decided not to do any planning for early small game that year. So all the plans were for Whitetail Deer in November and December gun season.

On the morning of October 30 1990, while at work, I get a call from Joe’s wife; He was rush in to hospital again for the same breathing and pain problems. While at the hospital Joe tells me, he dose not feel that it’s going to be good and he wants to go home. I talk him into staying and finish the testing at lease. After the testing, they found another mass in the left lung again and the Doctor wanted to go back in. Joe refused and just wanted to go home. After getting home Joe tells me, He wanted to go hunting the following day. I told him it was not a good idea at first, but went along with it. I called my two kid brothers and told them about what was going on and they also took off work and we went hunting. The next day we get to one of our closer spots to home and setup for the day. Neither of us saw any deer that day, But Joe stated it felt good to be out there and it was his last hunt. That kind of stunted me and I just ignored the statement. The following morning Joe was rush in to hospital. He allowed them to do the surgery again. After the surgery, Doctor stated he had to close him up that there was nothing that be done, that it was Cancer and it when too far.

On November 5 1990, My brother passed away. And I will never forget his Last Hunt.

The antis are at it again

The fine folks at the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance send me an email alert that I gladly pass on to you here.

Activists Ransack New Jersey Game Farm
Animal extremists vandalized a New Jersey quail farm and sealed the fate of thousands of pen-raised birds who were forced into the night without food, water or shelter.

Members of the Animal Liberation Front, labeled by the FBI as a domestic terror group and one of the most active extremist elements in the country, issued an Internet message announcing its involvement in damaging Griggstown Quail Farm on Dec. 18. The message explained how activists clipped through the fence, cut the canopy covering three pens and flushed about 250 quail, pheasants and partridges.

The activists’ actions resulted in the death of all of the “freed” domesticated fowl. The birds scrambled out of their cages directly into the path of oncoming traffic on a nearby highway. Those that escaped “death-by-Michelin” slowly froze to death.

FBI spokesman Steven Siegel said, “It’s like liberating fish from an aquarium by throwing them on the floor.”

It is estimated that the vandals actually released 2,500 birds, 10 times the number they claimed. The farm estimates loss and damages at about $80,000.

Doesn’t it make you sick to the stomach how these animal rights morons portray us hunters as unshaven drunken slobs while at the same time giving themselves the public air of Walt Disney style cuddly animal lovers to extract millions of tax exempt donations from gullible hard working tax paying people. When in fact they are nothing more than a sorry brain-dead horde of marauding-lying-holier than thou-hypocrites. Here we have these moron-lunatic-fringe of society pointing fingers at just about everybody involved with animals while at the same time they kill animals too and oftrn more than we do and for no reason at all. PETA one of the largest animal rights organizations kills every year over 3000 pets, some of these poor creatures are killed before they arrive at the shelter. The reason, according to PETA, “It’s cheaper then to find homes for them”.

Please pass the above email around to as many people as you can, post it on your blogs too. The more ordinary everyday people hear about the true agenda of animal rights the more likely they wont donate another penny to these home grown terrorists.
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The U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance is the only hunter defense organization that works directly at the source of the legislature providing direct lobbying and grassroots coalition support to protect and advance the rights of hunters, fishermen, trappers and scientific wildlife management professionals. This is accomplished through coalition building, ballot issue campaigning and legislative and government relations. You can help and become an active part in protecting our cherished heritage for today and future generation by joining the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance as a member.
The next generation will judge us on what we did for them and not on what we said we would do.

Hunting: Monster Hog shot in Georgia

The internet is abuzz today with news of a 1’000 pound hog a hunter shot in a neighbors yard in south Georgia.

William Coursey of Fayette County, Georgia shot the monster hog, or “gozilla” as they call them in Georgia, and had it hanging from a tree in his front yard.

It is believed that the hog was a member of a group of four roaming in the neighborhood and tearing up people’s gardens. Coursey believes that the other hogs may have been killed previously.

"Nobody keeps official records," said Daryl Kirby, an editor with Georgia Outdoor News. "But it's one heck of a hog." Well, I would say so! A 1’000 pound hog is just about as large as they will get. I am thrilled with this news and very happy for the lucky hunter.

Fishing: North Carolina fisher catches state record catfish

Eric Fincher of Mount Pleasant, North Carolina got a good start into the New Year. He caught and released the new state record Blue Catfish weighing in at a whopping 89 pounds and measuring four feet, four inches from head to tail.

Fincher said; “I brought him in and pretty much went into shock. He was too big for the net, but I told my wife I had to get him in the boat, he was a record setter. And somehow, we did.” Wow, congratulations to Eric Fincher.
The previous record of 85 lbs, caught at Lake Norman, was set in 2004.

Read the full story here.

Tags: Fishing, State Record, Catfish, North Carolina

Heads n' Sheds Calendar 2007

As many of you might remember I posted about Stephanie and Pat of Heads n’ Sheds back in September 02, 2006,(Shed Antlers and Babes). I am happy to report today that they produced a great looking calendar for 2007 with some beautiful looking ladies and monster deer and elk sheds. Yes the girls are avid shed-hunters hiking and riding on horseback for many miles in the mountains and countryside in pursuit of big shed antlers.

Heads n’ Sheds currently offers a New Years special of $ 10.00 plus S&H (regular price $15.95).

This picture is of Miss February.









Here is another teaser showing Miss March

A Year in Review

I created Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer almost exactly a year ago on January 29, 2006, with a review of Frank P. Baron’s book “What Fish Don’t Want You to Know”. It did not take long for this blog to strike a cord with my readers. In the first month of this blog’s existence 23 visitors found there way here. By August it was 185 visitors and from September onward the figures steadily climbed up to 650 visitors per month and still growing as of this writing, just a little over half of the visitors are returning visitors.

For me this is a big encouragement and I thank you all for your loyalty to Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer. This initial success encouraged me to start other blog's specialized to different segments of our rich hunting heritage. On June 2006 Whitetail Deer Passion was launched, providing whitetail deer hunters with information and hunting tactics. Whitetail Deer Passion is currently more popular than this blog with an average of 182 visitors per day. Driven by this success Wild Turkey Fever was launched on July 15, 2006. As the name suggest that blog is aimed at the avid turkey hunters. Still lacking visitor numbers I am convinced that once the deer hunting season is over and hunters prepare for the spring turkey hunt Wild Turkey Fever will find its audience. My newest creation, The Outdoor News Daily, launched last month provides outdoor writers and the informed hunter with the daily outdoor headline news from around North America and the world.

Lets take a moment and review the year on this blog:

The Hottest Topic:
When I reported about the dumb idea of the World Hunting Association’s plan for professional hunters to dart bucks inside high fenced enclosures with drugs and sell it as competitive high dollar prize money televised show I had no idea that I would unleash a storm on this blog. Thanks to the outrage from real hunters, organizations and you, my faithful readers the WHA were forced to drop their stupid plans of drugging deer as sport. Where have they gone? Haven’t heard anything lately, which is good news!

Biggest Buck:
Jonathon Schmucker of Seaman, Ohio killed a 36 pointer with his crossbow that scored 304 non-typical. Regardless of the final net score this buck will be one of the top five bucks ever killed.
Great Losses:
On the 5th of May, my birthday, the hunting industry lost Bob Hice, the inventor of the Tree-Lounge, due to complications with Parkinson's disease. Many people considered Bob to be one of the innovators of tree stand hunting. Bob Hice has been a well-respected icon amongst hunters and in the hunting industry, a man who lived his dream of the outdoors to the fullest. Rest in Peace Bob
Steve Irwin, better known as “Crocodile Hunter” died in a dramatic accident while filming a TV program episode on Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. He was full of life and possessed with all things wild, he died doing what he liked most. Rest in Peace Irwin.
Newcomers:
Brian Warner, a cancer and six-bypass heart surgery survivor, is an excellent woodcarver and avid turkey hunter. He combined the two talents to produce some of the best looking and sounding turkey calls I have ever come across in my 40 plus years of hunting.
Political Correctness gone Mad:
The Portsmouth High School refused to include a photo in the yearbook of Patrick Agin, 17. The reason. Agin belongs to the Society for Creative Anachronism and thought it would be cool to pose in medieval regalia including a heavy sword. Look at the picture and tell me if this depicts violence. No! I didn’t think so either.
Hunt of A Lifetime:
On April 16, 2006 65-year-old hunter Jim Martell was on the polar bear hunt of a lifetime on the southern tip of Bank Island in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The bear he shot, it turned out, was no ordinary polar bear. It was a very rare hybrid between a polar and a grizzly bear.
Fishing World Record:
John T. Armstrong of Madison, Wisconsin pulled this 57-inch muskie out of a lake near his home. The fish was recently certified by the Freshwater Hall of Fame as the Catch & Release World Record in the "unlimited" line-test category.
Neatest Product:
The ATV Power Loader is the quickest, safest, easiest way ever to load a deer onto an ATV. The Power Loader's lifting mechanism literally extends and lays flat on the ground, allowing the deer to be slid effortlessly into place.

The Power Loader fits most popular brands and models of ATV’s and operates with the use of factory or after market winches.


Exited I look forward to a new year to inform you of more news and issues concerning our hunting and fishing heritage. I invite you to visit my other blogs on the Othmar Vohringer outdoor blog network to get the full scoop of all the information that is on offer. Here is looking forward to engage in conversation with all of you be that here on Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer or any of my other blogs and the SHS Hunting Chat Forum. Have a very Happy New Year with all my best wishes for you and yours.