© By Othmar Vohringer
I asked my father the above question when I was about seven years old. My father replied, “When your friends die faster then you can make new friends then you know that you're getting old.”
Over the past three weeks I was reminded of my fathers words in a painful way. Christmas and the weeks leading up to it have been an emotional roller coaster. Three weeks before Christmas I learned that a good friend of mine passed away in America. Then a week after that I received a message that a former professional colleague in Germany suffered a terrible work related accident. To this day he is in an artificial coma and doctors battle to save his arm and a leg. At this point even the doctors are not able to say for sure if my colleague will be free of any mental or physical damage due to severe brain and body injury.
On Christmas day I had a wonderful time with my wife Heidi and her family. For one day, surrounded by family and friends I was able to relax a bit and looked forward to a cheerful New Year celebration. Yesterday however, that wish was shattered, I received news that a very dear friend of mine in Germany suddenly passed away. This was a friend most of us are fortunate to find ones in a lifetime, more like a brother than a friend.
I am still shocked about this news and really have no words for it, but the tears in my eyes and the pain in my heart speak volumes of how I feel at the moment. Two weeks ago we exchanged letters in which my friend told me how much he looked forward to move to Spain this coming spring where the weather is warmer and not so wet as in Germany. We also talked about me visiting him in Spain where we have mutual friends. Now I will never see him again and it still somehow doesn't compute in my brain. I looked so much forward to this visit.
Somehow this reminds me of 26 years ago. I worked in Germany then. On a Thursday evening I phoned my parents in Switzerland to tell them that I would visit on Sunday. Saturday morning the phone rang. I picked up and my brother on the other end told me tear chocked that Mama just passed away in her sleep. This feels very much like Déjà vu. Instead of visiting I will attend a funeral.
New Year is supposed to be something joyful but for me, at least this year, it will end in mourning for the loss of two good friends and the worry about a colleague. The New Year is also a time for resolutions. Mine was to quit smoking but that will have to wait for next year, or whenever I feel like it. My resolution for the New Year is to spend more time with the few friends I have left and with my family. These are the two really important things in life. Family and good friends are like the roots of a tree. They give us stability and strength. We often take family and friends for granted but as the past several weeks have shown me we shouldn’t.
I wish all my fellow outdoor bloggers and my readers a very Happy New Year, good health and prosperity. You’re all like friends and have given me support through your comments and emails and I do not take that for granted. As we say goodbye to the old and welcome the New Year tell your spouse, children and friends how much you appreciate having them around you and how much they mean to you.
In 2010 Outdoors with Othmar Vohringer will continue to provide you with information, news and opinions on everything hunting and fishing related. 2010 will also be an anniversary of sorts. This blog will celebrate its 5th birthday. To be honest I never thought that my blog will last that long. Not only did the blog last that long but has grown to proportions I never thought possible. This would not have been possible without all of you and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
New Wisconsin State Record Buck
© By Othmar Vohringer
It’s official now. According to Wisconsin Outdoor News Wayne Schumacher, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin is the new state whitetail deer record holder. On Sept. 20 he arrowed a true monster buck with 29 scoreable points. On December 5, 2009 a team of four official scorers taped the monster rack at 2436/8 inches.
Read the full story here
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: Wisconsin State Record Buck, Trophy Buck, Wisconsin Outdoor News, Wayne Schumacher Buck
It’s official now. According to Wisconsin Outdoor News Wayne Schumacher, of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin is the new state whitetail deer record holder. On Sept. 20 he arrowed a true monster buck with 29 scoreable points. On December 5, 2009 a team of four official scorers taped the monster rack at 2436/8 inches.Read the full story here
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: Wisconsin State Record Buck, Trophy Buck, Wisconsin Outdoor News, Wayne Schumacher Buck
Sunday, December 27, 2009
In the Top 50
© By Othmar Vohringer
It has been very hectic the last several months around here, but over Christmas I had time to take it a bit easier and relax. I spent a wonderful time with my wife and family and I even found time to visit a few of my outdoor blogging friends on the Internet. Imagine my surprise when I discovered on Dayne Shuda’s reputable blog Hunting Business Marketing that my blog column The Pink Wave was chosen as one of The Top 50 Hunting Blog Posts of 2009 on his blog.
Thank you Dayne for that unusual Christmas gift and let me return the favor of this honor by saying that Hunting Business Marketing is one of my more frequently visited blog. Dayne Shuda provides excellent advice on how to market your business on the Internet and certainly has helped my in that regard. He’s written a book about marketing strategies for the Internet and also provides his valuable tips through his Hunting Business Marketing Newsletter.
Reading through the top 50 list made me realize just how much information there is on the Internet about all aspects of outdoor activity. When I started this blog in 2005 - is it already that many years? - there were no more than a handful of outdoor bloggers. My blogroll had exactly 10 blogs listed. Boy has time changed! Today there are over 40 hunting and fishing blogs on my website and many more on the Internet. back then I would spend an hour to visit all the blogs. Today it has become hard for me to keep track of them all, let alone visit each one every day. It would take a week or more just to read them all.
It's a good thing to see that many blogs because bloggers, more than anyone else, are able to reach a huge and diverse readership. This in turn will make sure that the message we have to spread is widely read. In my article Youth Outdoor Participation Declines published on the Outdoor Bloggers Summit blog I outlined why it is more important than ever to promote hunting and fishing to the young people.
As an active and tireless promoter of our outdoor heritage I say thank you to all the hunting and fishing bloggers for doing such a great job. Most of you are probably not even aware of what an important role you play on the Internet. Keep it up and to all of you, and my readers, I wish a Happy New Year connected with my best wishes for good health and prosperity in whatever it is you do. Here is to a new year to which I look forward, bringing you more information, updates, news and tips about our great hunting and fishing heritage.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
It has been very hectic the last several months around here, but over Christmas I had time to take it a bit easier and relax. I spent a wonderful time with my wife and family and I even found time to visit a few of my outdoor blogging friends on the Internet. Imagine my surprise when I discovered on Dayne Shuda’s reputable blog Hunting Business Marketing that my blog column The Pink Wave was chosen as one of The Top 50 Hunting Blog Posts of 2009 on his blog.
Thank you Dayne for that unusual Christmas gift and let me return the favor of this honor by saying that Hunting Business Marketing is one of my more frequently visited blog. Dayne Shuda provides excellent advice on how to market your business on the Internet and certainly has helped my in that regard. He’s written a book about marketing strategies for the Internet and also provides his valuable tips through his Hunting Business Marketing Newsletter.
Reading through the top 50 list made me realize just how much information there is on the Internet about all aspects of outdoor activity. When I started this blog in 2005 - is it already that many years? - there were no more than a handful of outdoor bloggers. My blogroll had exactly 10 blogs listed. Boy has time changed! Today there are over 40 hunting and fishing blogs on my website and many more on the Internet. back then I would spend an hour to visit all the blogs. Today it has become hard for me to keep track of them all, let alone visit each one every day. It would take a week or more just to read them all.
It's a good thing to see that many blogs because bloggers, more than anyone else, are able to reach a huge and diverse readership. This in turn will make sure that the message we have to spread is widely read. In my article Youth Outdoor Participation Declines published on the Outdoor Bloggers Summit blog I outlined why it is more important than ever to promote hunting and fishing to the young people.
As an active and tireless promoter of our outdoor heritage I say thank you to all the hunting and fishing bloggers for doing such a great job. Most of you are probably not even aware of what an important role you play on the Internet. Keep it up and to all of you, and my readers, I wish a Happy New Year connected with my best wishes for good health and prosperity in whatever it is you do. Here is to a new year to which I look forward, bringing you more information, updates, news and tips about our great hunting and fishing heritage.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
In the Spirit of Christmas
© By Othmar Vohringer
I wanted to write a few articles before Christmas but I did not get around to it. So instead I write this Christmas message and the articles will have to wait until the next year.
This was an exceptionally busy year for me with many plans that turned out while others had be put on the shelf for a while longer. The economy hasn't made it easy for anyone. Hunting and fishing magazines have been hit hard by the bad economy. In an effort to save money companies didn’t advertise in the magazines and canceled sponsorship of outdoor trade events and that in turn reflected badly on the bottom line of magazines and events that depend on advertising revenue. If the economy falls the worst thing as company can do is to stop telling people about their product. In these times advertising become even more important than ever.
This loss of cash reflected on freelance outdoor writers and seminar speakers having to take severe pay cuts. It has come to the point where it is impossible to make a living of writing and seminars. Many freelance writers became unemployed and others had to find a second job with a regular paycheck and treat writing as a side job. I was no exception. In order to make ends meet I had to take on extra work as an employed worker. Finding a job was not easy in these times but I got lucky I found work. It is not my first choice sitting in a factory and assemble parts, but I am not complaining it helps paying the bills and that is all that counts.
I am continually amazed how many people are unemployed simply because they feel to proud to take a job they feel is below their status or education. Work is work, as long it pays a living that is all what matters. In my opinion an employed burger flipper contributes more to the growth of the economy than the an unemployed lawyer sitting at home waiting for the right job to come along.
This will be temporary as the economy starts to improve so will the freelance writers and seminar speakers demand. I have plans for the new year that will prevent such shortfalls in the future and will permit me to work as an outdoor professional even if things are not so good economically. The lesson I learned this year is diversity. Of course you got to be careful that you don't spread yourself to thin and then loose sight, but having more than one fire going is always better then setting all bets on one or two horses.
Christmas is here and I look forward to enjoy the coming days in the company of good friends and family. No matter how hard life can get as long you have family and friends you’re strong and never alone.
I wish all my readers and fellow bloggers a very Merry Christmas filled with joy and happiness, and a Happy New Year with my best wishes for good heath and prosperous future.
I look forward to the new year with new reports, news, columns and opinions from our great and wonderful outdoors.
This post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
I wanted to write a few articles before Christmas but I did not get around to it. So instead I write this Christmas message and the articles will have to wait until the next year.
This was an exceptionally busy year for me with many plans that turned out while others had be put on the shelf for a while longer. The economy hasn't made it easy for anyone. Hunting and fishing magazines have been hit hard by the bad economy. In an effort to save money companies didn’t advertise in the magazines and canceled sponsorship of outdoor trade events and that in turn reflected badly on the bottom line of magazines and events that depend on advertising revenue. If the economy falls the worst thing as company can do is to stop telling people about their product. In these times advertising become even more important than ever.
This loss of cash reflected on freelance outdoor writers and seminar speakers having to take severe pay cuts. It has come to the point where it is impossible to make a living of writing and seminars. Many freelance writers became unemployed and others had to find a second job with a regular paycheck and treat writing as a side job. I was no exception. In order to make ends meet I had to take on extra work as an employed worker. Finding a job was not easy in these times but I got lucky I found work. It is not my first choice sitting in a factory and assemble parts, but I am not complaining it helps paying the bills and that is all that counts.
I am continually amazed how many people are unemployed simply because they feel to proud to take a job they feel is below their status or education. Work is work, as long it pays a living that is all what matters. In my opinion an employed burger flipper contributes more to the growth of the economy than the an unemployed lawyer sitting at home waiting for the right job to come along.
This will be temporary as the economy starts to improve so will the freelance writers and seminar speakers demand. I have plans for the new year that will prevent such shortfalls in the future and will permit me to work as an outdoor professional even if things are not so good economically. The lesson I learned this year is diversity. Of course you got to be careful that you don't spread yourself to thin and then loose sight, but having more than one fire going is always better then setting all bets on one or two horses.
Christmas is here and I look forward to enjoy the coming days in the company of good friends and family. No matter how hard life can get as long you have family and friends you’re strong and never alone.
I wish all my readers and fellow bloggers a very Merry Christmas filled with joy and happiness, and a Happy New Year with my best wishes for good heath and prosperous future.
I look forward to the new year with new reports, news, columns and opinions from our great and wonderful outdoors.
This post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Fishing In BC Is Big Business For The Government
© By Othmar Vohringer
According to a report released by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC recreational fishing in British Columbia is big business with huge financial profits for the government. The report states that anglers contribute the staggering sum of half a billion dollars. Yes you read that right $500 Million. While the overall economy has declined and just now starts to pick slowly up again the fishing economy never slowed down. It fact it is growing and growing.
The study, which was conducted by noted fisheries economist Gordon Gislason, measured freshwater fishing across a variety of social and economic indicators and produced some impressive conclusions about this often overlooked sector.
Here is a basic breakdown of the financial contributions anglers make annually to our economy.
From that the provincial government gets 58.2 million dollars and the federal government gets 95.5 million. The tidal fishery provides 9,975 jobs on a provincial and federal level. This in turn generates 285 million dollars in revenue. Are you impressed now? You should be and next time you head out to your favorite fishing location hold your head a little bit higher in the knowledge that you are a major contributor to our economy.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: BC Sport Fishing Economy, British Columbia, Fishing Economy Report
According to a report released by the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC recreational fishing in British Columbia is big business with huge financial profits for the government. The report states that anglers contribute the staggering sum of half a billion dollars. Yes you read that right $500 Million. While the overall economy has declined and just now starts to pick slowly up again the fishing economy never slowed down. It fact it is growing and growing.The study, which was conducted by noted fisheries economist Gordon Gislason, measured freshwater fishing across a variety of social and economic indicators and produced some impressive conclusions about this often overlooked sector.
Here is a basic breakdown of the financial contributions anglers make annually to our economy.
- 270,000 freshwater anglers spend $480 million annually on equipment, travel, accommodation and hospitality services.
- The 1,000 businesses that outfit freshwater anglers contribute $210 million in GDP, employ 3,900 full-time workers, pay $120 million in wages and benefits.
- Anglers contribute $125 million in provincial and federal taxes.
- BC anglers generate13 million dollars in fishing license revenue that in turn is reinvested in the fishing resource each year.
- Every $1 spent on stocking freshwater lakes and streams by the FFSBC produces $21 in spending by anglers.
From that the provincial government gets 58.2 million dollars and the federal government gets 95.5 million. The tidal fishery provides 9,975 jobs on a provincial and federal level. This in turn generates 285 million dollars in revenue. Are you impressed now? You should be and next time you head out to your favorite fishing location hold your head a little bit higher in the knowledge that you are a major contributor to our economy.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: BC Sport Fishing Economy, British Columbia, Fishing Economy Report
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Saying Thanks
© Othmar Vohringer
Each year I sit on my desk about two weeks before Christmas and write cards for family, friends and associates. Over the years the cards I write have accumulated to a small mountain on my desk. Sometimes I forget to include a few people in my personal Christmas greeting list. However, there are certain people that I will never forget.
These people are the kind and generous landowners that grant me permission to hunt on their land. For various reasons that I’ll not go into in this post it becomes each year more difficult to obtain permission on private land and if after many days, weeks or even months of knocking on doors I finally do get permission I’ll be thankful for it.
To me being thankful to landowners is not just sending a Christmas card. I personally deliver the card to them and I always make sure to hand them a small gift of my appreciation too. The gift can be a bottle of wine provided I know what wine the landowner likes, a box of his favourite cigars, or a few steaks and roasts from the deer or turkey I got of the property.
To some that might seem too much trouble. If you are, then consider this. The landowner invites you as his guest and it is common for guest to be appreciative of the invitation. Remember that landowners are under no obligation to grant you access to their property. Landowners also carry a certain risk in having strangers on their property, especially in these lawsuit happy times. If a landowner grants you permission to hunt then he extents a certain measure of trust and the least you can do is to be thankful for that.
So as you get ready to send out Christmas cards don’t forget the landowners that grant you permission to hunt on their land and it doesn’t hurt to share your harvest with them either, and I am not talking about the neck meat from a rutting buck or the though legs of a turkey. Bring the landowner some of the finest cuts of game all cleanly wrapped and labeled.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: Christmas, Hunting Private Land, Landowner Hunting Permission, Private Land
Each year I sit on my desk about two weeks before Christmas and write cards for family, friends and associates. Over the years the cards I write have accumulated to a small mountain on my desk. Sometimes I forget to include a few people in my personal Christmas greeting list. However, there are certain people that I will never forget.
These people are the kind and generous landowners that grant me permission to hunt on their land. For various reasons that I’ll not go into in this post it becomes each year more difficult to obtain permission on private land and if after many days, weeks or even months of knocking on doors I finally do get permission I’ll be thankful for it.
To me being thankful to landowners is not just sending a Christmas card. I personally deliver the card to them and I always make sure to hand them a small gift of my appreciation too. The gift can be a bottle of wine provided I know what wine the landowner likes, a box of his favourite cigars, or a few steaks and roasts from the deer or turkey I got of the property.
To some that might seem too much trouble. If you are, then consider this. The landowner invites you as his guest and it is common for guest to be appreciative of the invitation. Remember that landowners are under no obligation to grant you access to their property. Landowners also carry a certain risk in having strangers on their property, especially in these lawsuit happy times. If a landowner grants you permission to hunt then he extents a certain measure of trust and the least you can do is to be thankful for that.
So as you get ready to send out Christmas cards don’t forget the landowners that grant you permission to hunt on their land and it doesn’t hurt to share your harvest with them either, and I am not talking about the neck meat from a rutting buck or the though legs of a turkey. Bring the landowner some of the finest cuts of game all cleanly wrapped and labeled.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: Christmas, Hunting Private Land, Landowner Hunting Permission, Private Land
Friday, December 11, 2009
Christmas Gifts For Hunters And Anglers
© By Othmar Vohringer
Christmas is just around the corner and as every year I offer you my list of presents for the avid hunter.
I start the list with three books that will be much appreciated reading during the long cold winter days.
Fish Cops & game Wardens
By Bill Otway
Fish Cops & Game Wardens tells first hand account stories of game wardens, conservation officers and fisheries officers that Bill has met and befriended in half a century of involvement in the domain of wildlife and fisheries conservation efforts. The stories in the book are humorous, others make the reader think and still other stories are so hilarious they make you laugh. Whatever the story may be, humorous, thrilling or compassionate, they are all real live experiences and the stuff campfire stories are made of that will be told and retold for generations to come.
Read more.
Bear Hunting Book and Video
By Justin Ott
The book and accompanying video covers everything a beginning bear hunter needs to know and I am convinced that even advanced and veteran bear hunters will be able to pick a few things up they have never known or need to be reminded of. In 13 chapters the book covers information about the black bear and conservation and then moves on to important things like where and how to find bears. In other chapters different hunting tactics are knowledgably explained. There are sections on hunting bears with rifles and archery equipment. Hunting bears from the ground, over bait, from treestands and stalking bears is all covered in subsequent chapters.
Read more.
Inside The Wild
By L.W. Oakley
Inside The Wild is a detailed account of L.W. Oakley’s life as a hunter and nature enthusiast among a close-knit circle of hunting friends whose adventures into the wild world of northern Ontario have shaped his beliefs and opinions of what hunting and nature means to him.
I have read the book from the first to the last page and often found it hard to put it down. Oakley is a great storyteller while passing along some valuable insights for us to consider without sounding preachy. I particularly enjoyed how Oakley starts each chapter with a personal story he experienced with his hunting friends. Some of these stories make you think while others make you smile or even laugh.
Read more.
Apparel:
Dress In Style
How about some beautifully designed T-Shirts for your favourite hunter or huntress?
When I go out in town I like to spread the message that I am a hunter and angler, and that I am proud of it. However, I never wear camouflage clothing in town or even around the neighbourhood. There are other ways, much more stylish, to let people know that I hunt.
T-Shirts with nice hunting and fishing motives are one of my favourites. It is difficult for me at times to find something that suits my style and is non-offensive to people that do not hunt. Obviously I wouldn’t wear anything that says something like “Buck Killer” printed on the shirt. My choice of hunting “advertisement” is exactly what the Texas based company Field Dress offers to hunters and fishers.
Read more.
ASAT Camouflage designed to fool deer not hunters
Stan and Jim, the designers of ASAT, believed that a lot of camo available at the time had been designed like fishing lures - to catch the hunter rather than help catch the quarry. They knew that just because a pattern looks good in a store or in a small isolated field situation, it doesn't mean that it will work well under all conditions and at all times of the year. What Stan and Jim ultimately decided to do was develop a camo pattern that would be good at all times, in any environment, to fool any game animal or bird. It was a tall order, but the pair felt that they had succeeded with ASAT. Obviously, many hunters felt and still feel, the very same way.
As an animal behaviourist I did my own research on camouflage patterns and found ASAT to be the only one designed to fool animal vision. Consequently. ASAT is my choice of camouflage for the last 16 years. I wear ASAT on all my hunts in any terrain and in any season.
Read more.
Products:
Magnet Gun Caddy
The Magnet Gun Caddy is one of these rare “Wow” moment products that make you think, “Why hasn’t somebody thought earlier of that.” As with most of these exceptional products the genius lays in the sheer simplicity of the design that fulfills a real need. I lost count of how many times I came back to the truck from a hunting or fishing trip with both hands full of gear. I would have to lean the rifle, gun or fishing rod against the truck to free one hand up to get the key out of my pocket and unlock the truck.
More times than I care to remember the firearm or rod slipped and fell to the ground scratching the paint on the truck in the course of it. With the Magnet Gun Caddy this will never happen again.
Read more.
Heirloom Custom Game Calls
Anybody that hunts for a year or tow has learned one important lesson when it comes to calling game animals into shooting range. The more realistic you create the illusion of real live animal sounds the more likely it is that you will get a positive response.
Brian Warner, founder and operator of Heirloom Game Calls, is not only an avid hunter but also an excellent woodcraftsman with solid knowledge of natural animal sounds. Combining his talents he is able to create the most realistic sounding game calls available on the market. Each call is personally hand tuned by Brian before it leaves his shop. Just good is not good enough for Brian it has to be perfect. This same quality control extends to his woodworking skills. Each call is beautifully handcrafted to exact tolerances. Heirloom Calls are just that; Heirlooms that will handed down from generation to generation.
Read more.
Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind
I’ll admit it. When I hunt I like comfort. Especially when I hunt ducks and geese, which involves hours of sitting motionless in often wet and cold weather conditions. One aspect of hunting waterfowl that I never liked much is sitting in cold, wet, dug-out blinds.
With that in mind I looked forward to field-testing the new Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind. When the package arrived the first thing that surprised me was the relatively small size of an object large enough to comfortably accommodate a grown person. At the same time I was worried that I would have to do a lot of assembly work.
The Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind is without a doubt in my mind the most practical, comfortable and useful goose hunting blind I have ever had the pleasure of using and field-testing.
Read more.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: Christmas, Gifts For Hunters and Anglers, Hunting Product Reviews, Books, ASAT Camouflage , Duck Blind, Game Calls, Hunting and Fishing T-Shirts, Gun And Rod Holder, Magnet Gun Caddy
Christmas is just around the corner and as every year I offer you my list of presents for the avid hunter.
I start the list with three books that will be much appreciated reading during the long cold winter days.
Fish Cops & game Wardens
By Bill Otway
Fish Cops & Game Wardens tells first hand account stories of game wardens, conservation officers and fisheries officers that Bill has met and befriended in half a century of involvement in the domain of wildlife and fisheries conservation efforts. The stories in the book are humorous, others make the reader think and still other stories are so hilarious they make you laugh. Whatever the story may be, humorous, thrilling or compassionate, they are all real live experiences and the stuff campfire stories are made of that will be told and retold for generations to come.Read more.
Bear Hunting Book and Video
By Justin Ott
The book and accompanying video covers everything a beginning bear hunter needs to know and I am convinced that even advanced and veteran bear hunters will be able to pick a few things up they have never known or need to be reminded of. In 13 chapters the book covers information about the black bear and conservation and then moves on to important things like where and how to find bears. In other chapters different hunting tactics are knowledgably explained. There are sections on hunting bears with rifles and archery equipment. Hunting bears from the ground, over bait, from treestands and stalking bears is all covered in subsequent chapters.Read more.
Inside The Wild
By L.W. Oakley
Inside The Wild is a detailed account of L.W. Oakley’s life as a hunter and nature enthusiast among a close-knit circle of hunting friends whose adventures into the wild world of northern Ontario have shaped his beliefs and opinions of what hunting and nature means to him.I have read the book from the first to the last page and often found it hard to put it down. Oakley is a great storyteller while passing along some valuable insights for us to consider without sounding preachy. I particularly enjoyed how Oakley starts each chapter with a personal story he experienced with his hunting friends. Some of these stories make you think while others make you smile or even laugh.
Read more.
Apparel:
Dress In Style
How about some beautifully designed T-Shirts for your favourite hunter or huntress?When I go out in town I like to spread the message that I am a hunter and angler, and that I am proud of it. However, I never wear camouflage clothing in town or even around the neighbourhood. There are other ways, much more stylish, to let people know that I hunt.
T-Shirts with nice hunting and fishing motives are one of my favourites. It is difficult for me at times to find something that suits my style and is non-offensive to people that do not hunt. Obviously I wouldn’t wear anything that says something like “Buck Killer” printed on the shirt. My choice of hunting “advertisement” is exactly what the Texas based company Field Dress offers to hunters and fishers.
Read more.
ASAT Camouflage designed to fool deer not hunters
Stan and Jim, the designers of ASAT, believed that a lot of camo available at the time had been designed like fishing lures - to catch the hunter rather than help catch the quarry. They knew that just because a pattern looks good in a store or in a small isolated field situation, it doesn't mean that it will work well under all conditions and at all times of the year. What Stan and Jim ultimately decided to do was develop a camo pattern that would be good at all times, in any environment, to fool any game animal or bird. It was a tall order, but the pair felt that they had succeeded with ASAT. Obviously, many hunters felt and still feel, the very same way.As an animal behaviourist I did my own research on camouflage patterns and found ASAT to be the only one designed to fool animal vision. Consequently. ASAT is my choice of camouflage for the last 16 years. I wear ASAT on all my hunts in any terrain and in any season.
Read more.
Products:
Magnet Gun Caddy
The Magnet Gun Caddy is one of these rare “Wow” moment products that make you think, “Why hasn’t somebody thought earlier of that.” As with most of these exceptional products the genius lays in the sheer simplicity of the design that fulfills a real need. I lost count of how many times I came back to the truck from a hunting or fishing trip with both hands full of gear. I would have to lean the rifle, gun or fishing rod against the truck to free one hand up to get the key out of my pocket and unlock the truck.More times than I care to remember the firearm or rod slipped and fell to the ground scratching the paint on the truck in the course of it. With the Magnet Gun Caddy this will never happen again.
Read more.
Heirloom Custom Game Calls
Anybody that hunts for a year or tow has learned one important lesson when it comes to calling game animals into shooting range. The more realistic you create the illusion of real live animal sounds the more likely it is that you will get a positive response.Brian Warner, founder and operator of Heirloom Game Calls, is not only an avid hunter but also an excellent woodcraftsman with solid knowledge of natural animal sounds. Combining his talents he is able to create the most realistic sounding game calls available on the market. Each call is personally hand tuned by Brian before it leaves his shop. Just good is not good enough for Brian it has to be perfect. This same quality control extends to his woodworking skills. Each call is beautifully handcrafted to exact tolerances. Heirloom Calls are just that; Heirlooms that will handed down from generation to generation.
Read more.
Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind
I’ll admit it. When I hunt I like comfort. Especially when I hunt ducks and geese, which involves hours of sitting motionless in often wet and cold weather conditions. One aspect of hunting waterfowl that I never liked much is sitting in cold, wet, dug-out blinds.With that in mind I looked forward to field-testing the new Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind. When the package arrived the first thing that surprised me was the relatively small size of an object large enough to comfortably accommodate a grown person. At the same time I was worried that I would have to do a lot of assembly work.
The Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind is without a doubt in my mind the most practical, comfortable and useful goose hunting blind I have ever had the pleasure of using and field-testing.
Read more.
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: Christmas, Gifts For Hunters and Anglers, Hunting Product Reviews, Books, ASAT Camouflage , Duck Blind, Game Calls, Hunting and Fishing T-Shirts, Gun And Rod Holder, Magnet Gun Caddy
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Minnesota Poacher Kills Trophy Buck
© By Othmar Vohringer
Poaching is not common but it does happen every year and each time I read about it, it makes me angry and upset. It’s no different with this story from Minnesota.
According to a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources press release officers recently seized a record-book deer rack and filed poaching charges against a Cannon Falls man.
The photo shows DNR Conservation Officer Tyler Quandt with the confiscated deer rack of the poached 8-point buck, with a 185 green score. Reinke, the poacher, has to pay $1,000 restitution and also faces other fines and court costs, and could have his hunting privileges revoked for three years if convicted. A trial date has not been set.
Read full story
Image courtesy: Minnesota DNR
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: Poacher, Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Trophy Buck
Poaching is not common but it does happen every year and each time I read about it, it makes me angry and upset. It’s no different with this story from Minnesota.According to a Minnesota Department of Natural Resources press release officers recently seized a record-book deer rack and filed poaching charges against a Cannon Falls man.
The photo shows DNR Conservation Officer Tyler Quandt with the confiscated deer rack of the poached 8-point buck, with a 185 green score. Reinke, the poacher, has to pay $1,000 restitution and also faces other fines and court costs, and could have his hunting privileges revoked for three years if convicted. A trial date has not been set.
Read full story
Image courtesy: Minnesota DNR
This blog post has been brought to you by Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: Poacher, Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources, Minnesota Trophy Buck
Sunday, December 06, 2009
Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind
© By Othmar Vohringer
I’ll admit it. When I hunt I like comfort. Especially when I hunt ducks and geese, which involves hours of sitting motionless in often wet and cold weather conditions. One aspect of hunting waterfowl that I never liked much is sitting in cold, wet, dug-out blinds.
With that in mind I looked forward to field-testing the new Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind. When the package arrived the first thing that surprised me was the relatively small size of an object large enough to comfortably accommodate a grown person. At the same time I was worried that I would have to do a lot of assembly work.
I didn’t need to worry on that score. The Eliminator Cargo Blind assembles without any tools. For the most part you just stick together a pre-assembled frame and push a few bolts. I managed to assemble the whole blind in less than three minutes without reading the supplied manual. Yes it was that easy.
As for the word “cargo” in the name of the blind: the designers came up with an ingenious idea.
Once the blind is assembled you can attach the supplied wheels by simply pushing them into the their respective places within the mainframe and presto! The blind turns into a cargo cart. As any goose hunter knows, we have an awful lot of equipment to drag along on a hunt. All this equipment often has to be hauled over long distances to the hunting destination. With the Eliminator Cargo Blind turned into a cargo cart I was able to load and transport all my equipment plus that of my two hunting partners with ease. Don’t you love it if a product is multi-functional? I do!
But would the blind stand up to my expectations of comfort and practicality in a real hunting situation? Three days after I received the blind I had the opportunity to field-test it in near perfect waterfowl hunting weather. The first frost was on the ground and a cold blustery north wind forced the birds off of the water and onto the fields. In the predawn we set the decoys out and my two hunting partners set up in the reeds next to the alfalfa field while I snuck into Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind.
Right away I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable the suspended hammock is to lay down on. The padded headrest and insulated floor are an added bonus and so is the padded gun rest. The spring-loaded lids cover the hunter completely from view and open fast for shooting. The head part of the lids is covered with camouflaged see-through netting. Three hours into the hunt my partners started to feel the biting cold while I was cozy and warm in my blind. Another hour later my partners were ready to call it a day. It was just too cold. I would have called it quits too but thanks to the comfort of my new blind I was able to stay until the afternoon. Many hunters are driven out of their blinds and quit hunting because they get cold and with that they miss opportunities. It’s a fact of hunting that those who can stay longer are more likely to shoot more birds. The Eliminator Cargo Blind let me stay longer in the field on that cold windy day because it kept me warm and comfortable.
Mobility is the key to goose hunting success, especially in the later part of the season. The Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind passes this test with flying colours. The fact that the blind is waterproof, comfortable and easy to assemble/disassemble and store make it one of the best investments a waterfowl hunter can make.
Product Specs:
Frame: Lightweight aluminium
Blind Material: 600D poly fabric with waterproof PVC backing, with padded floor and stubble straps (loops) added all around the blind for additional concealment. Includes padded head and gun rest.
Available Colours: Advantage ® MAX-4 HD™, Mossy Oak Duck Blind ®, Field Brown
Blind Measurements:
Folded up: 36” x 26”
Assembled: 36” Wide, 7.2 ft Long
Blind Weight: 16 lbs.
For more information on the Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind or to find a dealer visit FA Brand.
Images: Top image courtesy of FA Brand, all other images are by Othmar Vohringer Stock Photography
For more information on my hunting products reviews read product review policy
Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit
Tags: Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind, Waterfowl Hunting, Hunting Products, Goose Hunting Blind, FABrand
I’ll admit it. When I hunt I like comfort. Especially when I hunt ducks and geese, which involves hours of sitting motionless in often wet and cold weather conditions. One aspect of hunting waterfowl that I never liked much is sitting in cold, wet, dug-out blinds.With that in mind I looked forward to field-testing the new Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind. When the package arrived the first thing that surprised me was the relatively small size of an object large enough to comfortably accommodate a grown person. At the same time I was worried that I would have to do a lot of assembly work.
I didn’t need to worry on that score. The Eliminator Cargo Blind assembles without any tools. For the most part you just stick together a pre-assembled frame and push a few bolts. I managed to assemble the whole blind in less than three minutes without reading the supplied manual. Yes it was that easy.
As for the word “cargo” in the name of the blind: the designers came up with an ingenious idea.Once the blind is assembled you can attach the supplied wheels by simply pushing them into the their respective places within the mainframe and presto! The blind turns into a cargo cart. As any goose hunter knows, we have an awful lot of equipment to drag along on a hunt. All this equipment often has to be hauled over long distances to the hunting destination. With the Eliminator Cargo Blind turned into a cargo cart I was able to load and transport all my equipment plus that of my two hunting partners with ease. Don’t you love it if a product is multi-functional? I do!
But would the blind stand up to my expectations of comfort and practicality in a real hunting situation? Three days after I received the blind I had the opportunity to field-test it in near perfect waterfowl hunting weather. The first frost was on the ground and a cold blustery north wind forced the birds off of the water and onto the fields. In the predawn we set the decoys out and my two hunting partners set up in the reeds next to the alfalfa field while I snuck into Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind.
Right away I was pleasantly surprised how comfortable the suspended hammock is to lay down on. The padded headrest and insulated floor are an added bonus and so is the padded gun rest. The spring-loaded lids cover the hunter completely from view and open fast for shooting. The head part of the lids is covered with camouflaged see-through netting. Three hours into the hunt my partners started to feel the biting cold while I was cozy and warm in my blind. Another hour later my partners were ready to call it a day. It was just too cold. I would have called it quits too but thanks to the comfort of my new blind I was able to stay until the afternoon. Many hunters are driven out of their blinds and quit hunting because they get cold and with that they miss opportunities. It’s a fact of hunting that those who can stay longer are more likely to shoot more birds. The Eliminator Cargo Blind let me stay longer in the field on that cold windy day because it kept me warm and comfortable.Mobility is the key to goose hunting success, especially in the later part of the season. The Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind passes this test with flying colours. The fact that the blind is waterproof, comfortable and easy to assemble/disassemble and store make it one of the best investments a waterfowl hunter can make.
Product Specs:
Frame: Lightweight aluminium
Blind Material: 600D poly fabric with waterproof PVC backing, with padded floor and stubble straps (loops) added all around the blind for additional concealment. Includes padded head and gun rest.
Available Colours: Advantage ® MAX-4 HD™, Mossy Oak Duck Blind ®, Field Brown
Blind Measurements:
Folded up: 36” x 26”
Assembled: 36” Wide, 7.2 ft Long
Blind Weight: 16 lbs.
For more information on the Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind or to find a dealer visit FA Brand.
Images: Top image courtesy of FA Brand, all other images are by Othmar Vohringer Stock Photography
###
For more information on my hunting products reviews read product review policy
Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit
Tags: Final Approach Eliminator Cargo Blind, Waterfowl Hunting, Hunting Products, Goose Hunting Blind, FABrand
Inside The Wild
© By Othmar Vohringer
Inside The Wild is the story of L.W. Oakely, a resident of Ontario, and his experiences in the wild places thereof. As an avid reader of natural history and hunting books I naturally looked forward to reading it when Oakley asked me to review it.
It should be mentioned that the author does not try to be politically correct when it comes to addressing subjects by their proper names and he voices his opinions on touchy subjects at a time when many other writers try hard to avoid controversy. I consider it a plus to his writing that he speaks freely what is on his mind.
There are one or two passages in the book that made me scratch my head a bit however, like the generalizing remark about SUV drivers, plus one or two remarks about other hunters. But I can accept that as his opinion even if I do not share it.
Inside The Wild is a detailed account of L.W. Oakley’s life as a hunter and nature enthusiast among a close-knit circle of hunting friends whose adventures into the wild world of northern Ontario have shaped his beliefs and opinions of what hunting and nature means to him.
I have read the book from the first to the last page and often found it hard to put it down. Oakley is a great storyteller while passing along some valuable insights for us to consider without sounding preachy. I particularly enjoyed how Oakley starts each chapter with a personal story he experienced with his hunting friends. Some of these stories make you think while others make you smile or even laugh.
The book is richly illustrated with pictures, some of which are a bit graphic in nature. Be it text or pictures I appreciate the fact that Oakley depicts a real image of nature and all things wild rather than having succumbed to the trend of presenting the natural world without it’s dark side. Inside the Wild is about the beauty but also the savagery of nature in all its naked truth viewed through the eyes of a passionate hunter and conservationist. If you like a good book that tells it the way it is without apologies then you will enjoy reading Inside the Wild as much as I have.
With Christmas coming up this is the ideal gift for hunters of all ages.
Inside the Wild.
Author: L.W. Oakely
Publisher: General Store Publishing House (Canada).
Paperback 6” x 9”, 175 pages. Book contains 43 short stories grouped into three sections: Hunting, Wildlife and Wilderness. Illustrated with 48 black and white pictures.
Cover price $19.95
ISBN-13: 078-1-897113-52-3
For more information or to purchase Inside the Wild visit General Store Publishing House
###
For more product and book reviews visit Othmar Vohringer Outdoors.
For more information on my hunting products reviews read product review policy.
Image: © by Othmar Vohringer Promotions
Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: Inside The Wild, L. W. Oakley, Hunting Book, Product Review
Inside The Wild is the story of L.W. Oakely, a resident of Ontario, and his experiences in the wild places thereof. As an avid reader of natural history and hunting books I naturally looked forward to reading it when Oakley asked me to review it.It should be mentioned that the author does not try to be politically correct when it comes to addressing subjects by their proper names and he voices his opinions on touchy subjects at a time when many other writers try hard to avoid controversy. I consider it a plus to his writing that he speaks freely what is on his mind.
There are one or two passages in the book that made me scratch my head a bit however, like the generalizing remark about SUV drivers, plus one or two remarks about other hunters. But I can accept that as his opinion even if I do not share it.
Inside The Wild is a detailed account of L.W. Oakley’s life as a hunter and nature enthusiast among a close-knit circle of hunting friends whose adventures into the wild world of northern Ontario have shaped his beliefs and opinions of what hunting and nature means to him.
I have read the book from the first to the last page and often found it hard to put it down. Oakley is a great storyteller while passing along some valuable insights for us to consider without sounding preachy. I particularly enjoyed how Oakley starts each chapter with a personal story he experienced with his hunting friends. Some of these stories make you think while others make you smile or even laugh.
The book is richly illustrated with pictures, some of which are a bit graphic in nature. Be it text or pictures I appreciate the fact that Oakley depicts a real image of nature and all things wild rather than having succumbed to the trend of presenting the natural world without it’s dark side. Inside the Wild is about the beauty but also the savagery of nature in all its naked truth viewed through the eyes of a passionate hunter and conservationist. If you like a good book that tells it the way it is without apologies then you will enjoy reading Inside the Wild as much as I have.
With Christmas coming up this is the ideal gift for hunters of all ages.
Inside the Wild.
Author: L.W. Oakely
Publisher: General Store Publishing House (Canada).
Paperback 6” x 9”, 175 pages. Book contains 43 short stories grouped into three sections: Hunting, Wildlife and Wilderness. Illustrated with 48 black and white pictures.
Cover price $19.95
ISBN-13: 078-1-897113-52-3
For more information or to purchase Inside the Wild visit General Store Publishing House
###
For more product and book reviews visit Othmar Vohringer Outdoors.
For more information on my hunting products reviews read product review policy.
Image: © by Othmar Vohringer Promotions
Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: Inside The Wild, L. W. Oakley, Hunting Book, Product Review
Friday, December 04, 2009
Merritt -10th annual Ice Fishing Derby
© By Othmar Vohringer
How time goes by. I could have sworn we just finished last years ice fishing derby and here I am, organizing this years event.
This year the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club celebrates the 10th ice fishing derby anniversary.
What started ten years ago as a small local event has over the years grown to become one of the region’s most popular, and BC’s biggest, winter fishing event. The ice fishing derby is a highly anticipated family event, which annually attracts over 200 adults and children from all over the region from as far away as Vancouver.
This year the ice fishing derby will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Mamette Lake. The derby starts officially at 8:00 am and closes at 2:00 pm.
Derby Entry Fees: $15 per person or $30 per family.
Tickets are available at:
Powderkeg Outdoor Sports Store in Merritt.
Ponderosa Hunting and Fishing Tackle Store in Merritt, or at the event.
There are many prizes to be given away.
We have generous cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for trout in the adult and youth class. Heaviest weight overall for coarse fish plus many door prizes, raffle and draws.
Hot dogs plus free hot chocolate and coffee will available in our cozy warm hospitality tent. I look forward to welcoming everybody, so come on out and help us celebrate our 10th annual Ice Fishing Derby!
For more information contact:
Othmar Vohringer at: atacov@yahoo.ca
Follow this link to read about last years event. This year it's going to be better and bigger.
Image Courtesy of: Heidi Koehler Photography
Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: Merritt, Ice Fishing Derby, Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club
How time goes by. I could have sworn we just finished last years ice fishing derby and here I am, organizing this years event.This year the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club celebrates the 10th ice fishing derby anniversary.
What started ten years ago as a small local event has over the years grown to become one of the region’s most popular, and BC’s biggest, winter fishing event. The ice fishing derby is a highly anticipated family event, which annually attracts over 200 adults and children from all over the region from as far away as Vancouver.
This year the ice fishing derby will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2010 at Mamette Lake. The derby starts officially at 8:00 am and closes at 2:00 pm.
Derby Entry Fees: $15 per person or $30 per family.
Tickets are available at:
Powderkeg Outdoor Sports Store in Merritt.
Ponderosa Hunting and Fishing Tackle Store in Merritt, or at the event.
There are many prizes to be given away.
We have generous cash prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place for trout in the adult and youth class. Heaviest weight overall for coarse fish plus many door prizes, raffle and draws.
Hot dogs plus free hot chocolate and coffee will available in our cozy warm hospitality tent. I look forward to welcoming everybody, so come on out and help us celebrate our 10th annual Ice Fishing Derby!
For more information contact:
Othmar Vohringer at: atacov@yahoo.ca
Follow this link to read about last years event. This year it's going to be better and bigger.
Image Courtesy of: Heidi Koehler Photography
Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Tags: Merritt, Ice Fishing Derby, Nicola Valley Fish and Game Club
Wednesday, December 02, 2009
Sportsman Channel Magazine to cease all publication
© By Othmar Vohringer
Yesterday I received an email from the editors of the Sportsman Channel informing me that due to budget constraints the Sportsman Magazine will no longer be published.
Just a little over a month ago I was informed that the popular TV hunting show-programming company would close their printed magazine due to the high production cost and replace it with a internet version. Now two editions into the new version, which by the way was of outstanding quality, we’re informed that this version will closed down for good too.
With that decision, undoubtedly based on the current economic situation, another outdoor publication is lost forever. I had the privilege to contribute several articles for this publication and it was always a pleasure to deal with the editorial staff. To see this magazine go not only means another income loss for outdoor writers but also a loss for the readers who looked every month forward to this great magazine.
Just to avoid any confusion. The Sportsman Channel is still going strong and still offers some of the best and strongest outdoor TV programming available on cable. The closure only affects the Sportsman Magazine.
The way the economy is I am almost convinced that this is not the last time that we hear of an outdoor magazine having to make that difficult decision. Lets hope that the American economy is getting soon back on track again.
Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit
Tags: Sportsman Channel, Hunting Magazine
Yesterday I received an email from the editors of the Sportsman Channel informing me that due to budget constraints the Sportsman Magazine will no longer be published.
Just a little over a month ago I was informed that the popular TV hunting show-programming company would close their printed magazine due to the high production cost and replace it with a internet version. Now two editions into the new version, which by the way was of outstanding quality, we’re informed that this version will closed down for good too.
With that decision, undoubtedly based on the current economic situation, another outdoor publication is lost forever. I had the privilege to contribute several articles for this publication and it was always a pleasure to deal with the editorial staff. To see this magazine go not only means another income loss for outdoor writers but also a loss for the readers who looked every month forward to this great magazine.
Just to avoid any confusion. The Sportsman Channel is still going strong and still offers some of the best and strongest outdoor TV programming available on cable. The closure only affects the Sportsman Magazine.
The way the economy is I am almost convinced that this is not the last time that we hear of an outdoor magazine having to make that difficult decision. Lets hope that the American economy is getting soon back on track again.
Othmar Vohringer Outdoors
Founding Member of Outdoor Bloggers Summit
Tags: Sportsman Channel, Hunting Magazine
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