Up and Adam Adventures

Although I wasn't able to connect with an elk this year, I did accomplish one goal on my trip to Wyoming, and that was taking my first archery coyote. Well, two of them actually.   I was set up watching a wallow one afternoon when 6 coyotes came right through the clearing. Being an equal opportunity kind of guy, I flung a few arrows and was able to put down two of these fawn killers before the pack got nervous and moved on. They never saw or smelled me.  This was also the first blood for the Diamond Infinite Edge Pro that I'll be posting a review of soon.  I also took an afternoon off to do a little trout fishing. Although I didn't catch much, it was good to shift focus a little bit and recharge for the rest of the hunt. 

As I rode back to my parents' house with my dad after another unsuccessful elk hunt a few weeks ago, we began to wax philosophical about the wapiti and the pursuit thereof.  "It gets in your blood," he said about hearing your first bugle. I don't think there's any phrase that so perfectly and succinctly describes what happens the first time you hear that throaty, growling, then ascending squeal echoing from a distant ridge or meadow at daybreak. The only other moment that can come close is the first time you hear a turkey gobble on a cool morning before he flies down off the roost.  When I first heard an elk bugle, I wasn't serious about hunting. I hunted, but it was more about spending time with my dad than the actual hunting part. "If I had my 'druthers'" as he would say, I would have chosen fishing over hunting. In fact, the last couple of years I lived in Wyoming, I barely hunted because my bass boat kept calling me to t

As I write this, I'm preparing to head to elk camp in the Bridger National Forest in Wyoming with my dad. I was here about 2 weeks ago doing some scouting as this would be the first time I've hunted this area. My hopes are high because Wyoming elk have kicked my butt the last few years and I'm ready to turn the tables on them! While scouting I did find some sign, but my main goal was to break down some general areas that I could really work over  once I was back here to hunt. This is the first weekend of the season so I'm expecting some company on the trails, but hopefully the somewhat difficult access and lack of roads will keep the crowds away, or at least concentrate them on the roads. I'm not what I would consider a lucky hunter, so I've become accustomed to covering ground and working hard. Usually to no avail, but not for lack of effort. Hopefully I'll be posting a success story in a week or less and have something to show for all

I'm an adventurer and I love going new places and seeing new things. I like hunting new spots and putting the pieces of the puzzle together to find the game I'm pursuing. I like wading new streams and finding out what makes the fish there tick. But there's something about going back to old hunting grounds that is good for the soul.  Growing up hunting with my dad, we returned to the same general hunting areas every season. Not because of our unbelievable success, because honestly we ate some tags. It was more about familiarity with the game and land. Taking in the same scenic views painted by God's paintbrush, walking the same trails through dark timber that we had seen game use in the past, going back to the "sucker blind" one more time, just to see if there were any deer there. As the years go by, clearings fill in with new growth pines, game patterns change and ice moved away. But even now, I spend a lot of time in my mind in those old hunting spot

Xecute Scent Control is a relatively new product from Muddy Outdoors. I'll be trying it out throughout the season and I'll post a detailed review once I've had a chance to give their products a try. But for now, here's some info on the product.  Xecute doesn't use any  of the harsh metals or chemicals found in most other odor control solutions. Their products, which include laundry detergent, body wash and field spray, not only eliminate odor and human scent, but do so naturally. Xecute says there is nothing in their products that isn’t found in a deer’s environment. Xecute helps hunters to remain odor free without skin irritation in two proprietary ways: an all-natural and potent antimicrobial destroys odor-causing bacteria while improving skin condition, and active ingredients extract, encapsulate, and absorb dirt and odor on the molecular level. Xecute is NOT a Bicarbonate-based product and will not leave a white film on your gear or your

If you're planning a hunting, hiking or fishing trip in Wyoming, Colorado (and soon Montana) I can't recommend enough that you check in with the folks at DIYHuntingMaps.com . I ordered a few different topo maps of the area in Wyoming I'll be hunting this year, and the one from DIYHuntingMaps.com is far and away the most detailed I've seen. The topography detail is incredible, and it shows all the trails, lakes and streams in the area, making it perfect for hunters, as well as fishermen. It's also printed on waterproof paper so taking it into the field shouldn't be a problem.  In addition to paper maps, the site also offers digital maps for your GPS device, and is chock full of info about each states hunting regulations, draw process, and tips to help you be successful in your area. It breaks down deer, elk and antelope areas, as well as area specific statistics on each species. Needless to say, you could spend a lot of time on this site! 

For the past few years I've been hunting the same area in Wyoming with an Area 67-68-69 Type 9 archery elk tag, usually purchased in the leftover sales. Although I've gotten closer each year, I haven't been able to seal the deal on a bull. But because of the remoteness and amount of wilderness in the area, there are always leftover tags and I felt sure I would be able to keep coming back to this area until I got it done. This past season, a world record elk was killed nearby with a crossbow on a General tag. Although that's great news for hunters and speaks to the genetics of elk in the area, suddenly this area is so popular that there were no tags leftover this year. Suspecting this might be the case, I applied for the tag through the draw system back in January but was unsuccessful. Not wanting to sit the elk season out, I jumped on an area 97 tag that was available.  So this year instead of hunting an area I'm very familiar with, I'll be sta

This past weekend I attended the World Deer Expo in Birmingham, AL. This was my second time at the event and it's a one-of-a-kind show with vendors, celebrities, displays and merchandise to rival almost any outdoor show. This year for me turned out to be a very special show.  I attended the show with my friends Roger and Connie Flynn, and up until a few days before, I wasn't for sure I was going to go. I was originally going to be working while the show was going on but I started a new schedule and was going to be off Saturday, but working late Friday night and I knew that waking up early to make the trip could be tough. But I decided it would be a good day no matter how tired I was and I was going to make the most of it. Mine and Roger's plan was to find the best deal we could on supplies for food plots.  Shows like this are filled with all things new. There are new products that longstanding companies come out with each year, new companies making thei

Today I got to stand beside one of my best friends, Roger Flynn, as he said "I do" to his sweetheart Connie. I'm very happy for this couple! The theme of the wedding was camo. From the bride's dress to the cake, camo was king. Any time I can wear an Under Armour Realtree hunting shirt and be in a wedding is a good day in my book. Congrats Roger and Connie!

Here's a great article about the owner of Big Game Treestands, Mainstream Holdings, acquiring Muddy Outdoors. Mainstream Holdings Nabs Muddy Outdoors What this means for me since I have been a member of Big Game Treestans' Pro Staff for the last few years is that I will now be representing Muddy Outdoors treestands and their Xecute scent control products, as well as continuing to promote Big Game Treestands accessories and Eyecon Trail Cameras. Looking forward to a great year with all of these brands!