P.E.T.A............My VENISON....oooops I MENT MY VERSION

THE CIRCLE OF LIFE....MY OLDEST SON PROCESSING HIS OWN DEER THIS YEAR!!! WE HAVE TO EAT TOO!!

P.E.T.A........
In our House this means People Eating Tasty Animals.
Yesterday we ( this hunter chick, my hubby to be and my two boys) were on our drive home from the other side of state. Hunting is a way of life for me and my family. right now we have 4 deer and one elk in our freezer.
Anyhow, on our way home on the highway we came up on a huge Van....one of those utility type vans. This thing looked like someone sat around, smoked some weed and began painting their van. It read "P.E.T.A" on the back...had pictures on it and one of an elephant in shackles.(which I think is sad :( (I love elephants). We followed behind it for a brief time, then my huny passed them in the passing lane. This caused quite the conversation in the truck about P.E.T.A..who they are...what it stands for...and so on...(you can imagine with a 9 and 11 year old...the wheels were-a-turning)Our boys dont know anything else, and couldn't figure out why people would be so against hunting. I tried to explain to them that they were against more then just hunting...but lets face it...they hate HUNTERS.
I have been flipped off, honked at and yelled at by these so called non-hunters, on more then one occasion here in town. The minute they see a bumper sticker that says Hunter Chick, N.R.A,, Ducks Unlimited..and my favorite "I love animals they are tasty" they are off on their tangent.
I don't have a problem with people and their beliefs as for the good of animals, but in my opinion.. some of them are soooo over the top that its ridiculous. I love animals, and believe in the proper treatment of them, IAM A HUGE ANIMAL LOVER, but in my opinion sometimes their whole goal and meaning of what they stand for gets lost and forgotten and it turns into an attack on anyone and everyone that has hunted or is not a vegetarian. I would never tie one of my kills down to my vehicle and parade it through town for all to see, but I don't have a problem speaking up for what i believe in.
As we passed the vehicle, Eric had to refrain me from showing them my newest cabelas purchase I got this weekend through the passenger side window......"900 Tasty Venison recipes" . Instead we just passed the colorful hippie-van and SMILED and Waived...and let them enjoy our stickers on the back of our truck!
I have nothing against anyone who is all about PETA.... however the minute they attack me for what I believe in, you can bet I will fire back! They have left a bad taste in my mouth in the past...so I thouhgt a little retaliation was in order.......but thanks to Eric he helped me to be the bigger person.

R.I.P. SPORTSMANS WAREHOUSE

HERE IS IN MY OPINION...SOME VERRRRRY SAD NEWS.
IT SEEMS THIS STRUGGLING ECONOMY IS HITTING EVERYONE....INCLUDING MY FAVORITE STORE NEXT TO CABELAS........"SPORTSMANS WAREHOUSE"
FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT HAVE HAD THE LUXURY OF GOING INTO A SPORTSMANS, YOU KNOW JUST WHAT IAM TALKING ABOUT. THE AWESOME CUSTOMER SERVICE, THE BEAUTIFUL MOUNTS THEY HAVE SPREAD OUT ADORNING THE WALLS IN THE STORE.... AND THE THOUGHT THAT IF YOU CANT FIND IT AT CABELAS..SPORTSMANS IS SURE TO HAVE IT. OUR SPORTSMANS IS ON THE LIST OF ONES THAT WERE SOLD TO A CANADIAN COMPANY. I HOPE THEY DO US ALL A SERVICE AND KEEP THE HIGH QUALITY OF MERCHANDISE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE THEY OFFER.
ALSO, I SHOULD ADD..I WAS TOLD IF YOU HAVE A GIFT CARD...YOU BETTER USE IT IN THE NEXT MONTH.
IF YOU WANT MORE INFO. CHECK OUT THEIR WEBSITE...
http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/company.cfm


HERE IS THE LISTS:


NEWS
March 10, 2009

Stuart Utgaard, the Chairman and CEO of Sportsman's Warehouse Holdings, today announced that the company is taking two major actions to improve liquidity.

It is hoped that these actions will enable the firm to go forward as a viable entity with approximately 2,300 employees. Sportsman's Warehouse is a leading outdoor retailer of sporting goods headquartered in Midvale, Utah.


1.)
23 stores are being liquidated to reduce bank debt.

• Aurora, CO
• Coon Rapids, MN
• DePere, WI
• Henderson, NV
• Lafayette, IN
• Las Cruces, NM
• Las Vegas, NV
• Legacy, TX
• Memphis, TN
• Nampa, ID
• New Berlin, WI
• Oklahoma City, OK
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Pocatello, ID
• Roanoke, VA
• Rogers, AR
• Round Rock, TX
• St. Cloud, MN
• Sioux Falls, SD
• Southaven, MS
• Visalia, CA
• Wichita, KS
• Woodbury, MN


2.)
15 stores are being sold to UFA Co-op.

• Bend, OR
• Bozeman, MT
• Burlington, WA
• Coeur d’Alene, ID
• Fargo, ND
• Federal Way, WA
• Helena, MT
• Kennewick, WA
• Lacey, WA
• Missoula, MT
• Portland, OR
• Salem, OR
• Silverdale, WA
• Spokane, WA
• Vancouver, WA

Spring Showers, May flowers...BUT NO WATERFOWLERS

MY OLDEST SON GAVIN, WITH A DOUBLE HE SHOT DURRING YOUTH WATERFOWL WEEKEND

THE OTHER 3 KIDS


Well.. I think spring is finally among us here in Wshington State.
People have changed from their winter boots, to just their ugly ass rubber ones...awaiting the next spring shower..... The boys are heading outside more often, and coming back in and tracking dirt all across my nice clean floor, and yes... I finally found the first of the nasty, germ infested, larvy laying house fly buzzing my head as I walked in from the drive way. Oh how I love spring.
Their is however 3 fellow hunters in our yard that don't love spring so much.
To them spring means..laying in the yard, bored, lazy, and packing on their post-waterfowl extra couple lbs...........
It's is our 3 waterfowling, goose draggin, duck whackin, bird flushin kids: Gunner, Sophie, and Weatherby.

Gunner is our brown male lab. A nice old fellow...looks like he could seriously do some damage if ya made him mad....but seriously he is our goose gettin boy. Forget the frozen ponds of the winter months...like any normal male, he would rather not stick his "junk" "Family Jewels" "Package"(call it what ya want) into an ice infested duck pond to retrieve what he qite frankly thinks is a rather annoying duck.

Sophie...aww the "black Harlett" as Eric would refer to her. The Black lab with a mind of her own. She is the brave lady that we send to do a "mans job" since Gunner doesnt care for the ice and cold. She is such a talented dog, will follow hand commands, and find any bird in any marshy condtion...has even been know to come back with someone elses bird sporting a band!

Weatherby... Our young child. A beautiful Yellow male. I say young as he is only 6 months old. Loves to play, he spent his early months sitting in the blind with us..getting used to the gun shots,and following Gramma Sophie into the duck pond. He Is slowly learning his puppy commands, and shows alot of promise to be a good bird dog. He loves to play in the yard....and bark at everythng including his own shadow..and Recently he has discovered the great act he was blessed with as a dog..humping everything and anything that he possibly can.

As they lay in the yard they dream of guns going off, and loud feed chuckles of our son Gavin blaring off in the blind....close your eyes guys and before you know it fall will return, and you will be back in the blind!

LEAD COW = Head B.I.C

ONE OF THE BIG BOYS FROM THE FEEDING STATION THIS YEAR

Deep Snowy mountain tops.....Temperatures Plummeting well into single digits...this is a normal winter here in the beautiful mountain ranges of
Washington State. As the lead cow or AKA "Head B.I.C" (HEAD BITCH IN CHARGE) signals it's time for everyone to move out...you can find all of the Cows and Calves migrating their little hearts out; down to the low lands. AWWWWWW the low lands.....A place where the air is warmer, the snow is lighter...and the food...well its FREE!!
Who would want to graze and frantically forage for food...having to constantly keep moving and using energy...trying to stay warm... and struggle to live, when someone is going to hand you your food???????
This is pretty much the way life is when you are a Elk in the hills over here.
Most of the cows and calves follow their lead cow, and make their way to one of the 5 WDFW winter feeding stations.
Old B.I.C..... She is a smart Ol' lady....elusive, hard to slip an arrow into, smart, cunning, and knowing every inch of her woods. This makes her migration quick, and leads her to her trusty wintering grounds year after year. (she isnt HEAD B.I.C for nothing)
This year the cow and calf turn out at the Oak Creek station was good, but not higher then last year. Don, one of the head volunteers at Oak creek told me The count this year per week was down on average aprox. 500 elk from last year. Their was a fair amount of Cows and Calves this Year, however the spike count was down..the reason for this obviously is the amount harvested in the area by hunters. Their was no more then 10 spikes at one time in the station this year. When you consider that they fed anywhere from 800-1200 elk on a daily basis this winter...10 isn't an overwhelming number.
The Big Boys....This Hunter chicks dream....
Alot of the very Mature bulls will stay in the High Country during the rough winters. The Bulls have a much larger body then the cows...about 1/3 larger, making it easier for the bulls to cope with the deep snow, and low temperatures.
This year at Oak creek it was a pleasant site to see Large sticks everywhere you turned!!!Bulls, battleing to be first in line when the hay truck starts up..and some just laying..lazy like.... no more then 10 yards in front of the viewing dock.(Like the one pictured above taunting me) Don told me today on the phone that the Branched Antler Bull ratio to cows was FOR SURE better this year. Where in past winters it has been 1/15 or even 1/20.. their was days that in the count it was 1/10..... those are some sweeeet numbers for people like me who are PRAYING for that Washington BIG BULL tag!!
Now these numbers ARE ONLY Oak Creek Feeding Station Numbers, their is 4 other localized stations. The winter feeding project is an enormous project, and one that the elk quite frankly depend very much on. Sadly the min. of Hay fed this year had to be lowered due to the cost of the hay, but the quantity of Hay fed this year was 10lb for every elk. Keep in mind the younger calves don't consume the 10lbs...BUT YOU DO THE MATH. 10lbs a day per elk..with 800-1200 on any given Day... that is some heavy duty numbers!
SO the bottom line here is....I don't always have a lot of nice things to say about the Washington State Dept. Of fish and Wildlife, because I don't always agree with their choices, and how money is spent...I do however feel grateful that our State takes care of the Land Owners to the extent where the Elk don't trash their land trying to winter, and that they keep our "Yakima Heards" strong by using the feeindg program.
And above all...HIGHER BRANCHED ANTLER RATIO means Happy thoughts for this Washington Hunter Chick trying to pull her Bull Tag!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"NOT camel.....CAMMMMMMMO"

(HOPE ERIC DOESN'T KILL ME THAT THE PRECIOUS "MOBY" IS SPORTING MY VEIL FOR THE PIC.........OK OK SO I KNOW THAT it IS A LITTTTTTTTLE REDNECK, I HAD NO WHERE ELSE TO HANG IT.......AND I HAD TO SHOW OFF HOW PRETTY IT IS!!!!)

My Post today is about this hunter chicks love for Camo!
So as I have mentioned a millllion tiimes...Iam getting Married! I guess this is thrilling as Iam 31 and finally taking the BIG step and am so in love....or maybe it's because the person Iam marrying shares all of my same passions in life...
One of those is obviously Hunting.
So as I have been planning my wedding....and my colors are Black and White with................wait for it....................... CAMO ACCENTS!!!!!!!!!!
(Not just any camo..New Mossy Oak Breakup)
Yes, that's right for you non-hunter ladies I did say "CAMO"..... Not to be confused with "CAMEL". This is what the elegant Harpist thought I said (she is playing at the ceremony) "Oh she said Black/white and Camel accents?
"No" Camo I replied. She said "Iam sorry I think I heard you wrong....gigling..I thought you said "Camo".
"Yep..that's right..CAMO"............................The phone went silent....
Leave it to me to fill in the silent Gap...LOL...
I told her..It will be a classy Camo though..not to worry.(I know some of you are thinking...How in the Hell can Camo be classy?????????????)
The most Camo we will have will be with Eric's tux and the groomsmen...They are wearing the traditional Black Tux...with a New Mossy Oak Breakup formal Vest and tie. The bridesmaids...beautiful Black ball gowns from David's Bridal....No camo for them...(well... They are wrapping their bouquets stems in camo ribbon..but they don't know that yet) Cmon... do you think my girls would seriously have any camo what so ever on them...after all... three of them did ask me.."Do I have to wear Camo?" Iam myself a Girly-Girl...through and through. When I worked I did makeup at Macy's...their for you can only imagine my friends...One a former Budweiser swimsuit model, Two currently work for major makeup companies...one....
if it's Not Nordy's or Ralph Lauren forget it..and the others..pretty little dolls. If I told them they had to wear camo..I wouldn't have any friends!!!! hahahah
Anyhow...I had a Veil Custom Made...It is one tier, finger-tip length....with a 1/2 inch satin Camo trim!!! That is all of the Camo I will be wearing (besides my garter) I really do want my wedding to be classy...not just another rendition of "My Big Red Neck Wedding". Iam having a harpist play at the ceremony, and a beautiful sit down dinner, with open Bar. We also have a guy who makes Ice Sculptures, creating a 3 ft Tall Whitetail buck sculpture, with our names carved in it at the base.
I have been having so much fun planning over the last two years, and finally can say I have 6 months left until the day! 9/19/09. Iam sure I Will have some pics to share and stories to tell!!!
I do want to share with you guys the links where we are getting our groomsman stuff from. It's called the Formal Sportsman. Here is the link.. as I have to give them MAJOR PROPS!!!! With all of us Woman busting out into the world of hunting....someone needed to do this..and they are doing it, and making a success out of it! Thanks formal Sportsman for providing everything I need to make my wedding day what I want it to be!!!! I also have to say thanks to Joanne at White lace and Promises....for designing the perfect veil for me! She is amazing and makes everything from wedding dresses to prom dresses also!!


CHECK UM'OUT LADIES!!!!

White Lace and Promises
www.laceandpromises.com

Formal Sportsman
www.theformalsportsman.com

RECIPE OF THE DAY

Next to the Bacon wrapped back strap recipe I posted, this is another family Favorite!!! And in my boy's opinion..the CHEASIER...THE BETTER!!!!!
They call this one "Pizza Meat"


BAKED VENISON PARMESAN

1 1/2 lb Venison steaks. (boneless) butterfly cuts work well.

1 cup fresh breadcrumbs

4 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 Tsp garlic salt

1/2 Tsp Italian seasoning

1 large egg

salt an dpepper

2 TBSP butter

2 cups spaghetti sauce

2 cupsshredded Mozzarella chese

1) combine breadcrumbs,parmesan,garlic salt, and italian seasoning in a bowl.Set aside.
2) Beat egg salt and peper in a second bowl.
3) Dip meat in egg mixture, coating well, let excess drip off, then coat well with breadcrumbs.
4) Place steaks on a plate and place in fridge for 20-30 minutes to set crumbs. (Alot of times I will do this step when I have time...then finish them later in the day)
5) Preheat oven to 350 degrees; melt butter in a 9x13 casserole dish in the oven; until melted and dish is hot.
6)Add steaks to HOT pan, bake for 20 minutes.
7) Flip steaks, and pour spaghetti sauce over the meat and bake another 20 minutes or so.(Time will vary...depending on how thick your steaks are)
8)Top with the 2 cups of mozzarella, bakeing for 5 more minutes or untill the cheese is melted.

To gut OR not to gut??

Yes I know... that sounds like such a disgusting-gross topic..doesn't it???? But follow me here guys....
Ok...
So as most of you probably know...Iam an engaged woman!!!
I could gush and gush about Eric.. how he is my love...how he's my best friend..and how he so kindly drags my game out of any pain in the ass condition you could think of...BUT I will try to not get all goo-goo on ya all!!!
Seriously.... this is what I want to know....
Do you ladies all field dress your own animals??? To me it's part of the hunt. I shot it...so I should field dress it...... But 9 times out of 10 if we don't find the arrow and broad head in-tact he will say to me...I'm gutting it.. I don't want you to get cut (meaning if the arrow broke off inside and the broad-head is in the cavity still).
Most times I argue....but most times he wins.
I KNOW he loves to field dress animals....but I WANT TO DO MY OWN!!!
I know, it sounds crazy.... my friends that don't hunt think their is something seriously wrong with me...It doesn't bother me...one bit...... But if their is a hair in a sink, or in the shower...holy shit..forget it.. I'm the first one gaging!!! OK so maybe Iam a little off kilter....
Am I the only odd-ball chick out their that is ok with this part of the hunt....Am I the only woman out their that would arm wrestle for her share of the dressing???

So my question is this to my fellow hunter chicks........
Do you gut your animals...or do you have a buddy/hubby that does it for you??????

RECIPE OF THE DAY

ANOTHER KID PLEASER!!
EASY DEEP-DISH PIZZA PIE

1 lb Ground Venison/Elk/or Buffalo
1 onion, chopped
1 can pizza sauce (8oz)
1 Can Refrigerated crusty French Loaf(11 oz)
2 cups shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1 PKG pepperoni slices
1 egg
1 TBSP water

1) Heat Oven to 350
Spray 9 inch GLASS pie plate with cooking spray.
2)Cook ground meat and onion untill cookoed thoroughly. Drain any excess water.
3) Stir in pizza sauce untill well mixed.
4)Carefully unroll dough in pie pan so edges extend over sides. (leave the dough hanging over the sides) Spoon meat mixture into crust. Top with half of the cheese, pepperoni and remaining cheese. ( You can adjust cheese if you like more!!)
5)in small bowl slightly beat egg and water. Fold extended edges of dough up and over filling' seal all edges/ Brush crust with egg mixture.
6)Bake 38-45 minutes, or untill deep golden brown.
Cool for 15 minutes(You have to allow it to rest to cut it easily)
Add more cheese and sauce to top if desired.
ENJOY!!!

2009 3D Shoots in Washington

Here is yours and my chance to practice!!!
The more ya shoot...the more tags you fill!!!
Both Eric and I are trying to commit to shooting as many of the 3D shoots as possible. (Huny is doing bettter then Iam as I have been sick and already missed two) They are great for us hunters... AND I will be the first to admit I need help when it comes to gauging my yardage on an animal...those darn things just don't stand their long enough for me to decide....hmmm 30? 35? No No maybe 45...... if only they would sit their and let me get the range finder out, that would sure help. Afterall... where do they have to go? The next watering hole? To catch up with their friends????? I find myself whispering to Eric alot.. "How Far??"
IM getting better at it, and I have to say.. I have hit stuff that eric thought was different Yardage then I shot.. so I must be either getting better at knowing my yardage...or just had some REALLLLY lucky guesses!!!
I have laerned that not taking the bow out untill August doesn't help get backstraps!!!

Here is some 3D archery shoots that will be happening in Washigton.
Iam Posting through June. Their is many others that are also in Oregon and Idaho. I can post others if someone needs or wants the dates.MARCH 2009

21-21 Tucannon Wa. 3D Trail Shoot.
CONTACT- Blue Mountain Archers. Ray- (509)525-1798


APRIL
18-19
Klickitat, Wa. Klickitat 3D Shoot (unmarked)
CONTACT- Chinook Archers Al Rafferty- (360) 433-8787

25-26
Naches Wa. (Eschbach Park) Arrow Fest
CONTACT- AS&J Archery Brandon Porter- (509) 457-4856


MAY

23-24
Long Beach Wa. 3D Fun Shoot (No Trophies)
Contact- Bear River ARchers- Rose Larson (360) 642-3220

JUNE13-14

Black Diamond Wa.@ CRB Washington State Field Championship Warm-Up
CONTACT- Cedar River Bowmen- Mike (360)886-0809

27-28
Naches, Wa. (Esch Bach Park) ARROW FEST
CONTACT- AS&J Archery Brandon Porter(509) 457-4856

Recipe Of The Day- Bacon wrapped Venison/Elk

BACON WRAPPED VENISON/ELK BACKSTRAPS

This is a favorite at our house. My boys love it so much, they would eat it every day if they could!!!!




Ingredients

2 lbs Venison or Elk Tenderloins or BackStraps (cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces/steaks)
1-2 lb Bacon
3 cups Brown Sugar
2 cups Soy Sauce
1/4 cup White Sugar


Directions

Mix brown Sugar and Soy sauce together in a bowl. Mix till combined into a soup liquid.
Place the Meat either in a Large Freezer Bag or a Bowl that seals tight with a lid.(Another method is to use a Food saver or vacum seal device..this makes it easy for mixing it)
Let the meat Marinade OVER NIGHT. (every so often mix the meat around...or give it a good shake)
Remove the loins/backstraps and place on a broiler pan or some sort of slotted bake sheet with a drip pan or aluminum foil below to catch dripping.
Wrap bacon around the entire piece of meat(I don't like to skimp on the bacon so I totally cover the meat), securing the bacon strip with a toothpick.
Lightly Drizzle remaining marinade over loins, and sprinkle with a small amount of white sugar.
Place on center rack in oven and bake at 350°F for 30 minutes for Med. cook and untill bacon is done.

My Set Up

Hi everyone!!!

So for my first blog, I think I will fill ya all in on how I kill...what I kill!!

I Shoot the BEST BOW made... A BOWTECH.

I can't say enough good things about BowTech. In my opinion they lead the Archery industy in all things Archery! You can't change my mind...so don't try!!!

Here is what my set-up looks like on my killing machine!!

My Set up:

2006 Bowtech Tribute

26' inch Draw

Set at 58 lbs.

Spot Hogg Hunter Hogg it 7 pin sight

Easton Axis 500 Arrows

75 Grain Muzzy broadheads.