Just-Hunt a Blog

Top Shot’s Chris Reed’s Tactical .308 Masterpiece Shoots for Spellman’s Cure!

 By Kevin Reese

Cancer is a monster. I can scarcely count the number of times someone has reminded me that if I don’t have anything good to say, don’t say anything. So, out of respect I keep quiet on many fronts; however, cancer is not one of them. Cancer is not good, productive, inspiring, kind, peaceful or respectful. The purest definition is simply “monster”! Cancer is not good; it is counterproductive, frightening, nasty, intrusive and certainly not a respectful of one’s time, resources or physiology. I really didn’t have an opinion on it growing up. It never hit close to home, at least until my pop was diagnosed in March, 2011.

Five months after his diagnosis, we lost him. There were no words left unsaid, for that I felt blessed; however, if wishing upon a star was possible, I would have asked for two; one, to spend more time with him and two, that we could have caught it earlier. Fortunately we were afforded the great blessing our spending our childhood through our young adult years, appreciating his dry wit, coy smiles, booming laughter and occasional look that always told us we were in big trouble! By the time he became ill, we were mature enough to handle the news and progress through the illness from start to finish; many don’t get that time with their loved one. Still, many others do get to experience that when the battle is won here on Earth.

I feel blessed in some small way to have experienced it from the perspective of voice. All too often we feel we have no voice when cast into cancer’s downward spiral, but there is a light at the end of that tunnel! Losing someone close to us to cancer is not the end, it’s the beginning; the beginning of using our voice, our finances and our encouragement to make a difference for others battling their monsters. Michael Spellman is the OTHER I wanted to share with all of you.

Michael Spellman’s storybegan long before I heard about it. While on a recent turkey hunt I took a call from good friend Chris Reed, winner of History Channel’s Top Shot, Season Two. After venting about a tom I had missed earlier that morning, I asked Chris what he was up to. Chris quieted a bit, “I’m building a rifle for a friend of mine, Michael Spellman. He’s another friend of mine battling cancer with a great wife and kids. I’m building a special one for him. We’re going to raffle it off and donate the proceeds to his fight. We need to keep him here to raise his kids. Can you help get the word out?”

Chris couldn’t see my reaction but I hope he sensed it through the air waves, I was beaming. Here was a chance to give my voice in chorus with so many others to help a good father win his fight and somehow reconcile the loss of my own; make our loss a purposeful, positive blessing for great kids, a strong woman and a remarkable man. Asking how I could help spawned this article. I can help by telling ALL OF YOU that you CAN make a difference!

Chris has pulled all of his tricks out of the bag to build this amazing rifle, and you can own it! A raffle is currently underway for a modest $5 per ticket. All of the proceeds will be donated to Spellman’s fight. Recently Reed’s masterpiece was displayed at the 141^st NRA Annual Meeting and Exhibits, in St. Louis, Missouri. While those who want to make a difference have purchased raffle tickets in person, tickets may be purchased online at www.MichaelSpellman.org.

What you stand to win…

Beyond the obvious, winning the fight against a monster with Spellman and many others, you may win the masterpiece Reed not only designed but personally assembled!

Here are the specs you’ve been waiting for:

Remington 700 SPS Tactical AAC-SD

• Caliber.308 Win w/ 20” Heavy Barrel with 5/8-24 Threaded Muzzle
• Accepts AAC and 5/8-24 Threaded Flash Hiders, Muzzle Brakes and Suppressors
• 1 in 10-inch Rate of Twist for increased Bullet Stability
• X-Mark Pro Externally Adjustable Trigger Set at 3 1/2 pounds
• NIGHTFORCE 5.5-22×50 NXS Scope w/ illuminated Reticle and Zero Stop Turrets
• McRee’s Precision Modular Folding TMAG Stock w/ Detachable Box Magazine
• Starlight – Hard Sided, Watertight, Chemical Resistant, Military Grade Gun Case

CNC precision engraving lets you know just how special this rifle really is; engraved on the left side of the receiver is “Outlaw Custom guns by Chris Reed” with serial # 0001 while “SHOOT FOR A CURE” is engraved on the opposite side, reminding you that your help, along with many others, truly makes a difference!

The rifle will be raffled off at Outlaw Sporting Goods grand opening celebration on July 4, in Greenwood, Mississippi. The winner does not need to be present to win. The lucky winner can pick up the Spellman rifle at Outlaw Sporting Goods or have it shipped to the FFL dealer of their choice.

Feel like you haven’t made a difference? This is your chance to make one! Don’t wait. Get your tickets at www.MichaelSpellman.org.

ABOUT MICHAEL

Michael’s Story as published on www.MichaelSpellman.org

Last year, as a result of many hunter and archer questions and a complete lack of anyone willing to step up, Good friend and master archery technician, Jerry Reeves, and me set out to be the first to document the ability to shoot StarrFlight’s controversial Fletching Only Better, also known as F.O.B.’s or FOB’s. We found success quickly. Using my Bowtech Invasion CPX and a Ripcord Code Rest arrow rest, safe travel for my FOB was easy!

This year, we set out to do it again! Many asked and again we appear to be the first, or only, ones to answer the question definitively. “Can you shoot FOB’s through a 2012 Bowtech Insanity CPX? Not only did we accomplish this task, but like last year, we have the first video to prove it!

And, to throw an exclamation point on this success, it’s important to point out that success was achieved using my personal setup, a short draw length, maxed out draw weight and a shorter brace height than the Bowtech Invasion CPX that we used to test the setup last year. My personal bow is comprised of a 27-inch draw length, 70-pound draw weight and 6-inch brace height, shooting 308 feet per second! The shorter brace height, short draw length, max poundage and the increase of 13 feet per second arrow speed over last year’s test mean that we’ve really pushed the envelope on the performance of my Ripcord Code Red Arrow Rest.

I have to attribute our success to the incredibly fast performance of the Ripcord Code Red arrow rest. The rest fell, leaving plenty of time for the FOB to pass through the shelf. Even better was the complete lack of bounce back from the Ripcord. I slowed the video time down exponentially. Unfortunately, even slowing the clip down from less than one second to over 6 minutes, did not demonstrate FOB flight well enough to use; however, I could clearly see that there was absolutely no bounce back. I was definitely impressed with the rest. I’ve used Ripcord arrow rests for years now and love them, but I have to admit I was shocked when I saw just how well it performed. I have also enjoyed shooting StarrFlight’s FOB’s for years so the opportunity to continue shooting them from a setup I was skeptical about was a relief. For now, the Ripcord and the FOB’s will remain an integral part of my bowhunting adventures!

Hunt hard, hunt often!

 

 

For immediate use:

Contact: john7185@bellsouth.net for further information

Two of the worst conditions that crappie fishers will face in April are heavy spring rains and cold fronts. When either of these conditions hit, most crappie fishermen, will cancel their fishing trips. However, as a national tournament crappie pro, avid crappie fisherman and a guide on several lakes, John Woods of Newbern Tennessee, often fishes under these conditions, and catches crappie.

In the book “Crappie: How to Catch them Spring and Summer,” the author, John E. Phillips, asks Woods, how he catches crappie under these conditions.

Question: John, weather changes often will throw a fisherman a curve when he’s trying to find and catch crappie. Let’s say you’re fishing in a tournament, and you’ve had stable weather right up until the night before the tournament when a huge rain storm comes in with thunder and lighting, bringing a lot of new water into the lake and muddying it up. How do you find and catch crappie then?

Woods: Wherever I’ve found my fish in practice is where I’ll fish. The lake may have risen and become stained, but the crappie haven’t left the area. The crappie still will be in the same spot where I’ve found them. So, that’s where I’ll look for crappie on the tournament day. The crappie may have moved over, up or down a few feet, but they’ll still be in that same general region. If I’ve been fishing in clear water, but because of rain, the water has become stained, I’ll fish a bigger bait. I may use a 2- or a 2-1/2-inch jig with a 3-inch live minnow behind that jig. The more stained the water, the bigger the bait I’ll use. The bigger the bait, the easier it is for the crappie to see. 

Question: Okay, John, let’s say you’re fishing pretty weather with a 60- to a 70-degree air temperature, and the temperature even may rise to the 80s. You go to bed that night confident that you’ll be slaying crappie in the morning under bluebird skies and warm weather. However, when you wake up, one of those freaky cold fronts like many parts of the country have endured the first 2 weeks of April may have come through, dropping the temperature down to 20 or 30 degrees. You may have to wear your snowmobile suit over the top of your shorts and t-shirt to keep from getting hypothermia. How will the cold front affect the crappie?

Woods: The crappie won’t move drastically, but they may be somewhat deeper and more reluctant to bite. So if the bite’s slow, I’ll slow down my presentation. If I’m trolling, I’ll troll slower than when the water is warmer. I may even give the fish a slower presentation with a hand pole. Fishing with a hand pole is my most-favorite way to fish. But when you’re fishing tournaments, you have to put those eight poles out and troll to be competitive. When that cold weather hits, and the fish won’t bite, I find underwater structure and bang my jigs and minnows on it until I can make those crappie bite. 

Question: When you’re fishing with a hand pole, what size hand pole do you use?

Woods: Most of the time I’m fishing with a 10-foot B’nM pole, because it’s extremely sensitive, yet strong enough to bring up a crappie to the top where it can be netted. On the back of my 10-foot pole, on the very butt of the pole, I mount a spinning reel. Many times Tracy, my favorite fishing partner, and I will use Martin automatic reels. When you push the trigger on that reel, it automatically starts winding-up on your line. That’s a real asset when you’re fishing deep. As soon as you feel the bite, set the hook, and push the trigger on the reel, and the crappie will be on its way to the surface. 

To learn more about crappie and how to fish for them from the masters of the sport, click here for “Crappie: How to Catch Them Spring and Summer,” a new eBook from Amazon’s Kindle by John E. Phillips. Or, you can go to http://www.amazon.com/kindle-ebooks and type-in the name of the book to find it.    

Night Hawk Publications Inc.

% John E. Phillips

4112 Camp Horner Road

Vestavia AL  35243

Phone:  205-967-3830   FAX:  205-967-7185

nighthawkpub@mindspring.com

john7185@bellsouth.net

john7185@gmail.com

www.nighthawkpublications.com

 

Moon Shine Attitude Attire™ Becomes the Official Apparel Company of Hillman Racing

BEAVERTOWN, PA. – Moon Shine, LP, a premium designer of Moon Shine Attitude Attire™, announces a new partnership with Hillman Racing, which owns and operates the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series #27 driven by Jeb and Ward Burton. Moon Shine Attitude Attire™ will become their official apparel company.

“We are very excited to team up with Hillman Racing to provide both Jed and Ward Burton with cutting edge designer apparel that conveys the attitude and traditional values of every generation,” stated Moon Shine LP President, Travis Mattern. “We anticipate new growth and further opportunities in the racing community with this new partnership.”

 Hillman Racing is making its NASCAR debut this season, but the organization is anything but new to the sport.  Team owner Mike Hillman Sr. played a key role in the founding of Germain Racing and was the architect of the group’s two NASCAR championships in 2006 and 2010.  Hillman acquired the championship-winning NASCAR Camping World Truck Series assets following the conclusion of the 2011 season and is set to embark as the owner and general manager of Hillman Racing for the 2012 season.

 “When we formed Hillman Racing in the off-season, it was our goal to attract new partners to the organization that could grow with us,” commented Hillman.  “I see that opportunity with Moon Shine Attitude Apparel. When we first saw their lineup of clothing, I knew immediately that it was something that would appeal to NASCAR fans because it was a hit in our race shop.  We look forward to expanding our relationship with Moon Shine as we continue to develop our own operation.” 

About Moon Shine, LP:
Moon Shine, LP is a cutting edge designer of quality brand name apparel that conveys the attitude and traditional values of every generation. From the hunters and farmers who live off our lands to the soldiers and patriots who protect it, Moon Shine Attitude Attire™ honors the essence of the American Legacy. For more information visit www.shineattire.com, or call 1.800.4.MOON.SHINE (466.6674).

 About Hillman Racing:

Hillman Racing was established from the championship-winning assets assembled by team owner Mike Hillman, Sr. following the 2011 NASCAR season. Hillman, the architect of Germain Racing’s two NASCAR Championships, also has a NASCAR Nationwide Series championship to his credit.  Hillman Racing is housed in a 22,000-square-foot facility in Mooresville, N.C., and will field the No. 27 entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series as well as the No. 40 entry in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series in 2012.  Additional information is available at: www.HillmanRacing.com, find us on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/HillmanRacing and follow the team on Twitter @Hillman_Racing. For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Kevin Radvany at (704) 658-1505.

By Matt Morrett as told to John E. Phillips, www.nighthawkpublications.com

Every cowboy believes he can ride every bull he gets-on, and each turkey veteran believes that he can take every turkey he hunts. But, PhD gobblers are as crafty and as smart as the bull that’s never been ridden. Matt Morrett is a multi-winner World Champion turkey caller and a professional hunter for Hunter’s Specialties. One of the PhD gobblers he’s learned his craft from was a turkey named Bubba.

“I first came to work with Hunter’s Specialties about 1987,” Matt Morrett remembers. “Hunter’s Specialties had a farm in Kirksville, Missouri, and Bubba the turkey already had established his reputation there, before I arrived at the farm. The hunters saw Bubba almost every evening with two-other gobblers. He was 6 or 7 inches taller than the other birds. I spent my whole season trying to take Bubba. Since this ole PhD gobbler had been spooked, shot-at and overcalled, he’d learned just about everything he could know about dodging turkey hunters. He was one of those kinds of turkeys that would get your goat. He always would be one of the first turkeys to gobble, and he’d gobble at every call you made. However, that’s all he would do. He wouldn’t come to any call you made. Because I’d focused all my hunting time on Bubba and hunted him every day I could hunt at the farm, I’d spent my entire season without tagging a gobbler. Bubba was one of the best teachers I’d ever had.” 

I’ve been fortunate enough to hunt with some of the greatest turkey hunters in the nation, and for more than 45 years, these masters of turkey hunting have continued to teach me better ways to take gobblers. But, while learning from the masters, I’ve also wanted to know who has taught these veterans to successfully take turkeys every spring. All these outstanding turkey hunters have agreed that they’ve learned the most from the PhD gobblers they’ve hunted. So, I’ve collected the stories of some of the greatest turkey hunters of our day and those PhD gobblers like Bubba that have taught them their craft.

To learn more about PhD gobblers and how to hunt them from the masters of the sport, click here for “PhD Gobblers,” a new eBook from Amazon’s Kindle by John E. Phillips. Or, you can go to http://www.amazon.com/kindle-ebooks and type-in the name of the book to find it. 

One of the 10-most-frequently-asked questions of Matt Morrett is, “How much do you have to call a turkey?”

Morrett answers, “I always explain to hunters at a seminar that this is a loaded question. It’s much like asking how often you have to call and talk to your wife or your girlfriend in a day’s time. Each turkey is an individual, and every day he’s on a different emotional level. But here are some general rules that will help you. In my opinion, a turkey is either really interested in breeding or has to be made excited and fired-up. If a turkey’s gobbling back to you every time you call to him, then quit calling. He knows where you are, he’s excited about finding you, and more than likely he’s on his way to you. However, if you call, and the turkey only gobbles back every now and then, he’s not excited. You’ve got to make him excited by calling more and calling more aggressively.“

One of the most-important things to remember about how-many times to call to a turkey is when the turkey’s gobbling and coming to you, call less, and call softly. The more you call to this kind of turkey, the more likely that the bird will stop 60- to 70-yards away from you and not come in, because you’ve told that gobbler you’re an excited hen and ready to breed. When he reaches a place in the woods or a field where he thinks this excited hen can see him, he’ll stop and expect her to come running to him. Here’s a simple answer to this problem: if a turkey’s gobbling and answering aggressively, call less. If a turkey’s not gobbling aggressively, call more.”

Watch the video above or go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA3Pwbh_6V4 to see the author interviewing Matt Morrett on how to try and solve the problem of the gobbler that won’t come in that’s in John E. Phillips’ latest Amazon/Kindle book, “Turkey Hunting Tactics.”  If you have trouble opening these links, please contact us.   

Night Hawk Publications Inc.

% John E. Phillips

4112 Camp Horner Road

Vestavia AL  35243

Phone:  205-967-3830  FAX:  205-967-7185

nighthawkpub@mindspring.com

john7185@bellsouth.net

john7185@gmail.com

www.nighthawkpublications.com

The innovators at Dead Down Wind are pleased to announce the newest product in their scent-control line of products, the Speed Stick Polymeric Bow Wax.

This Dead Down Wind scent-free product affords the hunter the option to apply it freely to bow strings, crossbow rails and firearms for conditioning or lubrication purposes without concern of being detected as with other products. The convenient stick container allows the user to pocket it for easy storage and access in hunting packs or coat pockets.

 

The Speed Stick is no stranger in areas where scent control is less critical, such as on the target range, due to its compact dispenser and ability to enhance arrow removal from targets. Although waterfowl and turkeys can’t detect odors, they are sure to fall prey to the Speed Stick’s ability to silence squeaks and unwanted sounds at inopportune times.

The Speed Stick Wax can be used for many reasons and any season. Dead Down Wind Speed Stick….the bow wax that does so much more.

For more information visit them online at http://www.deaddownwind.com/.

New TextPac™ Helps You Stay Warm & Connected While In The Field

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                 

Contact: Colin Roemer, colinroemer@jacobash.com

McKees Rocks, PA. Jacob Ash Holdings Inc., the leading innovative manufacturer of cold weather accessories is proud to unveil the new Pro-text™ TextPac™. The TextPac™ is a patent-pending innovation that allows hunters to see and use their smart-phones, iPods, or GPS devices without exposing their hands to raw conditions, which allow outdoor enthusiasts to stay warm and connected in even the most severe weather conditions.

The revolutionary TextPac™ features a brushed tricot shell design with a clear window for manipulation of an assortment of electronic devices. Hunters can simply drop down the screen flap to use their electronic device and when done, effortlessly fold the cover back with the help of its silent magnetic closure. The TextPac™ is lined with a toasty 80-gram Thinsulate™ Insulation layer that will keep your hands balmy.

TextPac™ Specs:
• ODOR-XCHANGETM Anti-Microbial lining
• Interior media pocket
• Exterior zippered pocket on back
• Fleece elasticized cuffs
• Adjustable webbed nylon waist belt with snap closure

About Hot Shot Outdoor Apparel
Hot Shot Outdoor Apparel offers trophy gear for trophy game. Hot Shot is known for hunting hand wear and headwear for all genders and all ages.

About Jacob Ash Holdings Inc.
The leading innovative manufacturer of cold weather accessories and apparel, Jacob Ash Holdings, Inc. presents its most advanced line of products in its 82 year history. Our 2012 line includes best-selling Hot Shot line, Pro-Text Touch Gloves, and Gore Tex™ products. New for 2012 is our exclusive, patent-pending TextPac™ line. For more information about Jacob Holdings Inc., contact 1-800-245-6111 or visit http://jacobash.com/ or www.textpac.com.

Jan. 9, 2012, Columbus, OH – The Fred Bear Archery and Bowhunting Communicator Award, created by the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) in 2005, recognizes outdoor journalists who make significant contributions to the sports of archery and bowhunting, excel at their journalistic craft, and mentor up-and-coming outdoor journalists.
 
Although the award is presented to active journalists, a special exception was made this year. The late Bill Krenz, founder of Zebra Publishing, whose untimely passing on Dec. 13, 2010 shocked the industry, was named the 2012 honoree.
 
The award was presented by POMA and the Archery Trade Association during the OutTech event the night before the ATA Show in Columbus, Ohio. Krenz’s wife, Sherry, accepted the award. POMA President Kevin Tate and ATA CEO Jay McAninch spoke of Krenz’s impact on the industry and the many lives he touched.

 Photo Courtesy of Zebra Publishing

“Some awards honor the people who receive them, but in this case, it’s POMA’s honor to be associated with Bill,” said Tate. “The people who drive the archery industry, people who dedicate their minds to their business and their hearts to the outdoors, who combine their lives with their livelihood and pour everything they have into a cause they love, those people give to life far more than they could ever receive, and far more to our industry than we could ever return.”
 
For nearly four decades, Krenz was an energetic defender and communicator of all that is right about archery and bowhunting. Businessman, writer, speaker, video and television personality and grassroots bowhunter and archer, Krenz demonstrated an unwavering vision and commitment to promoting archery and bowhunting worldwide.
 
His career included 20 years in the archery industry with PSE, Hoyt and Bear, and a lifetime as a journalist and communicator, sharing the excitement and the passion found in our world’s wild places.
 
He and Sherry founded Zebra Publishing in 1998 and launched “Inside Archery,” a title that quickly became the industry’s number one trade magazine. The launch of “Bowhunt America” magazine a short time later balanced the “Inside Archery” offering with a consumer title that has become well respected in the marketplace. Both publications continue their mission today.
 
“Bill was not only an outstanding outdoor writer and editor, he was also a passionate participant in the sports of archery and Bowhunting,” McAninch said. “He was committed to portraying bowhunting in a respectful, ethical manner. Bill also was a strong advocate of the archery industry and worked to support the success of all the companies with whom he worked.”
 
Nominations for the Fred Bear Award are accepted from all archery industry journalists and professionals. Nominations may be made on the POMA website.
 
For more information, contact:
 
Laurie Lee Dovey, Executive Director
Professional Outdoor Media Association
lldovey@professionaloutdoormedia.org
814-525-6989
 
Amy Hatfield, Communications Manager
Archery Trade Association
amyhatfield@archerytrade.org
 
About the Organizations
 
Professional Outdoor Media Association, www.professionaloutdoormedia.org
 
Mission:  The Professional Outdoor Media Association is a group of individual communicators and Corporate Partners who believe in, defend, support and promote the heritage of hunting, fishing, shooting, trapping and traditional outdoor sports through writing, photography and other means. By doing so, members hope to educate the general public about these sports and encourage more participation in them. The organization serves the membership by helping members grow professionally, improve their skills, better their working environments and enhance their businesses.
 
Archery Trade Association, www.archerytrade.org
 
Since 1953 ATA has been the trade association for manufacturers, retailers, distributors, sales representatives and others working in the archery and bowhunting industry. ATA is dedicated to making the industry profitable by decreasing business overhead, and reducing taxes and government regulation while increasing participation in archery and bowhunting. ATA owns and manages the ATA Trade Show, the archery and bowhunting industry’s largest and longest running trade show worldwide.

*As published at www.GlobalOutfitters.com

By Kevin Reese

When considering hunter ethics, the most important element beyond the scope of wildlife conservation and habitat preservation is shot placement. Good bowhunters understand this critical ingredient and practice year round to ensure their prey receive nothing short of best efforts from confident, ethical integrity-minded sportsmen. 

As a matter of shot placement, accuracy and consistency are key. Many say practice is the only answer to consistently accurate shot placement; while this is true, it’s not the entire formula; well tuned equipment is also vital to your accuracy. Confidence in your equipment is as important as competence in your shooting abilities. Archers of all ages struggle with shot placement at some level whether dealing with target panic, buck fever, improper form or a bow in need of proper tuning; they key to mistake-proofing is using the process of elimination.

 Ensure your bow is well tuned, including timing, tiller, center shot, etc. and that your shooting equipment matches your needs, i.e. correctly spined arrows. Once you are sure of your equipment, ensure your shooting is consistent and accurate; at this point, accuracy doesn’t necessarily mean you’re making great shots, it simply means you are grouping your arrows and establishing a pattern. Now it’s time to sight in your bow.

Here’s a simple to tip to make sighting-in a bit easier.  Consider a cross, or crosshairs – a cross pattern is made of both a vertical and horizontal line; the point at which those lines meet is the bullseye. The problem most archers have when sighting in is that they focus on the bullseye as a point of aim instead of one line at a time.

Pick a side of your target specifically used for sighting-in and tape or spray paint a cross that spans the entire target. Decide which line you would like to aim at first; I like to aim at the horizontal line so we’ll begin there. Aim at only at that horizontal line and shoot well to the left of the vertical line. Move your aiming point to the right a couple of inches and put your pin on that horizontal line again, shoot, then move your aim to the right a few inches and shoot again; continue shooting at the horizontal line, moving from left to right, until you establish a consistent vertical distance above or below that horizontal line. If you consistently shoot below the horizontal line, adjust your pin or sight elevation down. Conversely, if you’re shooting above the horizontal line, adjust your pin or sight elevation up. ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR ARROW WHEN ADJUSTING YOUR SIGHT!

Now, follow the same method for adjusting your windage (left to right adjustments). From the top and moving down every few inches between shots, aim only at the vertical line and shoot enough arrows to consistently show a pattern of hitting either to the left or right of that line. If you are hitting to the left of the line, adjust your sight to the left; if you are hitting to the right, adjust your sight to the right. Again, ALWAYS FOLLOW YOUR ARROW WHEN ADJUSTING YOUR SIGHT!

Many people understand how to sight-in a bow; however, many struggle with the process because they concentrate on hitting both lines at the same time. Sighting-in on one line at a time simplifies the process by concentrating your focus on one broad focal point – just try to hit the line, period. When you adjust to hit one line and then the next, your next shot will be exactly where you need it – in the vitals.  

Hunt hard, hunt often.

Kevin can be reached at kevinr@just-hunt.com for questions and comments.

MISSOULA, Mont.–Grunting and squealing, growling and screaming, America’s best elk callers are headed to Las Vegas to vie for a world title.

The 2012 RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships will be held as part of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation (RMEF) convention and International Sportsmen’s Exposition, Feb. 2-4, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

The raucous event is open to the public.

Elk are the most vocal species of North American deer. The signature call is a “bugle,” a loud, high-pitched whistle or scream used during mating season by bulls trying to attract cows and advertise their dominance to other bulls. Bulls also grunt at cows straying from their harem. Cows bark to warn of danger, mew to keep track of each other and whine to signal distress. Calves bleat when they are lost.

Mimicking these sounds has been a competitive sport for almost 25 years, but 2012 will be the RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships’ first time in Las Vegas.

“This event is always a spectacle,” said David Allen, president and CEO of RMEF, a conservation organization focused on conserving and stewarding elk habitat. “It’s been featured by The New York Times and CBS Sunday Morning, and now we’re pleased to introduce this competition to a city that appreciates spectacles like no one else.”

“If a bull elk shows up and rips the doors off the Las Vegas Convention Center, at least you’ll know why,” he joked.

Competition is held in six divisions: professional, men’s, women’s, natural voice, youth (age 11-17) and pee-wee (age 10 and under). Amateur-level callers have 30 seconds to make general cow elk sounds, followed by bull sounds. Professionals are required to make specific calls such as bugles and barks. Most callers blow across a latex reed placed inside the mouth. In the natural voice division, however, no reeds are allowed. A variety of plastic tubes are used like megaphones, giving the sounds realistic resonance.

Judges–biologists, naturalists and hunters–score each competitor anonymously.

Prizes and cash ranging from $500 to $2,500 will be awarded for first- through third-place in all six divisions.

Prize sponsors include Leupold, Block Fusion, Cabela’s, Horn Hunter Packs, Hoyt, Kershaw Knives, Montana Decoy, Montana Silversmiths, New Archery Products (NAP), Remington, Schnee’s and Traditions Performance Firearms.

Defending world champions: Professional Division–Corey Jacobsen, Boise, Idaho; Men’s Division–Dirk Durham, Moscow, Idaho; Women’s Division–Misty Jacobsen, Priest River, Idaho; Natural Voice Division–Michael Hatten, Elko, Nev.; Youth Division–Greg Hubbell Jr., Belmont, Calif.; Pee-Wee Division–Colton Crawford, McMinnville, Ore.

To compete in the 2012 RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships, see complete rules, registration info and entry fees posted at www.rmef.org.

Preliminary rounds of competition begin Fri., Feb. 3, at 10:00 a.m. Finals begin Sat., Feb. 4, at 9:00 a.m., followed by awards and crowning of new world champions.

Spectator seating is included with daily admission to the RMEF convention and expo: $12 per person, free for youth 15 and under, and free for active military with military ID.

The expo includes attractions, displays and activities for the whole family, plus 385 exhibiting companies in booths filled with outfitted hunting and fishing opportunities, art, gear, firearms and everything elk and outdoors. Hourly seminars led by authorities detail hunting strategies, destinations and gear; urban and wilderness survival; fishing; and travel nearby and around the world. Cabela’s will sponsor game-calling clinics. International Sportsmen’s Expositions, which produces America’s premier hunting, fishing and travel shows, is managing the exhibit hall and expo. Expo hours: Thurs., Feb. 2, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Fri., Feb. 3, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sat., Feb. 4, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The convention, expo and RMEF/Leupold World Elk Calling Championships help raise awareness and funding for conservation. In 2011, RMEF passed the 6 million acre-mark in habitat conserved or enhanced for elk and other wildlife. In Nevada alone, RMEF has completed 190 different conservation projects affecting 275,870 acres.
About the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation:
RMEF is leading a conservation initiative that has protected or enhanced habitat on over 6 million acres–an area larger than Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain and Great Smoky Mountains national parks combined. RMEF also is a strong voice for hunters in access, wildlife management and conservation policy issues. RMEF members, partners and volunteers, working together as Team Elk, are making a difference all across elk country. Join us at www.rmef.org or 800-CALL ELK.

About International Sportsmen’s Expositions (ISE):
Founded in 1975, ISE produces five consumer sportsman shows across the western United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada (Las Vegas) and Utah. Check dates and show special events at www.SportsExpos.com.