tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-91838643244755712762024-03-13T02:38:29.377-04:00Krack Boy OutdoorsA Journal of the Kraker boys outdoor adventures.
South West MichiganBryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-66424320449461128342018-09-15T09:49:00.000-04:002018-09-15T09:54:17.952-04:00Michigan UP Black Bear Hunt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_vUIgJdF8Nltgpbsal3q-oH29uPw13teA7OsbrRgR8ZPjc0GmgyjllaIHM5O7Ns0tRgQTACi4FfaImREIqj8qFLGjpFfUprYqQbb1QsX7cj44vC-oDHx4JybrOrd3jrUKl44nFcteGAS/s1600/20180912_091038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_vUIgJdF8Nltgpbsal3q-oH29uPw13teA7OsbrRgR8ZPjc0GmgyjllaIHM5O7Ns0tRgQTACi4FfaImREIqj8qFLGjpFfUprYqQbb1QsX7cj44vC-oDHx4JybrOrd3jrUKl44nFcteGAS/s320/20180912_091038.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chads bait log. Filled with cookie dough and a personal touch of Oreo cookies.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9U5j2Av6F6z5AIU7b86r3DSHylLyvteZPfICM9gGOJzeBRVbmyZ5o5mu90hZQSmC0LCfs6mkQdeQXGPwxCMVwBXM7VsfGDNzX0I0xzMUv4MbHAriin_vz50A3sydxUH2MQYjMnamPn-M/s1600/20180912_090834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9U5j2Av6F6z5AIU7b86r3DSHylLyvteZPfICM9gGOJzeBRVbmyZ5o5mu90hZQSmC0LCfs6mkQdeQXGPwxCMVwBXM7VsfGDNzX0I0xzMUv4MbHAriin_vz50A3sydxUH2MQYjMnamPn-M/s320/20180912_090834.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Headed out to Chads spot to take down our stands. Bittersweet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPphdG3oYm-q6VxRKSroUOdnMDUxA-7clcXZKN6KpxUhCrpOcigQktyrs91X6mogn69Xywz92F-8Gw-YYJ6Sh0RPXGcewSgKhzXc709FJfsct4FG8T0IAuwVVngZKcJMaKh9OJniBA6rZd/s1600/20180912_090817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPphdG3oYm-q6VxRKSroUOdnMDUxA-7clcXZKN6KpxUhCrpOcigQktyrs91X6mogn69Xywz92F-8Gw-YYJ6Sh0RPXGcewSgKhzXc709FJfsct4FG8T0IAuwVVngZKcJMaKh9OJniBA6rZd/s320/20180912_090817.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi-REJ4T320KQYIPD5oynDVqYj-VrPqI8C21RqobMDcNSzUPThx3jzdBeHVnbUFIcRvGR43b-4L9MW75J8NygEuJXS6gucNaAso_yQ_z3RDDwslRK1MbY7k-EK7BbVspYBVdB5NW4rO7k/s1600/20180912_082410.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi-REJ4T320KQYIPD5oynDVqYj-VrPqI8C21RqobMDcNSzUPThx3jzdBeHVnbUFIcRvGR43b-4L9MW75J8NygEuJXS6gucNaAso_yQ_z3RDDwslRK1MbY7k-EK7BbVspYBVdB5NW4rO7k/s320/20180912_082410.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Bryan kissing his tree goodbye.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LYsR9C_wRV8sKbQYn40aXgV1IaUXIZ_KiYE8ARRDVT6659ZdA5INpOulU5cZDAwzTLv7vKDF__p2WdwCLSQwGZpFXdeWL8F9ROukL9NAXYILUjti8gE8yqft3iiMFufKs1JOWf5BTdvd/s1600/20180912_080417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0LYsR9C_wRV8sKbQYn40aXgV1IaUXIZ_KiYE8ARRDVT6659ZdA5INpOulU5cZDAwzTLv7vKDF__p2WdwCLSQwGZpFXdeWL8F9ROukL9NAXYILUjti8gE8yqft3iiMFufKs1JOWf5BTdvd/s320/20180912_080417.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Taking the path back to Bryan's stand </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlz8TH8esWOAs-Csr-s3Rwa8UWfzBOpVjhEhlLTsx1GWJhbhrGoVANsb8fBkeVY_q24QQDwa77OuqWOYt0DdUy7N6Tiq-EkAA-TsUXo8333S_yjAA5MyKV_2Y1HXsLggfDAzjYiSnkk6jk/s1600/20180911_192545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlz8TH8esWOAs-Csr-s3Rwa8UWfzBOpVjhEhlLTsx1GWJhbhrGoVANsb8fBkeVY_q24QQDwa77OuqWOYt0DdUy7N6Tiq-EkAA-TsUXo8333S_yjAA5MyKV_2Y1HXsLggfDAzjYiSnkk6jk/s320/20180911_192545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0IH20Q1PnaqxplnNd8r-j76SJPh89y1go4GCgG51_84qFf8RNvHr__nbzolh29Zhgmtjk1v5_2ss2AtZA4BwHrIgzWyuQPJnlNRpN2Q5Y6UF0XSKoRVM8mVb87m0JcNb-bnPJyDnMPGK/s1600/20180911_192521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0IH20Q1PnaqxplnNd8r-j76SJPh89y1go4GCgG51_84qFf8RNvHr__nbzolh29Zhgmtjk1v5_2ss2AtZA4BwHrIgzWyuQPJnlNRpN2Q5Y6UF0XSKoRVM8mVb87m0JcNb-bnPJyDnMPGK/s320/20180911_192521.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Had some time to visit the beach in Escanaba</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5pAESWIX27UE-ToyHCSadO92foZC5WZY46ASK4OZ4SiayZCSJ76wdJ8FzkC_2MbAgiGBBDhApWGyFv2z5p5hFwPMM8fFUcy4demiuCgaHC3vfyA6IRvhYWEi9qJCy9bGHwW_LYnxvWha/s1600/20180911_191027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij5pAESWIX27UE-ToyHCSadO92foZC5WZY46ASK4OZ4SiayZCSJ76wdJ8FzkC_2MbAgiGBBDhApWGyFv2z5p5hFwPMM8fFUcy4demiuCgaHC3vfyA6IRvhYWEi9qJCy9bGHwW_LYnxvWha/s320/20180911_191027.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
House of Ludington in Escanaba. We didn't get to go in because it was closed.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZxPYepLCHrRggpr6GIljHRcBoHjaogXkV-UshN_K5uM1uupNoFiXx6UluhxYFt6NT6rX2c38Dek9IbiaLpttMutxpRN3gkjASh6fG4HtqJI_uWD-QYhTnU_HncF-6pPkLXm-aOjD8nC4/s1600/20180911_110007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvZxPYepLCHrRggpr6GIljHRcBoHjaogXkV-UshN_K5uM1uupNoFiXx6UluhxYFt6NT6rX2c38Dek9IbiaLpttMutxpRN3gkjASh6fG4HtqJI_uWD-QYhTnU_HncF-6pPkLXm-aOjD8nC4/s320/20180911_110007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chads</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRTt2rJPYnQtXjHEt5As8O_ayScsqcYx5LmMKdUAAOJjU-MMBzteAqhQ5lkD4M_iBGYE8HMcrBEaHpwUDALaNmtePnRUcp1GLLeZk_u3HYhY1mSuMLVnCT24EFESHHJUqJmyUnHqGTefH/s1600/20180911_105942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGRTt2rJPYnQtXjHEt5As8O_ayScsqcYx5LmMKdUAAOJjU-MMBzteAqhQ5lkD4M_iBGYE8HMcrBEaHpwUDALaNmtePnRUcp1GLLeZk_u3HYhY1mSuMLVnCT24EFESHHJUqJmyUnHqGTefH/s320/20180911_105942.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chads entry wound</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOl6T6f9Jnj8cbWEtNZTiJwaG2zTZAbLY3RdG0zfVMjHpU2XltHFefpFfxGc83xUBfzRGQUQ3aockx8WvyzJNpvlG4b7CouFaa5vYTaB9JH7o19SsBEKXu_dbTcbf72J0AhVm2_4VXbP6M/s1600/20180911_104623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOl6T6f9Jnj8cbWEtNZTiJwaG2zTZAbLY3RdG0zfVMjHpU2XltHFefpFfxGc83xUBfzRGQUQ3aockx8WvyzJNpvlG4b7CouFaa5vYTaB9JH7o19SsBEKXu_dbTcbf72J0AhVm2_4VXbP6M/s320/20180911_104623.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF4L_iKqu__3koIi6TK4oJu40L41_EYcTXABrqureoP2QOPUZy6_6mKYl-Xhyjos7u4-diX_PVnjIyDbMitQfpIR7eY-gY9UbaoOz1eqoqm-VwyK5n3Hthmr144EMWo80vziEni9X_n6X/s1600/20180911_093845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF4L_iKqu__3koIi6TK4oJu40L41_EYcTXABrqureoP2QOPUZy6_6mKYl-Xhyjos7u4-diX_PVnjIyDbMitQfpIR7eY-gY9UbaoOz1eqoqm-VwyK5n3Hthmr144EMWo80vziEni9X_n6X/s320/20180911_093845.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQTY7YwShN7FCfh_eYUY3MoPbxYiHG2LJ0GEFlRH2jXe5WvJm8GcMJJTeQrsqfd78Uj-cc58vprx6Y4yPyAcEz5DQ5_hVOHGpqu1L2oIrADdHP-FF44twEdL1Aljda2NARGMjotFNfNws/s1600/20180911_093839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQTY7YwShN7FCfh_eYUY3MoPbxYiHG2LJ0GEFlRH2jXe5WvJm8GcMJJTeQrsqfd78Uj-cc58vprx6Y4yPyAcEz5DQ5_hVOHGpqu1L2oIrADdHP-FF44twEdL1Aljda2NARGMjotFNfNws/s320/20180911_093839.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/7-e0MHHlEig/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7-e0MHHlEig?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
My hunt video.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AFWIyVxAcVw8UOeEH26XP9xkcYCryU-XlYGwAAElYwwJomRq0QAW6qf8e_X-hcCxvN-DuQtzv9QLCFTgDeWrET7vpN0ggRdj6Yi5IPuWxlADDlT-baIdIjUsgW9nNsd8Ev4gULMJmyBi/s1600/20180910_112529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_AFWIyVxAcVw8UOeEH26XP9xkcYCryU-XlYGwAAElYwwJomRq0QAW6qf8e_X-hcCxvN-DuQtzv9QLCFTgDeWrET7vpN0ggRdj6Yi5IPuWxlADDlT-baIdIjUsgW9nNsd8Ev4gULMJmyBi/s320/20180910_112529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Austyn my 16 year old guide gutting my bear</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r1oh44xEn9VcRXw8GnG1NgjvAgRHD_D1x6v0Db1pN3myzVaRX6inyq-Gz8Cq3qMlNUTJg71W9hlLwb4J3UHxNNxCAYaYl9XBEPRb7IafEDBZUr-Fq_kYPN2P92txCtNkPzAFqBHalkih/s1600/20180910_112638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1r1oh44xEn9VcRXw8GnG1NgjvAgRHD_D1x6v0Db1pN3myzVaRX6inyq-Gz8Cq3qMlNUTJg71W9hlLwb4J3UHxNNxCAYaYl9XBEPRb7IafEDBZUr-Fq_kYPN2P92txCtNkPzAFqBHalkih/s320/20180910_112638.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiam0sBo7_4NkT8r-vNsSO1YKgb0DFOQsmWIqlpTeBOCXDr-YCdU1TbaEwTRz0lDa_MbXpzvW4KwPUSyeUetv4ybGYVzJ6JScxRr6CTK6Bk0odNPa-y8SwzYoqumMaSs9utGI-sDBAlCRfM/s1600/20180910_112517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiam0sBo7_4NkT8r-vNsSO1YKgb0DFOQsmWIqlpTeBOCXDr-YCdU1TbaEwTRz0lDa_MbXpzvW4KwPUSyeUetv4ybGYVzJ6JScxRr6CTK6Bk0odNPa-y8SwzYoqumMaSs9utGI-sDBAlCRfM/s320/20180910_112517.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Evb0lK2rIt7aKAptyl5w5jh2WxacI6o-xoYSm4FzuUqg0NAWSdJCugyd-1dXrdf7XLUUv-gow5RI-pEl22nSWYK3GyYu6bA7jimkNcNVey6pCMCuTl5vKV1dMd-NVUVTzfkQrKhwkJfQ/s1600/20180910_112505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Evb0lK2rIt7aKAptyl5w5jh2WxacI6o-xoYSm4FzuUqg0NAWSdJCugyd-1dXrdf7XLUUv-gow5RI-pEl22nSWYK3GyYu6bA7jimkNcNVey6pCMCuTl5vKV1dMd-NVUVTzfkQrKhwkJfQ/s320/20180910_112505.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB_rx67OhC78HoGJH8gL_7F2NcUmf0gRRE7YDnSLvhwwGOtF23hRMd9loc438H95qlshE_9FLLXvVo0wPfKUmKbepPUawRUXGsD4SXR2qoQUvI338qf3l3GiYZNI5apxU9uI5NhD6SEXA/s1600/20180910_112448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjB_rx67OhC78HoGJH8gL_7F2NcUmf0gRRE7YDnSLvhwwGOtF23hRMd9loc438H95qlshE_9FLLXvVo0wPfKUmKbepPUawRUXGsD4SXR2qoQUvI338qf3l3GiYZNI5apxU9uI5NhD6SEXA/s320/20180910_112448.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW77lAn3egkl1UyA0N7ylMilMyUbM0ZQxzW807PGLkLjbre8elPbGaGj2dn3Ys9wc0CZfx5seXbG6H4tdLyx_aNpxV14OG2S1qlpuVzln2AZekceoSPc9jlBqw97gv_2OLltXC9RFF-2U/s1600/20180910_111617.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimW77lAn3egkl1UyA0N7ylMilMyUbM0ZQxzW807PGLkLjbre8elPbGaGj2dn3Ys9wc0CZfx5seXbG6H4tdLyx_aNpxV14OG2S1qlpuVzln2AZekceoSPc9jlBqw97gv_2OLltXC9RFF-2U/s320/20180910_111617.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgImW5GB3R_bQYurT9TiE9XyZhyjSRTjN37I5dyxqaMsno8rjOHs_sAHfPrNOWYrjHUmlt6T3alWf1tNTSFD7dOfHWpPALUMOwxpG1ZIoxbnUohKUS6eHdEnmwf2uDrVHDfEdwJx3Zd5xj/s1600/20180910_111610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgImW5GB3R_bQYurT9TiE9XyZhyjSRTjN37I5dyxqaMsno8rjOHs_sAHfPrNOWYrjHUmlt6T3alWf1tNTSFD7dOfHWpPALUMOwxpG1ZIoxbnUohKUS6eHdEnmwf2uDrVHDfEdwJx3Zd5xj/s320/20180910_111610.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIBsTyGrKkvbCqyTddhEeFa6yNwycMBwPKEVfIZHV-w5G8nzrNGesMO82sfnvi5zbPd742vyaxHMvd-iG2Kdju8ILBXVU5DSXukBatCFEfjIilxMnkP2pj7xlXUl29q8nYS4ll7Qte1gF/s1600/20180910_111552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIBsTyGrKkvbCqyTddhEeFa6yNwycMBwPKEVfIZHV-w5G8nzrNGesMO82sfnvi5zbPd742vyaxHMvd-iG2Kdju8ILBXVU5DSXukBatCFEfjIilxMnkP2pj7xlXUl29q8nYS4ll7Qte1gF/s320/20180910_111552.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xwnJ7hVJgq_ovZR_ak4NuW55UgMNiEYsx6AZwbp5sIxzKAyAoVFAkXyxwoVQkML59VYQb0r_E2nBeVyiDWbRB4AlT38utDXPSq-XCqoVRPj7AwbjOwEK718KAqhb05pQ56DL9MNWhoCZ/s1600/20180910_111406.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8xwnJ7hVJgq_ovZR_ak4NuW55UgMNiEYsx6AZwbp5sIxzKAyAoVFAkXyxwoVQkML59VYQb0r_E2nBeVyiDWbRB4AlT38utDXPSq-XCqoVRPj7AwbjOwEK718KAqhb05pQ56DL9MNWhoCZ/s320/20180910_111406.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpd3VS84MP_2liggJOuXvtWjHL1fB2PyRHDJHNBUa9SfQBejI_zDVJvzSkX9rSnHo2YnlUmzYn-oH7iSuA2R9ZyqnGKOsRUJ5GfklWGJM4eCBM4K6yRiOjJ24gWPwiHBeBe7HFRgEgHb_t/s1600/20180910_111401.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpd3VS84MP_2liggJOuXvtWjHL1fB2PyRHDJHNBUa9SfQBejI_zDVJvzSkX9rSnHo2YnlUmzYn-oH7iSuA2R9ZyqnGKOsRUJ5GfklWGJM4eCBM4K6yRiOjJ24gWPwiHBeBe7HFRgEgHb_t/s320/20180910_111401.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh7s6ZG49WH6EeyqFMcTRU52GlFGhG1FkLCYYl81qVHv919q5B_sAzHMKflUWu4OD9LopwLIaT3oxfKEogfAEuzGk5npNkuxBpuiH1XkIhzn0wbpx619kqvGnY-sQuu24g9D3BIGKos9D/s1600/20180910_111358.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEh7s6ZG49WH6EeyqFMcTRU52GlFGhG1FkLCYYl81qVHv919q5B_sAzHMKflUWu4OD9LopwLIaT3oxfKEogfAEuzGk5npNkuxBpuiH1XkIhzn0wbpx619kqvGnY-sQuu24g9D3BIGKos9D/s320/20180910_111358.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCu6ZmZ7UmetLJ4RQC390ydb0zDjTaTq4O3kVAYFlYt70b6IFPgc9XJMXC89yhdctlsutxTlC2DwW3eIOz6xGCzrHb-FMmN3_wlXJybbNdxe0qB6_UBg0LMOsXWEDON_2xbsSlq3KsC43/s1600/20180910_111305_002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHCu6ZmZ7UmetLJ4RQC390ydb0zDjTaTq4O3kVAYFlYt70b6IFPgc9XJMXC89yhdctlsutxTlC2DwW3eIOz6xGCzrHb-FMmN3_wlXJybbNdxe0qB6_UBg0LMOsXWEDON_2xbsSlq3KsC43/s320/20180910_111305_002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhL1aMnN1jeI1FPBQgFrkjGwQNfzEfAJ8CwCGfzyRxhuJNg24nrhw4Zc3IlXjP9SSe6v8W7VVlaKfY9kQTYZM1uHZEj6DfFNWKFDzT9xXXznXc10rA2qUcktzbrsXAI-porVhYh98-WVh/s1600/20180910_111316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhL1aMnN1jeI1FPBQgFrkjGwQNfzEfAJ8CwCGfzyRxhuJNg24nrhw4Zc3IlXjP9SSe6v8W7VVlaKfY9kQTYZM1uHZEj6DfFNWKFDzT9xXXznXc10rA2qUcktzbrsXAI-porVhYh98-WVh/s320/20180910_111316.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hunted with Wild Spirits Guide Service in Carney Michigan UP. I sat for under 2 hours on the first day of the hunt and took this 140lb male bear at 15 yards with my Hoyt CRX35. Special thanks to Dan and Austyn Kirschner for guiding a perfect hunt. Thanks to Chad Kraker for joining me in the adventure. Can't wait to do it again.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com058 G-18 Rd W, Carney, MI 49812, USA45.586518017373294 -87.55464954503463645.5754060173733 -87.574819545034629 45.597630017373291 -87.534479545034642tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-6912937963873519622018-01-03T19:15:00.000-05:002018-01-03T19:15:02.465-05:00Bryan's 2017 Year in Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdjiwDC9POZNqHP3TB5VLFL_I7rubVdP-K-76oZeCKafPco_PjCwMwt04Ecmg9y84-bNWb5y5lrCBPAUmMQCYzmfmEk9H6EMfm4KX2EACZCYQEpF2JbNlQQXxamM4zfqkwcW-DtL9UqTK/s1600/20171209_074751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdjiwDC9POZNqHP3TB5VLFL_I7rubVdP-K-76oZeCKafPco_PjCwMwt04Ecmg9y84-bNWb5y5lrCBPAUmMQCYzmfmEk9H6EMfm4KX2EACZCYQEpF2JbNlQQXxamM4zfqkwcW-DtL9UqTK/s320/20171209_074751.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I always enjoy a snowy sit in the tree stand. I got several chances to do this in Hastings this year. I seen several deer including a very nice buck that I had to pass on because my buck tags were filled for the season. I may need to be more selective on my buck harvests next year. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3J3P7BkSmcNtx4Nfk4rYPhVFpAQQJYGmgaODuxr_n5wCLBZilVqx_yBOGJHrEq1YHdoE0xE8vbBd017uISnEaRlW0tcJgBok2vlEDfVFCMB6yAYwsWd6Boe-D7xEv8hBI6UhTE7PnDYTL/s1600/20171105_154314.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3J3P7BkSmcNtx4Nfk4rYPhVFpAQQJYGmgaODuxr_n5wCLBZilVqx_yBOGJHrEq1YHdoE0xE8vbBd017uISnEaRlW0tcJgBok2vlEDfVFCMB6yAYwsWd6Boe-D7xEv8hBI6UhTE7PnDYTL/s320/20171105_154314.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rogue and I did some hunting in the backyard. I finally got my two person stand up so I can enjoy this sport with my kiddos. I need to be more dedicated to getting my kids a chance to take a deer. I need to learn to be more like my brother and make the sacrifices.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZydC6oBF18q8eTM8tgSqxgEScaaRpHXhCm_HJK9RNLv-b-zczISSPm58y5EVYOf_cfj7gnM4K7aIiOCdLnqQ2J0PpdzU9RIAAA7IB19N_DAMF6AL7hYCOjB81SXsTX_Hpean5MJt4o1El/s1600/20171029_105000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZydC6oBF18q8eTM8tgSqxgEScaaRpHXhCm_HJK9RNLv-b-zczISSPm58y5EVYOf_cfj7gnM4K7aIiOCdLnqQ2J0PpdzU9RIAAA7IB19N_DAMF6AL7hYCOjB81SXsTX_Hpean5MJt4o1El/s320/20171029_105000.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I took this nice 8pt buck on Oct. 22 from the upper stand on a morning hunt. I was just about to call it a morning and he came in so fast I didn't even get a chance to get nervous. I quick spun around in my stand and took a 20 yard shot right to the path I walked in on. The Hoyt CRX35 and Schwacker broadhead did the job. I found it about 60 yards away. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZatW3GDJf5ILC617ioZeYlv8ubMptIN7qfv1fIRnSnPakdtgYGWjw5TA_G_zxeeSu3J7KFj_Q3MsZDtb_uABQhqBzYM8TsWF-E8OLau3OyDAdxQbNbKvO9tA7R26Gbg114nT5-PoOl7M/s1600/20171029_104740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_ZatW3GDJf5ILC617ioZeYlv8ubMptIN7qfv1fIRnSnPakdtgYGWjw5TA_G_zxeeSu3J7KFj_Q3MsZDtb_uABQhqBzYM8TsWF-E8OLau3OyDAdxQbNbKvO9tA7R26Gbg114nT5-PoOl7M/s320/20171029_104740.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMz6VdW2u7zQQAulJc0MtqyC6qohNJW8CVqqJ2_vUwGsDs6kQebn-1Nqo99RjgLo9ohKaS1zEHJlrNy27WWfpZSNinUDluTYzYdP5Z9cxMxPPTp71LAcNw7eWHkQ2GVJeQoQTVlB3TPfV/s1600/20171029_104736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNMz6VdW2u7zQQAulJc0MtqyC6qohNJW8CVqqJ2_vUwGsDs6kQebn-1Nqo99RjgLo9ohKaS1zEHJlrNy27WWfpZSNinUDluTYzYdP5Z9cxMxPPTp71LAcNw7eWHkQ2GVJeQoQTVlB3TPfV/s320/20171029_104736.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABhpcKcLxuHtIhojfPkcxyZD2rKkFb2evsLygARCFOh35X2l1QMlZYmUCMSG-ruvq4bRbT1tBQzfQSdqVJMWdZVjK1p0DEc-pQ7YUyHmR8v2LVMY5i-m4hMBQ7jNRcZzj_1kaAwPE3Xmp/s1600/20171026_193629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhABhpcKcLxuHtIhojfPkcxyZD2rKkFb2evsLygARCFOh35X2l1QMlZYmUCMSG-ruvq4bRbT1tBQzfQSdqVJMWdZVjK1p0DEc-pQ7YUyHmR8v2LVMY5i-m4hMBQ7jNRcZzj_1kaAwPE3Xmp/s320/20171026_193629.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Got to take a fall Turkey in Hastings. There are hundreds of them in the fields there every night. It's hard to pass up the opportunity for some good meat.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZbnhR69DNq_wg6KXevnth47NeSYerPr2w35hBpfNwsybwYvUk9T_ycfa0ZiX1nl1jW6TQx_PgW84GUiLzF1nO58c-_7HGXTOm7cQkU3_GDA3jTMjzgFuJOZ57Khg3JNId5RRLOJxfozD/s1600/20171013_204142.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIZbnhR69DNq_wg6KXevnth47NeSYerPr2w35hBpfNwsybwYvUk9T_ycfa0ZiX1nl1jW6TQx_PgW84GUiLzF1nO58c-_7HGXTOm7cQkU3_GDA3jTMjzgFuJOZ57Khg3JNId5RRLOJxfozD/s320/20171013_204142.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
My buddy, Chris Korreck, took this guy while we were in Hastings on Oct. 13. It was a good shot and an easy track job. I will forever remember this deer for the insane amount of ticks that were jumping out of it, also, the brier patch we had to walk through to get it back to the truck. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST-ZW9qJV9gnshwLJHW3UJ-zG2tLQ8vEWWqRpbTwsErLN0TFNmLCEjELg8ElVfcjR9Oclp7xE6sMXxhNSjWj80Kh-5pgnIACT3meOBn5rVaRgrgkmWI9Qg3JOBkCPuYp2kTdD5X-PlvLo/s1600/20171012_202918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhST-ZW9qJV9gnshwLJHW3UJ-zG2tLQ8vEWWqRpbTwsErLN0TFNmLCEjELg8ElVfcjR9Oclp7xE6sMXxhNSjWj80Kh-5pgnIACT3meOBn5rVaRgrgkmWI9Qg3JOBkCPuYp2kTdD5X-PlvLo/s320/20171012_202918.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I took this little 5 pt the day before Korreck got his buck (Oct 12) from the Corner Westworld stand. It was such an easy opportunity. It was inside of 10 yards and I just couldn't resist. I'm not making excuses, this deer was a thrill to take and I would do it again. Dragging it back to the truck on a hot October night, on the other hand, was not a thrill and I would prefer to not have to do that again. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92wuXiz52OLu9XzZSCcIVK7Cs2JOPPCot8IvUuTTgUbhWj6xdRRHp2QjJeJi6jdPlkYJFvSSAh-YG0a1Njxlra-R7L_2qRvIIShEeW2hQgpXS4GQD1VW_a9PcjAZndXI-ot4eYTk9jCup/s1600/20170703_150343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi92wuXiz52OLu9XzZSCcIVK7Cs2JOPPCot8IvUuTTgUbhWj6xdRRHp2QjJeJi6jdPlkYJFvSSAh-YG0a1Njxlra-R7L_2qRvIIShEeW2hQgpXS4GQD1VW_a9PcjAZndXI-ot4eYTk9jCup/s320/20170703_150343.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sl7uzpArQheY2GJNQJ8QvZCxqy6_v8BPu1_8Bkm3DKKxd4mLoe4SKqNi1tMfSUW1TbpO5dRle2dteq7lafITlAbmRRC3uEfTxz4193hZeb8SOCpfv0TWVBZApx2Tco0aZi61LFyizJBa/s1600/IMG_19961.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0sl7uzpArQheY2GJNQJ8QvZCxqy6_v8BPu1_8Bkm3DKKxd4mLoe4SKqNi1tMfSUW1TbpO5dRle2dteq7lafITlAbmRRC3uEfTxz4193hZeb8SOCpfv0TWVBZApx2Tco0aZi61LFyizJBa/s320/IMG_19961.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtuDbY51yPmTEJwq0qv4lRC89lKkVjJPwYXEv-QUf-jCLPes1RKvy5WtKCa77ASSjLhxCWYN20LXWKTH-bCzF55CgBDV5RA543F9pY8SEOORjQmmmVKs69rzpsVhrvaFqJHQMS030fdTB/s1600/20170703_111959.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRtuDbY51yPmTEJwq0qv4lRC89lKkVjJPwYXEv-QUf-jCLPes1RKvy5WtKCa77ASSjLhxCWYN20LXWKTH-bCzF55CgBDV5RA543F9pY8SEOORjQmmmVKs69rzpsVhrvaFqJHQMS030fdTB/s320/20170703_111959.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We had a good carp shooting session during our 4th of July holiday break. There we schools of carp at the surface all over the lake. We could just pull up to about 10 yards of them with the trolling motor, do a three count, and let our arrows fly. It was a blast.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjHibly7YLCJspH9evCiZ7fOO552vWq8pxp9xa-tjM2CQ4IXNWuJtFrSyVCsyOrVHnBfJy2dy8jt7_Gs_eOKYJhcZSg_z652dsXYTX_hoIYkpDIlnFHfGQC4VFBz97-t6PbUKZI4EsEUY/s1600/20170507_184900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjHibly7YLCJspH9evCiZ7fOO552vWq8pxp9xa-tjM2CQ4IXNWuJtFrSyVCsyOrVHnBfJy2dy8jt7_Gs_eOKYJhcZSg_z652dsXYTX_hoIYkpDIlnFHfGQC4VFBz97-t6PbUKZI4EsEUY/s320/20170507_184900.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Andrew took a turkey this year and I did a fan and beard mount for him. It was my first and I think it turned out pretty good.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-DSTEHOdasi2dvL2B-j9dMOjjfq1sGwS1T1pt62aaIzZRaJSW8M-UzCT0UJD_r3w1oAqsNPbah5IlUy80kQsdX_TY7h-WkLN5so7FtHwWTSKn5lMaWz4jLc8hEevKGhCMaStngF3k5h0/s1600/20170429_085852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-DSTEHOdasi2dvL2B-j9dMOjjfq1sGwS1T1pt62aaIzZRaJSW8M-UzCT0UJD_r3w1oAqsNPbah5IlUy80kQsdX_TY7h-WkLN5so7FtHwWTSKn5lMaWz4jLc8hEevKGhCMaStngF3k5h0/s320/20170429_085852.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Korreck and I doubled up on spring turkeys in Hastings. </div>
<br />Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-50530603503775464542017-12-23T14:41:00.001-05:002017-12-23T14:44:28.905-05:00"Old Koger"<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-US</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="false"
DefSemiHidden="false" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="371">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footer"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="index heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of figures"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="envelope return"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="footnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="line number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="page number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="endnote text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="table of authorities"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="macro"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="toa heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Bullet 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0in;
mso-para-margin-right:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:8.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0in;
line-height:107%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s almost Christmas, which means the hunting season is
almost over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I realize that isn’t what
Christmas is really all about, but you get the idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year was another amazing year but it
also comes with some depressing new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
have now gone 2 years without harvesting a deer with my bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember years back, the thought of going
an entire season without harvesting a deer with an arrow would make me
sick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a remedy though, many of
you know what I’m talking about and some of you soon will.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s the joy of giving up all you your prime
spots and prime hunting time for your children.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This year after a summer of practice, my two
oldest boys took to the stand and were able to harvest THREE deer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Easton took a doe very early in the season
with a crossbow, it was his first deer ever!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He is a die hard!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went out a bunch of times and even endured
some very cold weather without a lot of insulated clothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He put an almost perfect shot on her and we
were able to recover her less than 100 yards away!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/-_L88SZnlNA/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-_L88SZnlNA?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaj5ZIq_bi4V3cVOh9rTlC5jkENruk_buO9c5L9qdS9gYoeRx9yZnXqvVyq6zjCtAIXd7qVAtNhTGiLMgn-RakE-TAx6bGE8osHxXszHBXiKzPsk4KaNYkyeBMc0ZaYyHhRa1pVfPPj5g/s1600/20171013_200631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaj5ZIq_bi4V3cVOh9rTlC5jkENruk_buO9c5L9qdS9gYoeRx9yZnXqvVyq6zjCtAIXd7qVAtNhTGiLMgn-RakE-TAx6bGE8osHxXszHBXiKzPsk4KaNYkyeBMc0ZaYyHhRa1pVfPPj5g/s320/20171013_200631.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Elijah also hit a doe early in the season, but after a
thorough search we were not able to find her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Then in October he hit another doe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The shot looked perfect (video) but the arrow had some stomach matter on
it. In an abundance of caution we decided to let her lay for the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The following morning we sat in the stand
waiting for it to get light enough to track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well wouldn’t you know,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a little
buck presented us with a perfect 8 yard shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Elijah again waited patiently for the perfect shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was cool to watch that arrow sink right
into that deer at such close distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Blood immediately began to shoot out of the deer’s vitals!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew it would be an easy track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We got down and found his doe from the
previous night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She had only gone about
60 yards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not sure how the stomach
matter got on the arrow, he hit her right where he needed to!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
little buck, traveled nearly 200 yards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was beginning to get nervous, but we were on good blood the entire
way. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NpSy54_HIRV9Z55-nwu9pD_GY-6EIUMy_bD4vG4_n0STU7tXrUb11axS65PGAQ55VTVpBaUcn5yduKwLU1dMeeaGCkKu1XEqYRvJbGXH7YrKkF7DOu4GG38ddXTZb7wO9W_onKwGRh8/s1600/20171017_110822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5NpSy54_HIRV9Z55-nwu9pD_GY-6EIUMy_bD4vG4_n0STU7tXrUb11axS65PGAQ55VTVpBaUcn5yduKwLU1dMeeaGCkKu1XEqYRvJbGXH7YrKkF7DOu4GG38ddXTZb7wO9W_onKwGRh8/s320/20171017_110822.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR4XpOUoWIgnJZIPT0bsozfRUPvMf3xALX2tcJ3rApHVzLyI9v2r93erVCirqrS0TLLpYINNHP7zQmRQbk5oMJCSZHwH6bfMqa81Dg9Gj1UfCAoBhHlGRiHPi3HV7JPqgz1nA_lRVo74/s1600/20171017_085317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeR4XpOUoWIgnJZIPT0bsozfRUPvMf3xALX2tcJ3rApHVzLyI9v2r93erVCirqrS0TLLpYINNHP7zQmRQbk5oMJCSZHwH6bfMqa81Dg9Gj1UfCAoBhHlGRiHPi3HV7JPqgz1nA_lRVo74/s320/20171017_085317.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I put more time in the stand this year than any other
year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had a few opportunities to take
1 ½ year old bucks but decided to leave them alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also took a 40 yard shot on a decent buck
but missed horribly!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was not even
close, I still do not know what to attribute that failure to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On one sit I had a very nice buck walk right
by my stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had just been shot by
the neighbor, and came through dripping a healthy stream of blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was not able to get a shot off on him, but
tried to help out the neighbors by getting them back on his blood trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not able to recover him right
away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>About a month later some other
neighbors found the remains, such a waste, I hate when that happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the first year that I hunted with my
new Prime Archery Compound Bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Destroyer broke 2 limbs just before the hunting season, I lost all trust in
that pile of junk and had to switch brands.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Prime might not be a “premier” bow, but it is locally manufactured and
has an excellent warranty! I’ll keep you updated on it’s performance.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bqhlXrsiXMElkjS1dWHe5eIE8VSZPWyGmT3XUuv5ya5exL6lWXccrsnhahUuwKkL5N2d9CtYNz-Zof0XuCgJAswEAnfYy6yIWqcE2jSKOnnbIbzvwTi-BavAf4Lqa5zrXnGq4wqpkNI/s1600/20171103_171031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0bqhlXrsiXMElkjS1dWHe5eIE8VSZPWyGmT3XUuv5ya5exL6lWXccrsnhahUuwKkL5N2d9CtYNz-Zof0XuCgJAswEAnfYy6yIWqcE2jSKOnnbIbzvwTi-BavAf4Lqa5zrXnGq4wqpkNI/s320/20171103_171031.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For the Michigan Gun season I headed up to Whiskey Creek
with Elijah, Easton and some of my friends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were able to harvest 2 doe with the new 450 Bushmaster!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also came across a six point that had been
killed by another hunter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another waste
of a perfectly good deer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our hunting
buddies botched a few good chances, one didn’t sight in his gun before we left
and missed a chip shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another forgot
to rack a shell in the chamber and missed a chance to shoot a six point.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxad5x6GziCO3lkwMtoCFJy68iXzo_eS3vZQ7anbHlW2F09KrlWYlhhQCC-xsG_9xlIxWqb9eprOTETnroQ2_Y9M7r_HtWZyWuiiUm-_p8Mr81n5zEB8_YL8RwMelFBrHwftT16bIfcs/s1600/20171119_143517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigxad5x6GziCO3lkwMtoCFJy68iXzo_eS3vZQ7anbHlW2F09KrlWYlhhQCC-xsG_9xlIxWqb9eprOTETnroQ2_Y9M7r_HtWZyWuiiUm-_p8Mr81n5zEB8_YL8RwMelFBrHwftT16bIfcs/s320/20171119_143517.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was lucky enough to draw another shotgun tag for the state
of Iowa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After numerous trips out to
Iowa to build blinds, spray fields, plant food plots, till ground, and scout
deer it was finally time to hunt.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JN4sDl4PH7T9rvAvYrHTA3KinYSKMrw0E16dJfVERA1NpCoVb2joHz5wv1-NzLadkxsR1MM4ogyaF3cZF1q75Wxvm9e1wTJ2YDJuqoS7d4AZyPY_Kh35-F2fxKjWQprOvcDCp4Z40Xw/s1600/20171007_103207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2JN4sDl4PH7T9rvAvYrHTA3KinYSKMrw0E16dJfVERA1NpCoVb2joHz5wv1-NzLadkxsR1MM4ogyaF3cZF1q75Wxvm9e1wTJ2YDJuqoS7d4AZyPY_Kh35-F2fxKjWQprOvcDCp4Z40Xw/s320/20171007_103207.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The
weather was a bit warmer than we had hoped for, so the big guys weren’t as
mobile as they needed to be. On our first sit we saw over 40 doe and several
bucks, one was even on the hit list.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
was still early in the hunt though and the shot opportunity wasn’t the
greatest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Day 4 of the hunt we were
invited to sit on a neighbor’s farm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
had been after a specific deer that they called “Old Koger”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was just an old bully of a deer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a huge set of antlers but they were heavy
and he was just a tank of a deer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He had
passed his prime and needed to be removed from the herd.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We saw a bunch of very nice deer on the hunt
but old Koger didn’t look like he was going to show his face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With about 20 minutes of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>shooting light left a horse of a deer
appeared on the plot about 150 yards in front of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We looked closely at the deer and tried to positively
identify him as Old Koger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The thing
that really gave it away was that his right eye was injured and could barely
open.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Benny my brother in law- stuck a
phone in my face that had a trail camera picture of him on it and said “you
make the call, is that him?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a
feeling that he already knew that was the guy, but he put the final decision on
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 120 yards, I put the 450’s
crosshairs on his body and pulled the trigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I would later discover that I landed a perfect double lung shot, but you
would never have guessed by the way the deer reacted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That old hog just took the bullet and almost
looked like he was just pissed off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
took a bit before he began running right toward us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried racking in another shell, but my
nerves wouldn’t allow that to happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I fumbled
with the bolt on my gun until Old Koger stumbled and fell about 80 yards from
the blind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCzwa0oymRtqSG5LyTomxFpEglAEY-d_VcIXGhPVewlwX-m8uDEmN9cmV8MIh1jkMrGCrpaHwOtL440-atEvK98E1ZzZumKa5VUJ7JxHT1U27hFv3qBn7jhvgd8s_x60eOj_wOZ50Mlg/s1600/20171212_175633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxCzwa0oymRtqSG5LyTomxFpEglAEY-d_VcIXGhPVewlwX-m8uDEmN9cmV8MIh1jkMrGCrpaHwOtL440-atEvK98E1ZzZumKa5VUJ7JxHT1U27hFv3qBn7jhvgd8s_x60eOj_wOZ50Mlg/s400/20171212_175633.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAOnPsXj3O7z2HdyEZf0NVAFMCDFYp0jn2JyhYm1S4BiKiuABwrFzu0tvBrVATjyfsIinzKsiRDEd3dM4QqB4qOnGcjsE3BoqXbpoOVzPjavfd2r-b_uJkgq7hmPmkYOBUuX7dxF8Gd8/s1600/20171213_105329.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdAOnPsXj3O7z2HdyEZf0NVAFMCDFYp0jn2JyhYm1S4BiKiuABwrFzu0tvBrVATjyfsIinzKsiRDEd3dM4QqB4qOnGcjsE3BoqXbpoOVzPjavfd2r-b_uJkgq7hmPmkYOBUuX7dxF8Gd8/s320/20171213_105329.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_phoTKFREODy0ERhpq_1Fk-Or7Gmn7kqWYg48EnZf3g8lfzmyTcoNtvXmkZbWlAR2OAO-z-tI8U0HNxowhqYPmMNsawsNc8Q20Nr_8r4sO8p_rxz3adUUPUIQP6mq2tweOrwCoBNKMU/s1600/koger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="479" data-original-width="640" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb_phoTKFREODy0ERhpq_1Fk-Or7Gmn7kqWYg48EnZf3g8lfzmyTcoNtvXmkZbWlAR2OAO-z-tI8U0HNxowhqYPmMNsawsNc8Q20Nr_8r4sO8p_rxz3adUUPUIQP6mq2tweOrwCoBNKMU/s320/koger.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It wasn’t until we got down to the deer that we realized
just how big his body was.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I send some
of his teeth into a biologist so I can have him aged but we are guessing he
could be as old as 9.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless to say I was a happy dude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I owe a huge thanks to the guys that let me
hunt there farm and an even bigger thanks to Benny for introducing me to Iowa
hunting, and allowing me to hunt his lease.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The rest of that week we saw hundreds of deer, some very very big Bucks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That state is insane, if you have never
hunted there you need to make it happen. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was definitely a year to remember!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks for reading.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Chad Kraker</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-47967242701075020402016-12-10T10:06:00.001-05:002016-12-13T13:36:04.304-05:002016 Deer Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeOzRDsqiEL-aUdWtvlm8ZHFv7qUpxYDY2cmhjWOHPU_3RWmWysB6gpQWpVcoQo6OXpZ7UZpFaDoIwDHE9YugiKL116oTRS5Y1yLf2kKjBAhBLRkKGGCjl2QQMVcjmz4po7MQsPoFurfK/s1600/20161008_1216431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSeOzRDsqiEL-aUdWtvlm8ZHFv7qUpxYDY2cmhjWOHPU_3RWmWysB6gpQWpVcoQo6OXpZ7UZpFaDoIwDHE9YugiKL116oTRS5Y1yLf2kKjBAhBLRkKGGCjl2QQMVcjmz4po7MQsPoFurfK/s320/20161008_1216431.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oct 8 Hastings</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First deer taken from Trump Tower</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmMAFo_4P2_HHdd7XpLG40FvdaHSXH2lfNRymCqwJCut9guvff0SBCliDqYNLfkIp3WHx8z_2hGsvs9Qn3zQgFWmOHbmAyH2sykEWag4Ltr4VvDsDyEkW3M4xbJ9lzOwSWEVcHCo9wKVq/s1600/FB_IMG_1481382715218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmMAFo_4P2_HHdd7XpLG40FvdaHSXH2lfNRymCqwJCut9guvff0SBCliDqYNLfkIp3WHx8z_2hGsvs9Qn3zQgFWmOHbmAyH2sykEWag4Ltr4VvDsDyEkW3M4xbJ9lzOwSWEVcHCo9wKVq/s320/FB_IMG_1481382715218.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Elijah's first deer</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Crossbow youth season</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmdF_-El21L5ue8bUWpxhO5mT0yMQIr92DRwO9krt-T9-p0NWKAsWhRD03nU10SjqjtMiBAn4nbX6i3-cqHU7cv9HNKWzAB1Pi1smAeKjWVoqIeLa20ot_mdM_dBV0r7mzOpR9K8lTT2p/s1600/FB_IMG_1481382641851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmdF_-El21L5ue8bUWpxhO5mT0yMQIr92DRwO9krt-T9-p0NWKAsWhRD03nU10SjqjtMiBAn4nbX6i3-cqHU7cv9HNKWzAB1Pi1smAeKjWVoqIeLa20ot_mdM_dBV0r7mzOpR9K8lTT2p/s320/FB_IMG_1481382641851.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Andrews first buck</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hoyt Ultra Tech</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1-7CxEsdFnAY0tD2XGI-TfF0mdRI8FMVjaDonoIH-iWfIFWuX-typsLNoFlRUQxJnAKmVOwYtp4f0AwYjXGwwEXvUv6nnVQdjrLjCBtMNvxw8pKnP0dzOy3qgDuBeyFpWJr7uAljIDZi/s1600/20161202_192157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1-7CxEsdFnAY0tD2XGI-TfF0mdRI8FMVjaDonoIH-iWfIFWuX-typsLNoFlRUQxJnAKmVOwYtp4f0AwYjXGwwEXvUv6nnVQdjrLjCBtMNvxw8pKnP0dzOy3qgDuBeyFpWJr7uAljIDZi/s320/20161202_192157.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUp9xGKx4dFhyphenhyphenlBzWUjrnqpGuP5IhSY2Z_DOyNpQu1s_rR0xtiu4mabtfWy9hQOYfzTfUsk5O84vi7tedNp97kMJj0pVk3D3ekPtH-rhRqRzNrn-DiPQV9sZG4_7MG0Rq5AH9B-AU8HobM/s1600/20161202_181951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUp9xGKx4dFhyphenhyphenlBzWUjrnqpGuP5IhSY2Z_DOyNpQu1s_rR0xtiu4mabtfWy9hQOYfzTfUsk5O84vi7tedNp97kMJj0pVk3D3ekPtH-rhRqRzNrn-DiPQV9sZG4_7MG0Rq5AH9B-AU8HobM/s320/20161202_181951.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Dec2 doe</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bank upper stand</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Bow</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtwFnG2dADdiGvgsIlreSf5U8bLQrG9999tQksh7socN5LbkXwCHVzgJB_cWEPgAUZbYhavFjVtzsNgKnj6cquc6meYn2iyMnyIEctUwrlsu6M4TCtW1OOyTIhJ2VnaGdlLeIs5YvzwkT/s1600/1480093020654_2186032522_00c9761e_v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidtwFnG2dADdiGvgsIlreSf5U8bLQrG9999tQksh7socN5LbkXwCHVzgJB_cWEPgAUZbYhavFjVtzsNgKnj6cquc6meYn2iyMnyIEctUwrlsu6M4TCtW1OOyTIhJ2VnaGdlLeIs5YvzwkT/s320/1480093020654_2186032522_00c9761e_v1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRBQBFu9IxCrBvjek2A0rN_Uvu2NxS_YQD-fNYv_blPLF67RN4SBE-cWBvGyFKRobxoMtCtzJf4AaB9ODQNIh16EBIhJq9vQi0mx06_9LmGVZhi1MIF3erV3qC16ldy0_xl1x7U3gCkp0/s1600/20161104_104604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiRBQBFu9IxCrBvjek2A0rN_Uvu2NxS_YQD-fNYv_blPLF67RN4SBE-cWBvGyFKRobxoMtCtzJf4AaB9ODQNIh16EBIhJq9vQi0mx06_9LmGVZhi1MIF3erV3qC16ldy0_xl1x7U3gCkp0/s320/20161104_104604.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh6u62KIVtaPwxddNkLhXz-m710mQvTzhmb3PUDmuac_9udC2HvROyTpOSaqLWXhBWBla3yJx5wRoFUTB8x8u5Lp8hfqpEjnWZkuP8A65GJbM2lMrHHkcOl9Qhd4GvGVji32-YlxUrMh4/s1600/20161103_192913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifh6u62KIVtaPwxddNkLhXz-m710mQvTzhmb3PUDmuac_9udC2HvROyTpOSaqLWXhBWBla3yJx5wRoFUTB8x8u5Lp8hfqpEjnWZkuP8A65GJbM2lMrHHkcOl9Qhd4GvGVji32-YlxUrMh4/s320/20161103_192913.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hastings Fall turkeys</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcQpQIhR5ezJkEJ9GMCFGUV-6fniDaDdNqa6lPAK1r6WFwYQ7HEpek188CtQ-AD9P2oW3VlyNhBGz1E0Pvwt1y7huajmtx-rz53RzqxbayM_fm9_kSpSdI0NlbpoTOcycnNhoF2SrKyxh/s1600/20161103_212841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcQpQIhR5ezJkEJ9GMCFGUV-6fniDaDdNqa6lPAK1r6WFwYQ7HEpek188CtQ-AD9P2oW3VlyNhBGz1E0Pvwt1y7huajmtx-rz53RzqxbayM_fm9_kSpSdI0NlbpoTOcycnNhoF2SrKyxh/s320/20161103_212841.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Hastings Doe</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_DSrVzlI4vxPGB8AKqfzF3ZrNXxduXxkrlxjyEZdXxYZbiH4RgUXOGt7SSKSiX-jvqX4agi6PcvPOlxG1aYgPbmFpz6KyCkza5-zoKdpWhEwhSKYQSyFj7I6L26DjX-fOMM3vPc7jFsq/s1600/20161104_090218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP_DSrVzlI4vxPGB8AKqfzF3ZrNXxduXxkrlxjyEZdXxYZbiH4RgUXOGt7SSKSiX-jvqX4agi6PcvPOlxG1aYgPbmFpz6KyCkza5-zoKdpWhEwhSKYQSyFj7I6L26DjX-fOMM3vPc7jFsq/s320/20161104_090218.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
View from West Worlds Trump Tower</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM5H_Rpsm3YjdWT8QcQhNDyiaP_QgG3UR023Y2TZW_Dg3uiAljJMaY_XjHeRVUpL8jMjTjo66_Gldsck3kKTRpB89sNlLSrgx4EYYjRRjwszQEse0-ht2uD3dfo_WiUszf7px6hKsxN3W/s1600/20161103_170641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDM5H_Rpsm3YjdWT8QcQhNDyiaP_QgG3UR023Y2TZW_Dg3uiAljJMaY_XjHeRVUpL8jMjTjo66_Gldsck3kKTRpB89sNlLSrgx4EYYjRRjwszQEse0-ht2uD3dfo_WiUszf7px6hKsxN3W/s320/20161103_170641.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgtzPpSKtc_SlILavP4xo9inhGfLk0zvfjkT4zOPUX9TNNTASS8fElAwoB-Eq_w1kQRcUMUIP-TcAUcijFufqknQ3h_bDRee8O9DZ7PlX55503SUQuzJrWZySnhLr1yXkAMh0fvvD6Umb/s1600/20161022_162751.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAgtzPpSKtc_SlILavP4xo9inhGfLk0zvfjkT4zOPUX9TNNTASS8fElAwoB-Eq_w1kQRcUMUIP-TcAUcijFufqknQ3h_bDRee8O9DZ7PlX55503SUQuzJrWZySnhLr1yXkAMh0fvvD6Umb/s320/20161022_162751.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSidwfyOwBSUp_J-4CoTVCOIbcd-IH7MnRa6QnoCDFQpgWJTn2x2MHMjpNWbfTKf4kNJ7kP574WPVDN6QEIQyhqN0pdgxkT4GL-s0Nuhz1_Eg1aOdUnDljzgZvlRf8mh32w2pM4v96W9G/s1600/1477167544407_9436825659_00c9761e_v1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVSidwfyOwBSUp_J-4CoTVCOIbcd-IH7MnRa6QnoCDFQpgWJTn2x2MHMjpNWbfTKf4kNJ7kP574WPVDN6QEIQyhqN0pdgxkT4GL-s0Nuhz1_Eg1aOdUnDljzgZvlRf8mh32w2pM4v96W9G/s320/1477167544407_9436825659_00c9761e_v1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Oct 22 Buck</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
7pt from Banks upper stand</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KhJ8U67MFqaS-BVyrM1uCvz3k8fkbb6q2I6DYlT_1lOEfrcHUnuvXvfDyIctQF0BwCxtpjb4Qx6vTJ4yCGGGnsVwoFkcIZyGi2C7PT7wzgqKU4KGWAmtQBESkYgXfQU_GGK1LC_ttFFi/s1600/IMG_1742.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0KhJ8U67MFqaS-BVyrM1uCvz3k8fkbb6q2I6DYlT_1lOEfrcHUnuvXvfDyIctQF0BwCxtpjb4Qx6vTJ4yCGGGnsVwoFkcIZyGi2C7PT7wzgqKU4KGWAmtQBESkYgXfQU_GGK1LC_ttFFi/s320/IMG_1742.11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZTw58LGGHCmeHIc0ANn8N7Kifir_3IasOR640FpgSI02PNGtFMgfZzFOl9q1q7GrOQlrjQ6ee7nlHg5mUBR53lz7ceoC6l2OSHnDS-3bjYS61KOplSjSPopz3Hro5dKy-OVWXTnaLZVb/s1600/IMG_174911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZTw58LGGHCmeHIc0ANn8N7Kifir_3IasOR640FpgSI02PNGtFMgfZzFOl9q1q7GrOQlrjQ6ee7nlHg5mUBR53lz7ceoC6l2OSHnDS-3bjYS61KOplSjSPopz3Hro5dKy-OVWXTnaLZVb/s320/IMG_174911.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ15UIRq7OIjPmvSHMMicwqleACJmUEgR-Q_y6Kd3V-9phgiAVnQ9r924ySZP334mEMCc5yyADjZU4ufdgI-BkmQ3Tpj9QBEhCU0IqVK18TsBWO7eqpGfkDpbvv-tLRf5___cUVzQpoC1N/s1600/IMG_1745.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ15UIRq7OIjPmvSHMMicwqleACJmUEgR-Q_y6Kd3V-9phgiAVnQ9r924ySZP334mEMCc5yyADjZU4ufdgI-BkmQ3Tpj9QBEhCU0IqVK18TsBWO7eqpGfkDpbvv-tLRf5___cUVzQpoC1N/s320/IMG_1745.11.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Chads Iowa 11pt</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Shotgun</div>
<br />Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-90847054883641159382015-12-12T13:29:00.001-05:002015-12-12T15:21:51.219-05:00Skin a Deer Destroy a Phone<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NWW0HgcPrDY" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
As you can see in the video, I'm a happy guy. I just got my new electric hoist, I got a deer hanging (not one I shot-- it was donated) and I have my beautiful wife in the barn with me ready to record my very first YouTube Instructional video. Unlike many other instruction videos on the web, I was going to make mine quick and to the point. All was going well until the end of the video... The golf ball shot out and we had to stop the shoot--- unfortunately you cannot do second takes on a project like this. I intended to start back up after tying the ball back in the hide, but my wife had a different plan. After laughing at my deer skinning failure (her snort is the last sound you hear before things go black), she set my phone on the back of the truck and ran inside to check the kids. Well... the phone took the same route as the golf ball except it didn't bounce quite as nice. So...... what you see is what you get. The rest of the skinning was flawless, although it happened without quite as big of a smile as the first half.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-84969143412162892032013-11-03T10:30:00.001-05:002013-11-03T10:30:38.597-05:00Tagged Out!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
You want to talk about one exciting night of hunting? It was October 7, a Monday evening after work. I decided to skip our usual pizza night at Bunker Hill with the Velderman's and hit up the Bank for some hunting instead. I had been there the night before and seen a few deer on my way in to my stand. So Monday night I was determined to beat them to the spot. I got in the upper stand around 4:30pm. Plenty early considering I didn't see a single deer until about 7:00pm. That's when this nice six point came in from the south of me. He walked in about five yards from my stand and I gave him a Swhacker. He ran to the north and disappeared for about five minutes before I seen him step into the shooting lane to the north of me following a doe. He laid down in plain sight and died. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggQPBrQfCB4gJeXn-1nxevQtTUQGtwcNj0oqrc2BT_v2wMXcacmr-OM6r9hTNhpANu2EMAidqJweAkqSeQFpVJ0KzJGaKoJ4x8Oz3ZnFSRoJ0ykqV2GnDa-WnInrgB6DX5UwfPbF760q8/s1600/oct_7_II.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgggQPBrQfCB4gJeXn-1nxevQtTUQGtwcNj0oqrc2BT_v2wMXcacmr-OM6r9hTNhpANu2EMAidqJweAkqSeQFpVJ0KzJGaKoJ4x8Oz3ZnFSRoJ0ykqV2GnDa-WnInrgB6DX5UwfPbF760q8/s320/oct_7_II.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCo1G0JAnX6rIDhTCQQv7FyAJoW7KWX_OTgRbOdS2RYfQ3etnprHc3pz-91IEo3l4O14fmQ-3hNWAs_eLg4MD7u1FHRijRsHbp3VVENoD-PF-O9AVHO4vLiBjIiXIwSPulqtCqE05vxoVA/s1600/oct_7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCo1G0JAnX6rIDhTCQQv7FyAJoW7KWX_OTgRbOdS2RYfQ3etnprHc3pz-91IEo3l4O14fmQ-3hNWAs_eLg4MD7u1FHRijRsHbp3VVENoD-PF-O9AVHO4vLiBjIiXIwSPulqtCqE05vxoVA/s320/oct_7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I figured that since the six point was down and no tracking was going to be necessary that I would sit out the rest of the night in hopes of a doe or a larger buck. And it was no more than 20 minutes and I heard some commotion coming from the same direction the six point came from. It was a bachelor group of three bucks with the largest of the three in the front. He walked out fifteen to twenty yard behind me and I got him to stop. Everything happened so fast and before I knew it an arrow was released. I can't even remember looking at my pins, but it seemed to look like a good hit. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I got down once it was nearly dark and checked my arrow. It was the best looking bloody arrow you could ask for. The Toxic broadhead (that I have never shot before) had done a good job. At least that's what I thought. Chad came and we tracked the deer for about 200 yards. It was great blood until we got to the road. We were stumped. After an hour of looking, we went and took care of the six point and I decided I would come back the next day after work. My buddy, Chris Korreck, and I looked for another two hours the next day with not much luck.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It wasn't until that Sunday (six days later) that Chad and Andrew went hunting and the bank and came back to a note on there truck. It read, "if you would like to know more information about a buck that was recently shot here, call this number". Chad called me and told me what he found and I instantly gave the guy a call. After a little persuasion and a labor trade, I got the rack from the deer. It was a nine point with some nice girth a neat kicker tine off the side. I didn't get the meat, but at least I got a keep sake that will let me remember October 7, 2013; the night I took two nice bucks in one sit. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMbJx27FPjHDhGjZfVn5aAwc-w2R__G-0DrWHdEd8_Vg06ChAegc55emGa222bsBW4qm335WnlGjbSlIzB45Eh9HMpxu0AvOooAsIZhJP-zAoQrwmiLH5KPTIwgLy_39cKAl3Wc0gSWJt/s1600/The+one+that+got+away.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiMbJx27FPjHDhGjZfVn5aAwc-w2R__G-0DrWHdEd8_Vg06ChAegc55emGa222bsBW4qm335WnlGjbSlIzB45Eh9HMpxu0AvOooAsIZhJP-zAoQrwmiLH5KPTIwgLy_39cKAl3Wc0gSWJt/s320/The+one+that+got+away.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In conclusion, I want to say I love the Swhacker broadhead, I love the Carbon Express lighted nocks, and I will never shoot a Toxic broadhead again.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Thanks to everyone that helped with the post hunt work of tracking, dragging, gutting, and cleaning the deer. Special thanks to neighbor Lou Wagenveld for taking the time to get in touch with me about the deer. I can't wait to have this guy hanging on my wall. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-34649070819559908752013-09-22T17:37:00.000-04:002013-09-22T17:37:26.786-04:00Swhacker Broadhead ReviewFirst deer of the year was taken on a new piece of land that we got permission to hunt. It is a 12 acre piece that is just down the road from our usual spot, the bank.<br />
<br />
I took this deer with a Swhacker Broadhead at about 15 yards on September 21 (early doe) around 7:00pm, and I promised a review of this broadhead after I had a chance to use it. I think the video below says it all.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/PvMRYchL58k?list=UUuvfIlgUPDn3vJSBjmD0FWA" width="459"></iframe><br />
<br />
The blood trail was so defined that we decided to let my six year old nephew, Elijah, do all the tracking. He was successful after about 60 yards of following blood. <br />
<br />
Thanks to Elijah and the Swhacker, I have meat in the freezer. Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-68538266398854558092013-09-01T11:16:00.002-04:002013-09-03T07:36:55.314-04:00Back In The Saddle AgainI've been slacking just like I do every summer. There has actually been plenty to post; I just haven't taken the time to do it. I have pictures of some events and others I do not. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-XxgGlyxiksubwtrBtqDgFjjucotDtzkOSEIYcXj8BmxMzY6C-8Z7IPfUNuLGhsbk1Lhtnw5_kV8n64bvZ-iKz9YH2ZGLavMUPe4ug-7UJ5ikOb7ga3oYeFZhfwTuXXghfFtj9nN4dKK/s1600/0831130900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA-XxgGlyxiksubwtrBtqDgFjjucotDtzkOSEIYcXj8BmxMzY6C-8Z7IPfUNuLGhsbk1Lhtnw5_kV8n64bvZ-iKz9YH2ZGLavMUPe4ug-7UJ5ikOb7ga3oYeFZhfwTuXXghfFtj9nN4dKK/s320/0831130900.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPG6PVg84fjbWcQkAxkpO8KRb0uXiaCJhvVOysOjWlgONpwdZIz2kwNgKjatJyYYJL5IXtuwzL7euxP2R_eFOrpqlGvsPfK1zV-Ny_PVGIhd9CgWEZIoZTRf6WR9BGc4n-ql-Mqgdjbwnf/s1600/0831130726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPG6PVg84fjbWcQkAxkpO8KRb0uXiaCJhvVOysOjWlgONpwdZIz2kwNgKjatJyYYJL5IXtuwzL7euxP2R_eFOrpqlGvsPfK1zV-Ny_PVGIhd9CgWEZIoZTRf6WR9BGc4n-ql-Mqgdjbwnf/s320/0831130726.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was honored to be able to fish the big lake with Pier Addiction out of Holland, Michigan. Once with my wife and two girls. We went five four seven catching Two King Salmon, One Coho, One Steelhead, and one lake trout. The other time was in a tournament put on by the chairman of the Holland Steelheaders, Brian Eade (pictured below with the 30lb King Salmon he caught this summer). We actually ended up winning the tournament by going seven for ten. I took in a nice 16lb king and our biggest fish of the day was a 21 lb King. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Like Pier Addiction on Facebook at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PierAddictionFishingTeam">https://www.facebook.com/PierAddictionFishingTeam</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwphZtkMSvZ2aSxNpnm9lOXLU_l9ViuK7kiHvSgbbuK-IPHKbyakxfAzq08867hVdRE2OP_CLblCO5qr2iDRvZ22q42NV3VcCWU2gbKREvybd2xkCKqW0DsEb-trqscnB-Eh9I_CjJgY2/s1600/5OCT08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwphZtkMSvZ2aSxNpnm9lOXLU_l9ViuK7kiHvSgbbuK-IPHKbyakxfAzq08867hVdRE2OP_CLblCO5qr2iDRvZ22q42NV3VcCWU2gbKREvybd2xkCKqW0DsEb-trqscnB-Eh9I_CjJgY2/s320/5OCT08.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I finished my first shoulder mount this past February. I think it actually turned out pretty darn good. There are a few things that I will do differently next time, but for the most part I am pretty happy with how it turned out. It is the hide of the last buck I shot in 2012 mixed with a set of antlers we found on a dead deer in 2010. I went with the semi sneak look and the ears pinned back. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3tGFH03hA4lpcoWuekiGwYs-OCDAdYi5JPxX7SRsILgS2w0yA36HR1f3urBqyhAjslE1OTDa4jyXO8OO0RlfFCIWQ66KWIfe8gdFRAXH6Qq9Xl1fN-I7ApQnEq4PP0zluNwP41b7GoDz/s1600/0327131719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3tGFH03hA4lpcoWuekiGwYs-OCDAdYi5JPxX7SRsILgS2w0yA36HR1f3urBqyhAjslE1OTDa4jyXO8OO0RlfFCIWQ66KWIfe8gdFRAXH6Qq9Xl1fN-I7ApQnEq4PP0zluNwP41b7GoDz/s320/0327131719.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3A0dgwa9XKsOqoad9MoIaM0sz9KJ_R3uWVv7ysKHEckRMtKAGskF6Nd3MjDMkI_SMIOiHWxzEJh1tmx8aB0Lk23mgg7fV1Y14Vz6ZVbjAbJYLYcPPKMVtQYuDvoWVRd4UFpwtImfPD2YB/s1600/0223131514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxrJj-cbeRmm9Kp_nOUQrrZF6hv5zWSaQCaY1WTE746Pn8GhWqv-dtujbqOR0Ds4XUUquy4A3wBsTlPOCIr41m1yTfWHNPE-cTU44zRBROHHvNsmKGG4gLWUEiLt9QxUOeCICbGTRvWKZ/s1600/0223131258.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoxrJj-cbeRmm9Kp_nOUQrrZF6hv5zWSaQCaY1WTE746Pn8GhWqv-dtujbqOR0Ds4XUUquy4A3wBsTlPOCIr41m1yTfWHNPE-cTU44zRBROHHvNsmKGG4gLWUEiLt9QxUOeCICbGTRvWKZ/s320/0223131258.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Rogue and I actually went ice fishing quite a bit this past winter. For some reason she loves it. She actually sat there for hours. I pretty much had to tell her it was time to leave. We caught a lot of nice gills on the pond by Chads house and my in-laws pond. Good Times!!</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFmm2rlu1HVFUPf25H5dJUc9hMQ1_rMvEAEV5ptg7uR6amodhtFcfakUpBl9VhyphenhyphenNPNJqtTQlkpnfT82lFjwcdRssKuOwAE2ISZC2KFyWRgKa8SpPiXny05dm5xnhjp2jEUpmLt-Lf_1k0/s1600/0222131133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgFmm2rlu1HVFUPf25H5dJUc9hMQ1_rMvEAEV5ptg7uR6amodhtFcfakUpBl9VhyphenhyphenNPNJqtTQlkpnfT82lFjwcdRssKuOwAE2ISZC2KFyWRgKa8SpPiXny05dm5xnhjp2jEUpmLt-Lf_1k0/s320/0222131133.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Braxe broadhead (pictured above) along with the Swhacker are a couple of broadheads I will be trying in the field this year. I may also give Toxic broadheads a try depending on how successful of a year I have. Come back to visit the Blog to see how they perform.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vRA41o2LWPMU0ASCc63K4xDpd1krDz3K6zWzu2v3PIN-iQeNe100C1v1P7yUHTlkibe8ntQUdrbq_fQJF3YDfige_2qB0uXNK6jeU7XLdHPL1ZCOuawTKz1fs2sfhihy_9zmRBuZIW59/s1600/0519131503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vRA41o2LWPMU0ASCc63K4xDpd1krDz3K6zWzu2v3PIN-iQeNe100C1v1P7yUHTlkibe8ntQUdrbq_fQJF3YDfige_2qB0uXNK6jeU7XLdHPL1ZCOuawTKz1fs2sfhihy_9zmRBuZIW59/s320/0519131503.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I picked up some new arrows from a gentlemen named Tom Eastman that my mom knows from Royal Park. He made a bunch of arrows for my brothers and I free of charge. He just enjoys making arrows. So I am excited to try those out as well. </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZN_XMb25Bs9dBf5fPPn4bqaoMo0mmvV06KdKtWz7Y1f-hMuUTpA14OdpYDZDqnW2F75Ey5LfJpqRwtYGgn2WEQBmCzEyO63OU46XOj7Gw5_RHEYafpMcgDFYr1v-Ll4tTvxzvF7fccsra/s1600/5OCT08.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGN2d5d03vnUqOa5y2fDn3wQCcIdkPKeGPxKdRz9pXsGxCTs6GekkrdP6P7WEnlkCXpRaxSo6bi2S6616RG-3EbTXm2bzNffVW_fepFbkv_VeEITri6by0wNzp7y-P1NxL2DDXCfzIvnhq/s1600/0223131514.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-47921959620527585342013-01-25T12:52:00.000-05:002013-01-25T12:52:01.332-05:00Stepping Into Taxidermy<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been toying around with the idea of doing taxidermy for a few years now, and that is why when Chad decided to mount his eight point that he shot opening day of gun in 2011, I took advantage of the opportunity and asked Ken Krueze, a family friend that does all of our taxidermy, if I could shadow him during the process of mounting Chad’s deer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucky for me, Ken was more than willing to educate me on the fine art of taxidermy, so after watching several Youtube videos and tagging along with Ken, I feel I have a pretty good idea of how to do a shoulder mount deer head, and I am currently in the process of mounting a buck that I shot this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am excited to see how it turns out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Stoney Grass Taxidermy will be the name of my business, and of course, all Krack Boy Outdoor members get the finest service and a great discount.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, my first few customers can get a shoulder mount for $250 because I am new to the trade and looking for some practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So if you or someone you know shot a nice deer this year but are not sure if they want to spend $350 to $400 for a mount, here is the chance to get a great deal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just send an email to </span><a href="mailto:bkraker@hotmail.com"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">bkraker@hotmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> or call me at 616-836-0655.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Below are pictures of Chad’s buck that I worked on with Ken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Special thanks to Ken Krueze for taking the time to teach me the tricks of the trade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJgSgYwMp7LnQoXatin1bBFQLaQ2cg_sbFG6OAUUweR0BS4kvUB4YCwDf57jgdC1y8YokjGNepuMQtYAyqgcJkeCcAN48rDCbyJ9AaN6PDwvzH3KgMlOG4JW1ns4Wn-qHtRg3eCeSog2Y/s1600/1201120817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCJgSgYwMp7LnQoXatin1bBFQLaQ2cg_sbFG6OAUUweR0BS4kvUB4YCwDf57jgdC1y8YokjGNepuMQtYAyqgcJkeCcAN48rDCbyJ9AaN6PDwvzH3KgMlOG4JW1ns4Wn-qHtRg3eCeSog2Y/s400/1201120817.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cc-d7NN2ayA3Csnj253BwokuHusdp1cY1nVyApVDmbygKIv3RgtBr0ILtfLhtWaRGOKDv9ejpWAtjhDEkNEEdv-lSPdvnD_RDNB8vL9oic5gvb_P6oFlvPP0vT6KK7JmQMB641AFDDVD/s1600/1215121251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9cc-d7NN2ayA3Csnj253BwokuHusdp1cY1nVyApVDmbygKIv3RgtBr0ILtfLhtWaRGOKDv9ejpWAtjhDEkNEEdv-lSPdvnD_RDNB8vL9oic5gvb_P6oFlvPP0vT6KK7JmQMB641AFDDVD/s400/1215121251.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbEpqT9GJSJ5I8qDU1Y38aUd-LSd1SesqW24FUD9UN2sqKYb9DvGU5GRGJvS7162FklpdAgU1GTj7LzUgXV9tlhZtuPxFNbJco6PN4MIAV7R-KVHX9AK0h7MRGncLqaMqXh_PYXDiIUCZ/s1600/1215121251a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" oea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQbEpqT9GJSJ5I8qDU1Y38aUd-LSd1SesqW24FUD9UN2sqKYb9DvGU5GRGJvS7162FklpdAgU1GTj7LzUgXV9tlhZtuPxFNbJco6PN4MIAV7R-KVHX9AK0h7MRGncLqaMqXh_PYXDiIUCZ/s400/1215121251a.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-45477356234186787782012-12-17T18:56:00.000-05:002012-12-17T18:56:39.668-05:00Broken Tine December BuckIt's that time of year where life becomes busy with Christmas preparation and get togethers and that is why I decided to take advantage of an unbooked Saturday morning, December 15. The only question was where do I sit? We recently got permission to hunt 12 acres by my moms house, but I was thinking the odds would be better by the bank. Speaking of odds, any previous year would have suggested the upper stand (also known as the hotspot or killer stand) would be the best choice for success, but this year, for the first time ever, the lower stand has out produced the upper stand with two bucks and doe compared to only two doe out of the upper stand. So I decided to sit in the lower stand. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TCV18IrobpTZgS9dB_NwS16uz2i5zwKbMt5Iz3sqTwOk5turdgH5pZWh8w1mZ0pqZbYr9zS5lIdO59S61Ch2Eu6wsV8WnkIKO11pvwD3LvqRHlYA_Zusnmfm9yjnMts0TC8jEBMUpirA/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2TCV18IrobpTZgS9dB_NwS16uz2i5zwKbMt5Iz3sqTwOk5turdgH5pZWh8w1mZ0pqZbYr9zS5lIdO59S61Ch2Eu6wsV8WnkIKO11pvwD3LvqRHlYA_Zusnmfm9yjnMts0TC8jEBMUpirA/s320/IMG_0115.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had been sitting for no more than 20 minutes and a buck came strolling in from the south. It was still fairly dark, but I could tell it was a smaller rack, which got me wondering if it was the deer Andrew hit a couple weeks before. I figured I would never find out for sure because it was about to step right into my wind, and I figured that would be the last I would ever see of him again, but that is not what happened. The buck stepped into my wind and put his nose in the air, but instead of taking off, he started heading right for me. In a matter of minutes, he was twenty yards in front of me, directly in my wind. He looked away for a brief second and I took the opportunity to draw my bow. I heard a whack and the deer took off to the north. It ran about 50 yards up the powerline and stopped, stumbled, and rolled. It was the first time I have ever seen a deer go down after shooting it with a bow (except spine shots). </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggebiy7k89R-EYqwOhszAza-n3ltldtFnhK7kixB6UbKawSB8Pab-r54AkrXFXOqBxN_3GPJeIVkUAZUrIh6Se1zvzJjfWqwCxQssPycPmnvqpJ_dsUTS5yY6it2pGNM1v55XLjxSl3IzX/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggebiy7k89R-EYqwOhszAza-n3ltldtFnhK7kixB6UbKawSB8Pab-r54AkrXFXOqBxN_3GPJeIVkUAZUrIh6Se1zvzJjfWqwCxQssPycPmnvqpJ_dsUTS5yY6it2pGNM1v55XLjxSl3IzX/s320/IMG_0116.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Not only did this buck loose the fight with my Hoyt CRX35 but it appears it lost a fight to another buck earlier in the season because its main tine on the left side was broken off. It would have been a nice six but was a ugly five instead. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5BoNY2Aw_e5HnkWSLAeFLfQYB0Dmcp6rnDXDOd4YhO-pqvA_YiefMDMqr_xH-DH5jJvsODA_Dp44FdmxWRbtbmfBN_Ci-isot_iv6FWUubLZUIQoaNJP0HKuFm8lELWJJLxjmuxZM95A/s1600/1215120817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD5BoNY2Aw_e5HnkWSLAeFLfQYB0Dmcp6rnDXDOd4YhO-pqvA_YiefMDMqr_xH-DH5jJvsODA_Dp44FdmxWRbtbmfBN_Ci-isot_iv6FWUubLZUIQoaNJP0HKuFm8lELWJJLxjmuxZM95A/s320/1215120817.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The deer had no signs of being hit by Andrew a couple week prior so I got my answer on that question, and this guy solidified the lower stand with the top stand of 2012 with three bucks and a doe (plus the one Andrew wounded).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stats:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sex - Male</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Points - 5 (broken tine)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shot distance - 20 yards</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Weapon - Hoyt CRX 35</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Broadhead - Muzzy 100 grain three blade (that's right I'm back to shooting Muzzy's. They seem to do the trick)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shot placement - through the the shoulder and out the mid section (Muzzy blasted right through the bone. You can't complain about that)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Weight - 115 lbs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Didn't have an illuminated nock on so I have no feedback for you. </div>
Stand - Lower Bank StandBryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-12517040951444928602012-12-06T19:19:00.001-05:002012-12-06T19:20:01.250-05:00Whiskey Creek<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39b5XtxVRnEgc_QFSD-tEycDWobYNErAiEGODnloFhui2-fAqUpmx90yvDFmKeAAV-3qIIUtCp6JpYNNRVA3_06P0UOa0QRpJ6EGNalJtp6u41hBjGKYn6Bw8smiXJIH4DnE2-hZDYPQ/s1600/IMAG0350+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj39b5XtxVRnEgc_QFSD-tEycDWobYNErAiEGODnloFhui2-fAqUpmx90yvDFmKeAAV-3qIIUtCp6JpYNNRVA3_06P0UOa0QRpJ6EGNalJtp6u41hBjGKYn6Bw8smiXJIH4DnE2-hZDYPQ/s320/IMAG0350+(2).jpg" width="191" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhM4sd7-Ni18Dq__7sU_0Zm8FaO1stuE-rPBa-AW-vteI78yCPepmz-m7V4QkKl_kQTWsbWT6S-L2xYD5NX2ULzfavd0ro3B-HSnMqX34iLDwa45iweGoqLtMBGhsHswRQgUjuwUlwDM/s1600/IMAG0346+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivhM4sd7-Ni18Dq__7sU_0Zm8FaO1stuE-rPBa-AW-vteI78yCPepmz-m7V4QkKl_kQTWsbWT6S-L2xYD5NX2ULzfavd0ro3B-HSnMqX34iLDwa45iweGoqLtMBGhsHswRQgUjuwUlwDM/s320/IMAG0346+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1U7HmwCFeIug2UkpUR4F9RmR98Pgd1KXPiaZ1kwiLiJ2egP8IGI6Kz97rsJT1csyff3ISGd0hqx3hli6HkIH3MVQqPab57XQdCgl-46bVT6CeoXdQPa5j1UcmrI8MyZw5LPYvZqYYrc/s1600/IMAG0273+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1U7HmwCFeIug2UkpUR4F9RmR98Pgd1KXPiaZ1kwiLiJ2egP8IGI6Kz97rsJT1csyff3ISGd0hqx3hli6HkIH3MVQqPab57XQdCgl-46bVT6CeoXdQPa5j1UcmrI8MyZw5LPYvZqYYrc/s320/IMAG0273+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Like my older brother, I too have a
deep appreciation for bow hunting. I'll never forget the day I shot
2 deer with my gun within a ten minute period. After the gun smoke
settled I found myself facing a huge task (we process our own deer)
which was brought about with only a mediocre amount of adrenaline.
To be fair I have to admit it was still a good time. But it did lack
the satisfaction of having a whitetail only yards away , and putting
them down with energy that came from the strength of my own arms.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
However, my appreciation for gun
hunting was revived this past gun season when I got to take out my
trusty ole 25-06 and head up north for my 2<sup>nd</sup> annual
Whiskey Creek Hunting Camp. This hunt didn't revive gun hunting for
me because of the gun or even because it resulted in my first
northern whitetail. It was because It was a deer camp that included
my entire family! And the 96 Lb doe that I shot was nothing too
spectacular, but it was the first deer I got to shoot with my son
Easton sitting next to me. Easton is my 2 year old boy who is in
love with deer, or “Dee” as he calls them. Elijah (my oldest,
5) has been out with me several times this year, but Easton isn't
able to climb into the stand so the ground blind was our only option.
He quietly sat in front of the heater, and even though he may never
remember that night, I know I'll never forget it.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was only six years ago that I sat in
that same pop up blind with my Dad, trying to get my first deer with
a bow. I'm glad he took the time to hunt with me, and I'm glad that
I now get to teach my own boys the same thing. I still prefer the
bow, but if I get to put a deer down with one of my boys next to me,
I'll do it with whatever the state of Michigan allows!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Hunt info:</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Mossberg 4x4 25-06</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
118 grain bullet</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
150 Yards</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Whiskey Creek</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Deer dropped then got up and ran 15
yards</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Tom Coviak found with flashlight after
dark.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Shot placement- Lung & Liver.
Quartering to me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
96 Lb.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-24943398754829014872012-11-18T20:10:00.000-05:002012-11-18T20:10:24.465-05:00Bow Kill During Gun Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Shooting a deer with a gun seems to carry less satisfaction
than taking one with a bow, and that is the main reason I generally opt out of
taking a gun into the woods when I can take the trusty Hoyt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, there is still a certain
satisfaction of letting a round fly out the end of your gun barrel and having
it meet up with a perfect kill shot on your desired prey, but I prefer the up
close and personal <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(and sometimes
frustrating) challenge of the bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">That is why on Sunday, November 18, 2012 I decided to sit in
the lower bank stand with my bow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
watching four mature doe walk by at 60 to 70 yards, I feared I made the wrong
decision on my weapon choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But then
from the north came my chance at redemption. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A single mature doe was heading in my
direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was walking directly into
my wind so I feared that I would be winded at any moment, but it didn’t
happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She gave me a 30 yard shot and I
took it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It must have jumped my string a
bit (at least that is my excuse) because the shot was high and it the
spine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHxrKrp7eQpAPkhIJITTDYUPtJrE_BXXQaUSrZEzeR1MzMWinsE6ZmfSypYDsEq6omVIMTJi6Rd5nbX1cy0rIxiU6oLHwwuAp1VnpjKGq-pDUCGfjzVZZxr1c3D93CYPJIcPPuLra54kT/s1600/20121118_093224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioHxrKrp7eQpAPkhIJITTDYUPtJrE_BXXQaUSrZEzeR1MzMWinsE6ZmfSypYDsEq6omVIMTJi6Rd5nbX1cy0rIxiU6oLHwwuAp1VnpjKGq-pDUCGfjzVZZxr1c3D93CYPJIcPPuLra54kT/s640/20121118_093224.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I would say taking a doe that is on edge from gun hunting pressure with a bow at 30 yards is a pretty impressive feat. I have gone bow hunting during gun season in previous seasons with no luck so this kill makes me feel pretty good. All glory be to God for letting me make this harvest. It may not be a trophy but it was another exciting hunting challenge. <br />
<br />
Stats:<br />
Weapon - Hoyt CRX35<br />
Shot Distance - 30 yards<br />
Sex - Female<br />
Weight - 95 lbs<br />
Shot Placement - spine<br />
Stand - Lower Bank Stand<br />
<br />
P.S. Just so you know Brad, my Burt Coyote Lumenock failed me. I know your shocked.<br />
Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-58558444197687140492012-11-04T20:48:00.000-05:002012-11-04T20:48:06.268-05:00Unforgettable Miss
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">This
past weekend (November 1 and 2) I took Friday off from work and went to hunt
with Chrixus in Hastings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We planned on
leaving for home Friday night after we were done hunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, up until the Friday night hunt I had been skunked in my attempts
to even see a deer so I decided to strap the climber stand to my back and try a
completely different area of the property.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After
getting in my tree, which was quite the ordeal in its self, I saw nothing up
until about a half hour before dark.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
buck of a life time came strolling in about thirty yards away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was moving fast and was in some thick brush
that I couldn’t shoot through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly
it stopped dead in its tracks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It either
spotted me or the cat that had decided to come and take a stroll directly under
my tree stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whatever the case, it was in statue mode, as
was I.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had a 15 minute stare off, and
in that time, I was formulating a plan of action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a small hole that I could maybe,
possibly shoot through if it took five more steps forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was getting dark and I was getting
desperate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I contemplated a shot at its
back hips because it was the only open area in the brush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That thought quickly left my head as the deer
started to progress forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It entered
the somewhat of an opening that I was planning on, so I took action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Things looked much different through the peep
site so I crouched down as far as I could and in the most uncomfortable
shooting position ever, I decided it was now or never.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The arrow flew and I heard a loud whack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Did I hit the shoulder?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The questions and concerns flooded my
mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 27pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ten
minutes later it was completely dark, and I could see my luminock glowing only
15 yards from the base of my stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Confused at the position of the arrow, I got down from my stand to
assess the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found my arrow
like the picture you see below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The end
was shattered and the luminock was jammed two inches down the end of the inside
of the arrow shaft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The arrow had hit a
rock or tree and bounced straight back nearly 15 yards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the buck of a life time just walked away
like nothing had happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNet_HzZYAu7nTWvIxYEzRbyl6z3UUFrN6UMVW3DZdBNSRpH5jQ2-7Jd58JQ54NaEeX_61skRVs2qA1CDNVO-nMoFRk0_RfO3kYhVjJcn8h-2JyI94kI30E5psZUbECvhNiU9HmRoH3Op/s1600/1104122011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeNet_HzZYAu7nTWvIxYEzRbyl6z3UUFrN6UMVW3DZdBNSRpH5jQ2-7Jd58JQ54NaEeX_61skRVs2qA1CDNVO-nMoFRk0_RfO3kYhVjJcn8h-2JyI94kI30E5psZUbECvhNiU9HmRoH3Op/s400/1104122011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wish I could accurately describe the size of this deer but I can't. Just trust me when I say it was big. One detail I can remember is that the antlers were around 6" past the ears. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oh and a shout out to Nocturnal nocks again because if the nock had not stayed lit I would have been looking for that arrow 15 yards further from my stand in the dark and I would have probably thought that it was still in the deer. It saved me a lot of time and wasted excitement. </div>
Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-33662485034308509822012-10-21T10:05:00.000-04:002012-10-22T08:44:59.213-04:00The Short Wolf<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Hyh3xMvpKRo" width="560"></iframe><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">Here is a video of the first shot Elijah took with the new gun. I think I mentioned it in the last post, we shot 50 grains of white hots, with a 200 grain T/C shock wave. It had more of a kick than I was expecting, but Elijah said nothing about it. Until shot #3, I think I might have neglected to pull the stock back tight on his shoulder. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Here is a pic on the end of my barrel, it still isn't blued. (the kit is in the mail) but you can see the countersink. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndLJy1iVRCPLetbzGrLUlOUodgHkoaJ5mKb6dWp5x6ZfWR7elzzIIQ9kW8rj71QHeWaq5Wq817iSmOmnhfLRQ1As6g3F4q_9IfRG84hNil8FXK8RQKtjl_E_sekwOCQ-AZCHeink67Ig/s1600/IMAG0289.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgndLJy1iVRCPLetbzGrLUlOUodgHkoaJ5mKb6dWp5x6ZfWR7elzzIIQ9kW8rj71QHeWaq5Wq817iSmOmnhfLRQ1As6g3F4q_9IfRG84hNil8FXK8RQKtjl_E_sekwOCQ-AZCHeink67Ig/s320/IMAG0289.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We put 6 shots through the gun. 3 were Elijah's, Shot one was about a 10 inches high, then his next two were acceptable. Then Andrew and Bryan shot and were only inches apart. I never had one shooter shoot consecutive shots so I don't have any real good moa data. All I know for sure is that it could put a hole in the vitals of a deer.<br />
<br />
Link to Michigan Out of Doors Episode that got the ball rolling on this project: <a href="http://michiganoutofdoorstv.com/shows.cfm?VideoID=211">http://michiganoutofdoorstv.com/shows.cfm?VideoID=211</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-51091949822434487892012-10-20T09:32:00.000-04:002012-10-20T09:34:55.284-04:00FIRST<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n3iPvaFtwQVXdRsyoChaZFWy_1d59z7XHlXqVhx0tFg3ydwy6KTIBhIY1Rip7T71xqHllRFimOKJcd5MxzV9XpfX0fYv3N8_jSCillowJEURvTX5XvQrK3HI3wP40kO4SArvhLBQqhg/s1600/IMAG0286.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2n3iPvaFtwQVXdRsyoChaZFWy_1d59z7XHlXqVhx0tFg3ydwy6KTIBhIY1Rip7T71xqHllRFimOKJcd5MxzV9XpfX0fYv3N8_jSCillowJEURvTX5XvQrK3HI3wP40kO4SArvhLBQqhg/s320/IMAG0286.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I've been pretty quiet so far this
hunting season, and with good reason. Unless of course you wanted me
to re-tell the stories of Bryan and Andrews successful hunts from my
perspective which was from 90 yards away in another tree stand. I
had to watch a nice six walk in front of me during the early doe
season, and ever since then it's been almost nothing but bird
watching. The good part is that I have my 5 year old in my tree
stand with me this year so the time in the woods is well spent even
when the deer don't show.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Tonight I decided to give it a try
again after Elijah and I almost got to poke a little spike in the rain yesterday.</span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> (He is a
common visitor to the area, so I think we should give him a
name........Larry)</span></span></b><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> This time I was going
solo, no Eli and no bro's as 90 yard spectators. (in case you haven't
figured out already, our tree stands are very close which provides
one of the best HD Hunting Shows possible.) I climbed in the stand
at 5:30 and took my hat off to say a little prayer. Within 20
minutes 4 deer were moving in. Spike (Larry) , Momma Doe, Baby
girl, and Button Brother. Larry was chasing the doe hoping for
an early score but Momma wasn't having any. Anyway, they made there
way in while I put my hat on and stood to grab my bow. Some how I
remained undetected, and was able to come to full draw.
</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">This part of the story will only be
understood by bow hunters..... I had a PERFECT broadside 20 yard
shot. I took my sweet time finding all my anchor points. I had to
hit Momma Doe perfect so we could maintain our 100% recovery rate for
the year. Also it was Deer #1 for the new Destroyer Bow and I wanted
to make a good first impression with the Ottawa County deer
population. Anyway, I had already set in motion the steps leading
to the trigger pull. It all happened within that second...
Lustful Larry tried at Momma again, Once more she denied the man and
quickly wheeled around. At that exact moment my series of
“trigger pulling” steps had just completed and I watched my arrow
fly into the dirt where Momma was standing only a second before.
</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">The deer scattered, but Momma held up
about 30 yards out in some thick cover and waited for her children to
reconvene. Then the most amazing thing happened, a dejected, sad,
defeated hunter made a last ditch effort. I grabbed for my trusty
deer call and gave it a most desperate grunt. I'm pretty sure the
doe just felt bad for me, because she turned around and walk right
back to me. I already had my number 2 arrow knocked, I was at
full draw for the second time in only a few minutes. She came it to 15 yards,
almost facing me I put my pin on her chest right along the
shoulder...................... Flashback. I've been here before.
The shoulder is hard and won't allow a pass through, the brisket is
thick and full of fat, the deer would probably die but it would
likely wander too far and would leave almost no blood trail. I could
see the look of disappointment on Bryans face after losing the blood
trail and having to admit that I stuck a deer in the chest again.
</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">So I waited until she gave me a decent
quartering shot. It only took 10 seconds, but for me ten seconds of
holding a pin on a deer guarantees that the shaking has already
escalated to seriously bad level. I let #2 fly and it it ripped
through her upper shoulder through both lungs and didn't slow until
it was dripping blood and stuck in the mud. Momma ran about 60
yards, and left a blood trail that I could have followed with my eyes
closed.
</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I am very grateful for this deer! I
know some people aren't going to be happy to know that I shot a
mother doe. Just understand that I am not out there to kill for a
thrill. As George W. Bush would say “I'm putting food on my
family”. (pull up a youtube video of George's funny lines and this
will make more sense to you). Here are the details</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">80 Lb. Doe</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Taken October 19 2012</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Upper “Killer Stand”</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Shot with Easton Axis Arrows and Montec
Broadhead</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">15 yards</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">double lung</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">recovery 60 yards</span></span></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHwdKOtixlGrboU4SClKimMjnDuvg2vDLSFwyDi1NSuCD-e8AC58JGMrkj3ac5Tqr4ljY7n0O6YRmyBsN2UpkWJwBs_n_hcJxjpEVoHMluyjqlO40kSqcveJHv8RW0Lp5MA6nP7NwAFM/s1600/IMAG0283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHwdKOtixlGrboU4SClKimMjnDuvg2vDLSFwyDi1NSuCD-e8AC58JGMrkj3ac5Tqr4ljY7n0O6YRmyBsN2UpkWJwBs_n_hcJxjpEVoHMluyjqlO40kSqcveJHv8RW0Lp5MA6nP7NwAFM/s320/IMAG0283.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">This should probably be a separate
post. But I just wanted to quickly show you my latest project.
It's a CVA Wolf for my kids. Hoping to get Elijah's first deer this
year. I cut down the barrel and the stock. It seems to fit him
really well. A 200 grain sabot and 50 grains of white hots should do
the trick.</span></span></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">If you don't believe me, watch last
weeks episode of Michigan Out of Doors.</span></span></b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENJJ-DUti0k4zwIwZrMnfc2H1rIXZ5UQ3f5DdzaUibqXq6FJhnyBWlvEkiJycQO9l31fOy14V2jIrdBGpX9KRpEfX9ImFhGpVqBTjxcGO90OBYLe08LS-8hSyE0x_iTQiZnuCmRr0omM/s1600/IMAG0282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENJJ-DUti0k4zwIwZrMnfc2H1rIXZ5UQ3f5DdzaUibqXq6FJhnyBWlvEkiJycQO9l31fOy14V2jIrdBGpX9KRpEfX9ImFhGpVqBTjxcGO90OBYLe08LS-8hSyE0x_iTQiZnuCmRr0omM/s320/IMAG0282.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br /></span></span></b>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-78732306033677655002012-10-12T12:09:00.000-04:002012-10-20T19:58:09.505-04:00Rage in the Cage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Friday October 12, Chrixus and I decided to head down to Hastings and try our luck at getting a deer. Turns out it would be the night that I get my first deer on the Hastings land that my buddy Chrixus is allowing me and Chad to hunt with him this year. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I had only been in the stand for a half hour when I recieved a text from Chrixus letting me know that there was a doe heading my way. It came into some thick brush, but after 15 minutes of walking around it stepped into a shooting hole through the brush about the size of a basketball. I took advantage of the opportunity and let the arrow fly. The lumenok worked this time and I instantly knew I had a good shot. I sat the rest of the night in the stand hoping for a chance at another deer.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Once it was dark and Chrixus and I were done hunting for the night, we got on the blood trail. I was a fairly easy trail to follow. After about 80 yards we came up on my deer. To both of our surprise, it was a yearling. I did it again. It bothered me at first that I still can't tell the difference from a yearling and a mature doe, but after thinking about it for awhile, I must say I am still happy to have had the rush of the hunt and some nice tender meat for the family. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
My first deer in Hastings and my first deer with a Rage Broadhead. I reported back on my last deer that I took with the Bloodrunner Broadheads which I was pretty pleased with, and I must say I am equally pleased with the Rage Broadheads. The entry hole on the Rage broadheads was much larger, but the exit hole was smaller. The blood trails were about the same for similar shot placements and both were pass through shots. As for right now, I have to lean toward the Bloodrunner just because it is $29.00 for a three pack versus $40.00 for a three pack of Rage.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhyWINZO31xDDsqwM0tqtV4jItMKOHJKy_8jX64N8G5WtSGBAq35g2Qw7Jci0jrstDY45A2E51fPY3GUUsFywvjmur10_IzQVioLIjHTh0LBHqQdQ_a3sZ20NDFidekPI9SOZDPdPTuqX/s1600/1013121036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNhyWINZO31xDDsqwM0tqtV4jItMKOHJKy_8jX64N8G5WtSGBAq35g2Qw7Jci0jrstDY45A2E51fPY3GUUsFywvjmur10_IzQVioLIjHTh0LBHqQdQ_a3sZ20NDFidekPI9SOZDPdPTuqX/s320/1013121036.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Entry hole at 1 1/2" to 1 3/4"</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyFgDgOqnD-D9CWyDsknc884IpR8pQRY6tiflFfhJVxa3SDd-_M3FrhpoKKOjcK6v60V61N9aWKPTfe9iJVKNIdrT-GLkcZ2BrCE3bdgJVpBA4wj4hjxP3tAxeMgyrtWjYaFbdZO9E5y-/s1600/1013121037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyFgDgOqnD-D9CWyDsknc884IpR8pQRY6tiflFfhJVxa3SDd-_M3FrhpoKKOjcK6v60V61N9aWKPTfe9iJVKNIdrT-GLkcZ2BrCE3bdgJVpBA4wj4hjxP3tAxeMgyrtWjYaFbdZO9E5y-/s320/1013121037.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Exit hole at 1 1/2" Max</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stats:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Weapon - Hoyt CRX 35</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Broadhead - Rage</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shot Distance - 13 yards through a small hole in the brush</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Arrow - Carbon Express Maxima Hunter</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sex - Female</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Weight - 60 lbs :(</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shot Placement - Perfect double lung</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Nock - NockTurnal lighted nock that actually worked this time</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-48392230771896871772012-10-03T20:41:00.000-04:002012-10-03T21:16:07.949-04:00Eleven Point Buck!?!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">October 1, opening day of bow, I shot an eleven point….<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yeah,
that’s right, it is an eleven point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This will teach you to never assume that just because a buck has a lot
of points that it is a monster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like
to call this little guy the sticker monster.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYaQAA8KqALyn6tBYLxhuV6wNkmoGtJco_wd9e2IJol4sYTnzL_ALxAApqM0NprOF1B5Vqo19qrjX8ZzgjCg7jE75egh0zspaDFFutn6rTKn_sVfd3u35LNdCPLq2Ch9-4hU-JBwtcqiE/s1600/Oct1-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYaQAA8KqALyn6tBYLxhuV6wNkmoGtJco_wd9e2IJol4sYTnzL_ALxAApqM0NprOF1B5Vqo19qrjX8ZzgjCg7jE75egh0zspaDFFutn6rTKn_sVfd3u35LNdCPLq2Ch9-4hU-JBwtcqiE/s400/Oct1-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
He is really a five point buck, but thanks to those stickers, I get to boast that I shot an eleven point. Of course, the bragging rights end once people ask to see pictures. None the less, he felt good to take considering I had an antler dry spell last year. Yes, the curse has been broken. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-E74XEV2iMgLAVwf3MxE7WEDoSbF4p67xXjZmCJ65cd1gHXXT_J66FZOv7woRsEWlVKq-p2fFxr-MWd1F8OlBzzLXueMs0tdDJbtVmTIVcLW4wmllWijlq8mUb9MHDhV2UJQcx0Ce5gFG/s1600/Oct1-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-E74XEV2iMgLAVwf3MxE7WEDoSbF4p67xXjZmCJ65cd1gHXXT_J66FZOv7woRsEWlVKq-p2fFxr-MWd1F8OlBzzLXueMs0tdDJbtVmTIVcLW4wmllWijlq8mUb9MHDhV2UJQcx0Ce5gFG/s320/Oct1-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I camped out in Hastings, Michigan for the early doe weekend and hunted the land I mentioned in "The Season is Upon Us" post with my buddy Chris Korreck. The first morning I didn't see anything, but the remainder of the weekend had plenty of deer (mostly bucks) but no shots. So once opening day arrived, I was excited to try sitting out by the bank. Chad and I headed out there after work at around 5:00 pm. We flipped the Doberman head key chain, as is tradition now, and it was determined that I was going to be in the lower stand. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZinE7M9NAmfLOwgr3yFonPu_FCpWiZpoQ97gDIzqLUV7C3GjdTZ2CNUnvGBQDH0AZeE_i3LJl1XJ0suG7lE7y7lyiKCmeAfDS4iQYhnod_nu7oJFc-yIaRoekhEH5ICV6halGBv5hqUK/s1600/Oct1-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiZinE7M9NAmfLOwgr3yFonPu_FCpWiZpoQ97gDIzqLUV7C3GjdTZ2CNUnvGBQDH0AZeE_i3LJl1XJ0suG7lE7y7lyiKCmeAfDS4iQYhnod_nu7oJFc-yIaRoekhEH5ICV6halGBv5hqUK/s400/Oct1-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I headed down there, I spooked a spike from under the
stand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t a big deal since I had
planned on refraining from shooting spikes this year anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After getting in the lower stand, I took some
ranges and got familiar with the new lay of the land since the power lines were
mowed and clear cut this summer making everything look very different. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The night went on and just as I was starting
to think that the spike I scarred out was going to be the only deer that night,
a buck stepped out into a clearing at the very last minute of shooting
light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew it was not a monster, but I also knew
it was not a spike so it was game on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This buck was on a mission and was not slowing down so by the time I
stood up and grabbed my bow the buck was in the last possible clearing for me
to shoot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drew my bow, made a grunt
noise with my mount to stop him, and looked through my peep site to see nearly
complete darkness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I finally made out
the front leg, placed my pin right behind it and let the arrow fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I heard the thump of what I thought was a gut
shot followed by the deer crashing through the woods and finally what sounded
like a crash in its final resting place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Chad and I got down from our stands only minutes later and
found the arrow full of bright red blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jackpot!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The well-defined blood
trail easily lead us to the deer only 40 to 50 yards away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the first time ever shooting
Bloodrunner Broadheads and I must say I am pretty pleased.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See the video below.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/xCDcGg8ixBA?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Stats:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Sex - Male</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Points - Eleven</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Weight (dressed) - 125 lbs</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Shot Distance -17 yards</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Weapon - Hoyt CRX 35 Bow (first whitetail deer taken with this bow)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Broad Head - Blood Runner (first time ever shooting this type of broad head)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lighted nock by Nocturnal (failed to work) Note to self - Go back to Burt Coyote Nocks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Location - Lower stand at the Bank</div>
Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-39658496952211700162012-09-28T11:28:00.002-04:002012-09-28T11:28:54.207-04:00Good start to the 2012 seasonWell I guess it is my honor to start the blog posts for this years hunting season. Fishing wasn't the greatest for us this year with all the boat troubles we have had. There may be a fishing trip or two left to redeem ourselves.<br><br>
This past weekend was early doe season and my (Andrew) first time hunting with a bow. I did not have too high of expectations until Bryan told me the night I was going out that me and Chad would probably get a deer.<br><br>
It didn't take long after climbing into the tree stand to see a spike run right underneath me. That alone was enough to get my blood running and my hands shaking. I thought there was no way I could shoot at a deer if I can't even keep calm when I see a deer I am not even allowed to shoot!<br><br>
Probably 15-30 minutes later a group of three deer were headed through the woods in my direction. It was pretty thick so by the time I saw them they were within 40 yards. The smallest of the three led the group right to me. The second deer in the group was the one I had my eye on for a kill. She was about 20-25 yards away and stared me down for a good 30 seconds. I thought I was busted for sure. She finally put her head down and I drew my bow and waited what seemed like a lifetime for her to turn for a good shot. I took the shot and immediately realized it was hit too far back. <br><br>
After waiting over night to track the deer Chad and I finally got out at 7am to start looking. We found a blood trail and tracked for a good distance but had to stop looking after a couple hours. I went out by myself later in the afternoon but I had lost most of my hopes of finding it. That is until the miracle tracker Bryan came in. I showed him the blood trail we had found and soon after he started walking well away from the blood trail. I guess he had a good instinct because I got a call a few minutes later that he had found the deer!<br><br>
Ideally I would have liked my first deer with a bow to have been a cleaner shot, but we did end up finding the deer and no meat was wasted. Good luck to everyone in a couple of days!<br><br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NAsQ0ckOZp4/UGW8wt9IJII/AAAAAAAAAUY/ClxxYsWUzio/s640/IMAG0320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="360" width="640" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-NAsQ0ckOZp4/UGW8wt9IJII/AAAAAAAAAUY/ClxxYsWUzio/s640/IMAG0320.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I6hcqR0h-D4/UGW8iIffvyI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/phLKu0Df2ig/s800/IMAG0323-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="800" width="450" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-I6hcqR0h-D4/UGW8iIffvyI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/phLKu0Df2ig/s800/IMAG0323-1.jpg" /></a></div>
Andrew Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173569536543620365noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-9763462099483726382012-09-01T08:25:00.000-04:002012-09-01T08:25:37.390-04:00The Season Is Upon Us<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The 2012 hunting season is upon us and there is plenty to be excited about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As Chad and I mentioned in earlier posts, we both have new bows, and personally I can’t wait to put it to use on some whitetail deer, and I’m sure Chad shares those same feelings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>New equipment is always fun to purchase and even more fun to use, especially if there is a long period of anticipation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the bow was my big off season purchase, I also bought a climber treestand off Craigslist for $60 and a number of different broadheads that I hope to try out during this season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rage, Tekan, and Bloodrunner broadheads are the ones I’ll be putting to the test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have shot Muzzy three blade 100 grainbroadheads pretty much my entire hunting career and have been very satisfied, but this year I got the itch to try something new.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If things go well, I will report back in a later blog on how these broadheads performed for me. </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another exciting aspect of the upcoming year is that I have fallen upon some new hunting grounds to try out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A buddy and co-worker of mine, Chris (Chrixus) Korreck, is going to let Chad and I tag along with him on his 500 acre “dude ranch” in Hastings, MI.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After several years of hunting the same piece of land, it is going to be refreshing to get out in some woods that are unfamiliar to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Don’t get me wrong, I love the land we hunt and plan to still hunt it hard, but having a change of scenery will be nice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am also planning to try some public land this year and also holding on to the hopes that I will be drawn for the Upper Macatawa Natural Area hunt in Ottawa County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having options always helps and since we dropped the ball on our plans to go door to door looking for hunting land (as we fail to do every summer), it will be nice if these other options work out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Generally the most anticipated event for every season (and most hunters) is the possibility that this season may be the one you take down that monster buck in the most awesome hunt you could imagine, but this year I think I am more excited about my youngest brother, Andrew, joining us in the chase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While Andrew has hunted before (most recently with gun last year), he has never bow hunted, and I am personally pumped and hope he feels the rush that comes with bow hunting and becomes hooked like my dad, Chad and me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately, the anticipation for this hunting season is not filled with only feeling of excitement like that of previous seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This season is touched with much sadness due to the fact that our excitement cannot be shared with my dad, Richard Kraker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is bed ridden with cancer and will have to sit this season out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Still, we hope we can share the season with him through our stories, and thank him for the skills he has taught us as hunters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love you dad!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are some pics of the view from a tree stand that I put up at the "dude ranch" tonight. I'm feeling good about this spot since we spooked two six point bucks out as we were scouting the area.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlT0BdMp1YKD_arEMFUJlK7tPrwhXRDg9iNGADdi5v4L2ahaJVdOgd95zVoJGoFpnfwT-p9RcKoNqKM2orwv7bbAQ4Uw3e4Ulo6d8cp0fjAJjSkZK2BcM-BehmFiWyfAgDuPhJuQ6qLpu/s1600/P1020244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlT0BdMp1YKD_arEMFUJlK7tPrwhXRDg9iNGADdi5v4L2ahaJVdOgd95zVoJGoFpnfwT-p9RcKoNqKM2orwv7bbAQ4Uw3e4Ulo6d8cp0fjAJjSkZK2BcM-BehmFiWyfAgDuPhJuQ6qLpu/s400/P1020244.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYe3Gsb-8DPwcsxM6-8m0e7OZ4MAbLBE8alYAgbgdeNR6hhYP-nTIGHmWWdw_WH9G30KqZQHhJeFTWEKl0_7_S1Q_8Y-XcMhTOVmjuoZhmGj1B3eHUhKhCvPCDp3iW8DMVIiGkBVQmgJq/s1600/P1020245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYe3Gsb-8DPwcsxM6-8m0e7OZ4MAbLBE8alYAgbgdeNR6hhYP-nTIGHmWWdw_WH9G30KqZQHhJeFTWEKl0_7_S1Q_8Y-XcMhTOVmjuoZhmGj1B3eHUhKhCvPCDp3iW8DMVIiGkBVQmgJq/s400/P1020245.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here is a quick video of the pro hunters at work:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n58Nr-WfMDY?fs=1" width="480"></iframe>
Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-6387212139464916692012-07-22T22:54:00.002-04:002012-07-22T22:58:56.260-04:00Slammin the Salmon<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn1DQABrrmQ3bYgihvGRmQHDIgO-HAFuNohb3KlLJNQfwr2X5LI6dCf9e4iw8uFDZAshnkMji_IGLEoHwXJhg8szlve4Zfccg7Fk78JPUkMEuGlchtvsCCpkSxZXNa8sS4Uwd8cGrD2w/s1600/IMAG0112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="239" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLn1DQABrrmQ3bYgihvGRmQHDIgO-HAFuNohb3KlLJNQfwr2X5LI6dCf9e4iw8uFDZAshnkMji_IGLEoHwXJhg8szlve4Zfccg7Fk78JPUkMEuGlchtvsCCpkSxZXNa8sS4Uwd8cGrD2w/s400/IMAG0112.jpg" /></a>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivevTL6Ws0nLbUbshRU7P4jIUNpRlNJTtZ5qxJaYE1OHxEhy_8qgPGo6gkHc2DIdXQNqjl30MCNPf6uRv2qBdvdhYwfytY3foQkLKT6OISoXe9XUnFUgz78kJnoNwj8EgrhwknZdx6ycw/s1600/IMAG0113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="239" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivevTL6Ws0nLbUbshRU7P4jIUNpRlNJTtZ5qxJaYE1OHxEhy_8qgPGo6gkHc2DIdXQNqjl30MCNPf6uRv2qBdvdhYwfytY3foQkLKT6OISoXe9XUnFUgz78kJnoNwj8EgrhwknZdx6ycw/s400/IMAG0113.jpg" /></a>
Okay, so the title is a little on the lame side especially since all the fish aren't even salmon. Oh well it got your attention didn't it.
As many of you faithful readers may remember, there was a post about a successful fishing trip on the day my daughter was born last September. There have been some "Legendary"** and also some mildly successful fishing trips since then. But nothing like this.
The word on the water is that this is the best year on the big lake since the 70's. Three quarters of the Krak Boy Team wasn't alive then but we were able to travel back in time to see what the good old days were really about.
Andrew and I (Chad) Woke up at 4 in the morning to try to repeat the success that we had this past September. Lines were in the water before the sun came up............. Just like last time we couldn't keep lines down. For the record, if you don't have auto pilot on your boat, always make sure to have three people on board. I had to be to work at 9, but within the 2 and a half hour window that we had to fish we were able to land 8 nice fish. (Andrew will comment on species and size). With one more man on board and another hour to fish we might have actually limited out.
Good times! All we need now is to figure out how to catch these things during daylight hours.
**Legendary--- is a term coined by Old Bro Krak. When used reference to a fishing trip it is simply a trip in which few or no fish were caught, the coast guard rescue boat is involved and vomiting is at the front of everyone's mind with the exception of the driver who is usually not prone to sea sickness.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-74383450896053200412012-05-05T10:55:00.000-04:002012-05-05T10:55:50.665-04:00Big Lake Big ExpectationsLast night we were able to hook into 2 nice steel-head and a lake trout that just hit it's 20" size limit. My Mom, Dad, Elijah, Easton and I were headed out to 160' of water when Bryan called and told us to try it in 30 - 50 feet. He gets his info from a much more reliable source, so we dropped lines and gave it a try. After an hour of nothing I was just about to pull up and go deep when we hooked the first fish. Got it on a down rigger 30 feet down. The second and largest fish of the night came about an hour after the first and was caught on my Dad's Brand new Copper Pole. The third was again about 45 min. to an hour later on that same copper line. 3 of 4 isn't a bad night for a Kraker Cruise, but it was far from the stories of 17 for 21, etc... that we have been hearing about. I'll try not to complain.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSGAQdabr1DDjwLE1j2EmprCwB8oACtTuUSYNXHksMeUkpHPYFs2ec92hM5-z-iIrnqpokmEPipTAmRMcsGuVCDwwHCP10qgpxuXjQGyypsfFuSUWOU3Axm7HdvfR9FBuWk-Cxm69GSA/s1600/IMAG0370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="239" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlSGAQdabr1DDjwLE1j2EmprCwB8oACtTuUSYNXHksMeUkpHPYFs2ec92hM5-z-iIrnqpokmEPipTAmRMcsGuVCDwwHCP10qgpxuXjQGyypsfFuSUWOU3Axm7HdvfR9FBuWk-Cxm69GSA/s400/IMAG0370.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyzXKNxo533v2Z_RgyhIE-1mA2L5-aLbhYol6OWU28S4Xh8-IL8MLCR59W-D6vLHGtwJa9oUsuyKA37378uGrffbIcEhqkcJXJEf74xx_XjS4phcdv7VC1N0uRIK5_9lZ7KvBLtFjkPg/s1600/May+fish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style=""><img border="0" height="300" width="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyzXKNxo533v2Z_RgyhIE-1mA2L5-aLbhYol6OWU28S4Xh8-IL8MLCR59W-D6vLHGtwJa9oUsuyKA37378uGrffbIcEhqkcJXJEf74xx_XjS4phcdv7VC1N0uRIK5_9lZ7KvBLtFjkPg/s400/May+fish.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-89798218474694542422012-03-22T20:45:00.001-04:002012-03-27T11:21:22.015-04:00Florida Boar Hunt 2012 - Omega Ranch<span style="font-family: inherit;">Before I go into the details of our Florida wild boar hunt this year at the Omega Ranch in Volusia County, I want to get on my soap box and go off on a little rant on how hog hunting has become so commercialized in the state of Florida. Years ago, when I was first introduced to hog hunting in Florida by my dad, you could find a land owner anywhere in the state that would charge you around $50 to hunt hogs on their land. If you shot one, they would charge you another $100. The deal was simple; it included them dropping you off at your stand, which typically sat on a feeder of some sort, and if you got one, you would call them up on your cell phone, and they would track it, bring it back to your vehicle, skin it, and quarter it up. Seems like a fair deal, right? I thought so; even after a $20 to $50 tip, it still seemed worth it to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Finding a Florida Boar hunt like the ones back in the good old days is almost impossible now. I know because I searched long and hard. I’ve got some Dutch in me so I’m always looking for the best deal, but it’s not all about the deal. I also want a good hunt that is the real deal, unlike last year’s </span><a href="http://krakeroutdoors.blogspot.com/2010/12/finally-long-over-due-boar-hunt-in.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">buggy hunt disaster</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">. Most hog hunts I found during my search were anywhere from $200 to $500 dollars for meat hogs and small boars. If you got anything with tusks over 1 ½ inches, plan on paying $150 to $200 dollars in trophy fees. Plus, it is virtually impossible to find a hunt that is not a fenced in 40 acre lot. We used to hunt pieces of land that were 1,000 or more acres. The problem is that people found out that there was money to be made, so just like anything that is a money maker, they wrapped it up, put it in a pretty package and put a big price tag on it. Now we are stuck with guides that buy pigs by the truck load, put them in a forty acre pen, and follow you around during your entire hunt telling you which way the wind is going (as if it isn’t obvious), how careful you need to be because the pigs are so dangerous, and guiding you as to which pigs you can shoot and which ones are off limits because they are “bait hogs” (I’ll explain this further later on in the post). Is it too much to ask, to just let me sit in a tree overlooking a feeder (with feed in it), enjoying the scenery and waiting for a nice hog to wander in? I don’t want to spend my hunt with some guy I don’t even know who is over exaggerating every detail in an attempt to sell me on the authenticity of the hunt that I am paying way too much for. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydTo6O-sFV1tVLdeiTQs4u04YyFFumAoZh7iQt0xzfvgHT_QH9qCrADxYGW-GZE_3p4yQyZbOAuKgwqzSCFo_l9MPxnQNTxkdmM-62rLVneuGj1-D5ZwEsfmcI-l0wNPug33RuunX-OOV/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydTo6O-sFV1tVLdeiTQs4u04YyFFumAoZh7iQt0xzfvgHT_QH9qCrADxYGW-GZE_3p4yQyZbOAuKgwqzSCFo_l9MPxnQNTxkdmM-62rLVneuGj1-D5ZwEsfmcI-l0wNPug33RuunX-OOV/s320/IMG_0165.JPG" width="320px" /></span></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alright, now that I got that off my chest, on with the story of our 2012 Florida Boar Hunt.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stayed in Titusville, Fl this year and I wanted to try and find a place less than an hour’s drive away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found Omega Ranch in an add on Craigslist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is located in Volusia County between Daytona and Orlando about 45 minutes from the cottage we stayed in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were asking $225 and $100 extra for anything with tusks over 2 inches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed a little pricey to me, but it was close and like I said earlier it doesn’t get much cheaper than this anymore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We arrived at the ranch at 4:45am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The guide greeted us and gave us instructions on being very quiet while entering our stands and informed us of the importance of being scent free, all the while, he was smoking a cigarette.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He also mentioned that when he opened the gate we shouldn’t be alarmed if there are hogs there to greet us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were told that these are “bait hogs”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, they are tame hogs used as decoys to lure in the wild hogs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You will notice on the video of my dad’s hunt that after the shot is taken only one hog takes off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The others stick around as if nothing happened. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAohm8NdR5oNxRn088auJEjtfPbzzdSRCvztonQ-B_hR86GCgdVBQ8tMDTQ4M7HBt2qossroVhzF2o24uwquYXHIm4S23Nzf_TjPAj-Cx6_r6ddywF1txuX8zfNvIiM6bXWZyrfG8dut4Z/s1600/IMG_0166.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAohm8NdR5oNxRn088auJEjtfPbzzdSRCvztonQ-B_hR86GCgdVBQ8tMDTQ4M7HBt2qossroVhzF2o24uwquYXHIm4S23Nzf_TjPAj-Cx6_r6ddywF1txuX8zfNvIiM6bXWZyrfG8dut4Z/s320/IMG_0166.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The morning was a beautiful one and I was taking it all in from a tree stand overlooking a feeder, just as I hoped for.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At about 7:00am the silence was broken by a gunshot coming from the direction my dad was hunting in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so close that I almost fell out of my stand from being startled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I prepared for spooked hogs to come running in, but after ten minutes of nothing I gave up on that hope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My new hope was resting on the feeder that was supposedly set to go off at 7:30am.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew the pigs would come running as soon as they heard the corn flying, but that hope soon fading as well when 7:30am came and past and the feeder never went off.</span> </span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyp8GIIRba0Xx_1By8kD54-5L4IVdPAbpmd882txqbRhEC5vN3QrSKdL7tjXninmz0o0MfaeXMt6tdrQwzy-zavwWY8VLpMf6iNCDCkg0xNXEz_m-mMJU7de5B9SW2tllmPRZWknfwJ7e/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIyp8GIIRba0Xx_1By8kD54-5L4IVdPAbpmd882txqbRhEC5vN3QrSKdL7tjXninmz0o0MfaeXMt6tdrQwzy-zavwWY8VLpMf6iNCDCkg0xNXEz_m-mMJU7de5B9SW2tllmPRZWknfwJ7e/s320/IMG_0169.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We also had to gut our own pigs. The guide didn't want blood on his hands.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A little after 8:00am the guide came and got me out of my stand and we tried a couple more stands with empty, non-functional feeders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also tried “spot and stalk” hunting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Finally, around 2:00pm I stood in some thick brush while the guide pushed through a swamp in hopes of putting a hog in front of me, and it worked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had one come walking in out of range so I stalked up to about twenty yards, drew my bow and waited for a clear shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It stepped into an opening and I let the arrow fly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whack!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was sure it was a good shot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found the arrow and it was full of bowel, but I wasn’t concerned because it was quartering at me when I shot so I figured I caught some vitals and it passed through the guts on the exit.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dNBrjGC2Flik73yem63NYSoG_Ra03N3bTupDoq-Kb_KejcIT-CwjzYreUQ5tI-NBUGNk6S3z8b46Gg8h5miXakua2mzW-sa_1Tz9x2X0YfRZwSbxRZ2qaoWUe53bZWppfNNrBqWSUvd_/s1600/IMG_0172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dNBrjGC2Flik73yem63NYSoG_Ra03N3bTupDoq-Kb_KejcIT-CwjzYreUQ5tI-NBUGNk6S3z8b46Gg8h5miXakua2mzW-sa_1Tz9x2X0YfRZwSbxRZ2qaoWUe53bZWppfNNrBqWSUvd_/s320/IMG_0172.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Unfortunately, after much effort, we never found the pig or even a trace of blood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was the first shot at an animal with my new bow, and it was a failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To add insult to injury, I now owed $10 into the fishing gas fund because of a bet I made with my brothers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, if you thought that was the worst of it, you’re wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also found out that skinning and quartering the hogs we take was not including in our package so I tied the hog up under the blind and went to town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The best way to learn is by doing it, right?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The good news is that we got both hunts for a total of $400 instead of $450 and my dad got to take a nice boar home with the satisfaction of knowing he had a perfectly placed shot.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWcxF6mo-LsgL1tZknV84xwneWbnV8QFL_HzVcwU2aDb4yzBG7s3mDcH5nj8PEjgylj5bSYdhJvBPilOgZvpTizTu7wYjlLOUc5PpmiPNNK1Qq9BawI7lIqrwAvefehgMY3HN7LkyCEv_/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWcxF6mo-LsgL1tZknV84xwneWbnV8QFL_HzVcwU2aDb4yzBG7s3mDcH5nj8PEjgylj5bSYdhJvBPilOgZvpTizTu7wYjlLOUc5PpmiPNNK1Qq9BawI7lIqrwAvefehgMY3HN7LkyCEv_/s320/IMG_0174.JPG" width="240px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hunched over under the blind trying to cut up a hog. I can't tell you how many times I hit my head. Very enjoyable!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNl1l_VR_w7kiULvrFUnYXxgEoGDv40gzJs1HGjejW5GKLLqACFTkeFTRvSH5Ve6yPzGfUSLXQVJtaQp4u2xhF4KZdVbL8D9zMxWq0wlbLU0cvMZ6kAmRNJILruNWux0JAMpWHvxOzMoCm/s1600/IMG_0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNl1l_VR_w7kiULvrFUnYXxgEoGDv40gzJs1HGjejW5GKLLqACFTkeFTRvSH5Ve6yPzGfUSLXQVJtaQp4u2xhF4KZdVbL8D9zMxWq0wlbLU0cvMZ6kAmRNJILruNWux0JAMpWHvxOzMoCm/s320/IMG_0177.JPG" width="320px" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom cleaning the pork</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/uqbT46vXIWA?fs=1" width="459"></iframe><br />
Moms camera work of dad taking his boar. Nice work mom.<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/7Hv_NMy8Vr0?fs=1" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My self filmed video of the only opportunity I had at a shot from a stand. Looking back, I should have taken the shot, but I was certain once the feeder went off bigger hogs would have shown up. It could have made great video.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If this sounds like your type of hunt, give Brian at Omega Ranch a call.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(386)479-3266.</span>Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-67734162473683587802012-03-13T17:37:00.000-04:002012-03-13T17:37:03.855-04:00Florida Fishing - Veterans Memorial PierMy brother-in-law, Joe Koeman, and I found some time to get a little fishing in while we were in Titusville, Fl. The first day we stopped at a bait shop in the area and asked the guy inside if there was any good fishing areas near by. He told us to wade out knee deep from the shore right behind his shop, cast out a shrimp on a hook, and wait. He assured us we wouldn't be disappointed. Well it turns out we were, and the fact that he told us that we wouldn't be made it even worse. <br />
<br />
After casting toward several jumping mullets, not knowing that they are impossible to catch because they are herbivores, we gave up and went about two miles down the road to a public pier. We went all the way to the end of the pier and the water was still only 2 feet deep. Have you ever gone fishing in a spot and known that it was hopeless? It didn't last long before we hung it up for the day.<br />
<br />
The next day we drove about 15 minutes from our condo to a pier we found the night before while we were out to dinner with Joe and Theresa. It was called the Veterans Memorial Pier, and it had fish. We caught several Sea Trout around 12" long. Keepers are 15" to 20" and we could not seem to catch anything over 12", which is a shame because I've heard they are good eat'in. Anyway, it was still fun to do some catching instead of just fishing. We also caught several other varieties; Blue Fish, Puffers, Jacks, and others that I couldn't tell you what they were. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IPc7Y8niDwOqo2QaApKQsYRxxw7z2aTCHmJXAl50GKYmvOHPkJi1rQO_uM4LCdFGoWYLQelHJ293eOeLl0xeHgV-lMaGLssk0Mrxru68OBAnOx3Zlwv81L-H-Fvf439C8t-LWDyS0SKn/s1600/P1020085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0IPc7Y8niDwOqo2QaApKQsYRxxw7z2aTCHmJXAl50GKYmvOHPkJi1rQO_uM4LCdFGoWYLQelHJ293eOeLl0xeHgV-lMaGLssk0Mrxru68OBAnOx3Zlwv81L-H-Fvf439C8t-LWDyS0SKn/s320/P1020085.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Trout</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJh6whcIe6y97q8jz3dHH701tt5wDioauV6L03wGvOKvteOe7MwwQY2XXv2jh5RblTWDr0By8I4MpoRwywXZPRf2PCPLGuyk7Zyk0_Zl4Nuf_8m_pum998ZbX0s1LNtc93Siln4ObdX2D/s1600/P1020086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdJh6whcIe6y97q8jz3dHH701tt5wDioauV6L03wGvOKvteOe7MwwQY2XXv2jh5RblTWDr0By8I4MpoRwywXZPRf2PCPLGuyk7Zyk0_Zl4Nuf_8m_pum998ZbX0s1LNtc93Siln4ObdX2D/s320/P1020086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7jie-Lijhi6bt8RqfEQXDMhFWDG8bN51awWUUTdYWKmta-gSxV4W16Dz0IsF0I_hr7y08ncjRmlokavm-yhJMS1h-9L8ZZgWlbgMgZ3TgpIWALVgx_eRfJIndHFfYRvuh1iH2rpUTsmu/s1600/P1020088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB7jie-Lijhi6bt8RqfEQXDMhFWDG8bN51awWUUTdYWKmta-gSxV4W16Dz0IsF0I_hr7y08ncjRmlokavm-yhJMS1h-9L8ZZgWlbgMgZ3TgpIWALVgx_eRfJIndHFfYRvuh1iH2rpUTsmu/s320/P1020088.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jack</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After the sun goes down the pier fills up with shrimpers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shrimpers are people who come out at night with nets that have 25’ long handles, and they attempt to catch shrimp one at a time by scooping them up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I never knew there was such thing as shrimping, but it was very interesting to see.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They actually throw lights into the water so they can see when a shrimp comes swimming past.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A single shrimper will have anywhere up to 5 lights in the water at a time, so with several shrimpers lining the pier, the water is illuminated all the way down both sides of the pier.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a sight to see, and to top it off, every once in a while you will see a manatee or two go swimming through the lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is comparable to smelt dipping but with nicer weather and better scenery.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3Q8g0xoemRnBTKFKcA-dCuRz3WZtROmz_ncGUxqf14IHokS3QUv5TPqO7GdT0h3sH9WT9HH9Caq6QTeQ0_QWsnFyjQY_bOeexfAfqaeJg7s4tcu31tB9LXi9exj5amzuZBiwXmgoIs8J/s1600/P1020128.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3Q8g0xoemRnBTKFKcA-dCuRz3WZtROmz_ncGUxqf14IHokS3QUv5TPqO7GdT0h3sH9WT9HH9Caq6QTeQ0_QWsnFyjQY_bOeexfAfqaeJg7s4tcu31tB9LXi9exj5amzuZBiwXmgoIs8J/s320/P1020128.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiCUHlZ6U5pzQ3Q8WnVNNIvWQd3HbhyphenhyphenXBOQQ7QVtcBDAsviF4mMs1orYSismUEK3P8Hgtxh7ZHNCNB4JwWFjgdUgwk1fFnRL9dZSy0tGDPsUSrXV3NhM0yuhjZzXtvQiEGNI0lSif59v-/s1600/P1020130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQiCUHlZ6U5pzQ3Q8WnVNNIvWQd3HbhyphenhyphenXBOQQ7QVtcBDAsviF4mMs1orYSismUEK3P8Hgtxh7ZHNCNB4JwWFjgdUgwk1fFnRL9dZSy0tGDPsUSrXV3NhM0yuhjZzXtvQiEGNI0lSif59v-/s320/P1020130.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-35932430467465999832012-03-10T20:10:00.001-05:002012-03-12T12:28:11.438-04:00Merry Christmas To MeAs Chad promised in the previous post, there would be more updates of new equipment. I recieved this Hoyt CRX 35 for Christmas this year from my wife. Sure, I picked it out and did the purchasing, but it's the thought that counts, and this was a great thought. <br />
<br />
Like every new bow it came with the headache of getting it set up, and if your a Kraker, you don't settle for anything but perfection when it comes to your new toys. I sent it to Predator Archery right here in Zeeland to have the QAD rest placed on it, a new D-loop, and a paper tune. After I got it back I noticed some major cam lean on the top cam. This did not make me happy (even though the bow was shooting great) so I sent it back to Kevin at Predator Archery. He ripped the bow apart and we both researched the cam lean issue. Kevin called Hoyt and I read a dozen forums online and we both came to the same conclusion. It is just a common thing for most Hoyt bows to have the cam lean so we got it shooting good again, and I'm just going to learn to live with it. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFbf4mspr2xW_aJ4IJbDsNIfAY3AsVNwb-ApR8tDBGoVQuQbsGw7RuqOTSGcDAVBWQlOfFlrWMimVxu-tgUtQSCj9ryL08UTLvEkUysODZlqEZztYRoJzvthtrWflkuoIguGszCDYH6Ui/s1600/P1020132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifFbf4mspr2xW_aJ4IJbDsNIfAY3AsVNwb-ApR8tDBGoVQuQbsGw7RuqOTSGcDAVBWQlOfFlrWMimVxu-tgUtQSCj9ryL08UTLvEkUysODZlqEZztYRoJzvthtrWflkuoIguGszCDYH6Ui/s320/P1020132.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hoyt CRX 35 - IBO 319 fps / Actual Chrono Results with my set up 306 fps</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is my fourth official bow. My first being a cheapo Darton that I never hit a single animal with, the second was a Hoyt Intruder which I still have and took my first several deer with, and my last bow was the Hoyt Ultratech which I am happy to say has found a new home with my brother Andrew. I would like to officially welcome Andrew to the world of archery, and I am happy that my old bow is his gateway bow. We look forward to hearing stories of success and, since it is a bow, stories of blunder as well. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2rqRyDDGvy6H6GroAzaKI_OZUcwMGDdIPePXqL4sVUe5lB2DVm9TXaN8aKq_KVZE8mZALkmeHwvjyTrtr9pcdrJMA1I8fhGc9pnE1EOmCsPoTxHCS0qvIwybAif_Fn-VGPf-dVtmccoY/s1600/P1020134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe2rqRyDDGvy6H6GroAzaKI_OZUcwMGDdIPePXqL4sVUe5lB2DVm9TXaN8aKq_KVZE8mZALkmeHwvjyTrtr9pcdrJMA1I8fhGc9pnE1EOmCsPoTxHCS0qvIwybAif_Fn-VGPf-dVtmccoY/s320/P1020134.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The new equipment has sparked a little competition between the Krack Boys (shocker). Chad has put together a few rules, but in short, we are looking to see who has the first kill with their new equipment. Losers pay into the summer fishing gas fund. Good luck suckers!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Some quick shameless promotion goes to Predator Archery. They do a great job and can help out with any of your archery needs. Give Kevin a call at 616-748-8928 or Cell: 616-886-8129.</div>Bryan and Katy Krakerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07737932768768939943noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9183864324475571276.post-7708020723429456932012-03-03T14:44:00.005-05:002012-03-05T20:30:38.863-05:00New for 2012!Every year after the whitetail season closes I fill my mind with thoughts of coyote hunting and usually thinking is all the further I get. As you can tell from the blog this January and February have been filled with nothing as far as hunting or fishing. It didn't help that ice was pretty much non existent this year. I'm not really that disappointed as ice fishing ranks right up there with carp shooting in my book. They are pretty much there to just pass the time until real hunting and fishing seasons come around. (my personal opinion, feel free to strongly disagree) <br />Thankfully my wife came through with a SWEEEEEET new toy for our 6th wedding anniversary. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-plXRQ6zfmrkmfk-pYoYktXh-SUREse3ttPZVj71eCGaRTO3pDxuAQ2k6l4v6dtp3SJTXkdvreCl4qAvrZgPoTz9UFXT6YIF6FA0B4Lq9b6210GKTzclo83P-IQoi6-1v8Ak3-EivVo/s1600/IMAG0288.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-plXRQ6zfmrkmfk-pYoYktXh-SUREse3ttPZVj71eCGaRTO3pDxuAQ2k6l4v6dtp3SJTXkdvreCl4qAvrZgPoTz9UFXT6YIF6FA0B4Lq9b6210GKTzclo83P-IQoi6-1v8Ak3-EivVo/s400/IMAG0288.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715759405701175762" /></a><br /><br /><br />This is a used Bow Tech Destroyer 340. Old Bro Bryan found it on Ebay for a great price! I'm slightly sad to see my old bow get set aside, it did it's job and did it quite well. Not to mention that it was really the first bow I owned. (not including my old fiberglass re-curve, and my first 20 dollar compound bow that mom bought at a garage sale) The old Diamond Justice really wasn't even used for my first deer kill, that honor goes to my Dads old Tan 110 Lb bow with 2% let off. The Justice was also given to me as a gift from my wife, and for that reason it'll stick around forever, but it's hunting days are over. I have taken somewhere around 15 deer (probably a slightly high estimate) with the Justice but still am only mildly sad to see it retire. <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuKlEEWNcx7rjKPfa_2Os8Giw3rlHgKOyfkZlaKnlXi_2DJFX8em-8t_KN9d_I3FM1UMqtcd4rc38wZqrBbqe7pKZNkYHrwuHsLAXMmmaxjjMz9hZ0eUPPqSWouBjJiCRi5iFVhixGVI/s1600/IMAG0276.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSuKlEEWNcx7rjKPfa_2Os8Giw3rlHgKOyfkZlaKnlXi_2DJFX8em-8t_KN9d_I3FM1UMqtcd4rc38wZqrBbqe7pKZNkYHrwuHsLAXMmmaxjjMz9hZ0eUPPqSWouBjJiCRi5iFVhixGVI/s400/IMAG0276.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715759617684900482" /></a><br /><br />This new bow will likely stick around a few years longer than old Justice. It is shooting over 320 FPS completely set up. (compared to 260 from the Diamond) And personally I love how it looks especially with the “black ops” finish. Not to mention that it was an anniversary gift from my wife. This bow has already made a few memories and has also already shed some blood. Unfortunately it was my blood..... I'm not quite used to the hard plastic grip and while doing some video target practice with my brothers I let the bow slip out of my sweaty hand at about half draw. It flew back and the cable guard caught my trigger finger and knuckle. The good thing was that it gave me an excuse when I ended up losing the video shoot.<br /><br />BTW--- This I'm not the only one with new Equipment this year. More stories are soon to follow.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfg0pl8OSEM6wHGPXDVW60JsDTqlHz_zKRm9tcHRBEB-tJssB5VnzJr92pa5_TcY5G9ihAwGQN6kCZrWLyV9GvcakBJeCti4h8sYUfo0X0PPXwBzH5YUZVVm-HMqh5qe9v3UB0a1Oc180/s1600/IMAG0289.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 239px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfg0pl8OSEM6wHGPXDVW60JsDTqlHz_zKRm9tcHRBEB-tJssB5VnzJr92pa5_TcY5G9ihAwGQN6kCZrWLyV9GvcakBJeCti4h8sYUfo0X0PPXwBzH5YUZVVm-HMqh5qe9v3UB0a1Oc180/s400/IMAG0289.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5715759971165055794" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8