and a strong cup of coffee

Someday, in my dreams, there will be a store full of outdoor clothing.  Deer hunting, turkey hunting, fishing… a store full of every possible article of clothing that you could possibly need.  Blaze orange, camo, base layers and outter layers… it will all be there.  And the best thing about the whole thing – it will be all women’s clothing and NOT pink! I bought my first pieces of camo this spring in preparation of turkey season.  Nothing crazy, just a head/neck cover and a long-sleeve shirt.  I had to try and figure out what men’s size I would need that would do the trick and be usable next year (while covering the baby bump this season).  I think I did it, but if there were women’s sizes, I could have easily picked out a size and been done with it.  Instead, I find myself always negotiating men’s outdoor clothing to make it work for my hunting wardrobe. It is important went picking out hunting clothes that they fit.  Too small...

My plan is to get some great blogs in place to cover me for the month of June when I take on mommy-duty.  I have a couple great blogs lined up about turkey hunting and will hopefully have a few about my adventures in the woods to bag a turkey but I wanted to check in and see if there is any topic that you wonderful readers would like to read about or know about that I can look into and post while I am away from the computer. Moose? Deer? turkeys? BOW?  Just let me know =)

Last week, Hubby and I traveled to Unity to the 7th Annual Sportsmen's Conference and Game Dinner  and met up with Robin and her family.  The dinner raises money for local non-profits and serves game that is usually donated by local hunters, game wardens who take animals that have been poached and the members of the Unity College community.  We had everything from elk and bear to togue and beaver.  And if you were lucky enough to get tickets to this yearly sold out event, then you were able to enjoy a 5 course meal in addition to the yummy appetizers. I was open to trying anything that would be served - within reason (I won't eat the heart of anything, even when I am not pregnant) and I am happy to report that there were a few things I was surprised that I liked!  For appetizers, I tried chicken-fried beaver with aoli sauce (yum) and bear (also yum) and venison and elk tempenatas (they were so so) but the one that sealed the deal for me was the cheddar and...

If you have read this blog for any period of time, you know how much I love deer ticks.  As I head out for turkey season in a couple of weeks... how concerned do I need to be about those little blood suckers coming after me?  (Rabid, Duck Hunter...) I have the Doctor's ok to wear deet from my knees down and I bet I could spray clothing or a blanket and put it over me... but as I am BRAND new to turkey hunting, I need some help with how prepared I should be.

For 10 years, I have been trained to look for that quarter-sized spot, half way down the crease of the shoulder. That is where I would set my cross hairs and shoot. That one small spot to ensure that the deer I was hunting would die a quick death. The idea that I would have many pellets in a shell and just sort of aim at what I was trying to kill is something I am trying to wrap my mind around. Hubby and I were up at Mom and Dad's for Easter weekend and decided to break out the guns on Saturday afternoon. We were using #6 and #8 shells (I apologize right now for any and all incorrect terminology that I am about to use! I will get it after a while) but will be hunting with #4. Dad has a pump 12 gauge and a break action 12 gauge. The neighbor stopped by to talk to Dad, found out I wanted to turkey hunt and brought over his 12 gauge for me to use. It is a Remington 1100 and probably the lightest gun I have ever held. But it is a semi-automatic and this girl is use to a shoo...