Born with Buck Fever
November 21, 2011 by Ryan Mason · Leave a Comment
First, in order for anyone to appreciate this achievement, I think I need to start with a little bit of background on my life long quest for my first antlered buck.
When I was a youngster growing up in St. Louis I didn’t have anyone to take me hunting. No one in my family hunted and I had no idea where to start. My interest in hunting was born from my attraction to guns. As a kid I confounded my parents by asking for gun magazines. This was when I was really young–still in the single digit age.
Sadly around this time in my life, the tragedies of school shootings like Columbine occurred and my parents were reluctant to introduce me to gun sports; especially considering the fact that they didn’t have any experience with guns. However, they said that my passion couldn’t be dismissed and agreed to support me. Eventually this passion grew to include whitetail hunting. I began to hunt them when I reached high school.
During high school I was very involved with sports. I was wrestling team captain and started varsity on the football team. These obligations really hurt my time spent in the woods. However in my senior year I got the chance to hunt opening deer weekend in northern Missouri.
Talk about “saving the best for last”. In the last 30 minutes of the last day remaining in the season I harvested a button buck at 10 yards. He just happened to be running through a grass field directly in front of me. He appeared so quickly, just as I was trying to scare up anything due to the time ticking down. There’s just nothing like your first deer! I was so proud of that deer that I didn’t stop smiling for weeks.
The next big step in my life was college. I enrolled here at Mizzou and that was when I really got hardcore about hunting and got a bow.
Even with the strides I’d made on my own in hunting and now as a big college student, those first few years hunting while at college were difficult to say the least. I was still in the same jam and had no one to teach or mentor me to improve my hunting skills. It was all trial and error. I hunted almost every day of the season passing in and out of my room at the dorms to hunt. I would walk out of the dorm at 4am in full camo as the drunk frat boys and sorority girls were attempting to stumble back to their beds. I had many a laugh at their conditions and I’m sure they had a few laughs at me. To this day, I still think I had the better idea.
Working on my own and committed as ever, those first three years at college brought about success with a few more gun kills but in my heart I still had not achieved the goal…I had no bucks and no bow kills.
You know what they say about timing; finally in early October 2009 I found myself in the right place at the right time. I set up on a tree line where there was a transition area between a bedding spot and a corn field. My mind was wandering as I sat contemplating the career fair I had to go to the next day which of course would interfere with my day in the field. Just then, I caught movement headed my way. A few does slipped out of the brush like ghosts at 50 yards. It amazed me how quietly and gracefully they moved as I watched them head my way. After debating as to whether or not to take my shot, a big doe stopped broadside at 15 yards. This made the choice very easy for me. My Rage broad head tore through her and stuck in the ground on the other side. “I had done it!!” but it wasn’t going to be that simple with rain rolling in, but no matter, I began to track. After a few hours and 300+ yards I finally found her. Again I felt the overwhelming pride that only a hunter can know. One of my goals had just been fulfilled.
Now, forward to November 4th 2011, where the excitement really begins. The day was not the best for hunting. I was desperate to get to the field to have success in the kill but wasn’t very optimistic.
It was over 60 degrees as I put on my camo and headed to the stand. I was hoping it would cool down early and justify the full body suit I chose to wear, but that was not the case. I was sweating “like a pig” by the time I got to my stand. To cover my stink, I chose to spray down a second time with de-scent and placed my deer decoy in the best spot. Then I drenched a generous amount of buck urine to the decoy hoping to anger the nearby “Booner” (Boone & Crockett) and make him come on in. (I thought to myself if I smelled like that buck urine I would be mad too… back to the story.)
After over an hour of sitting nothing had wandered out and frustration was nearing an all time level. Just about the same level that I have been experiencing this season as a Mizzou football fan!
Suddenly the hour seemed short as an 8 pointer popped out of the brush at about 200 yards. My blood ran with a renewed vigor as I reached for the buck growl. When I called to him he began to trot my direction. When he got to 100 yards he stopped like he had seen a ghost. Huh? He stared at my decoy for every bit of 20 minutes before moving off to my left. Curious? As I glassed him it all began to make sense as I noticed another shape back in the draw moving towards him. It was an even bigger buck.
When the new buck on the block moved forward and out of the brush my heart just about gave out. He was a much bigger deer. His beautiful 8 point frame glistened in the sun as he moved. I again reached for the grunt call and began a slightly aggressive dialogue with the bruiser. I snort wheezed at him. Then he put on a show as he walked to a nearby tree and began to rake it mercilessly with his rack then with a snort he walked away.
I was as excited as a 13 year old girl at a Justin Bieber concert! He began to walk out of sight and I thought my hunt was done. Just as I was trying to calm down and think of moving on, I heard something coming at me. At first I thought it was a squirrel. But when I heard the “squirrel” start to work a scrape and rub a tree I knew it had to be “him” returning. (It’s funny how much I pray to God when a big deer is involved; I asked for just one chance to shoot.) I got it under control. He stepped out of the brush in front of me at 25 yards. I didn’t hesitate. I drew my bow as I saw him start to clear and let the arrow fly.
Success! I was so excited I lost it! I threw my fist in the air like a conquering general and desperately looked around hoping to see that someone had been watching. Alas no luck there. No crowds, no applause, no touchdown…just my dream fulfilled!
The next morning came and I had the adrenalin going to look for him. Long story short I tracked for 200+ yards following sparse blood but finally found him in a cedar thicket. The shot had been perfect, just behind the shoulder with a double lung hit. It’s amazing what a rutting buck can take during early November. He wouldn’t be a “Booner” nor a potential “Pope and Young” deer, but he is my first buck EVER, and I got him with my bow. He is the 4th bow kill of the year for me including 2 does and a turkey. I couldn’t be more proud!
My Hunting Season Woes Continue
November 15, 2011 by Brad Tansey · Leave a Comment
This season has definitely been a challenge so far. Since I started filming my hunts for Tree Stand Buddy’s Game On, I haven’t been able to get on a single buck all season!
With college, it’s hard for me to find time to get in the woods. But when I do, I’m making every effort to make an Ohio buck famous. I’ve even went down to West Virginia to hunt. But as you can guess it, I’ve struck out so far.
The land I’m hunting is well-known for big deer. We’ve been seeing multiple deer that would make Pope & Young. The problem is, they’re nowhere near me or my video camera.
With winter break quickly approaching, you better believe the majority of my time is going to be spent trying to connect on a deer. I still have a few months, but sometimes it starts to get frustrating. For example, this past weekend, I climbed a tree near a bedding area I’ve had success at over the years.
There’s a well-used trail 20 yards from me. About 4:45 p.m. (it gets dark around 5:15, so it’s prime time) a woman wearing an orange vest riding a horse comes trotting down the trail right past my tree. Now, a few people have permission to be on this land, and it’s not my land to say anything, so the only thing I could do was stare in disbelief.
I guess that’s just been the story of my season so far. I’m not going to let it stop me from trying, but sometimes a guy just needs to catch a break! By writing this blog entry, I’ve found more drive to get a kill on camera. Don’t worry, if I do, you’ll know all about it.
Sassy Shooters….Do You Know One?
November 3, 2011 by Jenny Romanin · Leave a Comment
Written by CollegiateCamo Pro-Staff Jenny Romanin
More and more women are being seen in the outdoors and they are an audience that is a hot topic. Times are changing and while shooting is typically seen as a male dominated sport and industry, ladies are making their stiletto tracks and adding their special touches. There have been an increase amount of ranges across the country that provide a “Ladies Day,” conservation groups that sponsor hunts for the female gender and there are more women run organizations within the sporting industry. Manufactures have found a new niche and are producing items that are more “female friendly” to help those estrogens infused individuals.
I grew up in the outdoors and have always had a passion for the fresh smelling scent and the pursuit of critters. In that time I have seen a swell in women’s hunting apparel, gun education and safety classes geared towards ladies and an overall more initiative for us ladies to get involved. These aspects have definitely helped reduced the intimidation factor and accommodate our differences from males. Us girls can go out with our pink nail polish and sparkly earrings and still be our feminine selves in a male dominated sport and industry.
In collegiate shooting I have seen bedazzled out apparel, zebra print guns, pink grips and countless other creative and unique touches to bring a gal’s style to the field. These accentuates have helped make the shooting sports more appealing to ladies, especially since you don’t have to look or smell like a guy to enjoy it.
Remember ladies… Keep it Sassy!
CollegiateCamo Fall Football Promo
September 29, 2011 by CollegiateCamo · 1 Comment
Who will be the winners of the biggest college football games this year? Will your team’s win give you the big discount?
We are so excited about college football this fall that we want to involve all our fans in our Fall Football Promo! There is no better way to show your loyalty to your team and passion for the outdoors than to “drive the pride” with CollegiateCamo outdoor themed college decals!
Each week we at CollegiateCamo will choose one or more big college football games and whichever team wins, their loyal fans will receive a 20% discount on all that team’s CollegiateCamo decals for a full week following the game!
Keep an eye on CollegiateCamo here on our blog, on Twitter or on Facebook to learn the discount code for your team that week!
Good luck to all the teams – and all the fans! With CollegiateCamo’s Fall Football Promo, college football fans win in more ways than one.
We’ve already got our big games selected for this week! Tune into your favorite college football team’s game this weekend, and if your team wins, come back to CollegiateCamo to collect your 20% off all their decals for the entire week following the game!
Texas Tech Red Raiders at Kansas Jayhawks
Kentucky Wildcats at Louisiana State Tigers
Auburn Tigers at South Carolina Gamecocks
Alabama Crimson Tide at Florida Gators
Nebraska Cornhuskers at Wisconsin Badgers
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- CollegiateCamo Fans
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- Alabama Decal – Plain
The Strength of Bonds with Hunting Buddies
September 5, 2011 by CollegiateCamo · 1 Comment
Written by CollegiateCamo Pro-Staff Jenny Romanin
As I arrived to my final destination in the Lone Star State in efforts to see my best friend and pursue some hogs I realized something. There is nothing like the bond with your hunting buddy. While I use the term hunting buddy loosely, it covers a great array of people including family, friends, peers, coworkers and even significant others. From a different point of view, when around people that you are not familiar with the interest in filling tags and harvesting animals can be either controversial or a great conversation starter. Those who hunt naturally gravitate towards each other because there is a certain comfort in knowing there’s a common interest between you and the stranger.
Loading up the pickup and driving to her family’s ranch in pursuit of feral hogs we took the opportunity to catch up on everything since we last saw each other and reminisced our past. Throughout the cackling session we also dug a little deeper and discussed politics, lessons learned and offered advice to one another. While we don’t always agree with each other, we respect each other enough to listen to the opposing side. We’ve always had a close friendship, but after years of shooting, hunting and other assorted adventures we realized that it has brought us closer and built a unique bond.
As we settled into our hunting spot waiting for signs of movement from the hogs, the time passed rather quickly. Memories flashed back to our first hunt with daddy, to our current endeavor and every hunting and fishing trip in between. These are moments that will never be forgotten. This all took place in spurts between stretches of silence, listening and waiting for the critters to show. By the end of my hunting trip with her I realized something else. Through the test of miles, silence, discussions, heat and everything else, our bond ensures that I have a lifetime hunting buddy and I wouldn’t trade her for the world.
Getting Ready for the Upcoming Hunting Season
September 4, 2011 by CollegiateCamo · 1 Comment
Written by CollegiateCamo Pro-Staff Brad Tansey
One of the greatest experiences I had this summer was in August when I went to Langham Outdoors in Illinois to hang tree stands.
It might not sound like a ton of fun, but the TV show I’m on, Tree Stand Buddy’s Game On, will be going there during the rut in November to hunt for a week. I won’t be hunting, but I’ll be behind the camera waiting on that big ole buck to walk his road to glory. We hung nine sets, so there is a definite possibility someone will be killing a nice buck.
The guys went to Langham last year and only one person killed. This year, I know we will make it happen. As for myself this fall, I’ll be trying to fill my Ohio buck tag along with filming the rest of the guys from Team OI.
Check us out on the Pursuit Channel Sundays and Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and Tuesdays at 6 a.m.
Happy Hunting!
The Importance of Scouting, Part 2: Stolen Camera
July 21, 2011 by CollegiateCamo · Leave a Comment
Written by CollegiateCamo Pro-Staffer Brad Tansey
Well, I’m writing this blog a little sooner than I’d like to. I went to check my trail camera Tuesday to find that it was stolen. I had it cable locked with a pad lock to boot. I guess the saying of a lock only keeps an honest man out rang true in my case. For someone to steal another man’s equipment is beyond me. People that do this shouldn’t be allowed to even step foot in the great outdoors. It’s people like that who give hunting a bad name in general!
I’ve seen my fair share of cameras in the woods. Not once has it ever come across my mind to steal it. That is someone’s hard-earned money. Last year, I noticed a fairly expensive camera near a stand I had. When I passed it, I thought in my mind “Hey that is a really good spot. I hope it doesn’t get stolen.” I hope that man had more luck with his camera than I did. I only had my camera for a week and a half. Needless to say, I’m not buying another. It’s appalling that this is what we as hunters and outdoorsmen have sunk to.
This is something that will probably only get worse. It makes me sick to my stomach to even think about it. My buddy has had three cameras stolen in the last four years. He even had someone cut down the tree it was mounted to because he had it enclosed in a welded steel box. Now that’s just wrong!
People that steal equipment or anything for that matter need to take a look at themselves in the mirror and realize what they are doing is dead WRONG. No wonder I can’t get hunting permission anywhere anymore. It’s because of morons (and I say morons because I shouldn’t type what I really think) like that disgrace the hunting industry.
Oh well. I’m done ranting. Maybe I’ll just start scouting harder. You know what? I’m going to chalk this up as a lesson learned. Now I’m going to kill an even bigger buck because I’ve got more drive to do it. Don’t worry, when (not if) I do, I’ll be sure to let you know all about it.
The Importance of Scouting Deer in the Summertime
July 17, 2011 by CollegiateCamo · Leave a Comment
Written by CollegiateCamo Pro-Staffer Brad Tansey
During the summer months, I try to learn about every deer on the property I plan on hunting in the fall. By doing this, I learn the habits and tendencies of the deer.
For example, a few weeks ago, I saw four bucks in a group feeding one evening. After watching where the deer went into the woods, I decided to put up a trail camera. I’ve never used a camera before this year. It’s definitely a great buy because I’ve learned I have at least six different bucks on the property. Now, don’t get me wrong, I can’t guarantee these deer will be there come September 25, which is the opening day for Ohio’s bow season. But I can guarantee if the big I seen, I’m going to do my best to close the deal on him.
I’ve learned more about scouting this summer than in my other 10 years of hunting whitetails. I’ve never tried any minerals or anything like that. I’ve always thought it was considered cheating. The truth is, in my opinion, that couldn’t be further from the truth. There is a lot of benefits to using food and minerals for the deer.
I put out some corn and created a mineral lick for the bucks. Since I’ve never used any of this gear, I didn’t know what to expect when I went to check my camera for the first time. I was surprised to know that there was a few deer over the week that came to the site religiously. Now, as you can tell in the photos, there isn’t any monster deer here from what I’ve seen. But there is a blurry photo of what looks to be an 8-point. He’s one of the four bucks I saw feeding in field a few weeks ago.
I got about 80 pictures from the first week. The 40-pound bag of corn was gone. There was a few squirrels, rabbits and raccoons that ate some of the corn, but the majority of the photos were of deer. I’m surprised that the majority of the deer were bucks! That’s a good problem to have sometimes.
I’m still waiting to go back and check the camera to see if I was able to get any better pictures of the 8-point. If I do, I’m sure you’ll hear about it!
CollegiateCamo heats up the savings!
July 11, 2011 by CollegiateCamo · Leave a Comment
The heat has been monstrous in the Midwest. This heat has outdoorsmen and outdoorswomen begging for mercy from the 100+ degree weather and wanting fall to hurry up and get here! (We won’t mention college football season or the opening day of duck or dear season!) Quite frankly, the heat is putting a damper on my fishing and interfering with my clay shooting. We can’t change the weather, but we can offer you some relief in the wallet! Take 10% off your whole order at www.collegiatecamo.com when you use the discount code FRIEND at checkout.
Best Season Openers
April 13, 2011 by MattTruesdale · Leave a Comment
Pittsburgh Pirates Home Opener
Written by Pro-Staff Team Member Matt Truesdale
On Thursday, April 7, I had the opportunity to continue a tradition started by my hunting buddies and me - the tradition of attending the Pittsburgh Pirates home opener. This is the 3rd consecutive year that we have been to the home opener, and regardless of whether the Buccos win or lose, it is still an extremely enjoyable time. Nothing can compare to a full day of tailgating in the parking lot with the American and Jolly Roger flags flying high, supporting our favorite ball club at one of the best ball parks in the country and throwing down a Primanti’s sandwich with an IC Light.
As the game rolled into the bottom half of the 7th and we sang “take me out to the ball game” I began to wonder what are the year’s best season openers? Here at Collegiate Camo, we not only get pumped up for the start of hunting and fishing seasons, but for athletic seasons as well! Because of the bonded love affair of outdoorsman sports and athletic sports being a common trend that we all share, I have put together what I consider to be the most anticipated opening seasons of each year from the least popular to most popular.
12) NHL and NBA: I understand that these two sports are completely different, especially during playoffs in the post season. Heck, the playoffs for both of these leagues are an entirely new season and a different more exciting game. Even though I am a fan of the NHL I just cannot get as excited for the first game of the year like I can other sports. I’ll just wait for the start of the playoffs…
11) Small Game: Have you ever felt that heart pounding, nervous, exciting feeling as a big fox squirrel slowly comes down the path toward you? Yeah, neither have I. Although I do enjoy small game hunting and the camaraderie with my friends, small game is more of a thrown together afternoon activity than anything else. Even grouse and pheasant are more annoying and frustrating than they are enjoyable to hunt. But seriously, have you ever heard of “squirrel drives”? Exactly.
10) College Basketball: How long is it until March? This year VCU proved that the college basketball regular season does not matter and the big tournament is the only excitement worth watching. Yes, the end of the season tournament may possibly be one of the most exciting post seasons in any sport, but the opening game is just a tease until all the madness.
9) Waterfowl: I will hand it to the waterfowl hunters. I have yet to get fully enveloped into the sport, but these guys are crazy. Blinds, decoys, boats, face paint, calls, you name it. This season requires a lot of attention to detail, equipment, management and site location which could only lead to excitement on the opening day. Seasons in, migration’s cancelled.
8 ) White Tail Deer, Archery: Why did I separate archery and rifle? If you have to ask this question, than you must only hunt deer with a rifle. There are not many feelings that come close to having a deer walk within yards from you, and the practice and preparation needed in order to slay a buck with a broad head. Unfortunately, the first day of archery cannot quite contend with the first day of rifle. Be sure to bring enough scent eliminator as the first of archery always seems to be too hot, sticky, and muggy.
7) NFL: The NFL opener is similar to a family reunion. Every year there is a reunion, you generally see the same people, there is usually something or someone new that brings interest and then there is something or someone that embarrasses you. The majority of NFL fans already know what they have regarding their teams. The NFL opener is exciting, but the NFL opener lacks some of the glamour and anticipation of other season openers.
6) NASCAR: Yes, NASCAR. I know you are all wondering how and why NASCAR is as high as it is on this list. The answer is that the “Super Bowl” of NASCAR is the Daytona 500, the season opener. You can disagree all you want, but you cannot argue the fact that Daytona 500 is a hugely popular event full of everything needed for a great opening day.
5) Turkey: The elusive thunder chicken is by far one of the most frustrating and fun species to hunt. Combine this birds characteristics with the preparation it takes to bag a bird and 2 opening seasons throughout the year, you can’t beat turkey hunting. No other species or sport has 2 openers in a year, and doubling proves this sport aint no turkey.
4) MLB: Our nation’s pastime. The spring weather. Smells of popcorn, hot dogs and beer. 9 innings of excitement and a packed house. The MLB season opener matches and exceeds the excitement, anticipation, and popularity of any sport. Yes, the 162 game season is long, but every game counts in the attempt of achieving one of the few post seasons spots. The fact that the MLB opener does not just bring baseball back, but also brings back the warm weather and the thought of summer heralds the MLB opener high in this list.
3) Trout: The opening day of trout season may be different for many people throughout the country. But where I come from, the trout season opener is a right of passage for children and a day long family fun event. Everyone, literally everyone comes out to the streams for the first day of trout, which does have a drawback. Although some lines may get tangled between those fishing, the trout opener continues to be a spectacle year in and year out. Each cast of the line holds suspense of the possibilities of pulling back a 24 inch brownie, or just a 8 inch rainbow.
2) College Football: Do I honestly have to make an argument for this one? College football is simply American and brings an eruption of pent in anticipation into each fall from the past season. Every year is different in college football. Unlike professional sports, lineups and rosters change on a routine basis, keeping the game fresh and new. But most importantly, with the college football comes the tailgating. Other sports have their loyal and crazy fan base that do provide a spectacle of amazement when showcasing tailgates, but college football fans do it best and on a larger scale. Every school has their traditions, their massive tailgates and their crazy fans. Walk around any college stadium on any home Saturday afternoon and you will find the most die hard and loyal fans of any sport. The fans and tailgaters could only relate to college football as having the best season opener of any athletic sport.
1) White Tail Deer, Rife: I should not have to explain why. There is no more popular, exciting, anticipated day for any outdoorsman than the first day of rifle season for deer. There is nothing more important for an outdoorsman than bringing home the venison and bragging about the previous days hunt over the water cooler at work. The first day of rifle for deer is essentially a national holiday in most areas. No other season opener is built into work and school schedules, allowing individuals the day off to continue the American tradition and to spend time with family members at camp.
