Babbs in the Woods: Back to the business of flinging arrows

Trial and error. Live and learn. That’s about all I can write so far about my foray in the world of bowhunting. Read the story »

Guru Huntress: Firefly Electronic Wind Detector flits and shines and reports wind direction

It is a proven fact that large game and predators use their sense of smell for survival for locating food and water sources, as well as detecting danger. Any deer hunter that has spent time in the stand or field has had the opportunity to experience this first hand — usually with the results of the full blown, theatrical departure of a whitetail deer, coyote or bobcat fleeing the scene at the first notion of the scent of danger. For a successful hunt, it is important for a hunter to be aware of wind direction or thermal clines. Read the story »

Camo Mom: The lazy, hazy days of summer

August is known for the lazy (who, what, when, where?  Are you kidding me?), hazy (absolutely, because the days fly by and are a blur) days of summer.  We all get caught up in the fast-paced, busy times we’re living in, but we really need to slow down and take a look at what’s going on around us.  Take some time to do some of the little things you enjoy doing. Read the story »

My Job … My Outdoors: Col. Jill Chambers — retired from soldierhood, but not the outdoor life

Col. Jill Chambers (US Army, Ret.) served at the Pentagon during the 9-11 attack as Special Assistant for Returning Warrior Issues. In that role she became one of the primary architects of the Army’s groundbreaking Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program, designed to dramatically increase resiliency in our service members on the heels of adversity.

In recognition of her rare gifts as a leader and her many accomplishments during 30 years of service, she recently received news that she has been chosen as the Department of Defense Woman of the Year for 2010. Now retired, Jill’s life continues to be full of reasons to get up every morning. The WON met Jill at this year’s Bianchi Cup shooting tournament in Columbia, Mo., and we think you’re going to like the enthusiasm this woman brings to everything she does. Read the story »

Outside My Comfort Zone: On butter and boot camp

Why, oh why, did I sign up to start a 90-day boot camp program at a local gym?  And why did it have to start the same week I arrived back from a site visit to Mobile, Ala., for a large convention I’m planning in 2012? Did I know somehow that I’d spend four days in Mobile eating at restaurants named “Stick of Butter” with creations by Paula Deen? Read the story »

Gear Court: Sage TCX sets the stage

This spring Sage lent me a TCX 4-weight to try out for three weeks.  It came just in time for some good BWO action and I was not disappointed.  The TCX is a cannon of a rod and shot out line incredibly quickly.  I loaded it with RIO’s WindCutter® II fly line that I reviewed recently and the combination was deadly.  For a 4-weight, it definitely impressed me with how well it cast large heavy flies and how well it cut through the wind in extremely windy spring conditions.  It also beautifully handled swift currents while casting delicate dry flies from a drift boat.  My biggest regret is that I was not able to hold onto this rod longer. Read the story »