I'd rather be hunting...

Even though today is windy, I'd much rather be outside enjoying the warm weather observing the trees popping with leaves, the tulips waving in the breeze, and any critters I can find. Instead, here I sit at my computer on my lunch break daydreaming of when I am off work and can finally go play in nature.

I need to go to the archery range to start practicing for the upcoming hunting season. Yes, I know it's currently turkey season but I haven't shot my bow in about 4 months so that's out of the question at this point. Why start practicing now for the fall? Because practice makes permanent. By starting now and practicing regularly through the spring, summer and into fall, I will make sure I am ready to go when the season starts in September. I will have the muscle memory that repetition builds. I will have confidence in taking shots in different stances and at various distances because I will have practiced them repeatedly. That way, I can be ready when a deer like this walks by...

As an aside...When I do go turkey hunting, I will use the shotgun at first. I've never really been out on a serious spring turkey hunt so I want to have the odds in my favor more so than relying totally on the ability to call a bird in much closer, skill and stealth with a bow. That will come later.

Oh well...back to the grind. Good hunting!

LENEXA TO HOST ADVANCED HUNTER EDUCATION COURSE JUNE 18-AUGUST 6

Wingshooting the focus of eight-week course. KDWP PRATT -- Kansas volunteer hunter education instructors will conduct an eight-week advanced course in wingshooting beginning Thursday, June 18, through August 6, 2009. The course will run from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Thursday evening for eight consecutive weeks at the Powder Creek Shooting Park, 8601 Monticello Road in Lenexa. (Sunday afternoons will tentatively be offered as make-up days.) Multiple instructors are available each night, and each student will receive individual instruction and assistance.

The cost of the course is $7.50 per night for 50 targets. Students must furnish their own club-approved target ammo (no reloads allowed). Appropriate ammunition for Powder Creek is lead shot only, size 7.5 or smaller shot with a cartridge case length of no more than 2.75 inches. (Appropriate target ammunition is available for sale at the Powder Creek clubhouse.)

The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks will furnish 20-gauge training shotguns, but students are encouraged to bring their own shotguns, 12-gauge or smaller.
"The first week will include easy incoming hovering targets, and each week following, the presentations will be more and more challenging," says IHEA/NSCA wingshooting instructor Butch Moberly. "We will throw doubles and fling rabbits in the later classes. The later portion of the course will include some challenging presentations to hone wingshooting skills."

Participants are not required to attend all classes. A safety briefing will be provided for each student each evening. Please bring your eyes and ears. The only prerequisite for this course is a certified hunter education course from any state. For more information, email Moberly at Kansashuntered@yahoo.com or phone 913-268-8937

Opening day, 2009 spring archery turkey season in a blind with Frank Durbian... we saw 17 birds this day but only one was a nice mature tom. He was not interested in getting within range.