Back to the Rockies

Pike’s Peak photographed from Woodland Park, CO.

March was a memorable month for my wife, Sharleen, and me for several reasons. First, we moved from Montgomery, Alabama to Woodland Park, Colorado – from the sultry south to the crisp mountain air of the Colorado Rockies and secondly, our daughter Michelle, her husband Barry and their four children live in this area of Colorado, so we get to be with family again and enjoy the daily panoramic view of Pike’s Peak. The first morning after our arrival we awakened to the company of seven docile mule deer does and yearlings nibbling away in our front yard.  What a welcoming committee. A day or so later a red fox cased our yard and front porch as if he were in charge of inspections. I’m liking this a lot.

 It was like ultimate mountain springtime when we arrived but within a few days THE storm that affected the entire nation blew in and dumped a big snowfall on us.  So for the first time since I lived in Alberta (19 years ago) I ended up on the business end of a snow shovel.  Hard work?  You bet.  But, I’d rather shovel snow any day than play roulette with the hail storms and tornados that were fueled by the storm as it made its way southeast. We are loving life in the mountains and I am keeping an eye on some promising trout streams that apparently need my undivided attention.  Hey, I’m here to serve!

Sportsmen’s Outreach Events
I was invited to speak at three Sportsmen’s Outreach Events in February and March and each of them were tremendous. I offer my sincere thanks to Gerry Calliouett of God’s Great Outdoors for including me in his Road to Adventure event at Santuck Baptist Church in Santuck, AL. It was great to meet men who desire to use their outdoors passions in Christian outreach. For more information see   www.godsgreatoutdoors.com

It was a pleasure to return to First United Methodist Church of Montgomery, AL, for their Annual Wild Game Dinner.  The food was exceptional and they were a wonderfully attentive audience.
My friend, Rod Kerr, of First Baptist Church, Salisbury, NC invited me to be the keynote speaker at their 7th Annual Sportsman Banquet.  It was like a homecoming for me since I was invited to their banquet several years ago. They have the proud distinction of feeding more people faster than I have ever seen.  This year they served the crowd of 500 plus people in a record setting 12.5 minutes.  If you’re planning a Sportsmen’s Banquet and want to know how to handle strategically feeding lots of people in a hurry, contact Rod Kerr.

In this year of return visits I was invited to speak at Bethany Baptist Church in Peoria, Illinois. It was my third invitation to Bethany, and while I accepted all three invitations, I only attended twice. On the first occasion my plane was delayed on the tarmac in Montgomery for seven hours and then when we boarded and started to taxi to the runway, the plane caught fire and we were returned immediately to the departure gate from which we’d come.  At that point there were no other flight options to Peoria.  On this last trip I missed my flight from Chicago to Peoria and finally finished the trip on a bus.  In spite of all the difficulties I encounter enroute to Peoria, I always sense that God has a special purpose for taking me there.  Thanks to Terry Setterlund and Pastor Steve Dietz for inviting me.

Big Surprise in a Small Package

“Shootability” defines the essence of BowTech’s new Admiral

Being a long armed sort, I have shied away from the trend of shorter and shorter compound bows. I have found them to be relatively temperamental and somewhat unstable. My rule of thumb in choosing a bow has always been that the axle length must exceed one’s draw length.  The closer those two measurements are to one another the less interest I have in the product – UNTIL NOW. Enter BowTech Archery’s Admiral, the big surprise in a small package. With its Center Pivot Riser technology, BowTech has produced a short bow that doesn’t feel short!  The riser feels like that of a longer bow, stable and steady in the hand.  Though I wasn’t overly optimistic before I shot the Admiral at the ATA show, the first shot had me from hello. I was shocked.  I suppose I could offer any number of technical reasons for why the Admiral has overcome what I call the “short bow syndrome,” but I’ll simply reduce it down to one simple word: “Shootability.”  It just shoots like a dream.

I can claim official senior citizenship, which comes with some drawbacks, like eyes that aren’t as sharp as they once were and less arm and shoulder strength as in my younger days. The result has shown itself in inconsistent target accuracy. I chalked it up to my age.  But when I started shooting the Admiral my groups tightened up and my effective range increased immediately.  So what about old eyes and muscles that I thought were causing me grief?  Shootability is the only conclusion I can come up with.  The Admiral feels comfortable and stable in my hand and I feel rock solid at full draw.  It fits me like an old slipper.  It just goes to show you –you can never say never.  The Admiral is the shortest bow I have ever owned and I’ve never shot better. For more information check out the Admiral, as well as the entire Bowtech line, at www.bowtecharchery.com.

A Year for Bargain Hunts
With the economy in such terrible shape, many big game outfitters are experiencing cancellations and are offering excellent hunts at reduced prices.  That means that you might be able to book that dream hunt at much less than the normal prices. I recommend that you review my list of approved outfitters by clicking on the Resources button on the top of the page.  Make some calls and see what’s available for the fall of 2009.  I expect you’ll find some real bargains.

A Weekend with Rock Stars

Master flintknapper, Stan Payne, displays one of his beautiful obsidian spearheads, which he made in the tradition of ancient Native Americans.

Ever been to a knap-in? Me neither until March 6th when my friend and flintknapping mentor, Stan Payne, of Slap Out, Alabama, (I’m not making this up) organized the First Annual Flint Stone and Bone Creations Knap-in at Southern Sportsman Lodge at Tyler, Alabama. Flintknappers from all over the country come for a weekend of making stone arrowheads, spear points and knives of every imaginable kind of exotic rocks.  Their work is captivating to observe and nothing less than an art form.  The event is free to the public who come to observe the ancient art of flintknapping and to purchase stone treasures made by the artisan knappers.  There is no greater opportunity for fledgling flintknapper wannabes like me to come and learn from the pros.  This unusual gathering of gentle souls is only too happy to share knowledge with anyone who is interested in learning. For more information about Stan Payne and flintknapping see www.flintstoneandbonecreations.com .

Modern flintknappers at work.

In addition to the flintknapping theme originated by Native Americans of days gone by, Stan Payne, the knap-in organizer, raffled off a set of incredible matching obsidian knives that he created.  The raffle proceeds were donated to the Cancer Society in memory of Stan’s mother and the memory of legendary flintknapper, Bill Metcalf, both of whom lost their lives to cancer.

If you get a chance to visit a knap-in in your area, you should go.  To see primitive Native American stone tool making being carried on with such passion is well worth the price of admission – especially considering it is free.

Comments

[Ed Shields]

Hi Russell
I'm happy for your family to be together the trout fishing is GREAT in Colorado when I was hunting there from 77 to 01 Colorado is a Great place to set yourself for your retirement have a Great Spring and Fall season!!!
Best Regards
Ed Shields

[Chad STubbs]

Russell,

I am glad that things are going well for you two. Thanks for introducing us rednecks in Alabama to FCM. Take care of your selves and never stop giving glory to Christ in all you do.

Chad Stubbs

[john blank]

Hi Russell
Glad all is well with the new home and it sounds like the gangs of trout need to be taken down a bit.
So many streams ,So little time.
My best always
John Blank

[J. Everett Moore]

Russell, I am glad to hear that you are safely ensconced in Colorado with the wildlife, the mountains, the view and your family which you love so much. Your work with the magazine was first rate and your mission using HIS bounty and beauty as a backdrop is blessed. Best wishes to you and your family. Hope to see you soon. Everett Moore