The Outpost

ISSUE V

2012 DOVE HUNTING SPECIAL EDITION

FIVE WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR SUCCESS THIS SEASON BEST DOVE DOVE HUNTING

DECOY

CHECKLIST

IN HISTORY

BEST CALIBER FOR WHITETAIL

TRADITIONAL VS CROSSBOW

PLUS: DOVE RECIPES, KIM COSTNER & 5 BOOKS EVERY HUNTER SHOULD READ

S E I T R A P &

O B M O C G N I N N I W A S Y A ALW

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Editor’s Letter: The editorial team spent a lot of time looking for good bird hunting pictures for this issue. Who knew it would be so hard to find good shots of guys and gals dove hunting?

We looked everywhere - from our personal computer photo files, photo sharing files, paid photo files and any place else that a high-tech bunch like The Outpost crew would think to look. Then we took the old fashion approach and started going through boxes of old hunting photos. Bingo!

You youngsters won’t remember this but we old fogies used to take photos – actually I think we called them “pictures” – that involved putting a roll of film in a camera, taking a couple of dozen shots and hoping that 1 or 2 actually turned out OK. We then took them to a place that developed photographs and they would use some kind of magic formula and Wizard of Oz gadget to develop the film and would have the pictures ready in a few hours.

Unfortunately, most of the time these shots were out of focus, featured someone with red eyes, making them appear demonic, or the shot cut off someone’s head. Photography was a volume game – shoot many rolls of film - and Kodak and Fuji loved to have us play it. Then came the digital camera and everything changed. Now, when you take a shot you can see it immediately and take another one if it is not up to Ansel Adams quality.

Ironically, many of the good hunting shots in this issue, including the cover, were taken a few years ago by my son Chris who was using an ancient Pentax standard 35mm camera. Having a shot that was taken at sunrise on our family farm on one of the dove hunts that he and I used to have (but don’t have time to do now) and having it used for this issue is personally very cool for me. However the process of going through all of the boxes of real photographs was even better.

I went through about 20 years of hunting pictures and smiled the whole time. I saw pictures of dozens of old friends, many good old dogs, my boy as a little kid, my hair when it was brown and not gray, my Dad, the goofy camo that my buddies and I wore, the sunrises and sunsets.

If you are given the opportunity to get outside and hunt, fish, bike or camp, treasure this experience and by all means take some pictures, especially of your kids and your friends. You’ll thank me later.

This issue is packed with good stuff. We have dove hunting tips, the straight skinny on rattling lures, food for thought about the difference between traditional bow and crossbows, actual food in the form of new dove recipes, the best way to start a fight in a barroom full of deer hunters (offer your opinion on the best caliber rifle for whitetail deer hunting), the best 5 books ever written on hunting and a review of the amazing new CD from Justin Townes Earle.

We’re starting to get some emails from our readers and we love ‘em. By all means keep telling us what you think. We’re always looking for a good story, whether it’s true or not.

Like us on Facebook: Email us at:

The-Outpost@comcast.net

THE OUTPOST© is produced and copyrighted 2012 by Gorilla Marketing LLC, Marietta GA 30062.

Reproduction in whole or part without permission is expressly forbidden.

THE OUTPOST Gorilla Marketing, LLC • Marietta, GA 30062 • 770-675-7200 Jason Martin, Partner • Jim Zegers, King of the Jungle • Art Young, Editor in Chief Contributing Writers: Art Young, Jason Martin, Patrick Meitin, Tony Martin Photo Credits: Sandy Earle - Jason Martin - Floridabowfishing.com - Kim Costner Rodney Coplin - adventureatwill.com - Richard Moscardelli - Buck Knives - Jack Unruh

TABLE OF CONTENTS

6 5 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR RESULTS THIS SEASON 22

FIVE BOOKS EVERY HUNTER SHOULD READ

34

HOW TO AVOID BLOWING IT

40

JUSTIN TOWNES EARLE MUSIC REVIEW

47

GUIDES CLASSIFIEDS

11 BEST DOVE DECOY

28

BEST CALIBER GUN FOR WHITETAIL

18

14 DOVE HUNT CHECK LIST 31

PHOTO OF THE MONTH

25

TRADITIONAL OR CROSSBOW

DOVE RECIPES

32

KIM COSTNER TIPS FOR WOMEN

38

RATTLING LURES MAKE BEAUTIFUL MUSIC

43

CAPTAIN TONY MIXOLOGY

49

THE BACK PAGE

THE OUTPOST: SPECIAL DOVE HUNTING ISSUE

Dove Hunting: 5 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR RESULTS THIS SEASON

For bird hunters, the month of September seems like Christmas, opening weekend of the NFL and their birthday all wrapped into one glorious affair. For most wing shooters, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s been a long, hot summer and the opening of dove season begins a period of hunting that can last through the spring.

Dove hunting can be frustrating. The aerodynamic challenge of hitting a dove in flight with some shotgun pellets is akin to dousing a bottle rocket in flight with a stream of water from a garden hose. It can be done, but it takes some serious skill. However, this challenge is one of the reasons why hunters love dove season.

With the help of a light tailwind, this small bird can typically fly by a hapless hunter at a speed of 50 to 60 miles per hour. While there are no dove psychologists to consult on this matter, it appears that doves revel in mid-air acrobatics that are designed to frustrate and ultimately defeat all but the most skillful and mentally tough hunter.

Did we mention that these small bodies can streak through the autumn sky at a mind boggling rate? Theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so fast and so agile in flight that the ammunition companies estimate the average hunter harvested an abysmal 3 birds for every box of 25 shells.

A successful dove hunt means different things to different hunters. Dove hunting is very much a social event and this means part of the fun is getting out with a bunch of buddies and swapping lies. However, no matter what anybody says, taking home more doves is much more fun than missing every one that flies by. Here are 5 ways to down more doves.

#1: Plan the Hunt & Hunt the Plan

#2: Choose the Right Gun & Shells for You

Most people grab their shotgun, shells and gear, throw them in a vehicle and head out to the hunting lease or property the day before a hunt.

The next morning, they get up early and get in the field and start waiting for the skies to open with thousands of doves, all eager to be shot and all flying directly into range. Unfortunately, most hunters are disappointed on the first day of a hunt because there was no reconnaissance before hitting the field.

Contrary to some self-proclaimed experts, there is really no right or wrong shotgun for hunting doves. Some really great marksmen can get their daily limit with a 410 shotgun. However, most hunters find the small pattern of a 410 requires superior marksmanship and they prefer the wider pattern of a 20 or 12-gauge shotgun.

Let’s face it, most people hate to plan – it sounds a lot like work. However a dove hunt can be more productive and more fun with some preparation.

The easiest, but no less important task before opening day, is to get over to the skeet shooting range and get used to swinging your shotgun.

Even practicing with one box of shells can result in eye-to-hand coordination improvement and make a big difference on the first few doves that come into range.

The most important preparation comes from getting a lay of the land. Scouting the fields for doves before the hunt will pay enormous dividends when you come back with your shotgun.

Use binoculars to find where pockets of birds are feeding. Look for birds in trees and telephone wires. Watch the flight patterns of birds from feeding field to water.

This can enable a hunter to place himself between the feeding field and water. Especially in the early season, doves are known to take recurring flight patterns down fence rows and tree lines. With proper “recon” the hunting party can be placed at strategic positions that ensure getting a steady stream of doves.

When selecting a dove-hunting shotgun, a good allaround choice is a 20 or 12-gauge autoloader with screwin choke tubes. Pumps, double-barrels and over-and-unders work fine, but because doves are fast and difficult to hit, many hunters prefer autoloaders, which allow three quick shots before a bird gets out of range. It is important to remember that repeating shotguns must be limited to holding only three shells ("plugged") while dove hunting.

This federal regulation also applies to pump action shotguns.

A 20 gauge gun is lighter to carry and has a little less power than the heavier 12 gauge and after 4 or 5 hours in the sun, the weight of a gun becomes a serious consideration. The 20 has less recoil or “kick” than a 12 gauge but the larger gun allows the hunter to reach out a little farther to knock down a high-flyer.

Some parents start kids out using a single shot 410 because it is lighter and the single shot is a safety consideration. However, as noted above, the 410 can be frustrating to a young hunter because the tight shot pattern is not very forgiving and requires more skill than say a 20 gauge would. A smaller, youth-sized 20 gauge gun is a better bet for kids.

As for shells, the best advice for dove hunting is to stick to smaller shot sizes – 7 ½ , 8, or 9. It takes only a few small pellets to down a dove and smaller shot sizes offer more pellets per charge. For instance, an ounce of No. 8 shot has 186 more pellets than an ounce of No. 6.

One Texas hunting guide opines that the best all-round shot shell is a 1- or 1- 1/8 ounce load of 7 ½ s, 8s or 9s.

Heavier loads allow somewhat longer shots, but you may go through several boxes of shot shells during a single hunt. Your accuracy could suffer if you start flinching due to a sore shoulder.

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#3: Hide & Watch Where a hunter chooses to position himself in the field has a big impact on his success in getting birds.

It’s critical to find a spot that allows for some cover. Doves have incredible eyesight and from way up there they have a great view of any guys with shotguns in their hands.

Every veteran hunter has stories about times when a group of doves were flying directly toward the area where he was stationed – in a direct path for a perfect shot – and for no apparent reason, at the last second the birds veer off and go out of range. Even though the frustrated wing shooter might think he hears the sound of doves laughing as they dart away, doves can’t laugh. However, they might giggle…just a little.

This last second change in flight path suggests that the doves saw the hunter, recognized the imminent danger and changed direction to avoid it. When a hunter dresses in clothing that blends in with the natural surroundings – perhaps camo or maybe just drab colors – and makes a point to position himself under a tree or around high grain stalks, the odds of doves changing paths are reduced. Having a camo billed cap or drab hat that covers the naturally shiny forehead also helps the shooter to avoid detection from the oncoming birds.

A dove hunter can also improve odds when his position takes advantage of the dove feeding patterns.

Doves tend to have breakfast at daybreak so if a hunter hopes to take advantage of a sleepy-eyed doves, he needs to be in place between the birds roosting areas and feeding field. Typically doves will feed, and then beat a path to water and after this; they tend to nap during the heat of the day. A well-hidden hunter who has positioned himself between feeding field, water source and the trees where the doves roost will realize more success.

As for the evening hunt, guides note that doves tend to eat their evening meal as late as possible. As light begins to dim or clouds move in about an hour or two before sunset the doves start moving to water.

A good hunting intercept position for this time is the underbrush around the water source.

THE OUTPOST: SPECIAL DOVE HUNTING ISSUE

#4: The Best Shooting Technique for Doves

#5: Stay Mobile & Listen Carefully

Out in the field on opening day, even veteran upland bird hunters forget about good technique. Good ones correct this after about 5 or 6 misses, but a hunter who hasn’t held a shotgun in about 9 months is likely to miss most of his/her early shots unless proper technique is used. The most important concept to remember for shooting doves is to point and not aim the shotgun. There is a circular pattern of shot coming out the end of the gun and any one of those little pellets can bring down a dove.

As noted, doves have distinct flight patterns. By watching them over the course of a hunt, or preferably before the hunt starts, hunters can position themselves to intercept the birds and get a better shot. This can only happen if the hunter remains mobile.

Many opportunities to shoot a dove will be crossing shots – where a dove flies from left to right or vice versa. In this scenario, the odds of hitting this little bottle rocket are dramatically improved when the hunter uses the “water hose” shooting method. The objective is to think of the shotgun as a water hose and to spray the bird with shot.

A simple method of leading a dove involves lining up the crossing bird with the sight of the gun then starting the shotgun swing from behind the bird, swinging through the tail and then the head. When a little daylight can be seen, the trigger can be pulled while continuing to swing past the bird along his trajectory. It’s important to keep eyes on the bird during this process and continue to focus as he falls.

When the hunter is properly camouflaged and covered by bushes or trees, doves will also fly directly into blind where the hunter is waiting. The best strategy for these straight on shots is to wait until the absolute last second to shoulder the gun and when the bird is within 20 yards, take the first shot. Be prepared to take the second shot if this first shot misses and the dove veers dramatically left or right. If the first shot misses there is a moment of confusion when there is a good opportunity to make that second shot.

If the birds are moving down a fence row or tree line, out of range, its time to move over to where they are flying (when possible). With multiple hunters in a party, this might be difficult however, the hunter who watches the flight pattern and adjusts accordingly will bring back more birds than someone who sets up under a nice shady tree and never leaves this spot.

Hunters who know what to listen for can also improve their kill ratio. Doves in flight make a distinct sound.

The sound of a dove in flight is a high-pitched whistle or squeaking sound. The mourning doves rapidly beating feathers also create a soft whistle when they are in flight.

It may take a few times, but eventually a wise hunter will recognize that sound of doves flying and will be prepared to see one or more doves come out of nowhere.

Many times a group of doves will approach a hunter from his backside with very little advance warning except for that very distinctive dove squeak. When they come into view, usually over the backside of the camo tree or bush, a going-away shot is possible.

Out Standing in a Field Nothing compares to an opening day of dove season.

The smell of gunpowder, the rush of adrenaline when a tough shot is made and camaraderie of friends all make this an outstanding sport. If you’re lucky enough to go hunting this year, stay hydrated, follow these tips and have a great hunt.

BEST DOVE DECOY IN HISTORY W

e’ve all been there. The first groups of doves that you saw about sunrise are long gone and the rest of the late-risers are feeding somewhere just out of your gun range. It’s mid-morning in the dove field and all is quiet. Boringly, deathly, make-you-wanna-shoot-at-the-windmill kind of quiet!

As a result of this interruption in the action, the group of dove hunters who were in the field at dawn’s first light begins to get restless. The only sound is that of safeties being clicked on and off and on and off and maybe a couple of yawns. No shotgun blasts and no whooping and hollering that usually accompanies a dove hunt with lots of birds dodging and weaving through the sky.

Unless you’re hunting at one of those surreal locations such as Lake Guerrero, Mexico or one of those highly baited Argentinean plantations where millions of doves are in constant motion, the odds are pretty good that you will experience this “dead zone” of dove hunting. Do not despair. There is hope!

Why Do Doves Love This Decoy?

Who Cares? They Just Do!

BEST DOVE DECOY IN HISTORY

A Mechanical Dove That Speaks Their Lingo

www.mojooutdoors.com

The best insurance policy for those times when the birds are either not flying, or they’re flying just out of the range of your shotgun costs about $40. It’s a battery-operated dove decoy whose wings constantly spin and is irresistible to the real doves who would normally not give your field a second glance.

One of the best mechanized dove decoys is made by “Mojo Outdoors” a company based in Monroe, Louisiana. The design of The Mojo Dove Decoy ™ is so simple, it’s ingenious.

How to Set it Up This decoy has a very realistic dove body that sits on a pole. The wings are run by a dual shaft, direct drive system and four AA batteries are housed inside the decoy body. Unlike some, this model has not external wires. These four batteries will run the wings for about 24 hours of continuous use.

Basically, the steel spike of the pole with the decoy attached is placed in an area that is visible to doves that are flying over the area while hunters are hidden

in either a blind or other area that affords camouflage. The constant wing motion has an uncanny ability to get the high-flyers’ attention and lure them in.

This dove decoy system is available wherever hunting equipment is sold and you can get more info at the company’s website. While you probably don’t need this dove decoy on every hunt, it’s a great piece of equipment to have available when things get slow.

DOVE HUNT CHECKLIST

P

rior to hitting the dove fields, it’s always a great idea to go buy some new hunting stuff! You probably need a new game vest, maybe some more comfortable boots, gotta have a new cap and, what the hey, while you’re there, you always need a spare shotgun!

Remember, several thousands of years of hunting traditions, going back to the cavemen, have been bequeathed to you and your buddies. In the rush to get the latest gear and guns, you can sometimes forget the basics. Here’s a checklist to print out and make sure you don’t forget things like: (1) A valid hunting license with a migratory bird stamp – It’s amazing how many people forget to get a new license. Game wardens, however, never forget to ask for one when they stop hunters for a friendly chat about the weather.

(2) A favorite shotgun or two – Pick one that you’re prepared to lug around for several hours in the sun and (if possible) bring a backup that can be used if the primary gun malfunctions or you happen to accidentally smash it against a tree when you miss the 15th straight crossing shot.

(3) Appropriate shotgun shells – In most cases for dove hunting, this will be number 8 shot with 7 ½ a second choice. Be sure to bring enough for you and your hunting party. The ammo companies estimate 3 birds are shot for every box of 25 shells. Do the math and don’t run out of shells just when a hundred doves are flying into your area.

(4) Camouflage or drab-colored clothing – Even though that torn sleeveless white Lynyrd Skynrd tshirt makes your muscles look bigger, doves can see a white or bright color from a mile away. Wear something that helps you blend into the natural setting and wear a hat or gimme cap to cover that shiny, receding hairline and forehead.

(5) Sunscreen – Skin cancer is not macho and early September can be brutal.

(6) Insect repellent – Look for something with DEET and something that repels mosquitoes, chiggers and ticks. Put this stuff on your clothes and on directly on your skin.

There have been many cases of West Nile Fever and Lyme disease.

Don’t tempt fate. Put on some repellant.

(7) A light-weight game vest or belt with big pockets – In the heat of shotgunning, it’s nice to have a quick place to store the downed birds…so you can keep on shooting.

(8) Water bottle – Did we mention the heat could be brutal. Try and get a bottle that will fit in your game vest. And you should always carry a LifeStraw just in case.

(9) An ice chest with lots of ice for the birds and beverages.

(10) A set of large, re-sealable plastic bags to store birds in the ice chest.

(11)

A shotgun cleaning kit

(12) Game sheers or a good knife to field dress the birds.

(13) A light-weight hunting stool for when you’re waiting for the birds to fly by.

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DOVE RECIPES Teriyaki Grilled Dove and Pearl Onions Here’s what you need: ~ dove breasts (as many as you can get…they’re small) ~ favorite teriyaki sauce ~ pearl onions ~ pepper In a large bowl, place the dove. Cover with teriyaki sauce. Cover a refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.

Remove the breasts and alternate them with the onions on skewers.

Almost every wing shooter who has ever been asked to cook those little dove breasts that he just brought home has used the old, tried and true recipe of deboning the breasts and then placing each half with a slice of jalapeno and onion, wrapping this little mouthful with bacon and securing the breast and vegetables with a toothpick. The whole concoction is then dipped in some kind of batter and it is deep-fried.

This recipe is always good and perfect for an appetizer. However, sometimes it would be nice to enjoy the fruits of your dove field labors with some new recipes. Well, voila! (Or something to that effect.) Here are five tasty new ways to prepare those doves.

Bon appetite! (that’s just another French word that we are tossing out there to show you that we know how to cook stuff).

Lightly sprinkle with pepper.

Grill over high heat for 4 -5 minutes. Turn and cook another 3 - 4 minutes or until done.

Serve and enjoy.

Crock Pot Dove Here’s what you need: ~ 6-8 dove breasts, skinned ~ 1 medium chopped onion ~ 1 can cream of mushroom soup ~ 1 can diced tomatoes and chilis ~ 1 clove garlic, chopped ~ Salt and pepper to taste Soak the breasts in salt water solution for 20-30 minutes (1 Tbsp salt to 4 cups water.)

Rinse the birds and set aside.

Place all ingredients in the crockpot. Stir and cover. Turn crockpot on low.

Cook time approximately 6-8 hours. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for your crockpot.

Serve with mashed potatoes, rice, or noodles.

Enjoy!

Grilled Stuffed Dove

Dove Stroganoff

Here’s a recipe that uses the entire dove. It’s a variation on the bacon-wrapped, jalapeno recipe that are then deep-fried.

Here’s what you need:

Here’s what you need: ~ 3 whole doves, cleaned ~ 1 1/2oz cream cheese, softened ~ 3 oz mozzarella cheese ~ 2 fresh jalapeno peppers, cut in half length-wise and deseeded ~ 1 tsp salt ~ 1 tsp pepper ~ 1 tsp garlic powder ~ 1 tsp cumin ~ 1 tsp chili powder ~ toothpicks

~ 18 dove breasts, skin removed ~ salt & pepper to taste ~ 1/4 tsp oregano ~ 1/4 tsp rosemary ~ 1/2 cup white cooking wine ~ 1 medium onion, chopped ~ 1 can cream of celery soup ~ 1 can (8-oz) mushroom pieces ~ 1 cup (8-oz) sour cream ~ 3 Tbsp butter or margarine

Mix all of the dry spices together.

Place dove breasts in large baking dish.

Stuff each dove with 1 oz of mozzarella, 1/2 oz of cream cheese and 1/2 of a jalapeno. Secure together with toothpicks.

Saute onions in butter. Mix remaining ingredients, except sour cream. Pour over doves.

Sprinkle each stuffed dove with the spice mixture and rub to coat even.

Cover and bake at 350 for 1 hour.

Place doves on a hot grill.

Add sour cream and stir. Continue baking uncovered for 20 additional minutes.

Cook over medium/low heat until golden brown and cooked through.

Serve over rice or noodles.

DOVE RECIPES Dove Louisiana Style Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s another recipe that uses the entire dove.

Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s what you need: ~ 8 doves ~ 1 stick melted butter & some to rub on doves inside and out. ~ 2-3 cups cooked rice ~ seasoning salt and pepper to taste ~ 1 tsp ground sage ~ 1 tsp onion salt ~ 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper ~ 1 stick sweet butter ~ 4 cups white wine ~ 3 ounces brandy ~ 2 tsp cornstarch; dissolved in 1/4 cup cold water

Rub doves inside and out with butter, then season with seasoning salt and pepper.

Mix rice with melted butter, sage, onion salt, and cayenne. Stuff birds with rice mixture.

Melt sweet butter in a large pot, and saute the birds until brown. Add wine and brandy. Cover and simmer slowly for 1 hour. Add dissolved cornstarch to thicken pan juices.

www.honest-food.net

www.honest-food.net photos by: Holly A. Heyser

www.floridabowfishing.com

FIVE BOOKS EVERY HUNTER SHOULD READ

...At least once

Boone: A Biography

By Robert Morgan

Just Before Dark

By Jim Harrison

The many myths about Daniel Boone can’t hold a candle to the reality of the man himself. As the book jacket of this amazing biography notes, he was a “brilliant explorer, trapper and pathfinder, renowned marksman and revolutionary militia officer, he was also a loner, a parent, legislator, settler and failed land speculator.” The author, Robert Morgan, is better known for his fiction and poetry, but the truth of Boone’s amazing life is more interesting than any novel he could have written.

Before Jim Harrison was a successful novelist and someone whose books were turned into blockbuster movies that made Brad Pitt even more money, he was an outdoor writer for several magazines including Sports Illustrated. Long before he wrote some of my favorite novels such as “Legends of the Fall,” “Wolf,” “Dalva,” “True North” and about a dozen more, he was churning out some of the funniest, most insightful articles about fishing, hunting and wild game preparation – particularly in his native Michigan – that have ever been published.

Many of these outdoor sports articles have been collected in “Just Before Dark,” and this book is a must-read for anyone who loves to spend hours outside.

Boone was a larger-than-life character and he comes fully alive in this book. His legendary exploits are covered in detail, but this book is more than just another homage to an American hero. As one Amazon reviewer notes, “Morgan skillfully assesses and often questions the validity of all the tales of good fortune and heroism attached to Boone.” He was not perfect, but who is?

Daniel Boone’s popularity continues to the present day because he was known as an early conservationist and was respectful of the native tribes and befriended many of them even while he was in conflict. This book is a treasure trove filled with insights about respecting and surviving on the land and has dozens of interesting illustrations and maps of the areas covered in the biography.

If you think you know Daniel Boone or just love getting out in the wilderness and challenging the elements, you’ll enjoy “Boone: A Biography”

In these articles, Harrison serves up a heaping helping of everything we have learned to appreciate in his fiction – humor, excess, depravity, moral conundrums and the adrenaline-pumping effect of an outdoor adventure overload. Anyone who has spent time outside, chasing whatever it is we’re all chasing, will immediately understand that Harrison is just like us – maybe a better cook – but basically someone you’d like to shoot the bull with after a day in the field.

While there are no fictional characters in these articles, some of the people you’ll meet here seem like they stepped out of one of his novels. No doubt, these real people and real exploits in the wild served as the foundation for his fictional success. In “Just Before Dark” Harrison explains why he doesn’t hunt in Africa, how to mix the right herbs with the right game, why he loves hunting woodcock and why “it’s a sin against God and man to skin a game bird instead of plucking it.”

A Hunter’s Heart

Honest Essays on Blood Sport Collected by David Peterson Not that most hunters care, one way or another, but in the past few years hunting has become politically incorrect. The most ethical hunters, people who care about natural habitat and contribute millions of hardearned dollars to protect the wetlands, endangered species and the wilderness, are constantly challenged by non-hunters who can’t understand why someone would enjoy tracking and ultimately killing a wild animal. Most hunters who have had this conversation one too many times, throw up their hands and say, “Screw it. Go back to your latte and leave me alone!”

A “Hunter’s Heart” is one of the most important collection of essays about hunting that has ever been compiled because it honestly answers the question – on many different levels – of why we hunt. In one of these essays entitled “The Heart of the Game,” novelist Thomas McGuane recalls a discussion with a nonhunter who is challenging the hunter: “Why should the deer die for you,” the non-hunter asks. “Would you die for the deer?”

“If it came to that,” the hunter replies.

This exchange is a good example of the power of this book. Other contributors to the book include (former President) Jimmy Carter, Dan Crockett, Russell Chatham, Richard K. Nelson, Ted Kerasote and many others who have been involved in writing about the philosophical basis of hunting. As a primer for ethical hunting, this book is one of the best. While it will not likely change the minds of non-hunters, it will give hunters some new ammunition in war of words related to the topic.

Game Birds of North America

By Leonard Lee Rue III Painting by Douglas Allen, Jr.

If anything signifies the importance of a book, it is its condition a few years after you’ve had it. The dust jacket of my copy of “Game Birds of North America” is tattered and torn from age and use. However, every page is still intact and bursting with more information about game birds than any other book I have ever read.

This book was first published in 1973 and anyone who hunts birds with either a shotgun, camera or binoculars should have a copy of it. The book has the complete details on 75 species of American game birds. This includes waterfowl, upland birds, shore birds and even what the author calls “nuisance birds.”

Have you ever wondered what the behavioral characteristics of the ruffed grouse were? I have. In order to hunt this wily game bird, it helps to know this kind of info. What is the difference between dipping ducks and diving ducks?

What are the migration routes of the Canada goose? Why is the great horned owl called the “tiger of the air.” The answers to these and thousands of other questions are found the “Game Birds of North America.”

Its use as a reference book is greatly enhanced by the bird painting and drawings of nature artist Douglas Allen. They are spectacular. The illustrations of the birds in their natural habitat are great to check if you’re ever unsure of the type of bird you’re seeing in your gun or camera sights. There are also about 25 maps that show migration routes and the distribution of various game birds throughout North America.

The book was originally an “Outdoor Life” book, was published by Harper & Row and it might be difficult to find, but that’s why they invented the Internet. If you hunt birds, you need this book. Mine is sitting on my desk, waiting for the next bird hunt.

Hunt High

By Duncan Gilchrist Duncan Gilchrist was a forester in both Maine and Alaska so he was used to breathing that thin mountain air. He was also a prolific writer on hunting bears, rams, bighorns, Rocky Mountain goats and just about any other four-legged critter that likes to roam above the tree line.

The title of this book – Hunt High – succinctly describes the subject matter. And no, it’s not about smoking weed before putting on the hiking boots and loading up the rifle.

As one reviewer noted, “‘Hunt High’ is essential reading for anyone who yearns to venture above the tree line in search of big game.” Gilchrist, who passed away in 2002, was the consummate expert on mountain hunting and survival. He is perhaps best known for his book, “All About Bears,” but most high-country hunters feel that this book is even better than the book on hunting bears.

These are just 5 books that have struck me as great reads for hunters. There are many more that you might want to also check out. For example: •

Undaunted Courage (about the Lewis & Clark expedition)

by Stephen Ambrose

•

The Sportsman’s Guide to Texas

by Dick Bartlett and Joanne Krieger with illustrations by Jack Unruh (featured in last month’s The Outpost)

•

My Life with the Eskimo

by Vilhjalmur Stefansson

•

The L.L. Bean Game and Fish Cookbook

by Angus Cameron and Judith Jones

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Whitetail Access by Chris Eberhart

The book draws on Gilchrist’s experiences in alpine hunting in Montana, Colorado, Alaska, New Zealand and other places. In addition to great insights about the big game that live on these mountain ranges, he offers keen observations about hunting strategies and camping tactics that will make the reader a better high country hunter.

This is another book that is currently out of print and might be a challenge to run down a copy. However, if you ever want to Hunt High, keep an eye out for this one. It will be worth it.

We’d also like to hear what books have been important to you as a hunter. Send us the titles and we’ll share them with everyone else.

Email the-outpost@comcast.net

TRADITIONAL OR CROSSBOW? There’s a great word that describes most bow hunters I know. The word is “anachronistic.” If you haven’t already hit the search button for the exact meaning of this word, I’ll save you the effort. It doesn’t mean a fear of spiders - that’s arachnophobia. No, bow hunters are anachronistic because they are “someone from a former age who is not consistent with the present.” Does that describe you? Well, you’re a part of a big bunch of other anachronistic hunters.

Since prehistoric times, hunters have realized that a sharp stick, when shot from a tightly strung bow and accurately placed in a strategic area of the body, will bring down just about animal. Whether the arrows are made of hardwood and flint rock or high-tech metal, the basic premise of bow hunting has been around since cavemen realized just how cool it was to pull back that string and let ‘er fly.

These days, hunters around the world eagerly anticipate bow hunting season for white tail deer, mule deer and turkeys. It usually occurs the month before firearm-based deer hunting season.

A NEW TWIST ON AN OLD WEAPON It’s a given that hunters love new equipment. It gives us a reason to go to the sporting goods store and spend money that would otherwise be wasted on frivolous things like utility bills and shoes for the baby.

In the recent past, traditional bow hunters began sharing the woods with hunters who will be using crossbows. Who knew that the difference between “horizontal” and “vertical” would be so vast? If you are a bow hunter or you have the misfortune of being married to one, you probably know all about the differences of opinion related to the use of crossbows during archery season.

In one state, Texas, the issue was so contentious that the state legislature had to make the decision to allow crossbows in the state. Clearly, the necessity to pass a law allowing a type of hunting gear suggests just how important this sport is to the state. Either that or there was not much going on that month in the legislature. Before this law passed, crossbows could only be used by hunters with disabilities that made it impossible for them to draw a traditional hunting bow.

SPORTING GOODS RETAILERS LOVE THE CROSSBOWS As would be expected, the people most happy about this new law are the big box sporting goods stores. In a 2011 newspaper article, “Bass Pro Shops” reported that they enjoyed a greater than 50 percent increase in crossbow sales and “Cabella’s” said that they tripled their sales of the item over last year.

The costs on a typical crossbow package, including accessories are from $500 to $700. In some states any hunter with either a crossbow or traditional bow must also pay a $7 archery stamp endorsement to their basic hunting license.

DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES Crossbows shoot a lot like a rifle. They are usually fitted with rifle sights and because they do not require the strength needed to pull back the traditional bow, they are good for either beginning archers or those hunters who don’t have time to commit to the constant practice necessary to be successful with a standard bow.

There are a few differences and similarities between the crossbow and the traditional bow. The crossbow makes more noise that the traditional bow and this can have the effect of spooking a deer before the shot arrives. Guides note that when this happens, the deer tend to duck in preparation to running. This will cause the arrow to miss high.

There is no advantage for either bow in terms of arrow speed. Both types of bows will shoot an arrow about 350 feet per second.

Expert bow hunters say that the shorter crossbow arrow loses velocity quicker than the traditional bow, but the trajectory is roughly the same as that of a compound bow. At 30 yards, the arrow from a traditional bow drops about 17 inches, about two inches more than the shorter crossbow arrow.

The crossbow wins the comparison in several categories. It is easier to aim because of the rifle sights and the trigger mechanism. It is more accurate than the traditional bow for the same reason. It is also easier to use because of its mechanical cocking aides and string locks.

The traditional bow has a few factors in its favor. It is much easier to reload a traditional bow than a crossbow. Plus, there is a big difference in the weight of the two types of bows. Crossbows weigh two or three times more than a compound bow. As a result, some form of support is necessary for the crossbow, not so for the traditional bow. It will also cause more hunter fatigue which can result in missed shots.

WILL THE CROSSBOW INCREASE THE HARVEST? New technology often gets the attention of those hunters who are fascinated by the next shiny object. In the short run, this novelty could mean more interest in the sport.

While there is speculation that allowing crossbows for the archery season will increase the number of bow hunters, not everyone agrees that the harvest of deer and turkeys will increase. One fact of life in the woods remains. The bow hunter must have patience and skill to get within 30 yards of the quarry and then make the shot. The hunterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skill will usually trump technology.

What’s the Best Caliber Gun Well, that Depends.

A deer hunter walked into a crowded bar, filled with other hunters. Stop me if you’ve heard this one. By the way, there’s no talking chicken standing on the bar and the bartender doesn’t have a raccoon on his shoulder. However, newly arrived deer hunter is intent on starting a fight with his fellow hunters. (No one knows WHY he wants to start a fight…it’s a joke OK?) So, the new arrival loudly proclaims, “the best caliber rifle for hunting deer is a .30 - 06 and anyone who thinks otherwise is a moron!” There is immediate silence in the bar, followed by a tumult of broken beer bottles and screams of indignation. As the airline commercial notes: It’s on!

The moral of this story is that the quickest way to start a spirited argument among a bunch of liquored-up or even sober deer hunters is to offer an opinion about “the best caliber gun to bag the big buck.” There are more opinions about this subject than there are barroom jokes with talking chickens.

The Basic Criteria – One Shot Kill With deer hunting season just around the corner, you’ve probably already chosen your gun, got your scope sighted in and ammo purchased. However, if you are still undecided as to the best caliber gun for deer hunting, we made a few queries to some professional hunting guides and looked at a bunch of websites and came up with a few suggestions.

for Whitetail Deer Hunting?

The basic criteria for any deer hunting gun are a one-shot kill with little or no meat wasted and its effectiveness from a reasonable range. Of course, meeting these criteria has a LOT to do with the skill of the hunter.

However, the right caliber gun will certainly help in this process.

First, here are two calibers that are not-so-good for getting a clean shot. The experts say that the Winchester .243 and the 6 mm Remington, while they are used by many hunters because they have little recoil and excellent trajectory ballistics, are not the best all-round guns for your hunt. The guides suggest these guns for children, who might be on their first hunt, but not for full-grown, manly men.

Some Good Choices Some of the hunting guides we talked with suggested that the best compromise to these guns is the .25 - 06 Remington with a 120-grain bullet. This will deliver about 300 pounds per foot more energy than the .243 load, with little recoil. This gun has comparable trajectory ballistics to the lighter guns.

Probably the most popular gun for deer hunting is the .30 - 06. It has 10 or so bullet types and weights and is one of the most adaptable guns for just about any situation. The guides say that this caliber is not a flatshooting as the .25 - 06 but it is still very effective at 300 yards.

Another favorite of the guides is the .270, with the most popular bullet weight being 130 grains. This bullet delivers 100 pounds per foot more energy at 300 yards than the 150 grain bullet out of the .30 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 06, it has a flatter trajectory and doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have much of a kick.

There are many more calibers that hunting guides and online references suggest, but the one that seems to always be included in any list is the 7 mm magnum. This caliber is especially good for the trophy hunting in areas such as the South Texas brush land. It’s also a BIG gun so unless you’re in good shape and don’t mind a few recoil bruises on your shoulder, this might be too big for day-in-day-out hunting.

Preserving the Meat The gun debate among hunters usually centers on the contention that the smaller calibers waste less meat. This argument claims that the .30 – 06, .308, .270 and the 7 mm magnum destroy too much meat when they enter the deer. Hunting experts and guides disagree.

Since most deer hunters go for the lung shot, these heavier calibers have a higher foot-pounds of energy and they tend to anchor the deer, thereby preventing a cripple being lost in the brush. Smaller calibers don’t have enough power to drop a deer at any distance and when this happens, lots of meat is wasted – as in the entire deer.

Plus, many hunters who prefer the small caliber will aim for the neck because they have learned the “knock-down” limitations of their gun. Unless the neck is broken by this shot, the crippled deer with likely escape and the meat of the entire deer is wasted. In addition to being frustrating to the hunter, this is inhumane to the wounded deer.

The lack of a knock-down shot can also result in the meat of the deer being “gamey” tasting. This results when a deer is spooked or is wounded and runs for a great distance.

When this happens, the deer builds up a great deal of blood and adrenalin in his system.

Plus, oxygen is burned out of the muscles which increases the amount waste residue such as lactic acid. For better tasting deer meat, it’s better to have a bigger caliber with immediate knock-down power.

This primer has likely not settled any arguments about the right caliber for whitetail deer hunting, but hopefully it’s gotten you thinking. Talk to gun salesmen, hunting guides and your buddies who seem to always have lots of venison in their freezer. These guys will have even more thoughts about the subject. Just don’t talk to them in a crowded barroom. You never know what might break out!

PHOTO OF THE MONTH: SNA WINNER MATT!!!

10 Tips for Women Who Want to Hunt Deer Everybody loves a “Top 10” listing. For example, who doesn’t want to know the “Top 10 Tips” on winning at Texas Hold ‘Em. How about the Top 10 reasons for trading in your car after one year. Well, in that spirit, here is the Top 10 Tips for the beginning lady deer hunter. If you’re female or know and love one, follow these tips and you’ll thank me later!

Kim Costner

Tip #1 Ladies, I can`t stress enough how important it is to tell someone where you will be exactly hunting.

Since I’m a woman I know how we like to change our minds. However, stick to your plans.

Tip #2 Before the hunting season starts and even during the season, practice shooting every chance you have. All of the hard work of learning the equipment, scouting the location and getting to the blind before dawn, won`t help you if you miss the deer.

Tip #3 Let`s talk scent control, can we? Deer have great ability to smell perfume or detergent from several hundred yards. It’s critical to wash your camo clothing in scent-control laundering detergent and put your clothing in a scent control plastic tote.

Also, remember to take a scent- free shower and shampoo using scent control. Once you gather all of your equipment and arrive at your location; spray everything (including your clothing, equipment and your boots) that you`re taking into the woods. Ladies a general rule is hike to your stand or climber wearing only what is necessary in order to avoid heavy sweating and keep that scent away.

Tip #4 When choosing a location to hunt, place your stand/blind in an area that is between a known bedding area and a known food source. To determine these areas look for tracks disturbed plants and scat (poop). Be sure that you consider the wind in your research. An important rule is to hunt with the wind in your face while facing the direction you expect the deer to come from. Downwind corners of fields are great for this. I know it`s tempting, but never hunt in a bedding area or right on a trail.

I like to stay 50 Yards away from a bedding area and 20 yards off a trail.

Tip #5 Here`s the moment. You’ve hit the deer and he’s down! As difficult as it is, wait 30 minutes before climbing out of your stand. If bow hunting inspect the arrow for bubbly blood. This is a lung shot. For anything less than bubbly blood on your arrow, give a few hours before tracking the deer. Remember the hunt is still on and tracking the deer is a lot of fun. Once you found your deer , immediately tag it.

Do this before you do anything else.

Tip #6 Gutting a deer is not fun but it must be done before dragging the deer out of the woods. You should definitely get someone who is experienced in the field dressing to show you the technique for this.

Tip #7 After killing a deer, place a roped deer drag around the its neck (I like to use my safety strap) and pull the deer out of the woods following the trail to get back to your hunting spot.

Tip #8 Be safe and remember that accidents happen. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s important that you always use a safety harness when hunting out of a stand/climber and don`t forget to wear an ORANGE vest.

Tip #9 Enjoy this awesome sport. There are great rewards we ladies get from hunting. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a woman, keep at it and it will get easier. It takes a little time to get the basics and a lifetime to perfect them.

Tip #10 SHARE your passion. Be proud to be a lady hunter in this sport and let`s show the men Girls can hunt too!

How to Avoid Blowing It Tips on the mental aspects of bowhunting Buckfever, to some degree, is part of every shot at big game but is especially problematic when bowhunting.

Shooting a bow well is quite cerebral, easily derailed by stress we all feel more pointedly when faced with trophy game. That’s pretty much the entire point of all hunting.

Controlling anxiety while bowhunting, shooting your bow well under pressure, comes easier with experience, even as the excitement remains, but can prove a difficult place to get to. The key is systematically “desensitizing” yourself to stress, while also gaining confidence through experience.

Playing Mind Games Helps When you’re young or inexperienced, it seems impossible to keep it together under the pressure of performance anxiety. This is why it’s important to play mind games with yourself, tricks to assure your mind is functioning at normal speed as you prepare for a high-pressure shot. Most simply involve slowing down the thought process so you are able to make rational decisions during the so-called moment of truth. The biggest problem with stress is your internal clock is thrown askew. Time seems to race when nothing has actually changed at all. Talking to yourself better enables you to maintain a realistic timeframe.

When I was young and presented with bow shots at game, my mind was all over the place and wildly disorganized. I missed a lot of easy shots, sometimes blowing it through stupid moves before I even drew my bow. Bow success was sporadic and a matter of luck in most cases.

I might have been in my 20s when I learned to slow my thoughts by slowly counting or running through the alphabet just prior to an impending shot. I’d concentrate on counting or reciting the alphabet as evenly and slowly as possible, simply giving myself something else to concentrate on. It’s something deeply imbedded in every hunter’s subconscious and comes nearly automatically. I already knew how to shoot my bow from hours of tedious repetition, I just needed to slow my thoughts and allow the shot to happen.

Talk to Yourself After you slow your reeling mind through these simple exercises, talking to yourself (silently, of course) before impending shots can take on more definition. Coaching yourself through specific aspects of shooting that regularly prove your undoing is one option. You should remind yourself to “Pick a Spot!” Aim small, hit small -- it serves you well in hunting as well as target shooting.

It’s also all too common in big game hunting that while witnessing a trophy buck or bull coming your way you become so mentally overwhelmed, so mesmerized, you actually shoot into the very antlers you so covet. Make sure that this doesn’t happen to you. Once you have made the decision to shoot never look at that animal’s antlers again. Instead concentrate on picking an aiming point and never taking your eyes off it until your arrow sinks home.

As a quick aside, some super-wary animals can prove downright sensitive to being observed intently at pointblank range. Call it ESP, or that odd feeling of being watched we’ve all experienced at one time or another.

Averting your gaze away from an animal’s eyes can mean the difference between receiving a shot and diverting him from your position. In archery your arrow goes where you look. Look where you want to hit, not at what you want most at that moment.

Many successful bowhunters mentally run through an entire pre-shot list, for example; “Solid anchor. Check peep alignment. Relax the bow hand. Back tension.

Squeeeze the trigger…..” If it helps you shoot better don’t hesitate to approach shots in such a step-by-step basis. Your personal checklist may differ from mine, but should be designed to slow down your thinking and better facilitate the execution of the perfect shot – or in the case of tense bowhunting encounters, as close an approximation as possible.

My checklist involves first of all reminding myself to “BREATH.” By this I mean using calming breathing exercises, inhaling deeply by employing my diaphragm, in through the nose, holding that breath temporarily before slowly exhaling through the mouth, just enough to just move a candle flame without putting it out. I follow by reminding myself to “TAKE YOUR TIME! ANCHOR TIGHT. FOLLOW THROUGH.” The latter repeated mentally even as the arrow is away. If you have a reoccurring problem that affects your shooting, make it part of a final shot checklist, make it part of your pre-shot mantra.

Approached in this manner you should see your shot success climbing exponentially. Success is the path to gained confidence and creating a higher batting average.

Offseason Training This is one reason I consider summer 3-D shooting, as well as year-round small-game hunting, an important part of becoming a better-rounded bowhunter. These experiences are not on par with the extreme experience of big game hunting, but they are experience all the same. It’s also why I so enjoy off-season game such as wild boar or spring turkey, big-deal bowhunting experiences that keep me mentally sharp for deer and elk and bears and pronghorn when fall finally rolls around.

Make a contest of competing against friends while shooting backyard 3-D targets, introducing an element of anxiety by betting a nickel or quarter a shot, or a forced round of sodas for the lowest score. When alone pretend 3-D targets are the real thing, stalking them and imagining an actual bowhunting encounter during the shot. A rabbit or woodchuck certainly isn’t as exciting as a deer, but you still owe that animal a quick, clean death, adding to the stress of a shot considerably.

Confidence boosters also take the form of does normally passed while waiting for bucks. As a beginner don’t get too caught up in trophy fever. Take a few does, those smaller management bucks. Approached in this manner, you’ll be more than ready – through real-world experiences – when Mr. Big does show himself. You’ll be well on your way to becoming a more deadly bowhunting shot.

Rattling Lures Make Beautiful Music Most fishermen know how important visual presentation is to catching fish. There are literally thousands of books and website pages that are dedicated to the choice of colors and shapes of lures that might attract a strike. There is, however, another sensory element that smart anglers use when stocking their tackle box – sound.

It has been proven by both scientists and sportsmen that lures that use the sound of rattles to create vibrations can get the attention of a fish. This attraction of sound is particularly compelling with freshwater predator fish such as bass, walleye and stripers. However, sometimes this rattling sound effect results a false note and it spooks the fish. Here are some ways to use rattling lures to attract more fish.

Can Fish Hear Sounds?

Even though their hearing apparatus is hidden, fish have the capacity to “hear” or feel vibrations. According to MarineBiology.org “Fish do not have external ears, but sound vibrations readily transmit from the water through the fish's body to its internal ears.”

The marine life site continues, “The ears are divided into two sections, an upper section (pars superior) and a lower section (utriculus). The pars superior is divided into three semicircular canals and give the fish its sense of balance. It is fluid-filled with sensory hairs. The sensory hairs detect the rotational acceleration of the fluid. The canals are arranged so that one gives yaw, another pitch, and the last, roll.

The utriculus gives the fish its ability to hear. It has two large otoliths which vibrate with the sound and stimulate the surrounding hair cells.”

This begs the obvious question: If Apple made a fishPod, what type of music would fish download?

It seems logical that large mouth bass would favor Hank Jr. or Toby Keith. Trout, who are more eclectic in their taste, would likely to enjoy a nice Brahms’s concerto or even a little Herbie Hancock. Is there any doubt that sharks would dig the straight ahead rock and roll of Foo Fighters or Kings of Leon? Plus, if a fish had a hangover, would the sound of an annoying rattling lure make the headache worse? These questions must be left for marine psychologists to ponder. The answer, however, could save the music business!

Good Vibrations In order to realize success with rattling baits, it is important to pick the right environment to use them.

According to several online fishing resources, deploying this type of lure in crystal clear, completely calm water might be a mistake. In these conditions, a loud noise-making lure of any type, rattlers included, may actually spook the fish and do more harm than good.

However, in more cloudy water, these lures can be very effective. The murkier the water, the more of an advantage the rattles will be. This is because predator fish will be using vibrations to key in on the baitfish. It’s possible to amplify the lure’s noise-making ability in areas with shallow, rocky bottoms, by knocking bottom. This tactic also works when rattle chambers are added soft plastic lures, or a rattle chamber is added to swimbaits.

How to Use Them Fishing guides note that loud rattle lures are usually best applied as a type of “sales pitch” as the angler moves around the body of water. Earthsports.com notes that “Rattle lures will draw the attention of fish and trigger aggressive strikes with a cast or two, but if a rattler moves through the same zone over and over again, too much of a good thing will often shut down the bite.” This is where one might imagine that the grumpy bass with a hangover is thinking: “turn down that racket, would you buddy?!”

Rattle lures are also good for building a crowd of fish on the shorelines of large, open bodies of water on windy days. Since sound is about five times louder underwater, areas where the wind and the waves crash into hard structure are very noisy. However this is what auditory scientists call cacophony (aka noise). A rattling lure creates a regular, rhythmic vibration “trail” that a predator fish can follow in hopes of a getting a nice, free lunch.

The Rattle and Hum Rattling lures are not the ultimate weapon for winning the fishing battle of wits. They are, however, pretty cool.

When they are used in the correct situation, they can help close some sales that other lures can’t even get in the door.

Catching fish with rattle lures requires some patience and common sense. Most of all, it requires the angler to think like a fish, who’s all ears.

A good strategy for using rattle lures is to cast as the angler moves from spot to spot, until he catches a fish.

Then swap the rigs and fan-cast through the same area with a quiet lure, to see if the rattler exposed a honey hole.

Most experts feel that the retrieve is the most important aspect of using rattle lures. According to Mike Gerry a fishing guide featured on the website secretweaponlures.com, “(The) retrieve is the key. You have to try and do many different things with your retrieve. Pausing your retrieve for a split second during a retrieve is a great fish catcher. This constantly has the bait dropping and popping the grass and making erratic moves as it pulls through the grass. In deep water I stop it for sometimes a count of 3 so it drops to the bottom. Popping your rod tip up also moves that bait in an erratic motion, let it drop pop it again and reel, this gives the bait a lot of movement.”

Justin Townes Earle Here’s How He Got to Memphis

He produced “Nothing’s son. The CD was record recording studio in Ash it’s the job of the artist t than my last one, Harle He has indeed.

This record has as muc together. Plus, unlike m stories in these songs ar and his Sun Studio whe side. This stand-up-bas

You can almost smell the barbeque sauce and feel the humidity coming off the Mississippi River in downtown Memphis as the tracks from Justin Townes Earle brilliant CD “Nothing’s Going to Change the Way You Feel About me Now” stream through the speakers. You can definitely hear the musical style that made the Memphis sound unique on this excellent collection of songs.

As JTE’s fourth release it follows his critically acclaimed 2010 album, Harlem River Blues, which introduced the young singer/songwriter to millions of new fans and led to a Song of the Year award at the 2011 Americana Music Awards for the title cut. This huge success is one of those good news/bad news deals.

How do you follow Harlem River Blues - a collection that legions of listeners described as the iconic Americana CD? If you’re Justin Townes Earle, you change it up and record a completely different sounding record. You take those evocative stories and experiences and soak them in Memphis horns, Hammond B3 organs and summer sweat and you get an Americana music masterpiece.

www.justintownesearle.com

s Going to Change” with help from his long-time musical collaborator, Skylar Wiled completely live with no overdubs over a 4-day period at an old converted church heville, North Carolina. JTE was quoted by several reviewers as saying, “I think that to be in transition and constantly learn more. The new record is completely different em River Blues. This time I've gone in a Memphis-soul direction.”

h soul as Al Green, Sam & Dave, Booker T. Jones and Steve (“Play it Steve”) Cropper put many of the great soul songs that we grew up with that had vapid (at best) lyrics, JTE’s re stunning. Lest anyone forget, Memphis is also home to the legendary Sam Phillips ere the rockabilly ghosts of Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash still res-hit-you-between-the-eyes rockabilly sound is also a part of JTE’s homage to Memphis.

One of the best tracks on the CD is Look the Other Way. It’s a shuffling, up-tempo gem with a little surprise lyric. Mix in the perfectly produced horns and great voice of Earle and you’ve got a track that young hipsters and old fogies will dig. Another song that songs like it could’ve come from the hit factory of Stax Records is Baby’s Got a Bad Idea. Great lyrics, pitch-perfect delivery of Earle, smokin’ horn section and some of the best boogie woogie piano every laid down make this another great track.

This CD also has some personal observations about JTE and his equally famous father, Steve Earle. It’s hard enough for fathers and sons to get along, but the relationship between these

two seems like it has been a bumpy as ten miles of bad road. The first cut on the record, Am I That Lonely Tonight is one of the slower tempo songs in the set and makes direct reference to this family dynamic. It’s also a beautiful piece of music.

The final cut on the CD, Movin’ On is on its surface about JTE and his family but after the tempo starts slow, it builds to a great rave up. It’s extremely uplifting and reminds the listener of Paul Simon’s “Graceland.” It’s not certain if this irony between a song about the Memphis mecca and Elvis’ home and this Memphis-themed collection was intended or not, but Movin’ On is worth the price of the CD. There are other notable tracks on this CD. In fact, there are no cuts that sound like they were tossed in at the last minute to fill space. They’re all good and you might want to sample: Down on the Lower East Side (featuring an excellent jazz trumpet and organ), Maria (soulful lyrics) and the all-out rocker, Memphis in the Rain.

There’s no doubt that Nothing’s Going to Change the Way You Feel About me Now will result in lots of industry accolades and many new fans for Justin Townes Earle. With it, he has shown he is both fearless in his musical choices and infinitely capable of telling very personal stories in his songs. For a serious artist, these are the only things that are truly important.

Captain Tony’s Mixology

Over the years, I have been asked what is the manliest drink of all time. I suppose that is a matter of taste. However, over the next few issues of The Outpost, we will examine some of our picks.

ALABAMA SLAMMER Rammer Jammer, Yellowhammer, give ‘em hell, Alabama! You don’t have to be a Crimson Tide fan to enjoy this libation.

Rumor has it that it was concocted at the University of Alabama around 1975. This mix is the Southern answer to the Long Island Iced Tea. The smooth taste of SoCo mixes nicely with sweet Amaretto and OJ. Word of warning though...it may look like a fruity drink, but will kick you like a mule if you are not careful.

Please drink responsibly.

• • • • •

1/2 oz vodka 1/2 oz Southern Comfort 1/2 oz amaretto 1/2 oz sloe gin orange juice

Preparation: - Pour the liquors into a highball glass filled with ice.

- Fill with orange juice.

- Garnish with a lime CHEERS!!!

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THE BACK PAGE

Two hunters were dragging their dead deer back to their car. Another hunter approached pulling his along too.

“Hey, I don’t want to tell you how to do something ... but I can tell you that it’s much easier if you drag the deer in the other direction. Then the antlers won’t dig into the ground.”

After the third hunter left, the two decided to try it.

A little while later one hunter said to the other, “You know, that guy was right. This is a lot easier!”

“Yeah, but we’re getting farther from the truck,” the other added.

One morning, a father and his young son were in the woods hunting rabbits. After about an hour, they finally came across some rabbit tracks. In between the tracks, there were these little round brown pellets, and the son said to his father, “Dad, what are those?”

The father replied, “Those are smart pills. Try a couple.”

Do you have a funny hunting or fishing picture?

Do you have a joke that everyone should hear?

Email them to: The-Outpost@comcast.net

The boy grabbed a couple of them and put them in his mouth. The boy made a funny face and said to his father, “They taste awful.”

The father replied, “See, you’re getting smarter already.”

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Philosophy Impacting the children of tomorrow... Showing youth a better way of life while providing them with a weekend of fun in Gods creation to experience new things and meet new friends.

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Nothing we do is as important as the impact that we have on the youth community.

Engaging activities develop values, skills and relationships. Activities are not seen as ends in themselves, but as vehicles for creating values, building skills and solidifying peer and adult relationships. An engaging activity is one that holds the youth's attention, awakens their imagination, and inspires them to want to learn more.

All youth have equal rights to be accepted, respected and valued by others. Youth are viewed as individuals to be developed, not problems to be solved.

Youth should be involved in decision-making and program design. If children get to choose how, when, in what and with whom to be engaged, they are far more likely to enjoy themselves and behave cooperatively.

When we listen for understanding everyone learns â&#x20AC;&#x201D; youth and adults alike. We are constantly able to learn from the youth as well as each other. Everyone is a learner

To see how Kicking Bear One-on-One is truly changing kids lives, please view this video: http://youtu.be/NHVPdRJdZzU

www.kickingbear.org

Support Military Families Why Help our Military Families?

The statistics are staggering. Hundreds of thousands of military families feel the effects of war: Post-Traumatic Stress; Traumatic Brain Injury; bodily injuries and death; and financial and emotional struggles.

Operation Homefront is here to help. Our mission is to assist American military service members and their families when they have needs associated with financial hardships that arise as a result of their military service. But we can’t do it alone. Your donation will make all the difference for these heroes who serve our country.

* Food Assistance * Auto Repair * Moving Assistance * Vision Care * Homefront Celebrations * Operation Homefront Villages * Financial Assistance * Travel and Transportation * * * * * * * *

Home Repair Essential Home Items Morale Donated Items Morale Holiday Programs Community Events Wounded Warrior Wives Military Child of the Year® Army Homefront Fund

www.operationhomefront.net/georgia

800-390-2115

How? For every dollar given, $0.94 directly helps military families and wounded warriors.

We are proud to have received a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, and an “A” rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy. In addition, we are registered with the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.

Since 2002, Operation Homefront has met the needs of more than 400,000 families and personnel nationwide and invested $128 million of funding in programs to support them. Much like the military, we have a “no man left behind” attitude to help every possible family and wounded warrior who sacrifices so much for the freedoms we enjoy. When we can’t fill a need, we help families access other organizations that can help, then we take on the role of advocate to make sure they receive the assistance they need.