First Archery Shoot for 2017

Our first archery shoot of the year was on April 22-23. Unfortunately Kyle had to work and missed most of it, but he came out and did 1 round. Saturday we did a round with friends then I ran Kyle back to town so he could get ready for work and went back with the kids to keep shooting. Unfortunately I didnt realize that they had changed the required number of rounds you had to do. It used to be 5 rounds over the 2 days, now it is 3 rounds over the 2 days. So the kids and I did 3 rounds the first day and 2 rounds the second day. The first day we shot pretty decent, with the exception of the last round- that was a nightmare and it didnt help we were both tired. Pheonix and I were shooting for scores. The last course we did was labeled A course and it was tough. The shots were shots you would never take while hunting, they were all very far distances for the kids with tricky shots for them as well. By the end of A loop, Pheonix was in tears and beaten down. She had no confidence left and I kept telling her to keep her chin up and try not to worry about it. It was a relief when we were done and able to head home. We were all exhausted mentally and physically. But tomorrow was a new day and we would be refreshed and ready to go.

The next day we both shot really well, much better then the day before....but to our dismay the scores didnt count. It was still good practice either way. At the end of the weekend Pheonix and I both placed 2nd in our divisions. Pheonix will only have this year left as a mini cub. Right now she shoots a Diamond Prism with fingers and no sights (we put a sight on it and tried to teach her to use it but shes having some troubles adjusting and just shoots how she always has- by instinct).

Oudoor Adventures with Jayson Podcast Interview

I had the pleasure of chatting with Jayson on his podcast last month. You can hear it here at:

Interview

Saskatchewan Bear Hunt 2015

Our 2nd annual trip to Saskatchewan to hunt with Kerwin and Warren, this time with the kids. We left at midnight on the 30th of May planning to drive through the night in hopes the kids would sleep the entire way. Easton did...Pheonix not so much. We made it to Edmonton 2 hours  before Cabelas opened, so we went for breakfast and waited. We managed to find a youth harness that fit Pheonix and myself so she could go up in the stand too. She was excited, mom not so much, but I didn't hold her back.

We got to Lloydminster that afternoon and had a chance to relax a bit and get a good nights sleep before heading to Saskatchewan with Kerwin in the morning. We got our tags bought in the morning and were off to Warrens families ranch. Warren wasn't due home until later that evening so we hunted the families property for the evening. Kerwin and I only had one little bear come in, Kyle had 3. He had one little one and a sow with a decent boar. I would have taken him if he came to my stand. Kerwin and my hunt unfortunately was interrupted by a couple wolves. The neighbors had their cattle out in the pasture next to us and you could hear them mooing all evening, but close to dark 2 wolves lit up howling. They were in among the cows, and after there was some silence and then a single cow started calling again-but it sounded in distress. We thought maybe a calve was taken, so that night we told Warrens dad about it and he was pretty worried, he was taking his cattle out there the next day.
The stayed the night at the ranch and the next morning we got everything packed up and ready to head north. It was another couple hour drive to get to where we wanted. Once there we set up camp and got ready to hit the stands. I hunted with Kerwin again and Kyle on his own. Warren wanted to do a fish fry for dinner so he offered to take the kids fishing with him, of course they were ecstatic. Later I received a picture of them and Pheonix had caught her first pike all on her own. They had a lot of fun. Kyle had one bear come in that night and Kerwin and I had 5- including big red. It was a pretty cool night and I had all my layers on minus my thick Oncatherm extreme shirt on, and I was wishing I had it on too. We had little bear after little bear come in. Then we seen this big red colored bear come in hopping on 3 legs, at first we thought he was a sow because you could hear him popping his jaws the whole we in, he stopped just in the trees before one of the black boars put a run on him. Then just before dark he came hobbling back to the bait but really on edge. I was standing ready for him to come in as soon as we heard him popping. I had one really good shot opportunity but I couldn't draw my bow, after sitting 6 hours in the cold and getting stiff- I just couldn't get my bow past the wall. And once he heard me draw, he was gone like a shot. I was really mad. I could not believe I just missed out on that big boar because I couldn't get my bow back.

Next day Kerwin and I hunted the same stand, hoping big red would come back in. He had come back in at 3am that night, but I wasn't very optimistic about him showing up in daylight again. Again we had 5 bears come in. 3 were the same little ones from the other night and 2 new ones. The one new one was a bigger boar, not as big as red but decent. He had a nice head on him and that was about it. He was skin and bones and his hair was patchy and rubbed right off. He came in very cautious and he came straight to the stand to check it. When he walked under me he stopped and looked up, I had a wave of Deja vu hit me, like I had seen him before- those eyes and his face...but I couldn't quite place it. He didn't stay long, he put the run on one of the 3 little ones (a little 3 year old boar with big attitude) then never came back. Just before dark the little boar got spooked and ran to our tree, he huffed and made a ruckus and then we had a big black come in, he was about 4 inches above the barrel and the little boar came right up the tree under our feet. I was watching the little boar and Kerwin trying to shoo it down with his hat. He didn't know who he should take his chances with, us or the bear. When I drew back I couldn't see him in my pins, we had ran out of light. So we waited a minute and he just wandered through. We also had the little boar with attitude watching us from another tree and a sow watching from about 60 yards out. When we started down out of the tree the little boar took off, the sow just stayed put. She was only 10 yards from us sitting at the baits, she did not care we were right there. So we made our way out and sat at the truck. As we came out we noticed a bear standing about 30 yards from the truck making its way to the baits. Kerwin had a trailer on the back which smelled of meat so we went to check if the bear had destroyed anything. Nothing was ruined but he was definitely in the trailer checking everything out, you could smell him like he was standing beside you.

Kyle was hunting with Pheonix, and Easton went fishing with Warren. Kyle had apparently shot a bear. It wasn't the biggest bear but it was a good experience for Pheonix. Apparently she also got to see this years cubs during her sit with daddy, and got a good nap in ha ha. Kyle had to keep her from jumping up and down in the tree every time a bear came in. He shot it well before dark so had retrieved it and loaded it up with Warrens help. When they pulled up about 20 mins after we left the stand we told each other our stories.

The next 3 days were very quiet. We only had 2-3 little ones come in, but we did see some rut action. A real young shaggy boar was charming the 2 sows that were hanging around. We had a chocolate sow come in and try to get our attention in a frisky way. She laid back under our ladder watching us, rubbing a stick on her...same thing Warren and I had last year, except this little sow wanted to share her stick and wanted to come up the tree with it. We watched the boar chase the sows and wrestle with them...but we never had any good bears come back in. During the slow days the ugly boar kept come back to me in my head, the same picture over and over of him looking up at me....and it clicked. I think he was the beautiful black I shot at and missed the year before. It was a different stand this year but same location, and this one didn't have the high arm rests like the year before.  Warren also took a night to go back to his families ranch to hunt, there was a big bear there he was after. He didn't see the big boar that night but he did have quite the entertaining night. He had a cinnamon sow come in with 2 new babies, both cinnamon. They came into the bait and the cubs made a B line straight for Warrens tree. They shot up the tree and momma came to investigate what they were doing. He videoed them coming in and when mom decided to come over, you can hear him say Oh f*** when she makes her way to the tree, ha ha. Lucky she was a laid back sow and she just made a couple grunts and they scooted down and she went back to the bait to eat. As soon as she was eating though, one of the little ones went back up the tree to investigate Warren again. He managed to get almost up on his platform with him. Mom didn't even look at him again. The other little cub went to join his mom for a snack and apparently she pancaked him with her paw...flattened him right to the ground and the little guy just howled. Warren said it was the funniest thing he had ever seen.

We ended up staying a day later then we had planned, hoping that maybe some thing big would come back through. We woke up Sunday morning and was able to get packed up and leaving by 9:30-10 am. We had to stop at Jeanettes on the other side of Edmonton for a visit...mainly a business one that turned into a socialization...for 8 hours. We were able to meet Todd Brick, one of the hosts for No Limits TV, so it was a nice visit...but made for a real long drive home. We had to stop twice so Kyle could sleep and ended up home at 9:30 am Monday. It was another good year, had its ups and downs, but we had fun and so did the kids. Their last night they did some more fishing with Warren and his girlfriend, Natasha, and they caught 27 pike but kept 7 for dinner. So overall another awesome trip, and we look forward to next year.

*** 2 weeks after we left***
I get a text message from Warren sending me pictures of a massive red bear that showed up at the stand Kyle had shot his bear from, a week after we left. It was Red, and the left foot gave it away. He was still alive and hopefully he makes it to next season.

Nikita

Girls Guns & Rods

I would like to introduce everyone to the new womens outdoor magazine called Girls Guns & Rods, a magazine made for women by women! In this magazine you will find real outdoors women sharing their stories, tips, product reviews and more. Available in print and digital copies, this is a full color magazine.

Although the magazine is new, the Chief Editor Laurie Hauke is not new to the magazine world. She is co-owner of Airboating Magazine, a nationally distributed full-color publication in print and digital. Airboating Magazine started in 2007, and has been the leading magazine promoting and uniting airboat enthusiasts from all over the world.

We want to bring women from all over the world together and give the outdoors woman something for them! And what better way to do it then a magazine dedicated to them.

If you are interested in carrying GGR in your store or placing an AD in future issues please contact me by email nkdalke@hotmail.com

Opening Day of Hunting Season 2014

September 1st!! Opening day of archery season. Kyles parents took the kids for a sleepover last night so that we could head out bright and early. We got up into the blind at about 7:00am and it was cold! It was only 5C and windy. I really should have worn a couple more layers but dumb me thought the blind will block most the wind, I should be fine....WRONG. I had layers in my pack but once we were settled I didnt want to go digging through it incase I scared an animal away. At about 8:00 we had a bull light up...and then another. We were getting excited that we may actually have a chance at one the first day. They called back and forth for a bit and then we heard cows chirping, not far from us. So I got my bow and started to get ready hoping the cows would get one of the bulls to come down. Then the cows went silent...the wind had picked up and changed. It was swirling right to them and they left. Shortly after that the bulls went silent too. It was pretty frustrating. So we sat for another hour or 2 hoping maybe they would come back but the wind was not cooperating. It was constantly changing and swirling so we decided to get out of the blind and hike...Thank god! I was freezing, my feet were so numb I couldnt feel them for a little bit of the hike and was pretty clumsy. But the rest of me warmed up quick especially with the sun out now. We decided to hike up out of the basin and up the mountain. Close to the ridge we found the one bulls bedding area and where he was calling from. So it was nice being able to learn the area a little better and have an idea where he hangs out now. So we made our way down to the jeep and decided to go to a different area.

We headed to a different area in hopes we could find a bull, even though we were running out of time. We had to pick up the kids before dinner time. So we parked the jeep and hiked up to the ridges. We had run out of time, and if we had shot an elk we would have been very late so we decided to do some glassing from the top and get some pictures. It was beautiful country and very steep, but we had a good view of some slides and an adjacent mountain range. We gave our new Onca Hunting Wear a good first test run and were happy, but we have a whole season to put it to the test still. We had a good day and had some fun. I was happy to be back in the high country.

Get Ready! Archery Saskatchewan Black Bear in May

We are very excited to say that come the middle of May we will be venturing out of BC for a hunt for our first time! And to hunt my favourite animal...Black bear in Saskatchewan! Going for the monsters! I will be testing out some new products and gear while there: BUCKED scent eliminator, my new SOS Gear bow sling and my new Cabelas pants and jacket. So be sure to keep a watch on the Ladies in Camo page and website for product reviews. If I have phone service or internet while I am there ill be updating through out the week on facebook and twitter. And be prepared for a story from us when we get home.

First 3D Archery Shoot of the Year

April 5 & 6

Our first local competition was this weekend! The kids and I ventured out Saturday morning to start our weekend. Three rounds of 15 targets each on the Saturday and 2 rounds of 15 targets each on Sunday. Unfortunately Kyle ended up having to work and missed out.

Saturday:
It was a warm day with intermittent clouds in the sky. We arrived out at the range at 11:00, a little later then I was hoping but we still had plenty of time to get our rounds done. We did a couple practice rounds at the bags before heading off on our rounds. We started with C loop because it tends to be a little easier walking and I figured it would get the kids warmed up for the other two loops. They both did good and had fun. The weather was a little bi-polar, it was nice and sunny then we got rained on, then it hailed, then back to rain, then sun and it just kept doing that on and off the whole day. I scored a 110/150 and Pheonix scored a 41/150. After we were done C loop we stopped to have some lunch then we made our way to A loop.

Eating lunch- Easton was apparently a pirate
 

mommies 10x

It was a little better, we both scored better even though having to climb a few more hills and is a slightly more demanding hike for them then C. I scored a 125/150 and Pheonix got 46/150. We made our way to B loop as soon as we were done A. This loop has always been notorious for being difficult. It is a more demanding hike and usually the shots are much harder. I found that the shots were not as difficult for me as they were in previous years but course was more difficult to walk for the kids than in previous years. One area in particular had me grinding my teeth and swearing under my breath. They had a stone sheep set up on the side of a steep hill that had a pond at the bottom. For me it was nothing, but for the kids, dangerous. Easton froze up and I had to carry him across the hill then have him sit down so I could help Pheonix get across to her peg. After, I just had them sit while i crossed over to get our arrows then had to help one at a time get to the top of the hill. After that Easton was done, he was scared of any hill we came to and was tired; and this was only #4 on the course. It wasn't a fun loop this last one so I decided that this was the loop we would cut out even though it was our best scoring loop, 126/150 for me and 48/150 for Pheonix.

Sunday:
We got out at 9:30 and was walking our first loop by 10 so we made it out in decent time. They shut down the courses at 2:30 on the last day. The weather was much nicer! Sunshine and blue skies but windy. We started with A loop. The kids were not as well behaved as yesterday but they did alright on this loop. It went quick and I scored 126/150 and Pheonix scored 51/150. We stopped and had lunch after that loop and Pheonix wanted to try out her new release we had bought her. Currently she shoots her bow bare with fingers. We had some time so I said OK and we went over to the bags so she could practice. It took her a little bit to get the hang of it but she after a few shoots she did. She was just a little out of control with it so I told her she wasn't going to use it on the course  because she needed more practice and we were needing to get going on our last round. She pouted but listened. We made our way to C loop and apparently so was everyone else. The loop took us twice as long as it did yesterday and both kids were starting to get tired and whiny. By the end of C loop my nerves were frazzled haha. But I did score a 131/150 and Pheonix scored 48/150 so Sunday was our best shooting days even though we were all tired. I was able to hand in our score cards at 2:00. I ended up placing 2nd in the Women's Bowhunter Release class and Pheonix placed 4th in the Mini Cubs (8 yrs and under).

It was a successful weekend and our next shoot is April 19 & 20. But we will only be going to that one if Kyle has it off because it is a 2.5 hr drive!

She was very happy when she
got an 8 and mommy got a 0

Nikita


 

Our year in review for 2013

Another year has come and gone, and it was another great year. We spent most of it outdoors either hunting, hiking or fishing with the kids. Pheonix learned how to cast on her own and caught her first fish all on her own and Easton learned how to reel. Pheonix got to compete with Kyle and I at the local archery shoots and she won an online archery league during the spring.  I got on Prostaff with an amazing company, Hips Archery Targets and was introduced to freelance writing where a wonderful ladies company picked me up to do some articles for them, Loba Outdoors. Ive met lots of great people in the Outdoors community with the help of Facebook and Twitter. And of course I am still with the amazing Huntress Wear company, but with a promotion to Prostaff Manager! I was also able to partner up with a friend/photographer (KJubinville Photography) and do some portrait shots. We had success with fishing, rabbit hunting, grouse hunting and with the regular season. Kyle even had success during the predator season. The kids were with us for almost every hunt, and they were with us for every kill except Kyles coyote and for the retrieval of his mountain goat. Kyles new adventure into the sheep hunting world was an eye opener and had its trying times for him. My heart broke for him when he came home 3 days early from his solo backpack trip into the backcountry and he informed me of the people that broke the law by driving up a road closure to where the sheep are, after he hiked the 8.5km straight up. You live and learn. Easton got to shoot a bow a couple times, although we think he is going to be left handed and they both got a chance to shoot the .22. Pheonix more so and she loves it. And once she was used to the iron sights she was nailing pop cans at 25 yards.

 

 

We are so thankful too everyone that has supported us over the year and the friendships we have made.

 

Nikita & Kyle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back to back bucks

Dec 1& 2

First day of bow Season! So happy that the rifles are away until predators and that most people are out of the bush. We decided to go out for an afternoon  /evening hunt with the kids. The bush was alive with deer, we seen over 30, but we also didn't realize that the weather was taking a turn that night. 

While we were driving out we noticed a doe bedded down only 15 yards off the bush road. So We stopped and backed up to get a better Look at her. As we were backing Up She got up, and when we stopped she ran...taking her boyfriend (that we hadn't seen) with her. And he was big! Kyle tried following them but The snow Was horrible for stalking. Frozen, thin lcy snow. So we continued On. We found lots of does and fawns through out the day and even some spike and 2 point bucks. We came upon a doe that had no concerns or worries About us, I hummed and hawed whether I wanted to shoot another doe. Finally I decided. I Walked back to where She was and ranged her at 20 yards, pulled back and let my arrow fly. Missed. She had taken one step side ways and my arrow just missed her, scared her though. She jumped straight up in the air and walked off. I went down and found my arrow, not a spec of blood. I Walked back up to the jeep and we Continued On to where we had plans on going. We got to the clearings and parked. We sat and glassed for a little while. We soon found a group of about 5 or more does And fawns. The clearing has a lot of high brush and clusters of Christmas trees so we thought we Would walk down the road thru the clearing. We made it almost to the end of the Clearing when I seen movement out of the Corner of my eye, A buck. He was on the trail of a hot doe and didn't take notice to us. When l finally got Kyles attention he had moved into a patch of Christmas trees. I motioned to Kyle where he Was heading.  He tried as quietly as he could to get ahead of the buck. The buck beat him out of the trees and stopped at 60 yards, he now noticed he wasn't alone. Kyle pulled back and let an arrow fly. I heard the smack and he was down within 30 yards. Kyle was ecstatic.  It was his biggest buck with a bow. I ran back to get the jeep and brought it down, then helped him drag the deer over. 

The next morning Pheonix had school, so we decided to go out after we dropped her off. Well, we woke up to a blizzard. We drove all the bush roads trying to find some sign of life in the woods. Nothing. I was getting pretty frustrated and even more so after receiving 2 phone calls(one from city bylaw) that our one dog was barking non stop. So i was annoyed, frustrated and feeling defeated for the day. As we were heading out to go home, we turned down one of the side roads off the bush road just as a detour. Off in the distance Kyle sees a buck. The only living thing we had seen all day, and it was a buck. He was heading away from us so I jumped out and tried to cut him off. He was heading towards another spur road so I headed down that, thankfully the snow was soft and deep from the snow storm,  cushioning my footsteps.  I managed to catch up to him just after he crossed the spur and he stopped broadside 45 yards from me. I quickly pulled back and let my arrow go. I hit him perfect height but he took a small step forward so my arrow hit him a little further back then I wanted. I followed him a little bit and seen he was bleeding so I backed off and went to the jeep. It was getting close to having to pick up Pheonix do we decided to let him have a couple hours to die. Kyle took me home so I could get Easton some lunch and pick up Pheonix and he headed out to find my deer. It didn't take him long to find him, but he did go quite a distance.  He was a tough one. By the time I got back to the house with the kids he was on his way home with him. We loaded the kids up and went out so we could get pictures and clean him out. I was pretty happy, my day definitely turned around.  He is my first archery buck and my biggest overall. 

KJubinville Photography Photo Shoot

My friend Kristin owns KJubinville Photography and she did some photos up for me. They turned out amazing.

You can check out her site/blog at www.kjubinvillephotography.blogspot.com and she has a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kjubinvillephotography Go check out her work!!

Here are my photos from my shoot with her: