Deerfly Diaries

Field & Stream's FSHuntress Blog is Cut

Yesterday I heard that Utah was cutting it's State Parks budget and totally eliminating one park in particular.  Today I read that Kim Hiss' FSHuntress blog fell subject to budget cuts by Field & Stream. I am always saddened to hear when budget cuts are directed at outdoor recreation, natural resources or woman's sports or programs. 

I know everyone is struggling with the economy and this was probably not an easy decision for Field & Stream. I'm also sure that Field & Stream knew that the page views of the FSHuntress blog were just a fraction of what they are for its five other blogs. But like my last blog post pointed out, the average hunter in the US is a 55 year old man.  Considering the life expectancy of a man in the U.S. is currently age 75, then these numbers do not bode well for the sport.

The future of hunting, fishing and shooting sports in our country depends on getting new blood (no pun intended) involved and in the field. I think the FSHuntress blog was a great place to recognize the women who do hunt, encourage new women hunters to get into the sport and to foster a dialogue among men and women who share similar interests.  I am sad to see it go.

Run and Gun Turkey

My turkey hunt on Saturday morning proved successful and a whole lot of fun.  I was offered a guided private land women's only hunt with the Colorado Division of Wildlife, co-sponsored by National Wild Turkey Federation and EnCana.  The day before we did Turkey 101 including calling, patterned our guns, ate dinner, and roosted the birds.  They even gave us new Ol' Betsy Primos slate calls.

They've determined that these programs pay for themselves through new hunter retention.  Considering the average hunter in the U.S. is a 55 year old male, it's important to something to encourage women and kids to get out and hunt.

I've been upland and big game hunting for several years already, but this was my first successful turkey hunt.  We have Merriam's turkeys here in Western Colorado. The population we we hunted included some beautiful white phase birds.  They had a gorgeous silver tone on the breast and white wing feathers.  I took it at about 30 yards with my Remington 1100 12 ga.

A huge thank you to all the sponsors, Kathleen Tadvick from the DOW, and especially my guide, Dan Uhrich.  Dan did an excellent job of calling to some uncooperative birds, but his persistence paid.