Alabama Sports Festival

This past weekend was a big weekend for me and my family. I knew it was going to be busy. First off, it was Father's Day. I knew we would be on the road seeing both sides the family. This meant we would be traveling up and down the interstate. But, it was also the weekend for the Alabama Sports Festival. The state of Alabama host a weekend of sporting event competitions every two years. We were competing in the 3-D event.

We got to the event early because of the busy day and we couldn't be late. You know you have to keep momma happy! Anyway, after warming up on the bag targets, we joining a group to begin the course.

Wow, what a course, every shot was down hill at different grades of steepness. Bear and I were shooting together and after the first couple of targets, the pressure was building. We were both hitting 8's and 10's but for some reason we were both battling a mental breakdown. I knew what I had to do! It was Big League Chew time. Big League Chew is shredded bubble gum. Popeye has spinach, we have Big League Chew. I pulled Bear off to the side away from everyone and we loaded our mouths.

Then, I reminded him...and myself, that we were there to have fun. Not torture ourselves, which is the way I was feeling at the time. Our next shot, we both got 10's. We were now starting to have fun. We start joking with each other and smack talking with some of the news reporters. Yep, that right, we had reporters.

When we started the back half, the shots started getting hard. Steep hills, shooting into holes that were dark. No details on the targets...... But, somehow we were holding it together. My usual target panic was quieting down and I was holding it together. Bear was smoking every target. He made one bad shot but came back strong on the next target.

Finally, the last four targets were on flat ground. In the middle of the field, with the sun blazing down. Last target was a strutting turkey at 26 yards....I shot it for 29 yards. Luckily, I caught the top of the eight line. Final scores, I shot a 196(yeah baby!!!), Bear shot a 176. We both to first place for our classes.

As usual, we were running late. I thought momma, my smoking hot wife, was going to kill me. But, I did have the Father's Day "card" that I was going to use if I needed. Good news, some of the other family members were running late and they changed the time we were meeting.....Momma was in a good mood and we weren't going to be late. Jackpot!!!

Summer Time Blues

Here in Alabama summertime has arrived, 96 degrees and humidity is high. It has been several months since I have been in the woods scaring any game animals and the "nothing to hunt" blues are starting to set in. That means one thing. It is time to head to Texas for the annual exotics hunt. I talked to Mr. Hunt and we are now scheduled to hunt early in July.

For the past several years my family and friends have headed to Hunt's Bowhunting Ranch for a long fun filled weekend of hunting. I know what you all are thinking and you're right, it's going be hot! But, Maria, my trusty Bowtech hunting bow, has been lonely since 3-D season arrived. I feel like I have neglected her for too long. I decided to take her out to the range to make sure nothing had changed. She's still driving tacks. The excitement is starting to build....

Now, time to check "Bear's", my son's, bow out. He has been shooting the same bow throughout 3-D season. Just a little test to make sure his Slicktrick broadheads are flying true and we will be ready. I feel like I should start loading the truck.....

We have made several trips to Texas to hunt exotics. We have hunted ram, fallow deer, Blackbuck, Oryx, Sika, and Mouflon. Bear shot his first animal,Black Hawaiian Ram, when he was seven years old. He has been hooked ever since.

Before the hunts, I would take the time to pick out the animal that I wanted to hunt months in advance. Now, I have gotten to the point that I like to show up and enjoy the company of friends and family and if it works out, harvest an animal. I have also enjoyed catching the other hunters on video. Just writing about the hunt is getting me fired up. I hope I can wait until July.

Next will be the big cookout for everyone that is going this trip. We will all sit around laughing about past hunts and whatever bloopers happen...have you ever been chased by a 2500 pound water buffalo....yep, I have. NOT FUN! But, now its a great laugh...and one of the other guys got it on video.

Tick tock, it seem like an eternity until July gets here and I can finally start loading the truck. But, when it does, I'll be ready for our summer time hunting fun.

LOAD UP!!