August 28, 2008Time to test the Bushnell Videoscope
When the PR folks at Bushnell said they had loaners for testing, I bit. It came today. Has anyone else used one of these? Now, I know this isn't going to give me HD video. But I'm wondering if it might be OK for shooting for Web clips such as those I post here from time to time. After all, I shot one Web video with my Canon Powershot G9 point and shoot and it turned out just fine. I plan to start testing this out soon, and ideally will have it mounted to my bow stabilizer come opening day. Stay tuned... August 27, 2008What does John Crews do in his fun time? Goes fishingAt the Virginia Outdoor Sportsmen's Classic on Sunday I got a chance to catch up with pro bass angler John Crews, whom I hadn't seen in person since the Bassmaster Classic way back in February. Crews, who lives in Salem, had a frustrating year on the Bassmaster Elite Series, catching plenty of fish but falling short in weights and failing to qualify for the upcoming Classic. We didn't talk much about the pro scene, but we did talk fishing. And the more we talked the more it became clear that fishing isn't just a job for this guy. For a while I picked Crews' brain on fishing buzz frogs, a technique those of you who kept up with my Summer Smallmouth Tour in The Roanoke Times know I'm just getting into. Crews' eyes brightened as he talked about the technique. He gave me some great tips on hook types and confirmed my suspicion that the rig I had been throwing the frogs on (medium casting rod with 10-pound mono) probably contributed to my low percentage of good hook ups. (I'm ready to roll with a heavier rod loaded with 30-pound braid.) Crews also talked about his own fun fishing, including the time he's been spending with his 9-year-old stepson, Noah. They've been going to the Roanoke River here in the valley and fishing for smallmouths. His priority has been keeping Noah in the action, but clearly Crews has been getting into this himself. He told me about one hole he found that has some resident smallmouths in the 2- to 3-pound range. "You can see them, but they won't hit anything," he said. He tried one finesse technique that was so unbelievably tricky that he said no fish in America could resist. But these did. Crews outlined other techniques he plans to try to get these bass. Keep in mind this is a guy who gets to fish some of the country's best bass waters. It think it's great that he can get fired up about catching (or trying to catch) bass even when there's not a $100,000 check on the line. I think most of his peers on the pro tour would be the same way. They are pro bass anglers not because it's a job, but because they just love to try to outsmart fish. Crews' enthusiasm shows something else: Fun fishing is where you find it. I feel sorry for the poster who wrote in a comment to an entry below that, "There is NO real fishing around here." He just doesn't get it. But John Crews does. August 26, 2008Check out the brow tines on this monster
The source on this shot is solid: Virginia deer biologist Matt Knox. The guy who sent this shot -- actually a video capture -- to Knox says this buck is from the Petersburg area and lives in and around a park. This buck's brow tines are the most amazing feature of its rack. But even if the brow tines were merely normal this would be a stud. August 23, 2008Ethan Davis with his first Robin Hood
Ten-year-old Ethan Davis of Bedford stopped by a while back. He was proud of the Robin Hood he shot in the Parker demo area. He shot it with a crossbow on his first shot. There was one arrow already in the target. "I didn't even see it," he said. Clearly this kid is not an experienced outdoorsman or he wouldn't have been so honest! August 22, 2008First day at the outdoor show comes to a closeThe doors close at the show in a couple of minutes. The good news is I got my story done. I went up to give my talk and exactly zero people showed up. But that gave me time to finish writing. The editor called after I filed it and said he didn't make any major changes. With the exception of Tom Bechdel's calls, the show has been really quiet. I usually don't come to these things on Fridays so I don't know how it compares to most Fridays. But some of the vendors are saying it was slower than usual and all are hoping it gets a lot busier tomorrow. I'm sure it will be busier. I had a good time today talking with people. Quite a few I already knew, which makes sense being as we're all out there doing the outdoors thing. But I met some new people, too, and that was good. Will be interesting to see how it goes tomorrow. Dueling calls at the Sportsmen's ClassicTo help push the outdoors coverage in The Roanoke Times and on Roanoke.com, I'll be spending the next three days at the Virginia Outdoors Sportsmen's Classic at the Salem Civic Center. I got in here about 10 a.m. this morning to set up. The show starts soon. I have a challenge. I'm working on an extra story that is slotted to run on A-1 (the front page) on Monday. It's reported but not written. Naturally, the news editor who is overseeing the story needs it by "the end of today." So I figured I'd try to write for a bit this morning while it's still quiet. But it hasn't been very quiet. Our booth is right next to predator hunter Tom Bechdel. He's been demonstrating his calls, which prompted calls from the Maple Tree Outdoors folks across from us. I'm used to working in noise, but this is tough. I'll probably blog a few updates from the show. I haven't walked around too much but from what I can see there's quite a bit of interesting stuff to see here. If you come to the show, stop by our booth and say hello. Just listen for the coyote calls and you'll know where I am. August 19, 2008Gene Parker was a credit to all sportsmen
If you spent much time at the Peaks of Otter you probably knew Gene, or at least had crossed paths with him. He was the Ranger supervisor up there until his retirement a few years ago. Gene was known for his commitment to getting kids (and adults) outdoors and keeping them out there. In fact, I met Gene through the Bedford Outdoor Sportsmen's Association. It's a small group that raises money to support youth outdoor programs. Gene and I were both on the BOSA board when the group was formed early this decade. My stint was pretty short but it was a pleasure to see Gene at the meetings and to see the effort he put into his volunteer efforts. That smile on his face in the picture here? I can't remember a time when he didn't have that great expression. Every year BOSA puts on a modest outdoor show and for years Gene was the guy in charge of putting together the bear display. Now, Gene could have simply hung a bunch of stuffed bear heads on a piece of peg board and been done with it. But, no. He would show up at the Bedford Armory with a truckload of freshly cut mountain laurel and other greenery and put together an awesome display. Gene was also known as an excellent tracker, and not just of game. He knew how to find people, and that's pretty much a lost art. He was an avid hunter, and bear hunting with hounds was his passion. Bear hunters sometimes get a bad rap, but Gene was one of those guys who could change a cynic's opinion. His hunting group killed few of the bears they treed each season. They were in it for the excitement of the chase. Deer biologist Matt Knox, who knew Gene well, liked to call him "One of the last of the real mountain men." He always knew exactly where he was, no matter how thick it was. Gene could also cover some ground. Gary Arrington, who's now with Hunters for the Hungry, tells the story of trying to follow Gene as Gene followed the hounds on a bear hunt. Gary affectionately says it seemed like Gene was trying to kill him, and that he'd never seen a man who could move so fast through the thick mountain underbrush. I talked with Gary yesterday and he said that Gene was just recently talking about wanting to get behind the bear hounds again this fall. He even had asked his family to go buy his hunting license. Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Gene Parker would not be surprised by that story. Here's the obituary from Today's Roanoke Times: Eugene (Gene) Parker, 61, of Bedford, passed away at his home on Saturday, August 16, 2008, with his wife and daughters by his side. Gene had fought a courageous battle with cancer. Born June 13, 1947, in Roanoke, he was a son of the late William Eugene "Billy" Parker and Ethel Foster Parker. Gene was a loving son, devoted husband and the world's number one dad. He had a passion for bear and deer hunting and was a member of the Bedford Outdoors Sportsmen's Association, the National Wild Turkey Federation and shared his love of the outdoors and hunting with young people and adults with special needs. In addition to his love of the outdoors, Gene was also a tactical tracking instructor for T.T.O.S. and the National Awareness Tracking School. Gene was a member of Salem United Methodist Church, an Army veteran of Viet Nam and was retired as Supervisory Park Ranger with the National Park Service at the Peaks of Otter. He was also a member of the Blue Ridge Parkway Employees and Alumni Association. Gene is survived by his wife of 31 years, Julie Savage Parker; two daughters, Jamie H. Parker, of Monmouth, Ore., and Kelly Jean Mayhew and her husband, Chris, of Bedford; a brother, Joe Parker and his wife, Jackie, of Bedford; a sister, Ginny Parker Holman and her husband, Bill, of Charlottesville; a niece, Sharon Holman; three nephews, Joseph Parker Jr., Michael Parker and David Parker; his mother-in-law, Dorothy H. Savage, of Bedford; and two brother-in-laws, Stewart Savage and his wife, Carolyn, and Vann Savage and his wife, Linda. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, August 21, 2008, at Main Street United Methodist Church with the Rev. Jack Davis officiating. Interment will follow in Oakwood Cemetery with Military Graveside Rites by American Legion Post #16. Memorial contributions may be made to Salem United Methodist Church, c/o Bonnie Dagenhart, 1722 Broadway Ave., Bedford, Va. 24523 or The National D-Day Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 77, Bedford, Va. 24523. The family will receive friends from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 20, 2008, at Tharp Funeral Home & Crematory, Bedford, Va., 540-586-3443. To send condolences online, please visit www.tharpfuneralhome.com. Holy smokes ! Check out this big rattlesnake!
They actually drove past it, turned around and drove back to get shots. "And, no, we did not get out of the car!" Palecki pointed out. In addition to making me shudder, this picture makes me realize that I'm not always as careful as I should be when I'm out there knocking around in the woods -- often with my two little girls. I've never encountered a rattler out there but, obviously, they're out there. I hope my wife doesn't decide to check out my blog anytime soon or I won't be taking her or the kids hiking for a loooooonnnnnngggg time. August 16, 2008Trail cam shot of four deer -- one on two legs
The cool thing about this picture is the deer in the upper left hand corner of the frame that is standing on its hind legs. August 13, 2008Back to the game cam shots: A pretty buck
August 12, 2008Who says bass anglers can't be glamorous?
The pond is packed with stunted bass so we took a bunch home. We ate some down there and I was surprised that it was pretty good compared to some mushy late-summer bass and bluegills I've had before. After the girls had their fill I spent maybe 10 minutes working the shallows with a Zoom Horny Toad and had a blast. I got a bunch of blow-ups, although I was having trouble keeping the fish buttoned. Needed a bigger hook, I think. August 5, 2008Trailcam (troughcam, actually) picture of a big bear
This feeding station is clearly set up to attract wildlife. (Note the game cam in the background.) I guess it could be for deer, as long as those aren't donuts in there. But as soon as it starts attracting bears it becomes illegal since feeding bears is unauthorized. I hate to be too cynical. But anyone want to place odds on whether or not there will be a treestand set up near this thing come opening day? In search of giant catfish. But where's my gear?We're on our way to South Georgia for our annual trip to my father-in-law's place on Lake Blackshear. The lake has bass and he's got a couple ponds on his nearby farms that are loaded with bass. But the past few times down here I've been focusing on catfish. Blackshear has some big flatheads. We've caught some OK ones off the dock on set lines but I want to get one on a rod and reel. That won't happen this time, though, because I managed to forget my catfish rods and reels. Ugh. I did bring some trotline gear and may try that. I just hope I don't catch turtles like I did earlier this summer at Smith Mountain Lake. August 1, 2008It's time to apply for Virginia's quota huntsMy Outdoors page in The Roanoke Times today featured a piece on some of Virginia's most interesting quota hunt opporunities. It ran long so I had to cut one of the hunts I wanted to feature. Here's the information on the hunt, which is at Featherfin wildlife management area near Appomattox. More information on Quota hunts is on the DGIF Website, while you can click here for Virginia State Parks information. Also, if anyone else has any quota hunts they would recommend (or discourage), please comment. Featherfin Wildlife Species: Any legal species during designated hunting days Hunt dates: 18 separate hunting periods starting in November and running through early January. Application deadline: Aug. 29 More information: www.dgif.virginia.gov/wmas/
Prior to becoming public property the area was a hunt club that was carefully managed for quality deer, and the DGIF has continued to manage the area under those goals. To be legal, a buck must have at least four points on one side. The lottery will select 14 hunters for each 3-day hunting period during muzzleloader and general firearms seasons. (The first hunting period Nov. 1-5 is four days, not including the non-hunting Sunday.) Each hunter may bring one guest. Knox said the DGIF hasn’t gotten a good handle on how the hunting is going on the property because it’s still early in the state’s management of Featherfin. "It’s so new it’s sort of an unknown," he said. But he said that, anecdotally, the area seems to have great potential. "The people who are working on it are seeing lots of deer," he said. |
About this blog
While growing up in rural Southern Oregon, Mark Taylor developed a passion for the outdoors while he and his younger brother tagged along with their father on fishing, hunting and camping adventures. Graduating from Northwestern University in 1988, Taylor spent four years as an officer in the U.S. Navy based in Norfolk before moving into journalism. After five years writing about the military for a Norfolk-based publishing company, he became the outdoors editor at The Roanoke Times in 1998. He lives in Roanoke with his wife and twin daughters. .....Advertisement.....
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