Speaking & sharing about my life

A couple months ago I was approached to see if I wanted to speak about my life to some sixth-graders. After a little deliberation and practicing I decided to give it a go. I gave quite a few presentations while in college so it wasn't too big of a deal. But it is always a little nerve-racking get in front of people for any type of event. Especially when the subject matter is about your own life.

The presentation is everything about my life. I touch on a little bit of my life before my accident, talk about the accident and focus mostly on things I have accomplished after my accident.

The students seemed to really enjoy what I was talking about and had quite a few good questions after my presentation. I look forward to doing it again in a couple weeks and hopefully a lot more in the future.

Shotgunning a turkey…

Somehow I was lucky enough to draw a second choice, second unit turkey tag for the spring. That is very odd for the units I put in. Usually it takes two or three years to draw a tag in the units I selected. I have decided I am going after Mr. JellyHead the spring with a shotgun instead of my crossbow. Lucky enough for me, we have a Weatherby PA-08, 12gauge shotgun that has a big enough trigger guard that will allow my trigger mechanism to slide in and attach. I have tried a handful of other shot comes that might trigger did not fit in.

I would really like to get a semi auto shotgun. That would work best in my rifle/shotgun mount. Semi auto would be nice because it gets strapped down onto the mount. There would be no need to take the shotgun off to reload or pump after every shot. But all of the semi auto shotguns I have tried will not work with my trigger mechanism. But I haven't looked that hard and I am still on the search for the perfect shotgun.

This will be my fourth time going after the gobbler in the spring. I have yet to connect. Check that, I have actually hit one but he did not cooperate. Long story.

Here is a video of me shooting a shotgun for the first time with my gun mount. I shot once at cardboard and then once at a 13 striped ground squirrel. I think it is going to work well on turkeys…

Good luck in the woods the spring…

Guide to buying a crossbow.

I cannot tell you how many hours I spent looking for the perfect crossbow for myself before I purchased my Carbon Express Intercept. Everyone has different needs and there is a crossbow on the market to meet those needs. Here is an article I wrote on some of the basics to look for when purchasing a crossbow.

Rule number one when it comes to purchasing a crossbow is that they are not quiet. Doesn't matter what brand or how new. Some are quieter but they are all loud. But most are so fast it doesn't matter how loud they are. You will be surprised if you have never been around crossbows before and you go shoot some just how loud crossbows are. Even the brand-new ones right off the line are noisy.

Another key factor is weight and length. They can get heavy and long. The lightest you will find is around 8 pounds. That is with everything detached, quiver etc. You also find them to be real long. They can be somewhat cumbersome, especially for someone who has never shot one before. But you will get used to it.

Price is always an object. But I would suggest buying the best you can afford. To fully package out everything that you need to shoot/hunt, you can expect to pay around $800-$1500. For just the bare crossbow expect to pay around $300-$1000. This might seem like a lot to pay for but it will last you a lifetime if you take care of your equipment and follow the maintenance recommendations.

There are two main kinds of crossbows, recurve and compound. Recurve crossbows are more user-friendly for the first timer. Just like everything, less parts equals less breakdowns and it is no different with crossbows. I would suggest recurve if I were a beginner. Some have lifetime warranty on their lines of recurve crossbows. Companies that make compound crossbows offer warranties but most of them are limited. Compound crossbows are not that complicated, they just need more attention and maintenance.

There are also options on how to cock your crossbow. Most if not all come with some type of rope cocking or pulley system to cock the bow. Some come with a hand crank built-in to the crossbow. Others come with detachable hand cranks. Built-in are real nice just because they are handy and you're never looking for your cocker.

There are also options on which type of sights you would like to use. There are open sights, dot sights and scopes. There are many different brands available that are made specifically for crossbows. Make sure to check your state regulations on what magnifications are allowed in your state while hunting. Familiarity, good field of view, durability and light gathering are also factors when considering which type of sight to put on your crossbow.

When you start looking for arrows for your crossbow you will be amazed at how many are available. It all depends on what you want to spend. But I will say this, you get what you pay for. There are some companies out there that will spine test every arrow before they send it to you. Others are just mass-produced. But they all have their place. The most important thing is to get the right weight and arrow length that is recommended by your crossbow manufacture.

When you have picked out your arrow the next thing to look at is which broadhead you are going to use. Fixed or mechanical is your first decision. This is like a Chevy versus Ford deal. Everyone has their favorite. But every crossbow has their favorite also. It is just going to take time and patience to figure out which broadhead shoots best with the arrow you choose for your crossbow. The combinations of these three things are endless. Remember to check your state regulations for which broadheads are legal.

Every year there seems to be more and more companies coming out with their own line of crossbows. Some companies have been around for years while others are just jumping in the market. So there are tons of options out there. You can spend as little or as much as you want. The one good thing about all of these companies getting into the crossbow business is all of the new technology and innovations that have been made specifically for crossbows. And just like everything, there are good companies to deal with and there are not so good companies to deal with. You will find out which ones are the good ones very early.

Remember, nothing is better than getting out and shooting as many brands as you can. Each is different, and each has their pros and cons. The old adage is true, shoot more…  shoot more often.

Thanks for reading, Clint.

FYI Changing address

Will be switching the name tomorrow to: plegicoutdoorsman.blogspot.com

Hopefully I remember everywhere I have put the link so I can switch them over.

Support my friends at UOA

This was my modeling debut. My friends at Ultimate Outdoor Adventures hooked me up with the T-shirt. It rocks. Although this particular style is not available anymore they have other great T-shirts on their website. Check them out below.

http://www.team-uoa.com/shop/

Going to change my blog address…

I have decided to change my blog address to something more appropriate. I hope this will help people find my blog easier when searching. Skoalongcut served me well but it is time for a new dip.

Here are a couple names that I have come up with:
plegichunter
plegicoutdoors
plegicoutdoorsman
wheelchairhunter
wheelchairoutdoorsman

What do you like? Or do you have any suggestions? Let me know.

Tag soup for me.

Well, the 2015/16 hunting season has come to a close. I sat 18 times with the crossbow in three different areas searching for Mr. Big Whitetail. I do not have much to show for it except having a great time and learning more about my hunting areas plus what might work better for me. I know one thing I plan on practicing a lot more during the off-season. Last year I didn't do too much shooting. This summer's motto will be shoot more, shoot more often. Plus I hope to get in a food plot. Also, make a couple changes to my stands. I have a few ideas to make things better. Always learning something is better than the alternative. Now it is time to go ice fishing and maybe shoot a coyote or two…

Getting old and maybe wiser…

It sucks when you realize that you cannot do what you used to do in the past. I have been in a chair for 20 years and it is starting to catch up with me. Now don't get me wrong I still do a lot, probably more than most do in my situation but I am beginning to slow down. I used to get in the chair every day for at least eight hours. And I did that for quite a few years. Especially through college and about 10 years afterwards. I would get in the chair around 10 AM, get to class around 11 AM, come home around 4 PM and stay up till at least 10 PM. Now if I am in the chair over six hours a day I am not going to be able to be in the chair the next day. Unless it is something very important. This last year I have rarely been in the chair in back-to-back days. It takes a lot more planning now, knowing when and where and how long I will be up in the chair. Now when I get in the chair it is for a purpose and not just to be up. The six surgeries over the last seven months probably haven't helped anything. But what can you do. Shit happens. All you can do is improvise, adapt and overcome… Speaking of that motto, hopefully getting some new padding/supports for my electric wheelchair in the next couple weeks. Hopefully this will alleviate some pain and let me get back to what I used to be able to do.

Paralyzed North Dakota Man Takes Mountain Lion

From left to right, Beau Wisness, Dusty Hausauer, Chase Wisness, Rusty Christophersen, Chaston Lee and Hailey Schaper pose with the mountain lion that Chase Wisness, who is paralyzed from the waist down, killed on Monday. It was the last mountain lion allowed to be hunted in western North Dakota this year. (Submitted Photo)

http://www.thedickinsonpress.com/news/local/3908001-paralyzed-keene-man-takes-last-mountain-lion-season-nd-help-his-friends

The easiest and safest way to let down crossbow after a hunt

Usually I just shoot an arrow into the ground after my hunt to release the crossbow. But when the ground is frozen this is the only safe way to de-cock the bow. 

Still at it

About three more weeks to go until the end of the North Dakota bow season and I still have not slayed  a whitetail. It isn't for lack of trying. I have been sitting in my stands 16 times so far. They just seem to be there when I ain't. But that is why they call it hunting and not killing. Here are some pics from my latest hunts. Plus a couple pictures from trail cameras. Good luck to all who are still hunting.

Slow hunting season so far

I haven't sat as many times this year as I usually do. My next hunt will be my 12th day in the field chasing Mr. Whitetail. It has been pretty slow compared to past years. I believe I have only seen three bucks, no shooters and I had another buck within ear range but he would not come in. I played with him for a while with my grunt tube but to no avail. We are right in the middle of the rut here in North Dakota so it should pick up. Hopefully you are having better luck than I. Aim small, miss small…

#mossyoakprostaff

Good stuff.

My happy place.

A view deer do not want to see.

2015 Twist of Fate Banquet & Hunt

Another successful year for the  Twist of Fate hunters and guides. They were able to fill eight of the 12 tags on some pretty nice whitetails. No matter how many are killed it is always a success. Here is a link for some pictures from this year with all of the hunters/guides with their whitetails.
Twist of Fate pictures 2015

Here are some pictures that I took during their fundraiser/banquet/meal on Saturday night. The silent and live auctions did well as usual. It is a great time for everyone involved. And you cannot beat the setting in the beautiful sandhills of North Dakota.

Here is a picture of the big tent during meal and live auction.

Dave, one of the guides that has been there since the beginning in 1998 when I first met him and myself after the banquet. #mossyoakprostaff

Took a picture as we were leaving the camp. That right there says it all…

2015 Hunt #1

I got out hunting for the first time this year earlier this week. A little later than normal. Had some complications from a surgery that sidelined me for a bit. But it felt good to get out. Good luck this Fall everybody…

Going down the green mile to one of my hunting spots. #mossyoakprostaff

Not a bad view.

Block Targets

Well I learned one thing yesterday while shooting Slick Trick broadheads at my new "Crossbow Block Target." It blows right through. Well almost all the way through. The broadhead just sticks out the other side. The "Crossbow Block" is rated for crossbows shooting up to 400 ft./s. My crossbow is shooting 365 ft./s. I imagine if I tried shooting my bullet points they would fly right through. I forgot to take picture while shooting. But here is an after shot. First pic is front side. Second picture you can see where broadhead went through.

Crossbow Friendly States.

Here are a couple websites that explain the different laws and regulations in each state concerning the use of crossbows during hunting and non-hunting seasons. Remember when you read these sites they should never be considered to be the equivalent of legal advise. Laws and regulations concerning weapons change frequently in each state and this information could be inaccurate or outdated by the time it is published. Your best source of information is to contact the state in which you want to hunt to verify the crossbow regulations. These websites are for reference only. 

http://www.tenpointcrossbows.com/united-states-crossbow-regulations/

http://www.bestcrossbowsource.com/crossbow-hunting-regulations-by-state/

Opportunities for the Disabled Outdoorsman.

North Dakota along with many other states have expanded the opportunities for the disabled to enjoy the outdoors, whether that be fishing, hunting or just getting out there. You do not have to look hard to find a place, events or opportunity, all you need to do is go to your state's game and fish page and there will be a page dedicated solely for this purpose. The following are opportunities in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, Wyoming and Montana.

The North Dakota Game & Fish (NDGF) has a great page for all of this information. The NDGF has a track wheelchair that is available at no charge for use at department sponsored field events. The tracked wheelchair is also available for offsite use up to 72 hours.

NDGF also provides special permits for shooting out of stationary vehicles and shooting crossbows. For both of these permits there are applications that need to be filled out by your physician, you and the Game & Fish.

There are also many opportunities in North Dakota provided by the Game & Fish Department for the disabled to fish many different waters in North Dakota. On their website they have a map that shows all of the handicap accessible fishing facilities. These fishing facilities have accessible fishing piers and accessible restrooms.

The NDGF page also has links to nonprofit organizations in North Dakota that are catered towards people with disabilities. These nonprofit organizations include Injured Military Wildlife Project of North Dakota, Wounded Warriors Guide Service, Twist of Fate and Sporting Chance.

North Dakota Game & Fish:

https://gf.nd.gov/disabled-services

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a great page that has many outdoor opportunities for people with disabilities. The DNR accessible outdoor page has three categories starting with accessible "Places to go" including state forests, parks, trails and wildlife management areas. The second category are accessible "Things to do" including assessable state park trails, assessable camping, hunting and fishing. The third category is "What to know."

Here is a great page that shows all of the accessible campsites, lodging and trails in Minnesota state parks.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/accessible_outdoors/parks/highlights.html#trails

Here is a link to the special permits that are available in Minnesota for fishing, hunting and state park use.

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/licenses/special.html

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Accessible Outdoors page:

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/accessible_outdoors/index.html

The South Dakota Game Fish & Parks (SDGFP) has quite a bit of opportunities for disabled people with outdoor interests. On their ADA/Accessible page they have permits to use crossbows and permits to shoot out of stationary vehicles. The SDGFP has a Designated Shooter Permit. This permit allows a designated shooter to legally hunt or take game on a disabled person's behalf. They have reduced fees for disabled South Dakota residents who qualify. There are Game Production Areas and State Parks that are enhanced for accessibility.

South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks ADA/Accessible pages:
https://gfp.sd.gov/accessibility-permits/
https://gfp.sd.gov/hunt-accessible-areas/

The Wyoming Game & Fish Department has quite a few permits and licenses available to disabled individuals. Wyoming is a crossbow friendly state so that is one less thing you have to worry about. Their   Game & Fish has a great link that explains everything that is available to residents and nonresidents. Here is the link: 
https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Permits/Forms-Applications/WGFD_DISABLEDPERMITS

Wyoming Game & Fish Disabled Forms and Applications page:

https://wgfd.wyo.gov/Permits/Forms-Applications/Disabled

The Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks have quite a few opportunities no matter what you want to do outdoors. If you are a disabled resident of Montana you receive a 50% discount on camping fees. If you are a Montana resident you can also apply for a Disability Conservation license. Another license for residents is a Lifetime Fishing License for the blind. Nonresident and resident have to apply for shooting out of a stationary vehicle permit and to modify archery equipment permit. This information can be found here:

http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/ctb/licensing.html

Montana also has a Crossing the Barriers Implementation Plan that has worked to remove outdoor barriers for the disabled since 1989.

http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/ctb/

To apply for shooting from vehicle permit for adaptive archery equipment permit follow the link:
http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licenses/buyApply/

Many hunting opportunities exist in Montana for hunters with disabilities. For the most up-to-date lands that are available for hunting contact the Regional Fish, Wildlife & Parks office where you want to hunt and they will be happy to let you know what is available.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Outdoor Recreation Opportunities page:

http://fwp.mt.gov/recreation/ctb/opportunities.html

I have been lucky enough to take part in some of these organizations, events and have used some of the permits. I have in my possession right now crossbow permits in North Dakota and Minnesota plus shooting from a stationary vehicle permit in Wyoming and North Dakota. These permits are there to make life easier. And they are easily obtained with the correct information. All I have to say is that the opportunities are great and hopefully if you or you know someone that might be interested, get involved or let them know.

Thanks for reading, Clint.

Helluva Hunt: An Antelope Hunt For Disabled Hunters.

Helluva Hunt is an annual antelope hunting event in Wyoming for handicapped and chair-bound hunters. This event is totally funded, the only cost to the hunter and one guest is for their transportation to and from Douglas, Wyoming.

The Helluva Hunt got started over one evening when Gary and Jane Stearns got a call from their friend Bill Brown asking them to come in to meet Jim Zumbo, outdoor author. Gary and Jane were outfitting at the time and Jim had asked the manager if he knew of any good outfitters in the area.  So Gary and Jane went in and met with Jim and Bill to do some brainstorming over a few drinks. Zumbo had gotten a letter from a disabled sportsman and he was touched by learning how much his articles meant to individuals who could no longer get out in the field the way they used to hunt. They discussed how all of them might be able to come together to make this happen and they decided an antelope hunt might be the best since the Game and Fish issues a disabled sportsmen permit to allow shooting from a vehicle. So Gary and Jane got together with several ranchers and they were all excited about the idea of the hunt and were more than happy with allowing the Stearns access for the hunt.  The total area available to the Helluva Hunt ended up being approximately 60,000 acres. Gary and Jane have been overseeing the hunt every year since 1985.

2016 will be the 31st hunt and they have had 15 hunters participate most years, but due to illness or other unforeseen circumstances there have been some years where they have had as few as 12.  The Helluva Hunt has had a 100% success rate every year except for one. That year the tags were not filled because of blizzard conditions. The whole country was shut down. So they have had over 400 hunters and all but four took home antelope!

 

Helluva Hunt has about 30 guides on their list to cover the hunt if some guides can't make it.  Many of the guides are from all over the United States and they show up year after year.  Jane explains, "We couldn't do this without all these big hearts!" There are about 150 volunteers that help with the fairgrounds, the trap club, the rifle range, the lunches, dinners, awards ceremony, the guides, and auction.

One of those guides is Andy Gallina, who travels every year to Douglas from a Chicago suburb to be part of the hunt. He has been making the trip for 20 years. The hunters are what keep bringing him back, he says "No matter their circumstance, they are also genuine and humble." The job of a guide is to make the hunter feel at home and to make sure the accommodations suit them explained Andy. "Each hunter brings with them their own challenges for us guides but we are up to the challenge," said Gallina.

The hunters and guides have access to about 13 ranches and the distance from Douglas range from about 5 miles to 50 miles. Hunters have come from all over the United States. One of those hunters that has participated in this event is Jon Lee who traveled by plane from Dothan, Alabama in 2013. Jon is in a paraplegic after an accident shattered his L1 vertebrae. Lee heard about this hunt by surfing the Internet.

Here is the story of Jon's hunt in his own words. "We drove several miles out to some farm land and started scanning for bucks.  We watched one and passed.  We found another one tending does and passed.  We found another good buck but one of his horns wasn’t perfect and I passed because I wanted a good representation of the animal for a mount.  We went back to the area where we passed on the 2nd buck we saw and he was running a smaller buck off.  We sat there for about 10 minutes and he came back at about 320 yards going back towards the does and I took the shot nailing him.  My buck ended up being the largest on this hunt in 2013 and I won the free mount."

Lee explained, "The guides were some of the best guys I have ever met and for sure the funniest guys I had ever met. I had one of the best times of my life and still keep in contact with the guides I was with.  Helluva Hunt is the best hunting event I have ever been too. The volunteers were great and made you feel at home. I really had one of the best trips of my life on this hunt and just wish I lived closer to be a part of it more often to be honest." Jon highly recommends Helluva Hunt to anyone.

The whole community of Douglas really supports this this event. Jane can't say enough about the wonderful community and the never ending support that they have gotten over the years. Stearns explains, "The people in town are so willing to donate time, items for the auction, free mounts from the taxidermists for the awards, free meat processing to each hunter." She can't even name how many businesses and agencies help out.

On the first day it is a meet and greet, also hunters finish the paperwork for the licensing. All licenses are paid for. After lunch the hunters go to the shooting range south of town and shoot a handful of times. The first night that the hunters arrive there is a big meal where everyone gets to meet their guides. Everything is centrally located at the fairgrounds/dormitories in Douglas. During the meal the guides explain where they are going to hunt and what time they are leaving in the morning. The night of the first hunt there is meal plus a silent and live auction at the Moose Lodge in town. The next night there is a supper at the American Legion. Here they give away prizes to the hunters including free taxidermy mounts to the longest shot, shortest shot and the biggest animal taken.

Applications for participation in the Helluva Hunt are accepted all year long. Fifteen hunters are chosen in February to participate in the October Antelope hunt that year. The accepted applicants are immediately notified and licenses are applied for. Each hunter receives at least two volunteers to assist in their kill at the event.

For more information or an application, please contact:

The Helluva Hunt
Gary and Jane Stearns

1562 Esterbrook Road
Douglas, Wyoming 82633

(307) 358-6580

Bow season can't come soon enough…

Have never had him on camera before. In fact I have never seen him before. Giggity.

Here is a close-up. He has a lot of junk. Split G3. Hope to see him on the hoof.

Happy 4th…