Tuesday, August 27, 2013

New Addiction...

Recently, I took a class to learn how to knit. I am addicted now.  It has kept me off the computer, off my iPhone, and my hand out of the snacks at night.


Here is a scarf I started to just practice. But I like how it is turning out so I ordered more yarn to finish it.


This scarf is almost finished! It was actually a great first project. The yarn is forgiving for when I add or drop a stitch.  

After I finish the pink scarf I am going to start making some washcloths.  Then I am going to make an eternity scarf to wear with my pea coat.

The more I knit and look around on Raverly.com I keep finding more things I would like to try to make. Like coffee cup cozies. Watch out I see Christmas gifts....

So I have found something else to occupy my time when I am not hunting or shooting my bow. Hay, maybe I could knit in a blind???? What do ya think?

Friday, August 9, 2013

Friday Fish Recipes - Other Fish

Today I thought I would give you a couple of recipes for trout. I don't eat or fish for trout much. But I wouldn't mind fishing for trout now and again.

My first trout recipe I found on the Legendary Whitetails website.



Grilled Tequila Lime Trout was submitted by a fisherman. This recipe would go nice with rice pilaf or even a baked potato.

My second recipe is Lemon Smoked Trout. Charles Evans submitted this recipe to Bass Pro.


INGREDIENTS

Approximately 2 half pound trouts
1 lemon
salt 
paprika
cayenne pepper 

Directions
Clean fish leaving head and skin on.

Rub the lemon on the inside of the fish.

Mix the salt, lemonpepper, paprika and cayenne pepper and rub it on the inside of the fish.


Place the fish on the smoker rack or hang from hooks depending on type of smoker you have.

Add whole peppercorns and lemon peels to whaterver type of smoking material you are using
(I use hickory sawdust with a mix of chickory)

Smoke fish for approximately 15 to 25 minutes
(again depending on type of smoker)

Serve with potato salad, and a nice cold beer.


My last recipe for today is Pan-Fried Trout. I found this recipe on What's Cooking America website. Check it out. It has some really neat recipes and tips on all things cooking.






Wednesday, August 7, 2013

A Little Hunting Poem

I found a bow hunting poem a while back that I really enjoyed. So I thought I would give it a try.
Here is my little hunting poem



I climb up this ladder stand, 
15 ft up in the air,
 have to be still, quiet and stealthy,
Now I  WAIT, 
sometimes for days I WAIT to see deer,
when and if the opportunity presents itself, 
I MUST carefully place my arrow straight into my prey, 
ethically... in order to put dinner on the table.

 For non hunters,
 this is just a little glimpse of hunting. 
Providing for my family on a whole other level.
Bow hunting is not for everyone. 
Yet I love the challenge. 
 I cherish the opportunities and the successes.
The thrill of the hunt can only be felt by a hunter. 

 I am a bow hunter! :)



Amy the Huntress

Today I would like to introduce you to Huntress Amy Walker. She true country girl and outdoor women. She loves all animals but still hunts. Without further ado....Let's get to Amy's interview....

1. What was your first hunting experience?
I had been raised up around hunting and would accompany my Uncle and/or Dad out on hunting trips; however, I never had a desire to actually carry or shoot a weapon. Being around my Uncle's game bird farm is what really sparked my interest in hunting. I realized that hunting (especially pheasant) was a challenge and naturally I am a competitive young lady. I wanted to try pheasant hunting for my first experience because the birds are quick and I had never shot at a moving target. The hunt was a little frustrating at times; however, in the end I did pretty good for my first time and had gained and interest!

2. Who got you into hunting?
I deer hunt with my Uncle and my Dad. My brother-in-law takes me turkey hunting.

3. What is your most memorable experience?
During high school and college, I was dedicated to basketball and never had the free time to venture into the woods to hunt. After, I graduated college I decided to pursue deer hunting. Fall of 2012 would be my first experience deer hunting where I was the huntress instead of just tagging along with my Uncle and Dad. First day of the season I was up bright and early with my dad. Driving my truck out to our hunting spot was an experience all its own because my heart jumped every time a deer darted through the neighboring fields. I had that mixture of nervousness and excitement jumbling around inside me. We situated ourselves into out tree stand and by 10 a.m. the first deer came creeping through which would be my buck. Of coarse the buck ventured into the thicker part of the branches, I took the best shot that I could and unfortunately  he took off. After about 20 minutes, my Dad went down to see if he could find a blood trail. There was a small trail then it just ended, my heart dropped because I though that  the deer was long gone and it honestly broke my heart that I made that buck suffer. Shortly after my Dad returned to the stand my Uncle called, letting us know he found my buck across the field! Walking up to the buck, I was caught with a surprise. What I thought was going to be a small buck turned out to be the good sized 10 point that everyone had been looking for in the neighboring area! After gutting out the deer and dragging it back to the farm, Grandma came out of the house with a smile and said "you guys better watch because she might just show you up!" Killing my first buck was a thrill but the real joy was gaining the experience and beginning to learn how to be a successful huntress.

4. What are your hobbies, besides hunting?
I enjoy exercising, helping out on my Uncle's farm, skeet shooting, four wheeling, fishing and studying wildlife.

5. What are the obstacles you face when hunting?
I am still sharpening my shooting skills and need to learn how to "creep" through the woods.

6. What are your favorite hunting sites/shows?
I don't watch a whole lot of TV; however, anything on the Outdoor Channel.

7. Who inspires you to stay involved in hunting?
My Uncle takes me skeet shooting and my dad takes any opportunity to show me the "way of the woods." My brother-in-law does not hesitate to involve me when he goes out also.

8. How do you stay informed on hunting issues?
I read the Pennsylvania Game News. My Uncle keeps me informed because he runs a game bird farm/hunting club.


Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Backyard Fun

Now that summer has officially begun and the nights have gotten warmer, we have started having bonfires in our backyard with our friends and family. I look forward to summers and all the bonfires at our house and the bonfires we are invited to at our friend’s house. They are so nice and relaxing.


Last weekend we went to a friend’s house for a fire and mountain pie dinner. The week before, was a housewarming party with a bonfire. And a few weeks before that was a bonfire and camp out in our backyard.

Mountain Pie maker and pie

I want to start having more camp-outs in our backyard. We just need the weather to cooperate. It has been so rainy in our neck of the woods. So we have had to hold off on camping more Our tents are pretty wet now. So we have to let things dry out before we can camp again.

What fun things have you been doing with your family this summer?  Do you have backyard camp-outs?




Sunday, July 28, 2013

Friday Fish Recipes - Bluegill

Sorry again. I was busy with one of my best friend's wedding this weekend.

Unfortunately, life has been busy and we have not been able to get out fishing. So we have not got to put any pike or walleye in the freezer. :( 

Since my freezer is full of Bluegill, I thought I would just post recipes to cook them.

These recipes can be found on the Outdoor Channel website. So this first recipe intrigues me. I love Mexican food, but I have not been a fan of seafood in Mexican food. But Bluegill fajitas sound delish.

Bluegill Fajitas
1 tsp lemon pepper
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
6 Tbsp lime juice, divided
1-1/2lb bluegill fillets cut into 1/2" strips
4 tortillas

Combine lemon pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder and 4 Tbsp of lime juice in a resealable plastic bag, add fish. Seal and shake; chill 30 minutes.

Grill fish, covered with grill lid, on a grill rack coated with nonstick cooking spray over medium heat for 4 to 6 minutes on each side or until fish flakes with fork. You may broil if you wish
Load up each tortilla with fish and the toppings of your choice.

Bluegill Fritters
1 cup flour
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp paprika
1 tsp baking powder
1 egg, separated
2/3 cup milk
1 Tbsp butter, melted
2 cups bluegill fillets, flaked
oil for deep frying

Preheat oil to 370 to 375 degrees.  Sift together flout, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika and baking powder. Mix egg yolk with milk and add to dry ingredients; beat well. Add melted butter. Fold in stiffly beaten egg white and fish flakes. 

Drop by tablespoon fulls into hot oil. Fry until golden brown. Drain on paper bag. 

Serve at once with horseradish  and ketchup, chili sauce or wasabi sauce.

I think I will have these at our next party. Sound so yummy!


Monday, July 22, 2013

Meet Hunter James

This is the first of two "Meet Hunter".... I want to introduce you to the 2 men in my life that inspire me and help me to continually grow as a huntress.  So today I want you to meet my brother...James. I asked James the same questions that I ask my Huntresses.


1. What was your first hunting experience? 
Sparrows, in the backyard with my Quicksilver BB gun. Actual first chance to wack something nice was in Cuba, New York.  I was with my dad, it was the 3rd drive of the day, I was about 10 years old and all bundled up in a snowsuit. We had walked across a blustery field and then came to a pine block and I saw 3 ruffed grouse on the ground about 10 yards away. I told dad not to move, we stopped and I eased up my 760 with the cross-hairs on the bird. Snap PFFFFFTTTT. Dad was shocked. 

2. Who got you into hunting? My dad.

3. What is your most memorable hunting experience? 
Most memorable hunting experience, wow I need a criteria for that. I would have to say bird hunting for the first time I ever went to Tonowanda swamp duck hunting with dad. We got there late but the birds were like mosquitoes. I shot my first drake wood duck, a drake mallard and 2 green wing teal (AKA...pocket ducks). We didn't hunt the pocket ducks after the first year because there was not much to eat on them.

4. What are your hobbies, besides hunting?
Hockey, fishing, football, watching sports, movies at the drive-inn and shopping at Gander Mountain or Bass Pro shops. I really like bass tournaments. I also like to teach people to hunt and fish. It is challenging and rewarding to see them succeed.  I also like to break clay with a shotgun.

5. What are the obstacles you face when hunting? 
My patience. I have to probably be the best impatient hunter there is. I have some techniques that work for my impatience. As I get older I am more impatient. My eyes also. I will have to switch from open sights to a scope in the future. The bugs and poison ivy when spring turkey hunting.

6. What are your favorite hunting sites/shows? 
Roger Raglin Outdoors because he slug hunts whitetails, Pheasants Forever, NWTF turkey shows and Ducks Unlimited (especially now that it's dirty bird Browning sponsored). I like to research on ballistic calculators, bullet trajectory and wind resistance coefficients. I frequent Browning and other major shotgun sites. Airgun reporter is also a favorite.


7. Who inspires you to stay involved in hunting? 
Mainly my nephew and my sister. I like to help people learn to hunt. I might consider retirement after they figure out hunting and kill a big monster. lol

8. How do you stay informed on hunting issues?  
I read Field and Stream, Outdoor Life, what the news and listen to people's scuttle butt. I think it's a jungle out there and a lot of good gun owners/hunters get a bad rap. But it is like every game, it only takes one or two bad apples to spoil the whole crate.



I  hope that all of the huntresses out there have someone in their life to help and inspire them to be the best huntress they can be.