Sorry...

Sorry for the lapse in posts.... Life just got away from me last year. 

So here is a bit of a recap for you. 

Archery season was a bust for me. Twice while I was hunting, non-archery folks decided that it would also be a good day to target practice with guns. And of course scared off all the deer. I saw a bunch, but nothing that I was willing to take a shot at. 

Rifle season was a success. I got a doe on opening morning. It was a clean shot. She dropped about 60 yards from where I shot her. It was a cold rifle season with a good amount of snow.

The bucks eluded me. The only buck I saw all season was the one my husband shot during archery.

For my birthday I got a new Hoyt Charger, Vixcen package. I shot the video hunt league this winter with the new bow.

May, was good to my son. For his birthday he got a 4 wheeler. (Did I mention he is only 5.)

And the Easter Bunny was good to G-man too. He got a new puppy.

Meet Ginger our Basset Hound.

4 weeks old

Our boat dog!

My husband and I were working to much and didn't even get a chance to spring turkey hunt. :(

I am still knitting. I have been working on a 12 block afghan and a baby blanket for a friend who is having a baby next month. So I have to finish that baby blanket soon! 

With life so hectic this year, I have not even been able to go to any 3D archery shoots. After video hunt league ended, my new bow has just been snugly wrapped up in the case. But it is time to get out and get practicing for archery season.

We also have a couple new adventures starting. G-man starts kindergarten in a couple weeks. (Mommy is tearing up just writing about it.) And he will start a learn to ice skate program at the end of September and his hockey season will start in November! We are really excited about G-man playing hockey.

He is ready for hockey to start now. Tonight we are making a countdown to hockey!

Again, sorry for my absence. I plan to get back to writing on a regular basis. This blog will probably evolve some. Posting more about my knitting endeavors, my son playing hockey, and of course I will continue to post about hunting and fishing.

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 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.

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.

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?

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!