Here are few show specials that my outfitters will be offering at various trade shows this month.  They have agreed to allow me to pass them along to you through my blog. If any of these are of any interest to you please contact me and I can provide full details.

Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email greg@fishandhunttheworld.com

2012 Show Specials

Code                                                              Location                   Special

PMF2                                                            Panama                     – Pay for a 4 day trip and get the 5^th day free

WAH2                                                           Washington              -Turkey – April 15-May 30^th $900 for 3 Day, 1 Bird

2^nd bird is $500

-Archery Whitetail Hunts 10% off September dates

MBH5                                                             Manitoba                   -Moose hunts will include bear and wolf to make it a 3 species hunt

FLH5                                                              Florida                        – Three Day/Three Night Turkey Hunt – $1,800

Lodging included.

-Alligator Hunt – $2,500

* Tag Application due June 1^st.

3 Night Hunt – August 15-Nov 1

WIF4/WIF6                                                    Wisconsin                 -Turkey hunts for $175 per day

-Guided fishing for $175 per day

ILH4                                                                Illinois                                    -Bow Hunt – 2 people – 6 Days – Semi Guided $1,100

Does not include license, food or lodging.

KSH5                                                             Kansas                      -Archery – Nov 19-24, 2012 – $2,000

KSH1                                                             Kansas                      -Youth Rifle (Under 16 Years of Age) – Sept 8-10

$2,500

-October Archery – Oct 16-21

$2,400

AH6                                                                Alaska                        -May 17-28, 2012 – Spring Brown/Black Bear

10 Day – $16,500

-August 31-September 11 – Brown/Black Bear

10 Day – $16,500

-Sept 14-21 – Mountain Goat/Black Bear

6 Day – $10,500

-There is usually a $950 charter fee per client, but outfitter is

waiving that fee for anyone who books.

AF18                                                              Alaska                        -3 travel for the price of 2

King Salmon – June 14-19, July 5-15

Silver Salmon – July 20-Aug 20

5 Nights – $2,950 per person

7 Nights – $3,750 per person

MXF3                                                             Mexico                       -April 1-30 or August 15-30 – 5 Day/4 Night – 3 Days Fishing

Palmas – 2 Per Cabana/2 Per Cruiser – $835 per person

Palmas – 4 Per Cabana/4 Per Cruiser – $445 per person

Palmas – Meals not included

Playa – 2 per Poolside Room/2 Per Cruiser – $835 per person

Playa – 3 Per Poolside Room/3 Per Cruiser – $605 per person

Playa – Includes 3 meals per day.

NBH1                                                             New Brunswick        – Fall Archery Black Bear Hunt

Sept. 17-21, 2012–from $1,500 to $1,300 ea.

ABH7                                                             Alberta                       -Spring Black Bear – 6 Day – $3,600 plus licenses ($400)

2 bears and wolf

Mid May to first week of June – 2×1

-Rifle Deer Combo – 6 Day – $4,900 plus licenses ($850)

Whitetail, Mule Deer, Wolf – November – 2×1

-Archery Moose – 6 Day – $3,900 plus licenses ($650)

Tree stand rut hunt

September 17-22

BCH11                                                           British Columbia      -Black Bear – 5 Day – $2,500 plus licenses, tags and taxes

2×1

AFH5                                                              South Africa              -6 Day – 2×1 Sharing Animals

Trophy:  Kudu and Gemsbok

Non Trophy:  2 Impala, 2 Blesbok, 2 Common Springbok, 2 Grey                                                                                                                       Duiker

$3,500 per hunter plus $70 taxes

-5 Day – 2×1 Sharing Animals

2 Trophy Kudu

20 Non Trophy Common Springbuck

$3,500 per hunter plus $70 taxes

BCF1                                                              British Columbia      -Steelhead Package – 4 Night/3 Day – $1,250 per person

2 person minimum to book

Must book byJan 30, 2012

Be sure to contact me for full details.  Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email greg@fishandhunttheworld.com

Gun owners who have historically been able to use  public lands for target practice would be barred from potentially  millions of acres under new rules drafted by the Interior Department,  the first major move by the Obama administration to impose limits on  firearms.

Officials say the administration is concerned  about the potential clash between gun owners and encroaching urban  populations who like to use same land for hiking and dog walking.

http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/washington-whispers/2011/11/16/obama-pushing-shooters-off-public-lands

One of my most successful New Mexico Elk outfitters has a few highly covedted unit 12 and unit 10 land owner tags available. My customers have been 100% over the last 3 seasons with this New Mexico Elk outfitter with bulls ranging from 320 to 400 class.

For the 2012 Elk season in unit 12 he will only be taking 2 archery hunters (September hunt) and 4 rifle hunters (opening day in October) of those tags I have 1 archery and 2 rifle available. These will be conducted on several private ranches.

For the 2012 Elk season in unit 10 we will have archery (September Pre Rut and Rut) muzzle loader (first week of October Rut) and rifle hunts (second week of October tail end of rut). Unit 10 hunts are conducted unit wide on private ranches and public land bulls from this unit have ranged from 280 to 370, with the 370 just taken this past season.

Hunts are conducted from a tent camp style base, with travel trailer sleeping quarter.  There is a full time cook in camp, a heated shower stall with hot water and a mess tent for dining.  Camp is set up just South of Grants, New Mexico.

If you would like more details on this hunt please contact me right away. 

Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email greg@fishandhunttheworld.com

http://www.huntersagainstpeta.com/heres-the-crying-wolf-video-that-jeffery-sent-directly-to-us

Crying Wolf – A
Documentary Exposing The Anti’s True Agenda

“Some of the most famous elk
herds in the world are slowly becoming things of the past. The Northern
Yellowstone Elk Herd in Montana once numbered nearly 20,000 head; today there
is less than 4,000, and it’s because of wolves.

The great Bitterroot Herd, also
in Montana, is now in real jeopardy of basically being gone for the same
reason.

There’s an agenda behind the
wolf movement and it has nothing to do with saving wolves or balancing
ecosystems. It’s about eliminating the sportsmen, the hunter, and destroying
the North American wildlife system. Find this hard to believe?

Click here to watch the documentary

The entire film is going to be
released tomorrow (9.12.11) and will air for free for a limited time on the
website.

People have to wake up to what
is going on out here, or there will be nothing left to hunt.

Please help spread the word!

Attend the Masters of the Outdoors Webinar Series
Presented by the Professional Outdoor Media Association
REGISTER NOW – Limited Participation

http://www.theoutdoorwire.com/story/1315817493njh6fbwq60s

Here is a link to a recent review on their gear.  I will offer my own after my first hunt this season.

http://www.huntonly.com/hunting_gear_reviews/kryptec_outdoor_gear.html

We are only 2 months away from Archery Elk season, and we still need a few more hunters.

Last year we purchased Keating Outfitters and the unit that came with it, which added 300 square miles to our hunting area. This allows us to hunt over 450 square miles of country ( over 260,000 acres). Many bulls have been taken out of this unit over the last 30 years, and we look forward to hunting on it this season!

Our elk number are climbing again, thanks to a substantial decrease of wolves in our area. This elk season looks like it’s going to be great!

We would like to have 4 more archery hunters, we have openings between the dates of September 10-23. We would love to have 2 more rifle hunters October 15-21, and 2 more November 2-8. Price on all hunts is $3841.15 which includes everything.

Thanks for your help!

I have personally visited this Montana outfitter on several occassions and would make the trip back for the cooking alone. Dave and Patty’s place sits only a few yards away from the Big Horn River right outside of the town of Hardin, MT. From the time you arrive you will be made to feel like family and will be ready to plan your return trip before you leave.

Below are some more details about the Outfitter and the Big Horn River.

See the RSNC calender for class information
OKC Shelly Fitzgerald 1 405 826-3167
Tulsa Ed Ray  1 918 812-4537

Lower Big Horn River
Your lower river adventure begins at Mallard river access and continues down for 11 miles to Two Leggins Outfitters private Trappers Landing Boat Ramp. This section of the river is the best and most overlooked section of the Big Horn river. Many trophy Rainbow and German Brown trout have been caught in this section of the river. Two Leggins Outfitters utilize this section most often for trophy trout. This section provides more seclusion for the angler than the upper or middle river sections.

Unlike many of the other rivers in Big Sky country and other areas of the Midwest, the Big Horn River fly fishing is available all year round. That means that anglers who can brave the cold and snow can still catch large fish even in the dead of winter.

As is always the case for vacation spots, the summer months on the Bighorn River are considered the busy season. From July through September, the Bighorn River sees its heaviest use. During these months it is entirely common to see not just one or two, but dozens of fishing rafts floating the river, and a mass of fishermen wading and lining the riverbanks.

It’s a little known fact that Big Horn River fishing and Big Horn River flyfishing proves to be successful for both floaters and waders alike and offers a substantial return on the fishing investment all year round. However, it’s the common consensus that floating the Bighorn River offers a more competitive edge and the convenience of moving easily from one prime location to another while easily covering the entire river, including the deeper waters.

One of the most popular choices for visiting a Bighorn River extends beyond the fishing regions and reaches into the depths of the hunting world. Along the Bighorn, there is a mass of premier big game hunting and excellent fowl hunting all year round. In short, every hunter, during every season, will find his or her fair share of game that’s ripe for the picking.

Some of the most common kills along the banks of the Bighorn River include large mule deer, antelope, as well as white tail deer. If fowl is more your game of choice, you’ll find lots of sharp tail grouse, pheasant, and even wild turkey all nested in the grasses along the banks.

Hunting enthusiasts that find themselves on the banks of the Bighorn River will find that they’ve stumbled one of the premier hunting spots, this is especially true for those who partake of the land offered by Two Leggins Outfitters. Two Leggins Outfitters have secured land ranging over 100,000 acres and offers hunters private property for trophy hunting of large game, as well as upland birds and water fowl.

The guys really hammered the Geese this spring thanks to one of our Missouri waterfowl outfitters.  Hog hunting has really gained popularity over the past few  years.  I am quite confident that our current economic climate has a lot to do with it, since you can hunt hogs year around and are inexpensive compared to other big game species.  Myself, along with good friends, OC President Marc Glades and 11 year NFL Veteran Bill Maas decided to head South and take on the hogs Texas style!

For more information on any of these adventures contact Greg Ray 918 407 2586 or email greg@outdoor-connection.com

This article was sent to me by one of my outfitters and rang very true for me and I’m sure will for you as well. I have heard to many times from my outfitters that a client could have gotten on his species if he would have been in better shape or better prepared, don’t let this happen to you!

HEALTHY HUNTING

By Ted Kimball MD

Hunting, as a sport, runs the spectrum of physical challenge.  It can be done from a chair on a front porch with only a slight increase in heart rate just before a shot is fired, or hiking through the mountains in a storm it can be a demanding test of physical strength and cardiovascular endurance.  Every year a significant number of hunters enter the field and are seriously injured or die from underestimating the rigors of hunting or overestimating their own physical strength and endurance.  While many of us hope that our last minutes of life could be spent hunting with family or friends on top of some pristine mountain, I would hate for this to occur prematurely for me or anyone else.  With this in mind, this article will provide several important suggestions for assessing and preparing for the physical challenges of your upcoming hunt.

Knowledge is Key

No rational person would enter a foot race without knowing where the race will be and how much distance the race will cover.  Hunting should be no different.  Whether you are booking a hunt with an outfitter or putting together a DYI hunt with family and friends, you should be asking several important questions before you enter the field.  First, what are the altitude extremes where the hunt will occur?  Altitude sickness can make you feel miserable at a minimum but can also be life threatening.  For example, our operation has hunting properties that may average altitudes of 5,000 to 6,000 feet, but depending on the chase, we may be pursuing animals up to 10,200 feet.  This can be a huge problem for someone from Ohio depending on their cardiac reserves and physical preparation.  Terrain characteristics are another important consideration.  Steep terrain at lower altitudes can be more challenging than a flat plateau at high altitudes.  On steep terrain moving across side hills can be torture on weak ankles, especially without proper ankle support in the form of good, broken in, boots.  Next, know the extremes of weather that may be encountered where the hunt will occur.  Again, knowing average conditions may be helpful but you need to know what could happen if things really turn bad. Hunters need to prepare for a wide spectrum of hot or cold, wet or dry weather.  Whole books have been written on preparing for extreme weather but as it relates to physical preparedness there are several simple important considerations.  Hiking to the top of a peak on a cool fall morning may be a walk in the park, but if temperatures push up into the hot range this can push heart and muscles to the brink if hunters aren’t prepared.  It is also important to carefully consider your exit strategy.  Specifically you may be going in with a rifle or bow and a 20-pound daypack, but if the fates are with you, you may have to cover the same terrain and distance back out with a 100-pound elk hindquarter.  I learned this lesson the hard way after spotting a nice mule deer buck bedded down 2,000 yards away across a valley and 1,000 yards below our camp one snowy day in the Utah Wasatch Mountains.  Excited and traveling light I covered the distance through the rocky terrain and 3 feed of snow in about an hour.  After a careful stalk and a well-placed bullet, I had a beautiful, 200-pound, Rocky Mountain mule deer at my feet.  In my haste I had left my good knives in camp and was barely able to field dress the animal with the dull knife I found in my daypack.  In short, it was getting dark and three of us had to carry the whole deer back to camp.  I have never been so exhausted or come closer to losing my friendship with two close buddies.

Application of Knowledge Gained

Armed with a good understanding of altitude, terrain and weather conditions, it is now time to apply this knowledge to you.  We will focus on two specific areas: cardiovascular endurance and musculoskeletal strength and conditioning.  The heart is what it is all about.  It is what we aim for to accomplish a quick and humane kill and it is what hunters should focus on when preparing for a hunt of any physical nature.  First, get to know your own heart history.  Does heart disease run in your family, do you smoke, are you significantly overweight, do you have diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure?  With the exception of family history, you can and should do something about a yes answer to any of the above questions.  Under your doctor’s guidance and with knowledge of your exciting, upcoming hunt, institute a heart-healthy plan for smoking cessation, exercise and a healthy diet.  This may seem daunting but with your hunt as an incentive, you can feel better in even a few weeks of mild exercise and manageable changes in your diet.  Hunt-specific exercise can begin simply with extended walks that progress to carrying a partially loaded backpack up gentle hills or stairs.  Finally, mimic the backpack weight, distances, and if possible, the altitude of your anticipated hunt at least three times a week in the month before you hunt.  Remember to stay well hydrated and learn how to regulate your temperature by layering clothes rather than wearing a single bulky jacket.

Musculoskeletal Strength and Conditioning

While cardiac endurance is important, hunters can’t underestimate musculoskeletal strength and conditioning.  Simply, you can have a great engine, but if you got no wheels, you won’t get far.  Unstable ankles can lead to unstable knees which can lead to debilitating joint injuries that can ruin a hunt or risk your life.  This is where hunting can be very different from other sports in that training on flat ground in tennis shoes might leave you ill prepared for hunting in steep terrain.  Good ankle strength coupled with comfortable, broken-in boots can literally be a life saver.  Invest in quality boots that are applicable to the weather and terrain conditions where you will be hunting.  Backpacks add loads to joints that can increase the possibility of injury if joints and muscles aren’t conditioned to this additional strain.  Though you may be laughed at by your running buddies, from the very start of your conditioning plan you should train in your carefully-selected hunting boots.  This will allow the boots to be broken in prior to the hunt reducing the chance for hot spots and blisters.  As mentioned above, train on gentle slopes gradually increasing the slope angle to help condition joints and muscles to lateral strain for hunting in steep terrain.

In summary, know your hunting destination:  Altitude, terrain and weather.  Under the consultation of your doctor, stop unhealthy habits and start a gradual exercise program.  Condition for both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal endurance and strength.  Mimic your hunting terrain as much as possible.  Finally peak your training one month before the hunt.  Remember, healthy hunting is fun hunting.

As most of you know my company Fish and Hunt the World is a proud partner of Outdoor Connection and has been for quite some time now.  One of the things that I believe Outdoor Connection does best is personally inspect each outfitter we represent, that doesn’t mean visiting their website or talking with them over the phone, it means actually hunting and fishing with each one before we send a client.

Of course this doesn’t mean that every trip goes perfect, because things can always happen that are out of our control or out of the outfitters control, but we always do our best to make it right.

Below are a few paragraphs  put together by one of our fellow agents, Scott M. and his experiences before Outdoor Connection and the differences he has seen between us and other agencies.  I think this is a perfect example of our passion for what we do.

Booking Agencies and Their Destinations

Here is a personal story. In 2007 before I bought a franchise with Outdoor Connection, I did my due diligence on this company just like all of you did. In that process, one thing that really caught my eye was the procedure in place for approving an Outdoor Connection destination. Enough so that it was a tipping point in my decision making. I had personal experiences with other booking agencies pre-OC so I had something to compare it to. In that process, I had found out that not all booking agencies inspect their destinations. In fact, often times, they sell the product using destination brochures and destination information given to them by owner operators….not information they personally gathered. Seems odd doesn’t it? It is true however and it should be known that we are talking about some of the biggest booking company names in the business right down to mom and pop operations. I know this because I had used their services and found out first hand how they represented their destinations.

Knowing the above and knowing how Outdoor Connection approves and represents our destinations should prove to be invaluable to you. Think about it….could you sell a house that you have never seen? Could you market a destination you have never been to? More importantly, will your client recognize that you do not have accurate first hand knowledge? Of course you can’t and of course they will. The purpose of the above is to clearly point out that we are not all equal. Use that to your advantage!