Sunday, March 9, 2008

Seminar Report

Local co-host of WHO radio's Sportsman's Notebook and field editor for the Iowa Sportsman magazine Ron Kuntz, moderated the weekend seminars featuring Lee and Tiffany Lakosky, at the Iowa Deer Classic on the Hunter's Specialties Stage. The Lakoskys along with Matt Morett and Ron White fielded some questions after introducing themselves. Lee, a trained Chemical Engineer and Tiffany, a flight attendant for Northwest Airlines met in Minnepolis, MN. The couple became aquainted at an archery shop where Lee was employeed. Tiffany said her family was into fishing and Lee's family enjoyed hunting. Six years ago Lee invited Tiffany on a hunt. She declined the first invitation, but on the second invitation she agreed to go to see if she would like it. Well, as things worked out she brought down a 6 point buck her first shot. From that moment until now she says that is her trophy buck because of the circumstances that surrounded its take. After that hunting trip Tiffany was hooked both on the hunting experience and on Lee. The joint decision to buy land, and move south to Iowa, to continue the deer hunting passion brought them south five years ago. They now own 3,500 acres in the Mount Pleasant area in Henry county. The floor was opened by Ron to a few questions focused in the direction of Lee. A question was asked concerning being able to determine the difference in appearance of a 6 year old buck in comparison with a 3-4 year old buck. Lee responded that he likes checking out the neck and shoulder structure. Most older bucks have a larger mass over the whole body but the neck and shoulders are much thicker under the influence of hormones in the rut, than are the younger bucks. Then he made a point that they may be the first to lose their antlers with declining hormones and stress during the later seasons. He commented that caution should be practiced in the "Doe only"season, individuals traveling alone are most likely anterless males, females usually still have fawns at their side. Great points which I observed more this past season myself. The discussion turned to Lee's love of watching the deer from the couples bedroom late at night on the infrared trail camera over the food plot closest to the house. A big supporter of all season feeding, the Lakoskys have 72 seperate plots of various sizes. When asked about filming their show they revealed how long it could take to get the right shot, to make enough good material. Hunting is a full-time job for this young couple. They hunt 100 days a year. These people eat, breathe, and sleep ethical whitetail deer management in an effort to bring healthy specimens to their hunts and for the future generations to come...

Friday, March 7, 2008

The Iowa Deer Classic Main Exhibit Hall

It has been a week ago now since the Iowa Deer Classic came to Hy-Vee Hall. The second seminar attended was again at the Hunter's Specialties Stage at 7:30 P.M., February 29th. Being the instigator of the trip, trying to find the people that hold high profile positions brought by the OutDoor Channel- I kept hunting. Didn't need the exhibit hall floorplan,just kept checking out the booths. Had a great time seeing what was available...Looking at the picture you can see success was mine. Both couples that have become household names here at Timber Life signing autographs! From left to right, Lee and Tiffany Lakosky of "Gettin' Close!" based at Mt. Pleasant, IA and Kandi and Don Kisky of "Whitetail Freaks" out of Leon, IA. Checkout my next post of the discussion that happened at the Seminar. I found it very interesting and running paralell to what has been discussed here on the 'Net. Hope you will have time to stop in again.