2009 Iowa Deer Classic

Many of you have already had the chance to get together and share fantastic times at your state hunting exhibitions. Deer heads hanging from makeshift walls,shed antlers lining tables to be judged, put out there for all the other huntresses and hunters to gander at...Made to wonder what the other part of the animal might have looked like. Next weekend March 6th - 8th,at Hy-Vee Hall in Des Moines. It is Iowa's turn to go check out the displays, attend seminars,and find out what new products they can't possibly experience the outdoors without. There seems to be a lot of good event deals on this and that to give us the edge when it comes to getting a wild animal to put on the dinner table. Last year was my first time to attend and I found it to be exciting to see people I had seen on television, or read about while searching Google for "Deer Hunting" and all that goes with it. Byron Ferguson Seminar

Altoona,IA Bass Pro Shop Updates

This picture I posted on July 18,2008, heralded in the public advertisement of the intent for the Bass Pro Shop chain to become an anchor store of the new Shoppes at Prairie Crossing Mall that is being developed at the corner of U.S. Highway 65 by-pass loop and Interstate 80. An article in The Des Moines Register on February 9, 2009, reported that the man behind the development, Mike Whalen, felt good about the progress that had been achieved during one of the coldest winters Iowa had experienced in the last seven years. Yesterday gave me the opportunity to check on the building myself. The picture to the left is the view presently seen from the U.S 65 by-pass as you travel to the on ramp to Interstate 80 East. Traveling further, another angle presented itself overlooking a water feature. I am sure it will be developed to add peace and serenity to what will be a very busy location. Familiar markers are seen in the picture to the left - the Bass Pro Shop sign, and the Altoona water tower, along with the east edge of the building. This building is impressive in size,3 1/2 football fields worth of merchandise will fill it when completed. Could take days to see it ALL. ;)

Hungry Deer

The deer have been populating open areas to feed. They are hungry and continue to search for food at all hours of the day now. Timber floors still being covered with layers of snow, takes the deer out where the sun has opened ground in the thawing spells of last weekend. These deer are only a sampling of what I saw and what has been seen. Notice all the young ones...that number continues to grow because of the capability of 6 month old does to conceive and become mothers. I continue to see a very small deer,which I assume was born at the end of last summer, running with the herd. Too much attention sent them off to look just over the fence for somewhere else to enjoy a nibble...

Iowa Youngster on the Hunt

In The Des Moines Sunday Register, out of Des Moines, IA. last weekend. This little 7 year old hunter's story from last April's season inspires all of us to keep trying... With the support of his family Andrew took his first turkey on the second day of the Iowa's 2008 Spring youth season. The weather was less than ideal, winds ranged between 30-40 miles per hour, mixed rain, sleet and snow . His dad said they had practiced for shots at 15 -20 yards,nothing over 30. However, if Andrew was to get a bird that day, before the two turkeys that came into view disappeared, Andrew would need to take a long shot of 41 yards. Andrew drew his Remington 870, positioned it in the shooting sticks as his dad called in the birds, his mom was catching the event on video. Success! He got a 20 pound gobbler with an 8-inch beard with 10 additional bristles that created another 2-inch beard. What a wonderful way to get a "First" turkey. In the presence of mom, dad, sister and brother, a family affair... ;)

January Projects

January was somewhat of a rough month for me weather wise. Oh yes...I am not alone in this, not at all! However, I decided that I would work on things I could see change from time to time. I went to the Michael's Arts and Crafts store after Christmas and found some good deals on pound skeins of yarn. One skein down...two to go. Looking online for patterns I keep finding and saving things I want to do, but that would mean another trip to the store. Some day I will take my list if I can find another good sale. My favorite way to shop and find exactly what I am looking for is online.

These scarves were made for a specific person. The same person I made this Christmas scarf for.I have found a way to keep occupied on top of keeping Sadie happy and working on my schoolwork. What are you doing on top of your responsibilities to help chase the winter blues away? ;)

Survival Aides

There are times in our lives when we wish we had ways of hearing the news,or possibly break the monotony with a little music. They would certainly come in handy in the areas struck by the ice storm last week. Having gone through an ice storm ourselves a couple of years ago... We know how important having a distraction to the constant quiet can be. News of the outside. Oh yes! They would be great to add to the kit for the car if you should have to travel long distances. No matter what time of year. Today, I will be telling you about two emergency devices produced by a company called Emergency Essentials. Hubby and I received them from a friend for Christmas. Both independent of batteries that need to be changed,no need for a direct electrical connection. Nothing more than a way to crank the crank is necessary to power either the solar radio, or the emergency flashlight. Just 5 hours of full sunlight will provide 30 minutes of listening time. However, if you are able to fully charge the NiMH battery,which takes 35 to 40 hours,listening time increases to 7 hours. Another attribute for energy production in case the sun isn't available is the hand crank.Cranking for one minute will power the battery for 20 minutes or more of continuous radio play. An additional positive characteristic for this little radio is it's capability to pickup AM/FM and Weather band stations. We haven't taken it out of the house yet,but were impressed after taking it out of the wrapping. Maybe even a little extra light on the subject wouldn't be a bad idea either. As you can see we haven't tried the flashlight as of this date. Better get it out of the package before we need it. I am always looking for ways to have some normalcy when things are in survival mode. One of my thoughts presently is "How will extreme cold effect performance?" Do any of you have experiences with these products or others similar to them? ;)

Inauguration Day Blessing

It is You - by the Newsboys

As we lift up our hands Will you meet us here? As we call on your name Will you meet us here? We have come to this place To worship you God of mercy and grace It is you We adore It is you Praises are for Only you The heaven's declare It is you It is you Holy, holy is our God Almighty Holy, holy is his name alone Holy, holy is our God Almighty Holy, holy is his name alone It is you We adore It is you Only you As we lift up our hands Will you meet us here? As we call on your name Will you meet us here? We have come to this place To worship you God of mercy and grace It is you We adore It is you Praises are for Only you The heaven's declare It is you It is you Holy, holy is our God Almighty Holy, holy is his name alone Holy, holy is our God Almighty Holy, holy is his name alone As we lift up our hands As we call on your name Will you visit this place By your mercy and grace As we lift up our hands As we call on your name Will you visit this place By your mercy and grace It is you We adore It is you It is you Holy, holy is our God Almighty Holy, holy is his name alone Holy, holy is our God Almighty Holy, holy is his name alone Holy, holy is our God Almighty Holy, holy is his name alone Holy, holy is our God Almighty Holy, holy is his name alone It is you We adore It is you Only you I would like to honor God for giving us another Inauguration Day. Another day in a Free America which we must continue to guard - not take for granted. Be on guard that this freedom may be taken from us within our own borders... The thought comes you will see me as an alarmist. What I will say is that things happen, because we sweep little changes under the rug, and then when they all add up it is too late. The rug rises to encircle and smother. We may not agree on the direction our Country is going,but for this day let us join with others in lifting our hands to our hearts. Pledge allegiance to this great nation and the leaders we are placing in office to stand as a mind United.

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Timber Life's Tundra

This is the start of our regular route to the outside world beyond Timber Life. Walking in windchills between -30 and -40 to get pictures further down the drive aren't in the plans today. Hubby made a path with our Belarus tractor out in the fields yesterday to get our 4x4 pick-up out to the road a half mile to the west. He missed work on Monday and things were beginning to stack up so he had to make the 45 minute drive. The wind blew things back in as he returned to park the tractor...Instead of risking the possibility of having to walk in the dark he made some arrangements to stay with his brother overnight. It looks like he will stay another night in town since he must make sure he gets to work before 8:00 in the morning. So goes the winter life on Timber Life's Tundra. Stay warm everybody... ;)

Iowa Deer Muzzleloader Coming to an End

The Iowa Deer Hunting seasons are beginning to wind down. Last night brought a new blanket of snow to cover what had become bare to ice covered ground. Wind is to start being a factor tomorrow, opening day of the January Antlerless that runs from the 11th - 25th. More snow is on the way for Monday and Tuesday - a drop off of daytime highs. Ah winter... Today is the end of the second Muzzleloader season. There has been some activity on the adjacent open bean field to the south. At this point, the only report I have heard is of not getting kills with shots fired. Deer injuries seemed to have been the majority of results. I did hear from a hunter tracking a droptine buck. An atypical antler formation for this area, estimating it to score 180 - 200 on the Boone & Crockett scale. He told me that he had injured him and the animal was observed to be staying in my timber. I gave him permission to get the buck if it had been injured, that was early this past week. Another stipulation was that I get to see this buck that lived in our neighborhood. So far no updates have been received as to his succcess... 2008-2009 Iowa Deer Seasons Youth - Sep. 20th - Oct. 5th Disabled - Sep. 20th - Oct. 5th Archery- Oct. 1st - Dec. 5th Dec. 22th - Jan. 10th Muzzleloader - Early Oct. 11th - 19th Late Dec. 22nd - Jan. 10th Shotgun - First Dec. 6th - 10th Second Dec. 13th - 21st November Anterless - Nov. 28th - 30th January Antlerless- Jan. 11th - 25 th STATEWIDE RESULTS - Last Updated: Sat. Jan. 10th 10:45:39 CST 2009 Does - 64652 Antlered Bucks - 48918 Button Bucks - 13846 Shed Antler Bucks - 986 Total as of last update - 128402