My Badlands Pack

I have yet to do a product review on my blog. I'm not sure why. Maybe it is because I never really thought anyone would care what I thought. However, I'm feeling a little "punchy" tonight, so whether you care or not I'm going to give my opinion. I figure it is about time to give my opinion on some of the gear I use in the field. So... the first item up for review....

my Badlands Backpack

I LOVE this pack!

I purchased my pack with a hard earned bonus from work. My husband was a little jealous when I splurged on this item. I know that he has been wanting one of these badboys for himself, so I did feel a little bit guilty when I was the first one to get the goods. However, the guilt faded quickly. He did after all tell me to splurge on myself instead using my bonus to pay bills. Plus, I know he will be getting a new pack prior to our high altitude hunting adventure next summer, so all is well.

The Pros... Here are the reasons why I love my 2800 Badlands pack:

1. First, for the weight I'm able to carry on this pack, it is very easy to get around on a mountainside. I was pleased to be able to carry my heavy duty snow parka by just opening the two panels and buckling it in.
2. I loved having the H20 bladder built in so that it sits on the top of the pack. It seemed to distribute the weight well.
3. There is a built in rain shell for the pack - way cool!
4. I can carry my bow on this pack if necessary.
5. The Max-1 camo pattern matches my new GT500 bow. (I'm still working on having all matching camouflage at some point.)
6. It is built so that I can carry a quarter of an elk out if needed. However, I would be little sad to get blood on this pack. Don't worry - I would have no problems doing this when it comes down to it.
7. The padding on the inside of the frame was AWESOME! I called it my ninja turtle padding. Tell me you don't see the turtle shell resemblance...

The Cons... I have very little to complain about this product, but I will mention the few beefs I have:

1. It seems it was designed for a bit of a bigger waistline than mine. Even with the waistband fastened as tight as possible, I have quite a bit of room to breath. What does this mean? The weight isn't distributed the way it should properly be distributed. The pack sits more on my hips instead of resting on my waist / lumbar area. This resulted in my back being a bit sore. The good news is that the Badlands company has promised to adjust the straps for me at no cost. (Check out their great warranty.) Granted, there was nothing really "wrong" with the pack other than the fact that it didn't fit my frame. But they've agreed to make the adjustment at no cost. So, I will need to send off my beloved pack in the very near future so that I can get it back in time for hiking around in the mountains this spring to search for sheds.
2. Since I'm able to carry some extra weight now, I was no longer the fastest hiker in our group. (I think the guys secretly packed extra weight in my pack to slow me down.)
3. Maybe it is just me, but when hiking up an incline I am unable to look up the hill very easily with this pack on. In order to see ahead of me, I had to tilt my entire frame back from the waist. I was unable to move my neck back. I guess this is just another disadvantage of being female shorter than 6 feet tall. I've looked at the pics of other guys wearing the pack and it doesn't look like they would have this issue. Maybe there is an easy adjustment that could be made to resolve this issue. I'm open to any suggestions.

So, there you have it. I do love this pack and and am very excited to use it when we pack in at those high altitudes. I know that I will be utilizing every square inch!

A Good Day

I'm looking forward to a good day today. I did a little Christmas decorating last night finally. So, I'm now beginning to get in the Christmas spirit of things. On the agenda today: A good cup of coffee, homemade raisin bran muffins, shopping at Bass Pro, and then maybe a little dose of holiday cheer in the form of a parade of lights downtown with a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

Here's to wishing that you take a moment to stop and let the glorious mysterious wonder of Christmas invade your hearts.

Delight in it.

Decoy Love

A fellow Coloradan shot this video footage. Check out this great idea of creating realistic deer decoys. Danny named this one "Donna." The bucks sure do love her! Check it out...

My "Backyard"

Why is it that the hunting expeditions on my "to do list" tend to bring me to some foreign land in order to cross off a particular hunt on my list? Could it be that the old adage of the grass is always greener on the other side also applies to hunting? There are many species I have yet to fill a tag on that live right here in my home state of Colorado, such as... Big Horn Ram, Moose, and Mule Deer. So, I guess the question is: Why do I still want to jump on a plane and head to some foreign land to go on a hunting adventure? I guess it boils down to that one little word: ADVENTURE.

There is a thrill in the thought of hunting caribou on the tundra and having to fly on a single-engine-puddle-jumper-whatever-you-call-it little plane that lands on the water. I think I will need a shot of whiskey or something to get the nerve to fly in one of those things. But would it be worth it? You bet! I want the adventure.

There is also the New Zealand hunt that I would LOVE to go on. I think it is partially an excuse to visit this country, but if I can include a hunt with the trip that is an added bonus. It would be a trip of a lifetime.

However, before any of these hunting dreams become reality, I think I need to be satisfied with all of the wonderful hunting opportunities right out my back door. I still have a lot of hunting to do right here in Colorado. The next on my list... High Altitude Mule Deer. We are already planning this hunt for next summer. I'm sure that you will be hearing all about it in the upcoming months. I need to be mentally and physically prepared for this hunt; so, the physical preparation will begin very soon. Stay tuned!

A few of My Favorite Things

In the spirit of being thankful this week, I thought I would take a few moments to make a list of things I'm thankful for. Here are a few of my random favorites in no particular order:

• Mountain sunsets
• Slobbery dog kisses
• Family - my sweet husband, dad, mom, brother, sister, grandparents, father-in-law, mother-in-law, etc. (ALL of my family) ;)
• God
• Earthworms
• Chapstick
• Foot rubs
• The smell right after it rains
• Friends
• Being able to run
• Freedom
• Rangefinders
• Campfires
• My badlands backpack
• A good cup of coffee
• The sound of wind through pine trees
• Hugs
• Toe nail polish
• Laughter
• Lightning storms - from a distance
• Riding lawnmowers
• And lastly... those who serve unselfishly

Just a few of my favorite things. Now it is your turn.

What are you thankful for?

Finding My Anchor Point

At archery league last week my husband was giving me pointers, as usual. These unsolicited pointers usually occur because I am doing something incorrectly. I think I have pretty good form. However, I am not consistent in a few things when shooting, one of them being - my anchor point. What is an anchor point some may ask? It is the reference points chosen uniquely by only you that leads to reliable accuracy each time an arrow is released at full draw. It is always touching the bowstring to the tip of your nose at that exact same spot. Or pressing your thumb on the same spot on your check each and every time. Consistency. Consistency. Consistency. The key is to find your rhythm and not change the tune one bit. To stray even just slightly from your anchor point will cause your mark to be missed, the song to be off-tune, the dance to skip a step.

If you watch experienced archers, you can clearly see that they have a rhythm. Their pattern doesn't change at all. They do the same exact thing each time they pull their bow back. It is the same song, same dance that somehow never seems to get old. In fact, the rhythm of it all captures you and invites you to come and learn your own song and dance to be performed over and over.

Webster defines the word "anchor" several ways. One definition includes: "a person or thing that can be relied on for support, stability, or security; mainstay: Hope was his only anchor." Another definition: "To fix or fasten: affix firmly". Combine this with the word "point" and waala, you are affixing firmly to a point. The idea is that the more you consistently anchor to the same point, eventually it becomes a habit and you no longer have to tell your brain to concentrate and find that sweet spot.

I actually started this post on Thursday evening after archery league but just couldn't seem to compile my random thoughts into something that made sense. So, I let it sit uncompleted in order to digest it a bit. On Friday morning I had the privilege of listening to Kerry Hasenbalg tell her story of how God carried her through a difficult time in her life. A 37 week pregnancy had come abruptly to an end and her child was delivered stillborn. She told of her struggle to heal the pain and used the illustration of needing an anchor in her life that she could cling to during this time.

There needs to be a place in life that is consistent and true. In a world filled with moral relativism, clinging to ultimate truth becomes a necessary anchor. The swells of life have a way of consuming and inviting us to be swallowed up. An anchor is needed.

Here is the tangible illustration... Apparently, during a hurricane the boats unable to be removed from the sea have the best chance of surviving the storm if they have a sturdy anchor that runs deep and holds strong. But there is more to it than just that. The boats that survive must have a strong anchor, but also be cross tied to another strong object. I love that. Do you get the illustration? We not only need an anchor, but we need each other. Oh, and one more thing... you have to position your boat with it's bow in the direction of the prevailing winds. Face in the wind, friends. Chin up. Knowing your anchor will hold.

WOW! Although I have not been through the pain of loosing a child, I still felt as if God was speaking directly to me saying, "Let me be your anchor for your storms, whatever they may be." My hope is that you've found your anchor point in life. A place where you can consistently come back to time and time again; and that ultimately, you can dance.

Oh, and I've been hearing about my archery anchor point from my husband for quite sometime now. Maybe it is about time I start listening.

Target Practice from Emily on Vimeo.

(This video was recorded last year about this time. Yes, we shoot out our backdoor).

Hunting Blues

As the deer are beginning to rut (or maybe already are), I'm sitting here feeling like I'm in a rut. I don't have a tag in my pocket. The freezer is void of game meat. The sun is no longer shinning as I drive home from work. Deer eyeballs peer at me through the darkness from the side of the road. A pope and young record wanna be stuck his tongue out at me the other night. I need a hair cut. I need a tan. I think I need a beach and a corona in my hand. Woe Woe Woe is me.

The deer are taunting me:

Hit Me - Deer Blues from Emily on Vimeo.

I'll be okay. Really. Just needed to vent a little.