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Wednesday, May 26, 2010

 Submitted by Dr. Paul Bambara, Team HuntingLife PROSTAFF

The beauty of a wild turkey can never fully be appreciated until the hunt is a success.

Yes, a gobbler in full strut at close range is a life altering experience, but to truly admire a mature tom you must feel the weight of the bird draped over your shoulder. You must run your hands over the iridescent feathers, must fan out the magnificent tail, stroke the beard, and test the sharpness of the fighting spurs. To me the best part of a harvested turkey is the fabulous meal that is going to follow, yet the memories come when I look at the various trophies that I have amassed in 30 years of chasing and guiding for wild turkey.

I was lucky enough to attend a seminar by the late great turkey guru Ben Lee.

During that information filled talk some 29 years ago, he asked the audience to raise a hand if they had ever killed a wild turkey. There were far more people looking around then raising an arm in triumph. Back then turkey numbers were down and permits for the privilege of pursuing the noblest of birds were rare and hard to draw. Today the same question would find most arms raised.  Now  many hunters shoot multiple toms every spring, this  no longer a rare feat with turkey populations and bag limits at all time highs.

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POSTED BY PAUL BAMBARA AT 02:00 PM | 3 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Our New York bow season opened this weekend. I worked Saturday morning then headed to one of my favorite stands for the afternoon hunt. As I drove to my parking spot, I noticed a nice long bearded male turkey feeding along a thick pine grove I cross to get to my deer stand.

I thought I would try to stalk the bird, even though I knew the odds were stacked against my success. Turkey season had been open two weeks but I had not hunted yet. As I crept toward the gobbler, I ran into to three more long beards feeding in some high grass. I saw them before they saw me and was at full draw when their heads periscoped up, finally alert to the camo clad danger 25 yards away. Too late, my broadhead center punched the closest bird and he immediately flopped over. I was elated and about to run to claim my unexpected prize when his partner attacked his downed buddy. He was pecking and spurring my bird for all he was worth, and totally ignoring me. New York allows two fall birds and both can be shot on the same day. I quickly knocked another arrow and nailed the second bird right at the base of his wing. He went down like he was hit with a hammer.

Needless to say I was late getting to my deer stand and only saw a spike that evening. Sunday morning found me sitting a different area on a beautiful mountain side. I saw a buck off in the distance and grunted a few times. Soon three bucks were under my stand. A young eight pointer gave me a 15 yard broadside shot and my empty freezer was starting to fill up. Right after my shot, a fourth buck showed up. He was unique in that he had a heavy mass four point on one side, and a gnarled, very thick spike twisting out of the other side and running straight down the side of his face, he never gave me a shot, but I hope to have his picture posted here before the end of bow season.  Not a bad start to the 2008 season. I really don’t hunt hard until November and the rut kicks in. I don’t want to burn out my stands, but I  always try to get out for the opener

I’m sure glad I did. All this fun is within 25 miles of mid-town Manhattan, go figure.

POSTED BY PAUL BAMBARA AT 10:40 PM | 2 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, September 15, 2008

I came in from a rainy all day sit during a peak-of-the-rut bow hunt, tired, cold, wet, and shivering. The lack of buck activity just added to my frigid, damp mood. Shedding my sopping outer wear and boots, I immediately popped a mug of “two” bowl venison chili in the microwave, and a few spoonfuls later, a satisfying warmth spread throughout my body. A smile  formed on my face as I realized just how tasty my next buck is going to be! The day suddenly seemed shorter and warmer. “Five alarm” or mild, nothing satisfies a frozen hunter like a bowl of piping hot chili. Chili can be made from any game; bear is as tasty as antelope. This recipe is easy to make, freezes great, and gets better with each reheating.

Preparing this one pot wonder is easy and fun, just follow  these simple steps and a hearty meal will be waiting for you after a cold day afield. A good chili shouldn’t be  loaded up with too many ingredients, keep it simple. Chili needs to cook a  LONG  time!  The best gauge will be your celery, when it dissolves, the chili is ready. Cut and chop all your ingredients before starting to cook. You can use your game meat either ground or cubed. I prefer the taste of cubed but my family favors the ground meat version, both are good but each has a distinctive palate. Chili is  a great way to finish off  the rest of last  years frozen harvest  as it starts to reach the point of “old age”.

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POSTED BY PAUL BAMBARA AT 11:50 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Monday, September 15, 2008

Today I had the chance to participate in a call-in show hosted by the Versus channel. David Morris of “ The bucks of Tecomate” and Tred Barta of “ The best and worse of Tred Barta” answered a multitude of questions covering all aspects of their lives and outdoor philosophies. My first impression is both men are down to earth hunters with a deep love of the animals they pursue and habitat  they hunt in. My questions were directed toward which conservation organizations they support and ways to increase hunter participation in the future.

Both men share similar views:
(1) We need to support every conservation group we can. In no group will you be able to agree on every viewpoint they support, but all are achieving great things to help ensure the future of hunting rights and opportunities.
(2) We need to get our families involved in our sport. We can no longer afford to try to keep hunting an exclusive “Boys Club”. Children and women are the future of our sport, and we need to do the utmost to involve our families in this sport we all love so much.

It was a fun and informative afternoon that will be available on podcast on our website hopefully as soon as next week.

In the mean time, log in and check out the fantastic fall line up of VERSUS COUNTRY.

POSTED BY PAUL BAMBARA AT 11:43 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, August 29, 2008

When the package from Campbell Industrial Supply  arrived, the first thing I noticed was it’s hefty weight, telling me a substantial piece of equipment was enclosed.  I was not disappointed!

The carefully packed assembly went together extremely easily, with no additional tools required.

The swivel base rotated effortlessly and silently. The real surprise came when I  placed  my first gun on the beautiful gun rack and felt the magnet “reach out” and clasp the barrel in complete safety and security. These fine gun racks are manufactured in numerous sizes and configurations to fit almost any need. Their web site - www.gun-racks.com - is both informative and easy to navigate. These fine people will even consider custom work in the unlikely event that the unique configuration you require is not available.

POSTED BY PAUL BAMBARA AT 08:06 AM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Friday, August 1, 2008

A fat corn fed whitetail doe stepped into an opening behind my tree stand with a purpose in her quick gait and scampered down the creek draw away from me.  A big Iowa buck followed seconds later.  He was through the shooting lane much too fast for a shot as he intently dogged his chosen love interest.  In desperation, I grunted loudly three short times then blew one long draw out bawl from my ever-present grunt tube.  I thought it was hopeless, certain no buck would choose to leave a hot doe just to pick a fight with me.  The seconds passed like hours...

My Iowa adventure began 23 years earlier when this New York raised student spent his four college years in the hunters’ paradise known as Iowa.  The hunting Gods were kind to me.  During those glorious years, I was able to achieve my first bow kill, harvest my first wild turkey, shoot my biggest whitetail buck, and enjoy too many pheasant, quail, and duck dinners to count.  Needless to say, I may have been financially poor, but I was never a “STARVING” college student.  After graduation in 1981 I never was able to make the time to return and hunt the place I loved so much.  In June I applied for a limited draw Iowa bow hunting permit.  After being rejected in Montana the previous two years, my hopes were not high, but lady luck finally shined on me and had a much coveted Iowa bow permit. On November first, I loaded the car and headed west to the place of so many great memories from years ago.

POSTED BY PAUL BAMBARA AT 08:45 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

It was my first night of hunting during my return trip to Manitoba, my new favorite BIG black bear destination. The hours had passed quickly from my comfortable ladder stand, but without action. A snapping branch at 9:15 P.M. drew my attention to a jet black bear approaching in the fading light. My normally calm demeanor was shattered by my thumping heart responding to the largest black bear I had ever seen. Many years of outfitting boat based black bear hunts in Alaska’s south east islands assured me this was truly a world class bear. This bear, easily 7 ½ plus feet and more than 500 pounds, came not to the bait but from the left to the base of my 12' ladder stand. I tracked him with my Matthew’s Drenalin but no shot was offered through the thick pine branches to my side. At 12 feet we eye balled each other, as he swayed to and fro, panting heavily.

He certainly knew I was there, yet I hadn’t moved a muscle. He didn’t get this big without having a 6th sense to avoid the only danger in his woods. After a minute of this standoff, he just turned and walked slowly away, still never offering a bow shot. Just as he was about to fade out of sight, he turned toward the bait barrel and walked straight at me. He never took his eyes off me, and he never presented a broadside profile, then just spun around and ran off in a flash. Twelve yards and still no shot. At 9:45 he ghosted through a far opening and then it was too dark to shoot. Exciting first night even if no game was taken.

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POSTED BY PAUL BAMBARA AT 03:45 PM | 0 COMMENT | LINKS TO THIS POST

Thursday, July 10, 2008

As my 50th birthday loomed in the future last year, my wonderful wife gave me a tough decision as to a possible "special" gift for that milestone of life. Lorrie offered me a choice between a Dall Sheep hunt or to take my first African safari. I don't have to mention this was a no lose proposition! Choosing a safari became easier when we realized that my non-hunter wife could accompany me on the hunt. Plans were made and we boarded our SAA flight in New York on 06/30/07 arriving 17 ½ hours later in Johannesburg, South Africa. The flight was made easier by the excellent reservations and ground assistance arranged by Shawn at Gacy Travel in Texas, and by a good nights sleep thanks to the magical sleeping pill called Ambien. Talk to your Doctor before you travel. A short flight from Jo-berg to Port Elizabeth finished our travel for the day.

We were met by Chris Brooster of Crusader Safaris, Melinda(his girlfriend), and Harry- his blood tracking, lovable, and very spoiled Jack Russell terrier. Unfortunately for Harry, (but very lucky for me), his skills were never needed over the next two weeks.

We spent our first day in Africa as a day of rest at the Brooster family beach house on the Indian Ocean. A relaxed unwind which included a massage at the spa for my wife, excellent South African wine, and a tasty barbeque of game and lamb prepared and cooked by Chris. This was a great way to transition into the African life we would live for the rest of our trip. Rested and excited we drove 3 hours to Eildon. This was the first of many wonderful places we would stay at and hunt from during the next two weeks. Chris and his partner Andrew Pringle run the kind of personal and intimate safari company that allows the hunter to individualize the details of their safari and any extra activities. Lorrie and I desired a nice mix of hunting with sightseeing, and we were blown away by the results!

POSTED BY PAUL BAMBARA AT 00:52 AM | 4 COMMENTS | LINKS TO THIS POST