Trophy Talk

Working to Make 2011 a Year to Remember

2010-12-09T16:10:00.001-05:00

I've been looking forward to and preparing for this weekend's Cool Spring Church Outdoor Ministry 2011 Planning Retreat for nearly a month now. We plan to do some deer hunting, some skeet shooting, plan out our events for 2011 and eat good (as often as possible)! Our overall theme for 2011 is going to be 'Relationships', and our challenge will be for each of us to reach out to one fellow outdoorsman that God has laid on our heart, and commit to walk alongside that person throughout the entire year in an attempt to connect them to God in a deeper way through outdoor ministry. Should be a fun weekend, and I will let you know early next week how it all goes down and give you a glimpse of what 2011 has in store for us and the community.

Happy Thanksgiving - Sportsmen's Devotional

2010-11-25T08:28:00.000-05:00

I hope you and your family have a special Thanksgiving Day, and are able to carry this spirit of thankfulness through Christmas and into the New Year. One of the resources that I am thankful for is the Daily Sportsmen's Devotional, which I receive daily by email, and which helps me start my day off with a proper perspective. If you have not already subscribed to the Sportsmen's Devotional, I highly encourage you to do so. Click the link of this post which will take you to today's devotional, and at the bottom of the page is a link which will allow you to sign up.

Be safe in the woods and on the water.

Instinct or Selfishness?

2010-11-15T21:22:00.001-05:00

That is what I have been trying to figuring out since Saturday, replaying the events of that morning's hunt over and over in my mind. Let me get you up to speed. I had the opportunity to hunt with my brother-in-law out near his home on opening day of the general firearms deer season this past Saturday. After a few hours of being on the outskirts of the hunt, we found ourselves in midst of the action as the dog drivers turned loose a fresh set of beagles in a nearby cutover. He and I were at the bottom of a piece of cutover next to a creek, listening to the dogs begin to hit a fresh trail. Not much time had passed when a deer came toward us, but we couldn't see much of anything looking into the glare of sunshine and melting frost, and the deer either saw us or smelled us and quickly vanished back into the cutover. No sooner had that deer gone out of hearing, than I heard splashing in the creek to my left. I turned to see an extremely nice buck easing down the creek, apparently trying to sneak out of the hunt area. I whispered to my brother-in-law that a buck was coming down the creek, several times actually, but when his rifle did not go off, I quickly shouldered my shotgun and dropped the buck in the creek bed. I almost instantly felt sick, unable to enjoy having harvested a beautiful buck, because I kept thinking, "He was probably getting ready to shoot, so why didn't you just wait." Well, I don't know why, and that is why I can't figure out if it was hunting instinct that took over with a big buck in sight, or if it was a strain of selfishness. As those two seconds transpired between seeing the buck and shooting, I remember thinking, "Can he see the deer", "does he have a shot", "why hasn't he shot yet", "how long before he has a shot", "what if this deer sees us and spooks, what will he think if I don't shoot" - so, I shot, and in an instant, the deer was down with no way to change the outcome, no way to rewind, no 'undo' button to 'fix' it. I expressed my remorse to him so many times after that, telling him that I wish it had been him that shot, that he probably got tired of me saying it. And he did not seem to care one bit who had shot the deer, just glad that one of us had been able to harvest the animal. But there is a part of me that keeps thinking that that deer was meant for him, and that I managed to mess up a 'divine' situation. It's one of those scenarios that you ask yourself 'what would I do' and that you answer 10 out of 10 times 'I would let the other person do this or that', but when this scenario became reality, the situation ended differently.

On one hand, you can say that it is just a deer - stop stressing, stop beating yourself up and move on. On the other hand, if it was selfishness, then I may have un-earthed something in me that I thought I had moved past as a sportsman and a Christian. Maybe this is something that the Lord wanted me to discover in order to deal with it effectively.

Any of you reading ever have something happen that 'rocked' you liked this situation did to me, glimpsing something within yourself that you couldn't quite explain, or something that you thought had been replaced with a different demeanor, something that you felt compromised your integrity or your identity?

Recap on my Early Deer Season

2010-11-12T12:11:00.001-05:00

It has been an interesting month and half in search of the elusive whitetail. Yesterday morning, I was squatting down next to a buck that had been shot by a buddy moments earlier chasing a doe, and I look up, and 15 yards away is another buck, evidently in pursuit of the same hot doe. It did take me too long to think that I was probably not in a good spot right there, especially if this buck charges the downed buck in rage. Fortunately, he got no closer than about 15 yards, and then decided to head off in a different direction. A fitting ending to a fun early season.

You have heard about several of my highlights, but I wanted to take a minute to recap some numbers that I kept during the archery and muzzleloader seasons. So, here goes:

18 hunts during the 36 available hunting days
50 total hours hunted, and 39 deer seen during that time
deer were seen on 12 out of the 18 hunts
12 of those deer were seen during 28.5 hours of morning hunting
27 of those deer were seen during 21.5 hours of afternoon hunting
39 deer consisted of 15 bucks, 17 does, and 7 undetermined sex
15 bucks seen on 10 out of 18 hunts
7 bucks seen in the morning, 8 bucks seen in the afternoon
rutting activity (bucks chasing, grunting, and or scraping) witnessed on 6 hunts during the last 2 weeks
2 deer harvested (doe on October 4, 7 point buck on November 3 - both with the bow)

I keep records as part of the annual DGIF Virginia Bowhunter Survey. If you are an early season hunter in Virginia and have never recorded this survey, I recommend you do in future years. Not only does it provide valuable information to DGIF biologists, but you can also use the numbers in a slightly different capacity to recognize trends which may help you be more productive in the woods.

Happy hunting Virginians as general firearms seasons opens tomorrow. Wear that safety harness and the blaze orange, be sure of your intended target, and represent our hunting tradition wisely.

Messes to Miracles

2010-11-07T21:02:00.000-05:00

With the whitetail rut bordering on high gear status in central and eastern Virginia, I took the day off this past Wednesday to spend the day seeking after a bruiser buck with a preoccupied mind. And with the determination to harvest a mature buck during the rut with my bow, I decided to keep toting my Hoyt Alpha Max and leave my Knight muzzleloader in the truck. I hiked in well before daylight to my ladder stand, which I can safely say is in one of the most remote areas of an undisclosed county and has been seen by very few humans. I needed to go in extremely early because to get from the truck to the stand in a silent manner past several bedding areas takes a legitimate 45 minutes.

I was feeling good about things as I settled into my stand, having been able to get to the area and apply estrous scents around the stand without spooking any nearby deer. Besides several flocks of woodies and one group of circling geese, though, all was quiet for the first hour of the hunt. At a few minutes after 8 o'clock, I heard a violent deliberate scratching sound about 60 yards out through some holly bushes, and it took me just a few seconds to deduct that it was a mature buck was making a scrape. After a few moments, he appeared, angling away from my stand location and walking stiff legged with the hair raised on his back. I quickly made a bleat and followed it with several grunts. Seconds later, he was on the way back in my direction, and stopped in the open to violently make another scrape at about 50 yards. After completing the scrape, he continued to close the distance, quartering towards me. I came to full draw on him at about 30 yards and he continued to get closer, finally stopping directly behind a tree at about 21 yards on the trail in which I had pulled a scent drag through before daylight. He looked around, looked around, made another scrape, and looked around some more, but never moved from behind that tree. I eventually had to lower my draw after what seemed like three or four minutes. After several more minutes, he appeared to be getting leery of the situation, maybe because he could not locate the 'deer' which he had heard vocalize only moments before. I drew on him again as he turned into the open again, quartering away slightly at about 22 yards. I buried the pin behind his front shoulder and released, the buck instantly kicking, whirling, barreling back through the thicket from which he had come, and vanishing from my view. After a few minutes, I quietly climbed down and checked the scene. Finding good blood and the fletching end of a broken arrow, I concluded that I had driven the arrow into his opposite shoulder, which would cause the arrow to stop penetrating, but still pass through the boiler room. With my buddy Justin hunting a different block of woods that morning, and not having his cell phone with him, I knew that I was alone until he came out of the woods around 11 o'clock. I decided to give the buck that entire time to expire, rather than push him too quickly.

Well, I had had all the waiting I could stand by about 10:30, and after returning from a trip to my truck, began to track my buck. Though there was good blood at the point of contact, I spent the next 75 yards on my hands and knees searching for specks of inconsistent blood. I concluded that this was due to part of the arrow still being in the deer, blocking the hole from bleeding out. At about 75 yards, I fortunately began finding bigger and more consistent drops of blood, and shortly thereafter, began finding large pools. Looking up, I spotted the deer, dead, laying up ahead of me, having only traveled about 100 yards from the shot. He was a nice 7 point buck with decent mass, and about a 16 inch spread - a great deer to harvest with the bow, but quite honestly, not exactly what I thought I was shooting based on his actions and demeanor prior to the shot.

I quickly noticed upon nearing the buck that he had a hole not behind the front shoulder, but rather in his right hindquarter, and checking his opposite side, I discovered no exit hole. Strange, but the only thing that I can figure is that, rather than actually making an ideal quartering away shot, this buck must have turned almost directly away from me upon hearing the bow string being released. The blessing in this story is this - the broadhead severed the femoral artery upon entry, and then proceeded to cut nearly every vital organ as it travelled forward. The moral of the story is this - God can and is most capable of making miracles out of our messes.

Thank you Lord for the sights, sounds, and experiences of my Wednesday morning hunt, and for reminding me that You are more than capable in my weaknesses and shortcomings.

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV).

Whole lotta chasin' going on...

2010-11-02T16:33:00.001-04:00

If you're passionate about chasing big bucks, and if have been able to spend any amount of time in the woods lately, you will know what I am talking about just by reading the title! Actually, I got a brief taste of the rut back in mid October, when I heard, but was unable to see, the buck that was terrorizing several does in a nearby soybean field, grunting nearly every step. But I would say in Central and Eastern Virginia, things really started getting interesting within the last week. For me, it was this past Friday afternoon. I had 4 different bucks near me that evening, 3 of which showed up at dark "doing their thing", chasing those does, and causing me to have to stay up the tree for nearly a half an hour after dark just so I didn't spook them coming out of the woods! And most discouraging about the evening, I didn't get a glimpse of any of the 3 to be able to tell how nice they were. The following morning, I did manage to get a look at the small 6 pointer chasing a weary doe past me at 30 yards. But again yesterday afternoon, I had a buck run a doe around in circles near me right at dark, and once again, I never got a glimpse of him. Well, I suppose that I am very fortunate to have been so close to so much rutting activity here lately, but I just haven't been able to close the deal, or most times even see the buck that's responsible for all that racket!

It kinda reminds me of how much 'chasing' that I tend to do on a regular basis, chasing this whim, chasing that fad, making a bunch of racket in the process. In fact, I can get so blinded in my chasing that I lose track of the path ahead, what God has in store, what God's intentions are for me. Just like a buck's senses kinda 'escape' him during the rut, my senses, my wisdom, my discernment can get misplaced and it causes me to get off my intended path, often breaking my lines of communication of God. How about you? Can you say that you are currently walking in step with God right now, sensing His promptings, leadings or even warnings? If not, can you identify the activities or distractions that tend to derail you, causing you to not be able to 'see'?

And while you're thinking about that, check out a few bucks who 'lost their head' over the past few days!

One Year Into This Thing

2010-10-21T21:11:00.000-04:00

Today marks the one year anniversary of the inception of Trophy Talk! I hope that the insights shared here over this past year have been an encouragement to you, or even spoken to you in your time of need. I want to ask you to please continue to pray for the usefulness of this blog, as well as my daily journey in this thing called Outdoor Ministry. If you have something you would like to post in the coming days and months, just give me a shout. And if you have any suggestions or recommendations for posts or how to make my posts better, I would love to hear your ideas as well.

Again, thanks for continuing to check out Trophy Talk. May you shoot straight, keep tight lines, and in everything give praise to your Creator!

Talk with you soon.

Learning to Love Fishing More Than Catching

2010-10-14T20:35:00.000-04:00

Pastor Greg once said “you have to love fishing more than you do catching.” That couldn’t have been truer than last night when I rolled with a couple of my Cool Spring Outdoors Ministry team buddies Greg and Brent to do some kayak fishing by the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel (HRBT). With this being my first time fishing from the kayak in saltwater and having heard stories of catching 100 fish a night and 30-40 inch stripers off the HRBT, let’s just say I was stoked as I packed up my gear to prepare for the trip.

The only trouble was we didn’t catch 100 fish - we didn’t even catch five. We didn’t catch any 40 inch stripers - we didn’t even catch a 4 inch striper. To rub salt in the wound, I saw sea gulls catch more fish then me – but not once did we complain. Brent, Greg and a new-found friend Winston and I love fishing, especially from our kayaks. We love catching fish too, but we love being on the water - watching the sun set as the big bright orange ball kisses off the ocean rim one last time and tossing bait that has more colors than the rainbow - with anticipation that each cast will result in a tight line. We honestly feel that each cast –whether the first or the last – will lead to a fish being caught. Some people call it foolish, but we call it fishing. Where else can you get the rush of anticipation that every attempt will be successful? Without question, we truly believe that every cast has the chance to be the “one”.

Where else can you get that feeling? Everywhere that Christ calls us to minister. As Pastor Greg says, you have to enjoy fishing more than you do catching, and he wasn’t talking about fishing for fish. With each person we meet, we have the opportunity to build a relationship and share the love of Christ – that’s fishing for Christ. Much like we would love for each cast to result in line screaming off the reel with a 40 inch striper on the unseen end, Christians long for each relationship with a non-believer to result in them committing their lives to Christ (that’s catching) - but that just doesn't always happen right away. Just like last night, sometimes we don’t see the direct immediate results we desire - so we are called to remain faithful and patient and keep fishing for Christ.

Galatians 6:9 reads: "And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." (NASB)

Whether it is kayak fishing for large stripers or fishing for men with Christians like Greg, Brent, Winston and others of the Cool Spring Outdoors Ministry, I still love fishing more than I do catching.

---submitted by Steve Vehorn

Providence

2010-10-07T16:14:00.000-04:00

It's been another wild week in the outdoors with the opening of both archery deer season and early duck season here in Virginia. I was privileged to have the opportunity to video one of our church's youth, Mr. David McCormick, on opening day this past Saturday, as he attempted to harvest his first deer with a bow. We did not manage to see a deer from our stand, but had a great time hunting a Hanover County farm with nine others from the Cool Spring Outdoor Ministry. Then this past Monday afternoon, I was invited to join my good friend Justin Bunch to hunt a farm in the Northern Neck (or was it Roanoke? - I get confused...). Anyway, it turned out to be one of those magical hunts. I was quickly able to find recent deer activity as soon as I stepped out of the bean field into the hardwoods, found a suitable tree to climb downwind of a used trail, acorns, and droppings, and within 45 minutes arrowed a nice doe which stopped broadside in the exact spot where I had planned in my mind to have a shot. One of those days, let me tell you - by the end of the hunt Monday, Justin and I had seen a total of 19 deer! And if that were not enough to reminisce on for a while, this morning, Justin, our friend Logan, and I attempted to share pocket of water no bigger than 20 yards wide with more wood ducks than we could count, having to shoot most times out of sheer reaction to their erratic and unannounced twists and dives. Our hunt was pretty much over, and Justin and Logan had begun to retrieve the downed ducks when three woodies came diving in. This time, I was able to react in time to harvest a nice woodie drake, which I am contemplating getting mounted. I want to do this not because I don't have one on the wall, but as a reminder that God's providence is never late, but always right on time according to His plan. As I reflect on the week's events, I must pause one more time to say thank you to the Creator of the Heavens and the Earth for the things that I have witnessed this week. Thank you Lord! Plans are to hit the woods again on Saturday and Monday, so I should be dropping back by with more tales from the outdoors early next week.

Attention to Detail

2010-10-01T07:36:00.000-04:00

Thanks to brother Brent Bosher, better known lately as 'Thank you Jesus', for providing the thoughts below. Y'all keep sending 'em!

It has been said that luck is when preparation meets opportunity. In the world of an outdoorsman, preparation is what separates the avid from the weekend warrior. Being a bow hunter, I can tell you that preparation is a year-long process that peaks right about now. Whether it is hunting or fishing, our time of thought and preparation is what jacks us up and keeps us awake at night. We just get excited at the opportunity to cast at a cobia or call to a Canada.

When it comes to any excursion, I will analyze every part of my equipment and the conditions in preparation for a successful outcome. If you are like me, you don’t miss too many details. I may be able to barely recall what I did yesterday, but I can tell you that 42 degrees is the ideal water temperature when eeling for stripers in the Chesapeake Bay. I can tell you that my peep sight is precisely 5 ¼” from the nock on my PSE Scorpion. Years of preparation and attention to detail have left me with tons of information; some useful, and some, well not so much.

My passion and attention to detail for 'all things outdoors' often causes me to reflect on my relationship with Christ. Do I prepare myself in the same way to spend time in the Word? I am often reminded that I need to be sure I have that same fervor in preparation to answer difficult questions from a lost friend or provide wisdom from His word during a difficult time. I would like to encourage you to approach your quiet time with the same passion. How you connect with God is between you and Him, but Paul does encourage us to be strong in the Lord. Ephesians 6:14 says “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace”. Paul urges us to read and know His word, be prepared to defend His word, and to conduct yourself in a way that is honorable to our Creator and Lord.

Walking in Step During the Mission

2010-09-25T07:53:00.000-04:00

I had several opportunities to shoot my bow this week, and am very thankful for that, as I got a slow start practicing this year, and the archery season is almost upon us. I can say that am actually feeling pretty good about my precision and accuracy, with my last step being to check the flight of my broadheads. Well, one of those opportunities was yesterday evening at my friend Tod's house. He had his lab out with us in the backyard, and would send him on practice retrieves after each round of arrows being shot. I got to thinking about how hard he charged upon command after his bumper, which is to simulate downed waterfowl. It is very clear that this lab has a God-given passion, his mission, which is retrieving ducks and geese, and nobody has to tell this hard-charging creature what to do over and over again. But sometimes on long and complicated retrieves that are not 'straight forward', a dog's master will need to give him additional directions during the retrieve. Retrievers that are tuned into their master's call will stop on a dime, turn, and look at their master, and obediently change their course in the new direction that he must go to find the prize.

I started examining my walk with Christ based on this thought. Let me first reveal that I have been feeling called to a more extensive role in outdoor ministry for some time now, and am slowly walking this path to see what that may look like. It is has become clear that my overwhelming passion, my personal mission, is to reach outdoorsmen for Christ. And like other 'assignments' that I have received from Christ in the past, I am hard-charging out of the gate to complete this mission. And just like those previous assignments, I am reminded that I need to stay keenly in tune with God's voice to receive further instruction during this mission, which is the part that I oftentimes forget or fail to do. For me, continuing to stay in tune is much tougher than understanding the initial call. Please pray during this exciting time!

How about you? What are you being called to right now? Are you going after that mission with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength? And are you staying in tune with God during that mission?

In Search of the Elusive Acorn..

2010-09-17T15:49:00.000-04:00

I spent a few hours yesterday afternoon with my friend on his property in search of falling acorns, and hopefully, deer activity. This property was select-cut and managed for wildlife back in the spring of this year, and with the red and white oaks now having plenty of room to grow up and out, they should have excellent mast production in the coming years. We were able to find one excellent spot with probably a half dozen white oaks which were all dropping acorns and a creek with water still available less than 100 yards away. The ground in that area was torn up and that's where we decided to put the hang-on stand. Historically, this has been a productive spot on his property, and from all indications may continue to be that way for this coming season. With the select cut this year, our options for trees on which to hang stands were a bit limited, but we were able to find an oak with a decent amount of cover in which to hide the stand and the climbing stick. I am definitely looking forward to getting in there on the right wind during the first part of archery season.

On the way home yesterday evening, I began to think about how that same spot is consistently fertile, near water, and producing fruit. These attributes reminded me of how David, in Psalm 1, describes the man who does not walk with the wicked, but delights in God's law and meditates on it day and night. What a good reminder and analogy of the type of people we need to continue to strive to be.

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:1-3 (NIV).

All the Fun has Come to an End!

2010-09-07T14:19:00.001-04:00

Wow -back to work today and it feels like my first day in the office all over again! I'm sitting here in my office going through outdoor withdrawals, having lived a sportsman's dream for the past 11 days. During that time, I went on two dove hunts, three goose hunts, six fishing trips, spent oodles of time in my kayak, practiced shooting both my bow and my pistol, and sorted through and washed all my hunting clothing in preparation for the opening day of archery season, which is less than one month away now. Whew!

Thanks to all of you for the invitations to join you for some quality time spent in the fields and on the water. It has served well to help me rejuvenate from a long hot summer, to help clear my head while sorting through some recent happenings at our church, and to ultimately re-group and re-focus me for an exciting fall season of recreation and ministry.

"Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together...but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV).

Practice and Preparation

2010-09-05T21:59:00.009-04:00

I finally got around to pulling out the Hoyt Alpha Max this evening for the first time since last archery deer season. Me and my buddy Bert got in about 25 shots each before it got too dark to see our pins and the target. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my 20 yard and 30 yard pins are still dead on. I also took the opportunity this afternoon to wash up all my hunting clothing in Scent-A-Way, air-dry it on the back deck and pack it away in a Rubbermaid container to keep household and human scents from making contact. It took a few hours, but I know feel like I am beginning to catch up on the necessary preparation for the oncoming archery deer season here in Virginia. I probably have a thing or two to learn from the ant!

"You lazy fool, look at an ant. Watch it closely; let it teach you a thing or two. Nobody has to tell it what to do. All summer it stores up food; at harvest it stockpiles provisions. So how long are you going to laze around doing nothing? How long before you get out of bed? A nap here, a nap there, a day off here, a day off there, sit back, take it easy—do you know what comes next? Just this: You can look forward to a dirt-poor life, poverty your permanent houseguest!" Proverbs 6:6-11 (The Message)

Wanted to also include a photo of the buck I harvested last November during blackpowder season since getting it back from the taxidermist. He grossed right at 140" B&C (for those of you that pay attention to these numbers).

Yours, Mine or Ours?

2010-09-04T22:39:00.006-04:00

I was blessed to have been invited by my good friend Tod to spend today with him and several others on a Hanover County farm. We hunted over cut corn, harvesting several geese this morning and evening from layout blinds, as well as a good number of doves this afternoon. The best thing about the day, though, was just being able to enjoy the beautiful weather among good company.

A little bit about the property - Tod was the one who initially gained permission to hunt this farm many years back, and has since been asked to coordinate hunting on the property by others. Now, we met a young man today who had recently requested and was granted permission from the landowner to hunt the property, without consulting Tod regarding this decision. Obviously, Tod had two choices in how to respond to this development. He could have confronted the landowner on this decision and also attempted to discourage this young man from hunting there, which would have been a poor example of Christ, and would also have potentially put Tod's permission in jeopardy. However, Tod has decided to welcome him 'into the fold', treating this as an opportunity provided by the Lord to reach out to and mentor this young man. Now, how would you respond if the landowner of your honey hole lease gave permission to another without consulting you first? Let's attempt to respond in a positive manner if and when this situation occurs on our hunting land...

And if you're looking for a guided waterfowl hunt in Virginia or Maryland, you would do well to contact Final Approach Pro Staffer Tim Skelton, who was full of valuable tips and pointers today in the field. Thanks Tim!

Salting up the 'yak

2010-09-03T13:46:00.008-04:00

I have to first apologize that I have been away as long as I have. It certainly was easy to fall into a groove of not posting, but I am going to attempt to do better with the onset of a new season.

Anyway, I got back late Wednesday night from a nice getaway to the Outer Banks. I decided to take my kayak along with me - oh yeah, I probably didn't mention in previous posts that I have jumped into the kayak fishing addiction with both feet (Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 for any kayak aficionados out there). Well, the weather was great, at least while we were there, and I was able to slip away to fish for a few hours nearly every day in the saltwater haven in and around Oregon Inlet. Even had my buddy Brent Bosher come down and join me on Tuesday and Wednesday. Most of the fishing was done on an outgoing tide, and we were able to catch a variety of species, including the highly sought-after red drum, speckled trout and flounder, as well as croaker, inshore lizardfish, sea robins, pinfish, and even a black grouper. Many thanks go out to Berkley Gulp!
The entire family decided to leave Wednesday evening due to the ominous storm approaching, which turned out to be a good move based on yesterday morning's mandatory evacuation of the entire Outer Banks. It was an eery feeling taking the kayaks out of the water Wednesday evening at Oregon Inlet and being the last people in the place. All charter boats and their captains were gone, having moved their boats inland; it was a ghost town. It appears that the Outer Banks is receiving only a glancing blow from Earl - thank you Lord for your mercy and grace. Also, thank you Lord for revealing to me again your marvelous creation and your power during this past week.

"For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." Romans 1:20 (NLT)

I definitely enjoyed my relaxing and recouping getaway, and feel that I am ready to tackle a new season filled with kindergarten, fall baseball, an Cool Spring Outdoor Ministry bible study, to mention a few 'news'! Hopefully there will be a little time in there to get back into the kayak with rod in hand...

On a side note, you may recall that I mentioned Brent in my blog today. Check out this 'amped up cobia fisherman' in his debut video performance by copying the link below into your Internet browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVjm42XXJ4I

What are my Sources of Contentment?

2010-02-03T12:39:00.010-05:00

I can get pretty animated when it comes to my guns and my Second Amendment rights. I would even venture to say that it wouldn't take much time around one another for me and Uncle Ted to become best buds! I am a Life Member of the NRA, and commonly contact my senators and representatives to express my support for gun-related legislation, or lack there of. I also volunteer at outdoor shows to help get folks educated about their Second Amendment rights and to help get them registered to vote. Like I said, my guns mean a lot to me, and not just from a hunting perspective. I staunchly believe that having access to firearms as an individual citizen is critical to the safety of my family, and in keeping government in check and subservient to its citizens.

So, when I came across an article this morning talking about how Secretary of State Hillary Clinton continues to push for U.S. support of a United Nations "Small Arms Treaty", which would register, ban, and confiscate personal firearms worldwide, my blood started boiling again, as it seems to do a lot here lately. And, as these types of stories also do, it got me a little scared. Scared because those that are in high places of power seem to be able to ramrod their agendas on the masses very easily. Yes, a one-world dictatorship where the common people cannot defend themselves is a goal of a certain group of folks out there right now.

But as the Lord has done before in times like this, He used this situation to show me where my contentment lies. And I would have to confess, at this point in time, my contentment lies in Christ...and also in my guns, and my ability to hunt, and all of my personal freedoms - my "comfortable" way of life. As much as I rely on those personal freedoms, to include the Second Amendment, the Lord continues to tell me that He wants me to put my hope, faith, and security solely in Him, not on my current way of life, not on our "perishable" American freedoms. And it's obvious that I have a lot of work to do. How about you, what are your sources of contentment in days like these?

"...for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." Philippians 4:11-12.

And while you're thinking about that, if you're STILL putting it off, go join the NRA and register to vote....

Breakin' the Ice

2010-01-29T19:22:00.012-05:00

Thanks to Steve Vehorn for 'breaking the ice' with the first guest post submittal to Trophy Talk. Great insight, and keep 'em coming!

As the December weeks became cooler and busier, I found myself with less and less opportunity to get out in my local pond to try and hook-up with one final big bass of 2009. Sure, I kept myself entertained by recording Bill Dance fishing shows and reading through Bassmaster and Bassin’ magazines and even dove into a great book called Kayak Bass Fishing. But it just wasn’t the same as wetting a line. To kindle the cabin fever even more, I had acquired some new, much “needed” recent lures and equipment to ensure that my boys and I would enjoy hooking up with bass for many months to come.

The only problem was Mother Nature wasn’t cooperating. January had brought us some severe cold weather and many of the ponds were frozen over. In the middle of the month though, I was bound and determined to get out on an afternoon when the mercury was to rise above 40. I packed up all my gear, tossed the kayak in the back of 4Runner and off I went, with the attitude that even if I didn’t catch a fish, it would be great just to get out. You see, I’m a newbie to bass fishing, but I was motivated and passionate. With high hopes, I arrived at the honey hole only to find over 80% of it was still frozen.

Was a little frozen ice going to stop me? No way! I had a newly found passion for fishing and I was going fishing! I had to break 6 feet of ice off the shore, just to get the kayak in the water. I kid you not – I broke 6 feet of ice and walked in freezing water, just to get the kayak in movable water. As I finally got the kayak off the ice slab, I rolled out of the cove to find the whole middle of the lake was still iced over. Yes, I had a passion for fishing. I kept breaking ice with my paddle until I could finally toss a jerk bait to a spot that would allow it to sink rather than bouncing off the ice like a rubber ball.

What came to my mind while sitting out in the pond listening to the ice crackle, as almost to laugh at me, I wondered if I was this passionate about my faith. Would I break through ice and walk in freezing water to share the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ? The fish in the pond had never loved me, never clothed me, never gave me food, never gave me two wonderful boys or a loving wife, never gave me their mercy or loving grace, but here I was breaking ice to be with them….would I do the same for my Savior? Pastor Greg English has said before, “you have to love fishing more than catching.” Naturally, he isn’t talking about fishing as in the terms as gills and fins, but the same applies. Thanks to the men of the Cool Spring Outdoors Ministry, I am finding that passion for Christ. Their love and direction is helping ensure that I don’t become more passionate about fishing than I am about Christ. Thanks guys.

A Breath of Fresh Air?

2010-01-25T20:05:00.008-05:00

Having been stuck inside for the last few weekends, I was determined to get out for a few hours this past Saturday, get some fresh air, and hunt - something! My dad had scouted out an area the day prior and found a large group of crows feeding intently, so we went back after them this weekend. If you missed one of my November '09 posts regarding crows, you should know that we are certified"crow busters"! Well, we have hunted these crows periodically for many years now, and we have finally convinced ourselves that they are much smarter birds than they once may have been. We didn't wind up harvesting too many of these crows Saturday, but we did have a great time together, and it certainly was a beautiful day to be outside.

One thing that irritated me a bit Saturday, however, was the pile of recently spent shotgun shells (no rust yet) and broken skeets that I discovered on my walk back to the truck after we were finished hunting. Nearly three boxes of shells littered the ground on this property on which permission to hunt is a prized commodity. I cannot be sure of who left their trash in the field for the landowner to find. Nevertheless, these types of selfish and irresponsible behaviors are largely responsible for ruining the reputation of hunters, and why we as an outdoor community are quickly losing access to properties which we have cherished for many years.

Similarly, our lives as Christians are going to be evaluated some day. He is going to expose us for what we truly are. Have we been faithful, have we been diligent, have we been motivated by love for the Lord and a desire to please Him? Have we truly lived lives filled by the Holy Spirit? Have we honored His word, His church, His servants? Jesus is going to inspect and expose our work as Christians. So don't think it doesn't matter what we do or don't do as Christians. It matters! Notice that Paul says that our works will be "tried by fire". The quality of our Christian lives will be seen (sermon excerpt from Southside BC, FL).

Something Fishy 'Bout This!

2010-01-12T17:15:00.010-05:00

I got the opportunity to go fishing out of Virginia Beach earlier today for trophy rockfish. I suppose I should mention right up front that I was blessed to even be able to go, as I and the rest of my family had to endure the popular stomach bug last Thursday through the weekend. Well, despite temperatures in the 30s with a brisk northerly wind, along with 4-5 foot seas and occasional swells pushing 7 foot, we actually did have a lot of fun! Once we tracked down the gannets and baitfish, which can sometimes turn into the 'needle in a haystack' ordeal, we limited out on some very nice fish in a fairly short period of time, with a few at or above 30 pounds. Thanks be to God for keeping us safe, as well as keeping our stomachs intact! And, thanks to Brent, Bert, Brian, Butch, Carl, Ross, and Capt. Woody for a great day!

"Master, we've worked hard.....and haven't caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets." When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.....When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus' knees and said, "Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!" For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken.....Then Jesus said to Simon, ".....from now on you will catch men." So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. Luke 5:5-11 (NIV).

Which makes me have to stop and think, do I "fish" for people as diligently or with as much enthusiasm and intensity as I did for those rockfish today? And when the Lord needs me to do such in a timely fashion, do I drop everything and follow Him? And am I truly astonished as a result of witnessing His power, knowledge, or providence? I'll be thinking a while...

To find out more about booking a chartered fishing trip in Virginia's tidal waters, visit the "Planning A Trip" section on the right column of my blog and click the link for "Virginia Charter Boat Association". There you will find contact information for numerous captains based throughout the Chesapeake Bay/Virginia Beach region, to include Captain Woody Robertson, who we went out with today. Tight lines!

A Fitting Ending

2010-01-05T20:06:00.011-05:00

With this past weekend being the end of deer season in Virginia, I figured I would try to get out one more time on New Years Day, as I was not going to be able to go on Saturday, and the weather was forecasted to not be much to sit in anyway. So I linked up with my dad and our new friend Dan, and we headed off to hunt with our club in Chesterfield.

After putting Dan on his stand, I dropped off next and watched my dad continue on down the ridge on which I was sitting. As soon as his blaze orange hat disappeared over the ridge at about 200 yards, a single shot rang out in his direction. And knowing him, a single shot means "deer down". As it turned out, two bucks and a doe had slipped towards him, away from other standers involved in the drive, and he harvested the bigger of the two bucks, pictured below. His largest buck to date, the nine pointer's rack measured 16 1/2 inches in width.

Congratulations Dad, and what a fitting way to end an already unbelievable deer season - to be able to sharing in his blessing this past Friday. A trophy in several respects...

"Rejoice with those who rejoice..." (Romans 12:15, NIV).

Thanks for Making This a Year to Remember

2009-12-29T13:13:00.004-05:00

I want to touch base with you one more time in 2009, to thank you for initially checking out my blog and for continuing to share in my accounts from the woods and waters. You may have recently noticed that I overhauled many sections of the blog, and added the blogroll and weblinks sections, as well as the scrolling slideshow of your photos, which are exclusively from this past calendar year. I also want you to not only continue to tune in in 2010, but also to begin sending me your outdoors stories and photos. I would like to see this blog become more than just my thoughts and experiences. We certainly have some stories to tell from those and future trips, of how God showed you something in particular or how He just poured out His blessings on you one magical morning, and I encourage you to send them to me. Your videos would be great too, and hopefully I will get some of the Scope and Hook Outdoor Team's upcoming footage out there for you to see as well.

Well, from chasing turkeys this past spring, to wading for flatheads in the dead of summer, to surf fishing with my son, and the wild November ride I had in the treestand, it certainly has been a 2009 to remember. Deer season comes to an end here in Virginia this Saturday. But we still have plenty of fun to be had, as the stripers are still hanging around, and the ducks and geese are starting to show up in some big numbers. Happy New Year!

Enjoying the Moment

2009-12-21T20:21:00.002-05:00

Wow, what a snow we got! And what great timing for snow, just before Christmas (not that I was looking forward to losing another deer hunting opportunity to weather!). Not only was the snow symbolic of a renewed purity for the season, but it also came at just the right time during a busy shopping, partying, running non-stop season. Yesterday, my family, along with the Boshers, the Saunders, and the Partridges got together to just play. And being able to put everything else aside and just have fun with the kids and great friends was a blast.

Guys, I recommend that you check the "pulse" of your family this week, and slow your family down if necessary just to relax, relish in the season, and play. All those other seemingly important things can wait. I admit that am usually focused on the end result of everything I do, but I am learning to slow down and enjoy the moment, and yesterday was certainly rewarding.

What Really Matters

2009-12-14T07:00:00.009-05:00

Any guesses to who the abominable camouflaged creature is in the middle? Yes, it was quite cold, and due to the brisk westerly winds kicking up small craft advisories, including blowing the majority of the water out of our creek, we were only able to get lines in the water on one of our three day retreat to the Potomac late last week. And on Friday, though we were able to get out into the Bay, position our lines and baits effectively in a seemingly productive area, amongst gannets diving and baitfish schooling all around, there were no fish caught - not by us, not by anyone around us. And it left us frustrated, as there were high hopes of putting quality rockfish in the boat.

But being frustrated about not bringing home fish has me frustrated in itself. I am wondering if I have become so results-oriented that I am overlooking the journey to my destination, along with the relationships and experiences that I encounter along the way. See, this was our Outdoor Ministry leaders retreat, and we really did have a blast, just getting away from work and responsibilities for a couple of days. We had good food, met extended family, and got to see areas were some of us grew up and hear about the experiences that were had there. We even had a rather effective ministry meeting where we planned out where we are heading in 2010. Yet, my recollections of trip keep going back to us not catching fish, and for some reason, I am letting that label the trip as a bust. It is a harsh reminder that I still have a lot to learn about what is important and where my priorities should be.

How about you - ever let one aspect of your life cause you to overlook the fact that you are extraordinarily blessed?

"But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37-39, NASB).

Being Noble

2009-12-07T09:46:00.007-05:00

I was fortunate this morning to be able to spend time around a breakfast table at Cracker Barrel with guys from the Cool Spring Outdoor Ministry, as well as Mike Young, Director of the Noble Warriors Men's Ministry. It was an encouraging time of fellowship, as we were able to get to know Mike and to get a sense of his passion for transforming men into the spiritual leaders of their families. One of the best tips that we picked up this morning in regards to connecting with men is to think small. Men are challenged at a much higher level to let their guards down, to speak up, and to begin to grow within a small group who meets continually and that can be trusted.

Now I ask you - are you part of an effective men's group, which challenges you to stay the course, to be a man of integrity, to get involved in others' lives to make a difference? If not, I challenge you to consider taking that step today. If you are, think about the guys around you who need that connection. Whether it be around the outdoors, sports, fatherhood, whatever the case, find some common ground with those around you and begin to invest in each other lives. Real change happens there.

Take time to remember the noble warriors who were lost at Pearl Harbor on this day 68 years ago.

The TRUTH®

2009-12-02T08:17:00.003-05:00

I got caught up watching the Primos® "TRUTH® About Hunting" TV show last night. I have become a pretty avid fan of the Primos team, because you can tell that what they show and how they act on camera is real, not rehearsed - nothing but the truth. And when it comes to their hunting abilities, once again, most of the time they ain't nothing but the truth!

But as I watched last night, it got me thinking about "TRUTH". I started wondering what kind of "truths" do outdoorsmen believe. Do we believe that God is truly capable of creating this remarkable planet, as well as this awesome game and fish that we seek after? Do we believe that what we harvest is truly a blessing from God, or rather based on our skill or just plain luck? Do we believe that there is one absolute truth on which we base everything else, or are all things just relative?

Scripture is littered with references which reinforce that God and His Word were truth, are truth, and will always be truth. In the Psalms, David states that he "walked continually in His truth", "Your truth always protects me", "called on Him in truth", asked God that He "send forth His light and truth". Jesus repeatedly told his followers "I tell you the truth". When Jesus prayed for His disciples, He asked the Father to "Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth".

Clearly, God's Word is the truth in which we should be grounded, and on which we should be basing our beliefs, our decisions, and our future. I encourage you to get into His Word today and discover real TRUTH.

Thankful for You

2009-11-23T12:10:00.009-05:00

God's blessings and my thankfulness for those blessings are immeasurable, and I could go on for quite a while about His goodness and faithfulness. But for today, I am going to focus on just one thing for which I am thankful - the guys that make up the Cool Spring Outdoor Ministry. I stay excited and energized by these individuals, as well as by how God is using this ministry to reach out to outdoorsmen and their families. To have found a group of guys who are as insane about hunting, fishing, and the outdoors as I am, and for them to be equally as sold out for Christ is an awesome thing. Guys, I look forward to growing with you in our faith, and to seeing what God has planned for you in the days to come.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17, NIV).

(I am going to take a few days off. Hope you have a great Thanksgiving, and I will talk with you next Monday).

Fleeting Time

2009-11-20T07:00:00.003-05:00

I'm reflecting on how I don't use the time that I've been given as wisely as I ought. No, I don't spend hours upon hours watching television, or surfing the internet, or even blogging... But, I don't spend nearly enough time with my family, or in prayer, or in God's Word, and I need to stop assuming that I will have the coming weeks, months and years to do those things. So many of my thoughts and plans revolve around the days and weeks to come, but in reality I have no guarantee of tomorrow.

I was able to spend this past Sunday afternoon in fellowship with over 70 folks connected to the Cool Spring Outdoor Ministry, including Mr. Vernon Lucy. The thought never crossed my mind that that might be the last time I would see him. I urge you to starting focusing on the important things in your life, whether it be your family, your friends, or most importantly your salvation. Spend time today getting your priorities in order. Mr. Lucy had used the time he was given wisely; he was a Christian, a deacon and a family man, and he has left a legacy for generations to come. His hunt is over, he is with the Lord, and his trophy is in hand.

"In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps" (Proverbs 16:9, NIV).

Camouflaged

2009-11-18T07:00:00.005-05:00

Watching the Outdoor Channel over the past few weeks, I have been struck by the number of advertisements and personal plugs for camouflage clothing and accessories. Advantage, All-Purpose, Hardwoods, Break Up, Bottomland, Obsession, Duck Blind, Tree Stand, Max-4 for starters; an endless array of designs and patterns designed to help you blend into various terrains and backdrops, as if you weren't there at all. I've thought about how much of a stark contrast that should be to a Christian's life. Yet, too many of us blend right into our daily environments, unnoticeable to those around us.

Matthew 5:14-16 reminds us that we "are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (NIV).

I must confess that I do not always let my light shine. Too often I remain quiet when I should speak up, do not share my faith with others, or ignore the needs of others. But I am not supposed to blend into my surroundings, instead I am to stand out. My faith should separate me from those around me. I often wonder if people can look at me and say, "Yes, he is a Christian." If they cannot tell by my faith, then I am hiding His light (Steckel 1999).

Family Tradition

2009-11-16T07:00:00.003-05:00

Saturday turned out to be a big day in the lives of the Waldrop family. Hunter Waldrop, who has latched to the hunting traditions of both his father and grandfather, bagged his first deer on a morning drive with the Grange Hall Hunt Club. All of us fathers are extremely proud when our sons and daughters begin to tag along with us wherever we go, and even more so when they eventually cling to the outdoor past times that we cherish. Congratulations Hunter!

As exciting as sharing time with our children in the outdoors can be, it ought to pale in comparison to the joy we as parents feel when our children make wise life decisions, and eventually become young adults full of wisdom and stature. But they will not become wise if we do not invest time and energy in their lives, or if we exhibit poor examples or morals. What type of example are you setting, and what type of leader are you being for your children? They are waiting and watching for much needed guidance and direction.

"Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that's in you, love him with all you've got! Write these commandments that I've given you today on your hearts. Get them inside of you and then get them inside your children. Talk about them wherever you are, sitting at home or walking in the street; talk about them from the time you get up in the morning to when you fall into bed at night" (Deuteronomy 6:4-7, The Message).

Protect Yourselves

2009-11-13T07:49:00.010-05:00

Many of you are gearing up for tomorrow, the opening day of the general firearms deer season. Keep in mind that nine hunters died during the 2008-2009 deer season in Virginia alone. And with that, let me remind each of you to always wear your blaze orange hat and/or vest, wear your safety harness system if you get in a tree stand, and keep that safety on until until you have confirmed your target and it is time to shoot. I can remember a few experiences where I wish I had been wearing 'armor' to protect me from falls or from buckshot passing overhead.

Well, the bible urges us to daily put on the "full armor of God" in order to defend ourselves against the enemy, Satan, who seeks to destroy us. Ephesians 6:11-13 advises to "put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm" (NASB).

Yes, there is an ongoing battle for your soul between God and Satan. Are you even aware of this spiritual warfare? If you think that Satan is not attacking you, then he already has you right where he wants you. Flee now, and put on the armor of God!

SELF STUDY: Read Ephesians 6:14-18 to see how to protect your self.

Silence and Solitude

2009-11-11T08:45:00.006-05:00

This past Sunday, Pastor Greg English gave a reflective sermon on the disciplines of Silence and Solitude. You can check out a bit of what he covered in his blog from Friday, November 6.

We outdoorsmen do well at creating space for these two disciplines, but I wonder how well we do at truly stepping away from life's 'noise'. Even in my tree stand, I can very quickly let my mind run through all the things that I either could be doing at that moment, or things that need to get done in the next few days or weeks. Or I can get caught up in sending text messages to other hunters or those with whom I need to catch up. I have been able to spend time away from my busy life in the woods these past few weeks, but I still have a long way to go in mastering the disciplines of silence and solitude. How are you using your 'quiet' time on the water or in the woods? We would be wise to use these 'minute retreats' to relax, recharge and refocus.

And He (Jesus) said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) Mark 6:31, NASB

The Gift

2009-11-09T09:50:00.015-05:00

In a matter of a couple of minutes, my Saturday morning in the woods went from uneventful and rather chilly to unexplainable joy. Having seen only one deer by 9:30 and getting cold as the wind picked up, I decided to rattle one more time before climbing down at 10:00. Shortly after rattling, I heard an unmistakable crashing from behind me, followed by a "growl" of a dominant buck, that of which I had only ever heard before on TV! The buck did not show himself though, even after I grunted at him, staying downwind in the thicket. In desperation, I said quietly "Lord help me here". At that very moment, a spike buck chased a doe underneath my stand, heading in the direction of the dominant buck. As the spike grunted, the dominant buck charged into the open, but suddenly locked up on the trail in which we had walked before light, with its nose to the ground. Realizing the potential brevity of this opportunity, I quickly centered the cross hairs and dropped him where he stood. A total gift, as I don't believe that this buck would have showed himself if that "divinely placed" spike and doe had not appeared.

I have replayed this scenario in my head over and over since Saturday, and God has showed me how similar it is to His story - of a undeserved, unexplainable, matchless gift. See, we are constantly working to prove ourselves, trying to make ourselves worthy, and are rather disciplined in what we do, but it will only get us but so far, just as my rattling, grunting, passing of small bucks for years, only got the buck I was after but so close and yet still unattainable. It is only for God's gift of His Son Jesus, at the height of our desperation, that we can now obtain the "trophy" of eternal life with God in heaven. But now, just knowing about it won't get you there, just as me knowing that the buck was nearby didn't put him on my wall. Once I understood the gift that was given to me and that my objective was in sight, I had to act, had to shoot, which is almost instinctive for us hunters to do in the moment of truth. Ironically, God's gift in Jesus is easy for us to act on as well, yet so many of us do not ask for His help or take Him up on His gift when it is offered to us.

Do you need to pull the trigger today, and harvest God's gift in Jesus Christ while the opportunity is presenting itself?

Good Luck

2009-11-06T07:00:00.001-05:00

How many times have you said or been told something like "good luck in the woods this afternoon" or "best of luck on your charter fishing trip next week"? I am certainly guilty of flippantly throwing "luck" around, but recently it has bothered me. Do Christian outdoorsmen really put stock in luck, believing that this is what makes our outings successful?

Luck is defined as "a belief in good or bad fortune in life caused by accident or chance which happens beyond a person's control." However, scripture supports that the providence of God is more than able to match and exceed the luck of the world. "Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us" (Ephesians 3:20). Realizing this, we should no longer knowingly take credit away from the Lord Jesus Christ for our success by attributing our "trophies" to luck. Doing that could give others the impression that they should seek something or someone other than the Lord for true prosperity and true success (Stewart 2000). Instead of wishing luck to a fellow hunter or fishermen, from now on let's consider saying, "God bless you".

Elusive

2009-11-04T07:00:00.010-05:00

As of Monday, I had heard from lots of frustrated folks who had not seen deer for over a week. I was right there with them. I had tried a variety of stand placements, calls, scents, rattling, you name it, all with the same result. Maybe because of the fluctuating weather. Or maybe because the moon is getting bigger and higher in the sky. Or maybe its the time right before the bucks begin running wild, when they seem to not move at all. I'm no wildlife biologist, so I certainly cannot tell you why. Nevertheless, the deer were downright elusive last week and even part of the week prior.

Finding God or hearing from God can be quite similar. Regardless of how we seek him, how we pray, what we read, what we do or even refrain from doing, sometimes it seems as if God is hiding from us, no where to be found when we are crying out for help. However, we must realize that this is just not compatible with God's nature. Jesus urged us to "ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you" (Matthew 7:7). Literally, He meant for us to keep on asking, keep on seeking, keep on knocking. Just as we continue to go after fish and game even after having unproductive days on the water and in the woods, and ultimately are successful, Jesus advises us to keep on looking for God, talking to God, crying out for God, and ultimately we will find Him, and discover the answers or guidance that we need. Let's aim to be as persistent in seeking after "Him" as we are in seeking after "him".

Ironically, persistence paid off for me last night. I saw two bucks, both of which were in high gear. Here we go, y'all, better get in the woods!

Investing

2009-11-02T09:04:00.001-05:00

I've had two opportunities in the last week to serve with other outdoorsmen, one making a Brunswick stew with my hunt club, and the other cooking hot dogs for the Upward Football celebration with the Cool Spring Outdoor Ministry team. Both events opened doors to serve together and to talk about what is going on in each other's lives, something that does not normally transpire as our paths briefly cross on the water or in the woods. We fishermen and hunters can easily overlook the significance of these opportunities; I admit that I have sidelined more than one occasion where someone needed an open ear because I was preoccupied by big deer or fish on the brain!

Stepping out of my comfort zone to get to know others is difficult, but I am getting better through practice. Are you looking for opportunities to build bonds with and invest in the lives of those around you? Consider the notion of "putting yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don't be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand" (paraphrase of Phillipians 2:4 from The Message).

For further insights regarding investing, check out Pastor Greg English's post on October 12, titled "Where Am I with People?"

Digging Deeper

2009-10-30T07:00:00.008-04:00

I encourage you to visit the websites which are featured in the Links section of this blog. One of my favorites is the Sportsmen's Devotional daily email, which you can receive at your computer or on your phone at no charge. Navigate to the URL shown below to get a taste of what this site has to offer, and while you're there, sign up.

http://www.sportsmensdevotional.com/samples/2.html

Clear Cut

2009-10-28T07:00:00.014-04:00

I recently received word that one of my favorite hunting spots had been clear cut. I almost immediately went into a state of deer hunter's depression. This beautiful block of mixed pines and hardwoods has historically held many deer, and generally has at least one nice buck taken off of it each year. As it turned out, the cutting finished up prior to archery season, and I decided to check out the area a few weeks ago. Upon seeing the stark change in landscape, my first impression was that the area had been destroyed, another productive hunting spot lost. Nevertheless, I decided to grab my bow and treestand, and trek to the newly established tree line on the back side of the cut for an afternoon hunt. To my surprise, deer were moving through this "re-designed" area most of the afternoon, one of which was a "shooter" buck just out of range of my archery equipment. I now realize that the new layout of this property may actually help us in taking more deer there. Bedding areas have become more defined, and there are increased opportunities for deer to browse and feed. In addition, hunters can more clearly determine deer habits and movements, move into and out of the area quietly, and shoot much further than before. Ironically, what I thought had destroyed the property appears to have made it more productive!

Now more than ever, life appears to be throwing seemingly catastrophic situations at each of us. Job losses, financial stresses, worldly unrest, sickness, the sudden passing of loved ones, and the list certainly doesn't stop there - all have us feeling like our hopes, comforts, and securities have been "clear cut", and believing that things will never be like they used to be. Nevertheless, we will benefit from remembering that even though we cannot see the entire picture or understand why things are happening, God can and does. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that the Lord has plans to prosper us, not to harm us, and to give us hope and a future. The apostle Paul goes on to stress that God causes all things to work together for good for those who love Him (Romans 8:28). Hang in there! Take one day at a time, and put your faith in God who will bring about even greater things than you once knew.

Take 'Em

2009-10-26T08:45:00.000-04:00

My buddy and I have access to a rather productive duck hole - in an undisclosed location - and we had the opportunity to hunt there during the early segment of this year's duck season. As we eased into our hole that morning, he mentioned that based on prior scouting these ducks were unpredictable, could come in from any direction at any time, and that we needed to stay alert and ready. Having a good view of the skyline in front of me, and being able to hear the sound of woodies whistling in the distance, I was relaxed and confident that I was ready for the moment of truth. This particular morning, however, the flock of twelve came in from behind us through the trees, dropped in right over our heads, and caught me off guard. Flustered, I was finally able to get off two shots as they weaved up and away through the trees, but came up with nothing. We had a few more in range that morning, but I had missed the best part in the blink of an eye.

Just like I thought I knew how things would play out in the marsh, many folks have a false hope in their eternal security. Confidence placed solely in things like childhood baptism or church attendance have "lulled many to sleep", only to have them caught off guard when the Lord decided it was their time. God does not reveal all of life's answers to us in our time, but He has given us enough information in the Bible to be adequately prepared for the future. Are you ready for the time when God says 'take 'em', and Christ drops in to get His children?

Unfulfilled Harvest

2009-10-23T15:50:00.006-04:00

Any crow busters out there? Some of you have probably experienced this thrill - hot and heavy action while it lasts! Most farmers despise crows because of the significant damage that they inflict on crops, and often welcome any "leaded" assistance in keeping their numbers down. I have been noticing crows descending on fields of newly planted winter wheat over the last week or two. The wheat flourishes in the cultivated soil, free from weeds, only to be plucked up in in its early stages by a devious crow.

You know, most Christians initially sprout up in an environment ideally suited for growth, just like that winter wheat. Unfortunately, with all that life throws our way, many of us are tormented, disconnected from these roots, and have our growth sidelined by one emulating the actions of a crow - Satan. And this infuriates God just like the farmer, because His harvest is being impacted.

We must continue to stay vigilant, warding off the enemy who seeks to steal, kill, and destroy us on our spiritual journey (John 10:10 paraphrase).

http://www.crowbusters.com/

Winded

2009-10-22T15:09:00.000-04:00

I have been spending as much time as possible in a tree this month with the onset of Virginia's Archery Deer season. And as with most bowhunters, I am very conscious of controlling my scent. Actually, I am down-right meticulous in an effort to keep from spooking deer, from bathing with unscented soap, to washing my hunting outfits in scent killing detergent and storing them separate from my regular clothes. Even more, I rarely ever hunt an area unless the wind is in my favor. Nevertheless, on two different hunts this week I have been winded by deer near my stand. The only thing I can figure is that these deer were tipped off by the smell of breath passing through my mouth. Even though I brush my teeth before entering the woods to hunt, this still seems to be my weakest link. Many deer hunting experts agree that a large percentage of scent emitted by hunters is from their head and mouth.

Breath is not the only thing coming out of the mouth that can carry an odor. Matthew 15:11 states that what comes out of a man's mouth is what makes him unclean. Plainly, our words are quick to reveal the condition of our hearts. James Chapter 3 goes on to say that our tongue is "a restless evil, it is full of deadly poison" and "from the same mouth comes blessing and cursing." James is emphatic in saying, "it should not be like this, my brothers!"

Have you been winded by those around you lately? Have sour or destructive words tainted your character? Let's aim to build others up with our words, just as Christ demonstrated for us.

Trophy Talk Anyone?

2009-10-21T21:36:00.000-04:00

As I sat in my tree stand this morning, watching the sun rise and the woods wake up, I began to recall parallels between the outdoors and the spiritual realm that the Lord has revealed to me over the past few years. I sensed the Lord telling me to share these insights with other outdoorsmen.

My vision is to initiate conversation and personal reflection among hunters and fishermen, so that even while we pursue our individual trophies, we stay focused on harvesting His trophy. I look forward to the dialogue that this blog generates, and may God be glorified in it all.