This past Saturday I went to a trap shoot at Jefferson Gun Club in Brooks, KY. This was not an ordinary shoot, but was the One Shot Doc trap shoot put on by the National Wild Turkey Federation Bernheim Chapter. The event is to reward the people involved in the chapter’s Wheelin’ Sportsmen program which gets disabled hunters back into the woods.
While there I met some fine folks and also touched base with an old friend.
Mitch Ensor and I went to high school together, where we used to talk about hunting and fishing. As adults, we were members of Chickasaw Archery Club in Shepherdsville and used to shoot together on occasion. Mitch is one of those guys that everyone likes. Always has been. He has a wife and two young children and something else; Mitch has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.
There is no cure for ALS. He will eventually die from this disease and the world will have lost a great soul. In addition to support from family and friends Mitch has his faith and not the kind of faith you sometimes see. He lives for the Lord 24 hours a day, seven days a week and has for as long as I can remember.
Mitch was an active outdoorsman even after this terrible disease hit him. He even got his Osceola Turkey in Florida from a wheel chair, with the help of David Blanton and Realtree Outdoors. This was his last bird to complete the American grand slam of turkeys.
Only God knows what the future holds for Mitch and his family, but if you want to find out more about ALS and perhaps make a donation to support research you can go to: http://www.alsa.org/.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Lane leads wire to wire at Kentucky Lake
Bobby Lane lead wire to wire and took his first BASS Elite series victory at Kentucky Lake this past week.
His 97 pounds, 9 ounces was enough to hold off the legnedary Kevin VanDam.
Things were plenty stressful on the final day for Lane. A two hour fog delay kept the anglers at the Paris Landing takeoff. Once the field was finally released Lane had to contend with approximately 120 spectator boats parked around his honey hole. He still managed to catch 16 pounds 15 ounces from the ledge he had fished all week.
VanDam's second place finish helped him to extend his lead in the Toyota Trucks Angler of the Year race. He now leads 2009 Classic Champion Skeet Reese by 15 points.
To read about the Bassmaster Kentucky Lake tournament you can check out www.bassmaster.com.
The tournament will air Saturday June 13 at 9 a.m. EST. on ESPN2.
Up next at Kentucky Lake the FLW Tour Pro's take their shot at this 160,000 acre impoundment on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. Their tournament begins thursday and will run through Sunday.
To follow the FLW tournament you can visit www.flwoutdoors.com.
His 97 pounds, 9 ounces was enough to hold off the legnedary Kevin VanDam.
Things were plenty stressful on the final day for Lane. A two hour fog delay kept the anglers at the Paris Landing takeoff. Once the field was finally released Lane had to contend with approximately 120 spectator boats parked around his honey hole. He still managed to catch 16 pounds 15 ounces from the ledge he had fished all week.
VanDam's second place finish helped him to extend his lead in the Toyota Trucks Angler of the Year race. He now leads 2009 Classic Champion Skeet Reese by 15 points.
To read about the Bassmaster Kentucky Lake tournament you can check out www.bassmaster.com.
The tournament will air Saturday June 13 at 9 a.m. EST. on ESPN2.
Up next at Kentucky Lake the FLW Tour Pro's take their shot at this 160,000 acre impoundment on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. Their tournament begins thursday and will run through Sunday.
To follow the FLW tournament you can visit www.flwoutdoors.com.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Big stringers at Kentucky Lake Bassmaster tournament
Anybody that competes in or just follows tournament bass fishing would feel good about a five bass limit weighing 19 pounds 12 ounces. That is the weight that Paducah’s Mark Menendez weighed in at the Bassmaster Elite Series Tennessee Triumph at Kentucky Lake yesterday. Unfortunately for Menendez, that was only good enough for 32nd place on day one of the four day event.
31 anglers weighed in stringers over 20 pounds with Florida’s Bobby Lane leading the way with 29-14 and Kevin VanDam close behind with 28-11.
The weather has changed to rainy and windy today as a front moves through and am not sure what this will do to the fish. Most anglers are fishing off shore ledges, which is generally the predominant pattern this time of year at the massive lake. Both VanDam and Lane are fishing off shore and reports are that KVD caught most of his fish yesterday on a Strike King Sexy Shad Series 6 Crankbait.
31 anglers weighed in stringers over 20 pounds with Florida’s Bobby Lane leading the way with 29-14 and Kevin VanDam close behind with 28-11.
The weather has changed to rainy and windy today as a front moves through and am not sure what this will do to the fish. Most anglers are fishing off shore ledges, which is generally the predominant pattern this time of year at the massive lake. Both VanDam and Lane are fishing off shore and reports are that KVD caught most of his fish yesterday on a Strike King Sexy Shad Series 6 Crankbait.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
National Archery in the Schools Program
Bull’s eye
National Archery in the Schools Program getting kids involved in shooting sports
By Tim Tipton
Thousands of young archers from across the country recently made their way to Louisville to participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) National Championships. This was the sixth year for the national tournament and to proclaim the program a success would be a huge understatement. The event set a new record with 4,565 shooters from fourth through twelfth grades.
NASP began in the planning stages in August of 2001 and was the brainchild of former Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) Commissioner Tom Bennett and former KDFWR Wildlife Director Roy Grimes. The program was launched in March of 2002 with 21 Kentucky middle schools initially involved. The program was later expanded to include elementary and high schools.
Today NASP is in nearly 5000 schools in 46 states and five countries and it is still expanding. The growth of NASP has surprised even Bennett.
“We wanted to do something to get more kids involved in the shooting sports,” Bennett says. “When we started it, we thought it would get this big, but we actually thought it would take at least 10 years.”
According to Bennett, the program was begun in the hopes of improving hunting license sales. The state of Kentucky was losing two percent of their license sales and it is hoped that this can be made up by introducing the sport of archery to kids who might not otherwise have gotten involved in hunting. However, there are other benefits to getting kids into the program.
“It brings kids with different backgrounds together in a way that is not provided by other activities,” said Jodi Grant, sponsor of Eastside Middle School’s team in Mt. Washington, KY. “It brings out kids not involved in other activities. In archery anybody can participate, you don’t have to be the biggest, strongest or most athletic to be involved. That opens a lot of doors for kids that otherwise would not participate in extracurricular activities.”
Bennett see’s the benefits of archery being taught as part of the physical education curriculum and says there is more to it than trying to put an arrow in a bull’s eye.
“The sport of archery teaches young people to focus, concentrate and practice,” he said.
“By teaching the kids these skills, it carries over to other parts of their life and these are skills to be used throughout their life.”
That is something that many of the young archers agreed on.
“Archery has taught me how to concentrate because I have always had a problem concentrating,” said12-year-old Rande Hopkins of Kaufman, TX.
The sixth grader was competing for the first time in Louisville and said the level of competition at nationals is humbling.
“Even if you’re the best in your state, you might not be the best at nationals because there are so many good shooters,” she said.
Hopkins’ friend and teammate Kylie Gardner was also making her first trip to the nationals after finishing third in the state of Texas. She enjoys the chance to travel with her friends and family and the perks offered in Louisville and surrounding areas.
“It is a lot of fun because we get to miss school and be with our friends,” Gardner said. “While we were here we went to the Louisville Slugger Museum and on our way here we stopped at the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
If you are interested in getting your school involved, you can get information at www.archeryintheschools.org.
NASP Final Results
Elementary Team:
1.) Trigg County Intermediate --- Cadiz, KY
2.) Meigs Intermediate --- Middleport, OH
3.) Westonka Elementary --- Minnetrista, MN
4.) Zaneis School --- Wilson, OK
5.) Maysville Elementary --- Zanesville, OH
Elementary Individual Female:
1.) Katie Rappuhn, Breitling Elementary --- Grand Bay, AL
2.) Kayla Dowell, Payneville Elementary --- Payneville, KY
3.) Jordan Lewis, George Guffey Elementary --- Fenton, MO
4.) Kaila Cunningham, Trigg County Intermediate --- Cadiz, KY
5.) Meredith Noland, Chickasha Elementary --- Chickasha, OK
Elementary Individual Male:
1.) Kolt Perkins, Zaneis School --- Wilson, OH
2.) Jeremy Elliot, Corbin Intermediate --- Corbin, KY
3.) Clayton Knott, Payneville Elementary --- Payneville, KY
4.) Blake Taylor, Lewisburg Elementary --- Lewisburg, KY
5.) Keenan Jones, Bondurant Middle --- Frankfort, KY
Middle School Team:
1.) Ashville Middle School --- Ashville, AL
2.) Henderson South Middle School ---Henderson, KY
3.) Stuart Pepper Middle School --- Brandenburg, KY
4.) Maysville Middle School --- Zanesville, OH
5.) Boyd County Middle School --- Ashland, KY
Middle School Individual Female:
1.) Patsy Banister, Trigg County Middle School ---Cadiz, KY
2.) Stephanie Whisenant, Ashville Middle School --- Ashville, AL
3.) Shaye Patterson, Trigg County Middle School --- Cadiz, KY
4.) Brianna Gilliam, Elliot County High School --- Sandy hook, KY
5.) Jessica Workman, East Noble High School --- Kendallville, IN
Middle School Individual Male:
1.) Taylor Knott, Stuart Pepper Middle School --- Brandenburg, KY
2.) Nathan Owens, Ashville Middle School --- Ashville, AL
3.) Hunter Brown, J.D. Adams Middle School --- Prestonsburg, KY
4.) Ethan Flynn, Henderson South Middle School --- Henderson, KY
5.) Micah Baker, Ashville Middle School --- Ashville, AL
High School Team:
1.) Henderson County High School --- Henderson, KY
2.) Trigg County High School --- Cadiz, KY
3.) Meade County High School --- Brandenburg, KY
4.) Maysville High School --- Zanesville, OH
5.) Alma Bryant High School --- Irvington, AL
High School Individual Female:
1.) Jessica Nystrom, Hartland High School --- Hartland, MI
2.) Danielle Reddick, Trigg County High School --- Cadiz, KY
3.) Brandi Waters, Meade County High School --- Brandenburg, KY
4.) Lindsey Carr, Madison Southern High School --- Berea, KY
5.) Kelsey Taylor, Morgan High School --- McConnelsville, OH
High School Individual Male:
1.) Adrian Sprankle, Maysville High School --- Zanesville, OH
2.) Will Thompson, Breckenridge County High School --- Harned, KY
3.) Jacob Riffle, Meigs High School --- Pomeroy, OH
4.) Eugene Patterson, Meigs High School --- Pomeroy, OH
5.) Ethan Gish, Henderson County High School --- Henderson, KY
National Archery in the Schools Program getting kids involved in shooting sports
By Tim Tipton
Thousands of young archers from across the country recently made their way to Louisville to participate in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) National Championships. This was the sixth year for the national tournament and to proclaim the program a success would be a huge understatement. The event set a new record with 4,565 shooters from fourth through twelfth grades.
NASP began in the planning stages in August of 2001 and was the brainchild of former Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) Commissioner Tom Bennett and former KDFWR Wildlife Director Roy Grimes. The program was launched in March of 2002 with 21 Kentucky middle schools initially involved. The program was later expanded to include elementary and high schools.
Today NASP is in nearly 5000 schools in 46 states and five countries and it is still expanding. The growth of NASP has surprised even Bennett.
“We wanted to do something to get more kids involved in the shooting sports,” Bennett says. “When we started it, we thought it would get this big, but we actually thought it would take at least 10 years.”
According to Bennett, the program was begun in the hopes of improving hunting license sales. The state of Kentucky was losing two percent of their license sales and it is hoped that this can be made up by introducing the sport of archery to kids who might not otherwise have gotten involved in hunting. However, there are other benefits to getting kids into the program.
“It brings kids with different backgrounds together in a way that is not provided by other activities,” said Jodi Grant, sponsor of Eastside Middle School’s team in Mt. Washington, KY. “It brings out kids not involved in other activities. In archery anybody can participate, you don’t have to be the biggest, strongest or most athletic to be involved. That opens a lot of doors for kids that otherwise would not participate in extracurricular activities.”
Bennett see’s the benefits of archery being taught as part of the physical education curriculum and says there is more to it than trying to put an arrow in a bull’s eye.
“The sport of archery teaches young people to focus, concentrate and practice,” he said.
“By teaching the kids these skills, it carries over to other parts of their life and these are skills to be used throughout their life.”
That is something that many of the young archers agreed on.
“Archery has taught me how to concentrate because I have always had a problem concentrating,” said12-year-old Rande Hopkins of Kaufman, TX.
The sixth grader was competing for the first time in Louisville and said the level of competition at nationals is humbling.
“Even if you’re the best in your state, you might not be the best at nationals because there are so many good shooters,” she said.
Hopkins’ friend and teammate Kylie Gardner was also making her first trip to the nationals after finishing third in the state of Texas. She enjoys the chance to travel with her friends and family and the perks offered in Louisville and surrounding areas.
“It is a lot of fun because we get to miss school and be with our friends,” Gardner said. “While we were here we went to the Louisville Slugger Museum and on our way here we stopped at the Country Music Hall of Fame.”
If you are interested in getting your school involved, you can get information at www.archeryintheschools.org.
NASP Final Results
Elementary Team:
1.) Trigg County Intermediate --- Cadiz, KY
2.) Meigs Intermediate --- Middleport, OH
3.) Westonka Elementary --- Minnetrista, MN
4.) Zaneis School --- Wilson, OK
5.) Maysville Elementary --- Zanesville, OH
Elementary Individual Female:
1.) Katie Rappuhn, Breitling Elementary --- Grand Bay, AL
2.) Kayla Dowell, Payneville Elementary --- Payneville, KY
3.) Jordan Lewis, George Guffey Elementary --- Fenton, MO
4.) Kaila Cunningham, Trigg County Intermediate --- Cadiz, KY
5.) Meredith Noland, Chickasha Elementary --- Chickasha, OK
Elementary Individual Male:
1.) Kolt Perkins, Zaneis School --- Wilson, OH
2.) Jeremy Elliot, Corbin Intermediate --- Corbin, KY
3.) Clayton Knott, Payneville Elementary --- Payneville, KY
4.) Blake Taylor, Lewisburg Elementary --- Lewisburg, KY
5.) Keenan Jones, Bondurant Middle --- Frankfort, KY
Middle School Team:
1.) Ashville Middle School --- Ashville, AL
2.) Henderson South Middle School ---Henderson, KY
3.) Stuart Pepper Middle School --- Brandenburg, KY
4.) Maysville Middle School --- Zanesville, OH
5.) Boyd County Middle School --- Ashland, KY
Middle School Individual Female:
1.) Patsy Banister, Trigg County Middle School ---Cadiz, KY
2.) Stephanie Whisenant, Ashville Middle School --- Ashville, AL
3.) Shaye Patterson, Trigg County Middle School --- Cadiz, KY
4.) Brianna Gilliam, Elliot County High School --- Sandy hook, KY
5.) Jessica Workman, East Noble High School --- Kendallville, IN
Middle School Individual Male:
1.) Taylor Knott, Stuart Pepper Middle School --- Brandenburg, KY
2.) Nathan Owens, Ashville Middle School --- Ashville, AL
3.) Hunter Brown, J.D. Adams Middle School --- Prestonsburg, KY
4.) Ethan Flynn, Henderson South Middle School --- Henderson, KY
5.) Micah Baker, Ashville Middle School --- Ashville, AL
High School Team:
1.) Henderson County High School --- Henderson, KY
2.) Trigg County High School --- Cadiz, KY
3.) Meade County High School --- Brandenburg, KY
4.) Maysville High School --- Zanesville, OH
5.) Alma Bryant High School --- Irvington, AL
High School Individual Female:
1.) Jessica Nystrom, Hartland High School --- Hartland, MI
2.) Danielle Reddick, Trigg County High School --- Cadiz, KY
3.) Brandi Waters, Meade County High School --- Brandenburg, KY
4.) Lindsey Carr, Madison Southern High School --- Berea, KY
5.) Kelsey Taylor, Morgan High School --- McConnelsville, OH
High School Individual Male:
1.) Adrian Sprankle, Maysville High School --- Zanesville, OH
2.) Will Thompson, Breckenridge County High School --- Harned, KY
3.) Jacob Riffle, Meigs High School --- Pomeroy, OH
4.) Eugene Patterson, Meigs High School --- Pomeroy, OH
5.) Ethan Gish, Henderson County High School --- Henderson, KY
A new blog to follow
My good friend and aspiring outdoor writer Matt Lockman has a new blog that I would encourage folks to follow. Matt is a married father of two with a beautiful (He overachieved) wife and two youngsters, a degree in History and decided to be a writer. I guess he dislikes money.
You can access Matt's blog at mattlockman.blogspot.com. I hope you enjoy it.
You can access Matt's blog at mattlockman.blogspot.com. I hope you enjoy it.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
World's best bass pro's visit Kentucky Lake
For the next two weeks many of the world's greatest bass tournament anglers will be visiting Kentucky Lake.
June 3-6 the BASS Elite Series Anglers will take center stage at Kentucky Lake, the 160,000-acre lake on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. The tournament, will be held out of Paris Landing State Park in Buchanan, TN. For more information check out www.bassmaster.com
The following week June 11-14 will see the FLW stars take the famous Tennessee River Impoundment. Anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday from the Kentucky Dam Marina located at 466 Marina Drive in Gilbertsville, Ky. Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the Kentucky Dam Marina beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins will be held at the Regional Special Events Center at Murray State University located at 1401 State Route 121 North in Murray, Ky., beginning at 4 p.m. For more information on the FLW Tour check out www.flwoutdoors.com.
This writer will be in attendance for parts of both tourneys and will blog from there. Expect both tourney’s to be won by anglers fishing off-shore ledges at this time of year.
June 3-6 the BASS Elite Series Anglers will take center stage at Kentucky Lake, the 160,000-acre lake on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. The tournament, will be held out of Paris Landing State Park in Buchanan, TN. For more information check out www.bassmaster.com
The following week June 11-14 will see the FLW stars take the famous Tennessee River Impoundment. Anglers will take off at 6:30 a.m. Thursday and Friday from the Kentucky Dam Marina located at 466 Marina Drive in Gilbertsville, Ky. Thursday and Friday’s weigh-ins will also be held at the Kentucky Dam Marina beginning at 2:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s weigh-ins will be held at the Regional Special Events Center at Murray State University located at 1401 State Route 121 North in Murray, Ky., beginning at 4 p.m. For more information on the FLW Tour check out www.flwoutdoors.com.
This writer will be in attendance for parts of both tourneys and will blog from there. Expect both tourney’s to be won by anglers fishing off-shore ledges at this time of year.
Kentucky Free Fishing Weekend June 6-7
This weekend, June 6-7 is free fishing weekend in Kentucky. Anglers may fish this weekend only without a Kentucky fishing license.
There are also many fishing events for kids that will be put on across the state.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) and Kentucky State University will host a Fishing Derby for youth under the age of 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. June 5, and from 7 to 10 a.m. June 6 at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Headquarters off U.S. 60, west of Frankfort. The two lakes at the Headquarters will close to fishing on June 3 and will reopen to all anglers at 10 a.m. on June 6.
“They will stock 1,000 catfish and 1,000 sunfish up to one-half pound in the Upper Sportsman’s Lake,” Johnson said. “And, new this year, we will stock 77 largemouth bass in both the Upper and Lower Sportsman’s Lakes that weigh 1 to 7 pounds. We would like to thank Kentucky State University for supplying a portion of these largemouth bass. After the kids are done June 6, the public is welcome to fish the lakes after 10 a.m.”
Prizes will be awarded by random drawing throughout the event. “We try and make sure everyone walks away with something,” Johnson said.
The event is free, but participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment and preferred baits or lures. A limited amount of fishing equipment and bait will be provided for those who need it.
Captain Myra Minton of KDFWR’s Law Enforcement Division will be hosting an event at the Jim Beam Distillery off HWY. 245 in Bullitt County. The event will run 9 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Conservation Officer Scott Herndon will host a kids fishing event at the Taylorsville Lake tailwater below Taylorsville Lake Dam from 8 a.m. to noon on June 6. No registration is required for both of these free events.
“After noon, we will move to the Spencer County Fish and Game Club on KY 44 east of Taylorsville where we host a kid’s fun day with archery, trap shooting, paintball and a casting contest,” Herndon said. “Lunch is provided and we go until they get tired of shooting.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be hosting their 23rd. annual Catch a Rainbow Fishing Derby on June 6 at the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery. This event is free for kids 15 and under and registration begins at 8 a.m. central time at the hatchery below Wolf Creek Dam on Lake Cumberland.
Those who live in the Louisville area and in northern Kentucky, six lakes will be stocked this week to provide good fishing for Free Fishing Weekend. Tom Wallace Lake in the Jefferson Memorial Forest and Waverly Park Lake will each receive 1,000 catfish and 1,000 sunfish. Miles Park Lake #4 will receive 600 catfish and 600 sunfish.
Middleton-Mills Lake in Covington gets 200 catfish and 200 sunfish while Stein Community Lake in Alexandria receives 1,200 catfish and 1,200 sunfish.
There are also many fishing events for kids that will be put on across the state.
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources (KDFWR) and Kentucky State University will host a Fishing Derby for youth under the age of 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. June 5, and from 7 to 10 a.m. June 6 at the Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Headquarters off U.S. 60, west of Frankfort. The two lakes at the Headquarters will close to fishing on June 3 and will reopen to all anglers at 10 a.m. on June 6.
“They will stock 1,000 catfish and 1,000 sunfish up to one-half pound in the Upper Sportsman’s Lake,” Johnson said. “And, new this year, we will stock 77 largemouth bass in both the Upper and Lower Sportsman’s Lakes that weigh 1 to 7 pounds. We would like to thank Kentucky State University for supplying a portion of these largemouth bass. After the kids are done June 6, the public is welcome to fish the lakes after 10 a.m.”
Prizes will be awarded by random drawing throughout the event. “We try and make sure everyone walks away with something,” Johnson said.
The event is free, but participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing equipment and preferred baits or lures. A limited amount of fishing equipment and bait will be provided for those who need it.
Captain Myra Minton of KDFWR’s Law Enforcement Division will be hosting an event at the Jim Beam Distillery off HWY. 245 in Bullitt County. The event will run 9 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Conservation Officer Scott Herndon will host a kids fishing event at the Taylorsville Lake tailwater below Taylorsville Lake Dam from 8 a.m. to noon on June 6. No registration is required for both of these free events.
“After noon, we will move to the Spencer County Fish and Game Club on KY 44 east of Taylorsville where we host a kid’s fun day with archery, trap shooting, paintball and a casting contest,” Herndon said. “Lunch is provided and we go until they get tired of shooting.”
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will be hosting their 23rd. annual Catch a Rainbow Fishing Derby on June 6 at the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery. This event is free for kids 15 and under and registration begins at 8 a.m. central time at the hatchery below Wolf Creek Dam on Lake Cumberland.
Those who live in the Louisville area and in northern Kentucky, six lakes will be stocked this week to provide good fishing for Free Fishing Weekend. Tom Wallace Lake in the Jefferson Memorial Forest and Waverly Park Lake will each receive 1,000 catfish and 1,000 sunfish. Miles Park Lake #4 will receive 600 catfish and 600 sunfish.
Middleton-Mills Lake in Covington gets 200 catfish and 200 sunfish while Stein Community Lake in Alexandria receives 1,200 catfish and 1,200 sunfish.
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