Gobblers of the Great Plains
Join Pro Staffer Marc Smith & company on a Nebraska bowhunt
by Marc Smith / photos by Danny Farris
Hoyt Hunting Pro Staff member Marc Smith recently experienced a turkey hunt that will be forever etched in his mind. The ‘08 season opener found Marc and his long time friend Danny Farris – Associate Publisher of Petersen’s Bowhunting magazine – on the road to Nebraska, where they encountered plenty of gobblers, met up with good friends and made some great memories. Here’s their story …
To see the rest of this story go to www.hoyt.com and check out the Prostaff Corner, while there, make sure you check out the video of me pounding all three birds on the Hoyt videos!
Jan 10th-12th - ATA Show Indianapolis, IN
Another fantastic show hosted by the Archery Trade Association. As Larry The Cable Guy would say "It's a grown feller's Chuckie Cheese!" There were new items to gawk over, such as the new camo Full Metal Jacket shafts from Easton to the Striker Magnum from G5 Outdoors. 2008 products have innovation galore in terms of new and improved designs. I am proud to say my involvement with Wilderness Athlete www.wildernessathlete.org was very rewarding. W/A was the "Buzz" of the show. The interest in this fine product is very encouraging, whether it was dealers from around the country or the highest level of celbrities, such as Fred Eichler, Michael Waddell and Brenda Valentine. Folks from all walks of life stopped in our booth to see what the buzz was all about. Wilderness Athlete nutritional products are just what the industry needs and it's here to stay!
Hooking up with old friends and making new ones is always an added bonus to this show. This year my life long dream of meeting Bowhunting Hall Of Fame inductee and legendary bowhunter; Jim Dougherty became a reality as he and I visited at the Petersen's Bowhunting booth. I was the first in line to get my very own personalised copy of his new book, "The Best of Trails End". This book is a must have in any bowhunters library.
Bowhunting and archery are alive and well in 2008 and I am honored to be a part of it.
Nov 2nd 2007
My son Travis and I just returned from an awesome youth hunt in unit 2B New Mexico. Travis drew a special youth
tag in one of the best migration units anywhere. Typically the snow begins to fly in late September and early October getting the deer migration in full swing. That was not the case this year. The deer movement was slow and we resorted to hunting resident deer. Travis and I took full advantage of some of the gated roads and hiked several miles into remote canyons to find small localized pockets of deer. On the second evening of season we glassed up two bucks, Travis got into position and made a perfect 210 yard shot with his 30-06 that Papa Bill handed down to him on his 16th Birthday this year. A proud moment for both Trav and I, a sons first buck is a special moment in any hunters life. Sharing that kill and that special moment with my son shadows any accomplishments I have ever achieved while hunting.
Marc
Leave Nothing
This is the term created by the Marketing Folks at Nike. While watching NFL yesterday I saw this commercial.
It reminded me of my own determination and exhaustion of my recent back country public land elk hunt. Each year I hear unsuccessful bowhunters say things like, "I was just glad to get out in the elk woods with my bow" or "Being in the mountains is enough for me"... BLA BLA BLA! I say no way! Do you think you would ever hear a Pro Football player say "I'm just glad to get to the Super Bowl" "Win or lose at least I was here"! NO WAY...The seaon, the games, the hype, none of it means squat without that final "W" the big win. That is how I feel about my own backcountry hunts. Without a punched tag around the antlers of my quarry at the end of season, it's all for nothing. I can camp and smell the flowers and enjoy the beauty of the mountains anytime, I am a western boy and a mountain man. I expect results, it's what I do, bowhunting is who I am. On my recent back country hunt, I Left Nothing. I slept on the ground nine nights in a row, freezing temps pouring rain, up before the sun, bedding down late into the night. Most of the time near starvation, dehydration was constantly nagging at my lips but I stayed dilligent. Wearing the same crustry socks and wet clothes day in and day out. At times it was nearly impossible to talk myself into going any further... but further I went.
Chasing each bugle, investigating every ridge. On day six I was out of food but too far in to turn back. I ate birds, I even melted one of my Wilderness Athlete chocolate energy bars to create a chocolate sauce and dipped grub worms and beetles in it. I drank iodine purified creek water everyday. I was beyond roughing it...I Left Nothing! On day nine in the 11th hour of the hunt when there was little hope of punching my tag, a faint bugle rang out in the timber above me. I found the strength to forge ahead. I collected my thoughts and sent a few sweet soft cow calls in the direction of the bugling bull. The bull came crashing in, jumping over blow downs and smashing through the timber the bull came in looking for what he thought was a ready cow. What he found was a determined, exhausted predator that had stayed the course and Left Nothing!
What about you? Did you leave anything on the mountin this year? Will you be ready next year? Send me an email at marc@wildcountryoutdoors.com I would love to talk backcountry bowhunting with anyone willing to do what ever it takes to make the most of your season.
I'll see you on the Mountain,
Marc
For more information about Jackson please click here->
PURE HUNTING
This term defines this past weekend, as it was the Colorado early season opener. I spent three days with my daughter Casey-Marie as she is home for a visit before heading off to boot camp for the NAVY. I outfitted Casey with some extra gear and the two of us headed off to the Weminuche wilderness of southern Colorado. On Sunday evening August 26th Casey and I were still hunting along a ridge through an old burn area. Casey spotted three bucks above us through the fog and rain. I made a perfect 65 yard heart shot and the dandy 4x3 was ours. On the drive down to our hunting area Casey and I discussed what bow hunting really means to us and how special it is to harvest any animal with a bow and arrow. Just to keep things amped up we decided that the first opportunity we had a buck with four points on a side would suffice. This buck is not a record trophy but a true treasure that I hold in high regard. Just my little girl and me spending time alone with our camp on our back and stopping and camping when and where we felt like it... I love PURE HUNTING!
Warm Regards,
Marc
How did the Kalispell event go? Here's what some had to say...
"Marc's heart for hunting and for Christ shine through in his presentation. He makes it plain that he is a Christian hunter and that God is responsible for getting him where he is today. I would highly recommend Marc to speak at your next hunting event."
Jeremy Taylor Men's Ministry Coordinator Easthaven Baptist Church Kalispell, MT
"Marc's passion for the gifts that we have received from God, are as true as the flight of an arrow. He will make you laugh, and enjoy what the hunt is all about."
Justin Taylor, Owner Packer Creek Archery www.packercreek.com
August 6th, 2007
See the latest commercials from Hoyt, Easton, FUSE and Bohning Blazer Vanes
Click the logos below!
May 4th, 2007 
Marc is pleased to announce he will be the guest speaker at the Easthaven Baptist Church Sportsman's Banquet in Kalispell, MT August 7th 2007. Enjoy a night of great prizes dinner and entertainment as Marc shares his testimony and blessings of the Lord along with an entertaining seminar on Public Land D-I-Y bowhunting adventures. If your interested in Marc speaking at your banquet or function, drop Marc a line he will be glad to assist.
Marc is excited to launch the all new video tips section on Wild Country Outdoors. The all new WCO web will be up and running shortly, for now click here on Tips click on each title to view the video. Thanks to Trevon Stoltzfus and www.westernbiggamehunter.com for helping Marc bring these tips to you.
Eastmans' MRS Tip 
Wilderness Athlete vs. Creme Pies
Focusing on the Pin or the Target?
For a complete lists of videos, check out our Tips Page
