Hunting Misconceptions

As I reread my last post (Women in the Outdoors) I thought about the fact that so many people out there still have a lot of misconceptions about hunters. I myself used to be one of them so I know that it’s easy if we don’t have people out there fighting the stereotypes and misconceptions. I used to think hunting was a sport for white, male, country boys, and that was about it… boy was I wrong. Although I fit all of the above stereotypes that’s not all I am and it’s certainly not the only demographic that hunts. I’ve learned that there are many women, many people of color, and many people of varying ages, religions, educations, and economic situations. For one easy example you can just look at the Mossy Oak Prostaff elite there you will see people of all walks of life, Dr.s, MMA fighters, marathoners, Pro golfers, rockers, business owners, and everything in between including the aforementioned women and people of different races.

As I’ve reflected on the stereotypes of hunters and what it all means I realized something… I’m in a unique position to educate people on what hunting is really about. I was one of the people who believed all of the stereotypes and now I’m living the lifestyle myself. I’ve decided it is now one of my missions in life to wipe away the stereotypes, bring people education, and let the world see that hunting is something to be celebrated, not ridiculed. I want to be the best hunter I can be and bring more people in to this lifestyle. I’m not crazy enough to believe that hunting is for everyone, (and I’m glad of that as there isn’t enough room in the woods for all of us) but I do believe that there are a lot more people out there who would love this sport if they would just open up their minds and try it. I want to be a great ambassador for the hunting and outdoor lifestyle and for Mossy Oak. I also want to inspire everyone to follow their dreams, no matter what they are, as I follow mine as I work toward my goal of becoming a full time hunter.

Interesting article by Bob McNally

I stumbled across this interesting article on mossyoak.com.

Outdoorsmen Spend $55 Per Second
Bob McNally


An email crossed my desk recently about how Smith & Wesson firearms has just become a new and important member of National Hunting and Fishing Day, slated this year for September 2008.

Buried in that good news, however, was the astounding fact that through licenses and excise taxes, outdoor enthusiasts pony up $100,000 every 30 minutes for fish, wildlife and habitat programs. And that’s been going on for decades.

A quick check with a calculator shows that sportsmen belly-up $4.8 million every day for wildlife; $72 million per month; or just under $2 billion annually.

That’s billion, with a “B”; you know, 1,000 times $1 million.

Big bucks, huge money, all voluntarily spent by hunters and fishermen who initiated excise taxes on their own fishing and hunting gear; and whose licenses pay the freight on everything from studying whooping cranes to tagging Stone's sheep.

Good things to keep in mind next time you run into someone who raises an eyebrow when he learns you hunt; or can’t understand why that 200 Yamaha is on your bass boat.

Without sportsmen and their expensive toys and licenses, rare would be the bird watcher photographing warblers in a wildlife refuge, or a family camping on public land.

Women in the Outdoors Event

Women in the Outdoors Event

Saturday, July 26, 2008
Bastian, VA

NWTF Bland County Many Beards Chapter and VDGIF have teamed up to offer a Women in the Outdoors day at Camp Roland in Bastian, VA. If you are interested in learning new outdoor skills, meeting others with similar interests and spending time with friends and family, then this event is for you! Some of the 2 hour classes offered include: Outdoor Cooking, Archery, Outdoor Photography, Stream Fishing, Rifle & Pistol to name a few. Please look at the attached brochure for more information and registration forms. This workshop is designed for women 14 years of age and older. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by a registered adult.. For more information, contact Amy Hancock at 276-682-3777 or amy@blandvanwtf.com.

Truck Dealership Supports the NWTF

I forgot to mention that the dealership I bought my truck off of is a contributor to the NWTF!

The Virginia Outdoor Sportsman's Classic

The Virginia Outdoor Sportsman's Classic summer edition is coming up soon! The show will be at the Salem Civic Center and will feature, The Ultimate Air Dogs,an ATV test track, a 3D archery range and competition, an RV Experience area, a fly casting pond, lots of vendors, a turkey calling competition, and much more. The show will run from August 22 thru August 24! Be sure to check it out!

Boo Weekley, Camp Compass, and Mossy Oak

I am watching Mossy Oak’s Hunting the Country on the Outdoor Channel and the episode feature’s Boo Weekley and his charity golf tournament to raise money for Camp Compass a mentoring system that introduces children to the outdoors. It looks really interesting, check it out when you have a chance!

New Ride II

Ok, nothing to big to report here I just bought back my bicycle from Chris Rakes of Drivn today. I'm going to use it to supplement my running and to travel back and forth to work whenever possible. Jessica and Harry are out of town this week and I planned on getting some scouting in but so far the weather and my timeline have not worked out, hopefully tomorrow will remedy that!

New Ford F-150!

So I finally bought a new truck today! It's a 2004 Ford F150 Fx4! I can't wait to give it that Mossy Oak touch!

June 16, 2008 Mossy Oak Prostaff and General Updates

I’m still putting some things together for the Mossy Oak ProStaff position and we’re still waiting for our ProStaff packages to come in (shirts, stickers etc) but I’m so pumped to get this thing going! Right now my first scheduled promotion is at the Bass Pro Shop in Concord NC on August 9th! I can’t wait to get out and meet my new teammates and help out a great company! I hope some of you will make it out as well! Talking hunting is one of my favorite things to do so feel free to hit me up on email anytime at tnunley@gmail.com. I don’t know about you but not having anything in season is getting old quick. I’ll be glad when I can at least chase after those bushy tailed squirrels!

Oh well, during the “off-season” I’m taking all the time I can to hang out with my family, get some things done around the house, and get some rest. I hope you and yours are doing well, talk to you soon!

PS
If you know of any events in the area that need presence from Mossy Oak please let me know. tnunley@gmail.com

Happy Fathers Day!

This is my first Fathers Day and it feels really great! I love being a Dad and I love my little boy! I hope all of you other Fathers out there are having a great day as well!

Mossy Oak ProStaff *update*

As you may have read in an earlier post Mossy Oak has recently expanded their ProStaff. I am extremely pleased to announce that I was chosen to be a part of this special group! It is a huge honor to be a part of such a great company and a great group of people! Things are just now getting going for my group but we’re all really excited about it and can’t wait to get everything going and going strong! As I have more information I will post up on what all is going on with this exciting new platform!

Congratulations to Mark Taylor!

I picked this tidbit up from the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries' Outdoor Report. Mark is a writer who I read and look up to quite a bit!

Mark Taylor Elected to National Outdoor Writers Board

Mark Taylor, Outdoors Editor for The Roanoke Times, was recently elected to the Board of Directors of the Outdoor Writers Association of America (OWAA). Mark will begin his three year term on the Board at the OWAA 81st Annual Conference in Bismarck, N.D., June 19-22. In addition to his informative and insightful articles for the Roanoke-based newspaper and "Wild Life" outdoor blog on Roanoke.com, Mark has served in other leadership positions in the journalism profession. They include a four-year commitment as co-chair of the Virginia Host Team for the 80th OWAA Annual Conference hosted by Virginia in 2007. The inter-agency team included representatives of tourism and natural resource agencies, outdoor recreation and product related associations. The Conference was the culmination of a four year commitment as part of the Governor's initiative to increase tourism and promote the Jamestown 400th Anniversary. OWAA is one of the largest professional outdoor communicator organizations with more than 1,200 members representing the nation's top outdoor-oriented writers, photographers, editors, videographers, radio, TV and film makers. Outdoor product businesses, travel industry, conservation organizations and agency information and education professionals also prominently participate in OWAA events. VDGIF is a Supporting Member of OWAA. Mark is also an active member of the Virginia Outdoor Writers Association. His articles and columns appear in The Roanoke Times on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays. Or you can view his newspaper work and blog online at http://www.roanoke.com/outdoors/wb/xp-index.

A Quick Question About Going Green *UPDATE*

Something that has been on my mind, as hunters, how do you feel about “going green?”

*UPDATE*
Sorry it took me so long to get back to this post but I've been really busy lately. By "going green" I mean living more environmentally friendly. This is something I’ve been doing more research in to and I think it’s something I’m going to start participating in. I used to think of this as some kind of hippy movement but as I get older I realize it’s that just a few easy changes can mean a lot to the future. I’m sure I will have more to say on this at a later date. Hope you all are well!

100 miles and counting!

I’ve run for over 100 miles so far this year! 100.8 to be exact! The 100-mile barrier has been broken! Hopefully the next 100 will be much quicker! It’s hard to get done with the little’un sometimes but I’ve been making some life changes to help better myself in general and for the upcoming hunting season.

Changes I’ve been making in my life:
I’ve started exercising as much as possible
I’m getting up every day before 6AM
I’m using my phone and computer to help schedule my day better and keep up with my tasks
I’m trying to be the best employee I can be
I’m searching for great business ideas (I need some more money in my life!)