River Ridge Outfitters Independence VA

Most people who know me know that, as a hunter, I’m a big fan of public grounds. I love the challenge and the pureness of hunting National Forest and the like. However, I’m not too stubborn to turn down private hunting lands either. I know some hunters who are hardcore DIY public land hunters and I applaud them and believe in their code of ethics myself. But, when it comes down to it, if I have an offer to hunt on a great piece of property, whether it is public or private, I’m going to take it. Hunting is supposed to be something we enjoy and not a completion of who had the toughest hunt. With all of that being said, I will say that most of my turkey hunting this year will be on private property and that a truly great opportunity has came to Josh and I. Todd Caudill of River Ridge Outfitters has invited us to his property to do some filming and turkey hunting this spring and, having visited with him, it is going to be our pleasure to take him up on it!

Last week Josh and I left Wytheville, after work, heading toward Independence VA. It was a beautiful 45 minute drive and I had forgotten how much National Forest was in between the two areas. I will certainly be driving back that way soon to get a better look at the area but that is for another post. Anyway, we arrived at RRO and found Todd finishing up some of his daily work. Todd is a “good ol' boy” who instantly makes you feel right at home. He is the kind of guy that you feel like you’ve known forever after you start talking to him. He comes from a very blue-collar background and that’s the way he runs his business. At this point in time he is running the business by himself and you have to be willing to pitch in and work hard to take care of all that he has to take care of. Todd immediately started showing us around his immense property. We knew very quickly that he had enough land, and the right location to have a great outfitting business. Having great land is not all that is needed though, and when you talk with Todd for a little while you learn that he isn’t just a laid back, hard working, country boy, he’s also a very smart business man and outfitter. Todd knows exactly what needs to be done to grow big deer and keep the other animal populations healthy as well as show his clients a great time. The business model Todd is using is slow and steady growth. His goal is not to be the biggest on the East Coast but just to make sure that each client gets his money’s worth and then slowly grow the business from there. An Archery Range, as well as quail and pheasant hunting, are also in the works and if it’s like everything else Todd does then it will be some of the best in the region. Trying to make sure everything is always top notch is a sure sign that someone will most likely be successful and Todd certainly has that going for him.

When Josh and I headed to Independence we weren’t sure exactly what to expect. We had only met Todd once at an outdoor show and while he seemed to be a nice fellow you just never know what will happen when you meet someone in a different capacity. As mentioned above though, our time with Todd was nothing but a good time! He showed us what seemed like every square inch of the free range, 100% fair chase acres that he outfits and we saw a ton of turkey and deer. After Todd had shown us around we sat in his truck for a while just talking about the world, family, and hunting. We all had a great time and I fully expect us to have an even better time next month when we show up there to film some great turkey hunting footage. Paying for a hunt is something that you have to enter in to with your head on straight. You have to know that you’re going to get good value for your money and I have no problem whatsoever recommending River Ridge Outfitters.

Cold and Windy Run in Wytheville

What a terrible day to run. My legs were dead, the wind was blowing HARD, and I severely underestimated how cold it was out there. With all that said though it was the perfect day to run. I always think that the hardest times to run and workout are the best as that is when you get the strongest. I pumped out 5 miles in the conditions today and I definitely feel stronger and better now!

Bland County Spring Turkey Scouting

Today I finally got in the woods again after far to long. I’ve really enjoyed doing shows for Mossy Oak and getting to meet a boatload of great new people but I’ve certainly missed spending time out of doors. Today’s mission was to pull down my last remaing stand from last year and to do some spring turkey scouting. I did get the stand pulled down without any trouble but I didn’t have any luck with the turkey scouting. However, the deer scouting happened to go pretty well! My buddy and I did quite a bit of walking and 4-wheeler riding today and found a lot more information about where the deer are moving in the area. Now I’m already thinking about this coming fall. I know there are turkeys in the area and I will be back to do some more investigating, as well as check out some other areas, soon. For now I’ve got a release to fix so that I can get back to shooting my bow.

VA Spring Turkey Scouting

Tomorrow, if nothing happens, I’m going to be going to take my hang on stand down from last deer season. I’m quite a bit behind but I haven’t been worried about it being stolen as it would be pure luck if anyone found it. The thing I’m most excited about though is tomorrow also starts my Spring Turkey Scouting! I’m hoping to log some serious miles on the truck and my feet tomorrow! Those turkeys are out there leaving sign right now and I know I’m going to be so fired up when I start seeing it! Remember that Spring Turkey season kicks off in less than a month on April 11th! I’ll try to update you all tomorrow. Until then may God bless you all!

Gander Mountain Turkey Expo pictures and more

Bass Pro Shops pictures and more!

I'll try to post some more pictures later tonight.

Mid-March Update

I apologize for the lack of updates lately. My family and I have been trying to get used to a new schedule for us and while it’s definitely better all the way around it’s just going to take a little getting used to. I think I will be able to update a little more now that things are falling in to place but bear with me while things fall in to place.

As far as the past few weeks, I’ve been having a blast! Josh Blevins and I worked the Bass Pro Shops Spring Fishing Classic and the Spring Turkey Expo at the Gander Mountain in Greensboro NC. The Spring Fishing Classic was a little slower than expected due to the unusually warm weather but we had a good time and met some great people! The Turkey Expo was also a little slower than expected but was again made a success by all of the great people we met including fellow ProStaffers Barry Kirby and Rodney Topper. Both of those two fine gentlemen were Turkey ProStaffers and they could make calling sounds so realistic that we were looking for our guns!

On another note… I attended a church service in Bland County at the Rocky Gap Pentecostal church. The service was being hosted by Teen Challenge USA and it was an incredible experience. Teen Challenge is a helping hand for troubled young people and their testimonies were life changing! The things these people had been through and overcame through God’s love were amazing! I know that what they do is real because one of the testimonies was from a close family member. The changes in his life were nothing short of incredible! Check them out as soon as you get a chance, you won’t be sorry!

Josh and I have a lot on our plates right now, from family, to bow tournaments, to spring turkey scouting, but I will try to update you all the best I can. May God Bless you all!

Bass Pro Shops Spring Fishing Classic

Don’t forget that the Spring Fishing Classic is currently going on at your local Bass Pro Shops. It’s going to be a beautiful weekend around here so it will be a great time to go pick up some supplies and head out for a day on the water! Josh Blevins and I will be working at the Concord Mills Bass Pro so if you’re in the area stop by and say hello. We would love to talk about anything from hunting to fishing to family to about anything. I’m gonna try to hit up a stream on Sunday but I’ll be in Charlotte all day Saturday so don’t be a stranger.

Outdoor Show Schedule Update

Josh Blevins and I had a blast at the Western VA Sports Show this weekend! We saw a ton of great taxidermy, met some cool outfitters, and some more laid back, genuine, nice, and humble “hunting celebrities” and generally had a great time talking to all of the great people we met! Josh and I have a way of having a good time no matter what but put us among our people and surround us with all things outdoors and we’re in another world of happiness! I hope you all make it out and hang out with us soon. Next up is the Spring Classic this coming weekend at the Bass Pro Shop in Charlotte NC and then the Gander Mountain Turkey Expo, Greensboro, NC the weekend after that. See you all soon!