My husband and I were walking through the mall this weekend and I can’t express enough how much of a chore that is for my husband.  He will spend hours at places like Cabela’s but when it comes to the mall and shopping … let’s just say there’s nothing like shopping with Oscar the Grouch.

After a few hours of shopping, we passed a manicure/pedicure shop and this was our conversation …

Me:  I think I might get a pedicure before vacation and have a fish painted on my big toe.

Oscar:  For what?

Me:  Because it’s cute.

Oscar: Why have someone do something for you when you can do it yourself?

Me:  I know but there’s nothing like sitting in a massage chair having someone massage and tend to your feet.  I think you should come with.  It feels really good.  You’ll really like it.

And with that, my husband turned and looked at me with a serious face…

Oscar:  All you have to do is scrub your damn feet.

And I couldn’t stop laughing.  And I laughed some more.  And I’m still laughing.

So I ask my male readers – would you get a pedicure?  Feel free to answer anonymously.

Have a good day all … and I refuse to massage his feet until they are scrubbed by a damn professional.

See the original article at TheHuntersWife.net

Dick’s Sporting Goods $50 Gift Certificate Giveaway:

The wonderful group at Dick’s Sporting Goods if offering one of my readers the chance to win a $50 gift certificate from their store.

To enter the contest:

1. Be sure to follow Dick’s Sporting Goods on Twitter – @dickssportcmo
2. Leave your Twitter ID and a comment telling me what outdoor item you might purchase with a new gift certificate from Dicks. Maybe a new fishing pole, fishing reel, something in camouflage perhaps?

That’s it! It is that easy!

My contest will run from today, March 5, 2010 – Friday, March 12, 2010.

*** BUT WAIT … You could be one lucky participate …***

Dick’s Sporting Goods Starting Lineup Contest:

Dick’s Sporting Goods is also offering one of my readers a chance to be on the Starting Lineup where you will …

• Have a chance to try out and preview new products.
• Have a spot on an online panel of experts for one season (for approximately 3 months).
• Access to exclusive online surveys.
• A chance to sound off on all things sport.

What you need to do to be considered:

1. Follow @dickssportcmo on Twitter if you’re not doing so already.
2. Recruit people to follow @dickssportcmo on Twitter and have them vote for you by Tweeting @dicksportcmo your Twitter ID and stating why you should be nominated.
3. Vote for yourself by Tweeting @dicksportcmo with your Twitter ID and stating why you should be on the “Starting Lineup”.
4. Please note – you can only vote for the same person once per day, but you can vote for multiple people in the same day.

A sample tweet:  @dicksportcmo I nominate @thehunterswife for the #startinglineup because she needs her own camouflage.

This contest ends March 31, 2010

I’d love to see some of my outdoor friends as “Starting Lineup” winners.  There are several other bloggers giving away this opportunity so I hope we do what we can to cheer on our outdoor group!  My outdoor friends need to win this!!!

Contest is for US residents only please.

Thank you all and good luck!!!

This post is sponsored by Dick’s Sporting Goods and I did not receive any compensation to run this contest.

See the original article at TheHuntersWife.net

by Doak Worley

I just got through watching “Survivor” on TV. Any “Survivor “ fans out there? Anyway, I saw a commercial about passports, and BAM (I am a chef and an Emeral fan as well as a hunter ) I thought I should write a blog about traveling.

Each year thousands of hunters travel to Canada to hunt big game and waterfowl and enjoy some of the best fishing in the world. Canada is quick to get to and you have an abundance of outfitters to choose from. However, crossing the border between Canada and the US is becoming increasingly difficult, whether it’s through the air or by land. The rules have changed dramatically in the last few years so there are a few things that I like to discuss with my hunting and fishing clients before they embark on their next Canadian adventure.

Until recently all that was needed to travel to Canada was a current US drivers license or a birth certificate, but that is no longer the case. All hunters entering and leaving Canada now have to have in their possession a valid passport. It’s easy to get a passport and can be obtained at most Government Offices, but it does take about 6 weeks so don’t wait till the last minute to try to obtain one.

A Canadian gun registration form must also be filled out when going through Canadian Customs accompanied by a $25 fee and is good for 60 days. You will want to complete the paperwork ahead of time but don’t sign the document until you go through Customs. We will supply you with this document and it must be with you and the firearm at all times.

Hunting license regulations also vary greatly from province to province so be sure to follow the instructions supplied by your outfitter. License information can also be found on the internet by going to the fish and wildlife agencies for each Canadian province. Getting into Canada isn’t much different today than it was 10 years ago but the preparation takes a little longer. A good Hunting Broker like Outdoors International will take you by the hand and walk you through the process so all you need to worry about is how big will my trophy be. I hope your next adventure to Canada is a memorable one.

Good hunting and God Bless,
Doak

See the original article at GotHunts.com

Larry Knowlton and his 419 Gross New Mexico bull elk

Just thought you would like to see a few pictures of a huge bull elk shot in New Mexico on January 30. Larry Knowlton, finally shot the bull of a lifetime after months of agonizing defeat. Larry acquired one of the New Mexico enhancement tags for elk, and on September 1st began a five month ordeal to shoot a 400″ plus bull. He finally got his bull with only one day to spare. He spent 52 days since early September trying to find “the one”.

“I can’t tell you how many ghost stories, false leads and over-exaggerated elk we chased for the past 5 months, but in the end I think it was all worth it! [The Outfitter] had originally located this bull in early November, and spent weeks of their time trying to get this bull for Larry. At 3:30pm on Saturday, after a 4.5 hr climb to get to this bull that lived in the worst place I have ever seen in my entire life.”

Mr. Knowlton shot a 419″ gross 7

A big part of bow hunting is knowing your maximum range. What is a legitimate test to discover your maximum shooting range? Before you would consider that 40 yard shot you should be able to produce four-inch groups at 40 yards. That is 4 arrows in a 4 inch circle at 40 yards every time.

Your ability should be based on your worst groups on your worst day. In other words if you ever put an arrow outside a 4 inch circle at any distance you should not consider that your maximum range. This may seem harsh but most bow hunters skills are drastically reduced in real hunting conditions. Are you as good on game as you are on paper? Do you practice in awkward positions with your hunting clothes on? Your 4 inch groups will probably be more like 8 inches in the field!

Here are some tips to help you extend your range in the field.

1. Practice most of the time at ranges well beyond your comfort zone. If most of the time you practice at 60 yards, your 40 yard shot will feel like a chip shot.
2. Practice in hunting clothes, gloves, hats and face masks from awkward positions. Positions used in the field.
3. Focus on the alignment of your bow and watch the bubble level on the sight. Proper alignment is crucial for distance shooting.
4. Follow through. At short distance you can get away with bad habits but at long distances, form is crucial. Relax your grip and try to remain motionless until the arrow hit’s the target.

See the original article at GotHunts.com

At a very young age my niece Addison started referring to our deer mounts as Bambi.  Around the time she started talking, yet not in full sentences, she couldn’t wait to take my hand and show me into her room just to dig through piles of kid’s DVDs. Without a word she found the one DVD associated with me – Bambi.

Many nights I’d rock her to sleep and just as soon as she was about to fall asleep, she’d raise her head and look up at the deer and whisper, “Him don’t have no legs.”  And quietly put her head back down on my shoulder.

Addison is 4 now and we still haven’t discussed how the deer became mounts.  We will leave that up to Mark to explain when it’s of concern.  At the moment, the girl is more concerned with my dog  …

Addison:  My dog Hoho is all black and how come Puddles is wipe and black?  Dogs are suppose to be black or wipe.  But your dog is black and wipe.  That isn’t right Auntie Jojo.  He’s reguarded.

Me:  He’s what?

Addison:  He’s reguarded.  He shouldn’t have spots all over him.

Me:  I’m not understanding you Addison.

Addison:  HE IS REGUARDED.

Me:  Retarded?

Addison:  Yes.  He is.  He really is.

Oh help me.  This isn’t a word that any of my family uses.  Some feel the word is appropriate while others feel the word is inappropriate.

Me:  Addison there are a lot of dogs that are black and white or brown and white or black and brown.  Like your favorite movie 101 Dalmatians.  Those dogs are white with black spots like Puddles.  Dogs can be many beautiful colors.

Addison:  That Gorilla Devila is mean.  (Cruella De Vil)

We’ve moved on to Gorillas.

Have a good day all … And just so you all know, she thinks I look like Snow Wipe.

See the original article at TheHuntersWife.net