I created this blog as I am an Canadian Outdoor Enthusiast and Novice Huntress. I am excited to share my experiences with you! I chose this name for my page as I am WILD about finally being able to learn how to hunt! Searching for that big buck that I’ve dreamt about and spending more time outdoors is something I crave. Follow me as I take this journey into hunting!
It is the Dead of Winter.
It’s Cold. It’s Wet. It’s not hunting season. What’s better than dreaming of the next hunt. Cooking some deer for dinner. Below is a recipe I would love to share with you.
Korean Style Deer.
Did you know Korea has many species of deer? They also have a wonderful sweet and sticky sauce called Hoisin which this recipe craves. It is so simple and tasty you will not want to share.
Mix together and serve over steamed rice. So easy and So Delicious. Enjoy!
September 16, 2017
Today I got my first gun! Sure, I’ve used other peoples guns for target practice but the fact that I have my very own is so exciting! We travelled to Cabellas in Abbotsford to look at their large selection of guns. Overwhelmed and distracted by all the glimmering gun metal I forgot what I went for but I remembered what I didn’t want. A “girl” gun. Nothing pink. Nothing “light”. I wanted a gun and I wanted it to hold up to a Elk.
I believe a gun just needs to feel right when you hold it, and it wouldn’t hurt to hold a nice price tag too! After all this would be my first gun, who knows where this hunting journey may take me! Sizing a few up I finally settled on a .308.
The Mossberg Patriot .308 Bolt Action with synthetic stock combo with a Vortex Scope is just what I wanted for a beginner gun. The scope was very important to me, after all if you cannot see your game you wont be eating dinner. This combo package came with a Vortex Crossfire II – 3-9x40mm. Something I could throw into the truck and not worry about it becoming scuffed up. Heavy enough for me to carry it as a deadly weapon and not feel like a cap gun. Strong enough to take a elk humanly with one bullet.
There she was, and at a reasonable price of around $600. This gun is not a “girl” gun by any means, but I will accessorize with camo and pink gun strap and case.
October 8, 2017
It is fall, cold and dry. Just before our scheduled fall thanksgiving hunting trip.We decided to sight in our guns. Nothing is more important that having your rifle’s sights and its bore in alignment. After all what is finding the perfect trophy game when you can’t shoot straight. With me I have my new gun the Mossberg Patriot .308 with a Vortex Scope. I choose this gun because it fit me, I was so excited to shoot it.
We are in the Okanagan Valley today, we travelled into the forest off a logging road and found the perfect place to sight in. Our backdrop was a strong hill right behind our target. A lead sled a good shooting table and chair allowed us to sight in. My vortex scope was sharp and got the job done right. After a few trigger pulls and minor adjustments I was on target.
OK maybe a little off but enough to be able to provide a kill shot of the heart or lungs of the deer I will be hunting tomorrow. After I felt that kickback from the first shot of my gun towards that target in the distance it confirmed my feelings towards this gun; it was perfect.
October 9, 2017
First light and my first hunt!
Today I am going hunting with two experienced hunters, my father and brother. I was told that when you begin to learn to hunt it is crucial to have a really strong mentor. I have two. When my father immigrated to Canada he wanted to make sure his family never went hungry. The abundance of food mother nature provided surrounded us with an endless supply. I still remember having my picture snapped next to a skinned deer hanging from the rafters in the garage. Then waiting an eternity to view my photo after they have been developed by the local photo lab just to see if your eyes were open.
This was the circle of life. We ate and enjoyed every part of that animal. It died for a cause and we knew where it came from. Organic in all means and butchered by the one who killed it. Getting ready for this hunt had all the excitement I had when I was smiling in that picture except maybe this time I would be the one with the successful hunt.
Our plan is to hunt for 4 days, first light and then again quitting at twilight. It is October, thanksgiving weekend. We decided to venture out into the Okanagan Region 8-8. Today it is open for mule or white tail bucks. After the recent forest fires in the area we have geared up and crossed our fingers to see any sign of life after destruction. This year the British Columbia has been overwhelmed with the amount of forest fires caused by human and natural causes. This makes my first hunt a little tricky, especially when we are specifically looking for bucks.
The terrain is mostly rugged hill, we are lucky to have our 4×4 Jeep. The two men I am with have assured me that this terrain has supplied them with plenty of game meat for their freezer each year, however this year is different. The terrain is damaged, some small hot spots still smouldering. Climbing into higher altitude allows us to gain hope we will find our buck. Instead we run into a few does and their offspring.
4 days, no buck. Instead I leave with a true understanding of the game I am hunting through their environment. Traveling on this new territory has allowed me to study their vegetation, where they may be bedding and how it may be beneficial for me to return next year and build a deer blind. I’ve returned from my first hunt with no game, physically exhausted but mentally clear.
Ever wonder why people call “shotgun” when they run to grab the front seat of a car or truck?
It goes back to the era where transportation was by stage coach. The man riding beside the driver was carrying a double-barreled 12 gauge shotgun otherwise know as a stage gun to protect it from bandits!
I so excited to announce that I just completed my Possession and Acquisition Licence (PAL) course for non-restricted and restricted handguns! I was “rifing” in circles when I aced the practical exam! I can now legally carry my own shotgun to hunt or protect myself against any predators I may encounter that want to eat me for dinner.
This course is mandatory in Canada to purchase or acquire any type of gun. A great course to take if anyone is interested in learning how to safely use guns or will be shooting them. It is important to remember to pick up some liability insurance. There are a few options available to do this either by joining a gun club organization or through the National Firearms Association ( NFA).
The NFA is a non profit organization across Canada that provides important information regarding firearm laws and regulations. They are based out of Edmonton, Alberta and can provide firearm owners with liability insurance for unplanned circumstances where you may need it. You can follow the link to the NFA below.
Now off to the range to sharpen my shooting skills with a little target practice.
Fall is here and I am starting to smell deer!
I love to shop.
Today was the day I decided I was going to go shopping for hunting apparel for the upcoming season. I felt a little nervous that I would not find what I had envisioned in my head; the perfect fitting camo Hunting outfit.
Cabela’s was going to be my first stop. Wow! I walked into every hunter’s heaven. I felt as if I need to rub my eyes to confirm the sign about the camo apparel wasn’t blinking neon lights. I can see why this store is a hunters dream, and a pocketbooks nightmare.
So many choices surround you giving you the ideals of becoming a better outdoorsperson. Off I trekked to what I had assumed was the woman’s a section due the smaller sized apparel and after a little time I realised I was looking at youth clothing.
The confusion quickly ended when I spotted a large wall of camo lingerie and realised I had finally arrived. After grabbing a few choices of water resistant and water repellant jackets and pants dressed in the real tree pattern, I strutted over to the fitting room.
The first set I tried on was from a brand called Girls with Guns, a camo rain resistant jacket and pants with a zipper around the boot area. I had mixed feelings about trying this brand on as the rain gear set was on the same rack of a camo t-shirt covered in glitter. Great for a party, not for my hunt.
My final opinion is that these girls with guns may actually be women who live in the amazon and hunt with spears. At 5’8 I feel that I am a taller woman. When putting on their rain pants I couldn’t located my feet. Now, I am not looking to be stylish in the woods, however, I am looking for comfort and of course safety. The thought of tripping in the woods with my gun and allowing my buck to run wild deeper in the forest just made me cringe at these pants. The jacket was the winner of this ensemble, a nice fit, however, their original and chic camo pattern would not have matched any other pant choice I made.
With a sigh of desperation I handed my choices to the floor clerk and explained my findings. With a little wink she told me I would have better luck at the men’s section and to keep an eye out for small sizes. Off I went, I quickly ran into a large amount of camo rain apparel.
The lineup of real tree Gortex caught my eye. Searching for a small size seemed to last forever but it was worth it in the end. Gortex Real Tree won my heart. The adjustable snap bottom closures to tighten your pants to your boot, the choice between different camo patterns, and the heat I automatically felt radiating my skin when I pulled them on made them a pure winner.
Although hunting appears to be a male dominated sport I do have faith the reason behind the lack of smaller sizes in the men’s camo apparel is only because I just missed the petite huntress whom also got diverted to the men’s section.
Or Maybe I took too long in the camo lingerie aisle.
buckwildhunter.com 