Life in The Outdoors....

Best describes my way of living.  I grew up outside. By choice. 

To my Mother's dismay, I could be found catching snakes and tadpoles by the age of three.  Fortunately for me, my family moved to a rural setting by the time I was nearly seven years old.  I was in heaven.  I spent my youth on horseback and in the swamps, woods and fields in the area. Some called me a "tomboy", I called it "outdoorsy". 

Still to this day, that is where I can be found when not relegated to the rigors of real life, earning a living. 

I did not grow up in a hunting family.  Hunting came on later in life for me.  I had dabbled in small game after my college years and then took up English fox hunting nine years ago.  It went hand in hand with my love of horses and dogs.  I also was able to purchase my own property and decided country living should include adding wild game to my menus.  So three years ago I began to deer hunt.  I was real intrigued with archery and last year I bought my bow.  I hunt by all means available.  Rifles, shot guns, hand guns, archery and with dogs.  I now add big game to my bag. 

My career is in Law Enforcement, I have been a deputy sheriff for 15 years.  I have military experience from my college days so I am very comfortable with firearms.  Archery offered me a new challenge and another way to extend my hunting season.  I do not shoot competitively but do practice several days a week.  It finally paid off this year with the taking of two Whitetail deer. My first deer ever and very exciting hunts.  In my opinion the hardest game I have yet hunted for.

Archery and hunting have become a great part of my life.  I am now associated with the archery shop where I purchased my equipment.  It is a Ma and Pa shop and without the undivided attention I received from them I would not be here today writing this.  Support and mentoring are very important to getting new hunters the confidence they need to stay in the sport.  Someday I will give back as my experience grows.  I am also working as a booking agent for hunting safaris all over the US and world wide.

I also love to travel and have been to Canada to hunt black bear and caribou.  Successful hunts, they were not archery kills but I did take my bow in case the opportunity presented itself.  Next year will see me going to Africa for a plains game archery hunt with Tink Nathan and to Kansas to turkey hunt with Spencer Tomb.  This winter I have plans to hog hunt in Florida and hunt bobcat and coyote  here in my home state of Michigan.

Fortune looked my way this year.  I am dating a great guy who also loves to hunt.  We are able to spend a lot of quality time in the field enjoying the outdoor experience. 

Every day spent outdoors is the best day of my life.

~Ann 

Ann with Caribou