chucksmickoutdoors

Selecting the right cammo pattern

2009-08-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

Selecting the right camo pattern can be a daughting task. The key is to not appear a "blob"; whether in a tree or on the ground. Jon Washburn, owner of Buck Stop Archery in Brownstown, IL has developed a pattern using a tanned deer hide as a background, blended with leaves, twigs and branches. This pattern breaks up your outline and is very naturally appering in the woods.
You can view Jon's web site at www.hide-n-camo.com. Check it out!

A different bug repellent

2009-05-18T21:59:00.000-07:00

Take a small pump spray bottle and mix Listerine and absorbine Junior. This concoction will work to ward off mosquitoes, gnats and other annoying insect. This is suppose to last up to two days according to my friend, LTC(RET) Marc Miller. Give it a try this season.

Arrows and Broadheads

2009-04-30T04:48:00.001-07:00

I recently had the opportunity to hunt wild hogs in Southeastern, MO. It was a hot, windy, late April day. Not ideal conditions for a still-hunt/spot-and-stalk hunt. The hogs were bedded up in heavy/large brushpiles and were VERY SPOOKY. I was using my 80 Lb pull Howard Hill longbow, Alaska Bowhunting Supply-GrizzlyStik-Safari arrows(see www.alaskabowhunting.com), tipped with a Grizzly broadhead for my hunt.
I had read Dr. Ed Ashby's research on the use of heavy bows, heavy arrows and single bevel broadheads, that he has conducted over the last 25 years, both in the field and while hunting. The hog hunt was an opportunity to test out his research myself.
After a very hard, long and difficult hunt, I managed to shoot a nice hog. The arrow BLEW THROUGH the hog easily. My guide said that he'd never seen an arrow create an Instant and Massive blood trail like that before. The hog went down within 15 yards.
I am a very firm believer in heavy bows, heavy broadheads and single bevel cut-on-contact broadheads. Dr. Ashby's research has proven out, time after time.
Light Arrows and poor quality broadheads cause wounded and lost animals. Most bowhunters need to go to a heavier arrow and solid broadhead for better results.

Following Your Dreams

2009-03-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

Following dreams and attaining goals are things that make life worth living for most of us. I've had a number of dreams and goals in my live over the last 54 years. College, serving my country in the military, earning my paratrooper wings and getting married to a great lady (I finally found someone who will put up with me!) are important goals, which I have achieved.
I've had a variety of outdoor related goals also. These have included trapping full-time for a living, successful tournament fishing, becoming a successful traditional bow hunter and decent shot with a traditional bow; and becoming a successful, published outdoor writer and photographer. More importantly to me, my goal is having a fun outdoor experience, and sharing the outdoors with my wife Kathy. She is an avid fisher-person and I'm trying to nudge her into the shooting and hunting field now, after nearly 11 years of marriage.
I hope to continue to grow, improve and achieve success in my outdoor writing and photography career also. My goals for the future include traditional bow hunts for a variety of big game throughout the US, Alaska and Canada.
Keep striving to be successful; set goals, use proper planning and they will come.

Early Season Crappie Fishing

2009-03-01T14:17:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity to talk fishing with Captain Kirk Weber of Captain Kirk's Guide Service out of Benton Ky. Kirk said that early season crappie fishing can produce some of the biggest fish of the season, as big females make the first forays into the shallow water during the pre-spawn period. Weather is the key ingredient for early season action. Three to five days of warm, sunny weather bring in the bigger fish. These fish can be caught on a tube jig under a bobber in 2-5 feet of water. A cold front will put fish back in deeper water from 12-20 feet.
Look for fish in rocky areas, on the west side of the twin lakes. Black crappie will be the first fish to move in during late February and March. White crappie will follow a little later, as the water warms. So don't sit at home during the warm early spring days, get out and chase some early season crappie. You can contact Captain Kirk through his web site at
www.captainkirksguideservice.com. For great fishing action in Tennessee, contact Richard Simms through his web site at www.sceniccityfishing.com

Views and Reviews

2009-02-09T09:59:00.000-08:00

I recently had the opportunity to review a new bowhunting video, that is being produced by some regular working guys. The video is titled "FULL PURSUIT". The video shows some fast-paced hot bowhunting action in Missouri, Illinois and Canada. The Three Timbers Outdoors Team gives you hunting action from early bow season through the end of the season. This video is worth watching. You can get a copy by going to http://www.threetimbersoutdoors.com/ or you can contact Jeff Tourville at jstour93@yahoo.com.
A friend, outdoor writer and fellow paratrooper, Gordon Hutchinson gave me a copy of his new book to review, titled "The Great New Orleans Gun Grab-Descent into Anarchy". This book is a first-hand account of how the politicians and police in New Orleans disregarded the Constitution, laws and sworn duty to to protect the citizenry of the city, and attempted to run them out of their homes, steal their guns and leave them totally unprotected from the gangs of thugs, thieves and other criminals that roamed the streets, preying on those unprotected. This book tells of a few brave souls, who stood their ground, kept their guns and stayed to protect their homes, families and businesses from the huge crime wave that ensued after Hurricane Katrina.
This book is well-worth reading...because, with the politicians in power now, it could easily happen again!

Planning for a new season in 2009

2009-01-28T11:38:00.000-08:00

Now is the time to start planning for the 2009 hunting season. You can start the planning with five major items: (1). If you are planning a hunt out of state, get a copy of their hunting regulations, tag applications (if needed) and research the best hunting areas. Apply for the necessary tags for the animals and areas that you plan to hunt.
(2). Plan your vacation and start a savings program for the hunt. You need to figure one-half to twice the amount needed to cover the variety of costs, to cover unexpected expenses. You may need to work overtime or work a second job, to pay for your hunt.
(3) Get in shape for the type of hunt you are planning; and shoot your weapon of choice frequently before the hunt. Get familiar with your weapon, shoot from a variety of positions and ranges, so you will be prepared for your hunt. Familiarize yourself with the anatomy of the animal(s) that you plan to hunt, so you can make an ethical shot and clean kill.
(4) Obtain a quality pair of optics and learn how to use them. Practice by spotting game and bird watching during the off season at home.
(5) Contact booking agents and outfitters. I would highly recommend that you contact Howard Gulick with OUTDOOR CONNECTION at hgulick@msn.com or Neil Summers with Bowhunting Safari Consultants at Neil@bowhuntingsafari.com to arrange the hunt of a lifetime. This will be money well-spent and save you a lot of heartaches fro a bad hunt.

End of Season

2009-01-13T04:26:00.000-08:00

Well, it's the end of the season. I never had a shot at a deer this year. I saw very few deer on public land, and the outfitter that I work with is under a QDM program. All bucks have to be 8 points and the rack spread has to be outside the ears. I saw 33 deer one day, 9 were bucks. But, none met the requirements for his QDM program and he doesn't allow does to be shot.
Now is the time to plan hunts for 2009. I am researching material for articles on choosing an outfitter and a booking agent; and why you need to consider using both. It's been interesting, interviewing these guys for the articles.
I hope to do a deer, bear and wild boar hunt in East Tennessee this fall, if my vacation plans don't get screwed up due to family issues. Time will tell.

Deer Hunting Season

2008-12-04T04:26:00.001-08:00

Deer Hunting this season has been less than stellar. I have not hunted much; and when I have hunted, I have not seen much while I was hunting. I hope that the late black powder season and bow season is more successful. The last time that I hunted, I saw two does and a fawn, out of bow range. A coyote messed up any opportunity for a shot at them. I was able to quietly view a lot of other wildlife though. I am writing an article about that experience.
The colder weather has set in; and deer will be focusing on limited food sources. The late rut can kick in also, so there will be a chance for a buck for the wall or a fat doe for the freezer.
I am trying to plan a bowhunt for wild hogs late this winter, and a combination bear, deer and hog bowhunt in East Tennessee this fall. That should prove to be pretty interesting.

Rabbit Hunting

2008-11-19T04:22:00.000-08:00

11/19/08

While I was off on vacation and bereavement leave, I had the opportunity to hunt rabbits with my buddy Paul Moore and some of his friends. We had a great time, jumped 12 rabbits and killed 4 rabbits. These were some of the biggest cottontail rabbits that I've seen in my life and ran circles that were over 3/4 of a mile at times. Incredible. We had the opportunity to observe some great dog action too.

Family Loss

2008-11-19T04:17:00.000-08:00

11/19/08

I have not done anything with my blogging lately. I was off last week; originally for vacation for deer and rabbit hunting and a fall crappie fishing trip. A phone call Monday night brought sad news, my grandmother died. Kathy and I made a trip back to Delaware, for the funeral. She was 99 years old and will be sorely missed. She was suffering these last 2-3 years, so she said she was ready to go. It is a time of grieving for my family.

Protecting Our Gun Rights

2008-11-03T10:06:00.000-08:00

I read a book titled "The Great New Orleans Gun Grab" recently. This book reveals, with first-hand accounts of the victums of what happens when the politicians and bureaucrats toss the Constitution and 2ND Amendent in the trash, for their own political agenda and gain. We can expect the same thing if the Socialist Regeme of Barack Hussain Oboma gets in power. He has been associated with avowed anti-American radicals and terrorists throughout his whole college and adult life. Why do people think that will change, because he is running for President?

Late Season Bowhunting Opportunities

2008-10-26T15:04:00.000-07:00

I just completed a couple of articles on late season bowhunting opportunities, this weekend. I sent the articles out to magazines, with photos.
Late season bowhunting offers a plethora of different hunting opportunities including deer, elk(in some locations), wild hogs, small game, game birds, bison and predators. A few states, such as Texas and Florida have free ranging exotics. There are numerous high fenced hunting opportunities that offer hunting for exotics also. High fence doesn't necessarily lesson the challenge or guarantee you'll get meat for the freezer. In large high fenced areas , the animals remain wild and may NEVER see the fence.
Get out and enjoy some late season bowhunting action this year.

Crappie World magazine

2008-10-26T15:00:00.000-07:00

Kathy called me Friday and informed me that CRAPPIE WORLD magazine had acepted my article on "Why Use a Guide"; and had sent me a check for payment. I was ecited and happy about that!. It's a slow process to get published in National magazines, but the payoff is bigger and a lot more people get to read my articles.

American Bass Angler magazine

2008-10-20T15:17:00.000-07:00

My wife informed me today, that I had an article published in American Bass Angler magazine. A copy of the magazine, a nice letter and check came with it. I was happy about that. ABA was the Military Bass Anglers Association years ago, when I fished the MBAA tournament trail in the 1990's. I was happy to get an article published in a national fishing magazine.

Check out River Country Outdoors magazine, if you live in KY, IL or MO. I had four articles published in the October issue.

Small Game Season

2008-10-15T04:24:00.000-07:00

In 2007 and early 2008, I had the opportunity to hunt small game again, after many years. It was great! Thanksgiving weekend, I had the opportunity to rabbit hunt with my buddy and fellow outdoor writer/editor and publisher of OUTDOOR VIEW magazine, Paul Moore. A couple of Paul's buddies had great rabbit dogs and excellent hunting area. It was exciting, and a ton of fun! Later in the year, during the New Years weekend, Paul, COL Dave Bowman, SF and Terry Allen all got together for a pheasnt and quail hunt at Moore's Hunting Preserve in Possum Trot, KY. We had a great time, watching an excellent bird dog work and enjoyed a lot of wingshooting action.
Get out and enjoy some small game hunting this season and have some fun!

New World Record Elk

2008-10-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

The Outdoor Life website listed a possible new potential non-typical world record bull elk killed in Utah. That is exciting news!. It green-scored over 500B & C points.

I'm anxious to see how it turns out in the end!

Tribute to a Warrior Outdoorsman

2008-10-07T04:31:00.000-07:00

Sunday, October 5, 2008 I learned of the death of a young warrior outdoorsman, Sgt. Josh Kell, USMC. Josh was the 25 year old son of my college friends, John and Denise Kell of Dunlap Tennessee. John, Denise and I went to college at Tennessee Tech. University. John and I graduated in 1977, and were commissioned as 2LT's, John as an Artillary Officer and I as an Infantry Officer. Josh followed his Dad's footsteps into the military, to serve his country on the war on terrorism.
Josh did not pass on from wounds in battle. He was struck down by the dreaded disease, cancer.
Josh was preparing to deploy to Iraq with his unit, when pre-deployment physical and blood test revealed a high white blood count. Further test found that he had cancer. Josh was treated, and thought he had it beat, but the disease kept returning, until it took his life last week.
Josh was an avid outdoorsman,; hunter and fishermen. Both John and Denise Kell, his parents are avid outdoorsmen also, and love fishing off the coast of Lousianna for redfish and sea trout.
Josh fought a valient, but long and painful battle with this disease, and finally passed after his long fight. He is in a better place now, and looking down on all of us.

Small Game Hunting Opportunities

2008-09-30T04:17:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to hunt small game this past year. It was the first time in many years. I really enjoyed chasing rabbits, quail, pheasnts and squirrels again. I started out hunting small game as a kid. It is fun, exciting and enjoyable, especially when you share the time with good friends.
I hope to get my wife involved in hunting this year. Kathy is an avid angler, especially when it comes to big bluegills, shellcrackers and crappie. She has never hunted, an has expressed an interest in bird hunting. I hope she'll go with me this year!.

Spoons for catching a variety of fish

2008-09-28T01:06:00.000-07:00

Spoons catch a variety of fish; and provide a "different look" from the usual spinnerbaits, crankbaits and jigs that most fishermen use. The spoon is a versatile tool that every angler needs to have in his arsenal. Capt. Kirk Weber, of Captain Kirk's Guide Service (www.captainkirksguideservice) and I loaded the boat using small spoons, utilizing the "stroking" technique to fish them. We caught bass, yellow bass, crappie and white bass on them. The action was fast and exciting.
Large spoons were used to make some big catches during the BASSMASTER Elite Tournament in June, 2008.

Buckmaster Whitetail Magazine Articles

2008-09-27T22:28:00.000-07:00

I am proud to have two articles published in BUCKMASTERS Whitetail Magazine. The first article was published in the September issue, and was titled "Hunting With The Enemy". This article was on poaching, and the types of poachers. Every outdoorsman should read this article. The second article is due out in December and is about late season blackpowder hunting.
Mid West Outdoors, River Country Outdoors and Outdoor View magazine, West Tennessee Outdoors and Tennessee Valley Outdoors all publish my article regularly. I am happy and proud of that.

2HANDEE Tool

2008-09-26T20:28:00.000-07:00

Hi Fellow Outdoorsmen:

This past summer, I had the opportunity to get my hands on a 2HANDEE TOOL. This fishing tool is a great addtion to any fisherman's tacklebox. This compact tool has all of the necessary tools that a fisherman could want in one package. It has a clipper, hook sharpener, hook disgorger and crankbait tuner. This little tool also comes with a great knife that will cut braided line. You can check out Buck and Beel's web site at www.2handee.com

You'll love this great little tool! Check out my article about it in the September issue of OUTDOOR VIEW magazine.

Take Care,

Chuck Smick

Guides and Outfitters in Kentucky

2008-09-26T04:10:00.000-07:00

Hi Outdoor Friends:

I've had the opportunity to work with and experience the professionalism and dedication in Western Kentucky.
Capt. Kirk Weber is an experienced and knowledgable fishing guide on Kentucky Lake. Kirk and I experienced a great trip on August 31, when we caught big numbers of yellow bass, crappie and largemouth bass, while "stroking" a spoon. We had a great trip and the results were a number of nice largemouth bass and a bag full of crappie and yellow bass filets. This would be a great trip to take a new or in-experienced angler on. The action was fast and furious. For more information, contact Capt. Kirk Weber at info@captainkirksguideservice.com. You can view his web site at www.captainkirksguideservice.com
My wife and I had the opportunity to fish with Capt. Tim Griggs and Capt. Tim Dillon. We caught big numbers of Huge Redears and Bluegill while fishing with Tim Griggs, and had a great time fishing for yellow bass while fishing with tim Dillon. You can view their web sites at
www.KentuckyLake.com
For excellent hunting opportunities in Western Kentucky, you need to check out Bret and Sharon Wilson's Operation at DEER HAVEN TROPHY BUCKS; see their web site at
www.deerhaventrophybucks.com. Deer Haven has some phenomenal hunting and big bucks. In Kentucky, you can buy your deer and turkey tags over the counter. For great hunting in Western Kentucky, give Bret and Sharon a call at (270) 334-3748.

Take the time to come to Western Kentucky and enjoy the outdoors, and all that we have to offer here.

Chuck Smick

Traditional Broadheads

2008-09-23T04:22:00.000-07:00

Hi Fellow Traditional Bowhunters:

I have read a lot of research on traditional broadheads. Dr. Ed Ashby's research both in research and in the field indicate that single bevel broadheads perform the best, and leave a good wound channel. That means a good blood trail.
Heavy arrows seem to work the best for me, with my 65-80 pound pull longbows and recurve bows. Plus these heavy arrows have a distinct advantage with penetration.
Take Care,

Chuck Smick

Chuck Smick Outdoors

2008-09-22T18:16:00.001-07:00

Hi Fellow Outdoorsmen:

My name is Chuck Smick. I am a freelance outdoor writer and photographer from Paducah, Kentucky. I am an avid traditional bowhunter, with over 45 years of experience hunting, fishing and trapping, in 19 states from Alaska to Florida. My wife and I are also avid anglers, and enjoy fishing on our home waters of Kentucky and Barkley Lakes.

I have a B.S. degree in Natural Resources Management from Tennessee Technological University, a M.S. degree in Safety Management and professional diplomas in outdoor writing and photography. I am also a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving both on Active Duty and the U.S. Army Reserves for 20 years, in Infantry, Airborne and Special Operations units. I am currently a Major in the Retired Reserves.

My passion is tradtional bowhunting and outdoor photography, along with my writing. I am an Active Member of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and Kentucky Outdoor Press Association. I currently write for; and have been published in 14 national and regional outdoor publications including BUCKMASTERS Whitetail Magazine, Professional Bowhunter magazine, Mid West Outdoors, River Country Outdoors,Tennessee Valley Outdoors, West Tennessee Outdoors, Tennessee Outdoor News, Ohio Valley Outdoors and Outdoor View magazine. I also write a column on Traditional Equipment for Outdoor View magazine.

I would love to hear from other veterans and outdoorsmen and women who enjoy the outdoors.

Take Care,

Chuck Smick