PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS

By: Wes Gall

We are all in this game of life. It’s a game full of ups and downs, thrills, spills and so much more.   The pursuit of happiness is what everyone is seeking.  At what point is that happiness the purest? I’ve had many moments growing older that have been a pinnacle! Graduating, meeting my wife, having kids, family anniversaries, getting a promotion, hunting and fishing successes.  Seems like the more effort and energy you put into an interest, the greater the rewards and happiness you get out of it.

Hunting is what makes me happy! Finally, after 10 years of pouring all of my energy into everything that I know and love, God graced me with the hunt of a lifetime. I often joked that the desire to harvest a big buck started as a “Monkey on my back” and has grown into a gorilla! Whatever type of primate it was, it is definitely off my back!  I can honestly say I deserved this. This was my year. It had to be, for all the hard work had to pay off eventually.

When it comes to hunting, a huge part of me resides in the bluffs of Southeastern Minnesota with my Uncle Jay. I was fortunate to harvest some does and bucks when I was in my teens, so my interest started to turn towards harvesting a buck that would be what I wanted on my wall and in my freezer. A buck that would tell stories long after I’m gone.

My story takes place the second weekend of Deer Hunting during the 2014 Minnesota Firearms hunt. My brother Joe and I headed down Friday morning in single digit temps. It was my brothers first time hunting in many years, which made this hunt even extra special. We made it to our destination and piled on the clothes to combat the cold. We made our way up a steep bluff that we named “Heart Attack Hill.” Unfortunately, the name fits. 

I got my brother setup in his stand with a ground blind setup below him to warm up if need be. I made my way up to the top of Heart Attack Hill dripping in sweat and got my ground blind set. I knew that this pinch point bowl at the top of the bluff had to produce a shooter buck! I’ve hunted this spot multiple times the past few years and had a sense that the work put in getting up the massive hill would someday pay off.

The first 2 days of battling bitterly cold temps brought us nothing but a handful of smaller fawns, does and bucks.  However, the final day was anything but ordinary.

For starters, we woke up late and didn’t get to our stands until 8am. I decided to sit against a tractor-sized tree, closer to a steep ravine that I had seen the deer crossing farther down in. A light dusting of snow covered the ground. Peaceful serenity is how I would describe the woods. I took out my real rattling antlers and hit them together. Five minutes later, I found myself saying a small prayer hoping for some luck to come my way. Out of nowhere, my unheard wish smacked me in the face faster then I could even realize.

What I just asked for magically appeared into my shooting lane at 20 yards. A shooter buck, little smaller than what I fantasized about, but the biggest I’ve ever had a crack at. It was game on. I was caught off guard, he was looking right at me! My gun was pointing up. Instead of continuing on his path where I would have been given an easy chip shot, he pulled a fast one and turned downhill along the ravine into thick brush. I shifted around hopelessly trying to get a clean shot. I couldn’t twist any farther. A small hole gaped through the tangled mess of branches and BOOM! The deer ran off with a high tail.  BOOM! Two shots were all I could get in before he disappeared in what all seemed like a quick flash!

I should be ecstatic, but I did not feel confident in my off balance shots. I made my way down the ravine to check out the scene. I found hair. 20 yards away I noticed a couple specs of blood. I was hopeful; that is until I saw half a rack sitting in the snow. I SHOT OFF THE ANTLER! I had a golden opportunity and blew it. My first reaction was laughter; I was disgusted, humiliated and mad.  Was Mother Nature trying to teach me a lesson? "You wanted antler! I’ll give you antler!"

I hung my head and walked back to the big tree along the ravine. One more hour left, one more hour to think about the mistakes I just made. Frustration came and went. I started laughing again and thought of the monkey on my back. I felt like I learned a lesson from it. I was pondering that lesson and out of nowhere a doe came screeching into play! With the hunt coming to a close, she peeked my interest instantly! It’s the last day of the season and I’m going for it.  I pulled my gun up quick and the doe spotted me. She stopped dead in her tracks! Right before I pulled the trigger I heard, “BRAA, BRAA, BRAA”.  This only meant one thing. A BUCK was on her trail!

I barely held off the shot on the doe, and caught glimpse of this buck cruising the ridge. INSTANTLY I knew! I couldn’t believe the buck that was making his way right in front of me! My gun already pulled up on the doe, quickly repositioned itself on the first spot I could get my scope on this buck. He was 30 yards away and five feet away from crossing my shooting lane when with a BLINK of an eye, the doe busted me and bolted the way she came…She took the buck right with her!!

I grunted as loud as I could to get the monster to stop, but no such luck. He never skipped a beat.  He was head down, nose flared and hot on doe tail. No shots fired.  I was in disbelief…AGAIN. I could not believe that I just had the biggest buck of my dreams step into range at 30 yards, and I was not able to get ANY sort of shot on him. My excitement quickly dwindled to horror. My mind screamed RATTLE. I took my rattling antlers and hit them together as HARD as I possibly could. I held nothing back. I finished and put the antlers down in defeat.

Knowing that buck was not going to come back from his pursuit of happiness! I slouched against the tree, amazed again at what just took place and what took place before that. All these opportunities within one hour, I was mind boggled! The luck came and the luck went so quick!

About one minute after the rattling, I heard a twig snap to my right down the ravine.  I turned to find a full rack coming my way. It was the monster! He was looking for a fight and I was beyond ready. My adrenaline kicked in full force. The buck was making his way uphill towards me. This was it, the moment I had been waiting for.  I had him sighted on the front brisket. He made his way to 20 yards, stopped and looked right at me. BOOM! His knees slammed to the ground! A shock sent through my system. He got back up to his feet and scrambled downhill. I was unable to take another shot due to trees in the way. I KNEW I hit him good, but didn’t want to assume anything!

I questioned myself. “Did I just shoot a monster?” “Did I just shoot a monster?” I made a phone call to my buddy Scott, “PRAY, PRAY, just PRAY, I think I just shot a monster!” Just so happens Scott was on his way to church, “Perfect; go pray,” I told him! I sent a text to my wife “Pray, I think I just shot a monster!” The adrenaline and realization of what just happened was powerful. The presence that this buck carried with him was undeniable.

I went back to my ground blind, cranked up the heater and sat in anticipation and fear. I called my uncle Jay to make his way up the bluff, I waited 20 minutes and called him again to see his progress. Laughing came from the other end. “Where are you?” I asked. He chuckled “I’m standing by this HUGE buck on the trail. HOLY COW!”

The walk to my Uncle Jay and the giant was pure joy! It was that pinnacle of happiness I was pursuing.  A memory I will treasure for the rest of my life. I had a smile on my face the whole way and I will never forget the look on my uncle’s face as well. The respect I had for this animal when I laid my hands on him was powerful. We took many pictures and savored the moment. My Uncle Jay, Brother Joe and I stood around the buck, mesmerized about the size of animal that laid before us and the story that just played out. The one that got away, led me to the one that didn't!

Best of luck in your pursuits of happiness! Thanks for reading.

The Blame Game

The Blame Game-

Recently the Minnesota DNR released their forecast for the 2014 Deer Hunting season.  The report told hunters to expect a “CONSERVATIVE” harvest.  Quite quickly the press release got passed around on social media, and the BLAME GAME began.   From what I saw, there were quite a few who were upset with the DNR and accused them of mismanaging the resource, thus creating a lower population and the need for the reduced number.

I’d like to suggest that perhaps we as outdoor enthusiasts should maybe spend less time pointing our fingers at everyone else and take a good hard look in the mirror.  According to MN DNR reports, we harvested over 290,000 deer during the 2003 season.  During the 10-year period from 2002-2011, over 2,375,000 deer were registered.   That’s an average of roughly 235,000 per year.  Did we NEED to harvest that many? Or did we do it because we could.  Did we NEED to fill two, three, or four tags?  I know there are plenty of people that live on venison.  I know that some families wouldn’t make it through the winter without a couple of deer in the freezer.  However, is that the norm, or an exception?

Walleyes aren’t biting on Mille Lacs? Must be the Indians fault.  Deer heard is too thin? Stupid DNR messed it up? Or maybe it’s the wolves?  Or maybe, just maybe, we the sportsman & sportswomen are partly to blame.

Speaking of Mille Lacs, in the late 90’s and early 2000’s the Safe Harvest Levels on Mille Lacs for walleyes was nearly 400,000 pounds, this year it was at 60,000 pounds.  So whose fault is that? Is it possible some of the blame should rest on the section of the population that took 75% of the quota out of the lake?

I realize there are multiple factors at play in both the deer population and the Mille Lacs walleye population, and a solution cannot be formulated in a single blog post.  I’m also not trying to defend the DNR or endorse their management tactics.  What I am suggesting is that each and every angler and hunter take personal responsibility for the future of the resources available to us.  Do we really need another limit of fish? Do we really need two deer?  The beautiful thing about accepting the blame, is we now empower ourselves to create a solution.  If we blame externals, which we have no real control over, for the current set of circumstances then we have rendered ourselves powerless.  The power lies with each and every one of us, the decisions we make in the deer stand, duck blind or boat are the only things we can control.  Let’s make sure we are doing all we can as individuals before we start blaming others.

Consider for a moment the definition of the word “CONSERVE”.

CONSERVE: to use (something) in order to prevent loss or waste

                        to keep (something) safe from being damaged or destroyed

I for one believe we should all expect a CONSERVATIVE season, no matter the circumstances. 

My First Time Guiding

Saturday marked the 31^st Annual Nick Adams Memorial Fishing Classic for Confidence Learning Center.  It also marked my first ever time acting as an official fishing guide.

Camp Classic Ambassador, and Due North TV host Bill Sherck asked for anyone with a boat to volunteer to be a guide.  I reluctantly offered to help.  Bill & fellow ambassador Jamie Dietman said they’d show me a couple “fishy” spots & reassured me that it would be ok.  I on the other hand, had been second-guessing the decision ever since.

I’d been so busy leading up to the tournament; I hadn’t made time to get properly geared up.  I was running off 4 hours sleep when I showed up at the boat landing.  No minnows, no crawlers & no leeches, just a bunch crank baits & some plastics.  Since it was raining, I thought maybe the people I was supposed to guide wouldn’t show up, and then I’d be off the hook guilt free.  I got registered & waited for my fishing partners to arrive.  And they did.

 Two complete strangers walked up to me & introduced themselves, “I’m Bill & this is my brother Cal”.   They were from Bemidji, MN and looked like they knew a thing or two about fishing, there’d be no fooling these guys.  The first question they asked was; “How long have you been a fishing guide?”  BUSTED! I had to come clean.  “Well, this is actually my first time guiding. “  I tried to reassure them but could see the disappointment on their faces.  Then they asked if I’d be willing to make a side bet with their buddies who were fishing in a different boat.  How could I say no?  I needed to at least give the illusion of confidence.  We loaded up their gear & headed out.  There were 74 other boats entered in the tournament, and I was VERY intimidated.  Even though this was all for a good cause, we were competing against some true legends of the lakes: Tony Roach, Perry Good, and Walleye Dan just to name a few.  To make matters worse, turns out the buddies we had a side bet with were fishing with Perry Good!  Perry Good is one of the ALL TIME money winners in professional walleye fishing, he’s forgotten more about fishing than I’ll ever know.   Go ahead, Google him.

“How often do you fish Gull Lake?” Bill asked.  Once again, BUSTED!  “To be honest,” I said, “this will be my first time.   But don’t worry, I’ve got a plan.”  And I did, we were going to head to one of the spots Jamie shared with me and work the weeds.  In this tournament, you can weigh Bass, Northern Pike & Walleye.  Bill & Cal took the situation in stride & agreed on the strategy.

We got set up in our first spot, an underwater point that topped out at 8 feet deep.  I gave Cal & Bill a ¼ ounce jig with a 4-inch grub plastic on it & I proceeded to cast a Rippin Rap.  On about the 5^th cast, it happened.  I got BIT! I didn’t land the fish, but at least I knew we were in “FISHY” waters.  Two more casts and I had one.  It was a small Northern.  Bill & Cal didn’t want to keep it, but there was NO WAY I was coming in empty handed.  “It’s better than the one we don’t have.” I said, and I put it in the live well.  A few casts later, BOOM! This one was a decent bass.  It jumped and shook loose.  I was disappointed but encouraged; we were definitely on some fish.  I set Bill up with a lure similar to mine and we caught some more fish.  Eventually we had two small northerns & a bass in the livewell.  The not so good news is Bill got spooled by a big fish because I hadn’t put enough line on the reel.  Bill took it very well.  When I went to respool, the depth of just how unprepared I was became glaringly clear.  The only line I had in the boat was some 6-pound panfish line.  I didn’t tell Bill & Cal, I just re-spooled & re-rigged his set up. I decided we should change tactics & start pulling cranks.  And it paid off. 

We were able to upgrade a northern & our bass, & then things got REAL interesting.  Bill said “Fish ON!” and it was a good one.  It was staying down and giving head shakes like a big walleye, then it started to run.  By now all three of us were standing up, our pulses were accelerated.  “Take it easy” Cal told Bill.  “I’m trying!” was Bill’s response.  Then the fish took its first run. Bill was feeding it line.  I didn’t have the heart to tell him he was using panfish line and I wouldn’t have been able to live with myself if we lost this fish too.  Bill did a great job fighting the fish, it took a few runs, went under the boat & eventually we saw it.  It was a BIG HUGE PIKE! It’s back crested the water like a shark.  The fish was tired & it was time to  net it.  Bill pulled ever so carefully.  The fish was on the surface, very still, heading towards the boat.  I had the net in the water and my heart was racing! Closer, closer, closer & then… GOTCHYA!  We had an 11-pound northern in the boat.

High fives ensued; Bill & I were shaking.  Cal was grinning ear to ear & the scope of the day had turned.  We were now “in the running.” The adrenaline kept us going for quite some time and the pressure to produce was now off.  But now I wanted to win.  We agreed to go cast some docks to try to upgrade our bass & that worked too! Cal caught a nice 2 and half pounder on a floating Rapala & Bill followed up with a 2 pounder.  We had 6 fish in the livewell & only needed to catch one walleye to have a chance at winning the Mixed Bag award.  Over the next 2 and a half hours, we tried everything we could.  But no walleyes were to be had.  But it didn’t matter.

We headed back to the weigh-in with our heads held high.  We needed an extra bag because of the all the fish we had.   We even got some oohs & aahs as we worked our way through the weigh-in.  

We ended up finishing fourth in the Northern Pike division, and we missed out on the biggest fish by less than 2 pounds.  But none of that mattered.  What mattered was that Bill & Cal and I had a BLAST! We laughed, we told jokes, we shared stories and we created memories that will make us smile every time we recall them.  Not to mention we helped a good cause, saw some old friends & made new ones.  Not bad for a rainy Saturday.

If you’d like to learn more about how you can help Camp Confidence or to be a part of next years event on June 20, 2015 visit www.campconfidence.com

As for the side bet, well let’s just say the first beverage was on the boys who fished with Perry Good.  Remember, it’s not about having time, it’s about making time.

Ode To The Small Business Owner-

You wake up early,
to open your store.
You run your own business,
but do so much more.

You shovel the sidewalk,
and lay down some salt.
Or pay someone else to do it.
That's what commerce is about.

You buy Girl Scout Cookies,
raffle tickets and ads.
You coach little league & hockey.
Or help pay for the pads.

You don't do it for fortune.
You don't do it for fame.
You're just doing your job.
And hope we do the same.

Thank you small business owner,
for keeping Main Street alive.
We wish you the best.
And may your business thrive.

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