Dan Vogt Passes on The Hunting Heritage

By Brandon Butler

Dan Vogt is a field director for Whitetails Unlimited, covering Missouri and Arkansas, and he pretty much eats, drinks, and sleeps whitetails 365 days a year. So when Dan told me he had experienced the hunt of his life last season, I knew I had to hear about it.

The story wasn’t what I expected. He didn’t tell me about a double drop tine booner closing inside 20 yards. It wasn’t a story about a state record, or some big nasty freak animal. In fact, it wasn’t

about antlers at all. The story of Dan’s best hunt ever was of his 8-year-old son, Jacob, killing his first deer.

Jacob Vogt with his first deer.

Jacob Vogt, who is now nine, is your average boy. He enjoys spending time with his daddy, going to school, and playing video games. Deer hunting doesn’t consume him (yet), but since it is so important to his dad, Jacob has gravitated toward it. When he recalled to me the story of killing his first deer, a big healthy doe, there was excitement in his eyes, especially each time he looked up at his father as if to reconfirm the admiration being bestowed.

Like many young folks, and quite a few of us older guys too, Jacob doesn’t like sitting still for long. So when Dan and Jacob decided to call it quits on their ground blind hunt, they figured their chances of success were over. But on the way back to the truck, they jumped a group of deer from a ditch. They formulated a plan to sneak up on them and it worked.

“I was like 50/50 on whether or not I should take the shot, but I did, and I got her,” Jacob said.

Dan said it was really a pretty close shot and Jacob made it count. To young eyes, 60 yards is a mile. Consider buck fever and shaking hands, and it’s easy to understand how the youngster was hesitant to pull the trigger.

“I was so excited because I shot and I thought right away that I got it. I started calling all my family. I called grandma first because she’s the closest, just across the street,” Jacob said.

Dan said it was hard to put into words how much it meant to him to pass the tradition of hunting on to his son. Here’s a guy whose career is based on turning people into deer hunters and deer hunters into conservationists, but his ultimate reward was passing the flame to his own son. “When I grow up, I might work for my dad, maybe. If I’m not a professional swimmer,” Jacob said.

Well, whether or not Jacob ends up working for Whitetails Unlimited really doesn’t matter much. What matters is that at 9 years old, he’s an advocate with a story to tell. A story he’ll recount to his friends that may create a desire in them to venture into the deer woods. Hopefully, they’ll create their own stories too.

Each of you has an opportunity to connect with a child through nature. It doesn’t have to be deer hunting. Take your child fishing, or squirrel hunting, or just for a long nature hike. You don’t have to ban them from video games to inspire a love of being outdoors. Encourage a balance. You’ll be giving a child the gift of a lifetime, and you’ll never be more satisfied with yourself than when they look up at you and smile about nothing more than the pure joy of being outdoors.

Welcome to the Brotherhood!

Travis "T-Bone" Turner

By Travis "T-Bone" Turner

I often think that I’ve got the greatest job in the world, and then something comes along and proves it.

I’ve been traveling to a variety of Whitetails Unlimited banquets, and I have a fantastic time at every one of them. I meet a lot of people, and we talk all night. I learn as much from the hunters at a banquet as they learn from me, but just sharing time is the topping on the sundae.

I’ve been told that I’m the kind of guy that could have fun in an empty room; but if I have to be in a room, I prefer one that is filled with people. Especially people like me – deer hunters. And while every WTU banquet is filled with deer hunters, there is something else that’s special about these gatherings that I really enjoy; everyone is expecting a good time, but more than that, everybody in the room understands that we are raising money to do good work.

Every WTU banquet has a different personality, and the money goes to different kinds of projects, but I’m humbled and appreciative after each night that I’m able to spend time with great people, doing great things. And then something extra special happens, and brings everything full circle.

The following note came into WTU headquarters, and when it was sent on to me, it made my week:

Bryce with his first deer.

“Here is a picture of Bryce with his first deer. He took it on Saturday of the youth gun season. We thought it was a doe but it ended up being a button buck. Bryce is wearing the hat that T-Bone signed when he was at our banquet. He dubbed it as his ‘Lucky Hat,’ and that it has ‘T-Bone Magic.’ Just thought I would pass it along.”

I’ve heard that when people are passin’ out praise you should just get in line, but in this case I’m guessing Bryce made his own luck. Even so, I’m tickled that I can be, in some small way, connected to a youngster who has joined the Brotherhood!

Your first deer is a great event, and some with more smarts than me call it a ‘rite of passage.’ That’s an event that marks your passage in life from one status to another, like graduating high school or college, confirmation in church, or getting married. I still vividly remember my first whitetail, and if you ask any deer hunter, I guarantee they will remember theirs right off.

I signed that hat when I was spending a night with Ohio Field Director Denny Malloy at the Killbuck Valley Chapter banquet, and I hope Bryce has many, many more days afield with even better luck than he had this season. If he wants to give me credit, well, that’s his choice. But I know that the real credit belongs to him, his family, and those who had influence as he was growing up.

Bryce, just look in the mirror – with or without that hat – and you’ll see who deserves recognition.

Welcome to the Brotherhood!

WTU Family Feels the Loss of Larry Yost

The WTU family lost one of our brightest lights last week, when Larry Yost, Nebraska field director, passed away after a battle with cancer.

Larry was only 46, far too young, and will be sincerely missed by everyone who knew him. His passing will be a real loss for Whitetails Unlimited.

If you never had the pleasure of meeting Larry, he was one of those quiet guys who got an amazing amount of work done, seeming without any effort. On one memorable occasion, the caterer for a banquet screwed up the date, and Larry realized that he had no meal for a sold-out banquet. It was a real nightmare situation, looking at 220 people who had paid for a dinner, which should be served in 20 minutes.

I’m reminded of the Kipling quote to his son, “If you can keep your wits about you while all others are losing theirs … then you will be a man.” Well, Larry was The Man. He got things organized, and in short order the crowd was enjoying a steak dinner, a little late, but Larry said there were no complaints. The most amazing part was that when I called Larry to ask about the banquet for a story, he said it was no big deal, and tried to put all the credit on everyone else. In reality, it was a great team effort that pulled success from the jaws of disaster, but without the calm, decisive leadership that Larry always projected, and the loyalty that he engendered, that banquet would have been a smoking disaster.

That story is on the WTU website at:www.whitetailsunlimited.com/news/archives/session_b2979bad999d/banquettrailtales.phtml

Larry is survived by his wife, Holly, and their five children: Drew and Dylan Yost, Jamie and Shea Lundeby, and Dalton Dunn, and his grandson, Corbin. He was passionate about hunting, fishing, and baseball with the boys and his friends, and he’s going to be missed by all of us.

WTU Looking for New Field Directors in Pennsylvania and Nebraska

WTU SEEKING A FIELD DIRECTOR IN NEBRASKA

Whitetails Unlimited Inc., a national, nonprofit conservation organization established in 1982, with over 90,000 supporters and 425 chapters has a career opportunity for a highly motivated individual as a Field Director. This professional, salaried position will be located within close proximity of Omaha, Nebraska, with a start date of June 11 and will report directly to the Vice President - Field Operations.

The successful candidate will organize and conduct fundraising events throughout the territory along with mobilizing volunteers and serving as a liaison between Whitetails Unlimited chapters and National Headquarters. The mission of this position is to establish and maintain a presence of Whitetails Unlimited throughout Nebraska, Western Iowa, South Dakota, North Dakota, Kansas, and Oklahoma.

The ideal candidate will have an undergraduate degree. Related training and job experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. Actual exposure to volunteer programs, event planning, and fundraising methods, with proven leadership and relationship building skills is mandatory. Strong organizational and time management skills are required, with minimal need for day-to-day supervision. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and the internet is necessary. Outstanding record keeping and inventory skills with a penchant for detail is vital. Strong communication and presentation skills required. The ability to handle multiple tasks and shift priorities is important. Exposure to or participation in the shooting sports, inclusive of hunting is important, along with knowledge of the white-tailed deer, their habits, and habitat.

This individual will be required to work from their home and travel regularly. Must also be a mature, energetic, self-starter who is well-organized and self-confident with a very strong desire to succeed, and have the capability to represent Whitetails Unlimited in a professional manner. High moral standards, good character, and strong ethics are necessary.

Whitetails Unlimited's purpose is to raise funds in support of educational programs, habitat conservation, and preservation of the hunting tradition. For further background information regarding Whitetails Unlimited, visitwww.whitetailsunlimited.com.

Whitetails Unlimited offers a competitive salary and benefit package. Interested candidates should submit their resume, references, and salary requirements to ktassoul@whitetailsunlimited.com no later than May 18.

Whitetails Unlimited is an equal opportunity employer.

                                                                                                                         

WTU SEEKING A FIELD DIRECTOR IN PENNSYLVANIA

Whitetails Unlimited Inc., a national, nonprofit conservation organization established in 1982, with over 90,000 supporters and 425 chapters has a career opportunity for a highly motivated individual as a Field Director. This professional position will be located in southeastern Pennsylvania with an October start date, and will report directly to the Vice President - Field Operations.

The successful candidate will organize and conduct fundraising events along with mobilizing individuals and serving as a liaison between Whitetails Unlimited chapters and National Headquarters. The mission of this position is to establish, maintain, and grow the operations of Whitetails Unlimited in the State of Pennsylvania.

The ideal candidate will have an undergraduate degree. Related training and job experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. Actual exposure to volunteer programs, event planning, and fundraising methods, with proven leadership and relationship building skills is mandatory. Strong organizational and time management skills are required, with minimal need for day-to-day supervision. Experience with Microsoft Word, Excel, and the internet is necessary. Outstanding record keeping and inventory skills with a penchant for detail is vital. Strong communication and presentation skills required. The ability to handle multiple tasks and shift priorities is important. Exposure to or participation in the shooting sports, inclusive of hunting is important, along with knowledge of the white-tailed deer, their habits, and habitat.

This individual will be required to work from their home office and some travel is required. Must also be a mature, energetic, self-starter who is well-organized and self-confident with a very strong desire to succeed, and have the capability to represent Whitetails Unlimited in a professional manner. High moral standards, honesty, dependability, good character, and strong ethics are imperative.

Whitetails Unlimited's purpose is to raise funds in support of educational programs, habitat conservation, and preservation of the hunting tradition. For further background information regarding Whitetails Unlimited, please visit www.whitetailsunlimited.com.

This is a commission-based opportunity, and the successful candidate could do this part or full time. This unique position requires a diverse set of skills, and can be both personally and financially rewarding for the exceptional individual. Interested candidates should e-mail a resume and cover letter toktassoul@whitetailsunlimited.com no later than August 15, 2012.

Whitetails Unlimited is an equal opportunity employer.

Whitetails Unlimited and Travis “T-Bone” Turner Expand Successful Partnership

  

Following an exceptional 18 months, Whitetails Unlimited and television personality Travis “T-Bone” Turner are expanding their successful partnership. “We are so happy that we are extending our relationship with T-Bone,” said WTU President Jeff Schinkten, “because he’s the perfect fit for our membership. He’s a whitetail fanatic – genuine, entertaining, and a fantastic ambassador for the sport of hunting.”

Travis "T-Bone" Turner

T-Bone has years of experience as a championship archer, hunter, and television personality, co-hosting Bone Collector and Realtree Roadtrips on the Outdoor Channel – two of the top rated outdoor shows on television. In addition, he represents or endorses a number of leading companies in the outdoor sports industry, including Hoyt, Tree Spyder, G5 Outdoors, Realtree, Bushnell, Chevrolet, Bad Boy Buggies, Scent Blocker, Easton, Evolved/Wild Game Innovations, GAMO, Weston, and CanCooker. Turner is also the celebrity archery expert to the stars, working with Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Jordan, Michael Waddell, David Blanton, and several country music and Major League Baseball stars on their archery set-ups and shooting advice. Turner lives in Hogansville, Georgia, with his wife, Michelle, and son, Archer.

Turner is well-versed in all aspects of hunting and the outdoors, including wildlife, whitetail habitat, management, and food plots. In his own inimitable style, he is able to eloquently speak to both the cultural and technical aspects of hunting and wildlife.

“I am so excited to continue as a spokesman and partner with Whitetails Unlimited,” said T-Bone. “I have a passion for the outdoors, and WTU’s commitment to hunting and conservation is unmatched. Working with them provides me with an opportunity to give back to the outdoor community. Together, we can bring more awareness to wildlife management, conservation, and education, and also encourage our youth to participate in the hunting tradition.”

T-Bone has been a popular guest when he attends Whitetails Unlimited events. “T-Bone brings that ‘Brotherhood of the Bone Collector’ attitude to our banquets,” said WTU Ohio Field Director Dennis Malloy. “He fits in perfectly with WTU members. We have some of the best deer hunters in the world, with a long hunting heritage, and having T-Bone with us to share his hunting stories is the perfect way to celebrate the American tradition of deer hunting.”

Schinkten notes that while Whitetails Unlimited and Travis “T-Bone” Turner have finalized an agreement, specific dates, locations, and activities will be announced at a later date.

For more information about Travis “T-Bone” Turner, visit his website at www.TboneOutdoors.com, or the websites of his television shows at www.bonecollector.com, or www.realtree.com. Whitetails Unlimited’s website is www.whitetailsunlimited.com.

Dan Vogt WTU's Field Director of the Year

Dan Vogt has been named as the Whitetails Unlimited Field Director of the Year for the fiscal year 2010-11.

Vogt, who conducts events in Missouri, Louisiana, and Arkansas, was honored based on chapter performance, service to local chapters, and internal performance benchmarks. “Dan always does an outstanding job for Whitetails Unlimited, and that translates to doing an outstanding job for the WTU chapters in his territory,” said Dave Hawkey, vice president of field operations for Whitetails Unlimited.

Vogt grew up in Columbia, Missouri, and now lives in Centralia, Missouri with his wife, Michelle, and their eight-year-old son, Jacob. He is an accomplished deer and turkey hunter, and enjoys spending time at home when not on the road. “I’m very proud to bring this award to the Show Me state,” said Vogt, “but the recognition really belongs to my incredible group of chapters and volunteers, who really deserve all the credit.”

According to Hawkey, Vogt set a new record of 18 points (lower score is better), beating the previous record of 21 set three years ago. Tim Powers of Iowa came in second, and Wisconsin’s Jamie Merckx placed third.

“It’s taken a little over five years for Dan to develop his territory and become WTU’s number one field director,” said WTU’s Executive Director Pete Gerl. “That in itself is an outstanding accomplishment. Dan is a true asset to Whitetails Unlimited.”

Analog Fire

The Long Burn Matches can burn for close
to a minute, on a wooden stick that starts out
 at about 3-3/4 inches long. Photo by Jeff Davis.

Fire.

One of the four classic elemental forces.

Used by humans for untold thousands of years, it is the transformative foundation for nearly everything civilizations have created throughout history. And yet, starting a simple campfire is sometimes a chore that is beyond my skill.

That may change now, after I stumbled across an obvious solution – longer matches.

At about 3.75 inches long, the Long Burn Matches from Industrial Revolution easily reach into a grill or lantern, or under campfire kindling. The long-burn matches will generate flame for 45-60 seconds, depending on conditions. This is four to five times longer than a standard match, and I don’t burn my fingers. Even I can get tinder going in that much time.

Matches were first sold 185 years ago, but the simplicity and utility of the device has changed little. Lighters seem to fail for me on a regular basis, so I now have a box of Long Burn Matches sealed in a heavy-duty Ziploc bag in my car, daypack, tackle box, with my basic hunting gear, and in the garage. In a digital world, don’t overlook the analog solution.

Long Burn Matches are available at outdoor retailers, including Cabela’s, REI, and MEC. The UCO website is www.ucogear.com.