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.

The Nose Knows

The Nose Knows

Deer use their noses for a number of tasks, and protecting themselves from predators, including humans, is the primary task. Running an important second is finding a mate. If you can control and reduce your human scent you will be a more successful hunter. If you can learn how to present odors that are attractive to deer, you will be on the road to those trophy bucks. Our friends at Wildlife Research have a DVD available with solid information on both human and seer odors, called Scent Secrets. This is a preview, visit www.wildlife.com for more details.

It’s In The Air

Deer constantly check the air for danger, and they are fast to respond if they find anything they think is a threat. If you control your human scent, you can be a more effective hunter. It is almost impossible to completely eliminate your scent, but if you can reduce your smell to a small amount, the animal will not be alarmed, because it will think you are either far away or long gone.

First Time Is The Charm

The first time you hunt on a stand is often the most effective, and one reason is that human odor molecules can build up around a stand, and increase every time it is used. In addition, your walk to and from the stand can contaminate the trail, alerting deer to your presence. Your boots, pants, and body parts brushing against foliage can leave human scent as you walk through the woods. The more often you are in one area the more likely it is that the deer will detect your odor.

Keep It Clean

Wash all of your hunting clothing (not just your coat and pants) with a detergent designed to leave no human scent. Then store and transport your hunting clothing in a clean, airtight container or plastic bag. Hang clothing outside, away from car exhaust, camp fires or barbeque grills. When you shower before hunting, use scent-free soap and shampoo designed for hunters, and use a washcloth and towel washed in scent-free detergent. Don’t use your normal shave cream, deodorant or aftershave; there are deodorants designed for hunters and you really don’t need to shave.

Keep Looking, And Sniffing

Use an anti-scent spray on all your clothing (gloves, hat and boots, too), and avoid tobacco smoke and food odors. Start looking at everything as a potential odor problem, and the nuttier you are about cutting odor the greater your chance for success. How about your watch, glasses or wallet, and what did you step in with those boots in the last few months?

What Kind Should You Choose

There are several types of scents, and deer respond to them differently:
Territorial or Challenge type scent – urine, or a scent from the same animal that you are hunting, which will be seen as a challenge to a resident buck
Hunger scent or food scent  – use early or late in the season, and for does during the rut
Curiosity scent – other scents that deer find interesting, most effective early in the season, or anytime for does
Sex-type scents – most effective for bucks, two weeks before rut to end of season.

Drip, Drip, Drip

The method of dispensing scent can improve success. There is a wide variety of wicks, drippers, foams, and solid scent dispensers. Scrape drippers can be set up to drip only during specific parts of the day, day, forcing bucks to visit during daylight.

Cover It Up

Cover scents imitate plants, food, urine of other animals, or earth. Their smell is fairly strong, but not offensive to deer. Red fox urine, coon urine, or plant extracts, like pine or cedar, work well.

Scrapes

Hunt over natural scrapes that you locate, or create mock scrapes. When creating mock scrapes, use a stick from that area, rather than scraping with your feet. Your boots can impart odor to the earth that deer can easily detect.

Read The Instructions

There are many scent and scent elimination products on the market, and they all have instructions on how to use their products. Wildlife research has a DVD available with solid information on both human and seer odors, called Scent Secrets. Visit www.wildlife.com for more details.