Pike County, Illinois with My Bow!

For three years I have been going to the same deer camp to film for Archer's Choice TV. I swear, every year the trip gets better!

I landed in St. Louis and met up with my friend Katie from Ameristep. We drove to Eagle Lakes Outfitters in Pike County, Illinois. For one week, women from all over the country gather to share camp and bowhunt the legendary whitetails the area is known for.

Once Katie and I arrived at the lodge, we met up with our good friends from Archer’s Choice Media and Eagle Lakes. We got our gear settled and teamed up with ladies for the next day’s hunt. What made this hunt TRULY a ladies hunt was the fact that women were filming women hunt (prior years we would have guys film us). How cool is that?

I paired off with Jen Johnson from Archer’s Choice. Jen and I hunted together for the first half of the trip. We I had several encounters with the local wildlife that included a bird flying in our blind, being chased by a crazy groundhog and occasionaly being puked on by a squirrel. However, we hadn’t had a bow range encounter with a deer yet. Being superstitious, Jen and I went our separate ways and she shot a doe!

One afternoon my guide asked me if I was afraid to climb anything. Some of the women in camp didn’t feel comfortable climbing into stands. I told my guide that I would climb anything (lies, I was really only comfortable with ladders and low hang-ons). I figured he had a honey hole and I didn’t want to wimp out on it!

He took me to a stand that had the screw in pegs and let me tell you…it was WAY up there. Whoever put up the pegs must have been 6 feet taller than me! My camera guy scooted up the tree like a monkey. I was shaking at the bottom not knowing what to do. I took a deep breath started to climb and only focused on where my next step would be. Before I knew it, I was on the platform. I got my Hunter Safety Harness tethered to the tree, and took a breath. I was still shaking, but I was thrilled that I faced my fears and got into that tree. I felt like I was on top of the world.

I got settled in and looked around. I was in timber, and every tree within 30 yards of the stand was TORE UP. I got excited seeing all the rubs on the surrounding trees. My excitement was quickly overcome with boredom, as nothing was moving.

Just as the sun was going down, I heard my friend say, “BUCK.” Instantly my knees went weak. I got a glimpse, a nice 9-point. The next words my friend said broke my heart, “Don’t shoot, he’s a 120, maybe a 125.” We were hunting in an area where you must shoot a 130 or better.

I watched as he stood 25 yards broadside, his head behind a tree. I would have smoked him with my Hoyt! It was hard to watch him walk off, but I need to tell myself he will be even bigger next year! It was so neat to have an encounter with a good buck.

The week went by fast. It is hard to be back in the office. I would love to be back in a treestand and sharing camp with girls from all over the country who share the same passion: bowhunting and whitetails.

Shannon's Canadian Sub-Arctic Bear Hunt

As soon as I booked the flight and got my passport I thought to myself, “Can I really handle this?” A week in the Canadian Sub-Arctic with no running water, limited electricity, tents and a hole in the ground with a piece of plywood as a toilet, I questioned if I was capable of a wilderness hunt.

The months leading up to my Manitoba bear hunt, I practiced with my Vicxen everyday. I simulated countless shooting scenarios as well as mentally prepared myself for the wilderness. I also brushed up on my camera skills, as I would be filming Vicki Cianciarulo of Archer’s Choice TV!

Finally the day arrived and I was in Winnipeg boarding a chartered plane with Vicki, Ralph and Dusty (from the ACM Posse) to the main lodge. The plane banked hard to the right and we got a great view of the gravel runway with a bear crossing it! Shortly after landing, we boarded a float plane to our final destination. Dusty and myself were nervous as we both had never flown on a float plane, it is safe to say we both got over our fear of air turbulence and actually enjoy float planes! About 45 minutes later we landed on Whitmore Lake (google it). Our guides John and Marshall were there with boats to greet us and take us to our camp on an island. We unloaded our gear and got settled into camp.

The next morning we got up and ran bait with the guides. We checked the Stealth Cams to see what bears were hitting the bait and restock the bait if necessary. It was on this morning that I realized I loved bear hunting for the following reasons:

1) You get to sleep in late

2) The bait is perfect for snacking; popcorn and licorice are two of my favorite things

The next few days we saw quality bears, but no shot opportunities. It was exciting since I had never seen a bear in the wild! Vicki taught me how to judge a bear, how to tell the difference between a sow and a boar as well as how to stay composed in the presence of a bear (breathe, no sudden movements, etc.).

I also got to experience the camaraderie of our small camp. All of the laughter around a pot of coffee, the pranks around camp and stories told by the guides of past hunting adventures, I will never forget.

I was also taking a liking to the wilderness hunt. We fished for Walleye for our meals and built fires to keep warm. It was so neat to be camping in such a remote location. I got to see the Northern Lights, a mating pair of artic wolves and see land that no human has ever walked. It was a really humbling experience.

On the fourth day it was Vicki’s turn to hunt. Dusty made two of her lucky peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. It worked for Ralph, he shot an amazing chocolate bear the day Dusty made him a PB&J. We ate our PB&Js as soon as we got settled in. Vicki and I were in hour 8 or 9 of the 11-hour sit when like a ghost, a quality bear appeared. I was excited because if this boar came into the bait, I would have the honor of filming Vicki!

The boar came in and immediately sat behind the bait. We waited and waited. Vicki had that all familiar look of contemplation and I asked her what she was thinking. She turned and said, “Give me the camera.”

Questioning Vicki how I was going to logistically hand her the camera, tripod, headphones, change the second angle camera, get my bow out of the sling, put on my release, take off my quiver and knock an arrow without alerting the bear that is stands 14 yards away. To which she replied, “Slowly and quietly.”

After a few minutes, the camera was in Vicki’s hands and I was standing with my Vicxen, waiting for the perfect opportunity. An hour went by and no shot. I kept reminding myself to stay calm, draw and anchor the same way I practiced, pick a spot on the bear, don’t jerk the trigger and keep my arm up. Finally the bear stood up and gave me a broadside shot.

I watched as my Beman hit the double-lung sweet spot. My bear ran 44 yards from the stand. Every doubt I had about myself and every fear I thought vanished when that bear dropped. Emotions overwhelmed me when I looked at Vicki and whispered, “I did it.”

This was a life-changing hunt. I questioned if I would be capable of living in the wilderness for a week without life’s luxuries, if I would be capable of hunting an animal that could hunt me back and if I would be capable of accepting that if something went wrong, help was a day away. Not only did I learn that I am capable of all of this, but I enjoyed every moment of it. This hunt instilled a newfound confidence inside of me. When I accepted the invitation from Vicki, I had no idea it was going to change my life.

I can’t thank Ralph and Vicki enough for giving me the opportunity to go on this hunt, especially Vicki; that should have been her bear. She is the most giving person I know, and I am grateful to have her as my friend. Also, without the continual support of my coworkers, I wouldn’t be the person that I am today, thank you. I want to thank Dusty for my lucky PB&J and making me laugh time and time again.

Thank you to Ken Gangler for an unforgettable experience in your territory. A big thanks to our guides John and Marshall, who both taught me so much about bear hunting. It is a priceless and solid foundation that I will utilize for the rest of my life.

Canadian Sub-Arctic Hunt - Photo Blog

Photo Blog of Shannon's First Black Bear Hunt

First chartered flight!

The runway at the lodge...it's dirt!!

Dusty films the arrival

Float plane to camp

Home sweet home

Looks like a bomb of equipment went off!

No need to explain

Laundry day

Poor Ralph, wilderness hunt with a bunch of girls!

Vicki fishing for some lunch

Happy guide!

Walleye paradise

Who can resist candy?

Common sight every evening

Sunset at midnight

About as dark as it gets

Yes, it is a Thursday, and we are at work!

Once again, who can resist candy?

Ralph's huge chocolate bear

Dusty's black bear

FIRST black bear!

Massive

Behind the scenes

Happy hunter!

Ladies Bow Hunt with Archer's Choice

October 10-16 I got to spend time in Pike County, Illinois with my good friends from Archer's Choice Media for the 2^nd annual ladies bow hunt at Eagle Lakes Outfitters. What makes this hunt so unique is that women from every corner of the United States and Canada, from all different walks of life come together to share one common interest…bowhunting!

After catching up with everyone it was time to pull out the gear and get ready for the hunt. The temperatures would be in the low 40’s (which is freezing for me), so Tina let me borrow her SHE C4 suit. THANKS TINA! At the end of the hunt it was hard to give the C4 suit back. It kept the wind, water and cold out.

The first morning I was excited to get back in the stand with Zendal (he filmed me last year in Pike). While waiting for the sun to come up, I saw dark figures roaming around my stand; I knew it was going to be a great morning. I glassed a bunch of young deer with my Nikon Monarch X binoculars.

A doe walked into my shooting lane at about 16 yards, I was so pumped to have a shot on the first morning! I drew my bow back and let my Beman ICS fly. I shot too high giving her a haircut and became the first of our group to join the MBBA (Muddy Broadhead Bowhunters Association). Last year I did the same thing to a nice big buck, same stand and shot angle. That stand has now been renamed ‘The Barber Shop.’

My confidence was brought down a notch, but Zendal reminded me that it was only the first day and not to get down on myself. I am so thankful to have Zendal in the stand with me, he has taught me so much in the two seasons I have spent with him.

The week was a tough hunt, the weather changed constantly and the deer did not move. When they did, the wind would swirl and every shooter in Pike County probably got a whiff of me. Tuesday afternoon we went out in a downpour with the wind working against us, but we did have one thing going for us, we were sitting in a persimmon tree (last year I learned from CJ that deer can’t resist it).

Late that afternoon a doe wandered in, Zendal could see her, but a big branch blocked me. She put her nose to the air, she knew something wasn’t right and disappeared into the woods behind us. Once again, my confidence was brought down a notch and the tough hunt was wearing on me.

About an hour later deer were piling into the field in front of us, but they were too far away, they wouldn’t work their way to the tree before dark. It was then from the corner of my eye I saw the doe from earlier to the right of me at about 10 yards. I quietly grabbed my Hoyt Kobalt and drew. I was a shaking mess and asked Zendal to stop her for me. I got so excited that when he did stop her, I simultaneously released my arrow. In the future, I need to learn to be more patient!

I watched her run about 50 yards and drop. It was such a good feeling to see her go down that fast. I called my guide Ronnie and we loaded up my doe and headed back to the lodge before sundown. I had a huge smile on my face that evening.

A big thanks to everyone at ACM and Eagle Lakes, you all are family to me and I can’t wait to hunt with you all again! Thanks to my guide Ronnie who always comes up with the best deer strategies. Thank you Zendal for spending countless hours with me in a tree/blind!

Shannon's Gear List:

Nikon Monarch X Binoculars and Archer's Choice Rangefinder

SHE Outdoor Apparel C4 Suit

Hoyt Kobalt 27.5 @ 49 pounds

Beman ICS Hunter Arrows

New Archery Products HellRazor Broadheads