Outback Outdoors

Colorado Mt Lion Update – Final Day

Trev — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:36:42 +0000

Colorado mountain lion hunting in the high country is breath taking and humbling. First in the sheer beauty of the country they prowl in, but second reason it is breath taking is because OF the nasty rugged high country they call home. As the mt. lion helps to maintain the natural balance of the ecosystem (which I learned from Adam the importance of that balance and how predators have a place in that) I feel as they these awesome killing machines help me to remember my place in it to.

I sit at my laptop typing this update feeling as if I just was hit by a truck. Yet I smile as I look back at the incredibly rugged mountains that in the last 3 days we were ALL over (Easy to be fond of them now as I take a sip of my coffee and adjust the back tension of my office chair).

The last day was by far the most physically demanding. We started at the bottom of a huge hogback and once again, having not been able to cut a track, “took a walk.” The elevation gain wasn’t too bad, maybe 2,000-2,200′ but the snow on the north and west slopes was brutal. We knew we had weather coming so this was going to be our last hurrah.

We climbed and climbed and sometimes could only go 4 to 5 steps in waist deep snow, then we would hit a rock bluff where we literally “rock climbed” up the faces of the red sandstone bluffs. If Nick, the dog handler, made it up he would toss down a rope making it much easier to traverse such sheer cliffs. May times the “pucker factor” was quite high and then we would make it to a south facing ridge where we could climb unimpeded by the deep snow.

We did cut 2 bobcat tracks and were lucky enough to pull the dogs off quickly so we didn’t loose a ton of time chasing them down. At about 1:45pm (we started a 8:30am) we had hit the top and made a big loop where we had hoped we would jump a lion laid up in the bluffs of those sunny south slopes. At that point the storm moved in, the wind picked up, and the snow started falling. I think it was at that point that we knew we had been out foxed by a master hunter, the mountain lion.

I can honestly say that this was not the funnest hunt I have ever been on, the company was GREAT, the dogs worked beautifully, but the intense physicality of this year’s lion hunt opened our (Adam and I) eyes to the fact that we should and could have been better prepared physically…. Altogether it was a great HUNT and although we didn’t kill it is one that will help motivate me the whole year… especially in the off season. Oh and next year we are going in late January or early February not the first part of muddy March! BRING ON THE THUNDER CHICKENS!!

Question…. Normally we don’t show footage from this unless we kill or have an exciting encounter, would you like to see this experience and the thrill of the hunt ? Email me and let me know if this “experience” is something you would find entertaining and educational! trevon@outbackoutdoors.net

Colorado Mt Lion Update – Day 2

Trev — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 02:13:10 +0000

Today was another rough one, and unfortunately NO lion tracks… if Bobcat season hadn’t closed 4 days ago we would be in the money!

We didn’t cut any tracks on the snowmobile, so we “took another walk” with the dogs. Honestly it wasn’t near as rough as yesterday (Partly because I took my pack from 40 -20lbs and partly because we didn’t have to climb up through such a steep north facing canyon) we hit a lot more south facing slopes hoping to jump a lion “kicking it” in the sun.

Tomorrow we are going to hit it hard again, but will working some REALLY rough country. We are going to work up and over a hogback ridge that holds a lot of lions but it is pretty rugged. Conditions are really tough as we have DEEP (knee to waist) snow in some areas and then on the southern slopes it is turning muddy. We will have to luck into a fresh track tomorrow under those muddy conditions, but it will be SUPER fresh!

Wish us luck and hopefully tomorrow we tree a huge cat and can finish what we started! Here are a few more pics from today…

Colorado Mountain Lion Hunt

Trev — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:24:37 +0000

Colorado Mountain Lion hunting is one of the most rewarding and (to be honest) the most physically demanding bowhunts an archery hunter can do. Well, at least the way we at Outback Outdoors do it. We feel, as I have stated many times before, the hunt is not the shot but rather the hounds working the scent and the trail.

Today we probably went 6-7 miles in somewhat adverse conditions (3-4 foot of snow and mud) and NEVER turned up a track. Many hunting shows will never show that, but rather showcase the dogs being turned onto a hot track and the the next thing you know they are shooting a cat out of the tree. But to us at OO that is not the hunt.

Don’t get me wrong our way is not the “easy” way… showing the “casting” of the dogs over a 4-5 mile canyon deeply embedded in snow is extremely rough, but it is the REAL hunt! Today we turned no track but tomorrow, hopefully, will be better. I am “trashed” so I am going to bed, but until tomorrow good night, and remember there is only one Outback Outdoors!!

Mt Lion Hunt Begins

Trev — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:33:24 +0000

Adam and I are teaming up for a high country Colorado Mt Lion hunt. We have great conditions, as I got in last night, and I had to stop in Rifle CO and pick up a few NY style pies before I headed up to the ranch to meet Adam.

We got a few inches of snow last night and we are heading out to meet Andy Julius and his hounds and try and find a big tom track. Looking forward to a great hunt… I will keep you all posted

Deer Hunting – Probably the Least of What Team Outback Outdoors Does

Trev — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:46:43 +0000

Deer Hunting, specifically whitetail deer, is the most popular big game to hunt and probably the most watched when it comes to hunting entertainment. Looking at team OO’s schedule, it is probably what we do the least…… Not that we don’t love it, but with the four of us having so many different hunting opportunities, it has just worked out that way and the hunt I will be going on this weekend is no different.

I will jump in the truck and head to meet Adam this afternoon to chase some lions in the high country of Colorado. If you are a faithful Outback Outdoors viewer than you have probably watched last year’s lion hunt where we documented a tough hunt and then let a female go. You can still view that on the OO website, scroll down to webisode 2 on the main viewing page.

Last year we got great footage and to be honest, it was quite a challenge keeping up with the hounds but we are about t do it all over again! I will keep everyone posted on our progress as tracking conditions are perfect with some fresh snow on the ground.

Trev – Team Outback Outdoors

Important Wolf Update – It Now Affects Your Life!!

Jim — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:55:43 +0000

I was invited by my local archery shop here in Montana to attend a meeting put on by several sportsman’s groups which were going to discuss a hot topic out West. It had to do with Canis Lupus or as we know them by their common name, the Canadian Gray Wolf.
I figured it would be the typical meeting of grouchy hunters complaining about how the wolf has decimated our elk and deer populations in places out West. I was very suprized to learn that the Wolf is carrying a life threatening parasite which has been proven to be the sole reason for the death of animals but more importantly now humans. This is the real deal and even the CDC, Center for Disease Control has been in a panic over the recent findings.
The parasite is carried in the scat of the Gray Wolf and is an airborne disease. This means anytime that the scat is disturbed and then inhaled it is contracted by the animal or person breathing it. This goes way beyond hunters. This will affect everyone from hikers, bikers, horse back riders, photographers and anyone who comes to the West to enjoy the great outdoors. Anyone who is in close proximity to where the wolf lives could be affected.

I urge everyone to go to www.saveelk.com and read the actual facts related to this important topic. You will be shocked to see how our government disregarded pleas from wolf experts about the re-introduction of this animal. Please feel free to comment back to us here and let us know what you think. Again you do not have to be a hunter to be interested in this topic.

Jim Brennan – Team Outback Outdoors

On The Road

Ryan — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 18:00:01 +0000

Well I know Trev has kept you all updated a bit, with my lack of internet while in Mexico. I flew back home last night and wanted to share with you a couple pics and my thoughts from the trip. It is possible that this was the most fun Ive ever had on a hunting trip. I cant thank Keith Rand, of Last Frontier Outfitters and the Sales and Marketing Director for Pigman, The Series, enough. His generosity was what made this trip so special. Kyle Weiter, host of Lone Wolf’s Adrenaline Junkies on the Sportsman Channel, and I met up with Keith and the Pigman himself in Old Mexico and as soon as we arrived the fun was on! We saw so much game, Kyle and I each scoring on a number of Javelinas by both stand hunting and spot and stalk.

I was having some bow tuning issues that ended up costing me a great Pope and Young Whitetail but Kyle more than made up for it with his shooting prowess! That boy can shoot!! We helped Keith out with a little herd management by taking three does as well. When a man says we have too many does can you help me out? Kyle and I will answer YES SIR! All in all we had a blast, ate good, made some new friends and laid down some entertaining footage.

Look for it on a future OO webisode as well as Kyle’s and Pigman’s show. Hopefully Kyle and I will return to Mexico next winter for some more fun. The plan is for Pigman and I to hunt Illinois Whitetails with Kyle this fall and for them to hunt Montana Antelope with me. Cross promotion with other good shows and creative like minded people has always been important to me and I think I found a great fit.

Lone Wolf’s Adrenaline Junkies – getting it done in Mexico

Trev — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:46:16 +0000

Just got another update from Rocket Ryan down in old Mexico and he seems to be having the time of his life. Game animals (Javelina and Whitetail deer) are plentiful and he and Kyle Wieter from Adrenaline Outdoors TV show have gained the nick name “Lone Wolf’s Adrenaline Junkie” as both Adrenaline Outdoors and Outback Outdoors are sponsored by Lone Wolf Treestands. Honestly I can’t say it any better than he did in an email this morning…. “I have killed two Javelinas spot and stalk western style and Kyle has aced two out of the blind this morning. Having a crap load of fun!”

They are hunting in Mexico with Brian Pigman Quaca of “Pigman the Series” TV show and having way too much fun!! Stay tuned for more updates.

Rocket Ryan Scores in Old Mexico

Trev — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 05:19:39 +0000

Rocket Ryan is down in old Mexico with Kyle Wieter of “Adrenaline Outdoors” TV Show and “The Pigman” a new TV show gaining rapid popularity. I got an email today that he connected on a Javelina with his Hoyt bow and he sent me a quick pic from his cel phone. Make sure to follow the action on Facebook (Ryan Litwin) and see if he can knock down some more Javelinas and maybe score on a great Whitetail buck!

Bowhunting Gear – Chase away the winter blues by testing out new hunting gear

Trev — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:23:53 +0000

Bowhunting gear, for me at least, is one of the best ways to chase away the winter blues. No I am not talking about going on a spending frenzy that I will feel guilty for later, but rather hanging out at the local bowshop, shooting some indoor and outdoor (weather permitting) 3D shoots and exchanging notes on what’s new in the archery world. With turkey season just around the corner it keeps me pumped and sharp as I check out some of the new gear that we at Outback Outdoors will be using this season. Here are a few that stand out…

Hoyt’s new Maxxis 32 bow

Black Gold’s Ascent bow sight

HECS 6th Sense Apparel – You have to check out the website to truly understand how revolutionary this product is – http://www.hecsllc.com

Ripcord’s CodeRed Drop Away Rest

Under Armour’s new Ridge Reaper Outerwear – great video overview – http://www.outdoorlife.com/videos/outdoorlife/gear/hunting/2010/01/shot-show-under-armour

Nikon’s new Rangefinder that adjusts it’s display to an LED (bright red yardage numbers) if the back ground is darker and normal (black yardage numbers) if the background is lighter. – http://www.nikonhunting.com/rangefinders-archers-choice.html