Friday, October 27, 2017

PRO STAFF / INSTRUCTOR SPOTLIGHT: Learn More About Archery Instructor Amy Crooks

Pro Staff / Instructor Spotlight:  We asked Amy Crooks a few fun questions. Pro Staff / Instructor Spotlight is designed to help you get to know our awesome team of Pro Staff / Instructors a little better. Amy lives in Wisconsin and is an avid archer and hunter.


If you could only hunt in one season which one would it be?
That’s tough!  But probably bear

What’s your favorite location to hunt?
Canada; it’s so peaceful, you can drive for miles and only see the wilderness

Who introduced you to hunting?
Both of my parents; but pretty much everyone I grew up around was involved in hunting of some sort.

What do you hunt for?
Bear, whitetail deer, turkey

What hunting skill would you like to master?
Probably spot and stalk style hunting, with my bow.  I haven’t been super great at being super sneaky, I primarily hunt from tree stands or ground blinds.

What’s your biggest hunting challenge?
Hunting in the cold.  I am always cold anyway and WI weather is so unpredictable. But it still doesn’t keep me out of the woods.

What would be the most amazing hunting adventure that is still on your bucket list?
There are so many!  Caribou, brown bear, moose, elk, alligator

What hunting skill do you wish you knew more about?
Traditional archery.  My husband has really gotten into this over the past year.  It has been really fun watching him, I would love to join him in this.

What’s the hardest hunting lesson you’ve learned?
Probably just the act of seizing opportunities.  I have definitely learned while bow hunting that you can’t wait for that perfect shot/the animal to stop, before getting drawn and ready, you need to anticipate and prepare yourself.

If hunting was no longer an option for you what would you do with your time?
Scrapbooking, photography, or a mixture of both.  Or reading

What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Bear hunting

How many pairs of hunting boots do you own?
3

What style of hunting are you most passionate about?
Archery

NON – HUNTING RELATED

What do you like most about the SLG shooting trailer?
I love everything about the trailer, and of course the archery area is my favorite.  But in general I love how comfortable and non-intimidating atmosphere.  I love seeing the ladies faces light up, and the big smile on their face when they shoot a bow for the very first time.  Seeing their immediate confidence that they can do it is so awesome!

If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Travel – anything outdoors really

What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?
Gardening (I really don’t have a green thumb)
Traveling

What non hunting related skill would you like to master?
Gardening (I really don’t have a green thumb)

What non-hunting related. . , do you wish you knew more about?
Home remodeling projects

What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home?
Hawaii

Where do you usually go when you when you have time off?
To our cabin in northern WI, it is so quiet and peaceful up there

Who inspires you to be better?
My boys; the perspective through the eyes of a child are so pure and awesome!

What are three interesting facts about you?
I have been a nurse for the past 10 ½ years - I am passionate about caring for patients with dementia; I don’t like to swim in lakes where I can’t see through the water; I like to bake

What is your biggest fear?
Spiders

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That’s tough because I love all food; but probably salads
List two pet peeves

Not using your manners (please, thank you, chewing with your mouth open); dragging your feet while you’re walking

Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
Hearing (although my husband would probably disagree)

One thing that not a lot of people know you love to do?
I love turning up the radio in my car and singing (when I’m alone, or with my kids)

Mountains or Beach?
Definitely mountains; however I do enjoy a good clean beach now and then

Anything else you would like to add?
I love that my husband and I are able to share our passion for hunting together and now we both get to involve our boys.  It’s fun exploring the outdoors together as a family.


Friday, October 13, 2017

PRO STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Learn more about Archery Instructor/ Pro Staff Member April Mack

For our first Pro Staff / Instructor Spotlight, we asked April Mack a few fun questions. Pro Staff / Instructor Spotlight is designed to help you get to know our awesome team of Pro Staff / Instructors a little better. April lives in Oregon and is an avid archer and hunter.



If you could only hunt in one season which one would it be?
That’s not a fair question… but archery elk

What’s your favorite location to hunt? East side of Oregon. It’s not only my favorite place to hunt, but I would live there in a second!

Who introduced you to hunting? My husband almost 30-years ago. He started me off with archery for deer, then after we had kids I went with rifle.  After shooting a hole in the pavement I went back to archery. 

What do you hunt for?
Elk, deer, bear, cougar, turkey, upland and water fowl, coyotes, squirrel,

What hunting skill would you like to master?  
Bear hunting, knowing their behaviors, feeding and travel patterns and habits.

What’s your biggest hunting challenge?
Patience, I do not do very well with sitting and strategizing. I like to constantly be on the move.

What would be the most amazing hunting adventure that is still on your bucket list? Hunting in Alaska- Bear, Caribou, Moose, all archery with Salmon fishing in between!!!

What hunting skill do you wish you knew more about?
Muzzle Loader, I have never done it and know nothing about it, other than the basics I teach for hunter Ed.  Long range rifle shooting is intriguing but I would probably not hunt that way.

What’s the hardest hunting lesson you’ve learned?
Never become complacent when you’re tired or frustrated, that’s when opportunities get blown.

If hunting was no longer an option for you what would you do with your time?
I would hike. A lot!! Maybe take up photography…

What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
Turkey, elk & blacktail hunting, shot gun instruction, hunting with bird dogs – upland and waterfowl, how to skin and process an animal, archery

How many pairs of hunting boots do you own? 1- Lightweight summer hiking boot and 1-pair of rubber boots.

 What style of hunting are you most passionate about?
Archery - Spot and stalk… calling (elk and turkeys).  Getting up close to your game.

NON – HUNTING RELATED

What do you like most about the SLG shooting trailer?
Archery of course!! ;) I love the fact that ladies can come into the trailer and experience different venues of shooting, under a very controlled environment.  SLG instructors are very knowledgeable about the equipment available and we all have the passion for teaching others to get into the sport.  Whether it be for hunting, competition, self-defense, or a new hobby.  Ladies can take their time, ask questions and learn. It is the best experience to share with ladies when they have that “ah-ha” moment and seeing the confidence they gain. I think it is the overall atmosphere.

If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
Read

What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?
Cooking meals like Gordon Ramsey and learning foreign languages

What non-hunting related skill would you like to master?
Rock Climbing

What non-hunting related .. do you wish you knew more about?
Carpentry

What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home?
Florida

Where do you usually go when you when you have time off?
East side of the state (usually for hunting)

Who inspires you to be better?
My Christian Sisters!

What are three interesting facts about you?
I want to become a pilot, I once trained to fight in an MMA match, and I won’t swim unless the water is 70 or more.

What is your biggest fear?
Ants. Yes.


If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Cracker Barrel Macaroni and Cheese with bacon.

List two pet peeves
Overthinking things and lack of common courtesy

Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
Hearing

One thing that not a lot of people know you love to do?
I love to work out

Mountains or Beach?
Mountains most definitely!!! I do not like the beach.

Anything else you would like to add?
I love mentoring new hunters.  Teaching new hunters the ins and outs and tips to being successful. Last year I took a young lady out and helped her to harvest not only her first buck but her first bow kill!  That hunting experience was as memorable to me as it was to her.