Pro Staff / Instructor Spotlight: We asked Suzetta Wise 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. Suzetta lives in Oklahoma and is an avid archer and hunter.
If you could only hunt in one season which one would it be?
Choosing one season is a very difficult task… I enjoy hunting season to season. I guess if I had to choose only one, I would choose hunting whitetail in the fall.
What’s your favorite location to hunt?
Living on one hundred acres in the hills of Eastern Oklahoma, I have been very blessed with the option to walk out of my front or back door and be in a tree stand in just a matter of minutes. So, hunting at ‘home’ has always been my favorite location.
Who introduced you to hunting?
Growing up, I was surrounded by a family who lived to hunt and hunted to live. I have to admit, growing up and hunting wasn’t always what my granny wanted to me do but I absolutely loved being in the woods with my grandpa, uncle, and Daddy. I always wanted to see and pet every harvest at ‘hunting camp’. (For the longest time, ‘camp’ was at our cattle corral.)
What do you hunt for?
Dinner and lunch. I primarily hunt small game, wild turkey, and whitetail. I occasionally hunt migratory birds when the opportunity arises.
What hunting skill would you like to master?
Harvesting a mature tom turkey with my compound bow on a self-guided, no blind hunt is at the top of my list! I set this goal a few years ago and plan to have a full body mount when it happens.
What’s your biggest hunting challenge?
As stated previously, it is definitely harvesting a mature tom turkey with my compound bow with no blind and self-guided.
What would be the most amazing hunting adventure that is still on your bucket list?
I would love to hunt elk or even a moose preferably with my bow but would use a rifle if the opportunity provides itself. (I just really want to mount an elk or moose above my fireplace!)
What hunting skill do you wish you knew more about?
I would love to learn to call more animals by mouth, using no call. I would also like to improve my recurve shooting skills.
What’s the hardest hunting lesson you’ve learned?
Patience. Sometimes, letting an animal walk because it wasn’t the most ethical shot has been the most difficult task. Also, all of the “would’ve beens, could’ve beens, and should’ve beens” absolutely haunt me.
If hunting was no longer an option for you what would you do with your time?
Oh my gosh, I have no idea. It’s not really an option. I would need to see a doctor for depression! Hunting is my passion but it really is my family’s way of life. I literally think about hunting or shooting every day of my life.
What could you give a 40-minute presentation on with absolutely no preparation?
I feel very confident with giving a presentation over the basics of hunting or archery. I really think the problem would be staying within the 40-minutes because there is just so much I have to say about hunting and shooting!
How many pairs of hunting boots do you own?
I actually own 5 pairs of hunting boots and one pair of waders – those count, right? But I actually am looking at buying another pair of boots before spring turkey season.
What style of hunting are you most passionate about?
ARCHERY!!!! Hands-down.
NON – HUNTING RELATED
What do you like most about the SLG shooting trailer?
EVERYTHING! I LOVE the trailer, every aspect of it. I love that women can step into the trailer and receive one-on-one instruction with women instructors who exhibit amazing passion for shooting sports. I also love seeing the women shoot a bow for the first time and exhibiting a WOW expression when they release an arrow.
If you didn’t have to sleep, what would you do with the extra time?
I would LIVE more --- jumping on whatever adventure presents itself! I would visit family more, shoot my bow more, ride my horses around my farm, and I would take my hunting buddy/dog, Hoyt, on more adventures.
What hobby would you get into if time and money weren’t an issue?
I would rig up a boat for bowfishing or I would get into competitive horseback shooting sports (firearms and archery).
What non hunting related skill would you like to master?
I would love to write children’s books – specifically, The Adventures of Hoyt. (Which is actually kind of hunting related…)
What non hunting related .. do you wish you knew more about?
Writing and publishing books is an area I have always wanted to know more about.
What are you interested in that most people haven’t heard of?
Horseback archery competitions
What’s the farthest you’ve ever been from home?
I’m pretty sure Niagara Falls (US side) is the farthest I’ve ever been from home.
Where do you usually go when you when you have time off?
I can always be found outdoors doing just about anything really! I just love to be outside – hiking, mountain biking, riding horses, shooting my bow, gathering wild foods, fishing, kayaking, or any other adventure I can get myself into!
Who inspires you to be better?
Honestly, being a school teacher, I try my hardest to always be a positive role model for my students. I often think about how my student’s and of course, my family would view me and my choices. That drives me to strive to be a better person.
What are three interesting facts about you?
1.
I am a national board certified elementary teacher.
2.
I love knowledge and love to learn. I constantly am thinking and asking questions about most things I encounter.
3.
In most situations, my mind spins in numerous directions thinking about ‘What if’ scenarios. (Survival – MacGyver style thoughts)
What is your biggest fear?
I would have to say that I have a fear of not leaving a positive legacy behind. I want to be remembered for good and encouraging memories.
If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Crawfish etouffee or chocolate gravy, either one.
List two pet peeves
I cannot stand when people lie or steal. Also, I wish everyone would use their blinkers more often. (Drives me nuts!)
Which of the five senses would you say is your strongest?
Taste – probably because it is my favorite! Sadly, eating good, flavorful food really excites me – like a happy dance kind of excitement.
One thing that not a lot of people know you love to do?
I love to catch small lizards and frogs around my house – just to play with them for a short time and then I release them. I will also stop to move turtles across the road if it is safe to do so.
Mountains or Beach?
Mountains
Anything else you would like to add?
I love life. I just prefer to be happy and do not like to feel the other emotions, even though they come from time to time.
