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Gates of Forever Roost- Traditions & Passings
as promised…
From: “Grand Days in the Turkey Woods”
Gates of Forever Roost- Traditions & Passings
While back at my office this afternoon working on building a successful technology company, I sometimes get a few moments to ponder things not so tech related. Setting up a computer or crunching design rule checks on a sensor or pcb layout, there are periods of waiting for the computer to do the tasks that it does best.
The morning routine today which happens to be mid-war spring turkey season was a bit different. With the big storm that blew in last night, and out early morning I got to enjoy three luxurious hours of extra sleep. With no success the prior evening in roosting gobblers, I would opt to start the hunt mid-morning, and hoped that the later arrival in the turkey woods would coincide with the birds coming around and shaking off a bad night. Of course, I was counting on them to start gobbling in earnest.
I would hook up with my long time hunting partner, Paul Walling. You find his name here within these pages often, and as you may recall in each of the books I have published to date. Having let the foul weather pass, we would now go about the business of filling another New York spring season tag. We got in the woods before nine o’clock and the day had blossomed into a beautiful sunny day. As always we would chat about many things including recent events and what might be chewing at the back of our minds from time to time.
Several weeks earlier:
2014 proves to be a challenging year in many ways. The start of New York spring turkey season would support that thought in earnest.
In any typical season in the Joyner household, whether it be opening of deer season, fall turkey or especially spring turkey it is normal and expected that I enjoy the opener with my beautiful bride of fourteen years; Lee Joyner. Most years, most seasons it is a couples date for us.
For the past few years Lee’s mother (affectionately known as my mother in-law) had been battling cancer. Having beat it twice before, she was once again in a fight of and for her life. Lee’s father, Leroy Harrison, whom I have wrote about in a prior blog passed away just before PA deer season in 2008.
In all honesty we all felt she would soon follow as they had been married nearly fifty years and did everything together. She was shy, her personality low key. Despite this she put up the fight of a champion and all for her love of family. Much stronger than I would have thought, much stronger than I would myself imagine being. Round three with cancer would be her final fight and she passed on April 29th. As many of you have witnessed heroic and well fought wars with cancer, so have I, and hers was impressive in her effort and will to live. Mother in-laws are typically the subject of much humor, but as mine she was a great one, much like my father in-law was. They will both be remembered often and sorely missed.
Lee headed down the following day, and I would follow several days later. The New York opener would start as a solo act. To be truthful, I found the turkey woods to be soothing as they always do spending time in God’s creations. Just as truthful, I loathed not spending it with my wife. Never heard a bird gobbled that morning and the highlight was bumping five hens off the roost, no suitor nearby. Even hooking up with Paul Walling later that morning I felt uneasy, and it detracted from enjoying it as I would normally. As much as I love my time in the woods, I was not at peace there during this difficult time. The afternoon was spent clearing my plate of business matters before leaving for an extended weekend to attend the funeral.
Today we lay to rest Susanne Harrison, she no longer is in pain, and in our faith we believe she is in a better place.
I would return to the turkey woods soon and my thoughts of both of my in-laws will be prominent in my thoughts. For my wife it is a passing of a generation and the baton is passed on to her and her siblings. The yearly tradition is altered for this year but will go on, and no doubt the memories of our loved ones will occupy our thoughts while resting up against a majestic maple or the aptly named monarch in a set of woods. For us, we have a twisted old tree we call the turkey tree. You’ll find us there from time to time and hopefully in spirit when we too come to pass.
R.I.P. Susanne Harrison
Back to the turkey woods:
This would be much of what was on my mind as I met up with Paul a week later.
With my recent loss of my mother in-law in her battle with cancer, the conversation would be part of a slow progress along a big ridge. We would talk about who would handle our affairs when our time came, what was important to pass on, and to whom. I would jokingly remark (in ways maybe more serious) that I would look out for him and his affairs but I would be teed off if he didn’t send at least another hundred gobblers to the “Gates of Forever Roost” before heading off to his own special place. Yes, even as mighty hunters we are painfully aware of our own fragile nature and mortality. That may come as a surprise to those who view us in a negative light for our love and passion of hunting.
Although involved in a deep and serious discussion, we did not ignore the task at hand. Our hunt would be deliberate and patient. Given that the birds were not committing to the calls, the gobbles seemed to be even further away than they may have been. Despite that we still knew that it could change in a few very short minutes. I have recounted several stories over the years of hunts that started and ended in less than a few minutes. Our progress out along the ridge would be no faster than a hen contently feeding along a roadway…
In our quest each season, and as much as we love our great pastime, in practical terms, it’s about harvesting gobblers. From the bird’s point of view, it is not likely to be a favorable one. It is, however, our personal bond with the natural world that we come to appreciate it the way we do and understand in a very deep and emotional way the cycle of things such as life and death. It is a perspective not gained by way of conveniences that we enjoy in modern society.
One can and should be self-aware, close to their human existence. We share experiences that make us lifelong friends and companions participating in any number of favorite pastimes or activities. I would not claim what we so love to do is better. For many of us, it is. I would submit to you, that despite the over the top marketing of hunting products, our sport of turkey hunting is not one of blood lust, or testosterone filled fantasies. It is in many ways closer to nature, and akin to the creations around us.
As an outdoor writer I strive to bring my experiences of the turkey woods to print in such a way that you may see, empathize, and possibly even experience it as I do. I will flatly claim that I barely manage to bring a fraction of all the things I observe of my time in the turkey woods. In my quest to convey what I so love about turkey hunting, I can sometimes put you in the tree next to me, or at least cause you to remember a similar experience. In that, I am sometimes successful, and will continue to hone my craft.
…Paul and I would continue our way along the ridge and stop occasionally to see if those “over in the next county” gobbles might grow feet and come our way. Our conversation would continue as we worked the same ridge back which is another favorite way we have found to call up birds to the gun. Our hunt back to the truck was just as slow, and deliberate, the conversation just as priceless. Those conversations with Paul, whom I have come to know and respect over the many years, are beyond description and something I hold in high regard. We would return back to the truck without carrying the extra weight of a defeated gobbler. That would matter little to either of us.
Today’s hunt was as relaxing as any meditation or yoga class one might take, and was as peaceful as my soul required today. We would hear gobbling until almost noon, but they had plans other than granting ours. It was a morning of great friendship, great discussion of most serious matters, and as good a hunt that I had in recent memory.
I wish all of you to have days in the great turkey woods like the one I had today.
© 2015 Joyner Outdoor Media
Outdoor Writers-The Power, Reach of Our Voices, the Words We Write
I received a personal email from one of my readers about a week ago. I am just now bringing myself around to writing about this. The subject matter, what I wrote in my latest book, and my involuntary response was very emotional. It is much so that it is difficult to talk about it out loud. Before I dive in, and divulge the content of the email in my usual style I would like to layout out the pretext, the precepts should you agree and accept them as my deeply honest perspective.
- I am not schooled in the literary arts. Like other things I seem to do, I prefer seat of the pants method, out of necessity to catapult my way into doing whatever I set out to do.
- I can butcher the spelling and pronunciation of nearly all the words found in a modern dictionary. Not to mention I routinely violate rules of proper grammar and modern writing.
- It is not probable that I be nominated for book awards,grand literary award, or find my titles in the NY times best seller list
- I write books to capture my experiences, my thoughts and to revisit them as I age and my memory becomes less than ideal
As a member of the outdoor writer community I enjoy and share with my fellow writers the ability to easily connect with my followers who also spend time in the turkey woods as I do. It is not terribly hard to find common ground and to paint a vivid picture of our time there while chasing narly old gobblers. In my most recent book “Grand Days in the Turkey Woods,” and near the end of the book I wrote a chapter titled “Gates of Forever Roost- Traditions & Passings.” This was a collection of several interconnected stories involving the passing of my mother in-law Susanne Harrision, her several battles with cancer, her heroic fight, opening day traditions, and a very reflective, and very personal hunt. I felt that it would not be possible to do justice to my memory of that period in time unless I included those emotions, and the depth of experiences that came from it. It was in keeping with how I wrote the other chapters. I felt it made sense, and made for an accurate and introspective capture of that particular spring season. If anything I felt that those who read that particular chapter might gain a little more insight of all those involved, maybe reminisce about their loved ones that have passed. I never consider it may reach further and impact some one in a positive and profound way.
My reader (I’ll not disclose his name to respect his privacy) sent me a note that he had been reading my book while undergoing treatment at the Mayo Clinic. Yes, he is fighting his own battle for survival. He went on to say that the story inspired him to the point he needed to get out there this spring season, fight his way through it,and make a go of it. I don’t know the exact details, but he would have to switch and shoot off hand, and go later in the morning, as he has difficulty first thing when he wakes up. When I got this, I could not verbalize this to my wife, and instead had her read it. This was overwhelming to learn of this, and a humbling experience. I replied saying this and a bit more.
Yesterday I got another email from him, and he did just what he said he would do, even with the season starting off as a windy, rainy one.He felt that my mother in-law’s divine intervention through inspiration resulted in him toting out a monstrous old gobbler with ivory 1-1/2′” hooks. Made me kinda hope that some of that might rub off on me… It is our time in the great turkey woods that we so love. Toting out a gobbler is a welcomed result, but it is the time spent there that we cherish. In this case he would enjoy both.
My focus in my writings has been to put you at the tree next to me while chasing gobblers, to paint the picture as I see it, and hopefully have you the reader enjoy it as I experienced it. To have anything I publish as an author to do another person some good by way of inspiration, renewed perspective, warms my heart in many ways, leaving me feeling very humbled, very blessed. I will make the chapter available to my fans and those that follow my writings. As soon as a I get a night to get at it, I will make that chapter available on the book’s website. I will republish it here on the blog momentarily. It is my hope that it may be inspiring to others as it did for my new friend.
an old Celtic blessing to part with….
“May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face; the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
© 2015 Joyner Outdoor Media
Press Release: Wild Turkey Hunting Seminar, Youth Calling Contest @ Groton High School Auditorium April 17th, 7:00 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 15, 2015
Wild Turkey Hunting Seminar, Youth Calling Contest @ Groton High School Auditorium April 17th, 7:00 PM
Cortland, NEW YORK – Joyner Outdoor Media announces a wild turkey spring hunting seminar, and youth calling contest to benefit Groton High School Base Ball Program
A wild turkey event is scheduled for Friday evening, April 17th. 7:00 PM at the Groton High School Auditorium, located at: 400 Peru Rd, Groton, NY 13073. The seminar “Turkey Hunting-Advancing Your Hunting Experience” will be presented by: Mike Joyner, and Paul Walling. Mike is a Past NWTF NYS Chapter President, former national Pro-staff for Hevi-Shot, outdoor writer/author of three turkey hunting story books, as well as three current works in progress. Paul is a turkey call maker, and also an author of the scheduled 2015 book release: Father & Son- A Life’s Journey Together in the Turkey Woods. Both Mike and Paul are well seasoned turkey hunters that will share their experiences and lessons learned in the great turkey woods during the seminar. The seminar will be followed by a youth wild turkey calling contest. There will be a 12-15 youth division, and a 16-18 youth old division. Trophies to be awarded in each division. Calls required to performed at the contest TBA
Pre-sale tickets are available in advance for $3.00, and will be $5.00 at the door. All admission proceeds to benefit the Groton High School Baseball Program. Books and turkey mouth calls will be available at the event. $5.00 from each book, $1.00 from each call purchased will be donated to the baseball program.
For more event info, updates, tickets and contact information, go to: www.facebook.com/joyneroutdoormedia www.facebook.com/events/1575823519322305
About Mike Joyner:
An avid turkey hunter for nearly a quarter century, Mike Joyner has been roaming the hills and woodlands of America stalking the elusive prey -wild turkey. Joyner is a former president of the New York State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, serving from 1996 to 2005
A new book: D.D. Adams, Evolutionary Turkey Call Pioneer, is set to be released later this year. Mike is currently working on collaboration with Paul Walling entitled: Father and Son- A Life’s Journey Together in the Turkey Woods, and a 6th book entitled: Empire State Limb Hangers, New York Wild Turkey Records.
The author is also an owner of a technology company, and appears on dozens of US and Worldwide patents for video/image sensor innovations. He spends his quality time in his turkey woods sanctuary known as the “J” Ranch in McGraw, New York, where he lives with his wife Lee. For more information on the author visit his personal website: www.mikejoyner.com
About Paul Walling:
For nearly four decades, Paul Walling has been trekking through the hills and woodlands of Cortland County, and many other locals in New York State pursing the majestic Wild Turkey. Paul is a lifelong resident of Cortland.
Walling is also a passionate deer hunter and trout fisherman, and spends many days afield and along the banks of New York’s pristine trout streams. Walling spends many days afield with extended family and friends in and around the great woods, fields and streams of the county since childhood.
Paul is also the founder of Walling Legacy Calls specializing in mouth diaphragm turkey callers as well as friction calls. Along with his call making he is currently working on the final chapters in collaboration with fellow author Mike Joyner for his first book titled: Father & Son- A Life’s Journey Together in the Turkey Woods, scheduled for 2015 fall/winter release.
About Joyner Outdoor Media:
Joyner Outdoor Media was established in 2006 by author Mike Joyner. The company publishes outdoor & hunting themed works, outdoor blogs, in addition to marketing campaigns, event scheduling etc. Joyner Outdoor Media also provides author services including cover design, content formatting, publishing, press release service, website design, and marketing materials.
Located in the hills above the seven valleys of Cortland County, NY, Joyner Outdoor Media operates from a wonderful log home situated in prime turkey woods providing much inspiration. For more information visit: www.joyneroutdoormedia.com
A Turkey Hunter’s 55
As the title calls out, yes, I’m a self proclaimed turkey hunter, and yes, I have now turned the corner on 55. AARP has me in their crosshairs.
In an earlier blog post I commented on my feelings while approaching 55. Random, almost 55……5 weeks to Opening Day those thoughts are still in play and valid for me.
As a turkey hunter, the birthday milestone passes by as do the spring and fall seasons. I truly do not fret about aging, but rather seek affirmation of a simple desire, an answer to a simple question. I care not so much about my youth, but more so about my youthfulness. Can I do, participate, enjoy the important things in my life? My family, the work that I do as an engineer, as a writer, and for purposes of this post, can I chase wild turkeys with the determination, passion, and with reckless abandon that I so love to do?
At the arrival of official senior status the answer is a resounding yes! I am blessed and spoiled to a fault with good health. No sigificant health issues or maladies so common with my age group, older and younger. I do desire to bring my weight down to get back to racing: running and triathlons, and I’ll get there. Good news, I’ll be chasing gobblers this spring, and for many more seasons, God willing. Maybe not so good for gobblers…
As a turkey hunter I am at peace with the natural order of things. My days in the great turkey woods teachs many things, life’s lessons, and gives me the quality time to ponder the what, why, how come it is this way. I for one am very grateful for my many blessings and for the 55 years I have had so far living a full life.
The day will be spent working most of it, and we’ll celebrate at home with a fine meal, and a shot or two of wild turkey whiskey. The toast in all honesty will not be in honor of my birthday. From the heart, I will raise my glass to family, and all those in my life that I have shared or crossed paths with. For it is because of all of you it has enriched my experiences and helped to make it a life worth living!
A big thank you for all the birthday wishes. To many more years, and I wish the same for all of you!
Mike Joyner’s “Heads Will Roll™” 2015 Book Signing Tour
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 15, 2015
Mike Joyner’s “Heads Will Roll™” 2015 Book Signing Tour
Joyner Outdoor Media Announces Book Signing Events and Show Appearances
Cortland, NEW YORK – Joyner Outdoor Media Announces Book Signing Events and Show Appearances
Cortland author, Mike Joyner will kick off his “Heads Will Roll™” 2015 book signing tour on January 16 through 18 at the New York Sportsman’s Show @ The Oncenter, Syracuse, NY. Mike will be conducting seminars: “Turkey Hunting Novice: Advancing Your Hunting Experience” Saturday @ 2PM @ 5PM, Sunday @4 PM
http://www.newyorksportsmenshow.com
New York Sportsman’s Expo @ NYS Fair Grounds January 23- 25, 2015, The author will be appearing at the New York Outdoor Writers Association (NYSOWA) Booth.
http://www.newyorksportsmansexpo.com/
National Capital Sportsman Show @ Fredericksburg Expo & Conference Center, Fredericksburg, Virginia January 30- February 1, 2015. Booth #848. Mike will be conducting seminars: Saturday @ TBA, Sunday @ TBA
WNY Sport and Travel Expo @ Fairgrounds Event Center, Hamburg NY March 5-8, 2015, Booth TBA
http://www.eriepromotions.com/Sport/Wny/default.aspx
At each of the shows, the author will have paperback and hardcover editions of the new book “Grand Days in the Turkey Woods,” matching call sets, as well as copies of his first two books “Hills of Truxton” and “Tales from the Turkey Woods” on hand. The author will be personally signing his books at each of the events. The author also encourages those that purchased editions online and would like to have them signed, to stop by the booth.
More events and appearances are anticipated this spring and through the summer. The anticipated release of the upcoming biography of the late call make D.D. Adams will be supported with a continuance of book signing events as the tour is expected to continue in to 2016, possibly 2017 dependent on two additional titles being released by the author. Tour events and updates and will be listed on the website as well as on facebook
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mike-Joyner-Joyner-Outdoor-Media/141325565878890?ref=bookmarks
About the Author:
An avid turkey hunter for nearly a quarter century, Mike Joyner has been roaming the hills and woodlands of America stalking the elusive prey -wild turkey. Joyner is a former president of the New York State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, serving from 1996 to 2005
A new book: D.D. Adams, Evolutionary Turkey Call Pioneer, is set to be released later this year. Mike is currently working on a 5th book entitled: Empire State Limb Hangers, New York Wild Turkey Records.
The author is also an owner of a technology company and appears on dozens of US and Worldwide patents for video/image sensor innovations. He spends his quality time in his turkey woods sanctuary known as the “J” Ranch in McGraw, New York, where he lives with his wife Lee. For more information on the author visit his personal website: www.mikejoyner.com
About Joyner Outdoor Media:
Joyner Outdoor Media was established in 2006 by author Mike Joyner. The company publishes outdoor & hunting themed works, outdoor blogs, in addition to marketing campaigns, event scheduling etc. Joyner Outdoor Media also provides author services including cover design, content formatting, publishing, press release service, website design, and marketing materials.
Located in the hills above the seven valleys of Cortland County, NY, Joyner Outdoor Media operates from a wonderful log home situated in prime turkey woods providing much inspiration. For more information visit: www.joyneroutdoormedia.com
http://joyneroutdoormedia.com/Joyner_PR011415.pdf
Joyner Outdoor Media
5239 Town Line Rd.
McGraw, New York 13101
Turkey Hunters- We might just have a better take on things?
Once we get into the naturally percieved slowdown that occurs after Christmas and New Year’s holiday season, we turkey hunters are in military style planning for opening days, what states we’ll hunt, what new honey hole, which gun, new ammo, new calls, old favorite calls, new hunt surefire device, and so on… We have logistics to think about, which hunting buddies to catch up with, scouting, that nasty old bird that must die (which we’ll likely chase again another year), and all sorts of little details that occupy our preparation.
It got me to thinking as to the type of folks that seem to end up obsessed with chasing gobblers and why we have so much in common and yet squabble over the little details. We discuss and argue the various things that contribute to the hunt’s success or taking the shotgun for a walk back to the truck. This also includes methods, and the cargo bags of gear and gadgets, of course. Together we all know that we will have our days of being soundly defeated, and our butts handed to us no matter how well prepared or determined we may be. We’ll not let that gem of logic deter us.
It was this line of thinking that brings me to the thought to convey here. We as turkey hunters are active participants, keenly interested in cause and effect, and judge things mostly by what they do or how well they work. We immerse ourselves in the experience of the hunt, and should we win the day, we are elated. We do know that a pea brain sized bird can humiliated us in ways that cannot be duplicated elsewhere. It makes it no less of a great hunt. By nature we are conservative leaning, and that is not an absolute, but similar to the crowd of engineers I align myself as. In my perspective I identify myself as an engineer and a turkey hunter, and as a runner, triathlete as side interests. Of course this is behind the priorities of family, God and country in my view.
It is not to say all turkey hunters are conservative or republicans and I know many that lean just as far to the liberal side. I would not hesitate to share a hunt with them. Yet the things I now mention are the things that we share in common, and we get along fine. In part that we are about tangible things, factual findings, not emotional drivel, not political correctness, or chant of the day. As hunters we understand the cycle of life, our mortality as well as that of our quarry, We are studies of the natural world, and how things and or actions work or do not work. We see the value of conservation efforts that improve our forests, and quality of wildlife. We witness & participate in the comeback from market hunting to vastly improved wildlife populations. All of this in stark contrast to the anti-hunting rhetoric out there. It is these personal qualities that I believe we apply in our everyday lives.
Like many of you I suspect, find it nearly intolerable to watch the news, the racism narrative being vomited on us. The anti-gun this and that, anti-hunting, this or that. If you don’t believe in God, then no one else should either. If you don’t believe in my God, I’ll cleanse you by cutting off your head. Somehow everyone is offended or civil rights violated because of my white privilege, and the nonsense goes on and on. We witness senseless revenge killings of the police, yet disregard the actions of those that basically commit suicide by cop. As if criminal behavior should just be ignored and do as one dam well pleases. My rant stops here.
A facebook post caught my attention as it sums up my response to a lot of the foolishness that is reported in the news and exploited by our political leaders. The precepts here apply well to many things, including hunting. I’ll stick my neck out and claim that for the most part we as hunters are well aware that we own each and all of our decisions we make. In the woods, ill choices send us home empty handed in game and the grand experience anticipated. This precept also is handy when it comes to safety, and being ethical as hunters and as people. I’ll share the post here:
“Everything you do is based on your choices you make. It’s not your parents, your past relationships, your job, the economy, the weather, an argument / conflict, or your age that is to blame. You and you alone are responsible for every decision and choice you make. Period.’
My point which may seem a bit jumbled as I find current events beyond unreasonable and frustrating is that maybe the world would be better off if more people thought more like a hunter would. I will go as far as to say a turkey hunter’s perspective. Do any of us turkey hunters care if that great box call was crafted by a black (yellow, purple, green, whatever) man? A woman? A disable person? A (name religion) person? We care how much for the call, and is there any story or history that goes along with the call. Do any of us feel that white privilege (fill in whatever absurd idea applies) when a gobbler teases us for two hours at five yards past our range limit then walks away to one lone hen after you played the game the best you ever have? Would any of us not respect a land owner because of some discriminating factor? Tell me that any of us turkey slayers would not hunt a monster gobbler on a prime spot because the land owners were black, or a gay couple? We’ll give them the respect they deserve… Duh… Moving along… Not saying that we are perfect by any stretch, or that we don’t have racists in our ranks, but in our world, this foolishness has no place in our decision making, or in our treatment of others.
The silver lining in this rash of miserable news and currently sentiment is that for us as hunters it is an opportunity. We can go about our daily lives treating others well, and with the respect we would like for ourselves. The more folks recognize us as a group that treats people well, the better off we’ll be. Be an ambassador for our sport. Apply this generously with landowners that grant you access, and to those that don’t. Those folks will observe your actions and you can change hearts and minds by living well. It will be a better day when those that exploit any and all situations to win an argument, to get out of personal responsibility or not contribute to the common good, or to claim some perceived injustice, and get back to the type of thinking we do as hunters. Doing what it takes and making good choices to make a positive goal realized. It’s optimistic, but just the same a good way to be.
© 2015 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Post Deer Season- Time to Implement a New Game Camera Strategy
Seems kinda an odd idea doesn’t it? Give me a few minutes of your time to follow what I lay out here and you may agree or take with you a few ideas you may adopt. It is much more about critical thinking on how things are done as it is not so much being a slave to technology. Once you read through this you will realize that marketing has overdone their job, and you really don’t need an inventory of $600-$800 cameras to have an effective and state of the art setup. It is just as easy to waste your hard earned dollars and have them not do the job at all or being stolen as quickly as you put them up. To preface how I intend to layout my thoughts across here, think in the perspective of a detective, after all you are looking to collect covert data correct? I design image sensors for a living and do a fair amount of camera work for the US Navy and other military/police services, this makes all of this second nature. To be frank, you and I cannot afford most of what the military gets to put into service (although I get to test some cool stuff), but the principles and methods which they are used are applicable to catching big bucks on camera just as you might poachers and thieves.
Technology primer (one of much confusion)
- For starters, do not let marketing fool you into more pixels is better, same confusing misinformation used in selling cell phones. most of the game cameras out there use 1/4″-1/3″ format sensors and once in a while you see a high quality deer cam with 1/2″ or 2/3″ sensor. Unless it is a large format sensor with a high quality glass lens in front of it, you are getting duped. Think optical system. Fine resolution comes from the increased ability to resolve a feature in front of the lens. Without detailing all the math of lines-per-mm and a second issue of crosstalk(where the truth is actually told) it is safe to say you are not getting more resolution in a 1/4″ sensor past 3-4MP with a cheap plastic lens in front of it. When you see them at high pixel counts with out increasing sense area (format size) and not using better lenses you have more pixels looking at the same resolved spot, and you also get less dynamic range as smaller pixels have less capacity to capture photons (light) I get counter arguments all the time to this. Talk to the news photographers who toted Nikons/Canons with 3-5mp 1 inch or full frame sensors and compare what they got against 10mp-20mp cameras that are cheap and again with small format sensors. The resulting pictures are worlds apart in quality. To make the point even simpler in terms of economics, the cost is directly related to size of the sensor and to a lesser extent the cost of supporting electronics. Sensors are made on silicon wafers and it boils down to a simple real estate equation and yield during manufacturing. Unless you plan on making huge prints or require significant digital zoom/cropping you really have little case for spending big money on deer cams. As I lay out my preferred set up, there is a call out for three cameras per setup,and they each have different functions/costs/requirements.
- Flash- if you are only interested in what critters are passing by during shooting hours, flash and the expense of it, makes no sense. For the rest of you, black flash is the way to go especially for security. There is a misuse of the term IR (infrared) in the game cam industry. This has to do with distinct wavelength bands and that is an entirely separate topic Anyone in the military dealing with weapon sighting systems would understand my comment. Essentially all of them are near-IR and barely so. Many of these cameras have a red glow giving away their location, standard strobe flash is an obvious giveaway to criminals which can be useful for decoy cameras. There are some studies that show where black flash does not emit a visible glow to humans and also not to spook deer. A low pass optical filter eliminates any energy in the visible spectrum. For those interested in geeking out on definitions: wiki/infrared
One of the disclaimers I need to make here is no matter how good or sophisticated a system is implemented, it can be defeated by two distinct groups. First is the professional, as they will have working knowledge on how cameras work, how they store /transmit data, and how they get power. Like any predator they will be steadfast studies in your movements, and be keen on any clues you leave behind. You do design your camera setups to make it take a long time to disable. A professional will pass up spots if they cannot get in and out quickly. The second is the other end of the scale, and you can’t fix stupid, they may destroy your stuff, but will likely be around long enough to get caught. The real goal here is to deter. As a land owner or someone who leases land, having to deal with the hassle of court, and bad relations that follows will leave a bad taste in your mouth, making your victory over crime seem less appealing. What we are addressing in reality is the low hanging fruit and the majority of folks that will bug out once they become aware of your intent of tracking deer but to also manage your place/property against trespass and or theft. I cover the security aspect first here as it doesn’t work well to have deer cams if they disappear before you get to check the pics of deer you hope to see.
First- Main Camera
My basic approach to each location I wish to check for game movements or security purposes involves a minimum of two cameras and in most of my installs I use three. 1st camera is my main workhorse, a 3mp to 8mp camera ideally black flash, and depending on budget, a cell type that transmits SMS to save money on data plans and send pics directly to your cell phone. I also use a common system of RF transmitters that go to a DVR that sends email of pics when movement is detected. For remote locations or where a center base of operations is not applicable the game cams with cell capability are showing great promise and the pricing has now broke though under $200. I use these main cameras to capture whatever my main interest is in the location. Faster triggering cameras do have an advantage, but it is also one that slower triggering cameras can be overcome when placing cameras to look at deer coming straight on, or angling in. I personally want to see the width of their headgear. But for setups that only offer side profile and deer walking through perpendicular, the faster triggering cameras are a must. Marketing points out the great advantages in one particular scenario, and omits the other possible setups. My point is buy the feature where and when you need it. This allows you more money for more cameras and lets you think about where you really do need to spend the extra dollars. As a side note, as much as it is desirable to share deer cam pics with your buddies, they also provide clues to those with less ideal intentions. Not only can location be figured out, flash range, blind spots, or even how far one need to be to not get a clear defined image of lets say a thief in progress? Sharing exactly what you have and showing enough pics will give those that understand imaging enough clues to thwart your efforts. In my case, I have the luxury of updating and testing new stuff all through the year, and I do not disclose much. Having pics show up on your smartphone is a quick way to let others know that you are on top of your place, and matters little if your home or not. We have found that to be useful as public information.
Second- High Security Camera ( I want to keep and own my main camera)
The second camera sole job is to monitor my first camera. It can be a cell transmitting type but it adds cost. I prefer a 3-5mp camera with SD card, small footprint,long battery life, the ability to accept external battery is handy (I’ll modify it if it does not, not a particularly hard modification to do) and camo case if I can get it. They now have some with bluetooth for remote viewing when nearby. which is great as this camera should be hidden, high, above normal sight line. Keep in mind that when snow is on, or a muddy area, footprints reveal where you go as well as everything else. In terms of catching thieves this is the most important camera and should be the most difficult to find and least accessible to remove. Borrowed from an observation in the hobbyist world of game cams, one can give the appearance of remote transmitting with the addition of a 1/4 wavelength rubberized antenna, and it is difficult to know whether it is real or not. Truthfully any camera can be modified to adapt an rf /or cell transmitter. The power for it is another discussion. Depending on your model camera a 6V lantern battery (many cameras run on 6V, but you do need to check) and the addition of a small solar panel to trickle charge the batteries is advised. Using brown/grey wire they can easily be routed/placed in the crotch of the tree and made difficult to spot.
Third- Decoy Camera
In an ideal setup, this is actually your most import piece in the puzzle. It should also be the least expensive purchase. This should be the first thing any one sees no matter which direction of approach. Key word: Highly visible (not neon). Do not for any reason buy off the self fake cameras, they are a dead give away even among the least intelligent criminal among us. Flashing LED- dead giveaway . In fact the solution is super easy. Get on craiglist, ebay , garage sales etc, look for needs-repair, broken, as-is deer cams and or security cameras. they can be got from $5 to $30. Remember you are not interested in getting them working, otherwise you are paying for the possibility of that. You are looking for used or like new outer appearance but not broken and obviously not capable of working. Same deal for lens. Remember most deer cams do not appear to do much of anything when working. Why some game cam companies insist on having a led signal when a pic is taken is beyond me, I can see it for test and setup, but once it is set to go, the deer could care less. You can put in old batteries to have realistic weight if you like. I also do this to make it realistic. If you can get your second camera to monitor the first camera and this one it is a plus. I normally setup this way. You are just more likely to capture a thief stealing the decoy camera.
Why do I disclose all this? As a designer/engineer It bothers me to see folks pay for technology that they don’t need and in some cases does not serve them well at all. I have no fear that my disclosure will make it easy to disarm my setups, as only the installer knows which is which and would take more than a few minutes to figure out. By that amount of time, their images have been captured and emailed, and is a losing proposition for the criminal. I know of fun stories of perps having their faces captured an emailed while they stole a cell enabled camera. some also now have GPS location (or triangulation from cell towers which makes police work even easier.)
Late season camera scouting
when the guns are oiled and put away after the big deer chase, it is ideal to put up new cameras. especial with the addition of boot leather scouting. Where deer go when pressured, when things settle back down is all good intel for next season. Most hunters want to know what deer made it through the season and other cool stuff like when they drop their antlers. I personally like it for tracking turkey flocks as spring and fall seasons are my particular passions. You can also benfit from end of year sales, post season sales as most places do not want to carry inventory for another 7-8 months. Plenty of good reasons to enjoy your deer cams.
BTW for some great information and reviews on game cameras, tips, and modifications check out:
© 2014 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Grand Days In The Turkey Woods Available Now On Kindle
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 19, 2014
Grand Days In The Turkey Woods Available Now On Kindle
Joyner Outdoor Media announces new Kindle release of: Grand Days In The Turkey Woods, by Mike Joyner
Cortland, NEW YORK – Joyner Outdoor Media announces new Kindle release for: Grand Days in the Turkey Woods, by Mike Joyner
Following the coattails of the release party depute for Grand Days in the Turkey Woods, comes the release of the ebook version of the title on Kindle. The book is now live on Amazon along with the paperback offering, and as well as a hardcover version available at Lulu Press.
http://www.amazon.com/Grand-Days-Turkey-Woods-Joyner-ebook/dp/B00NQDGD1S
About Joyner Outdoor Media:
Joyner Outdoor Media was established in 2006 by author Mike Joyner. The company publishes outdoor & hunting themed works, outdoor blogs, in addition to marketing campaigns, event scheduling etc. Joyner Outdoor Media also provides author services including cover design, content formatting, publishing, press release service, website design, and marketing materials.
Located in the hills above the seven valleys of Cortland County, NY, Joyner Outdoor Media operates from a wonderful log home situated in prime turkey woods providing much inspiration. For more information visit: www.joyneroutdoormedia.com
About the Author:
An avid turkey hunter for nearly a quarter century, Mike Joyner has been roaming the hills and woodlands of America stalking the elusive prey -wild turkey. Joyner is a former president of the New York State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, serving from 1996 to 2005
A new book: D.D. Adams, Evolutionary Turkey Call Pioneer, is set to be released later this year. Mike is currently working on a 5th book entitled: Empire State Limb Hangers, New York Wild Turkey Records.
The author is also an owner of a technology company and appears on dozens of US and Worldwide patents for video/image sensor innovations. He spends his quality time in his turkey woods sanctuary known as the “J” Ranch in McGraw, New York, where he lives with his wife Lee. For more information on the author visit his personal website: www.mikejoyner.com
www.granddays.us
www.joyneroutdoormedia.com/Joyner_PR091914.pdf
© 2014 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
9/11 – 13th Anniversary
Here we are at the 13th anniversary of a tragic, horrible, and most certainly evil event. It is so easy to fall into the rhetoric and fill our hearts of hatred for obviously skewed and fanatical groups of terrorists that spread their twisted views and commit heinous, cruel acts, all in the name of Islam. Over the course of history there have been other atrocities committed in the name of different faiths. Not that it excuses our plague of current barbarism. Frankly I am tired of the political correctness and ass kissing that cause our leaders to not directly confront this scourge that is upon us. If you proclaim yourself as a follower of Muhammad and profess your belief of the peaceful religion of Islam, then you have a dog in this fight. The radical factions are doing more than giving Islam a black eye amongst the people on this planet who believe in the popular version of peaceful existence.
There are those who do not believe in a “God” without consideration as to which version. Yet, they understand what peace is meant to be. We are human and without regard to belief or non belief, we have the same needs as to food, shelter, and desire to succeed and achieve peace and happiness. As a christian, it is my solid belief, that whether you believe in the God that I do, or not, following the ten commandments will get you through life pretty well. All the while treating others fairly as you would care to be treated yourself would make for better days. It is not so much utopia as it is practical. Most people respond well to a smile, a kind word, a helping hand. Do we really enjoy the constant conflict, the awful things we do to each other? It may be too idealistic to think we’ll all set around the campfire enjoying simple songs and s’mores. Our latest foes currently in the news are busy with big threats, and cutting off the heads of our citizens. Not a very peaceful religion in my view. Believe as I do or you will die in a very painful grotesque way. It is this thinking I cannot come to grips with. I am not obsessed with controlling the very beliefs of others. Would I like to share some that we may have in common, absolutely, but if you should disagree with me or I with you, I do not reach for a very large knife or a gun. I would assert that more of us think alike in this regard. My comments here are from my brief experience on the planet, and what I speak against is thousand of years, hundreds of generations of twisted hatred and cruel intentions from those that have been at war too many centuries, too far back to accurately know.
Do we all hold our breathes some on 9/11, and hope to not get some horrible breaking news report? Do we rely on statistics and probability to comfort our fears? Has Homeland Security got this? As Americans, as a nation of peoples are we not thinking of these things in varying degrees? In all reasoning, what’s to stop them from picking a new date to have at it?
I choose to republish some from prior years as I find it important to repeat:
Thirteen years have passed marking the horrible events of 9/11. I have made it a point to comment each year as it passes. One would think that over time, the depth and impact of any event would soften, become more a matter of historical record, and less of an emotional response. I suspect like many of you, like myself felt the day coming on long before it got here. I woke this morning with some measure of sadness, and possibly another level of measure of anger
I freely admit, I don’t “get” the Middle East perspective. Our enemy’s there still hate us, our way of life, and the discussions about it go on forever. It is my hope that on one of these anniversaries that I can write about resolution, and healing. Given the thousands of years of conflict in the region, it may not occur in my lifetime.
Each anniversary of 9/11, my thoughts returned to two fellow NWTF members Cynthia Giugliano & Walter Weaver that we lost that day. A memorial webpage can be found at http://www.turkey-talk.com/9_11_01_memorial.htm.
As you toe up on the start line of your favorite road race or triathlon or enjoy another fall season hunting our nation’s forests, fishing the lakes and streams of our great land, I ask that each of you give thought to those that serve us. In your travels I ask that you take the time to thank those that serve us, and continue to support what they do for our country.
Along with counting your blessings, say a prayer for all innocent victims, and that you do something on your part to make the world just a little bit better for those around you. We can all benefit from a little emphasis on acts of kindness.
© 2014 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
Book Release Party @ Cortland Beer Company 5PM-8PM 9/10, Cortland, NY
Come out to Cortland Beer tonight 5PM-8PM for the book release party and book signing event for “Grand Days in the Turkey Woods”. For all you hunting stories fans we’ll have the reveal of Fall Gobbler Ale (very tasty I might add) and should all that book purchasing and power reading makes you hungry we’ll have turkey-themed appetizers from Blue Moon Catering to go along with the freshly brewed Cortland Beer. The Fall Gobbler Ale and appetizers are on us, courtesy of Joyner Outdoor media.
Paperback and Hard Cover editions of the New book “Grand Days in the Turkey Woods”. Paperback and Hard Cover editions of “Hills of Truxton” and “Tales from the Turkey Woods” will also be on hand.
© 2014 Mike Joyner- Joyner Outdoor Media
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