|
Viewing 1 - 15 out of 25 Blogs.
Page:
1 |
|
Kirstie Pike
CEO- Prois Hunting Apparel What can we say…. following a month of scouting, topo-mapping and hiking to God-knows-where, our daughter, Hanna, harvested her Colorado mountain goat! I guess that means we can put away the maps, the zebra-skin glasses and hiking boots. For now…
As fate would have it, I was unable to go on the hunt the day of the kill. Steve and Hanna set out alone the night before and set up camp at 12,500ft elevation. Bunking in a forest service cabin saved them from the harsh elements, but not from the bumper crop of mice that apparently ate the popcorn that they coveted. (Unfortunately, no one happened to inform our youngest daughter of this until AFTER she ate some of the popcorn when they got home…sisters.) Where is D-Con when you need it? Apparently, the bold rodents kept busy all night scurrying about…Hanna experienced some heinous flashbacks from a childhood experience involving escaped pet mice, pillows and disbelieving parents. I think that’s a story for her shrink.
Early morning brought about numerous goats and the chase was on. Now, for anyone who has never hunted goats in the extreme altitudes and barren mountainsides cannot even imagine the strenuous nature of this hunt. Elevation gains go above 13,000 feet at times and there is no trail network there. Nothing exists but boulders, rocks and loose scree fields that shift and slide. The work is tough and I personally give chops to anyone who attempts these extreme hunts…especially when the hunter is a kid. They encountered a couple of goats but neither were shooters. They continued their trek through avalanche chutes that I had seen on previous scouting trip. Now, had I known that my first-born was going to be trekking through these chutes I probably would have pitched a wild fit…retrospectively, I think that is why the went without me. Hmmm.
After a late morning of rain and snow, they had been climbing this terrain for over 3 hours. Following a traverse of a particularly dangerous and loose chute- they spotted a nice billy. After some discussion, Hanna decided not to take the shot as they could not determine the nature of the terrain they would have to cross to find the animal should she have shot it. Apparently, this was a wise decision as the ridge abruptly ended and dropped into an uncrossable chute. They scaled their way back up, basically on all fours to navigate the rocks and shifting scree.
Within the hour they spotted another beautiful goat. Gingerly working their way out onto a ridge, Hanna took the animal with one shot. In case I haven’t made it clear- the terrain is incredible. They went to work on the animal, both packing over 50lbs on their backs. Here is a photo Hanna took to give an idea of what they had to scale with their packs. Several hours later, they were off the peaks and on their way home. Thoroughly exhausted but exhilarated!
Any parent who has passed the hunting torch on to their children understands the indescribable pride when their child attempts the seemingly impossible. Having spent the past month on that terrain in that elevation with sketchy elements- I cannot express how proud I am that my 16 year old daughter did what she did. Oh yeah..in my book, the kid is a rock star. Now, I do have to say that she is not really itching to do this hunt again any time soon, but dang…does she have some bragging rights!
So, as we move forward with the seasons, it is time to try to bag the bruin for Haydyn, our youngest daughter. Remember, in Colorado bears cannot be baited, so the spot-and-stalk is on! Keep your fingers crossed 
Hanna Pike
Tags: Prois Prois Hunting Apparel Hanna Pike Kirstie Pike Goat Chronicles
Kirstie Pike
CEO- Prois Hunting Apparel How much scouting can you possibly do!? Holy cow… We have hit the peaks every weekend (with a slight reprieve to slay some gators), and Labor Day weekend was no exception! For those who have never had the good fortune of drawing a mountain goat tag, the sheer magnitude of finding these wiley critters is jaw-dropping.
We hit the high peaks (roughly 12,500 feet) at daybreak to glass the far reaches of the permit unit for goats. To our astonishment, we immediately came into about a dozen goats…glorious, glorious goats! We perched ourselves to watch and learn. The terrain is nothing short of treacherous and can lend itself as fuel for any family fight! Ohhh, but that is a story for another time! I must say, I was astonished to watch how quickly these animals can mobilize and disappear. The vanishing act itself is not what is surprising…it is actually the routes they use to disappear that makes one slack-jawed. These animals have fluid movements that lead them up impossible cliffs, ledges and scree fields. They are incredible.
We are looking forward to the pursuit…but there is no way this will be an easy hunt. Hanna, our 16 year old daughter who is the poor goat hunter that has been subjected to my blogging, knows this will probably be the toughest hunt she can imagine. That said, she is definitely encouraged to know that there are definitely some fine animals within her reach. We’ll see if she is still speaking to us when the hunt is over! 
Tags: Prois Prois Hunting Apparel Kirstie Pike Goat Chronicles
As we enter the 3rd quarter of 2009, I can’t help but be amazed at all the incredible outdoor experiences I’ve had so far this year. My regular job as host of Comcast’s “Outdoor GPS” TV show keeps me busy on a regular basis, but additional adventures were weaved into my calendar. The first quarter was full of the various annual sportsmen shows. I attended the Safari Club International convention, the SHOT Show and multiple regional outdoor shows. In March I went hunting on the Big Island of Hawaii and shot a nice wild boar on my birthday. It was an exciting hunt as the pig actually charged us while we stocked him in the thick forest! We also went deep sea fishing off the Kona coast and reeled in Mahi Mahi, Aku and Ahi. Needless to say, the BBQ grill was full that night. Then I went spring turkey hunting in south-western Oregon with well-known outdoor writer Gary Lewis. It was a fun, but tough hunt as the Tom’s were not very responsive that day. We finally put our calls away and pursued the birds with a stock & spot hunt. We had success, and smiles on our faces, at the end of the day as we bagged a gobbler. Summer was full of other outdoor activities: hiking and mountain biking in Breckenridge Colorado, behind the scenes visit at the Cheyenne WY Frontier Days Rodeo, a visit to Cabela’s headquarters in Sidney Nebraska and salmon fishing on Oregon’s Columbia River. I wrapped up the summer with an annual Labor Day bear hunt in eastern Oregon. We took 2 fat bears and also enjoyed some grouse hunting and fly fishing for trout in mountain streams. The fall schedule is packed with additional hunting adventures; deer, elk, upland birds and waterfowl seasons are scheduled in my calendar. And, to top off my year, I’ll be headed to England for a traditional driven pheasant hunt in December. Guess I need to buy some Wellie Boots and a tweed shooting jacket!
Tags: Prois Bitsy Kelley Prois Hunting Apparel
Christina Holden had a life-changing experience when she met some disabled veterans at Maryland’s Grand National Waterfowl Hunt in 2006. As a result of that meeting, she subsequently went to Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington DC and learned more about wounded veterans and their possible interest in hunting.
Now, three years later, the Maryland resident has been on more than 20 hunts with disabled veterans, from Alaska to Africa and many states in between. Most of those hunts were with Jim Zumbo as he filmed for his TV show on the Outdoor channel, Jim Zumbo Outdoors, but several were with her family on Maryland’s eastern shore, where she has taken war heroes on deer, dove, goose, and duck hunts. “I’ve been hunting for a long time with my family and friends,” Holden says, “but helping our injured military offers a special thrill and satisfaction. When a soldier tells you for the first time since he was hurt in Iraq that he didn’t have to take anxiety medication because the positive stimulation of the hunt, I understand why I’m there and why I enjoy it so much. Without question, hunting has incredibly valuable therapeutic values for combat injured veterans who often suffer untold stress associated with brain trauma.” Christina works for a state natural resource agency in her “real” job, and works with disabled veterans as a volunteer on her own time. She closed out last year’s hunting season in Colorado where she assisted a young marine who lost both legs to an IED explosion in Iraq. The young hero was able to move around in elk country while holding onto a handlebar affixed to a saddle, enabling him to ride on a mule, balance himself and get to the elk. Not only did he get a bull elk, but he traveled to Wyoming with Christina and Jim Zumbo and his camera crew and hunted antelope. In one of the few instances where she actually hunts while with injured veterans, she and the marine and Zumbo scored on big buck antelope. Christina has appeared on 14 episodes of Jim Zumbo Outdoors, proudly wearing Prois hunting attire during every shoot. Christina is a volunteer for the Outdoor Recreational Heritage Fund which is a foundation within the Paralyzed Veterans of America. This foundation focuses on raising money for outdoor sports, including hunting, and finances literally hundreds of hunts around the country for PVA members. www.pvaheritagefund.org This year, Christina attended the SHOT show, the SCI convention, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation convention. Her first hunt of 2009 was in April, where she assisted on a veteran’s turkey hunt in Kentucky with 12 disabled veterans vying to take the biggest bird. This event drew more than 100 people, and “her” soldier won the award for the biggest bird. Later she hunted the Black Hills, but the blizzards and gale force winds prevented her from scoring on a gobbler. In May, she participated in a gala hunt in Alaska where 20 disabled vets hunted black bears. When all the soldiers had scored (20 black bears were taken), she climbed into a tree stand with a black bear tag and was virtually held prisoner as a huge brown bear came into the bait and refused to leave. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a brown bear tag and was able to finally make a quick exodus when the huge bruin was distracted. “I came out of that tree so fast I’d have put a chimpanzee to shame,” Christina added. Many hunts are on the docket for 2009, including veterans hunts for antelope in Wyoming, deer on Kodiak Island in Alaska, and several other hunts, but the one she’s most looking forward to is a Colorado hunt for youngsters between the ages of 12 and 17. Her outfitter friend, Dick Dodds, of Elkhorn Outfitters near Craig, has generously offered free big game hunts to children who have a parent in the military, either past or present. Dodds has given away hunts for bull elk, buck mule deer, and buck antelope. Each child had to write an essay on “What hunting means to me and my family.” Christina was one of the judges of the essay contest (every child was a winner, including two girls), so she and Zumbo will be hosting 17 youngsters on the big game hunts. “Just calling those kids on the phone and giving them the news that they’ve won the essay was an incredible thrill,” she said. She’s currently working very hard to take country music superstar Miranda Lambert on a big game hunt in Colorado. Miranda has taken more than 20 deer with a bow, and is proud of hunting, refusing to keep in it in a closet as other celebrities do. Hunts with celebrities are always iffy with their ever-changing schedules, but this one has an excellent chance of coming off. Stay tuned. Christina is a profound supporter of females in regard to hunting and shooting. While at work or during her travels, she continually carries the torch for women. She loves it when she is able to drive a point home with a nonhunter, and is especially delighted when she takes a woman on her first hunt. The prestigious magazine, Maryland Life, will run a feature story about her this fall as a result of her taking the reporter on his first hunt. The article will chronicle her attitude about hunting, and especially women hunters. Christina writes a regular column for Crosswinds Magazine, and, of course, always manages to throw in comments about women in the field. Of course. To those who know her, that’s no surprise.
Tags: Prois Prois Hunting Apparel Prostaff Christina Holden Jim Zumbo
August 18th, 2009
Kirstie Pike- CEO Prois Hunting Apparel
Another scouting weekend for the elusive Billy. As always, this was a family affair. Steve has officially logged another 1/2 hour with his topo-map-stare-down. Not sure who is winning yet, but I can tell you that there is not a single nook or cranny in the San Isabel that will not be heartily scrutinized! I hope that this obsessive-compulsive disorder will fade in the days and weeks following hunting season. While I am awestruck that he can simultaneously study a map while playing a lively round of Yahtzee, I am fearful that he will remain monosyllabic for the rest of his life. Indeed- conversation has been replaced with single words, grunts and an occaisional “Uh-Huh”. Although we miss him…it has been peaceful.
I am amazed at the amount of effort a single family can make to ensure one of their own gets the hunt of a lifetime. It isn’t the fact that our family can work together to make it happen…no, we stick together and that is not what is amazing. It is more of an emotional sticking point… I have to admit that I am jealous. I am not just a little jealous, I am certifiably, insanely jealous. I am that kind of jealous that makes a mom gaze upon her 16 year old daughter and consider such thoughts as, “We look enough alike…maybe we can send her to Grandma’s during hunting season…Could I pass as a 16 year old? Would the jail time be worth it?”. Yeah…that is the crazy kind of jealousy that drove Glenn Close to simmer a rabbit in the stew pot. (I sense that when my 14 year old reads this, she will keep closer tabs on her pet rabbit, Bun-Bun) Is it wrong that I find myself singing Aretha Franklin’s song, ‘R-E-S-P-E-C-T’ in my own version called, ‘J-E-A-L-O-U-S’? Is it wrong that I throw sideways glances at my daughter and think, “It should be mine.”? Right or wrong, I have been told that this is an illness and it really isn’t my fault, therefore at least I don’t have to feel guilty about it!
I am certain our daughters are wondering what has happened to their seemingly normal parents. A father with zebraskin glasses who grunts at a topo-map and a crazy mother who clicks the light off and on while sitting in the dark listening to Aretha Franklin are not your typical PTA parents. (Maybe that is why we have never been asked to come to a PTA meeting…) I believe we are not alone out there…I believe all parents who pass the sport and art of hunting on to their children fully identify with our apparent instability. I have assured our kids that until we are running around the house with tinfoil on our heads and our boots duck-taped on, that we are still sane and competent.
That said, my daughter just informed me that she didn’t need me to feed Bun-Bun anymore…
Tags: Prois Prois Hunting Apparel Goat Chronicles
 Prois Pro staffer, Jennifer Barvitski, ended the 2008 hunting year by hunting whitetail deer with her husband, Bill; and their niece and nephew, Samantha (age 5) and John (age 8). Jennifer harvested a nice 150 class whitetail buck with her Bowtech Equalizer bow. She also took 2 hogs on the ranch for management purposes. John and Samantha are hooked on the outdoors and loved every minute hunting with Jennifer and Bill.
In April, Jennifer traveled to Peru with her sister, sister-in-law, and mother, to tour the country and hike Machu Pichu. It was Jennifer’s mother’s dream since she was in the fourth grade. It was a great accomplishment. They had a great family girls trip that exceeded all their expectations. Also in April, along with Prois owner and creator, Kirstie Pike; Prois Pro staffer Barb Baird; and Amy Brown, Director of Public Relations at Bear Marketing; Jennifer went on her first turkey hunting adventure in Missouri. Jennifer took her first turkey with a 12 gauge Berretta shotgun. It was a very exciting hunt and the girls had a great experience with LOTS of laughter. With great excitement, Jennifer is proud to announce the accomplishment of passing all 9 of her architecture licensing exams! She is now waiting to receive her architect’s license from the State of Colorado. It was a long and grueling process, but well worth it in the end. Jennifer will be joining Kirstie Pike at the end of August for an alligator hunt in Louisiana with Dana Wall, also a Prois Pro staffer, and her husband Chad, both of Gator Trax Outdoors. Hopefully, Jennifer and Kirstie will not melt in the August heat of Louisiana. Jennifer is super excited to chase and stalk alligators in the swamps with both her bow and her rifle. Jennifer is also excited for the 2009 fall/winter hunting season filled with elk, whitetail, hog, axis, dove, quail, duck and goose hunting.
Tags: PROIS PROSTAFF JENNIFER BARVITSKI
Prois pro-staffer, Linda Powell, has been on the road more than 80 days since the SHOT Show in January; covering points as far west as Hawaii, venturing north to Alberta and British Columbia, with stops in AZ, TX, SC, NV and SD in between. Her schedule only picks up speed from here as she prepares for the fall.
In her role as Manager of Remington’s Press Relations team, Linda is responsible for promoting an extensive line of Remington products including shotguns, rifles, ammunition and accessories with added focus on Brand awareness. Throughout the year, Linda and her team implement a strategic PR plan that includes attendance at over 40 events and shows; many of which are planned and hosted by the PR team. She has seen her role expand as Remington’s parent company has acquired other Brands including Marlin, H&R 1871, New England Firearms, Bushmaster Firearms and most recently, Dakota Arms.
In addition to major trade and consumer shows (SHOT, NRA), Linda also attended several conservation organizations conventions (SCI, NWTF and RMEF) and then there are the hunts or as she prefers to call them “product support events”. This is obviously what most people consider the most glamorous and enviable aspect of her job, but as Linda will tell you, it is not all fun and games! Each of these events or hunts requires extensive planning and coordination, not only in advance of the hunt but during, as her primary responsibility is to host the media and promote the company’s products. A typical day may be taking the back seat as an editor or writer is stalking a mule deer, calling in a turkey or focusing on photography needs to support their articles. Regardless of whether she is the hunter or an observer, any day in the field, regardless of the location, she says is a great place to call her office.While Linda’s spring schedule included hunting predators in Texas, turkeys in Hawaii and Arizona, and black bears in Arizona, Alberta and British Columbia with Prois own CEO, Kirstie Pike, Linda’s fall schedule leaves little time to catch her breath. Writers’ conferences (POMA, SEOPA), Remington’s 49th Annual New Products Seminar and a bevy of product support events ranging from waterfowl and upland hunts to pronghorn, deer and elk, Linda is looking forward to one specific hunt. While most of Linda’s travel is work-related, she also spends her time away from the office in the field. At the end of July, she will travel to the Limpopo area of South Africa for a plains game hunt - her third trip to Africa and this one, a personal hunt.
When asked about the changes she has experienced in her 13 years in the outdoor industry and as a hunter; no question, Linda states it is the impact that women have had in the marketplace. Manufacturers, hunting operations, gun clubs and ranges, and retailers are now marketing to women and developing products to meet their needs. Linda relayed how she struggled on her first hunt back in 1997, wearing men’s clothing and boots that were 2 sizes larger than she wore; she almost fell as she climbed up the ladder to her stand. Unfortunately these were her only choices at the time.
“When Kirstie first approached me about Prois Hunting Apparel, designed for the serious woman hunter, I knew that her line of clothing was exactly what I had been searching for,” explained Linda. “Several companies have attempted to address the needs of women hunters but have fallen short with poor fit and designs as well as focusing on fashion instead of performance.” Continuing Linda stated, “Having ‘field tested’ Prois in a wide range of terrain and conditions, I’m sold. Finally a line of women’s hunting apparel that delivers performance and fit with a fashionable approach. Now I am begging Kirstie to add more pieces to the collection!”
July 7th, 2009 
Nothing beats a weekend in the outdoors with the girls! Team Huntress, hosted by Pheasant Phun Ranches in Hitchcock, South Dakota. Activities included Archery Instruction, Shotgun Instruction, HandGun Instruction, Falconry Lectures, Optics Instruction and GPS Instruction. Despite all of the amazing outdoor activities, spa treatments such as facials, massages, manicures and even wine tasting. Yoga in the morning and star gazing in the evening capped off the great adventure! The commraderie was unparalleled and the laughs were never ending! ”This was one of the funniest adventures of my life!”, states Kirstie Pike of Prois Hunting Apparel. She continues, “We had such a great time introducing women to the many different outdoor pursuits in such a fun and non-threatening environment”. Other attendees from the Prois camp include Pro-Staffers Anne Vinnola and Barbara Baird. For more information on this amazing and unique women’s outdoor experience, check out their website at www.teamhuntress.com…. tell them Prois sent you!
Tags: Prois Team Huntress Pheasant Phun Women Outdoors
July 7th, 2009 
About The WON The Women’s Outdoor News, aka The WON, delivers news, reviews and stories about women in the outdoors. Born out of a desire to serve the burgeoning outdoor market for women and to inspire as many women to go outside as possible, The WON pops into email inboxes, RSS Feeds and Twitter Feeds with updates during the work week.  Publisher/Editor Barbara Baird is a freelance writer in travel and outdoor markets. Before The WON she worked as a newspaper and magazine editor. She contributes a column “Out West” to Turkey Country magazine and writes two columns for Show Me Missouri magazine. When not looking for the next story, she can be found fishing, hunting, hiking, kayaking, shooting or whomping up a wild game meal. Barbara and her husband, Jason, teach NRA handgun courses at their local range near Rolla, Mo.
Barbara is president of the Women’s Outdoor Media Association and a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association. She is delighted to be included on the Proís Hunting Apparel’s and Team Huntress’s pro staffs. She’s also mom to four grown kids and mother-in-law to two.
Tags: WON Womens Outdoor News Prois Barb Baird
June 29th, 2009 Great news for Prois customers! Bass Pro Shops is now carrying Prois Hunting Apparel for women at their stores in Springfield, MO- Orlando, FL- Sevierville, TN- Pearl, MS- and Altoona,IA! As well, check us out in the 2009 Archery Catalog and upcoming Fall Catalog! Visit Bass Pro Shops for your outdoor needs! 
Tags: Prois Prois Hunting Apparel Basspro
Kirstie and Prois Hunting Apparel Pro-Staffer, Linda Powell of Remington Firearms, set out in early July for British Columbia for a world class black bear hunt. Guided by Sabrina Fraser of Itcha Mountain Outfitters, the duo had an amazing hunt! 5 days were spent scouting on this spot and stalk bear hunt and the bears were plentiful! Sighting 64 bears over the 5 days in camp, Pike harvested this great black bear on the final day of the hunt. Powell harvested a fine black bear as well, adding another to her many bear harvests during her hunting career. According to Pike, “The area was beautiful and remote. The animals were plentiful, not only did we see scores of bears, but we spotted moose and wolves as well. I never dreamed I would see this many animals.”
Itcha Mountain Outfitters is located approximately 100 miles from Quesnel, BC. Established in 1975 by Bev & Anne Fraser then carried on in 1997 by Stewart & Sabrina Fraser, Itcha Mountain Outfitters is rich
with three generations of family traditions. This vast and wild area begins in the Nazko valley and rises up to the alpine slopes of the pristine Itcha Mountains. The accomodations were clean and comfortable. The guides are top notch, and it was only an added bonus that the Prois team was guided by such an amazing female guide as Sabrina. “I would have to say that Itcha Mountain offers one of the most female-friendly hunting camps I have ever encountered- the camp itself offers a rugged yet comfortable setting deep within the BC bush.”, states Pike. The entire experience was topped off with great staff- Theresa and Darryl- who worked tirelessly to provide and endless supply of coffee and amazing food! “I will continue to highly recommend Itcha Mountain Outfitters to anyone be it man, woman or child- the hunting experience is unsurpassed!”, states Kirstie. “I am chomping at the bit to get up there again!”.
Itcha Mountain Outfitters also offer guided hunts for moose, caribou, mule deer, mountain lion, lynx, wolves and migratory birds. Check them out at www.itchamtn.com! Tell them Prois sent you!
 Stewart&Sabrina Fraser
www.itchamtn.com
Tags: Prois Kirstie Pike Prois Hunting Apparel Linda Powell Remington Itcha
Page:
1 |
|
|
