Rutherford Weekly - Shelby NC
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1513751
Thursday, December 28-January 3, 2024 www.rutherfordweekly.com 828-248-1408 Rutherford Weekly - Page 9 Email: Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail or Drop-Off: Mail or Drop-Off: 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 157 W Main St, • Forest City, NC 28043 *Publisher has fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. We Want Your Kids Sports Photos! •Basketball •Baseball •Softball •Soccer •Archery •Equestrian •Etc! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! We Want Your Outdoor Photos! Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Hunting, Fishing, Playing Ball, Etc. Sportsman's Corner Sportsman's Corner Email: events@rutherfordweekly.com Mail: 157 W Main St., Forest City, NC 28043 Phone: 828-248-1408 *Publisher has the fi nal decision of which photos appear in print, per available space. Ever since last summer, I have been watching one particular buck. He's not a giant but he has a short third beam that protrudes straight out from the bottom of his main beam. It's only about 5 inches long but has another point growing from that. The deer is a mainframe 8 but this anomaly has always made the rack intriguing to me. And I decided early on, if I had the chance to harvest this one, I would. It would be my fi rst non-typical. During hunting season, it has shown up on my trail camera many times, but always just before or after shooting light, or in the middle of the night. There have been other bucks about his size that I have watched, but my eye has always been on him. So, I've waited, watched, and wondered if he might show up at the same time, I'm in the woods. One evening during rifl e season, I was sitting in my barn. I had arrived a little early because the day was rainy and nasty, and I knew the deer would stir early. About an hour before dark, I looked out of my window to see a buck coming up the hill to my cover crop. My initial reaction was, "That's him! That's my buck." I grabbed my binoculars to get a closer look, but I couldn't tell for sure. I didn't panic because I knew where he was going. As he got into my fi eld I waited until I could get a viewing angle, to see if I could see this short third beam. He turned and sure enough I saw it! As I slowly reached for my gun, I had second thoughts about shooting him. I thought about what kind of buck he would be next year if I let him go. But after a few minutes I remembered that he was the one I had been waiting all year for, and he may not make it through this season because of the hunting pressure. So, I carefully aimed and pulled the trigger. He ran only about 30 yards before collapsing. I got the buck I had been looking for. I gathered my gear, stowed it in my truck and drove to my fi eld, only to fi nd that my deer wasn't my deer. It was a mainframe 8, but it lacked the one characteristic that had made it so desirable to me. I'm not sure how it happened. My only thought was that I wanted it to be him so bad, my mind grew that third beam. I wanted a reality that wasn't there. I was disappointed, knowing I would have let this deer walk, if I had known. This is not the fi rst time I have let my mind trick me. There have been plenty of times over the years, I have manufactured a reality that wasn't there. It was a decision that was not the right one. It was a purchase I justifi ed when it wasn't justifi ed. It was even a prayer I believed God wanted to answer, when in reality He didn't. The truth is our mind cannot always be trusted because it reacts to what it is fed. Whatever you are putting into your mind will be what the eyes see. By By Gary Miller Gary Miller Aiming Outdoorsmen Toward Christ GARY MILLER Gary Miller has written Outdoor Truths articles for 21 years. He has also written fi ve books which include compilations of his articles and a father/son devotional. He also speaks at wildgame dinners and men's events for churches and associations. gary@outdoortruths.org The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (NCWRC) invites the public to take the 2024 Top Shot Challenge. It's a 12-month, themed target shooting "challenge yourself" program being offered at six NCWRC-run shooting ranges. "Besides target shooting being an enjoyable sport for many people, it creates an opportunity to improve shooting skills and become more familiar handling a fi rearm, which is a recommended safety measure for fi rearm owners," said Josh Jernigan, NCWRC's shooting range facilities manager. There are three categories offered in the Challenge based on the fi rearm being used: rifl e of any caliber, handgun of any caliber, and .22 caliber rifl es and pistols. Participants may attempt the challenge once per day for each themed challenge until they complete it. Shooting range staff are available to provide guidance and suggestions on how to beat the challenge. The Challenge begins January 1, 2024 at the following NCWRC range locations: John Lenz Hunter Education Complex in Richmond County, Flintlock Valley Shooting Range in Montgomery County's Uwharrie National Forest, Odom Shooting Range in Northampton County, Wake County Firearms Education and Training Center, Wayne E. Smith Cold Mountain Shooting Range in Haywood County, and R. Wayne Bailey-Caswell Shooting Range, Caswell County. Noah Secrist manages the John Lenz location, where a 2023 pilot challenge program took place this year. "We've seen a sense of camaraderie among the participants," said Secrist. "We have every level of experience participating, from people who are new to target shooting to old pros at the sport." Participants receive a themed patch for each monthly challenge they complete. Make-up challenges will be offered to participants in August, during National Shooting Sports Month. For more information visit https://www.ncwildlife.org/Outdoor-Activities/Shooting- Ranges New 2024 Wildlife Agency Program Aims to Improve Target Shooting Skills State Offers Top Shot, a Themed Monthly Challenge Article by: ncwildlife.org. Celebrations frequently involve entertaining guests or heading out for nights on the town to enjoy the company of others. Often food and beverages are part of the fun, and that includes alcoholic beverages, which may fl ow a little more readily during festive occasions. Niznik Behavioral Health says crash fatality rates involving alcohol increase by about fi ve times during holidays. Roughly 131 people die in crashes involving alcohol each holiday, compared to 25 deaths during non-holidays, according to data compiled for the National Highway Traffi c Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System between 2013 and 2017. The numbers continue to grow. According to MoneyGeek, driving under the infl uence-related fatalities were 23% higher in 2021 than 2016. Among the holidays with the highest rates of DUI, Independence Day and other summer holidays top the list, but impaired driving also is prevalent between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. It's perfectly alright to have fun in social situations. However, that fun should involve responsible behavior, particularly when consuming alcohol. Here's how to enjoy celebrations while also playing it safe. • Take driving off the table. When planning social occasions, remove the need to drive entirely. Ensure the party location is within walking distance for guests, or at a convenient spot accessible by public transportation. Hosts can encourage guests to utilize taxis or rideshare services so everyone can leave their cars at home. • Take the emphasis off of alcohol. Plan events that do not necessarily need to be drinking-heavy. Experiential events, such as escape rooms, crafting sessions, culinary demonstrations, and others can shift the focus away from drinking. • Serve alcohol early. If alcoholic beverages will be served, have a cut-off time when these drinks no longer will be served. This way guests will have a chance to recover and sober up before leaving. • Provide drink vouchers. Limit how much guests drink by setting a quota. Work with an establishment so that each party-goer only gets a set number of drink tokens or tickets. When they're used up, then they no longer will be served. • Make food a priority. Shift the focus from drinks to food. Those who have fi lled up on plenty of snacks or a big meal may be less likely to over- indulge. • Change your venue. A gathering at a bar may set the tone that drinking will be prioritized. Look for party venues where drinking may not be allowed, such as church or school party rooms, or not as accessible, such as a BYOB restaurant. • Always have a sober chaperone. At each event, one or more people should make the pledge to stay sober so they can ensure the safety of guests. This may mean driving them home themselves or arranging for transportation. Avoid driving under the influence Festivities may include alcohol, but hosts and party planners should take steps to reduce the likelihood that guests will drive while under the infl uence. small town friendly BIG time results 828-248-1408 828-248-1408 Only Only $ 65 65 00 00 1000 full 1000 full COLOR! business business cards cards + tax + tax