My Dad was a rifle hunter and persued whitetails in Northern Wisconsin each year until one day he just decided he didn't want to hunt anymore.  So that left me wanting to hunt and having to learn on my own.  Needless to say it was a long process.  I didn't start deer hunting until the ripe old age of 22, after my four year stint in the U.S. Navy.  I started hunting with a borrowed 20 gauge Remington 870 pump shotgun and have loved the sport of deer hunting ever since.  When my sister married, my new Brother-In-Law got me interested in bow hunting, and I have been doing both for the last 24 years.  Although I gun and bow hunt, I prefer the solitude of bow hunting. 

I have never hunted outside of the State of Wisconsin, but hey, with the deer herd we have here I don't have to go far.  I have hunted in the Northern, Eastern, Central and Southern parts of the state.  My favorite place to bowhunt is in Oconto County.  My brother's Mother-in-Law owns a white cedar swamp and I am the only privileged bowhunter allowed on the property.  It doesn't get any better than that.  One of my fondest memories is the first bow hunt with my son when he turned 12.  Although he didn't get a deer that year his enthusiasm was incredible and infectious.  We have hunted together many seasons since, mainly gun hunting, and I have enjoyed every minute of it; at least until he brings up the subject of who shot all of the deer for our hunting party in 2005.

I am a current member of the Wisconsin Bowhunters Association, Michigan Longbow Association, and the Sticks N Limbs Pro Staff.  I have one current project that I am trying to get started with the Wisconsin Traditional Archers, Wisconsin Bowhunters Association and my place of employment to sponsor an archery range for a Wisconsin National Guard unit in Iraq or Kuwait. At this point we are waiting to see if the Unit can get permission and access to a location on their new post once they arrive in country for an archery range.  If they are successful, then all donated traditional and modern archery equipment, targets, and accessories we have gathered will be sent to them so they can have a little taste of home while serving our country.  I have been involved with the Michigan Longbow Association since January, 2005 sending archery equipment to the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is not a better feeling in the world than to be able to help these brave men and women pursue their passion of archery in a foreign and hostile country.  My dream is to some day meet some of these soldiers and tell them,"Thank You"!.

Konk