Friday, August 21, 2009

2009 Clarion County Youth Field Day

It's no secret that northwest PA is blessed with fantastic hunting, fishing, and other outdoor opportunities.  But that's not all local residents have to take pride in.  Each summer, this region hosts one of the largest events in the nation aimed at introducing youngsters to the sports of hunting, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits.  It's called the Clarion County Youth Field Day and it's sponsored primarily by the Clarion County Sportsmen for Youth (CCSY), along with a large faction of local sportsmen's clubs, businesses, and many national corporations in the outdoor industry.


The event is held at Camp Coffman near Kossuth, PA and is offered free of charge to all participants.  Parents must pre-register their children, who must be 8-14 years old.  This year, 410 youngsters were in attendance, which was a new record for the event.  With all of the parents, volunteers, instructors and sponsors, the camp was a bustling place filled with energy and excitement.  You truly have to experience it to believe it!


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Kirk Byerley and Andy Traister were on hand to help capture the day's events on video.



Like last year, the Sportsmen Portal staff was on hand to help out and cover the day's events for the CCSY.  Once again, we'll be producing a highlight video to be shown at the CCSY's annual banquet this Fall.  You won't want to miss it!  If you haven't seen last year's video, check it out HERE.

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The archery station is always one of the kids' favorites.



I know our Wired Outdoors camera guys were thrilled to be there and the kids kept them busy all day long!  It was great to see some familiar faces in the crowd too, and we had the pleasure of spending some time with last year's Hunt of a Lifetime recipient, Arianna Evans and her family.  She always brings a smile to our faces and she certainly doesn't cut our guys any slack.  As soon as he arrived, she started heckling Jason about his "hunting sandals".  We wouldn't have it any other way!

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The Wired Outdoors Crew also got to spend some time with Arianna Evans and her family.


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Muzzleloader instructors were even dressed in traditional garb this year!


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Janice Byerley models a coonskin cap at the trapping station.



As always, the youngsters were treated to a variety of stations that introduced them to numerous outdoor activities and shooting sports.  This year's stations included trout fishing, canoeing, shotguns, muzzleloaders, .22 rifles, turkey calling, taxidermy, trapping, wild game tasting, archery, treestand safety, crossbows, camping & Boy Scout programs, an obstacle course/fun run, and drug prevention and awareness.

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Turkey calling...by far the the loudest station of the day!


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As the crossbow debate rages on in PA , the kids just had a great time shooting them!



Like in past years, the CCSY staff had a tremendous amount of prizes to give to the kids at the end of the day.  Lucky participants went home with one of 100 Benelli or Rossi shotguns, dozens of  Hoyt bows and Horton crossbows, 3 Marlin .22 rifles, bow cases, and bicycles.  Those not luckily enough to win a major prize received a shooters safety kit complete with shooting glasses and ear muffs.

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The crowd anxiously awaits for raffle and door prize winners to be announced.



The Wired Outdoors crew was so impressed with Youth Field Day that we wanted to incorporate all of the kids into our upcoming television episodes.  That prompted the idea to somehow video all 410 of them shouting, "We are Wired Outdoors!"  As the parents can undertand, keeping their attention and the whole group organized was no small task!

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Rob McCoy prepares for the big "Wired" shot at the end of the day.



With some help of the CCSY staff and lots of volunteers, we finally got the crowd of youngsters assembled in front of the cameras.  And at the count of "1...2...3", a booming "We are Wired Outdoors!" echoed through the valley.  The video shots were excellent and will be featured every week during the introduction to each of our television episodes.  Wired Outdoors will begin airing on September 29th on the Sportsmen Channel, which is earlier than the original October date.  You won't want to miss it!

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Over 400 local youngsters will be part of every Wired Outdoors episode this Fall!


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Our guys were definitely all 'Wired' for Youth Field Day!



A tremendous amount of work and funding is needed to hold such a fantastic event and this year's sponsors are listed below.  Please support these businesses and individuals, as they've made a commitment to promoting and ensuring that our outdoor heritage is preserved for generations to come.

CORPORATE SPONSORS

CLARION CO. ROD & GUN CLUB
ROCKY MOUNTAIN ELK FOUNDATION
SWARTFAGER WELDING
SPORTSMEN OUFITTERS
TOM'S SALES & SERVICE
CLARION BOARDS INC.
HORTON CROSSBOWS
M & S MEATS
SUMMIT TREESTANDS
HOYT
QUAKER BOY GAME CALLS
FEDERAL AMMUNITION
BENELLI USA
RADIANS INC.
ROSSI FIREARMS
WAL-MART - CLARION, PA
PA GAME COMMISSION
PA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION
RUFFED GROUSE SOCIETY - ALLEGHENY NORTHWOODS CHAPTER

SUPPORTING SPONSORS

JOY MINING MACHINERY
DONNA OBERLANDER
FARMERS NATIONAL BANK
CHARLES TOOL & SUPPLY
KNOX BAKERY
HEETER ENTERPRISES INC.
R. C. BEST TRAPS ECT.
TOM'S RIVERSIDE - KNOX, PA
KAHLE'S KITCHENS
HEARTBREAK HOTEL HUNTING CLUB
IDA'S WHOLESALE
PIONEER ELECTRIC
P.S.C.O.A. LOCAL SCI FOREST
WEAVER EXCAVATING
KNOX AMBULANCE
MILLER'S SPORTING GOODS
PA GUN OWNERS
DARYL RAYBUCK MEMORIAL
SUZAN HAHNFELDT
LIONS CLUB OF HAWTHORN
THE ANTLER CLUB
SHREFFLERS SNACK SHACK
PINE HOLLOW ROD & GUN CLUB
HAWTHORN ROD & GUN CLUB
JAY D. STEVENS, MD
OCH'S BUILDING SUPPLY INC.
ASHLAND TOWNSHIP
WENNER'S TAXIDERMY
EMLENTON IGA
K-MART - FRANKLIN, PA
O'NEIL SERVICE
RITNER POOLS & SPAS
THE CARRIAGE INN
KNOX FIRE POLICE
JOHN L. CRAWFORD INC.
LOYAL ORDER OF THE MOOSE NO. 1
PA STATE CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS ASSC.
TIM SCHILL
RUPERT FUNERAL HOMES & MONUMENTS
GARY WEAVER & WORK CREW
HIRSCH MEATS
BUCKTAILS OF BEAVER TWP.
SLIGO SPORTSMEN & ARCHERY CLUB

Each Fall, the Clarion County Sportsmen for Youth holds a fundraising banquet and this year, the event is scheduled for Saturday, November  21st at Traditions Banquet Hall near Clarion, PA.  This is a fantastic cause and a great banquet and members of the Wired Outdoors staff will be there to show the new highlight video of this year's event.  If you'd like to attend the banquet or sponsor the 2010 Youth Field Day, contact Randy Culberson at Sportsmen Oufitters in Knox, PA at 814-797-5253.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Cabelas Advanced Angler Pro Series Drift Sock

By Mike Bell, Sportsmen Portal Field Staff

drift sock

drift sock harness 1

Cost
Drift sock  $19.99 – $44.99

Drift sock Harness $9.99 with purchase of sock

Product features

Fast drying 420 – denier oxford nylon
Weights and floats sewn in for easy opening
Recommended for winds up to 15 mph
Winds over 15 mph… add another drift sock to your setup
Extremely puncture resistant
Drift sock harness with float is $9.99 with purchase of drift sock

Personal Assessment


I have been using the Cabela’s Advanced Angler Pro Series drift sock for a couple years now, and I consider it a must have when drift fishing.  I position myself at the top of the area I want to drift and throw the sock into the water attaching it to a cleat on the boat.  The weights and floats, sewn into the sock allow it to open quickly and position the sock when in the water.  One of my favorite lakes to fish always seems to have a chop and blows up often.  Without the drift sock, fishing this lake would be difficult on most days and impossible on others.  As everyone knows, when drift fishing or trolling, presentation is what puts fish in the boat.  The drift sock greatly increases my odds by slowing my baits down and holding them in front of the fish longer.  I also purchased the harness with the float for $9.99 and found it well worth the price.  Attach the harness to your sock and you have the capability to disconnect the drift sock from your boat should you hook into a big fish and don’t want the sock in the way.   After landing the fish motor back to the float on the harness and recover your sock.  The Cabela’s Drift Sock is definitely a great product and well worth the price if you want controlled drifts in the wind.

Recommendation

The Cabela’s Advanced Angler Pro Series Drift Sock has helped me boat many fish by slowing up my presentation and allowing me the control I otherwise wouldn’t have on a windy day.  The durability and construction of this product is just as impressive as its benefits on the boat.  After two years of use, the Cablea’s drift sock looks as if I just took it out of the box.  Overall, I would consider the Cabela’s drift sock an essential item when tackling choppy waters while drift fishing or trolling.