"Youth Pheasant Adventure 2020"
Youth Pheasant Adventure 2020 provided a surprise for each of us with the Pandemic COVID-19 announcement just a few days ahead of the event. We paused for a significant decision and a few brave soles opted for social distancing in the mid-Michigan field and woods.
We shared a solid devotional from James 4:8 on focus of your direction on the Lord. The verse reads:
James 4:8 “Draw near to God and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you men of double mind.”
We discussed that scripture does guide our lives and the solid rebuke that James gives us can correlate with all the chaos and sin we see in the world around us. The discovery was made that as the dogs guided our hunt, we will be focused their change of our direction. We also shared a good laugh that with all of the current events, even Scripture relays a message of “wash your hands,” even though the verse refers to a ‘different kind of washing.’
Our adventure then lead to smashed sporting clays. Several honed up their aerial shooting skills.
Finally we deployed the hound to the woods. What adventures we did indeed encounter. Plenty of elbow pumps, ‘atta- boys and huge smiles erupted.
Thank you for each of our supporting staff and Jim Grams for hosting us at Woodland Acres Hunting Preserve in St Johns. We always enjoy the time on your farms.
Christopher Beal
True North, Outdoors with Dad
Enjoy the Pictures. Click on them to enlarge.
2019 Successful Hunters
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Click on pictures to enlarge and scroll
"2019 Grouse & Woodcock Camp"
Our thanks to Chris Beal who hosted the 2019 Grouse and Woodcock Camp at his property in Atlanta Michigan September 26-29th. Several attendees and dogs spent time in the "up north" outdoors enjoying hunting grouse and woodcocks. It was a special time of hunting, deepening existing relationships and building new relationships. Several were successful in bagging woodcocks and grouse. Time spent around the camp fire each night provided additional enjoyment.
A great time was had by all.
Click on images for full view
A great time was had by all.
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"2019 Youth Hunts with Families"
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Click on image for full view
"Fish Camp 2019"
Eleven dads with sixteen kids enjoyed a weekend at Tannenbaum Tree Farm learning how to build spinners and tying flies to fish with. They enjoyed a night of camping and eating great food prepared by our chefs Jim Pinkel and John Leyser. In addition to fishing with lures they made, they were challenged to be disciple makers as Jesus challenged his followers to fish for men.
Enjoy the pictures below. Click on them to enlarge.
Trinity Church 2019
DVBS Centershot Archery
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DVBS Centershot Archery
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"Busting Clays Family Fun with Guns"
The three time Clay shoot at Rose Lake was attended by several first timers. This was a great opportunity to build relationships while instructing them in the art of clay shooting. Thanks to Tom Forton for all the work he done to organize this event.
The employees at the range were a great help as well.
Enjoy the pictures. Click on them to enlarge.
The three time Clay shoot at Rose Lake was attended by several first timers. This was a great opportunity to build relationships while instructing them in the art of clay shooting. Thanks to Tom Forton for all the work he done to organize this event.
The employees at the range were a great help as well.
Enjoy the pictures. Click on them to enlarge.
Achievement Award for Ray Lehr
At the May 2019 monthly True North meeting Ray Lehr was presented with an Achievement award for his dedication to the True North Ministry over the last several years. He has been an outstanding example of commitment to the Lord, the Centershot Ministry and the overall objectives of True North Ministries. Thank you Ray for all you have done and continue to do for this ministry.
At the May 2019 monthly True North meeting Ray Lehr was presented with an Achievement award for his dedication to the True North Ministry over the last several years. He has been an outstanding example of commitment to the Lord, the Centershot Ministry and the overall objectives of True North Ministries. Thank you Ray for all you have done and continue to do for this ministry.
"Pheasants and Friends 2019"
‘Old Man Winter gave us a much-needed break from his winter-freeze for a day in the fields on March 2nd 2019. Sunshine, a gentle breeze and even some winter sun on our faces felt invigorating.
14 participants, a cast of support and a couple of young-lady dog handlers joined in the event. Jim Gram of Woodland Acres hosted our team from True North: Outdoors with Dad in this year’s event.
Eager dogs yelped in the trucks as we gathered and shared a devotion and some ground-rules training. Next, we moved to the skeet thrower for some practice with the flying targets. Having tuned our skills, we sent teams out to various fields with dog-hander and pheasants neatly tucked into snow-covered roots.
Orange jackets, hats and vests blazed clear across the white fields. A shout of “On Point,” ushered us closer to our game. At-last, an explosive flush of pheasant wings and a rooster’s cackle and a solid, “pop, pop, pop” echoed through the plains. Thundering paws returned with a mouth-full of pheasant.
We grinned wide and snapped photos to an enthusiastic, “I crushed ‘him!” We all stood proud of our young apprentice with his new-found success at wing-shooting.
Many thank you’s to everyone involved in making this event another for the record-books. Please know we’ll join in again, ‘at the drop of a hat.’ Ask me how my dog is doing and we’ll reply, “Let’s go dog training!”
Christopher Beal, Anna Joy Beal and Richelle Kniff
Hosts: 2019 Pheasants and Friends (click pic to enlarge)
‘Old Man Winter gave us a much-needed break from his winter-freeze for a day in the fields on March 2nd 2019. Sunshine, a gentle breeze and even some winter sun on our faces felt invigorating.
14 participants, a cast of support and a couple of young-lady dog handlers joined in the event. Jim Gram of Woodland Acres hosted our team from True North: Outdoors with Dad in this year’s event.
Eager dogs yelped in the trucks as we gathered and shared a devotion and some ground-rules training. Next, we moved to the skeet thrower for some practice with the flying targets. Having tuned our skills, we sent teams out to various fields with dog-hander and pheasants neatly tucked into snow-covered roots.
Orange jackets, hats and vests blazed clear across the white fields. A shout of “On Point,” ushered us closer to our game. At-last, an explosive flush of pheasant wings and a rooster’s cackle and a solid, “pop, pop, pop” echoed through the plains. Thundering paws returned with a mouth-full of pheasant.
We grinned wide and snapped photos to an enthusiastic, “I crushed ‘him!” We all stood proud of our young apprentice with his new-found success at wing-shooting.
Many thank you’s to everyone involved in making this event another for the record-books. Please know we’ll join in again, ‘at the drop of a hat.’ Ask me how my dog is doing and we’ll reply, “Let’s go dog training!”
Christopher Beal, Anna Joy Beal and Richelle Kniff
Hosts: 2019 Pheasants and Friends (click pic to enlarge)
"Grouse Camp 2018"
We have returned home and dusted the pine-straw off our favorite boots. Gear has dried, and we are back to the daily buzz of life in civilization as we know it. For three incredible days, our team of fourteen souls was able to un-plug and engage in a life based on old-world traditions. The dogs yearned to be turned loose, their feet flying amongst century old pines and half-decade old poplar whips. We chased the Ruffed Grouse and delighted in frequent encounters with the ever-shy and awkward Woodcock. The heart-pounding “DOG ON POINT, OVER HERE!,” echoed through the forest. Then the explosion of a ‘Ruff, blasting from the carpeted forest floor and our through thick, leaf-dense canopy. A thunderous “pow echos,” then a quick tut-tut in the distance. The faint aroma of gun-powder wafted under our nose. The earnest hail of “BIRD DOWN,” the answer of “bird-in- hand” brought us delight. Our hearts thumped in exhilaration. Congratulations follow and we enjoy a victorious hike back to the trucks and a tired return to base-camp. Grouse Camp 2018 was an incredible success. Thanks to every-one-of-you who was part of making Grouse Camp 2018 the truly Epic event we yearned for. Your contributions were enormous, in meal preparation, mentoring, skill-honing, companionship and encouragement. Our plan is to return, again, to the northern woods of Michigan. This next time, it will be another young pup, eager hunters and well-worn boots. Please share the memories of the event often and smile as you do.
Sincerely,
Christopher T Beal
Host, Anna-log Ranch
Enjoy the pictures - click to enlarge
We have returned home and dusted the pine-straw off our favorite boots. Gear has dried, and we are back to the daily buzz of life in civilization as we know it. For three incredible days, our team of fourteen souls was able to un-plug and engage in a life based on old-world traditions. The dogs yearned to be turned loose, their feet flying amongst century old pines and half-decade old poplar whips. We chased the Ruffed Grouse and delighted in frequent encounters with the ever-shy and awkward Woodcock. The heart-pounding “DOG ON POINT, OVER HERE!,” echoed through the forest. Then the explosion of a ‘Ruff, blasting from the carpeted forest floor and our through thick, leaf-dense canopy. A thunderous “pow echos,” then a quick tut-tut in the distance. The faint aroma of gun-powder wafted under our nose. The earnest hail of “BIRD DOWN,” the answer of “bird-in- hand” brought us delight. Our hearts thumped in exhilaration. Congratulations follow and we enjoy a victorious hike back to the trucks and a tired return to base-camp. Grouse Camp 2018 was an incredible success. Thanks to every-one-of-you who was part of making Grouse Camp 2018 the truly Epic event we yearned for. Your contributions were enormous, in meal preparation, mentoring, skill-honing, companionship and encouragement. Our plan is to return, again, to the northern woods of Michigan. This next time, it will be another young pup, eager hunters and well-worn boots. Please share the memories of the event often and smile as you do.
Sincerely,
Christopher T Beal
Host, Anna-log Ranch
Enjoy the pictures - click to enlarge
"Out in the Wild"
Survival Camp
Nine dads and twelve kids attended the 2018 "Out in the Wild" camping event at Tannenbaum Tree Farm on August 17-18. The attendees were divided into three camps: The Salmon camp, the Elk camp and the Grizzly camp. On Friday evening a devotion / with a challenge was given for each camp to discuss around the campfire. On Saturday morning after breakfast the teams were challenged to: Catch a fish without a fishing pole, start a fire without matches, filet the fish, then cook the fish over the fire barrels. Chris Beal, Mike Foster, Jim Pinkel and Paul Vogel assisted the team when they needed help. Jim Pinkel with his team of chefs, Ron and John did an awesome job of providing meals. Much time was spent by all fishing in the pond for bluegills and bass. Our thanks goes to the Koellings (owners of Tannenbaum Tree Farm) for allowing us to use their beautiful property for this event.
Enjoy the pictures. Click on them to enlarge.
"2018 True North Trout Camp"
34 guys attended the Trout Camp in Baldwin this year. Six of the men brought their sons. The food, fellowship & fishing was great. The rivers were a bit high for this time of the year but the weather was great.
Click on the pictures to enlarge.
34 guys attended the Trout Camp in Baldwin this year. Six of the men brought their sons. The food, fellowship & fishing was great. The rivers were a bit high for this time of the year but the weather was great.
Click on the pictures to enlarge.
"Millard Holton's 2018 Turkey Hunt Pictures"
Millard's Turkey hunt story
Sun, Apr 29, 2018 10:05 pm
When you decide to buy a Spring Turkey License it is a gamble if you will be successful as there are a lot of intervening factors that can determine if your hunt will be a "diamond" or a "stone!" Examples are the weather conditions like high winds, Toms with a lot of ladies with him, rain and the presence of other hunters. Any of these factors can mess anyone's short season. Phyllis and I experienced four days where the several Toms we encountered ignored my calls to the point, I thought I was losing my touch at calling in a gobbler. I was beginning to regret purchasing an Early Season License as the late, cold, rainy spring had obviously delayed the breeding season? However, on Friday afternoon we were supposed to meet with a contractor at Phyllis' farm near Hastings to install some tile on her farm. She suggested we should go to my nieces' farm in Shiawassee County, near Owosso and hunt until noon, then go to our farm. We agreed that was a good plan and arrived at our tent blind at daybreak. As I was sitting out my decoys, the neighbor's woods lit up with gobbles as had been the case on Monday and Wednesday. However, this time as I scratched out a series of yelps on my slate call, several thunderous gobbles rattled through the treetops! After a few vocal exchanges, silence followed. After about 15 minutes a turkey was spotted along our side of the woods; approximately 400 or 500 yards away. with my binoculars, I determined it was a nice Tom and he was looking our way. As I yelped again, this bird charged toward us and never stopped running until he reached a large three foot in diameter, walnut tree along side of our tent. He was strutting and gobbling less than 15 feet away but couldn't get a good shot at him. As he retreated across a grass field, I begin trying to call him back with no success.
After another 20 minutes, two more Toms also came out into the open field from the same woods. As they approached us one stopped about half way and just stood there looking our way like a statue, while the other ran to the same fence row we were sitting in. I couldn't see him until he was right on us but could quickly see he had a short beard and is referred to as a Jake. He crossed our fence row about 20 feet away and examined our hen decoys. He provided us with some good photos before leaving the same route as the other had gone. Now the other Tom was still out in the field and I went to work on him with my call. He soon started our way but took his time. He also crossed our fence row much like the Jake, and walked out to the decoys. He must of thought they were ugly as he turned and started to walk towards another thick fence row. I shot him with my Ten Point, Venum crossbow at 25 yards and he died almost instantly. Today, unlike the first four days, was surely a diamond as my season came to an abrupt end and couldn't have concluded better!! A cursory measurement of The Tom showed he displayed a double beard in excess of 11 inches and spurs approximately 1 and 6/16 inches each. This is more than 15 Record Class Turkeys I have harvested; five in the last 12 months! He will be the main course at a Farmers Group Dinner held Monday night. The good thing no one will have to pick pellets out of their turkey dinner.
Sun, Apr 29, 2018 10:05 pm
When you decide to buy a Spring Turkey License it is a gamble if you will be successful as there are a lot of intervening factors that can determine if your hunt will be a "diamond" or a "stone!" Examples are the weather conditions like high winds, Toms with a lot of ladies with him, rain and the presence of other hunters. Any of these factors can mess anyone's short season. Phyllis and I experienced four days where the several Toms we encountered ignored my calls to the point, I thought I was losing my touch at calling in a gobbler. I was beginning to regret purchasing an Early Season License as the late, cold, rainy spring had obviously delayed the breeding season? However, on Friday afternoon we were supposed to meet with a contractor at Phyllis' farm near Hastings to install some tile on her farm. She suggested we should go to my nieces' farm in Shiawassee County, near Owosso and hunt until noon, then go to our farm. We agreed that was a good plan and arrived at our tent blind at daybreak. As I was sitting out my decoys, the neighbor's woods lit up with gobbles as had been the case on Monday and Wednesday. However, this time as I scratched out a series of yelps on my slate call, several thunderous gobbles rattled through the treetops! After a few vocal exchanges, silence followed. After about 15 minutes a turkey was spotted along our side of the woods; approximately 400 or 500 yards away. with my binoculars, I determined it was a nice Tom and he was looking our way. As I yelped again, this bird charged toward us and never stopped running until he reached a large three foot in diameter, walnut tree along side of our tent. He was strutting and gobbling less than 15 feet away but couldn't get a good shot at him. As he retreated across a grass field, I begin trying to call him back with no success.
After another 20 minutes, two more Toms also came out into the open field from the same woods. As they approached us one stopped about half way and just stood there looking our way like a statue, while the other ran to the same fence row we were sitting in. I couldn't see him until he was right on us but could quickly see he had a short beard and is referred to as a Jake. He crossed our fence row about 20 feet away and examined our hen decoys. He provided us with some good photos before leaving the same route as the other had gone. Now the other Tom was still out in the field and I went to work on him with my call. He soon started our way but took his time. He also crossed our fence row much like the Jake, and walked out to the decoys. He must of thought they were ugly as he turned and started to walk towards another thick fence row. I shot him with my Ten Point, Venum crossbow at 25 yards and he died almost instantly. Today, unlike the first four days, was surely a diamond as my season came to an abrupt end and couldn't have concluded better!! A cursory measurement of The Tom showed he displayed a double beard in excess of 11 inches and spurs approximately 1 and 6/16 inches each. This is more than 15 Record Class Turkeys I have harvested; five in the last 12 months! He will be the main course at a Farmers Group Dinner held Monday night. The good thing no one will have to pick pellets out of their turkey dinner.
Forton Family Dove Hunt in Indiana
On opening day Dad, Leah, and I sat in a bad field, but wound up with 8.
Day two Dad and Paul had a good draw, and limited out with 30 birds by 4:00. Leah and I hunted in a field from two miles away and scratched out one bird.
Day three we didn't get the field we wanted, but it turned out okay. Paul and I had three boys along for retriever duty and we brought home 16.
On day four, my sunburn started peeling so we went to church this morning. ;-)
