Things You Didn't Know

My tournaments are done until the end of September and I have spent the last 3 weeks since returning from Lake Winnebago getting caught up with things around the house.  What most people don't realize is that besides fishing, I really like to Golf, Garden and Bow Hunt Deer.  My Golf game is kind of handicapped by my fishing as I only have so much time and both take a lot of practice to excel at.  So, for now I will stick to competitive fishing and leisure golfing as living in Minnesota our golf season is very short when compared to our year around fishing opportunities.

Gardening and Bow Hunting are my two real passions, so much so that I combine the two and try to raise food plots that not only grow big bucks year around but also attract them.  Since I have been a young kid I have enjoyed the process of sowing seeds and watching them grow.  Over my 30 years of gardening I have learned a few tricks but still enjoy the trial and error lessons I get taught from good old mother nature.  This year I have over over 12 acres planted of things that include, corn, beans, pumpkins, rape, rye and clover.  In addition, I have a one acre vegitable garden at home.  Keeping busy is never a problem!

One of my favorite plantings for deer are Giant Pumpkins.  Deer from Northern MN love giant pumpkins, and they are a great food source for them also.  For the last 8 years I have been growing giant pumpkins for deer.  I would estimate I grow over 10,000 pounds of pumpkins each year and other than a few jack-o-lanterns the deer eat them all up.  Next year I am going to attempt to grow a pumpkin that will cross the 1000 pound mark.  So, if you visit the site next year, I will be tracking my progress toward growing a 1000 pounder.  This year I will be happy if I can get one over the 500 pound mark, which would be my biggest ever.  Things are looking good though as long as the weather continues to cooperate.  If you think competive fishing is a lot of work you should try growing a pumpkin over 1000 pounds!

That is a little bit about me and things I do when I am not fishing competitively.  The picture in this photo is the a 14 point buck that has been visiting my food plots regularly this season.  I am hoping it decides to stick around for a while as it appears to have a lot of potential.  Now back to the gardening!