  Harvesting an elk with my bow, was more than just a hunt. It was a culmination of preparation, hard work, practice, sweat, tears, teamwork, coordination, and overcoming an injury. It also taught me perseverance and humility. I didn’t grow up hunting. I just knew this was something I wanted to do. I bought my first bow in 2010, but only managed to go out a couple of times. I didn’t really have anyone who would take me—that is until I met my husband. Although when I first met him, I just wanted him to be my hunting partner. We spent almost every weekend hunting together during archery season, and I learned quite a bit from him that year, even though I still had yet to harvest an elk. Almost immediately after that first archery season, I started having back issues. I went from doing Cross Fit regularly, running, snowboarding, and everything else that was physically active, to are not able to walk. When you are in your 20’s, used to a life of adventure, and then suddenly are faced with the inability to get out of bed in the morning, it is a very humbling experience. Fortunately for me, I had back surgery 10 months later which was successful. The downside of it was that I was not sure if I would be able to do everything I did prior to the surgery, including archery hunting. I just wasn’t sure about my ability to hunt and pack out an animal if I was successful.  The thing about bow hunting is that to increase your chances of a successful hunt, you need to go where most humans are not willing to go. That being said, we hunt in some of the most rugged and dense forests the coastal mountains have to offer. We also go several miles in to make sure we escape civilization. Because of this, I was extremely nervous about my back. Shortly after my surgery, I learned about a North West Ladies Hunting Camp. I attended the camp in 2016 and learned a lot. First off, there are a lot of female hunters out there and there are a lot of really good female hunters. I took classes on all sorts of things and learned a lot about how to increase my odds of success. I spent months talking to the Oregon Fish and Wildlife biologists in the area, I went down the Forestry Department and ODFW and obtained maps, I learned the geography and lay of the land to figure out where the elk may spend their time. I would shoot my bow every day after work. We even went into our spot, ahead of season, and cleared some brush to help us make a quieter entry once the season opened for hunting. All of this preparation paid off.  On the morning of the second day of the season, I killed my first elk. He was a 6 point Roosevelt bull—easily weighing more than 1000 lbs. It was just my husband and me, so it took us over 14 hours to pack out the elk. The terrain was so steep, I worried I would fall because of having to carry all that weight in my pack. There were moments I questioned my sanity, moments where my eyes teared with joy, but most of all, I was just thankful. I was thankful for the elk giving us his life so we could have organic meat in the freezer, I was thankful our hard work paid off, and I was thankful my back held up during this trip. At Nature’s Paint, we are on a mission to provide the best hunting face on the market. For this reason, and more, our paint is always composed of natural ingredients that you can pronounce and are both safe for you and our environment. Our hunting face paint is always easy on, easy off, 100% natural, and environmentally friendly. Go ahead, try it for yourself, and notice the difference.
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 Adrenaline rushing through your body, heart pumping, bow at full draw with an elk in your sights... What happens next? Will you make a kill shot and be packing out an elk? Will you miss it completely? Or, will you wound the aminal? Archery hunting will challenge you both mentally and physically. It’s part of what keeps us hunters coming back for more year after year. It’s also why pre-season preparation is just as, if not more, important than getting out into the woods during the season. While throwing your target out in the yard and shooting at is helpful, it’s not the full meal deal. It takes a little more commitment to get fully prepared for the season ahead. Let’s look at a few ways to take your preparation and ultimately your hunting experience to the next level.  Fine-tune Your Equipment Tuning your bow can be a tedious process and it can be tempting to settle for “close enough”. But remember, close enough could be the difference between a great shot and a wounded animal come September. Your gear must be dialed in. If you are uncertain, don’t be afraid to visit your local archery shop and work with the pros to make the tweaks necessary to fine-tune your equipment. Many of us hunt an entire season just to get one shot, we’d better be certain that our gear is perfectly set up and tuned to make that shot a great one. Focus on Form There’s a reason basketball players shoot free throws every single practice and it comes down to form and muscle memory. The more times you do something the right way the better you will be. The same holds true for archery hunting. Every shot you take you should be thinking about your form and making the same movements until it becomes a habit. Shooting multiple arrows a day will not only have you feeling comfortable and confident, but it will also help build strength.  Build Strength and Endurance Aminals are smart. It’s a rare occasion that they walkout at 20 yards and stand broadside for you. Rather, their vitals are typically behind a tree or shrub and their head is poking out all while you are drawn back just waiting for them to take one more step. Prepare for long holds now. As you shoot your bow each day practice holding for up to three minutes (if you can). Pretend like its the real deal, pick a spot on your target and pretend like its the vitals. Drawback and hold, hold, hold...until you feel like you can’t any longer and then go ahead and let it rip. Add Variety You never know when you are going to get your opportunity and what you will be doing at that time. You may be crouching, kneeling, mid-step and the list goes on. The more positions you can confidently shoot from the better. So, go ahead and add variety when you practice. Shoot at a variety of angles, shoot from a variety of distances and shoot from a variety of positions to help ensure you are best prepared. Focus on Fitness There will be situations where you have just climbed a hill, are huffing and puffing, and need to drawback, it’s going to happen. Prepare now by throwing on your pack, grabbing your bow, and going for a hike. If you are unable to easily access hiking areas, go for a brisk walk with your pack on, do some air squats or burpees in between shots, do whatever you can to get your heart rate up and strengthen your legs. Make It a Habit Make your season preparation a weekly, if not daily, habit. If you do, you will be a fine-tuned machine when the season starts. Your legs will be strong and able to get you where you need to go. And, when it comes time to take a shot you will do so confidently, knowing that you have put hours of practice in, knowing that your bow is shooting straight and knowing that you have the strength to hold that bow back as long as it takes to get a great shot. At Nature’s Paint, we are on a mission to provide the best hunting face on the market. For this reason, and more, our paint is always composed of natural ingredients that you can pronounce and are both safe for you and our environment. Our hunting face paint is always easy on, easy off, 100% natural, and environmentally friendly. Go ahead, try it for yourself, and notice the difference.
 Thanks to those that came before us, those that had the courage and strength to stand up for their freedom and our freedom, we celebrate our independence and freedom. We all know and understand that freedom is not free. Men and women alike have and still do fight for and risk their lives for this freedom that we enjoy. And, it’s because of these men and women that we are able to live the lives we do today. We are beyond blessed to live in a country where we have the freedom to choose the life of a hunter. After all, there’s peace, freedom, and connection to be found in the hunting woods. The entire experience of hunting offers so much more than food on the table, it frees and restores the mind and soul. As you lace up your boots and hit the trail you leave the chaos of everyday life behind. You’re not obligated to answer your phone or texts (if you even have service), there are no deadlines, and there’s no clock to punch. It just you and the journey ahead. As you move through the wilderness it’s calm and quiet. You can move as fast or as slow as you want, taking it all in, looking for sign, and listening for the slightest movement. It’s almost as if your senses are heightened. The noise of the world that once clouded your mind is gone leaving your mind free and clear. The path you are on is completely yours. There’s no one telling you where to go or when to be somewhere. You have the absolute freedom to rely on your senses (and maybe your GPS) to guide you. When action strikes, it’s up to you to make the call. You are the only one to decide when to move, when to call, when to draw and when to shoot, should you get the opportunity. You and only you will take ownership of the result. When night falls and you prepare for bed you are freed from the distraction of technology that fills our everyday life. It’s just you and a beautiful evening under the stars. As hunters, we have several reasons to celebrate our freedom today with a big one being this amazing lifestyle that affords us the freedom found in the woods. At Nature’s Paint, we are on a mission to provide the best hunting face on the market. For this reason, and more, our paint is always composed of natural ingredients that you can pronounce and are both safe for you and our environment. Our hunting face paint is always easy on, easy off, 100% natural, and environmentally friendly. Go ahead, try it for yourself, and notice the difference.
 There are 365 days in a year and roughly 29 days dedicated to big game hunting season (depending on your location) leaving approximately 336 days to prepare for the upcoming season. While preparing for the upcoming season doesn’t typically take 336 days, big game archery season is much more than a one-month event. When it comes to scouting and season prep we all have our preferences. Oftentimes these preferences are established based on our hunting style. Some people simply hop in the truck opening day and drive around looking for a buck while others lace up the boots, throw the pack on and head for the hills with their salt and trail cameras. And, of course, there are a variety of scouting techniques that fall somewhere in between. It’s all about finding what fits best for your hunting style. So where to begin? Let’s look at several different scouting techniques and how they work. As we sort through his list, keep in mind that every state contains its own unique regulations so it’s important to first be familiar with what is and what isn’t legal in your particular state. Online Scouting Thanks to the internet we have the ability to begin the scouting process from the comfort of our phones or computers. And, it’s a great place to begin, especially when you are gearing up to hunt a new area. You can use free services like Google Earth or paid services like OnX or Basemap. In a nutshell, the satellite images allow us to look at different areas and make note of the food supply, habitat, water sources, roads, access, and so on. As you find areas that look promising mark them on your GPS or in whatever app you prefer so you can easily find them when it comes time to set a few trail cameras. Be sure to note the closest access roads and distance. Remember, if you are successful in this spot you will be packing your harvest out. Here’s the really cool thing about online scouting, you can utilize it all year long to study areas you plan to hunt. By Foot As the snow melts and the areas you marked become accessible its time to lace up the boots, strap on the pack and get hiking (typically around May or June depending on your location). This is not only beneficial for scouting but also helps you get in shape for the season ahead. So, what are we looking for? Sign, of course. Be sure to keep an eye out for rubs, game trails, tracks, wallows, and fresh poop. These are all indications that you have found a promising spot that may be worthy of your trail camera, tree stand, or ground blind. Take note of the lay of the land and get as familiar with it as possible. This can only play to your advantage when it comes time to hunt. And, of course, don’t forget to set waypoints for all of the spots you need to remember come hunting season like wallows, where you set your cameras, and so on. Camera Check This is where things get really fun. There are few things better than capturing images of wildlife on your camera, especially when its a monster buck or herd bull. While it is tempting to head in every week to see what new images you have, its best to check the cameras about once a month. You want to keep the pressure off the animals and minimize the risk of bumping them out prior to the season. When it comes time to hike in and see what’s happening. Go ahead and throw a little extra weight in your pack to help you get into “hunting shape.” When you put the time in prior to season you are starting your big game season with your best foot forward and your best chance at harvesting an animal. Remember, there are 365 days in a year, roughly 29 days dedicated to big game hunting season (depending on your location), and about 336 days preparing for the upcoming season. At Nature’s Paint, we are on a mission to provide the best hunting face on the market. For this reason, and more, our paint is always composed of natural ingredients that you can pronounce and are both safe for you and our environment. Our hunting face paint is always easy on, easy off, 100% natural, and environmentally friendly. Go ahead, try it for yourself, and notice the difference.
 Fathers, they are our protectors, our teachers, and oftentimes our adventure partners. While mothers have certainly played their role (there’s no doubting that), many of us have dad or a father figure to thank for teaching us this way of life we know and love. The life of a hunter. Throughout our youth, he showed us the ropes. It started with early mornings in the hunting truck and our favorite snacks (courtesy of mom). While we tried to match his long strides with our quick short strides he was sure to point out every rub and the indications of its age, every dropping and indications of its freshness, and every animal within sight. When we were really lucky we got to see dad harvest an animal and help him field dress and pack it out. As we grew older the hunts changed. We gained more responsibility and earned the opportunity to take the shot, but there was no way we could do this on our own. Again, Dad was there, right by our side, coaching us, teaching us, guiding us, keeping us safe, and mentoring us. Time passed and we grew. We were able to hit the woods without Dad. Overall of those years Dad taught us right. Thanks to him, we know certain hunting spots like the back of our hand, we know where to put our cameras and salt, and maybe most importantly, we know how to harvest, thank and care for the animals we are blessed with. While the solo hunts and experiencing the woods with new friends is fun, there’s always time for a hunt with Dad. Now matching him stride for stride as you head to your favorite hunting spot, sharing the lunch you packed with him, letting him have the first shot, and reminiscing about all of the hunts you have enjoyed together. Looking back, many of us now understand that during these early ages Dad was giving us a very precious gift during his short hunting season: his time, attention, and love all in efforts to pass along his passion and knowledge. And today, thanks to Dad, we too are able to pass along this lifestyle we know and love. Happy Father’s Dad and thank you to all of the amazing hunting dads out there. At Nature’s Paint, we are on a mission to provide the best hunting face on the market. For this reason, and more, our paint is always composed of natural ingredients that you can pronounce and are both safe for you and our environment. Our hunting face paint is always easy on, easy off, 100% natural, and environmentally friendly. Go ahead, try it for yourself and notice the difference.
 Social distancing, it’s a hot topic these days. With the threat of a fast traveling virus and a strong recommendation to stay away from each other people are heading for the hills. When it comes to hunters and the lifestyle we choose, this isn’t really anything new for us. We are basically pros when it comes to embracing the great outdoors and getting the heck away from people. You could say we practically invented social distancing...years ago. Every September we head into the wilderness in hopes of locating the majestic, and oftentimes elusive elk. If we are lucky enough, we find the herd. If we are really lucky we get the chance to pull our bow back and ride the roller coaster of emotions that comes with harvesting an animal. But, there’s so much more to this story and this experience than the thrill of the chase, there’s of course, the element of social distancing. The world we live in is crazy and busy. And, sometimes it can be downright overwhelming. We have full-time jobs to work, meals to cook, children to care for, animals to tend to and more. If we are lucky, we are able to carve out time for a little fun, for a little shooting therapy, for some shed hunting and so on. But then, something happens...the next hunting season approaches and we get our priorities straight. We push some tasks aside and make time to get outside, to enjoy a little outdoor therapy, to yes, social distance. With boots laced tight and a pack on your back, you head out away from society and into nature. Your schedule is clear. You don’t have any phone calls to make, you don’t have any meetings to attend, and as a matter of fact, you don’t want to see another human until you are packing your harvest out. It’s just you (and maybe your hunting partner) and the wilderness. As you hike, it’s quiet, it’s calm and even though it may be physically challenging, it’s soothing. You can hear the woods come to life as the light breeze blows through the trees, the birds chirp and the squirrels rustle around. The stress you have been carrying for far too long evaporates. You are free of worry and free of distraction. And then, just like that, a bull torches off and you hear your first bugle of the day. Your heart rate jumps, your blood starts to pump and the chase is on. This is social distancing at its best. So, call it what you want...outdoor therapy, hunting, social distancing its all part of what we call living the #NaturesPaintLife. Go ahead, embrace and make the most out of this order to social distance. Load up your pack, lace up your boots and camo up because Turkey season is on the horizon and the wilderness is calling your name. At Nature’s Paint, we are on a mission to provide the best hunting face on the market. For this reason, and more, our paint is always composed of natural ingredients that you can pronounce and are both safe for you and our environment. Our hunting face paint is always easy on, easy off, 100% natural, and environmentally friendly. Go ahead, try it for yourself and notice the difference.
 Have you been to the grocery store lately? It’s an interesting scene. Common commodities like meat, toilet paper, and medicine have been bought up. There is a sense of uncertainty that is spreading across the country. But, in this time of chaos, as hunters, I encourage you to pause, to stay calm. Now, I’m not saying or implying are you are immune to this fast-spreading virus, what I am saying is that as a hunter you have the means to survive, even when it feels like the daily essentials are going just as fast as they are coming. Pull out your hunting pack and what will you find? Hopefully, it includes a headlamp, a GPS, a knife, a couple of dehydrated meals, a lighter, an emergency kit, some batteries a small tarp and of course your favorite calls, some Nature’s Paint and so on. Your pack should be basically a small survival pack. Every year you head out into the wilderness in hopes of harvesting meat for yourself and your family. You face the elements and the unknown, just as we are today. And, no matter what happens you are prepared for what may come. Just as you are today. Yes, that’s right, because you are a hunter you are prepared, at least when it comes to your food source. Where’s the meat? What’s in your freezer? What opportunities do you have on the horizon? You know the answer to all of these questions. And, I don’t say this lightly because not everyone can answer these with certainty. Your meat, well it’s at your favorite hunting spot or maybe even your secret fishing hole. It’s out there being organic, running free, eating a diet it was designed to eat and living the kind of life it was designed to live. Your freezer, I hope that it’s full from last year’s big game season and the recent waterfowl season. If it’s not, fear not, opportunity is around the corner with Spring bear, turkey and more. You have the answers, you have the skills, you have the equipment...you have access to the highest quality meat available, even when the store shelves are empty. Of course, that’s not the whole story in this case, but its a big part of it. You still need to care for yourself, care for your health and do what you can to stay well and healthy. But the meat, don’t worry about the meat because as hunters we have access to truly organic, free-range, lean protein, even when it can’t be found at the grocery store. With today’s events, I can’t help but be proud of and grateful for this way of life. So, today, I encourage you to be proud of yourself. Be proud that you have embraced a lifestyle that allows you to provide for yourself. A lifestyle that requires you to practice the most basic survival techniques throughout the year. A lifestyle that brings you a sense of calm during chaos. Live the #NaturesPaintLife So go ahead, harvest your meat, know your food, and stay calm while we weather this storm, it’s what we call living the #NaturesPaintLife. At Nature’s Paint, we are dedicated to providing 100 percent natural hunting face paint and that you can depend on to keep you concealed throughout your day’s hunt and come off with the swipe of a towellet at the end of the day. Learn more about Nature’s Paint.
 Ask a hunter why he or she hunts and you will get a variety of answers—I love being outside, the thrill of the chase, the challenge both mentally and physically, connecting with nature and so on. However, one reason you will hear time and time again is for food...I want to feed myself and my family with high-quality meat. Take a walk through the grocery store and what do you see when it comes to meat? A variety of cuts and options, bright red, sitting on styrofoam and wrapped in plastic. What was once mass-produced in a factory farm, in tight living quarters, pumped with a variety of medications and vaccines is now sitting on a shelf ready to be consumed. Sure, there are other options like visiting your local butcher or opting for organic, hormone-free, grass-fed options. But, at the end of the day, we still don’t know how “free-range” those animals really were, that is unless we were the rancher taking care of them. The only way to be sure is to know your food and where it comes from. It’s no wonder high-quality meat is at the top of every hunter’s list. So what do we get when we hunt? While the best meat on this planet makes the top of the list time and time again, hunting provides so much more than that. It provides a deep connection with nature and with the animals we hunt. And, with that, it tends to make us so much more appreciative of our food and the meals we share. It helps to provide an understanding that we are not entitled to any meal and that nothing is guaranteed. Tag soup is surely the best example of this. But best of all, it’s an experience that cannot be duplicated. From the lowest of lows to the highest of highs all in one day it teaches us to practice patience, to be mentally and physically tough and to always be a student. I suppose that leads us to the big question, when it comes to hunting, what is on your plate? It’s one of those activities that no matter the outcome leaves you with a full plate. Hours in the backwoods help to improve your strength and agility, the mental and physical demands help you to be resilient, the stalk and blown opportunities teach you to be patient, and the harvest teaches you to be grateful. At the end of the day, at the end of the season, no matter the outcome, hunting provides a rich experience and a plate filled with life lessons. So get out there, explore the woods, ditch the path, enjoy the highs, endure the lows, and know that no matter how your hunt ends that you will leave with a full plate. Live the #NaturesPaintLife Embracing nature, the hunt and all that it provides, it’s what we call living the #NaturesPaintLife. At Nature’s Paint, we are dedicated to providing 100 percent natural face paint that you can depend on to keep you concealed throughout your day’s hunt and come off with the swipe of a towellet at the end of the day. Learn more about Nature’s Paint.
 Summer is coming to an end which means our favorite season is right around the corner. In less than two weeks (in Oregon) we will be hitting the woods in hopes of being lucky enough to harvest some big game! With that, its time to open up the hunting pack and make our final effort to gear up before the season opens.
Before we dive into our checklist of hunting pack essentials, we have a giveaway opportunity for you! We have teamed up with several brands to bring you the opportunity to win gear packs ranging from a value of $500 to $1,750! Entering is simple, all you have to do is click here and fill out the form. You have until August 22nd to enter and can gain up to six entries. We will be drawing three lucky winners on August 23rd! Ok, now that you’re in the running for some pretty awesome gear, let's talk about hunting pack essentials.
Happy prepping and best of luck this season!  Calm, soothing, and still...vibrant, colorful, and alive...exhilarating, action-packed, and edgy...these terms all describe the great outdoors and the emotions that an avid outdoorsman experiences in a single adventure. Down to our core, we were made to experience all that nature has to offer. No matter our age, there is a sense of self, satisfaction, and achievement the great outdoors provides that can’t be found anywhere else. Not to mention the values and life lessons that one takes away from time in nature. With the distractions of technology, video games, and TV shows it’s important, now more than ever, to get the youth outside, in tune with nature, and learning valuable skills and lessons they will carry through life. Simply put, kids are meant to be outdoors, and every child deserves the opportunity to experience and embrace all that mother nature provides. For this reason, and many more, Nature’s Paint is teaming up with Raise ’Em Outdoors to remove barriers and help kids from all walks of life get outside through our “Experience the Outdoors” campaign. “Raise ‘Em Outdoors is dedicated to helping kids from any background get outdoors, learn all about hunting, fishing, bringing food to the table, and the outdoors as a lifestyle.” And, through their nationwide outdoor camps are teaching kids lifelong skills. Like any camp, there is a cost of entry and of course a sponsorship program in place for families that can't necessarily afford the camp. At Nature’s Paint, we have made it our goal to provide a minimum of 10 scholarships to families who need assistance with the entry fee and we are doing this by contributing a portion of our sales. For one month, April 15th through May 13th we are donating 30% of our sales to Raise ‘Em Outdoors with the goal of providing a minimum of 10 scholarships, a value of $750 to this amazing camp. With that, we encourage you to head over to naturespaint.org and grab a set of paint for yourself and your hunting partner. And, feel good about doing your part to enhance a life through the outdoor lifestyle we all know and love. Help us blow this goal out of the water and get as many kids as possible outside and experiencing the great outdoors! Nature’s Paint is an all natural camo face paint. Formulated for ultimate comfort, our natural camo paint is easy on/easy off, sweat and water resistant, 100% natural, USA made, and free of harmful chemicals. Our “lip balm” style packaging allows for a mess-free, easy on application while our 100% natural ingredients allow for removal with ease: no scrubbing, no irritation, no breakouts. Nature’s paint was designed by hunters for hunters.
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