Public Apology

I am writing this post to thank Steve for giving us a forum of some of the greatest people in the world and to apologize to two of them.

Most of you know that I work for Drop Zone TV on the Outdoor Channel as a Field Producer.  Deadeyerik asked if I would like to bring the crew to MT to hunt a Mtn. lion.  After some discussions with the crew, the hunt was on.

I am unsure of how many man hours that Rik and HunterDan put in to make this happen.  I know they had two sets on hounds coming in to make this hunt happen.  One of them from Michigan.  Rik and Dan also had people across the state to scouting for us.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, two weeks before the hunt was to take place, we had to cancel.  One hunter was let go from the show and the other hunter, a doctor, got embroiled in a statewide witch hunt lawsuit perpetrated by our outgoing state representatives.  Regardless, all those hours of work went out the window and I am sure both Rik and Dan were understandably upset.   

Why am I writing this now?  TODAY was supposed to be Day 1 of out hunt!  I just wanted the folks on this forum to know that this community has some awesome, giving people that put in a lot of work for someone they had never met face-to-face and that work did not go unnoticed!

I am so sorry for all that Rik and Dan had to put out to make this hunt happen only to have it yanked from under them at the last minute.  My doctor, hunter STILL wants to bag a lion, and if Rik and Dan will have us, we will set a date for next season and get this done.

Dave

Love playing that string music and sending a Muzzy flying!

Rick & Dan are amazing guys.
I really enjoyed bouncing around in the truck with them last year in some beautiful country.
I would be there too this winter if i could possibly get away.
Some day i wanta hear them hounds & see a cougur up close.

Dave,
 You are absolutely right about the caliber of guys and gals on this forum. There is no better group of people anywhere as far as I'm concerned. There are guys that go out of their way to make a perfect stranger feel at home and support them in their times of need.  I would welcome anyone of them in my camp at anytime.

Gary Scheel
NAHC LM,RMEF LM,NRA Member, Lonestar Bowhunter, TexasHogHunter Pro Staff Member

You and me both Brother!  I was hoping to go on that hunt this year and I was just too darn pooped after being away from home for so long on all those other hunts I did.  Maybe this is an omen and I'll be tagging along chasing those old hounds next time.  I'm sure the guys did their thing and that's too bad that things fell apart, but it sure wasn't your fault and it's great that you came on here like that.  YOU THE MAN!!!  PS:  A better bunch you will not find anywhere and there is not one single person that I wouldn't share time with!!!

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

Bowman, you are truly a gentelman to apologize but it sounds like in this case the circumstances were completely out of your control. I'm sure that the one who is no longer with the show worked himself into that position and the doctor being involved in a lawsuit had nothing to do with you. What more could you have done. I just hope that when the time comes, the guy's are able to muster the ambition and work it out again. We would all like to hear the stories that come from a hunt and possibly be able to see some clips too.
All of the folks I have had the pleasure of talking to and sharing ideas, stories, etc. are upstanding people and I am happy to call all of you my friends. This forum has somehow managed to catch what I would consider the cream of the crop from the administrators to the members, I am proud to be a part of the UOA gang. I have been on quite a few of these boards and this is the only one where people seem to really care about and support the other guy when the opportunity arises.
Happy Hunting My Friends,
Steve Albers

No hard feelings here Dave. I know it wasn't your fault. They were all circumstances that couldn't be avoided and like I said before $#it happens. Fran from Mich. is still planning on coming out so maybe we'll be able to atleast post some picts.of me or Dan with a cat. As far as time spent preparing. Other than making a few calls and BSing about hunting {something I have always had a hard time with} I spent more time biting my nails waiting for the hunt to get here. I'm not out anything but a few fingertips and maybe my 2 min. of fame.LOL (I'm sure I wouln't have gotten 15 min. of camera time) Might have got a shot of me releasing a hound or something. LOL
I agree with everyone else on here also about this being a great forum. With a great bunch of guys. I'd go hunting with any of you.
I did have a pretty good day though. Started out by going to the Great Rockie Mountain Sports show in Billings. I learned a few good tips on calling elk and I litteraly walked right into Jim Zumbo. He looks bigger on TV. I apoligized and introduced myself, chatted a little bit and said bye. And need I even mention the Packer game?
 
No worries Dave. Your allright by me. See ya'll a little farther down the forum. Can't wait to get to the sports thread.

Yes, things do happen that are beyond one's control. I've had many trips to Canada for both Whitetail and Bear. A few years back I decided it was time to broaden my horizon and after a lot of research booked a combination hunt in Newfoundland for Woodland Caribou and Moose. This was a 10 day helicopter fly in with a great guide. I booked over a year in advance. I started working out to get myself into the best shape I could be in, purchased additional equipment and spent many a day at the range. I was going to be ready for this trip. After months on the treamill and lifting weights I suddenly developed a problem and went to see my doctor. The diagnosis was not good. The tests, the surgery and the subsequent treatments took their toll on me but I was fortunate in the end and beat what was trying to kill me.
 
I was able to postpone the trip to the following year but as it turned out the costs associated with my fight simply ate up my savings and I had to cancel my adventure. Unknown to me at the time was that the outfitter I had booked with had himself been diagnosed with the same problem but in his case he didn't make it. The new owner of the outfit has been very kind and has told me that he will honor my deposit in the future if I can manage to put it all together. Only time will tell. So things do happen, such is life.

The freshest tracks still have feet in them.

Glad to hear you made that recovery and may possibly get to go on that trip yet.  Yep, God has a plan for each of us and if we believe in Him everything will turn out okay!!!

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

Hey Dave. No apologys needed. Was just one of those things. Next time for sure!
Besides, it may have been a bust anyway with the weather we are having. Rain and 40's, probably wouldnt have seen much for tracks.

See;  what did old Topgun tell ya!  It was just in the cards and maybe next year everything will come together for a great hunt!!!

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

John,
So glad that you are still here with us to share your knowledge!  I know you will get that trip and bring back stories that rival Stan "Gimme a second" Potts!  It is very cool that the new outfitter is honoring your deposit!  Let us know who it is so we can possibly book a hunt with such an honorable outdoorsman!
 
Dave

Love playing that string music and sending a Muzzy flying!

Dave---Why did you have to mention that dingaling Potts, LOL!  Is it just me that can't stand the guy or what?  He has rubbed me the wrong way from the first time I saw him and, to me, he is just one poor actor with that give me a second chit!!!  Granted, he has killed some big bucks, just like a bunch of those other "Pros" on TV, but put me in a stand that has been scouted out on a farm or ranch that isn't hunted hardly at all with big bruisers roaming the property and my name would be up in lights too!  Sorry for the rant, but that's the way I feel about a lot of these "Pros" and the way hunting has now become an "Industry"---Grrrrrrr!!!

Mike Stephenson
aka Topgun----30-06

Bowman_No4


John,
So glad that you are still here with us to share your knowledge!  I know you will get that trip and bring back stories that rival Stan "Gimme a second" Potts!  It is very cool that the new outfitter is honoring your deposit!  Let us know who it is so we can possibly book a hunt with such an honorable outdoorsman!
 
Dave

silvermountainlodge.com
 
Mobile outfitters at silver mountain lodge.

The freshest tracks still have feet in them.

ROFLMAO Mike!!!

Love playing that string music and sending a Muzzy flying!