Monday, December 22, 2014

My MacGyver Moment

 
 
I always try to be as safe as possible when I am in the field, but sometimes things just happen; whether a pure accident or a result of my mistake, someone else’s mistake, or just me being clumsy. This moment happened during the 2011 deer hunting season. There were 3 of us hunting and the John Deer Gator we were driving truly only held 2 people up front comfortably; so since I was the first to be dropped off, I decided to ride in the back of the gator, while the warnings clearly say not to.
 
My ride was short to my drop off point, so it didn’t seem like a big deal. I rode in the back sitting down, holding my bow and my husband’s bow so he could drive. As he stopped he got out and I handed him my bow for some reason so I could climb out. I put one foot on the mini tailgate to step on and jump out, but the tail gate was not closed properly. This led to it opening and me falling towards the ground. All I could think about was I had my husband’s bow in my hand and I couldn’t let it hit the ground. If I dropped it he might have to re-sight it in, or I might break it. So as I fell toward the ground I raised my right hand in the air with his bow in it which only left me one hand to break my fall.
Instead however, my right knee absorbed the full impact being the first thing to hit the ground and luckily for me, my knee landed right on a rock. As I hit and rolled over on my back wincing in pain, I was still holding my husband’s bow high in the air. He asked if I was ok. My response….I said is your bow ok? He kept saying his bow was fine and checking on me. I looked at my knee and saw a hole in my leaf suit but only saw dirt on it. I said its hurts, but I’ll be fine; I just wanted to get my stuff and get to my stand. They drove off and I began the walk to my tree climber.
It became apparent that because my injury was on my knee, every time I bent it and took a step it opened the wound even more, causing more and more pain. I had on shorts (it was hot) with my leaf suit over the top which was causing more problems. The mesh from the suit was sticking to the wound. So I pulled the leg of it up over my knee to keep walking. I got to my tree climber and realized I was in for more pain. To climb the tree, I was going to have to bend my knees over and over to maneuver the climber up the tree. By this time, the dirt had worked itself out of the wound and blood was streaming down my leg.
 
All I could think about was getting in my stand and then I would figure it out there. So I climbed in pain and got settled in. As I set up all of my gear, I realized the first aid kit was in the Gator. Again not the brightest moment of not having some first aid gear in my backpack but lesson learned. I began to inventory the contents of my bag and put my MacGyver skills to work. I found a lens cleaning cloth that was in my binocular case which would be the wound dressing to absorb and stop the bleeding, at least of a while. Next I found my old back up head lamp that had an adjustable elastic head band. I removed the light and adjusted the band around my knee to press and hold the cloth onto my wound. It became my  homemade band-aid. I was able to pull my leaf suit leg over the bandage and was pretty much good to go.
 
The only problem was I could not elevate my leg sitting in the tree climber so my knee throbbed the entire hunt, but at least I stopped the bleeding. I still have the scar on my knee from that horrible fall, but I was a great wife by holding my husband’s bow in the air and saving it, even though my knee suffered the consequences. If that’s not dedication and awareness I don’t know what is haha!

Monday, December 8, 2014

Who Loves Jerky?

The real question is who DOESN'T love jerky!
I recently did a full review of a plethora of exotic jerky (http://camocandace.blogspot.com/2014/09/jerky-dynasty-tasty-review.html) but I also had the chance to review something even more fun...its still jerky but...
 
 
It's bacon jerky!!!
 
Jeff's Famous Real Bacon Jerky
Yes it's actual bacon and its definitely something you have to try.
It's sweet from the honey glaze which helps balance the spice of the sriracha!
Very flavorful, a good amount of spice from the pepper & has a grainy texture.
 
Oh and after I had 2 pieces, my husband ate the whole bag! So for all you BACON LOVERS out there, this is the prefect stocking stuffer for the bacon enthusiast in your life!
 
Dan's Smoke House X-Treme Hot Beef Jerky
This Hot Beef Jerky was my favorite of the 3 items I reviewed. I have tried A LOT of 'bag jerky' with all the road trips we take hunting but this is ranks at the top of my list!
 
Very good texture, A LOT of flavor (you can see the crushed red pepper on it), and just the right amount of spice. I wouldn't say its X-TREME as the package indicates but its definitely hot which this South Texas girl loves! Spice it up!
 
Dusty's Habanero Snack Stick (Beef)
Finally, I usually steal a bite or two when my husband buys jerky sticks but I was not sharing this with him (ok he had a little taste but I took the rest!)
Very good flavor, spicy with a little bit of a tang from a mustard ingredient.
 
Make sure you head over to www.JerkyDynasty.com to cure all of your jerky cravings! Don't forget Christmas is right around the corner & these make the best stocking stuffers....hint, hint!