Michaellordoutdoors's Blog

Somebody has to be wrong

michaellordoutdoors — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 15:38:38 +0000

I was in the low country of South Carolina working last week and I didn’t get to watch much TV while on the road, so I listened to XM radio. I love politics and because I also love guns, babies, and Jesus that automatically makes me a right-wing conservative monster to a lot of people. I am well versed on matters that are important to me and how I live my life. For instance, I believe people should not be able to take money from the government without working to pay it back. I must be wrong on this point because people with much more education and sophistication are literally doing number two on police cars in New York City and not going to jail. They are saying on the radio that the government should take money from people who have it and give it to people who don’t. The reason they want to do this is simply because there is enough to go around if we divide it fairly. I’m listening to this through the lens of my speakers (in the MLO truck) on my way to hopefully kill a deer, and I’m thinking what is wrong with me? Why don’t I want to go protest with the other smart people who obviously want to eradicate the social negligence that is American way. I’ll tell you why I don’t protest with these brilliant social engineers…

I think all people should be held to a standard and deserve rights and privileges until they compromise those ideals. Their rights should end where my nose begins! If someone destroys my property in protest, I’m not sure what I would do, but I assure you it will be in the news shortly after I rectify the situation. Someone tried to steal from me last year as if he was entitled to my stuff. After my testimony in court, he received a six-year sentence and a strong word of warning about coming near my property. If I had caught him in the yard, I would have helped him understand in an instance what a judge allowed him six years to ponder on the tax payers dime. In court he had the nerve to say, “this is what I do for a living.” If you know me, you know I don’t have anything against anyone until they start imposing on my rights. He tried to steal what I had worked years to pay for and acted like I didn’t deserve to keep it. My robbery story is a sad commentary of what some in America want us to become. I do not believe our country can be what it has been if we allow a group of takers to beat down the makers. In this economy über success is now perceived as stealing from the rest of us. This OWS message being publicized by media outlets is framed as the new “right way” to do things. In my opinion, this is not a protest, this is a group of people destroying private property in the media. They say absolutely nothing when they are interviewed on matters of substance. Is it just me, or does this look like a I don’t wanna work benevolent society welfare growth rally? Where is the voice that makes sense among these people? Where is the voice of reason? Am I missing something here?

What is wrong with me believing that people have the right to make something of themselves without doing it on the backs of others? Have I missed something by trying to work hard and be successful with my skill set? According to my radio, I must be wrong about a lot of things these days. In closing, here is how I see it. The minute someone poops on a police car, they should get to ride in one. The minute someone destroys property, they should pay the price and be held accountable for their actions until the damage is undone. What used to be wrong is now reported and supported as the right thing to do. In this instance, I would rather be wrong if it means I have to be associated with anyone who is promoting this group or anyone aligned with the Occupy Wall Street mentality.

Three days and counting…Hunting in the heat

michaellordoutdoors — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:50:47 +0000

I have lived in the woods this week with the camera in tow and it’s been tough. Because the temps are in the high 70′s deer are moving late in the day. This time of year I usually see deer moving from the bedding area to the hardwoods around 6 pm, not this week. Acorns are plentiful in our neck of the woods and that is a major plus for us bow hunters. However, tonight I am taking the smoke pole in hopes of getting in the game on video. I’m getting out of the tree and moving to the Rhino ground blind on a long hardwood flat. I am excited about changing up the weapon/setup of choice in the hopes of ending a hard work week in the woods with some video for MLO. Good luck hunters on your weekend in the woods! Hot or not, you can’t kill’em sitting on the couch. Get out there and have fun.

Michael

What is the best auto loader for bird hunting?

michaellordoutdoors — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 00:05:35 +0000

I’m looking for one shotgun to buy for all my bird hunting pursuits. Is there anyone willing to take a moment and share your thoughts on the one gun you think I should purchase for quail, doves, and ducks. If so, here’s what I’m looking for…

I’m not looking for pretty, I’m looking for a hunting shotgun that can stand up to above average use. I hunt birds from labor day to March 1 and I want to find something that is more suited for the field and less of a duck gun. I love duck hunting more than anything I get to do on the hunting side of things at MLO. I have two guns that I use for waterfowl hunting that are a bit heavy for a day in the field chasing quail. I would also like to have something that can cycle a light loads and a 3 1/2 duck load without any problems. I guess the main thing I’m looking for versatility.

If you have any advice for me after reading this post, I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks for your input,

Michael

What I miss when I get busy.

michaellordoutdoors — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 02:36:24 +0000

I’m so busy I’m not sure which way is up or down. I have a wonderful problem that only downsizing my schedule can fix. I am learning to say no (more), which is helping with the work load, but it doesn’t get me to where I want to be with Michael Lord Outdoors. I want to reach people in the woods, on the water, and in their hearts, with the message of Jesus. That is what this ministry is all about! I’m excited about the ministry growth, but what good is ministry growth if I’m not growing spiritually. Here lately I have been focused on improving my personal study and prayer time, because I struggle with time management when it gets busy around Michael Lord Outdoors. So in my attempt to grow personally, I’d like to ask you this question.

How do you prioritize your schedule when it comes to spending time alone with God? I’m asking you about your schedule because I’m struggling with mine.

When I find myself distracted with deadlines and business, that’s when I miss my time alone with the Lord. I don’t ever want to be so busy that I neglect my personal time with God. That is why I am refocusing my attention on more quality personal time in prayer and in God’s word. I’m making this change because I want more quality in my spiritual life than I have now. The moment I become more self focused is the moment I become weak as a ministry leader. I don’t want to miss what God has in store for me because I’m focused on my to do list and not His. I am challenging everyone who reads this post to make time in your schedule to pray and study God’s word on a more consistent basis. I would love to grow out of my inconsistency and I know I’m not alone.

If you are a busy person who has a valuable nugget for Michael Lord and the rest of us on how you stay spiritually focused in a fast paced environment, please leave a comment and I will share it with everyone who reads the blog. I am looking forward to your responses.

Focus On The Things That Matter

michaellordoutdoors — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 16:10:21 +0000

Today, I want you to stop for a moment and focus on the things that really matter. If you still have breath in your lungs and a drum beat in your chest, there is something special about you. God created you with a plan and a purpose that really matters. Think about the impact you are making in and through the relationships you have with the people around you. What are you doing to show those folks you care? If you love them, tell them you love them today. If you are struggling to love someone, ask God to help you focus on what matters and not the rub keeping you from being right with each other. The real estate personal conflict consumes in your mind is unfertile ground that will keep you from reaching your potential. It’s hard to focus on what really matters if you can’t see past what doesn’t.

I am praying for relationships that used to have meaning and purpose today. Am I praying for you?

The Value of Today

michaellordoutdoors — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 14:39:20 +0000

What value will be found in your efforts today? Did you build something special? Did you plow some ground or plant a seed where you will reap a harvest? Are you working on something the world needs? If you are not, you need to be. The world needs your ideas, your creativity, your productivity, and we need it now. The time for real change is found in the value of this day. Dig deep where you are, with what you have. Use the God-given tools inside you to change the world today. It’s time for creatives to use ideas that shape our tomorrows by creating today.

Today I am praying for people who have brilliant idea’s that are worth creating. Am I praying for you?

My Facebook Account was hacked!

michaellordoutdoors — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 02:25:51 +0000

I’m going through the process of making sure my Facebook account is safe for viewing again. I haven’t seen what was posted and I DO NOT WANT TO! Here is my new rule…If you receive anything from me that is inappropriate, report it, because I didn’t send it. I work very hard to maintain the highest level of integrity and self-control. This was an attempt to hurt me, and apparently one of my friends. I appreciate your time and you’re friendship. I appreciate all those who made an effort to let me know what was happening so it could be corrected. Thank You!

Gearing Up for Early Season Hunts

michaellordoutdoors — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 18:37:47 +0000

South Carolina has an early season goose hunt designed to lower the resident geese population in the state. In the past, I have started my year deer hunting in the low country, but this year I’m going to add early season goose hunting to my 2011 fall bucket list. I am providing a link below to help you find out more information regarding the early migratory season in South Carolina. So get your dogs in shape and let’s go hunt some geese. I hope to see you out there…

http://www.dnr.sc.gov/news/yr2011/aug4/aug4_migratory.html

Summer Trail Cam Pictures and Early Pattern Tips

michaellordoutdoors — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 21:23:26 +0000

If you are like me, you’ve been going through a bunch of trail cam pictures this week in the comfort of HVAC. In my attempts to pattern deer movement in undisclosed locations around the state of South Carolina, I always take a serious look at the temperature reading displayed on the bottom of all my trail cam pictures. When the heat of summer is bearing down, it’s a good idea to get cameras in the woods in areas where you know deer traditionally travel. When choosing a place to put a camera, I look for honeysuckles or muscadines growing in the area before I set the camera. The reason I do it this way is simple. It is Illegal to hunt whitetail deer over bait in my game zone and I don’t ever do it, period. However, I can and I will put out corn or supplemental feed along side the natural food sources that deer come to for nourishment in hopes of keeping my deer herd healthy in the heat of summer here in SC. Growing deer is hard to do where I live and on the land I hunt. So I do four things with my trail cam’s that make my percentages go up well before the season starts. Here they are…

1. I find food sources deer use in each of the four seasons. I set my camera up on those food sources and use every legal method to get deer in front of the camera. I always obey the state game laws where I am hunting.

2. I get the trail cam’s in the woods as early as I can. June, July and August are great month’s for deer growth and supplemental feeding pictures. If you put the cameras out, you will see deer grow. This adds a whole new area of excitement and anticipation to your deer hunting season.

3. I make sure to look at the temperature on the trail cam pictures and plan my early season hunts around those specific temps when deer really move. If it is to hot, I dont’ hunt. For me, hunting in extreme heat is like hunting a bad wind. I just don’t do it. I’m not saying you can’t do it, I’m just saying I don’t want the deer to pattern me when my scent prevention is negated by extreme heat. I am a bow hunter first and foremost. I hunt close and I do everything in my power to be successful. My only exception to this rule takes place when I am hunting in the lowcountry on a rifle hunt in August. I’m usually 150 yards from the corn pile and I have the Thermacell going full steam ahead. (It is legal to hunt over bait in the game zone I am speaking of in the lower part of South Carolina.)

4. I always try to hang stands in places where it is cool and out of the sun. It’s less light for filming, but it makes a difference when I’m trying to control my scent. This type of set-up allows me to cool down after transporting extra gear to film the hunt. This is easy to do if you have a good idea about when and where the deer are moving on your property in the early season.

These tips are for you to consider. I do these steps because they work for me. I am giving them to you today because I am often asked how I plan my early season bow hunts. If you know me, you know I’m all about helping people know what I know. The truth is, Trail cam pictures have helped me develop early season information into successful September hunts. It is my hope this information does the same thing for you.

What Outdoorsmen Need To learn From The Tea Party

michaellordoutdoors — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:58:58 +0000

The title of this post is not an endorsement of the tea party movement as much as it is a clarion call for us to join together and make some noise. The one thing the tea party is capitalizing on is their voice. The people they helped get elected through a grass-roots effort have stuck to their guns, if you will, by pledging to keep things in balance. I would like to put out three questions that I struggle with as an outdoorsmen. The reason I am doing this is simple. I would like to know if I’m the only one who struggles with solely allowing others to speak for me on issues I am passionate about as an outdoorsmen. Without wasting a bunch of your time, I’ll just ask the questions. Here are the personal struggles I am challenged to voice openly on this blog about our future as outdoorsmen.

1. Have we/I put too much faith in the organizations who lobby on behalf of outdoorsman in Washington?

2. When is the last time you/I spoke to your representative on a local, state, or national level about a matter that is important to the outdoor lifestyle?

3. What do you feel needs to be addressed by outdoorsmen and would get serious traction if we joined together in one voice to accomplish or change for our future as outdoorsmen?

The Tea Party is a great voice for change. It’s not for everybody and I understand why it’s not. If I ran my business like the government, I would be broke too. The Tea Party is voicing its disapproval of what is happening in our country concerning our financial way of life. What are we doing with our voice, to challenge and change the political system that is currently controlled by people who would love to take away our ability to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle?