Just Crushing
There is a First Time for Everything: A Lesson from a True Hunter
That evening as I sat down for supper, I watched as the snow began to fall, and after heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving, pork and sauerkraut never tasted so good.
By: Longbow Bear
Every archery season is a new learning experience. Whether it’s learning how the deer move through at a new stand location, how the cuts and draws in a mountain can manipulate the wind direction, or calling to a big buck that is outside of bow range. This year was no different. My week-long “rutcation” started with two warm days, but as Monday rolled around, the temperatures plummeted, putting bucks on the move searching for does that have come into heat. Monday was a blast, having two encounters with big 8 points, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. I found the short end of the stick with both bucks as the wind swirled, and eventually, both of them nosed me before giving me a clean shot. Tuesday morning picked up right where it had left off the day before. It was cold and crisp, 25 degrees, frosty, and very little wind. Perfect. It didn’t take long for things to get busy in the woods. A little after daylight, I let a series of doe bleeds mixed with a buck-tending grunt echo down the mountain. It’s one of my favorite blind calls to make. It gives an illusion that a buck has found a hot doe and is tending her.
I’ve had good luck in seasons past at piquing the interest of a buck I couldn’t see to come to take a look. This was the case; minutes after making the call, I heard the crunching of leaves and a twig crack behind me. I arose from my seat, pulled my bow from the hook, and anxiously waited to lay eyes on what was coming through the thick. He cautiously made his way, zig-zagging through thick laurel and downed pine trees, finally showing himself and coming to a stop at 23 yards.
Getting dangerously close to directly downwind, I took a shot through a small window. My aim was true, but the location of the deer was less than desirable.
I put my pin a little too far front and caught some shoulder blade. As my arrow struck the deer, it gave a loud crack with what looked like little penetration. As I watched him run off with my arrow sticking in him, I felt sick to my stomach. What did I just do? Did I just wound a buck without making a fatal blow?
I gathered myself and got down from my tree to look and assess the damage. I found decent blood where I had hit him, my arrow was lying 10 yards from first contact, and if the blood on the arrow accurately showed penetration, I had about 8”, which was plenty to reach the vitals, but I couldn’t be sure, in my mind replaying the shot it didn’t look like that had been the case. I began to track, finding little spots of blood and upturned leaves as he was on the run. After tracking him for the first 100 yards, I saw no sign of him stopping. It was time to back out and regroup. I walked the ridge back to my stand location. I felt terrible, gathered up all my gear, and hiked back down to my truck. After a two-hour coffee break with a lot of nervousness and second-guessing, I geared up and went back in to track him.
This is something I have not had to do up until this point in my hunting career. I’ve been fortunate enough to either have clean misses or deadly hits. I returned to where I had stopped, marked with my arrow stuck in the ground. Using pink ribbon, I slowly marked his travel, every spot of blood got a stick and some ribbon.
As I scoured the forest floor for drops of blood, a motivation kicked in, and the sickening feeling that I currently had started to fade with every drop that I found. Stick ribbon, stick ribbon, it was starting to be fun. Every now and again, stopping to take a break and look back at how he was weaving his way through the woods. He went about 400 yards across the ridge before hooking down into the thick laurel, where he eventually came to rest. I felt a lot of relief and gratitude when I finally saw him lying there. A hunter cannot have a worse feeling than to mortally wound an animal and never recover it. I’ve yet to experience it, and I hope I never do, but that risk comes with hunting, especially with a bow. Happy to get him back to camp, skinned out, and hanging ready for processing tomorrow. That evening as I sat down for supper, I watched as the snow began to fall, and after heartfelt prayer of thanksgiving, pork and sauerkraut never tasted so good.
To any new hunters that find yourselves in that scenario, go look for blood and assess the damage at the place where the animal was when it was first hit. Find a trail and mark it. If there is any question on your shot placement or you didn’t see or hear the animal crash. Pack out and give it 2 hrs before further tracking. The last thing you want to do is to keep pushing a hurt animal. A mortally wounded animal will usually head toward water or a thick area to find a spot to lie down. By not pressuring the animal, he will inevitably lie down and die as peacefully as possible. This is the best-case scenario now that you have made a less-than-perfect shot. I hit one lung, and this buck still managed to go 400+ yards from where I hit him.
Just Crushing
No One Can Complain About “The Media” Any More: We’re Not Sorry.
For as long as most of us can remember, complaints about “the media” have been as routine as morning coffee.
For as long as most of us can remember, complaints about “the media” have been as routine as morning coffee. “The media is biased.” “The media lies.” “The media promotes propaganda.” But we need to have an honest conversation here: what is “the media,” anyway? The answer is straightforward: “the media” is whoever you choose to grant that title to. If you still see the media as a monolithic, untrustworthy institution, it’s time to rethink what that term means.
The truth is, the days of complaining about “the media” are over. If you’re still dissatisfied with what’s out there, it’s only because you’re settling for “their media” and it has become “your media”.
Our Media is Different
At Beartaria Times, we are more than an alternative—we’re the antithesis of what people typically dislike about “the media” they complain about. We’re free from propaganda, vulgarity, and degeneracy. We steer clear of agendas meant to divide or manipulate; instead, we uplift and encourage, focusing on real stories, real experiences, and the values that strengthen us. In other words, we bring you media without the strings, without the hidden motivations, and without the noise.
Our media isn’t perfect, but it’s authentic, honest, and growing. And it’s here for everyone in the community who wants a voice that reflects who they are and what they care about. When you read Beartaria Times, you’re not just consuming “news”—you’re tapping into a shared space that values truth, wisdom, and the incredible things our community accomplishes every day.
You Can Be the Media, Too
And here’s where things get even better: Beartaria Times isn’t just something you consume—it’s something you can contribute to. We’ve opened the door for guest articles and community stories because we believe that real news is what happens within the lives of real people. Got a new business venture? Share it with us. Learned something valuable? Tell us about it. Did your community just pull together to accomplish something remarkable? That’s newsworthy.
This isn’t just our media; it’s your media. It’s a platform built for you to share, celebrate, and connect. So if you’re tired of “their media,” you don’t have to put up with it anymore. Start supporting, reading, and sharing your own. Join us in shaping a media that serves our highest ideals rather than simply criticizing what’s wrong elsewhere.
Correcting the Conversation
From now on, if you hear someone say, “The media is terrible,” it might be worth pointing out: “Maybe your media is terrible. My media is awesome.” Because when you’re part of a community dedicated to truth, integrity, and shared values, you’re part of something that can’t be dismissed or trivialized.
The Beartaria Times is proud to be the media that serves you well. The days of helplessly complaining are over. Welcome to the media revolution, where “the media” is finally what you make of it.
If you are interested in submitting an article for BeartariaTimes.com as a guest writer please email Editor@BeartariaTimes.com.
Join our community app today to meet old friends for the first time and have a community of over 15,000+ people to share your journey with!
Keep striving, keep growing, and never stop building your legendary life!
Just Crushing
Beartaria Ozark Campground Releases Stunning 2024 Campaign Video
The Beartaria Ozark Campground has just released a stunning campaign video for 2024, showcasing the breathtaking beauty and incredible accomplishments that have grown out of the Missouri property. For those who haven’t yet experienced it, this video is an inspiring introduction to the Ozark Campground’s beauty, community spirit, and unmatched potential. The new campaign video that shows the beautiful property and festival is a call to anyone who wants to be part of a legacy that’s been three years in the making.
Watch on Instagram:
From its inception, Beartaria Ozark Campground has been more than a scenic destination. Over the last three years, it’s become a landmark of unity and a place where people can reconnect with nature, celebrate traditional values, and create lasting memories. Through the combined efforts of the community and generous donors, Beartaria has transformed raw land into a lively hub, hosting multiple festivals, community gatherings, and skill-sharing events. Each year, the site expands and flourishes, with new value to members.
The Missouri property itself is a gem of natural beauty. Surrounded by rolling hills, forests, and the unmistakable serenity of the Ozarks. The video showcases lush greenery, wide-open skies, and stunning landscapes—highlighting the ideal environment it provides for everything from quiet reflection to lively festivities. It’s a setting that invites people to unplug from daily routines and tap into a deeper connection with the land and with each other.
As the 2024 campaign gains momentum, Beartaria is calling on those who share the vision to consider donating. Donations make it possible for Beartaria to keep expanding and to add features that benefit all who come to experience this special place. Contributing to Beartaria is more than just a donation; it’s a chance to become part of something truly meaningful. This project thrives on the community’s support, and each donation helps ensure that future generations have access to a space that fosters resilience, freedom, and joy.
So, whether you’ve been with Beartaria from the start or are just now discovering what it has to offer, the 2024 campaign video is an invitation. Let’s build Beartaria together—come join the journey.
Sincerely,
The Beartaria Times
Just Crushing
Comedian Owen Benjamin Disrupts The Comedy Scene
Congratulations to Owen Benjamin and the Unbearables Media Team for the Launch of “Must Be Nice”!
We are thrilled to announce the launch of “Must Be Nice”, the latest comedy special from Owen Benjamin, filmed during the Beartaria Times National Festival and now available for all to enjoy! This event marks a significant accomplishment, not only for Owen but for the entire community that has stood by him.
Owen has faced intense challenges over the years. His refusal to conform to the prevailing entertainment narratives led to numerous cancellations. Online platforms removed him, and live theaters refused to host him simply because of the kind of comedy he performs—honest, raw, and rooted in truth. But instead of shrinking back, Owen doubled down and his audience stood up.
You can’t cancel comedy, as for those that try, they are not just rejecting a comedian from performing, but denying an audience from seeing who they wish.
The cancellation attempts were met by Owen and his audience with the understanding that other peoples platforms and venues are not theirs, which led to the escalation without victim consciousness to build independent platforms and venues.
The community didn’t just offer moral support; they opened up their properties for Owen to perform live, laying the groundwork for something far greater than anyone anticipated. The generosity and unity of his audience led to the funding and development of land specifically for community events and live shows—a place where we can gather, laugh, and celebrate the values we hold dear.
The “Must Be Nice” comedy special represents the culmination of these efforts, demonstrating what can be achieved when a group of like-minded people come together with a vision. The production of this special was taken to a whole new level. With a larger team, high-quality camera rentals, a more advanced sound system, and significant equipment donations—including a massive contribution from Joe Gagan—the special reflects the growth and professionalism of Unbearables Media.
The excitement surrounding “Must Be Nice” is electric. It’s more than just another comedy special—it’s a victory for free expression, for our community, and for the spirit of independence that defines us. The launch on October 11th, marks the beginning of a new era for Owen Benjamin and Unbearables Media, setting a new standard in comedy production and community-driven entertainment.
Thank you to everyone who supported this journey, and congratulations to Owen and the entire Unbearables Media team. We can’t wait to see what the future holds as we continue to build and enjoy a world where we can laugh freely and share what matters most.
Get ready to laugh, Beartarians, because Must Be Nice is here!
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