RTPROFamily

Jeremy, Sorry to hear about your van. My husband and Randy do all of our vehicle repairs. We are fortunate that my husband used to be a mechanic. Randy has learned from his dad how to replace almost anything on our farm, from tractor repair,dozer repair and vehicles. Randy and dad had to replace almost the complete the braking system on the van before he went out west. If you lived closer they could have helped you.

Congrats to Dakota!! Way to GO!!

Who knows what will happen to us after his nomination today. Everyone should enjoy this hunting season,it may be our last. I hope that this guy keeps things the way they are but I doubt it! TOP STORY on Outdoor Wire: Despite efforts to block his nomination, it appears a vote will happen in the United States Senate later today on the nomination of Cass Sunstein to head the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. In that position, Sunstein would be the connection point between the White House and regulations from Departments of Interior, Agriculture, the FBI and BATFE. Sunstein's appointment has been vigorously opposed by Senators who feel Sunstein's extensive written and spoken anti-hunting and anti-Second Amendment positions make him unfit for the position. However, it seems Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has scheduled a vote of cloture - a procedural move to force a vote on an appointment. Having written that he believes the Second Amendment does not guarantee an individual right, the application of state animal cruelty laws to hunting and livestock, a number of outdoor and pro-firearms groups are encouraging hunters and firearms rights supporters contact their Senators this morning to express their opposition to Sunstein.

I want to introduce a young man who has made a name for himself in the outdoor industry. His name is Zac Cooper and he is 13 years old. Randy met this young man at the QDMA this year. Randy said he speaks very well and said he will be a great asset to our industry. Like Randy tells his audience at each show,"The kids are our future and without the kids we have no future." Zac is a great example of that for sure! Here is a news article from his home state of Alabama and also a link with pictures from a forum that his dad belongs to. I want to congratulate this young man on what he has done. Kind of reminds me of someone else we know! http://www.pnj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200909090045/NEWS05/909090301 http://fishthebridge.com/fishingforum/Topic416142-42-1.aspx#bm416152

Congrats Dakota!! I hope that someone got it on film! I will pass the news on to Randy the next time he has a signal and can call me. That is AWESOME! I am sure there will be a lot of pics. tonight!

I totally agree with you Ross!

I thought that this was important enough to put in the lounge since it affects every members hunting rights.We have to contact them ASAP! Just e-mail them or give them a call and leave a message. Help Block Animal Rightist Regulatory Czar Senator John Cornyn (R- TX) has blocked President Obama's choice for a powerful regulatory position in the White House because of the nominee's support for animal rights. He's done his part, now sportsmen need to do theirs. Your support is needed to make sure the block, known technically as a 'hold', stays in place. Cass Sunstein, the president's pick to head the powerful Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), has been an advocate for the animal rights movement and is an anti-hunter. As a part of the federal budget office, OIRA has extensive authority to block rules, including those that protect hunting and conservation. Sunstein claims that, we might ban hunting altogether, at least if it's sole purpose is human recreation. He also supports allowing lawsuits on behalf of animals, a right currently only extended to human beings. That is why it is crucial that the block remains in place. Take Action! Sportsmen nationwide should contact their U.S. senators and ask them to support Sen. Cornyn's hold on Sunstein. Let them know that you are deeply concerned by Sunstein's radical statements about hunting and animal rights. Ask your Senator to join Senator Cornyn by blocking this appointment. . To find your senators information, please visit the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org/lac. U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance 801 Kingsmill Parkway Columbus, Ohio 43229 614-888-4868 www.ussportsmen.org [email protected]

Welcome back Julian and a new Congrats on the hog! Dave has been a friend of our family since 1996. He has moved his family to Arizona to be near his aging mom. Hope that you stay awhile! Darla

That looks like a great group of people! Is that the best we are going to get of a group pic?? That was a good video! Thanks Kathleen and Terry for opening your home, time and laughter for this bunch! I will call you soon! Darla

Happy Birthday Gary from the Oitker family! I think that you should post the finished pics. of that call you are working on. It looks great so far!

Great pics Christina! Hoping to see more! Everyone looks happy and the background is unbelievable!

CONGRATS TO ALL!! Maybe everyone can e-mail Randy a pic. and story about their antelope hunt and he can put in National Bowhunter magazine like he did last year. It can be the second Realtree.com forum hunt story! I hope everyone next week is just as successful! If you want to send a story to his e-mail: [email protected] A small story about it with a pic and your name will work and your permission to put the story in the magazine. Nice antelope pics!

Hello Ruth, Randy has no cell service or computer in the area he is hunting or staying. He will call me tonight on a landline and update me, which I will pass on to everyone. Yes, Randy received a Mathews Monster and also a Mathews Monster XLR8 shortly after the show.He is hunting with the regular Monster on this trip. Randy will be in NY and Erie again next year for the expos. I am working on his 2010 schedule now. It is very busy! I will pass your good luck wishes on.

Jeremy, so sorry to hear about your friend. Prayers from the Oitker family. I pray for her family and friends also. We lost a son at age 19 due to a car accident when Randy was 3, losing a child is something no one every forgets. It will take lots of time to ease the pain everyone is feeling now. Our deepest sympathy, Darla

Randy arrived in camp last night about 6:30 pm. He has already called me from the lodge phone this morning and he was headed out to the mountains. They headed out about 4:30am CO. time.He said that they saw a huge mule deer last night on the way to the lodge. He has an elk tag and a mule deer tag,maybe he can fill both!

Randy received one of those postcards yesterday also.It has a different scene with 3 different bears! It is a beautiful card!It was from Norm,Too and Ruttinbuc. I am glad Randy could help in some way. The Alaska pictures from everyone were breathtaking! Darla

I hope that everyone has a safe trip home and lots of pictures of Alaska. I hope someone has a success story to tell!

Steve, Tell them that not all rattlesnakes have rattles! The one Randy shot a couple of years ago was by the waterhole and he had no warning system!

I hope that everyone that is traveling has a safe trip. Randy and dad have been working on the farm, getting his van ready and fixing fence. Randy plans on leaving sometime tomorrow. It is a 15 hour drive. He should be there sometime Mon. I will post when he pulls out of the driveway tomorrow. Be safe! Darla

Happy Birthday Kyle!

Please PM me and I will give you a number to call about returning them.

Steve, That is great!!

Kirk, We live down by Quincy,IL. and Randy always drives to Chicago O'Hare(5 hour drive) and rents a hotel and parks and rides to the airport. It is cheaper that way. He gets a hotel for about 89.00 and he can leave it parked there for 10 days for free and then a shuttle takes him to the correct terminal.When he gets back a shuttle takes him right to his truck. You just pay for one night at the hotel. Then you don't have to worry about using the smaller aircraft. Be safe and Good Luck! Darla

This is funny because having been born in IL. and lived in TX. many years ago. The saying for soda is so different. My first trip to a good TX. restaurant asked what I wanted to drink and I said a white sodee( that is how it is pronounced in IL) and the waitress said you want baking soda and I said no a white sodee is a 7up or sprite. After living in the south a few years I learned everything was called a Coke and then you tell them either Dr.Pepper or Coke. Pepsi is big in the midwest and Coke and Dr. Pepper are big in the south. Our family only drinks Coke for Breakfast ,lunch and dinner. When a waitress asks Randy if Pepsi is okay, he says is Monopoly money okay!! Always gets a laugh from the waitress.

That is why Randy drives 29,000 miles per year in his truck. Randy has to pull his trailer loaded with targets,bows,etc. so his trips have to be driven. He only flys when driving is impossible like when he went to London or Canada. Randy will usually drive 18 hours all night to a show after doing chores on the farm before leaves and pulls in to an event unloads and performs 3 shows in one day. That is how it is usually done. His Dad helps with driving sometimes but most of the time Randy is driving the whole trip. I don't know how he does it sometimes. When asked about why he doesn't like flying he will quote his great grandfather ."If you are in a car and it quits there you are,if you are in a plane and it quits there you ain't!"