|
| BWP co-host Mike Weinkauf with his Montana bueaty from September of 2006. |
August 25, November 24
A number of years back the workload of trying to do it all in hunting and fishing honestly began to wear me down… and frankly I realized I needed some help.
Hosting 26 original shows each year, many of which took me to multiple locations, is extremely time consuming and business matters back home were truthfully beginning to slip.
That’s when I named Mike Weinkauf President and partner of my company. He’s a savvy businessman and more than capable of handling the everyday tasks of our business. Most of all - - I’d come to trust him completely.
As time went on I came to know even more how much Mike welcomes a challenge… excels in everything he does… and how his passion for the outdoors is unparalleled.
I soon realized I had a guy at my fingertips who could be equally inspirational to others as well. And so it was kind of a no-brainer to convert him into a co-host of my shows if you will.
As a hunter and fisherman he’s got talent oozing out of him. Although I consider myself pretty decent at archery - - this guy is downright hungry for it. Whitetails… bear… turkey… caribou… it doesn’t matter. Whatever game it is, Mike simply wants to do it with a bow badder than anybody I’ve ever known.
But above all… elk are at the top of his list. And why not? Rugged country… glassing… stalking… on your feet and moving the entire time - - for a guy with a bow, a big bull elk is the ultimate challenge for big game out West.
His first crack at one was 4 years ago at a satellite bull in the mountains of Colorado.
Strike 1 there greenhorn. (ha ha ha) All because of one tiny little twig? It’s not as easy as it looks – is it my friend?
His second opportunity for elk came 3 years ago in Idaho. Unseasonably warm weather shut down the elk and Mike never even had a chance to draw… Not once! That’s strike 2.
2 years ago Mike made another trip to Montana. Would the third time be a charm?
Poor baby! I guess Mike’s heart got pumpin’ a little too fast. It’s not an easy thing to do on your own – let alone with a cameraman recording your every move. Strike 3 my little co-host.
But one of the things I like most about Weinkauf is that failure only fuels his inner drive and pushes him that much harder to step back up to the plate.
That’s why last September he scheduled a trip to central Montana near the tiny town of Musselshell, to Headwaters and High Country Outfitters, to see if he could finally stick his first elk.
I have to admit – I’m not sure Mr. Weinkauf deserves another chance… first bull or not! But then again, after seeing all that sheer will and determination spewing out of the kid, I guess we could give him one final chance. Don’t ya think? Maybe now he has a greater respect for how tough it can be to make big game animals cooperate on cam.
