Barry's Bootcamp

[Flatstick]

Any TradGangers going this week? Or maybe last week? I thought about going since he started them but never did. Until this year! A hunting buddy and I will be there this week. Just wondered if anyone else had stories to tell about thier experience there? Or maybe it is too top secret to share on an open forum !!

[J.Williams]

"Tdog" and I are going to the last week...early April.Looking forward to it and am definitely gonna make the most of it.

[Fletcher]

Just pay attention and take notes.  Barry and Gene understand whitetails like nobody else.  Lots of fun, too!

[Flatstick]

Just back from Barry's Bootcamp,it was a great time!

The lodge and facilities were very comfortable and the homecooked meals were excellent. I would definately recommend the bootcamp for anyone from beginner to seasoned whitetail hunter.

The "class room" time was good but the field time was great. I feel that some things I had already believed in have been reassured and there is no doubt that I have gained some new insights to whitetail behavior. And there are even a few new tricks that I seen that I look forward to trying.

Thanks Barry for sharing your knowledge with us.

A few things one might consider taking with them to bootcamp:

1.Pencil & note pad
2.A good variouty of clothing for various weather conditions (we had sunshine & snow).
3.Rubber/leather waterproof boots.
4.Take a camera or camcorder.
5.Last but not least take a TOW-STRAP and possibly some mechanics tools!!    

[J.Williams]

Now I'm even more pumped about going...and thanks for the "must have" list...I'll make sure to bring all that stuff.Sounds like you had some "technical difficulties."Car problems suck...'specially ones far from home.Thanks for the feedback on the bootcamp...looking forward to it even more now.

[Deadbolt]

how much all in all for 2 people did it cost...soup to nuts?

ive heard several people say it was excellent but this year I have a vacation and 3 major 3D shoots and next year its the same 3D shoots plus 2 outta state hunts.  Trying to figure out where I could squeeze it in LOL.

[Barry Wensel]

Glad you made it home safely Flatstick. Just so you guys know what he's talking about, we went into one farm Friday morning when the ground was firm. By the time we left it had thawed enough where we got seriously stuck. With eighteen guys, four trucks and two tow-straps we finally got out. Then fifteen minutes later I lost the serpentine belt on my truck. We ended up fine.. with a little adapting. Thanks guys! I've run these "schools" for six years now. I complimented this group of guys as being one of my best ever. They had good, intelligent questions, plus the desire to learn. And were all good listeners with great attitudes. Thanks again guys! I hope they all send me photos next year of the biggest bucks of their lives. BW

[troutms]

Hey Barry, any chance you'll make a DVD of everything that goes on at the school, classroom and field stuff.

[Barry Wensel]

Trent: Interesting you mentioned the possibility of making a DVD on the bootcamp because we were talking about that this weekend. One of the attendees thought it would be a good idea too. But I think a lot would be lost because of the difficulties in being able to grasp all the pieces of the puzzle without being physically present. It's hard to explain but it would be like taking a video camera and doing a 360 degree circle filming everything around you. Yes, you are able to "see" it, but it's harder to grasp and put into perspective compared to just standing there physically and looking all around you. A good analogy would be like watching a video of a hunt, versus being able to actually go on the hunt personally. I've said this to guys before and they come back with "yes, but I'd rather see a video of that hunt than nothing at all". I don't know, I just feel the viewer would not get the full benefits from a filmed production. Like one guy said, "Yeah, I suppose I would rather go on a real elk hunt, rather than watch a video of one." Anyway, thanks again for your opinions. If I was a young guy I'd actually enjoy continuing with the bootcamps. But physically they take a lot out of me anymore. Thanks. BW

[Herdbull]

Barry, if you decide to stop doing them routinely and take some time off, you could then come back and do one final show. Let us know and we (Whitey and/or Carcass) could come down and film for posterity. I understand where some of these guys are going from. We don’t want to loose this valuable resource that is Barry Wensel. Mike

[hogdancer]

I went to one of the bootcamps a while back and really enjoyed it, learned a lot and very glad I went. Barry has been doing these for 6 years and for at least 4 he has been saying it's his last year, I guess sooner or later it will be so if you get a chance GO, you will learn something.
Barry , I reckon I will see you in just under a couple of weeks, I'll need some bear advise from you.

[Biggie Hoffman]

It's no secret here that Barry is a  hunting partner of mine, and I get some of his "stuff" for free just hangin around him. But I gotta tell you guys....Uncle Barry has a unique ability to understand the whitetail woods. I've seen him do it time and time again in all kinds of habitats from south Georgia to western Montana. I've been bowhunting seriously for 41 years now but I still learn something from him every trip we take.

Take advantage of this opportunity before he realizes he's too old and fat to do this stuff anymore.

Sorry if I sounded like a commercial.....

[peter c iacavazzi]

What Uncle Barry old and fat? Never. Uncle Barry is like a fine wine. He just gets better and better with age. By the way, I too have spent many hours in the woods with Uncle Barry. To say I've learned a little is a big understatement!

I think Uncle Barry probably forgets more about big whitetails than most guys will know in a lifetime.

For me the ultimate boot camp would be to get Uncle Barry, Biggie and Gene out to Montana for a week of cardio, weight lifting and wrestling at one of my Jiu-Jitsu schools...

But in the meantime I'll just love em' for being big and cuddley.

[Biggie Hoffman]

Take advantage of this opportunity before he realizes he's too old and fat to do this stuff anymore.  

The operative phrase being "before he realizes"

[peter c iacavazzi]

Biggie,

While others may think of you and Barry as perhaps being a little heavy or larger than some around the middle...

I prefer to think of it as just that much more to love!

[wenselkid]

Or as Uncle Gene might say, "He ain't heavy...he's my brother."