OUTDOORS

Outdoor folks love to get together and talk about the things near and dear to their hearts: hunting, fishing, camping, outdoor cooking, and a smorgasbord of other topics. Each year, Texas is host to some huge outdoor events, almost always held in big convention centers with covered roof. These events are a great deal of fun, and booths are set up marketing everything from wild hog traps to remote outdoor destinations.

Six years ago, I came up with the idea of a yearly event dedicated to everything outdoors, and largely because I have so many friends and readers in northeast Texas, I chose Greenville in Hunt County for our Spring Rendezvous. My friend Randy Koon who owns an auto parts store in Greenville offered his 4 acres adjacent his store as the headquarters. I began mentioning the event in this and other publications and on my radio shows, and we had a good turn out that first year. Randy sold his land and my friends at The Top Rail Cowboy Church offered to host the event on the beautiful acreage adjacent the church. I wanted to choose an ‘off’ time for the event, a time when most outdoors folks are transitioning from hunting to fishing. The past couple years, we held the event the first Saturday in March and, so far, the weather each year has cooperated nicely.

After months of planning, it would be tough to have to call off a much-anticipated event due to bad weather, but Pastor Nasser and the folks at the church offered use of the big, covered arena in case of rain. Thankfully, Mother Nature has cooperated, and we have enjoyed nice cool clear early March weather. This past year, we had a couple of chuck wagons with cooks preparing food in Dutch kettles onsite. I always have a campfire with a couple kettles full of berry and peach cobbler, a couple of bands keep the live music going throughout the day, and folks have booths set up selling their wares. People wander around from booth to booth and campfire to campfire. It’s just a great deal of fun. There is no ‘fee’ for booth space; we ask the folks that can to make a donation to the church, whatever amount they choose.

An outdoor event allows folks to scatter out and create their own little ‘camps’. When I’m being quizzed about booth space, etc. I tell them there is usually a line of booths along the entrance to the event but if someone wishes to set up their own little camp under the trees and do some outdoor cooking, they are more than welcome. The vendors have acres to display their wares, unlike the big indoor events where space is limited and ten by ten-foot booths are the norm. Granted, I knew little about organizing such an event when I started but soon learned that folks are anxious to get involved and help out. This coming March, during a ‘lull’ time between hunting and fishing, we have the fifth event planned; it’s an annual thing and much anticipated by a great number of folks. Regardless where you live, chances are good such an event would be well received in your area, and YOU might be just the person to get it started. First, obviously you will need a place to hold such an event. Begin by quizzing locals about possible sites. A few acres on the edge of town will suffice. If you can find a place with a covered facility just in case of rain so much the better. If your event is within city limits, make sure and check with the city pertaining to codes and possible restrictions.

The folks at the County Armory, a gun and shooting supply store in Greenville, contacted me recently about helping organize an even on the property adjacent their store a few blocks from downtown Greenville. The date is set for October 14 between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, which should fit the schedule of archery deer hunters. They will have plenty of time to enjoy a morning and afternoon hunt and still spend a few hours with friends at the event.

You would be surprised at what you might learn at such a fun gathering. There is plenty of time to visit with others and exchange ideas and outdoor experiences. I’m an avid outdoor cook, and here’s a recipe I learned from a friend at last year’s Spring Rendezvous. FRIED PINTO BEANS This recipe sounded a bit unorthodox to me at first, but it’s become a staple not only at camp but around the house as well. Begin with some soft cooked pinto beans. Mash them up and in a skillet; sauté fresh finely chopped garlic, onion, and jalapeno in a skillet. Add the veggies to the mashed beans and season with a bit of chili powder, salt, and if you like cilantro, chop a couple of sprigs and add to the mix. Mix in one egg and enough flour to bind the ingredients. Form into thin patties that cook quickly and fry in oil (I prefer lard) about 3 minutes on either side, until crunchy. Keep in mind that other than the basic ingredients; beans, flour and oil, the sky is the limit as far as what you wish to add. I’m even thinking about trying some with cream style corn with my next batch. BOWHUNTING TIP The oaks are already dropping acorn in the woods where I hunt. It might be a good idea during early bow season to set an additional stand around oaks that are dropping acorns. Deer will probably still show up at your corn feeder but acorns are one of their favorite foods, especially white oak acorns, and you can bet they will be hitting them hard. Look for deer sign under oaks to find the hotspots. Squirrels will also be eating acorns but they usually remove the acorn cap to get to the nut. If you see lots of broken caps under the oaks, it’s a good bet deer or possibly wild hogs are feeding in the area.

Email Outdoor writer Luke Clayton through his website www.catfishradio. org.