Hello from NC

wildernessmaster

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
May 12, 2020
Messages
297
Location
Pittsboro NC
Hello Roksliders...

Wanted to take a quick moment to introduce myself. Luke Stephens here. I live on a small farm in the central NC area (just outside of a major metro...). Have lived relatively in this area over 30 years but have grown up all over the south and traveled the world. By day I get to literally break into things for a living. I have done so with Banks, Casinos, devices of all types, Manufacturing facilities, you name it. By night I hunt like hell and fish when I am not hunting.

Outdoors wise, as a youngster (I am an old guy now), I grew up having my pappy take me hunting and fishing. I continued hunting and fishing into my early adult life, but after spending 13 years in Special Forces (and gobs of nights in harsh environments), and with young kids at that time, I kind of lost my way with my outdoor pursuits. My brother was my savior, in a way, both in life and in my love of the outdoors. Eight years ago he told me about the change in the Montana elk lottery and convinced me to come out and hunt.

Hunting literally saved my life. Prior to that invite from my brother, I had endured 15 years of a nasty ex wife and trying to raise 3 boys largely on my own which had taken a huge toil on my health. To this day I believe I would have died in the next 5 years of my life were it not for my brother coaxing me into that first elk hunt (I had had 3 faux heart attacks in a year).

Since then my passion for my outdoor pursuits have blown up into true obsession. Health wise, I am in many ways better than my younger self in my Spec Forces days - albeit not able to do the grueling stuff day after day after day... Plus I have to just be smarter.

I am interested pursuing hunting year around about everything you can. I feel I am pretty decent with elk (have taken nice bulls 4/5 years I have hunted), and could have taken a cow any of the 7 I have hunted. I am learning still to hunt east coast whitetails. Feel totally stumped by turkeys (got one in Oklahoma, but beyond that have had limited success). Want to get into bear, boar, coyotes, antelope and some other game. Largely though I want to move from primarily gun hunting to bow. I am 3 years into my archery/bow journey.

Fishing wise, I love to fish. I use to fish pro/am bass tourneys have done a lot of inshore and some offshore fishing, as well as fly. I am a pretty good fisherman no matter what I am asked to fish.

Oh guys, I am lucky as hell. My fiance loves my hunting and fishing. Actually she is into fly fishing and tying flies. And is always wanting to go if I go hunting.

I am a big gun guy. I have spent a lot of time behind a gun as well as building and customizing them. That said, I am not a religious gun theologian. I can argue all day with you about ballistics, but won't get into caliber, brand, or other "wars" with you. Just know I have pulled the trigger too many time at 1000 yards and beyond. So much so I can almost do the offsets and ballistics in my head (actually can). Oh and I just did my gun inventory this year and I won't say how much but I am pushing 6 figures in pistols, rifles, and shotguns in my inventory. I may be getting my manufacturing FFL as I have some IP in the gun space.

I have a pretty good "kit" that includes: Seek Outside, Kuiu, Vortex, Leupold, Hammock Gear, Matthews, Diamond, Exodus, Kings Camo, and a lot more. Actually too much more as I am now downsizing it a lot since moving recently.

Little bit of trivia... My grandfather and great grandfather ran hunting camps (and high end dogs) all over the Mississippi Delta. We found a picture with them and Teddy Roosevelt and we think it might be from the infamous hunt that produced ultimately the "Teddy Bear" (read the history).

Just wanted to give a little intro.
 

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jpkoepse

FNG
Joined
Jul 6, 2020
Messages
37
Hello Roksliders...

Wanted to take a quick moment to introduce myself. Luke Stephens here. I live on a small farm in the central NC area (just outside of a major metro...). Have lived relatively in this area over 30 years but have grown up all over the south and traveled the world. By day I get to literally break into things for a living. I have done so with Banks, Casinos, devices of all types, Manufacturing facilities, you name it. By night I hunt like hell and fish when I am not hunting.

Outdoors wise, as a youngster (I am an old guy now), I grew up having my pappy take me hunting and fishing. I continued hunting and fishing into my early adult life, but after spending 13 years in Special Forces (and gobs of nights in harsh environments), and with young kids at that time, I kind of lost my way with my outdoor pursuits. My brother was my savior, in a way, both in life and in my love of the outdoors. Eight years ago he told me about the change in the Montana elk lottery and convinced me to come out and hunt.

Hunting literally saved my life. Prior to that invite from my brother, I had endured 15 years of a nasty ex wife and trying to raise 3 boys largely on my own which had taken a huge toil on my health. To this day I believe I would have died in the next 5 years of my life were it not for my brother coaxing me into that first elk hunt (I had had 3 faux heart attacks in a year).

Since then my passion for my outdoor pursuits have blown up into true obsession. Health wise, I am in many ways better than my younger self in my Spec Forces days - albeit not able to do the grueling stuff day after day after day... Plus I have to just be smarter.

I am interested pursuing hunting year around about everything you can. I feel I am pretty decent with elk (have taken nice bulls 4/5 years I have hunted), and could have taken a cow any of the 7 I have hunted. I am learning still to hunt east coast whitetails. Feel totally stumped by turkeys (got one in Oklahoma, but beyond that have had limited success). Want to get into bear, boar, coyotes, antelope and some other game. Largely though I want to move from primarily gun hunting to bow. I am 3 years into my archery/bow journey.

Fishing wise, I love to fish. I use to fish pro/am bass tourneys have done a lot of inshore and some offshore fishing, as well as fly. I am a pretty good fisherman no matter what I am asked to fish.

Oh guys, I am lucky as hell. My fiance loves my hunting and fishing. Actually she is into fly fishing and tying flies. And is always wanting to go if I go hunting.

I am a big gun guy. I have spent a lot of time behind a gun as well as building and customizing them. That said, I am not a religious gun theologian. I can argue all day with you about ballistics, but won't get into caliber, brand, or other "wars" with you. Just know I have pulled the trigger too many time at 1000 yards and beyond. So much so I can almost do the offsets and ballistics in my head (actually can). Oh and I just did my gun inventory this year and I won't say how much but I am pushing 6 figures in pistols, rifles, and shotguns in my inventory. I may be getting my manufacturing FFL as I have some IP in the gun space.

I have a pretty good "kit" that includes: Seek Outside, Kuiu, Vortex, Leupold, Hammock Gear, Matthews, Diamond, Exodus, Kings Camo, and a lot more. Actually too much more as I am now downsizing it a lot since moving recently.

Little bit of trivia... My grandfather and great grandfather ran hunting camps (and high end dogs) all over the Mississippi Delta. We found a picture with them and Teddy Roosevelt and we think it might be from the infamous hunt that produced ultimately the "Teddy Bear" (read the history).

Just wanted to give a little intro.
If you're ever around the Charlotte/Huntersville area I'd love to meet you! Been hunting for a few years now. Been hunting here in NC and Idaho for backcountry black bear. Want to get my skills perfected for elk eventually. Don't know anyone around with the same interests.
 

eddielasvegas

WKR & Chairman of the Rokslide Welcoming Committee
Joined
Feb 2, 2020
Messages
3,082
Location
Scottsdale, AZ
As the self-appointed chairman of the welcoming committee, it is my privilege to extend a laurel, and hearty handshake (virtual, of course) to our new member.



Eddie
 
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