The Honey Creek Outdoors Blog

Need a Camera Arm this Fall? Get yours today from Honey Creek Outdoors!

2010-08-03T15:03:00.003-05:00

Don't film this Fall without it! Pre-Order yours today at http://www.honeycreekoutdoors.com/.

The New and Improved HCO 180, Get Yours Now! Retailing at an Unbeatable Price, $239.99!

2010-02-20T20:41:00.000-06:00

A beefed up universal bracket which allows lag bolts, a ratchet strap, and a pull strap!

360 degrees of adjustment.

(patent pending)

If you are interested, have any questions, or suggestions you can leave a comment or visit http://www.honeycreekoutdoors.com/ for more information. Thanks!

Team Wisconsin's Hunt recap!

2010-02-10T10:39:00.004-06:00

Bruce and I came into contact with Honey Creek Outdoors a little over a year now. We at Honey Creek Outdoors are working on making our first DVD ever! Bruce and I were fortunate enough to have an opportunity to film a hunt in Gillette, WY at Realtree Pro Staffer Steve Beilgards. Our trip began in the summer before our hunt. We were shooting our bows daily, gathering our gear, and preparing ourselves for our first Antelope hunt! September 6th came around and we hit the road for a 13 hour drive from Wisconsin. We found ourselves sitting in the blind on September 7th, and around noon we had a doe and fawn come in to our water hole setup. Within a couple of minutes a nice buck came in from our backside and camerman Bruce spotted him. The wind was perfect and he came 20 yards from the blind, quartering away. I settled my pin, asked Bruce if he was rolling and let the arrow fly. My first antelope ever with a bow stumbled and crashed 20 yards from where I shot him. I was pretty spoiled to harvest a good antelope on the first hunt. Next up was Bruce, and the next day we hunted dark to dark with no success. Day 3 came around and we were excited to get in the blind, because it was supposed to be a real scorcher! 3 O'clock came around and to our right already at the water hole was a good buck! It's amazing how quiet they really are. I was behind the camera and we had to switch positions to get a good angle at the antelope. He swung all the way in front of the blind and up onto a little ledge where Bruce was presented with a quartering away shot. Thwack! Bruce made a great shot and ended up with the biggest buck out of the HCO Group! We are very thankful to Steve Beilgard and the HCO Staff for allowing us to film in Gillette, WY. It was a blast and I can't wait until next season! Stay tuned for my early season Wisconsin archery buck story and pictures four days after our antelope trip!

2010-01-29T21:03:00.002-06:00

Honey Creek Outdoors latest, MUST SEE, Youtube Vid

My First Deer! The Ultimate Experience.. Thanks HCO!

2010-01-22T19:05:00.005-06:00

(Pic taken after we tracked her took my orange vest off, my mistake)

     I can't take all of the credit for this pic., because Brandon the photographer was a huge part of me getting that first deer. But before the '09-'10 season I had hunted nothing but mushrooms.
Brandon was the first to ever take me out hunting. Although I only ran the video-camera, I was learning each and every day.  After a few weeks I started to become comfortable in; all the hunting clothes, the tree stand, and the HCO camera arm (Brandon made, patent pending). I became addicted.
     Even though I had no interest in hunting before this season, I still had taken the hunting safety course when I was 10. In Iowa it's like getting a license for your car; like those who don't have a car but still have a license, I don't even have a gun but still had a license and tag.
     On New Years Eve Brandon and I decided to go hunting. We brought the video camera and tripod and sat on a hill near a fence row. Right when we sat down and got the camera ready does and button bucks came rushing in toward us. A couple brave ones came within feet of us. Brandon passed up deer after deer, and suddenly they quit crossing the fence. I couldn't even feel my butt, we basically made chairs out of snow.
     But a cold January in Iowa means a low battery for Brandon and I. Another group of does came across the fence as if the us and the video camera were magnents. Some coming even closer to us than the ones before. I had the camera recording the close ones, and they came closer. I tried to turn off the camera but immediately Brandon whispered, "Don't Move".
     At the sound of his whisper I was one with the ground: Frozen. I didn't move and it only seemed like seconds, but the camera eventually died and the sun began making it's way to set under the horizon.
     In came another group of does and button bucks, and I see Brandon turn back to me and whisper,"You wanna shoot one?"
      He gestured the muzzle loader towards me, and my first question was...
     "Which one?"
     "Whichever one you think" He answered with a whisper that sounded slightly like Mr. Miagi from Karate Kid.
     Was he crazy? I had never even shot a gun let alone aim one, I thought we would maybe practice before it came to this.
      I nodded and grabbed the gun from him. He was surprised and almost seemed reluctant to give it to me, but I took it anyway.
     As I raised the muzzle loader and set my sights in, I thought to the time Brandon forced me to look through his muzzle loader scope earlier this summer.  I could remember (word to word) the advice he gave me as he basically forced my eye into the scope one day in the shop, "Aim the crosshairs in the sweet spot, and let her rip... It's not that hard.."
     BAAMMM I actually pulled the trigger and it happened way too fast. I can remember it about as well as I can remember my 21st birthday party. I saw snow spray behind her, and I thought I missed the doe.
Once Brandon said I nailed her I came back to reality and saw her scamper off. I didn't think she'd make it up that second hill, but she did. I was pretty sure she didn't go any farther than that, and she didn't.
It still seems like a dream to me today, but after that second hill, I saw her lyin' there in peace, right next to the fence row.
I'm glad I didn't spine her, Brandon said I hit her right where I was supposed to. What a way to end the New Year!

-Corey Yardley

The HCO 180 Camera Arm Video (Part 1) Awesome vid!

2010-01-18T21:36:00.001-06:00

Brandon- Your videos continue to get better and better. It's great to see a visual of all that hard work, keep up the great work and awesome vids!

The link to the video is below...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1U3tnOZoSm4

HCO Staff, e-mail your pics and stories to me!

2010-01-18T17:25:00.000-06:00

Lisa thought it would be a good idea for all staff members to contribute to the blog. I love this idea because we can all make this blog much more active. I'm sorry I haven't posted much, the holidays were crazy and I'm finally getting back into my routine.

You can contribute by e-mailing me pics and stories to go along with it, and I'll post it crediting the author and photographer. There really is no requirements, don't worry about making it perfect and just do your best with grammar. Send it to my e-mail and I'll post it as soon as I can. coreyyardley@honeycreekoutdoors.com.

Also, if you are interested in becoming one of the administrators for the blog leave a comment that includes: your first and last name, your e-mail address, and ways you could contribute (writing, pictures, current events involving the outdoors, etc.). You do not need to sign up for blogspot to becoming admin., or to comment (This blog allows anonymous comments)

Thank

Changes to the Blog

2009-11-27T18:38:00.000-06:00

FYI I have broadened my blog topic to all aspects of Honey Creek Outdoors. I would like to get all HCO staff members and fans involved with this site. I'm sure we'll come up with plenty of ideas for material as time moves along, but I figured featuring one HCO staff member per week with Q&A interview and pics would be a fun way to get to know one another!

Also you do NOT need a blog to comment on here so if you're an HCO staff member and are interested in becoming HCO's Weekly Spotlight leave me a comment and I will e-mail you with further details!

I hope everyone is having a fun and successful hunting season, in and out of the tree stand!

Dream Big CY

The Peak Update!

2009-11-05T18:24:00.001-06:00

It's a little after five o'clock and I'm sitting shoulder to shoulder with Brandon in a tree stand we set up not even two hours ago. Brandon whispered, "deer", and my heart rate started to kick up as usual. He used the grunt call a couple times and twigs began to snap. I heard it rustling through the leaves, the crunching noises became louder as the creature came closer and closer.

I saw antlers and immediately turned on the video camera and hit record. I swung the HCO 180 smoothly and quietly right onto my target, making sure I was capturing this buck. I heard Brandon look to see if I was ready and I gave him a nod. That is when a wave of adrenaline completely took me over.

My vision began to tunnel as Brandon pulled back his bow. I didn't even examine the buck, or do any fancy camera work, I just made sure the buck and little red button was displayed on the camera screen.

It all happened too fast. The whoosh of the arrow. Brandon knew it right away, turned around and celebrated. I was trying to follow the buck scamper off, but Brandon's immediate celebration meant we did it. He guaranteed it on the driveway, I recorded it and everything. "I'm going to shoot a big buck, and you're going to video tape it, tonight is the night." I am very new to hunting and videotaping, and if I wouldn't have had the HCO 180 there is no way I would have been calm enough to get such solid footage. I've said it before and I'll say it again: "If I can do it, YOU can do it."

Brandon, Ben, Greg and I got some very good footage and are going to piece together a teaser to sum up our first week of "The Peak". Stay tuned folks!

Corey

Wired to Hunt Features The Peak for Video of the Day

2009-11-04T11:58:00.001-06:00

Greetings from HCO!

I hope everyone's November is going well so far. Even though we are only four days into it, I'm having an amazing month, and I'd like to thank a few people for the awesome start.

As you may know, wired to hunt has featured HCO's "The Peak TV" trailer ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXuM5ejkX54) as Video of the Day. A big thanks to Mark Kenyon writer for http://www.wiredtohunt.com/ for posting our video and linking HCO's blog to their site.

I also wanted to take the time to thank Honey Creek Outdoors for the opportunities they have given me. I am majoring in sports journalism once I graduate from Kirkwood Community College, and freelancing for HCO has given me some great experience. The coordinator/Brandon's mom is my second mom and a great friend of mine. I wanted to acknowledge her work ethic and customer service we couldn't do it without you!

When I'm not at work, school, or tutoring you are likely to find me near Brandon's house. He and I have been friends since pre-school, but this year we became brothers. It's great to be around him because he always has to be doing something, just like me. He never gives up, especially if you tell him he can't do it, I'm glad some of that rubbed off on me.

October was nearing, and I figured it would be like every other hunting season that I hated- My friends would all go hunting together and I just waited to hear the stories. This season was just a little bit different thanks to Brandon. I am now addicted to videotaping the outdoors (with the one and only HCO 180º) and going hunting. There is nothing in the world like it, it's an entire new world to me. I've never experienced an activity that can be so relaxing, then out of no where your heart can beat harder and faster than ever. There's nothing better for me to write about- The outdoors and competition. So again thanks Brandon, my brother,friend, and partner- Let's rise to our peak!

If I left anyone out let me know, and here's a thank-you in advance.

Dream Big CY

Rise to the Peak!

2009-10-31T11:45:00.001-05:00

THE PEAK-
Honey Creek Outdoors is working on their debut DVD series- HCO Fair Chase. Brandon has had a passion for the outdoors since he could walk, but had troubles finding friends who shared that same passion until he turned 14. Luckily 14 was also when he bought a video camera and began filming his hunting adventures, giving fans a chance to watch Brandon and the gang learn and grow from kids into the fine outdoorsmen they have become.
Honey Creek Outdoors wants to target and spread the love of hunting-especially the youth. We have grown from a few boys from a small town to a Team of men, women, boys and girls from all across the country. Since this will be the last deer season to film for HCO Fair Chase Series, we figured a documentation of the "Peak of the Rut" would be appropriate for the GRAND FINALE of the first of many DVD's.
Along with hunting season's "Peak", follow the progression of The HCO 180 Line of Camera Arms, get a chance for us to introduce ourselves, and much more! Who better than Brandon and friends to bring the truth of reality hunting with a 30 day documentary of HCO's PEAK?

Corey's First Hunting Trip and Filming Job Made Easy by HCO!

2009-10-10T17:35:00.001-05:00

For six months Brandon has been tinkering and tweaking his new camera arm design. The noises of drilling, welding, and cutting were the soundtrack of our 2009 Summer. We were so busy October seemed to creep up on us out of nowhere and all of the noise and pressure could be put to a halt with a single trip to the treestand. I realized the collaboration of nature's peaceful tranquility and the singing of the birds was a great escape from the rest of the world.

I grew up in southeastern Iowa, surrounded by hunting, but wasn't given the opportunity to experience it until October 2009. My father hunted, but died due to a gun shot when I was 4 years old. The combination of no one teaching me how to hunt and the weapon used to murder my dad most likely drew me away from the sport. But I was always interested when listening to my friends' hunting adventures. It took me 21 years but thanks to Brandon, I can officially call myself an Iowan.

I was on camera-man duty and the 6 month life-span of the HCO 180º came down to this beautiful October night. A true test of easy operation and simplicity was at stake considering my inexperience in filming and hunting (two pretty important attributes).

The HCO 180º is light weight and very travel-friendly. It weighs only 4.5 pounds and when the arm is folded up the 180º is easy to carry and takes up little room if you're taking a backpack for your hunting trip. Setting it up in the treestand takes only seconds and makes little sound. Since the HCO 180º mounting brackets are sold for only $40, this allows you to buy multiple brackets for each treestand you use.

Once we were settled in the tree stand, I turned the camera on and began panning our surroundings. The 180º remained fluid, smooth, and completely silent even when I swung the arm from my right side all the way to Brandon's left. It allowed me to capture the entire view from our stand with little movement and no shake of the camera.

We watched the footage I had captured after our hunt. Even though the only animal I filmed was a squirrel, Brandon and I were blown away how professional the recording looked, all credit given to the HCO 180º. I promise you that if I can do it, YOU can do it. Purchase your HCO 180º Camera Arm today, so you can finally capture your monsterous trophey buck kill with high-quality results all at an unbeatable price!

HCO 180° Camera Arm Brochure

2009-10-01T17:35:00.001-05:00

Professional hunter/cameraman, Jim Kinsey showing some love to the brochure Brandon and I whipped up last month! I'm almost positive Jim was a little more impressed with Brandon's camera arm he used to film in one of his recent hunting expeditions, he described the HCO 180° Standard as, "Stellar!".
We'd like to thank Jim Kinsey and Jana Waller for taking the time to write their wonderful testimonies regarding The HCO 180° Camera Arms. Jim and Jana's feedback, HCO 180º specifications, pricing and more can be found in the brochure below.

Check out Jim's testimonial of the HCO 180 ° Camera Arms in the brochure Brandon and I created!

(Click on the image for a larger view)

2009-09-23T11:07:00.001-05:00

Here's the first advertisement that will be used in magazines and such. It looks very professional and both Brandon and I are very impressed. We would like to to thank everyone that has made this possible!!!

His Camera Arm in a Nutshell

2009-09-22T09:24:00.001-05:00

I have witnessed everything. The progress my good friend Brandon has made in his first 6 months as an inventor is remarkable. He created a device that will revolutionize the art of capturing and recording your hunts.
Brandon designed a camera arm that is unlike any other on the market. It's fully-adjustable, which keeps the camera view level, no matter what tree or post you mount it to. The "180-degree knuckle" concept gives the camera-man (especially self-filmers) the ability to campture anything that meets the hunter's eye. Move it Straight up, straight down, directly behind you, all with using little movement and sound. The strength of the HCO 180 gives firm camera support, yet it's fluid arm movements and affordability give us average Joe's the opportunity for professional quality footage.

Next time we'll cover the standard and elite versions, and we can answer any questions you guys may have for us, thanks for your time!