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Background
First and foremost…I tend to be long-winded when I write anything. But I was asked to do a bio, so here it is…this is who I am. I will leave it up to others to edit this for what is deemed relevant. So with that being said, I have been happily married 17 years with three children. My wife and I have actually been together for nearly 20 years now. My oldest daughter is 19 and just finishing up her freshman year in college. My second daughter is 16 and just recently got her learners permit to go driving…beware PA drivers. And my youngest is a little punk troublemaker 8-year-old son that thrives on antagonizing his older sisters, as well as his Mother. Oh, and we also have a little yellow lab named Baylee (that translates to spoiled little princess).

Contrary to the ages and years listed above; I am only 38 years young. My wife was in high school still when we met on a blind date at a Christmas party. Her parents both hated me at the time; her dad allegedly put a hit on me through his bar buddies. Of course with my long hair, bad attitude and leather jacket…I would have hated me too. Nevertheless, they allowed her to get married to me a few years later. And now, 20 years later, they actually like me…I think. Of course I have become a much more respectable person.

I had a very brief military stint. The day before I was sent to Ft. Benning Georgia we found out that my wife was pregnant with our second child. I was at Ft. Benning for approximately 10 days before finding out my wife was hospitalized with phlebitis (Blood clots) and placed on bed rest. She was in the hospital for a 1-month duration and I was inadvertently sent home from boot camp with a general discharge so I could care for my family.

I began hunting when I was around 22 years old…I am pretty much self-taught through a lot of trial and error, as well as a lot of reading. I progressed into trapping around age 25 or 26 and absolutely loved it. In fact, I loved trapping so much I became active with the Pennsylvania Trappers Association and went on to serve as director, as well as editor, for District One for approximately 5 years. I am still active in trapping and plan to always be active. I am a Life member of the Pennsylvania Trappers Assn. and the Arizona Trappers Assn., (I was born in Arizona) as well as a yearly member of the Fur Takers of America and the National Trappers Assn. and numerous other waterfowling organizations.

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Trapping/IMG_2027.jpg)

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/IMG_0393.jpg)

Off season…is there such a thing?
I don’t honestly think there is an off season. If one is so inclined, the great outdoors will always provide for some type of adventure no matter the season. It may not be hunting, but there are plenty of things that kind of branch off. Take Sea kayaking for instance…my favorite summertime activity. The picture doesn’t appear to be summer, but it sure is fun and peaceful being out on the big water at any time of year. I use a lot of the non-hunting activities to pass the time between hunting seasons and to get my exercise since I’m a desk jockey 8 hours a day.

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/IMG_2457.jpg)

I also relish hiking and I have recently been trying to encourage my son to become involved with the outdoors through hiking. He seems to be taking to it fairly well. The first long distance hike of the season is coming up in a couple weeks (without my son). My partner and I are heading out for a three day 30 plus mile trek along the West Rim Trail. That will whip my butt into shape.

I enjoy Flyfishing as well, but haven’t been getting out as much as I used to. I plan to rectify that this year and blow the dust off of the flyrods. I may even take one of them hiking with me. Then we have the fall steelhead runs, ask Al about those. He is privy to the fantastic fishery we have in this neck of the woods

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Steelhead.jpg)

Turkey Hunting hunting takes up every weekend for me in May. Between hunting PA birds and venturing across the border into NY on Sundays, my open weekends are non-existent. I make up for missing church for an entire month in June…well a little anyway. This is the first bird I harvested with one of my own calls. I used my Voyager box call and didn’t have a chance to use anything else. This bird came in on a string.

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Hunts/IMG_0846.jpg)

Waterfowling…what can I say? It is an absolute obsession. I thought trapping was bad (addictive), but duck hunting really takes the cake for me. Particularly sea duck hunting and hunting from my sneakboat. There is absolutely nothing like it! I spend a vast amount of time each fall pursuing ducks all the way into the mid winter months. I also tend some traps during most seasons as time permits. Consequently I have a very small window for doing a lot of predator hunting. Don’t get me wrong here, I do make time for a few hunts each season, but not nearly as often as I would like to. It seems when I do take time away from ducks or beaver, it is either spent with my family or making calls. I’m just one of those guys with waaaayy to many irons in the fire. But I wouldn’t have it any other way, it keeps life interesting and drives my wife nuts.

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/IMG_4166.jpg)

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/IMG_4071.jpg)

Goals
Hunt, fish, trap or all of the above in Alaska
Paddle the entire Pennsylvania shoreline of Lake Erie in my kayak…50 miles or so.
Hike the North Country Trail in its entirety through PA...a little over 90 miles.
Carve my own rig of gunning decoys for the next waterfowl season and maybe expand the game calls into decoy carving if all goes well.

Work related…
I Graduated in 1996 with a degree in Specialized Technology with a concentration in Architectural CADD I have been utilizing that degree for the last 12 years working as a Sales Engineer for a local manufacturing facility. To put it plainly â€" I hate my current job, but it pays the bills.

I went back to college and graduated from Edinboro University in 2007 with a second degree in Criminal Justice. I’m still attempting to gain employment in that field. Unfortunately, there just isn’t a sufficient demand for CJ majors in this area and relocating isn’t much of an option at this point. While I was in college the second time I did manage to take quite a few writing courses. I know I may have mentioned this in the past on here, but I am still kicking around the idea of writing about some of my hunting excursions and other misadventures and looking at the possibility of having it published in the future. I am really starting to get serious about this too. If any of you ever go hunting with me consider this as your warning, you will become fair game for some ill-conceived stories. I will see to it that our hunting excursion is worthy of writing about.

I also currently work in the law enforcement field. Some of you may know this and most of you probably don’t. I was commissioned as a State Officer in 2000 to serve as a Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer. This is not a full time job for me; I work when I want to and for as long as I want. It is basically a volunteer job with the same full powers of arrest for violations of PA game laws that a full time officer has. I must conform to strict standards and qualify each year in firearms, defensive tactics, verbal skills, Haz-Mat, etc. But enough of the work related stuff, lets move on to North Bay Game Calls.

North Bay Game Calls
I have dabbled in waterfowling for a few years, but the bug really hit me hard in 2006. In fact, it hit me so hard I decided I wanted to start making my own calls. I began with turkey calls just to get a feel for what I was doing. Then I ventured over to predator calls while I toyed around with duck call designs. Some of my buddies wanted to buy some calls so I decided to start selling them in order to be able to purchase more supplies. After I became comfortable with what I was doing I created North Bay Custom Game Calls. The “Custom” was dropped from the name for various reasons. The Original logo I designed had a lot of thought put into it.

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Designs/NBCGCLogoRev020808-1.jpg) (http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Designs/smNBWOOD_1.jpg)

The major portion, the compass, was used for a few reasons. I love going into the woods and attempting to lose myself. I haven’t actually been successful at this yet; though, I have been a might bit confused for a spell once or twice, but never lost. I enjoy the orienteering aspect of hiking, not necessarily with a GPS, but with a good old fashioned map and compass. The logo also serves as a method to show the different calls I make…predator, waterfowl, turkey and a crow. The antlers were placed in there as well, but I no longer make deer grunts. Lastly, I am a huge Seattle Mariners fan…check out their logo if you’re not sure what that means.

The name North Bay also has some significance. I live 10 minutes from Lake Erie. The area I live in is home to Presque Isle Bay…the northern most bay in Pennsylvania and the source for much of my hunting and trapping enjoyment. I also send my furs that I harvest while trapping to Fur Harvesters Auctions…Guess where they are located. You got it - North Bay Ontario Canada. There are probably other factors that went into the design and naming of North Bay Game calls, but those are the key factors that still stick out in my mind. The new logo was merely designed due to the fact that I put the “NB” on all of my calls, that is a story in and of itself. I like both designs though. They are original and one of a kind - the same way I attempt to make my calls.

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/IMG_2527-1.jpg)

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Calls/IMG_1900.jpg)

So with all of that being said…I suppose everybody would like to see the showcase call that I’m putting up for grabs. So here ya go… This particular call is made from Cocobolo and Olivewood and it will also come with a new North Bay display stand. I will get a picture of that up when I have it finished.This call is voiced for Jackrabbit distress and also comes with an external coaxer. This setup allows for a minimum of three different sounds when blown in different ways. Cover the coaxer with your pointer finger and you only use the reed inside the call. Plug the exhaust end and all you use is the coaxer. Or for the ultimate in sound dynamics don’t cover or plug anything and listen to the screeching, blood-curdling screams you will achieve. This is a very diverse call for either close quarters or long distance calling.








(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/IMG_4283-1.jpg)

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/IMG_4290-1.jpg)

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/IMG_4291.jpg)


I have been butchering wood since early 2006. I have learned a lot of different techniques and tricks for callmaking along the way from a lot of different people. I am not going to name any names for fear of leaving some of you out - you all know who you are. Then there are guys that keep me striving to make my calls even better than the last…the fellow callmakers that keep me humble with their own woodcrafting wizardry…a big thank you is in order for all of you as well. Lastly but certainly not least â€" The backbone of North Bay Game Calls â€" you the customer! If it wasn’t for you guys that purchase my calls I couldn’t possibly continue to do what I do. Heck, my wife wouldn’t let me. You guys make it all possible for me to give donations, be it calls or monetary, to a host of different associations and to the different contests conducted here at Fins & Furs. I don’t mind donating calls to Fins and Furs…and this is the only forum that I have donated any calls to. Why? You guys exemplify what hunting and camaraderie is all about. Like I mentioned above…it’s not the kill that thrills me, it’s the experience.
Anyway, that’s why I keep making calls…so I can give something back. That is what North Bay is all about.

I am passionate about what I do and I strongly believe in giving back whenever I can. North Bay Game Calls provides me with a means to requite the bounty I reap during each season. Not directly, but indirectly through donations to various associations that in turn conduct habitat projects, reintroduction programs, etc. for our wildlife today. As well as help to ensure the future of our traditions we hold close to our hearts through legal battles and public awareness / education.

Well, I think I covered everything and then some. Any questions? Thanks for taking the time to read all of this. I hope it wasn’t too much. Good luck to everybody in this showcase drawing.

Steve

SWEET!!  :yoyo: :yoyo:

Cool write up Steve. Your calls are always top of the line!!  :yoyo: :yoyo:

 :congrats: :congrats: :congrats:   :highclap: :highclap: :highclap:

LOVE the pics!!! 

Very fine write up Steve.  :bowingsmilie:  Excellent craftsmanship too.
Enjoyed reading it, and really enjoyed the pictures also. Thanks for taking
the time to share it all with us, and for participating in the Showcase.   :highclap: :highclap: 

Steve,

Thanks for the info and the pictures.  It seems like you should be busy 24 hours a day.  As for your calls, they have always been top shelf.

Jerry

Man after reading all that I feel like I've known you most of your adult life - grin. I don't own any of your calls yet but do plan on adding a few in the near future.  Thanks for the great write up and pictures Steve!  :wink:

awsome write up Steve and an awsome call as with the turkey calls i finally got to get from you which I have gotten already for the up coming season and hope to put a bird on the turkey hunt board using one of your calls to bag the sucker. Keep up the great work \ and them turkey calls in that first picture look mighty familure  :biggrin: they may not be the same ones I got but they sure look just as good

Charlie

  :whew: I am tired  :laf:

Nice write up and that is some fancy coco kinda got the rippled affect  :yoyo: :highclap:

I've got a couple of North Bay calls and they are truly beautiful. Thanks Steve.

Pat

I was hoping to take ole belly boat butt steelhead fishing soon........ :eyebrownod:  and show him how its really done, but I been so busy I cant even get to my new lathe...... :pout:

Steve that was one well written piece  :bowingsmilie:.  Sure makes it easier to see the person you are and your calls speak volumes by themselves.  As a customer I can say your welcome and also I can say thank you for being a generous forthright man who thinks of others more than himself :readthis:.  Looking forward to reading anything you care to write about as long as it can be found :wink:.

Thank you kindly gents...

Bill, Glen, Al...or anybody else, I'm planning on a wood run possibly next week if any of you guys want to tag along and pick up some wood. There are still some steelies in the streams right now too Al :eyebrow:

I'll be ordering myself a new tool this weekend to utilize that will be taking up even more of my time. :innocentwhistle: But it will be in a good way.

Charlie...check out my new post regarding the owners of North Bay turkey calls. I may do something similar this fall for guys that have one of my predator calls. I'll give you guys a reason to get 'em off of your shelves.  :eyebrow: Those might be your calls in that pic too, I'm not sure though. It seems everybody orders darn near the same set. :shrug:

Barry...it doesn't always seem that way. It seems that I have been thinking more about North Bay Calls the last couple of years and not getting out with my son enough. I am changing that this year though and setting aside a couple of nights a week to spend some time with him and the family. NO calls will be made on those days, unless he is helping of course. Stay tuned on the writing thing...it will be a while, but I'll make sure you can find something.

Thanks again everybody...back to the shop. I have some calls to finish up before the big trappers gun raffle :eyebrow: :biggrin:

Steve

I wish I had the time Steve....... Cause I would go in a heart beat!  :yoyo:
Thanks for the offer though......

 I really hope I could win that call  :biggrin: But that call looks nice.

nice write up steve.  and very nice call. 

Say you took some writing classes huh?  :laf:  Great write up, and your calls are always sharp!  :yoyo:

It's obvious that sleep isn't one of your priorities. You wore me out just reading all of that, but you do lead an exciting life. I can't believe you have just been making calls 4 years. You have progressed very quickly into a very fine call maker.  :highclap:

Now that's a write up!  :biggrin:

You asked if there are any questions.
Well, how about a family photo?  :eyebrow:

BTW Don't worry about missing church, just don't miss any moments w/ Him!  :wink:

Thanks again everybody

Yep...took a couple writing classes Brad. I excelled at prolific writing, but I really hated that part of it.

My life isn't all that exciting Bop...It is actually kind of hectic trying to find time to squeeze it all in. I need to find a job that pays me the same for working two hours a day :shrug: I have a lot left in me as far as calls go too. There are a lot of ideas I haven't even tried yet :innocentwhistle:

James...I honestly don't think I have any family photos uploaded onto my machine. I'll see if I can find anything...the family may be in different pictures, but if you use your imagination you can piece it all together.

Running my oldest back to college now, so I have to go. I'll look for pics when I get home.

Steve

See what happens when I don't read the site for a week?  :wink:

Steve your calls are World Class, just like you.  ;yes; Keep up the good work, enjoy the family time, and when that son of yours starts turning......let me know.  :wink:

I almost missed this one with ya Todd.   

Didnt know we were the same age Steve, great read bud !!!   :yoyo:

Excellent write up, Steve!   You make some fine looking calls for sure.   :congrats:

Thank you Todd, Vic and Semp.

Todd...my son, Tyler, did turn the one call. I guess I never posted a pic of the finished call did I? He marks his with TS for Tyler Steffy. He is awfully proud of that call. Now I have to get him out and use it. I'll get him back in the shop again when I get a bit of free time.


38 years young Vic...There's still some life left in this body :yoyo:

Steve

Post a picture of Tyler's call please Steve, I'd like to see it. Did you make the basket in the first picture?

Pat

Pat...I will get a pic of Ty's call and some other family pics when I get back Monday night or Tuesday. I'm waiting for my ride for a 3 day backpacking trip right now. See ya guys in a few days...

Steve

Okay...I finally have a little time to get some of those family pics posted up. Oh and Pat, I did not make the packbasket. I bought it at a trappers rendezvous. Its tough to find a good one these days.

My oldest daughter Deanna off on her first semester of college at Grove City. (and her devious little brother in the background)

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Home/IMG_3528.jpg)

The better half...(or so I'm told) Michelle and myself flanking Deanna...Looks like I should run a few laps. :wo:

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Home/IMG_3532.jpg)


My 8 year old son Tyler (Tydle Wave :iroll:)

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Home/IMG_3375.jpg)

A little baseball practice with Tyler and his "old man"
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Home/IMG_1853.jpg)

My 16 year old Daughter Tori and her first surfing lesson...looks like fun.
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Home/IMG_3299.jpg)

Ummmm...maybe not.
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Home/IMG_3242.jpg)

And the family wouldn't be complete if we didn't include Baylee...

(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Home/IMG_1669.jpg)

She has really grown up...
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Home/IMG_3484.jpg)


And lastly,
here is a good one for Vic...the crew watching the Mariners pound the Indians...
(http://i244.photobucket.com/albums/gg13/NorthBay06/Home/IMG_1989.jpg)

You have a beautiful family Steve. One in college and two on the way, wow! I see on the other post that Tyler did a great job on the call. I have made several baskets, but I never tried anything as big as a packbasket.

Pat

Very nice!!  I have always admired you calls!

Jim

Pat...if you ever make a pack basket you'll have to let me know. I'm gonna be needing another in the next season or two. Like I said, a good one is hard to find.

Thank you Jim...

Wow Steve you must know about everyone :bowingsmilie:.  Up here where I am we know them all at a ball game :innocentwhistle:.  That looked like a good time too. :biggrin:

Awesome Write up Steve!!  Well done.   :congrats:
You should be proud, that's a beautiful family.

I had the pleasure of hearing Steve play one of his distress calls hunting bobcat a couple winters ago.  They sound as good as they look!

Thanks John...we are going to have to get together this fall for another round with the cats and maybe even some coyotes. Looking forward to hunting again.

Barry...you must be thinking of my wife. I can't take that woman anywhere without her running into somebody she knows :doh2:

amazing call Steve :yoyo: :highclap: Do you go to ball games often? I would have loved to be there, looks like you guys were having lot's of fun.

No, we only go to see the Mariners Play once a year or so when they go to Cleveland. That is plenty for us...Major league games cost an awful lot to take a family of 5 too. They are a lot fun though...especially when your team is beating the home team :hahaha:

Steve

Great write up Steve. And you have a great looking family too.

Great write up and some dandy looking calls too!

We'll have to talk about that Mariners/Indians thing sometime. Perhaps I can convince you better.  :wink:  :biggrin:

That ain't gonna happen Mike...my older daughter, the one with the neon green Indians jersey on, is an Indians fan. I think she just does it to spite me though :noway: It's Mariners or nothing for me...even if they do suck again this year.

Steve

There were 22 entrants in this months contest.  :yoyo: :yoyo:  So me being the math wiz that I am I would say that gives everybody an equal chance since there were only 22 names in the hat.  :eyebrow:  That also means that if you didn't win then your odds of winning weren't as good as  :readthis:


The man who reigns BITE ME's down on the FnF crowd like Twinkies thru a handful of chubby little fingers!!

That was a good pull there Bop and congrats on getting a fine looking call :yoyo:.  Thank you Steve and FnF for being good people :biggrin:.

Congratulations Bop and thanks go to Steve.

Jerry

Oh great...you mean to tell me this thing is going to be encrusted with twinkie crumbs before it ever sees the woods :doh2:

Oh well...congrats Bop shoot me over your mailing addy and I'll mail it out along with my beaver pelts this week.

Steve

Your mailing beaver pelts to Bopeye too?  :confused:

Congrats Bopeye. :congrats:

QuoteAnd lastly,
here is a good one for Vic...the crew watching the Mariners pound the Indians...

Nice, look at them smiles !!!!!    :yoyo: :congrats:


Oh.. btw who's 4-0 in fantasy baseball  ??????   COULTER !!!!   lol...  I'll get ya yet buddy !!!

Congrats Bopeye

Steve thanks for posting up a call and telling all of us SO much about yourself  :yoyo:

No...the beaver pelts are heading to the tannery in Idaho. I'll wrap the call in some beaver fur scraps if it would make Bop feel special :wo:

Vic...I've got pretty lucky with some come from behind wins the last couple of weeks. But hey a W is a W right. And the points are getting racked up nicely ;yes;


Thank you to everybody for participating...so who's next Glen?

Steve

 :congrats: :congrats: :congrats:

Congrats O chubby one........  :yoyo: :yoyo:

Dayum nice call. Congrats Bop and thanks to Steve!    :congrats:

he's just going to eat it! :laf:

Congrats you ole Bopster :yoyo:
And thanks a ton Steve for participating in the showcase and offering up a piece of your fruit :wink:

I checked & Bop hasn't been here since April 28th. So I called him & left a message.  :shrug:

:hahaha: I think I forgot to mention he won the call tho.  :eyebrow:

Draw another... :innocentwhistle: Just kidding :eyebrownod:

I can do that Steve!! I still have a NB hat full of names here.  :eyebrow: :eyebrow:

:alscalls: :alscalls:

Bop and I talked last weekend. He said he has been pretty busy these last couple of weeks.  I'll try to get in contact with him again tonight on the Bop phone.

Steve, you can always send that fine NB call to me. I'll make sure it gets to James (in a couple of years anyways).  :wink: :laf:

Get the cum a long.......... hes stuck on the pot again............. :innocentwhistle:

I'M HERE!!! I'M HERE!!!  And who's the man!??? STEVE IS!!! AND SO AM I!!!!  :yoyo: :highclap: :congrats:

Congrats to me,
Congrats to me,
Congratulations to me.....eeeee!!!
Congrats to me.

(Gotta sing that to Happy birthday to you)

Thanks guys for all the comments and most importantly thanks to Steve and FNF.
Been working and politicing for a buddy of mine for sherriff. He got beat tonight and just got home. Glad I got 200 phone calls, emails and text messages or I would have never seen this. Been awhile since I was on here, gotta catch up.  :biggrin:

 :congrats:  :congrats:  :congrats: Congrats Bop!!!

QuoteGet the cum a long.......... hes stuck on the pot again.

Eeeewwwww...I guess that explains the gas mask in his avatar :alscalls:

Congrats Bop!

Quote from: alscalls on May 04, 2010, 09:15:32 PM
hes stuck on the pot again

That's why ya gotta get the toilet seat that's open in the front.  If ya get stuck just lean right or left & ... _"P o ^P".... you're free!  :yahoo:

 :laf: :laf: :laf:@VV

You sure you boys aint just a little gay?  :confused:
You sure do worry about my butt a lot.  :laf:

That would take waaaay too much worryin for me Bop!! I aint got that kinda time to spare.  :nono: :nono:

Quote from: Bopeye on May 05, 2010, 10:05:43 PM
You sure you boys aint just a little gay?  :confused:
You sure do worry about my butt a lot. :laf:

Why? Were you hoping we were? :huh:

Living in a household w/ women, bathroom time was at premium. Especially as they got older. :iroll:
Having someone stuck on the great white wasn't practical so you look for ways to avoid it. :wink:

Well it would seem this thread has went to pot :alscalls:

And here I always thought the slot on the front of the seat was there so we didn't have to lift the seat up. :wo: I am much wiser now. :innocentwhistle:

I thought it was so the dog could get his head back out if the seat fell on him.  :shrug: