My 13th SHOT Show was a lucky show for me. The Moose on the Loose SHOT Show 5k I organize along with the help of MANY friends had a great turnout of runners on Monday. I successfully didn’t schedule any meetings before 10 am on all days except one. And my husband joined me (FINALLY!) to see what the hubbub was all about.
Perhaps the highlight of the week, one that I will stick with me for a long time, is the interview opportunity I had with Brett Favre. Yes, that Brett Favre. I know you are shocked I got to meet him. In fact, even on Instagram, one of the comments from my friends was, “Is this real?” See, even they share your skepticism.
I would be remiss if I didn’t share that this opportunity happened because Kevin Orthman, Executive Director of Professional Outdoor Media Association, couldn’t make the time work to meet with Favre himself – so he suggested me to Chelsea Lawson Litsey, co-founder of Big Fish Collective; i.e. Orca Coolers’ PR representative. (Thanks Kevin and Chelsea!)
So let’s get to brass tacks. Favre was in Las Vegas for Orca Coolers – a company he part-owns. Orca was set up off-site as I’m told Favre would have been bombarded by fans if he attempted to get near the Sands Convention Center. I had 15 minutes with him and frankly, I was ill-prepared. I mean, it’s not like I didn’t have a million other things going on that week…so I was relieved to see friend, Eric Poole, editor of Guns & Ammo magazine stroll into the room. I grabbed Eric and asked him to help me conduct this interview with Favre. Nerves calmed. Favre sat down with us…onward we go…
Most memorable deer? 160 pointer taken with a bow in Illinois.
Get anything this year? And this part is kind of funny to me, as Eric asked Favre if he had the chance to fill his Orca cooler while out hunting – he paused, and then told us he has NOT had that opportunity yet. Seems he’s just like the rest of us when it comes to a bad season – he ate tag soup, too. Embrace it, Brett!
We continue talking with Favre about hunting, where he went, does he get to Wisconsin anymore? Not as much as in the past, obviously. Eric told him of the many deer he saw this fall on his property and that perked Favre right up. (Can I say that our time spent with Brett saw him more lively in his responses than those who interviewed him ahead of us? Hmm…)
I needed to ask what he shoots and his ‘tools of the trade.’ I honestly thought he would spew them right out – but all he knew was he was shooting a five or six-year-old Mathews bow! I thought he would have the latest product in his hands. “I use whatever is around the house when I go hunting; I don’t pay as much attention to those details.” If that’s not the good ole’ Mississippi boy coming out, I don’t know what is. I asked about his draw weight – and he had to turn to his guys at the next table to ask them what his it was – the group decided around 70 pounds. “Obviously I’ve had to lower it over the years – given my shoulder and arm condition,” he said. Darn football career messing up his bowhunting activities. See below full rundown of Favre’s set—up, as provided by his team.
Wrapping it up, Eric asked the clincher question – what would tell your younger self? Ohh…good one Eric.
Favre said he went over this a little bit in his Hall of Fame speech, but he referenced how you think you know it all when you are younger, and that all those things your parents say to you, you scoff at, until they come true. “I think I would tell myself don’t be creatures of habit. Try new things. Get out there. My family now goes to National Parks all the time and I wish we did that more as my daughters were growing up.”
Perhaps Favre can help our current battles with keeping our public lands public.
Oh – and watch his Hall of Fame speech. I teared up a couple times. In regards to what he referenced during our interview, I think it was this quote: “Don’t ever look back and regret not doing your best. If you are 25 and wish you did something in High School, it is too late. I don’t regret anything.”
Thank you, Brett, for your time, energy and making my teen and college years in Wisconsin memorable. Heck, I can still remember seeing you win the Super Bowl with the Packers on my little 13 inch TV in my dorm room.
Tools of the trade:
Mathews Drenalin bow
Easton Arrows
Muzzy Broadheads
HHA Sights
Draw weight – 70 pounds, roughly, give or take ?
P.S. If you are a Favre fan too, check out this limited edition Brett Favre cooler from Orca. Only available for a limited time. And they launched it during Super Bowl week – smart you guys.
