Olympic Skier Todd Lodwick on His Best Elk Hunt
John E. Phillips 02.05.14
Todd Lodwick of Steamboat Springs, Colorado loves to hunt and holds three world skiing titles in Nordic combined skiing. He won the silver medal in Nordic combined skiing in the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada, and is the only person to qualify six times for the US Winter Olympic team. Lodwick’s passion for the outdoors also includes hunting, and he is a member of Mossy Oak’s Pro Staff. OutdoorHub’s John Phillips will be profiling this exceptional athlete over the next several days in the lead-up to the 2014 Winter Olympics. The following is an excerpt from an interview with Lodwick.
I was lucky enough to go to New Mexico and hunt with Ralph Ramos (professional hunter and guide and owner of Ramos Hunts & Video). I was fortunate to draw a tag in a unit that was known to have some big bull elk. We saw a lot of bull elk on this hunt, and I passed up some really nice bulls. Ralph is such a great caller that we had elk all around us during most of the hunt. I learned many elk hunting skills from Ralph, and I learned how to get into position to take a big bull. When my elk was within 30 yards, I drew my PSE bow and released the arrow. I shoot Gold Tip arrows and Trophy Ridge Rocket 100 broadheads. The elk didn’t go very far before he piled up. This was a great hunt—one of many great elk hunts I’ve been able to enjoy.
But because of my training regimen, I don’t get to hunt as much as I would like. However, one advantage I have is that archery season in Colorado often starts before we have snow. Another is that my hunting grounds of choice are only 10 minutes from my home, and it’s all public land. So, I can bowhunt for a couple of days.
Elk hunting allows me to build up my endurance training for Nordic skiing. Even though I’m enjoying being outside and hunting, I’m also climbing mountains, moving quickly to see elk, and possibly getting a shot at one. So, on most hunts, I am taking care of my training needs as well as having the opportunity to bowhunt. I am so addicted to elk hunting that if the elk are bugling, regardless of the distance I have to travel or the mountains I have to climb, I know I can get to those bugling elk.
I haven’t had an opportunity to take a mule deer yet with my bow, but I have taken one with my gun. I’ve also had the opportunity to take several bears with my PSE bow. Hunting bears is a much different experience than hunting elk. As a youngster, I grew up thinking that bears were mean. When I am stalking a bear with my bow, there is a level of excitement that is very different than when I am stalking elk.
You can learn more at http://www.toddlodwick.pro and http://nordic.usskiteam.com/athletes/todd-lodwick.
Check back tomorrow for more from Todd Lodwick and the mental aspects of Nordic skiing and hunting.
John, the 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the year and the 2007 Legendary Communicator chosen for induction into the National Fresh Water Hall of Fame, is a freelance writer (over 6,000 magazine articles for about 100 magazines and several thousand newspaper columns published), magazine editor, photographer for print media as well as industry catalogues (over 25,000 photos published), lecturer, outdoor consultant, marketing consultant, book author and daily internet content provider with an overview of the outdoors.
Phillips has been a contributor to many national magazines, has been affiliated with 27 radio stations across Alabama serving as their outdoor editor and wrote for a weekly syndicated column, "Alabama Outdoors," for 38-Alabama newspapers for more than 13 years. Phillips was Outdoor Editor for the "Birmingham Post-Herald" for 24 years. Phillips was also the executive editor for "Great Days Outdoors" magazine for 3 years.
The author of almost 30 books on the outdoors, Phillips is a founding member of the Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) and an active member of the Southeastern Outdoors Press Association (SEOPA). Phillips also is the owner of Night Hawk Publications, a marketing and publishing firm, and president of Creative Concepts, an outdoor consulting group.
Phillips conducts seminars across the nation at colleges in freelance writing, photography and outdoor education besides teaching courses in how to sell what you write to writers' groups. Phillips received his photography training as a still-lab photo specialist for six years in the Air Force. He was the chief photographer for Mannequins, Inc., a Birmingham modeling agency, for 11 years.
While serving as 2nd Vice President of the Alabama Wildlife Federation, Phillips was in charge of all press releases for the organization as well as serving as Chairman of Alabama's Big Buck Contest, which he founded more than 30 years ago. He also was president of the Alabama Sportsman's Association for three years.
Phillips is the recipient of a Certificate of Merit from the Governor of Alabama and the Department of Conservation for his work in the outdoor field. Phillips is vitally interested in the outdoors and travels the nation collecting personalities, stories and how-to information for his articles and features.
EDUCATION: B.S. degree from the University of West Alabama with a physical education major and a history minor.
EXPERIENCE: 10 years parttime and fulltime physical director for YMCAs and 34 years as a freelance writer, photographer, editor, book author, lecturer and daily-content provider for websites. Currently, Phillips is a field editor for Game and Fish Publications; serves on the editorial board of Grandview Media; is a regular contributor to 12 internet magazines and a daily content provider for 8 websites.
WRITING AWARDS: Runnerup - Best Outdoor Magazine Feature - 1981 - SEOPA; Certificate of Merit - Awarded by Alabama's Governor for writings on conservation; Most Outstanding Sports Writer in Southeast - 1983 & 1984; Best Outdoor Feature in Alabama, 1987 - Alabama Sportswriters' Association 3rd Place; Best Book of the Year - 1989 - SEOPA; 2007 - inducted into the National Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame as a Legendary Communicator; 2008 - received award naming him 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the Year from the Crossbow Manufacturers' Association; 2009 - GAMMA Honorable Mention for Consumer/Paid Best Essay for July/August 2008 in "Southern Sporting Journal."
