Deployed SNCO sharpens Bow skills

Master Sgt. Lance Kagele sights in his compound bow during a weekend hunt for wild pig and deer at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. “Getting out on the weekend for some peace and solitude on the island of Guam is a great diversion from the deployed operations tempo.” said Sergeant Kagele. Sergeant Kagele is an aircrew flight equipment superintendent assigned to the 36th Operational Support Squadron and is deployed from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska supporting U.S. theater security package. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald) released

Deployed SNCO sharpens Bow skills

Master Sgt. Lance Kagele checks out his compound bow during a weekend hunt for wild pig and deer at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The base allows bow hunting for licensed hunters on certain areas of installation. Sergeant Kagele is an aircrew flight equipment superintendent assigned to the 36th Operational Support Squadron and is deployed from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska supporting U.S. theater security package. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald) released

Deployed SNCO sharpens Bow skills

Master Sgt. Lance Kagele walks a ridgeline at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam while bow hunting for wild pig and deer. Andersen allows hunters to use bows on certain days and areas of base for game hunting. Prior to hunting, members must pass a bow hunting qualification and safety course. Sergeant Kagele is an aircrew flight equipment superintendent assigned to the 36th Operational Support Squadron and is deployed from Elmendorf AFB, Alaska supporting theater security package.(U.S. Air Force photo/ Master Sgt. Kevin J. Gruenwald)

Deployed Elmendorf SNCO sharpens bow skills

Published March 5, 2009
By Master Sgt. Kevin Gruenwald
36th Wing Public Affairs

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam -- During lengthy deployments, Airmen find various ways to stay busy and keep active to pass the time while keeping mission focused. Working out, playing video games and participating in morale welfare and recreation activities seem to be most popular for deployers. However, one senior noncommissioned-officer from Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, likes to keep his "sights" on wild pig and Sambar deer hunting while deployed here.

Master Sgt. Lance Kagele, an aircrew flight equipment superintendent assigned to the 36th Expeditionary Maintenance Squadron, recently added bow hunting to his ever-growing hobby list, after he discovered that Guam has a nice array of wildlife to hunt.

Stalking his prey through dense, humid Guam jungles around base presents challenges for Sergeant Kagele,

"It's definitely a good thing I had a reliable compass on my first outing; the brush is so dense here it's easy to get turned around and lose direction," said Sergeant Kagele.

"I came really close to about a 50-pound pig last weekend, but overshot and missed by a slight margin," he said. "Hunting is a great stress reliever for me, unless I don't nab the big one. It lets me break away from the stressors of being deployed while enjoying the peace and quiet of island hunting, the freedom and challenge is very exhilarating."

In contrast to hunting at home station in Alaska were people can see miles and miles in the open tundra, in Guam the thick brush limits a shot to about 20 yards, he said.

Though hunting on base is open to anyone interested, there are some guidelines that must be followed.

"Safety for all our hunters and an enjoyable hunting experience here at Andersen is top priority," said Abe Amison, president of Islands Sportsman Club. "All hunters must go through a comprehensive hunter's safety course consisting of about an hour and a half that covers briefings on the local area, base and Department of Agriculture and Wildlife Resources regulations, and hunting hazards. They also have to obtain a permit for $25 from Guam local municipality before they begin."

Hunting is open only on weekends at main base Andersen, and is restricted to bow hunting.

"The military and local chamoran hunters assist in degradation of our large deer and pig overgrowth, Mr. Amison said. "We have an almost uncontrollable abundance of deer and wild pig here. With the good climate and ample food they seem to multiply daily. Hunters not only get to be sportsman at a real cheap monetary price but also help eradicate the wild game."

Sergeant Kagele will return back to Elmendorf Air Force Base Alaska in early May, but vows to treat his deployed Airmen to a Guam wild pig roast when he bags that large boar that seems to keep eluding him by just a little.