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Journey Into Beekeeping
Thank you for visiting Tactical Honey! Here’s the story about how Tactical Honey came to be and why it has the name. It’s a story about my journey into beekeeping which has been such a blessing. It is my hope that I can be a good steward of the bees under my care. Follow along!
Time to Slow down
The idea for Tactical Honey came about in the summer of 2023, after I underwent foot surgery, which left me non-weight bearing for several weeks, even on my birthday. Before the surgery, foot pain slowed me down and restricted my movement. Post-surgery, I relied on a knee scooter and crutches, later transitioning to a walking boot for a few weeks. It took months before I could wear regular shoes again, and about a year for my hips to fully recover.
During this period, I had to step away from my usual activities and work. Initially, the downtime was welcome, but very quickly, my heart was asking, “What’s next in my life’s journey?”
There was no sudden flash or profound revelation, no burning bush to light the way. But bees were literally crossing my path, hanging out on flowers in my garden, buzzing by me to say hi. Gradually, more and more bee-related things were brought to my attention.
Then the School of Traditional Skills (STS), offering online homesteading courses, introduced a Natural Beekeeping class led by Adam Martin of Bee Kept in Tennessee. As an STS member, I was excited to dive into this course upon its release. I eagerly absorbed every lesson, which inspired me to read “Keeping Bees with a Smile,” a book that has since become a cornerstone in shaping my approach to beekeeping.
What began as a mild fascination soon escalated into full-blown BEE FEVER! During my recovery, I immersed myself in countless videos and absorbed a wealth of knowledge from books, podcasts, and workshops. I started making plans to eventually have my own bees.
By the end of year, what had begun as the Year of Pain, ended with a drive and ambition to launch into a new venture of becoming a beekeeper in 2024!
Shortly thereafter, a friend in Hutto, Texas, who practices natural, treatment-free beekeeping, became an invaluable resource. He recommended further reading and invited me to assist in removing bees from a water meter box. Naturally, I agreed!
Water Meter Bees
In February 2024, a long-time acquaintance and beekeeping mentor friend, Scott with Blackland Prairie Bees was tasked with removing bees from a water meter box. He asked if I wanted to help. Of course I said yes!
This was my first hands-on experience with bees, but Scott repeatedly assured me, “Trust your suit.” As we got into the hive, there were moments when the buzzing became so intense that I had to step away for a few minutes just to catch my breath!
For this removal, Scott was planning to relocate them to his apiary. So we setup a hive next to the water meter. We slowly cut through the honeycomb inside the water meter, as it was full of eggs and baby bees, and we carefully attached it to a wooden frame with rubber bands and put it in the new hive. We tried to preserve as much of their honeycomb as possible to increase their chances of sticking around instead of abandoning the new home.
During this process, we were continually searching for the Queen Bee. The most exhilarating moment came when I was the one to spot the queen! All those hours of watching bee videos really paid off! We put the queen in a cage and put her in the new hive. The queen is essential to the hive’s survival, and finding her meant the colony would have a great chance of thriving.
Here’s a video of the day’s adventures:
Overall, it was such an exciting day! I learned so much, and it was such an honor!
Bee School
In March 2024, I had the honor of attending the 14th Annual Beekeeping School hosted by the Central Texas Beekeepers Association in Brenham, Texas. It was a fantastic opportunity to make new friends and enjoy a day packed with engaging, expert-led sessions on beekeeping.
During Beekeeping School, I made it a priority to attend sessions led by Les Crowder and Nathalie B. from Bee Mindful in Driftwood, Texas. Nathalie also co-hosts a podcast called The Hive Jive, which I had been avidly following.
Meeting them in person was an incredible experience—a bit of a fan-girl moment for me! I had just finished reading Les Crowder’s book Top-Bar Beekeeping and was thrilled to have him sign my copy.
Bee Mindful promotes natural, treatment-free beekeeping practices, a philosophy that deeply resonates with me. Their presentations highlighted the advantages of using Top Bar Hives, emphasizing how this approach fosters healthier and happier bees.
They helped me get started with an affordable Top Bar Hive, which I was able to take home that same day. I also pre-ordered a 5-frame nuc colony for pickup in a couple of months. Needless to say, I was beyond excited!
While waiting for my bees to arrive, I used the time to prepare their new space. It felt a lot like nesting before a big arrival! I dove into more books, watched countless videos, and assisted my mentor with his hives whenever I could. The anticipation was building with every passing day!
Beekeeping Workshop
In April 2024, I participated in a three-day beekeeping workshop hosted by Bee Mindful in Driftwood. This immersive experience covered every aspect of beekeeping, offering hands-on opportunities to inspect an active hive up close and guidance on building a hive to take home. The workshop also explored the benefits of Les Crowder’s Horizontal Top Bar Hive, highlighting its advantages over traditional industry-standard designs.
Dream Becomes Reality
May 2024 – After countless hours of research, learning, reading, watching, and waiting, I finally got a call from Scott. He asked if I wanted to assist with another bee colony removal from a water meter. My heart soared with excitement! Together with another friend, we headed out to Thrall, where we carefully prepared for the transfer of the bees and their colony into a swarm trap.
The Texas heat was relentless that day—hot and humid, as it often is before a cool front rolls in. Thankfully, Scott’s leadership and expertise took the lead. We worked diligently, securing salvaged honeycomb onto frames with rubber bands to place inside the swarm trap. The highlight of the day came when we found the queen! Her presence meant the hive had a strong chance of thriving. Once she was safely in the box, we positioned the swarm trap near the water meter to allow returning foragers to locate their new home. We left the setup in place for the rest of the day, planning to return at dusk to complete the process.
At nightfall, my husband and I returned at dusk, and the weather had switched to drizzling rain and cold. We waited until it was dark, and then we wrapped the swarm trap in a net and put it in my truck! We drove it to it’s forever location about an hour away. Early the next morning, I visited with them and watched them make their orientation flights as they adjusted to their new home. The plan is to leave them in the swarm trap for a few months and then move them into a bigger hive in a couple months.
And as if that weren’t exciting enough, the very next week, I picked up the 5-frame nucleus colony that I had purchased for my new horizontal top bar hive. They came in a plastic box with five frames of comb, brood, and resources, and when we were moving them into their forever home, we saw the queen! We put them in the hive that my daughter painted, and we enjoyed watching them settle in.
Apprenticeship
In June 2024, I joined the Bee Mindful Apprenticeship program to gain practical experience from expert beekeepers, Les Crowder and Nathalie B. The program involves spending one day each month over the next year to see how beehives expand and contract over the course of the year, and to how to learn best practices for natural beekeeping.
I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to learn the art of beekeeping! Over the months, I’ve gained invaluable hands-on experience, working alongside seasoned beekeepers across various apiaries. This has equipped me with the skills to care for my own hives and understand what to observe during hive inspections.
Another Bee School!
In September 2024, I was able to attend the annual Brazos Valley Beekeepers Bee School and work the vendor booth for Bee Mindful. I was able to share my enthusiasm for natural, treatment-free beekeeping and the affordable horizontal top bar hive. It was another wonderful day of talking to customers, visiting with vendors, and catching a few presentations from speakers.
Why the Name Tactical Honey?
Over the years, I’ve taken on various roles, but most people recognize me as a firearms instructor and administrative manager at a local gun range. This position provided me with extensive hands-on experience with firearms and a deep understanding of the daily operations involved in running a range and store. It also allowed me the opportunity to train with exceptional instructors and mentors while nurturing my interest in competitive shooting sports.
Why do I advocate for competition shooting? Primarily because it enhances marksmanship! Training under pressure is the best way to reinforce fundamental skills and improve reaction times, which are vital in self-defense situations.
Then, my close friend Nicole sought my input in developing a competition vest for her new business, Make Ready Range Wear. I was truly honored to be part of the process! Nicole’s meticulous attention to detail ensured the vest not only provides a flattering fit but also enhances performance on the range.
Looking back at those first vest samples and the process of perfecting every detail through early prototypes, followed by the addition of the tactical skirt and leggings, it’s clear how much the right clothing can enhance performance. Feeling comfortable in well-designed, flattering apparel makes all the difference.
What better way to combine firearms and beekeeping than with the name Tactical Honey?
Plans for the Future
As we approach the year 2025, my ambition is to significantly grow Tactical Honey by adding a greater number of hives, increasing our bee population, and producing even more delicious honey! Additionally, I aim to launch an online store that will be fully stocked with a wide variety of my homemade products, offering customers a convenient way to enjoy our honey and other creations.
Thank you so much for joining me on this incredible journey! Always remember to practice situational awareness, and let Tactical Honey assist you in being strategically sweet with bullets and bees. Your support means the world to me, and together, we can achieve great things with focus and precision.