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Entries for October 2014
Choose Kids' Mentors Wisely!
By Brian Hicks
My tip is for hunters to surround themselves with good people. Choose friends who challenge you to be an ethical hunter, a better sportsman, as well as people who give back to hunting so our great sport will be there for future generations. Editor’s Note: Brian’s tip might seem a bit simplistic, but there’s more to his notion I&rs... READ MORE
Keep a Success Kit!
By Leslie Proctor
Hunters spend countless hours, thousands of dollars and endless effort packing gear for scouting, climbing, shooting and hunting. We also work hard to pack proper clothing, cameras, optics, archery, firearm equipment, climbing gear, calls and more hunting gadgets than we can name. One thing we often overlook is packing things we need when we are ac... READ MORE
Off Season Hunting Tips
By Russ Whalen
Just because the season ends doesn’t mean you have to give up hunting. Well, with a weapon anyway.
For many reasons, I like to try to spend as much time as possible in my hunting stand during the off season.
There is less hunting pressure then, so deer will be less skittish, and you can observe them acting more like themselves when the guns... READ MORE
When Hunters Share Land
By Maureen Janson
When hunters share a piece of property, I've found one of the main conflicts to be messing up each other's hunts when going to and from their stands.
If you are a landowner and allow more than one hunter or hunting parties to hunt your place, here are a few ground rules I've come up with that hunters must abide by in order to keep everyone safe, a... READ MORE
Easy Casings Cleanup
By Grayson Albers
I much prefer target practice on a friend’s property rather than paying to use a private range or waiting my turn at a public range.
My friends are kind enough to allow me to practice on their place, and appreciate me not leaving garbage or brass behind. Cleanup is easy enough to do with trash, but it’s often difficult to find all the ... READ MORE
Glow Stick Trail Marker
By Chris Swanson
When trailing a deer after the sun goes down, it’s often very difficult to keep up with a blood trail using only a flashlight or lantern.
I have found a simple kid’s product can make trail marking much easier after dark: Glow Sticks.
When you first find blood and it’s nearing dark, activate the Glow Stick, then carefully cut it ... READ MORE
Body Language Tells Tales
By Tim H. Martin
When a deer approaches a treestand or steps onto a food plot, the inexperienced hunter's instinct is to shoot it before it gets away, even if it's not a trophy buck.
There's nothing wrong with that if the only goal is to fill a tag and head to the processor, but it robs beginners of an important learning experience that will serve them well later ... READ MORE
Do-It-Yourself Swivel Stool
By V. Crews
Here’s an easy-to-make and very comfortable hunting seat. It’s lightweight, portable, swivels and is a good height for just about anyone.
Seat Items:
5 gallon bucket with handle
Jon Boat seat Swivel base (the square kind that will fit flat against bucket)
Tools:
Pencil or marker Drill and drill bit (likely 1/4")
Bolts, washers... READ MORE
Buck Fever Buster
By Billy Pryor
Whenever a hunter first sees a deer, whether it's a 200-inch buck or a doe, the body's natural reaction is for adrenaline to kick in. The heart begins to pound and buck fever begins its assault on our nerves. If you are an experienced hunter, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
As a longtime bowhunter, I have a surefire method of training tha... READ MORE
Salvaging Torn Gear
By David Cowart
Over the years, I have thrown away countless backpacks, pants, shirts, bibs and other gear when they got a rip or tear because they would only stay fixed a short time. Trying to mend them seems to be a big waste time.
All the strain and abuse my hunting clothing, gear and accessories go through is just too much for ordinary thread, so I decided to... READ MORE
Push into Public Land
By William Pulsifer
Like many hunters who don’t have access to private lands or who don’t want to pay an arm and a leg to lease property, I like to hunt on public land. But, not surprisingly, so do a lot of other hunters.
I’ve discovered to be successful on public land, I have to work a little harder than the private land guys.
Don’t be afrai... READ MORE
No Knife Sharpener, No Problem!
By Karl Bechtel
Whether you are filleting fish or field dressing a deer, there are times you need to touch up the edge of a knife in the field but there simply isn't a sharpener on hand.
I've found a great way to touch up the edge of a knife in almost any situation.
Next time you realize you have a dull edge and your sharpener is at home, roll down your truck or... READ MORE
Never Assume!
By Jacob Zhanel
This classic mistake has happened to me more times than I'd like to admit, and I bet it's happened to you, too.
After sitting in the stand for several hours without seeing so much as a squirrel or bird, I would stand up to stretch or grab a snack out of the backpack. As soon as I got to my feet, a deer I couldn't see through the brush would spook ... READ MORE
Compass Usage for Treestand Setups
By Larry Brown
Experienced hunters use a compass for more than just map reading.
To make my treestands most effective during hunting season, I always carry a compass. I use it when picking out a tree and deciding which direction to face my stand. Here's why:
Knowing your bearings is essential for the initial stand set up. If you guess and get it wrong, you'll l... READ MORE
Linger for the Lens!
By Gail McKee
For those of you who use trail cameras like I do, I think you'll find this tip very useful!
I've noticed deer will stay longer in front of my camera if I take a moment to broadcast the corn and other attractants instead of just dumping it in a big pile like many hunters do.
I've found a 10-foot by 20-foot area of distribution to be the best for p... READ MORE
Treestand Treats!
By Wayne Brittain
Years ago while hunting in Mexico, I picked up one of the simplest, most useful hunting tips I've ever received.
Take a handful of hard candy with you before heading to your stand, and keep it in your pocket within easy reach.
After an hour or two in the stand, just when you start to get tired or bored, take out a piece and slowly eat the candy.
... READ MORE
Feather & Floss Wind Indicator
By Christine Miller
Bird hunters, save the downy feathers from your pheasants, doves, quail and grouse for a foolproof feather wind indicator.
I like to attach a feather to an 8 to 12 inch length of dental floss, then tie the other end to my gun barrel and let the feather swing freely.
Simply ease your barrel out and away from your treestand and let the feather catc... READ MORE
Space Blanket Uses for Deer Hunters
By Bob Takeo
Before deer season starts, I buy a couple of space blankets to use in a number of different ways in the field.
I split one of the blankets into two smaller units by asking my wife to cut it in half and sew shut the cut edges.
Next, I fold up my blankets tightly, seal them in a ziplock bag and place in my backpack. They take up very little room an... READ MORE
Hand Warmer, Rubber Band & Tink's Trick
By Carl Harris
Here's a little trick I like to use during the rut, especially on cold days. It's really easy and will help you conserve your liquid scents, saving you money in the end. I like to take a hand warmer, like a HotHands pad, and secure it to my bottle of Tink's attractant with a rubber band. Before I get close to my stand, or sometimes before I leave t... READ MORE
Failing Food Plots?
By ACES at Auburn University
You might have noticed that some or all of your plots are not producing like they used to or that they seem to be prone to failure in the summer months. One factor that you might not have considered is hardpan.
Hardpan is a layer of soil that has become dense and compacted by heavy equipment, found from 2 to 10 inches below the topsoil.
Hardpan ... READ MORE