Tips & Tactics

Entries for October 2014

Avoid the Half Moon Club (Scope Cuts)

Avoid the Half Moon Club (Scope Cuts)

By Tim H. Martin

Have you ever noticed how many hunters — even famous ones — have a little scar on one eyebrow or across the bridge of the nose? That's the telltale sign they've been cut by a riflescope. Whether you call it a scope ding, joining the Half Moon Club or, as they say in South Africa, a Bushveld tattoo, scope cuts are avoidable if hunters l... READ MORE

Natural Wind Detector

Natural Wind Detector

By Rick Dunker

My favorite wind detection device is simple, readily available and occurs naturally. In the late summer, I will go to the field and pick a couple of pods from a milkweed plant. I do this just as the pods are about to open and the seeds are fully formed. From the pod, I remove the white, fuzzy, feather-like fibers and pick off the seeds. (Milkwee... READ MORE

The Eyes Have It

The Eyes Have It

By J. Everett Moore Jr.

With the average age of hunters being in the mid-40s, many of us are at the point in our lives when it pays to be aware of potential medical complications that can begin to creep in during midlife. Most everyone knows of the increased risk of heart disease, colon or breast cancer or even stroke. Other than purchasing a cheap set of reading glasses,... READ MORE

Curiosity Killed the Buck

Curiosity Killed the Buck

By Mike Smith

In my home state of Missouri, it is currently illegal to use bait for hunting deer or wild turkey. But I’ve figured out another way to attract them that’s perfectly legal, and it will work anywhere. I use an ordinary garden rake to take advantage of the curious nature of deer and turkeys. I rake the ground about 15 to 20 yards from wh... READ MORE

2-D Man Decoys

2-D Man Decoys

By Jack Baker

As an avid bowhunter, I'll use every trick in the book, no matter how crazy, to fool a deer's senses. This particular tip will help deceive their eyes. How many times has a deer approached your stand only to suddenly notice you because it wasn't used to seeing a bulky shape there before? Boom - you're busted! When hunting from treestands —... READ MORE

Dental Care for Hunting Dogs

Dental Care for Hunting Dogs

By Nationwide

Many hunters and dog owners don't realize just how crucial oral care is for their best friend, or just how deadly dental disease can be. Some simple preventive measures can help extend the life of your hunting dog. "Dental care is key in maintaining a pet's overall health," says Dr. Cori Gross, a field veterinarian for Veterinary Pet Insurance (VP... READ MORE

Laser Blood Trail Pointer

Laser Blood Trail Pointer

By Mark Kay

When it comes to trailing deer, the task can become confusing and difficult in the dark. Getting the blood trail right from the start is incredibly important and easy to mess up, especially if you have other hunters chipping in to help. Experienced hunters know how easy it is to destroy evidence of a hit when several pairs of boots are stomping a... READ MORE

Public Land Transportation

Public Land Transportation

By Brett Fletcher

If you’re like me and enjoy hunting on public land, you’ve probably noticed most hunters are not willing to walk three to four miles to reach the best hunting areas. This seems to be the case even on graded roads where motorized vehicles are not allowed. Mature bucks have adapted to this human behavior, so the best hunting is generally... READ MORE

Four Tools for Escape

Four Tools for Escape

By Nationwide

In the event of an accident, these products will help you escape from your car or truck as quickly as possible, even if it is submerged in a body of water: ResQMe ($12.95) is a convenient keychain rescue tool that fits in the palm of your hand and can cut through seatbelts and break glass. LifeHammer ($19.95) does the same but is larger (6.75 inc... READ MORE

DIY PVC Paper Tuners

DIY PVC Paper Tuners

By Jack Baker

A lot of us have access to large desktop calendars like the 17 X 22 versions used in many offices. I collect the old ones from our office to use for paper tuning my bow, and I’ve also found other uses for them as a hunter. I always paper tune my bow to achieve the best possible arrow flight, which gives my arrows maximum penetration on deer... READ MORE

Blood-stopper for hunters

Blood-stopper for hunters

By Gary Zell

From getting careless with sharp broadheads, to field dressing deer, opening pocketknives, or straddling barbed-wire fences, there are about a million ways for hunters to cut themselves. I bet only a small percentage of hunters carry first aid kits. Even if they do, sometimes the kits do not include something that will stop bleeding quickly. Ther... READ MORE

4WD Safety Tips

4WD Safety Tips

By Nationwide

Because so many Buckmasters members own four-wheel drive vehicles, these tips from a driving school instructor could teach hunters a thing or two about 4WD safety on the main road. "The byproduct of seeing nature off-road is that you gain respect for it," says Bruce Elfstrom, the CEO of Overland Experts, a Connecticut-based off-road driving school... READ MORE

July: Time to Set Stands

July: Time to Set Stands

By Bob Humphrey & Yamaha Outdoors

It’s July during some of the longest and hottest days of the year. Deer season, in most cases, is still months away. What better time to set your stands? It might sound a bit crazy, but right now is actually a great time to get some of your larger treestands in for the coming season. First and most importantly, whatever distur... READ MORE

Extra Water Bottles

Extra Water Bottles

By Bob Buckalew

It might make my backpack weigh a little more, but I have always liked to carry extra bottles of water with me while hunting and scouting. Of course, the main reason is to have something to drink and stay hydrated, but there are also other uses for the bottled water and empties. After field dressing a deer, an extra bottle or two is handy for was... READ MORE

Rock Climber’s Tips for Hunters - Part II

Rock Climber’s Tips for Hunters - Part II

By Tim H. Martin

Last week, I shared a tree-climbing tip I learned from my days of training as a rock climber. This tip dealt with the standard rock climber’s rule of always keeping handholds above your head at ALL times during a climb. It’s also one of the safest things deer hunters can do when climbing in and out of our treestands. Another valuable ti... READ MORE

Rock Climber’s Tips for Hunters - Part I

Rock Climber’s Tips for Hunters - Part I

By Tim H. Martin

Back in my younger days, during the off-season from chasing whitetails, I spent some time scaling rock walls, mountain climbing and rappelling off mountainsides for fun. It was also a great way to stay in shape for all the tree climbing I'd be doing during deer season. In my training classes, I learned valuable rock climbing safety tips that I was ... READ MORE

Poor Man’s Rangefinder

Poor Man’s Rangefinder

By Shane Harper

As a father of four, finding time to hunt, let alone the money, can be quite difficult at times. Although the kids will eventually be old enough to stay at home on their own, the expense of hunting will never get easier. I don't let the cost of hunting discourage me from enjoying my passion for bowhunting.  Still, it's hard not to be envious o... READ MORE

Zipper Fixer Upper

Zipper Fixer Upper

By Dr. Michael Fluitt

Have you ever had a cold weather jumpsuit, an article of hunting clothing or a piece of equipment that had to be thrown out because of the poor quality of the zipper? These days many of the zippers imported from China and won't last long. Even a tumble or two in the washer and dryer can damage them and they won't zip properly. Recently, the zippe... READ MORE

Sometimes it's the bow.

Sometimes it's the bow.

By Tim H. Martin

Sometimes it's the Indian. When I first started working for Buckmasters in 1997, it didn't take long to realize I was going to learn a lot from the people around me. One of the first really great tips I picked up was from former Buckmasters editor Russell Thornberry. He basically overhauled my bow form and taught me how to reduce torque and prevent... READ MORE

Cheap Camo Face Paint

Cheap Camo Face Paint

By Jason Lamark

I'm a frugal guy and will find ways to cut corners any way I can when it comes to hunting supplies. One great tip I'd like to share is that makeup is makeup, whether it's marketed as camouflage face paint for hunters or as standard women's facial makeup. If your wife, girlfriend or sister buys as much new makeup as my wife, it's frustrating to se... READ MORE

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