Tips & Tactics


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Rangefinder Ribbon Setup

Rangefinder Ribbon Setup

By Thad Cook

I have a simple tip for an archery setup that allows me to know my yardages without keeping a rangefinder in my hand when a deer approaches. Before the season begins when I am setting up my bow stands, I head to my hunting property with a rangefinder, a buddy, and several different colors of hair ribbons, flagging and/or surveyor’s tape. When... READ MORE

Bow Sight Covers

Bow Sight Covers

By Victor Ortiz

Last summer, I read a Buckmasters Tip of the Week about using different types of koozies as covers for riflescopes. This made me happy, because I have been doing something similar for a long time, except I use koozies to cover and protect my bow sights. A koozie, in case you are not familiar, is an insulating sleeve used to keep a canned or bottled... READ MORE

“Guinea Pigs” for Trophy Bucks

“Guinea Pigs” for Trophy Bucks

By Melody Jackson

When it comes to holding out for mature bucks, one thing I believe many hunters lack is patience — especially when other deer are on the field. It’s very tempting to quickly add venison to the freezer when fat does and bucks with marginal racks appear. I have learned the older, smarter bucks are lurking back in the shadows, sometimes f... READ MORE

Don’t Overlook Eye Safety

Don’t Overlook Eye Safety

By Bob Henry

We all want to be safe when we’re out there hunting and return home without any injuries. After a recent accident, I wanted to share a safety tip with Buckmasters members and everyone who hunts. Hopefully, my story will prevent them from going through the same awful experience I just went through. Earlier this season, when I got down from my... READ MORE

Your Secret Buck Sanctuary

Your Secret Buck Sanctuary

By Tim H. Martin

Throughout my two decades of experience in the hunting industry, I've met some incredibly wise hunters, both professional and amateur. I've learned a lot just from listening to and observing the many successful men and women of the outdoors who have crossed my path. One of the best philosophies I've picked up on is to find a great stand site and NO... READ MORE

Late Season Feeder Trick

Late Season Feeder Trick

By Dan Acker

For hunters who use spreader-type feeders, I have a late season tip. It’s easy, inexpensive and will help keep deer around your feeder in the late wintertime. In most regions, this tactic will also help white-tailed deer stick around your hunting area after the season is over, even if your feeders run out of feed. When the time comes to re... READ MORE

During the Crunch, Pack a Lunch

During the Crunch, Pack a Lunch

By J. Dement

Public land can be one of the most challenging places to hunt white-tailed deer. The same can be said about heavily hunted places with a high deer-hunter-to-deer ratio. I have been hunting on public land since 1975, and I have learned a thing or two about both deer and deer hunters. The first thing I learned is when deer hunters get cold, they get ... READ MORE

Shooting Rail Lifter

Shooting Rail Lifter

By Steven Purdy

My tip is a result of wanting to adjust the height of the shooting rail on my metal ladder stand after I moved it to a new location. After setting up my stand, I realized the shooting rail needed to be higher because the lay of the land was different than the previous location. I used my imagination and came up with a simple homemade remedy using t... READ MORE

Hunting the Peak of Rut

Hunting the Peak of Rut

By Bob Humphrey & Yamaha Outdoors

If you live in whitetail country anywhere in the northern two thirds of the country you’re probably at or very close to the peak of the whitetail rut right now.  This can be a very exciting time to hunt. It can also be a very frustrating one. Some folks prefer the early season because bucks are much more at ease, hanging close to home ... READ MORE

Keep a Gear Checklist

Keep a Gear Checklist

By Kenneth Lancaster

Make a List. Check it Twice. It never fails. You settle into your stand and suddenly realize you’ve forgotten something important. We hunters use so much gear, it's easy to accidentally leave items at home. I've learned over the years it's always helpful to make a list and review it the night before your hunting trip. Before I leave to go to ... READ MORE

Extend Hand Warmer Life

Extend Hand Warmer Life

By Randy Olson

Here in Minnesota, I go through a lot of hand warmers in a deer season, as you might imagine. If you hunt a lot, it can get expensive by the time you use them in your pockets, neck gaiter and boots or underneath your shirt. Over the years, I have discovered a way to get multiple sits out of my hand warmers. It’s really simple! Because the ing... READ MORE

Pressured Bucks? Try 10 ‘til 2!

Pressured Bucks? Try 10 ‘til 2!

By Kyle Albrecht

I’ve kept my key to public land success a secret for some time now, but am glad to share with fellow Buckmasters fans. I like to bowhunt Missouri’s public hunting grounds from mid-September through mid-January, which is a long archery season. This is permissible in Missouri because a compound bow is considered a legal weapon during all... READ MORE

Priority One: Take Kids Hunting

Priority One: Take Kids Hunting

By Yamaha Outdoors & Bob Humphrey

With the season now underway, it’s time to achieve those resolutions you made in January. If you’re an adult who cares about hunting’s future, there’s one resolution that should be a priority: Take kids hunting this year.   The future of hunting rests firmly on the shoulders of youngsters who take up the sport, an... READ MORE

When Jays are Squawking . . .

When Jays are Squawking . . .

By Donald Spotts

One of my favorite tips is something I suppose many hunters think about, but rarely talk about. Next time you hear blue jays making a fuss, remember this phrase: “When jays are squawking, something’s walking.” Blue jays consider deer to be intruders, and they often follow them just like they will a cat or other predator. Their ru... READ MORE

Add ‘Guest Vest’ to Your Checklist

Add ‘Guest Vest’ to Your Checklist

By Lee Hutcherson

Since hunting season has arrived, I want to remind my fellow hunters about keeping extra gear, including one special item that few of us keep as a spare. Exceptional whitetail hunters know success depends on preparedness before the season starts, beginning with archery and firearm practice. But what about after the season is underway? Checklist Re... READ MORE

Wild Game Buttermilk Bath

Wild Game Buttermilk Bath

By Rod Robert

Venison isn’t the only meat that sometimes has a gamey flavor, and that seems to be a recurring theme among people who eat wild game. For example, where I’m from, we have sharp-tailed grouse. They are practically inedible unless you do something to help them out. I have a simple trick that helps improve my wild game cooking, and it work... READ MORE

What Does ‘Antler Burn’ Mean?

What Does ‘Antler Burn’ Mean?

By Tim H. Martin

After 21 years in the outdoor industry and 40-plus years of hunting white-tailed deer, I thought I knew everything there was to know about antlers. Recently, I learned something about mysterious scrape marks I’d seen on several racks throughout the years, yet never paid much attention to. One of these subtle markings appeared on the outer mai... READ MORE

Keys to Early-season Success

Keys to Early-season Success

By Yamaha Outdoors & Bob Humphrey

For many hunters, deer season conjures up images of cold, frosty mornings and bare trees. But bow seasons, and even some gun seasons start early in many states, giving hunters a chance to ply their avocation under much milder conditions. But deer behavior patterns can be quite different this time of year and knowing how they differ from later in t... READ MORE

Better than Backstrap?

Better than Backstrap?

By Chuck Burklund

Backstraps and tenderloins are popular cuts of deer meat, but I never hear anyone talking about my favorite piece of the deer: venison flat iron steak, also known as mock tenderloins or shoulder tenders. That's probably because it's not the easiest cut to find and separate out. It's found inside the shoulder blade and is a distinctive muscle group... READ MORE

Extra Treestand Hands

Extra Treestand Hands

By Gary Whitbeck

When you climb into your treestand and get settled in, it seems like there are never enough limbs to hang all your stuff on. And those tiny screw-in bow-holder hooks that come with a rope won’t allow you to hang very many items. I’ve found that the larger screw-in hooks made to hang bicycles in your garage make really ample treestand g... READ MORE

Copyright 2024 by Buckmasters, Ltd.

Copyright 2020 by Buckmasters, Ltd