We’ve spent the last few weeks covering land management but there’s another side of the coin. Aside from the many ways to improve your land, herd management is critical for growing and keeping big old bucks on your property.
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It’s the dream of nearly every whitetail hunter out there; owning your own piece of ground (or more of it) that you can shape into your personal whitetail hunting paradise. Let’s face it, purchasing hunting property is an enormous decision and an often overwhelming process, especially for a first-time buyer. If you’re thinking about purchasing your first piece of hunting property, we have put together an overview of the process including financials and land features to consider. Along with these considerations, the best recommendation we can make is to work with a reputable agent specializing specifically in hunting property. They will be able to guide you through the entire process with confidence and answer the many questions you may have along the way. Ultimately an educated buyer will make a smart land purchase.
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Turkey season is upon us and, if you haven’t already, it’s time to start considering what type of call you’re going to use this Spring. Calling is generally considered the best method for hunting turkeys and it offers some of the most exciting action you’re going to find in the woods. There are tons of options to choose from and, before you can start practicing, you need to pick a call that’s right for you and If you’re looking to buy a call, here are the three most common choices you’ll have:⠀
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Could you imagine if the wild turkey was our National Bird? What species of turkey would it have been? Eastern? Merriam’s? Thanksgiving would have looked a whole lot different as well.
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If you ask anyone who bow hunts how they can be successful, more times than not they will tell you that having the correct setup, knowing the animal, and practicing a lot with bring you the success you are looking for. You can’t just pick up a bow and expect to be an excellent shot, hitting bull’s-eye after bull’s-eye. This is where bow hunting practice makes everything come together
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Throughout history, America has been the land of freedom and opportunity. Anyone could come here, and if you worked hard enough, you could reap the benefits of your hard work. These benefits include having financial stability, a surplus of food for hardships, or maybe just a fresh start in a new place. There are some of us who live this mantra as a lifestyle every day. We work hard and love what we do and most are reaping the benefits right now when all of the worlds is looking for answers. I am of course talking about hunters.
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What kind of bow sight do you use? It’s a question I have been asked a few times in my life and can be somewhat misleading. I’ll usually reply with, “Well, what do you want it to do?”. Are you a hunter? Where do you plan on hunting? Are you hunting out West? There is a lot to consider when choosing a bow sight and your bow sight should have a purpose that is aligned with your intentions.
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The art of camouflage and the debate on which camo pattern is the best, is highly discussed topic. While some believe their way of blending to be the dominant way, others always have an alternative approach. Mine of course being the later.
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Growing up in Michigan there were a few traditions we had at Deer Camp, but one of which had a deep impact. Either throughout the day or at night after dinner, someone would put on the movie Escanaba in Da Moonlight starring Jeff Daniels. Daniels plays Rueben Soady, a hunter heading to deer camp with his father, brother, and close friend. his annual inability to "bag a buck." If Reuben, now 43, doesn't manage to shoot a buck by the end of the season, he will become the oldest Soady in recorded history not to have achieved this task. The film is known for its spectacular usage of upper peninsula language and slang along with quotes like:
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A few years ago, Jared was out on a solo backcountry whitetail hunt where we had scouted a few areas that he liked on an aeriel map on his phone. He plotted where he wanted to camp and a few promising spots within a mile walking distance of camp and headed out. When he arrived at his camp destination and started speed scouting through the areas he plotted, almost half of the locations were bone cold of any deer sign. And that's the key here!⠀ ⠀
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Growing up in Northeastern Pennsylvania, I always dreamt of going out west to chase elk, mule deer and whitetail. I have longed to hear a mature bull bugle from the distance in unknown territory. I am finally at the point in my life where planning my first out of state hunt is on the horizon. I have been taking some time to research, learn and get my ducks in a row for my trek across the country. While I haven’t made my trip yet, I have learned a lot about the planning phase because let’s face it, from the outside, planning an out of state hunt when you’ve never hunted anywhere but your home state seems like a monumental task. However, for me, stepping out of my comfort zone and into a new world is one of the many reasons why I love the adventure of hunting. I have gained a lot of knowledge in my quest to head out west and want to share this with anyone looking to do the same. Hopefully, after reading this article, you will feel more equipped to begin your plans too.
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Too often hunters find themselves in a situation saying, “ Man, I wish I would have brought that!” or “Why didn’t I think of that?”. And all too often, it’s because of not utilizing a key practice method called visualization.
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Planning an Out-of-State Hunt or even group trips, from a personal perspective, can be some of the most memorable events someone can be a part of. On the flip side, they can also be a planning nightmare with scheduling, finances, coming together, and overcoming adversity. Even your best friends and family members can become hated enemies at the end of a major trip. This is why knowing “who” your trip members are before you leave and establishing the dynamics of the trip are soo important. A past hunting trip comes to mind whenever I think about this.
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If you're like us, expanding your hunting horizons with different opportunities is one of the great adventures we all as hunters can enjoy. Whether it's chasing elk in the western mountains or setting up on a buck in the midwest, there are plenty of opportunities to explore. For hunters who have never planned an OOS, the entire process can be intimidating. We're here to tell you, it's easier than you think! ⠀
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For serious mobile bowhunters, there is little room for error when selecting a hunting location. Wind direction, shot options, tree size, and cover all effect where you are able to setup your ambush.
Most of these variables can be eliminated through proper scouting during offseason months. But what if time is running out before season or your in a new location you've never been to? Then a Mobile Setup might be your new passion. Mobile setups are any “tree fixtures” that are carried into the woods with you for the hunt and then carried back out with you. They can be hang on platform stands, climber stands, or (our new favorite) tree saddles. Along with nonpermanent tree steps and mobile climbing sticks.
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Like we discussed last month, a well-planned trip comes with a well thought out budget and can aide immensely in the baseline planning. Determining the realistic amount you'll be comfortable spending on the trip can aide immensely. Looking at the basics, travel, lodging, tags, food, and gear will be the main expenses that you'll need to consider, but there are a ton of ways for you to save money.
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Most of us can remember the old rickety wood stand built in the crotch of a tree with leftover nails and lumber that they've hunted out of as a kid or have periodically seen while out in the woods slowly rotting away. These stands were likely installed in a spot meant to be hunted regularly.⠀ ⠀
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The Budget is set and now it's time to make your decision on what style of bow that you want to purchase.
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How many people can say when they are driving down the road traveling to and from a friend’s house, or on their way home from work, or out scouting, that they see a pop-up blind in a field. Chances are a lot of us have at one point or another. These blinds usually aren’t in an inconspicuous place. They’re usually right out in the open. Some may be butting up to a telephone pole in the middle of a field, or on a corner of a field with nothing around them. But they all usually seem to be out-of-place and have a look about them that just doesn’t seem “natural”.
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It's no wonder people fall in love with shooting bows. The tradition, modern-day customizations, and the mesmerizing flight of the arrow traveling to the target are all just some of the reasons why archery has so many people "addicted". Even as a kid, I can remember Archery Day at school being just as exciting as Christmas morning... maybe that was just me. Nevertheless, archery has always been something I cared very passionately about.
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