Hunting and Fishing News & Blog Articles

Back whent my 15 year old self first went bowhunting for whitetail deer in Ocala National Forest, I’ve been concerned about the flashlight I used to get me back in the woods to where I planeded to hunt. And back out after dark. Would the light from my flashlight spook deer?

Honestly, it seemed like it would. But walking through thick brush with the forest blacked out by tall trees, I needed the light from that flashlight to see where I was walking as well as to know if I was on course to end up at my pre-chosen hunted spot. In this video Jeff Sturgis shares his insights and research on the use of flashlights in the deer woods.

From Whitetail Habitat Solutions

Small acts of kindness go a long way in bowhunting. Many bowhunters donate venison to friends, family members or food pantries that spread goodwill far and wide. Those donations provide lean, nutritious, free-range protein to appreciative people while building goodwill for hunting and aiding efforts to manage wildlife.

Benefits of Donating Venison

The Feel-Good-Factor

Many deer hunters donate meat to organizations. Daniel Schmidt, content director and editor-in-chief at Deer & Deer Hunting magazine, said he shoots at least one deer each year to donate. “It’s gratifying,” he said. “When I donate venison, it makes me feel really good that I’m helping someone else out.”

Schmidt has donated venison for over 20 years, and has persuaded many hunting buddies to follow suit. “It’s nice to pay it forward,” he said. “But even if you don’t want the self-accolades, hunters can donate venison for other reasons, like providing food, managing deer populations, and casting hunters in a positive ecological light.”

Provide Needed Meals

According to Feeding America, 41 million Americans struggle with hunger. Donating venison provides healthy, all-natural protein to those in need. “Life is hard,” said Josh Honeycutt, associate editor at Realtree.com. “Many people out there are feeling the harsh effects life can present. Donating wild game is something we can all do as hunters to give back and help our communities.”

HOYT, It’s More Than A Bow: HOYT For 2023 – The Latest Bows From Hoyt, And More…

Hoyt Hunting Compound Bows

 

Gary Cornun with EASTON shows and tells us what all EASTON offers and explains the details of the entire EASTON line of arrows.

Today has been overcast with a steady breeze.An hour ago I took a break from my current re-vamp of Bowhunting.net and sat down on my rocking chair on the porch. The overhead clouds and light breeze felt real good.

I didn’t intend to but I dozed off for a bit. A few minutes ago I woke up I opened up the eye balls. Surprise! A Doe was 10 yards away and was not interested in me at all. My iPhone was laying on my lap and I kept watch on the Doe as I quietly slid my hand down to the  phone and turned it on.

The Doe is standing in my Front Yard

This Doe didn’t even look at me as she casually glanced around the yard. Then the Doe walked over by me. I had some water set out next to the porch for my Mouser cat named ‘Little Johnson.’

I managed one more picture (Above) just before she scarfed down the Cat’s water. Yep! There are some Cool things about living in the Deer Woods.

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When I found this YouTube video by Strut Commander I absolutely had to make it. I’m telling ya, it was super; nice and crunchy and much better tasting than the chicken ones McDonalds makes (which I used to think were good).

Gobble Poppers Recipe Ingredients:
2/3 cup Brown Sugar, 1 Tbsp Chili Powder, Honey, Turkey breast cut into 1” cubes Bacon, cut into thirds and toothpicks

Directions: Preheat oven to 350º. Spray both the top and bottom of broiler pan (or regular pan if you don’t have a broiler pan) thoroughly with cooking spray for easier clean up. Cut turkey into 1” cubes and bacon into thirds and set aside. Mix 2/3 c brown sugar and 1 Tbsp chili powder in a bowl. Wrap turkey with bacon slice, secure with toothpick and place in brown sugar mix.
Dredge turkey bites in brown sugar mix, then place on broiler pan. Cook for 15 min, then pull out and drizzle with honey. Place bites back in the oven for an additional 5 min. Serve and enjoy!

Subscribe to make sure you never miss one of our videos. Call ’em in with our line of calls: strutcommander.com

    Strut Commander

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By Jackie Holbrook From Bowhunters United

I take a gulp of Montana’s fresh mountain air. The scenery on this June afternoon nearly makes me forget I’m out of shape.

Archery elk season is approaching, and I’m trying to accomplish two things: Get fit and find a good hunting spot. My soles and shoulders feel the three miles we’ve already put in, and I’m thankful for the glassing break.

If, this year, you’re deerhunting new land or want to improve the quality of your existing deer herd, food plots are an excellent way to do that. But the process begins earlier in the year than opening day. Most deerhunters only think about planting fall food plots to hunt over, but the secret is to take a longer view.

Assessing your surroundings, understanding deer movement patterns, and strategically planting year-round offerings will significantly increase your chances of seeing quality deer at the right time of year. Here’s how to start.

Evaluate Your Hunting Property And Deer Patterns

anything will work.

another short line.

 

A new book summarizes and explains 15 years of intensive research on South Texas deer.

“Advanced White-Tailed Deer Management: The Nutrition-Population Density Sweet Spot,” was produced by a group of top researchers who set out to find what combination of supplemental and natural nutrition and whitetail population density would produce the largest antlers on bucks without harming vegetation — finding the “sweet spot.”

The research was conducted through the Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute, led by Timothy Fulbright, Charles DeYoung, David Hewitt and Donnie Draeger, and assisted by 25 graduate students.

Now called the Comanche-Faith Project, the research is the first of its kind in the semiarid South Texas environment with frequent droughts.

Chapters in the book’s 164 pages include detailed information on vegetation response to increasing density and supplemental feeding, antler characteristics with increased deer density, and deer diets with increased density and supplemental feed.

Bruce Ryan of Ryan Outdoors

In an earlier article on Bowhunting.net I discussed the need to provide minerals for Whitetails and wildlife. Plus, I passed on the information as how and when I start these Mineral sites for the best results.

One of the added benefits to us hunters and outdoor enthusiasts is using a trail camera to take pictures of the sites. The Trail Cameras  provide pictures of the variety of species that actually visit these sites and their surrounding areas.

My most recent pictures also point out a need for some predator control on my hunting lease. In the picture bellow you see a newborn fawn in the jaws of a mature coyote!

This mature Coyote has recent Fawn in it’s jaws.

The next photo showed several young coyotes in the very same area but during night time.

Unchecked, this sudden proliferation of coyotes can lead to major predation on a new year’s crop of fawns.

Trail Camera[MP:06]My Lucky Buck Mineral sites also enables me to keep track of Antler growth and the numbers of Bucks in my hunting areas.

A mature buck with his velvet rack during mid June. He is at the Lucky Buck site during the daytime.

I am convinced that providing minerals definitely aids in the ability to produce better bucks and overall healthier deer of all ages.

Two bucks visiting another Lucky Buck site during early morning.

This time of the year is critical to the female does that are lactating and providing food for their recently born fawns. The additional minerals I put out is a boost for their nutritional needs. By checking my trail cameras, I can see the heavy use of my mineral sites by both pregnant Doe and mothers with fawns.

Yesterday morning I saw a total of only 2 does. The morning before I hadn’t seen any. But this morning went much better. And I’m gonna show ya.

I slipped out of bed and got the day started before first light by making a cup of freshly ground coffee. Then I pulled on my shoes and walked outside with my coffee and iPhone. I currently have 4 mouser cats and they were all sitting by the cat food bowl, quietly starring at me.

So I fixed them up with some catfood and took the short walk over to my west boundary fence. Daylight was already creeping into the woods around me. Twenty minutes a shadowy deer shape walked up behind me and passed by me. I took the deer’s picture with my iPhone.

A minute later two deer came up from the opposite direction. Oddly, the duo consisted of a buck in velvet and a spotted doe walking together.

I held still and they walked right by me. I didn’t get the camera aimed at them just right to get them both in the picture.

Article by Fred Lutger

Trophy Bear – Ontario, Canada

In order to bag a big trophy bear, one that would qualify for the ‘Pope and Young’ or ‘Boone and Crocket’ record book, there are a few things you can do to swing the odds in your favor…

Be selective – If you truly want a trophy animal, don’t fill your tag on a smaller bear.Know what a big bear is. – This sounds easy, but seeing a bear in the wild and judging his size is very difficult. Prior to your hunt visit sporting goods stores that might have a full mount of a black bear. Also check out black bears at museums, wildlife parks and zoos.Look for a ferrule on the bears forehead. – This indentation will be visible running from the forehead straight back along the top of the bears head between his ears. The older and bigger a black bear gets the more prominent this indentation is.Hunt where there are big bears. – Again, this can be hard to determine bu there are two good indicators; find out how big the Bear Management Area the outfitter has. It must be big enough to support a continuous hunting program. Too small an area will not let the bears reach a good mature age to reach record book size. And ask to see pictures of recent bears taken {within the last two years}. All outfitters can accumulate impressive pictures over the years, but what potential does his area have for his next hunt?Look for front paw prints that have a pad wider than 4 inches. – A pad that measures 5 inches or better will usually be a bear of record book size. Place wet sand around the bait you are hunting to get these prints.

– Canine Tooth Spread –

Canine tooth spread can be a good indicator of record book potential. I’ve found that measuring tip to tip spread of a black bear’s top canine teeth will give you a quick indicator of the bears record book potential. To get this measurement, put peanut butter or honey on a Styrofoam or plastic plate left at the bait site. Check for bite marks left by scavenging bears. Almost any puncture marks left by the canines over 2 inches wide will be a Pope and Young bear with an 18″ skull measurement.

“I got it for next-to-nothing,” said my wife as she emerged from the local pawn shop.  She is a jewelry expert and often browses pawn shops where owners don’t know the value of gems.  I noticed the CAMX Crossbow for sale and mentioned it would make a great Father’s Day gift, and it did.  I asked the owner if they sell many crossbows and he replied, “Not now, but things will pick up once hunting season arrives.”

Used Bows can be Great Deals

From now through the end of July, you will see plenty of yard sale signs and even if you aren’t a thrift sale shopper, it’s not uncommon to see a crossbow among dozens of toys and other goods.  Maybe the owner changed jobs, chose not to hunt, or had a divorce.  Regardless of the reason, crossbows have a long lifespan and may be hunted as-is or can be upgraded with new strings and cables.

I Loved the CAMX

About 10 years ago, I saw a demonstration at the Archery Trade Association Show where a vendor repeatedly threw the CAMX crossbow across a concrete floor and banged it against a brick wall. Despite this abuse, the bow shot accurately every time.  I was so impressed that I took the bow to Africa and the outfitter loved it so much that he bought it.  I have friends who still use them as they seem to be indestructible.  Sadly, the company went out of business, yet you may still find one at a yard sale or pawn shop.

What to Look For

The CAMX bow my wife bought was in excellent condition and still had the original scope caps in place.  When considering a used crossbow, be sure to examine the cables and strings carefully.  If they show signs of wear, use this as a bargaining point to reduce the price.  If the bow is more than five years old, you should replace them anyway.  If possible, ask to shoot the bow, even if just an arrow into the ground.  This way you will know that it cocks safely and that the trigger pull is acceptable.

Timing is Important

Early to mid-summer is the best time to buy a used bow.  Yard sale numbers explode at this time and hunter interest will be much lower than in the fall.  Consider buying a used bow at an archery shop at this time of the year.  They will be anxious to move last year’s inventory and you can return to the shop if something goes wrong or doesn’t work as advertised.  Also, you will get much more attention today than in August and September when shops are swamped with excited customers anxious to begin the season. Some archers want a new bow every year and buying their lightly used gear can save you hundreds on a bow that will last for many years.

Essential Tips To Make Your First Bear Hunt A Success

There’s nothing quite like the thrill of bowhunting bear. Bears are simultaneously ferocious and elusive, which makes getting close enough to make a shot a challenging feat in itself. Bear hunting is also now legal in 34 states with liberal regulations and little competition in either spring or fall seasons. You can still-hunt, bait, spot-and-stalk, and pursue bears with hounds in many states. However, before your first hunt, there are several things you should know to increase your chances of success.

Is it legal?

Before your start hunting bears, it’s important to check the legality of it in your state. Grizzly bears are endangered and illegal to hunt in all states aside from Montana and Wyoming. Restrictions on hunting black bears and brown bears vary from state to state. But there are several states you can rely on for an abundance of bears with various kinds of hunting allowed. North Carolina is great for hunting giant bears with Boone and Crockett skulls — particularly in the coastal areas. Baited bear hunts are allowed in most parts of Alaska, while hound hunting is legal in just some areas. There’s also a two- or three-bear limit in some parts. Idaho has plenty of bears (with a two-bear limit in some parts), offers both spring and fall hunting seasons, and allows spot and stalk hunting, hound hunting, and baiting.

Get to know your location

When we think of the origins of Modern Archery and Bowhunting, one man was  clearly truly  the leader, that was Fred Bear. Over 80 years ago, Fred Bear decided to follow his passion and start an archery company.

Fred believed the finest trophies are not only in the harvests, but in the memories of fellowship and the great outdoors. Today’s Bear Archery, promises to never forget the principles our company was founded on – to create reliable, effective archery equipment, capable of delivering the ultimate archery experience. Bear Archery is The Fred Bear Way.

 

From The Time Ted Nugent Was A Kid, He And His Dad Were Friends With Fred Bear. Here Is The Story Of How
Fred Bear Impacted the Nugent’s Lives.

In this Video Ted Nugent shares memories of his lifelong mentor and friend, the bowhunting legend Fred Bear. In addition to Nugent’s sharing of experiences with the bowhunting icon there is an authorized recording of Ted’s classic hunting anthem, “Fred Bear.”

MORE TO COME…

 

June is a few days away. Jeff Sturgis tells you what to do this month that will benefit your deer herd this year.

By Robert Hoague

Seeing the first Fawns of the year is one of the highlights of this deer watcher and wildlife photographer’s Spring. It is always special seeing initial Fawn of the year when you have your camera handy. You just don’t know when it’s gonna happen. It is a surprise every time.

And it’s equally exciting to actually take that first Fawn picture. As well as the additional Fawn pictures that always come in the weeks ahead.

Onward: