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Understand the Whitetail Rut for Better Hunting

By
Joe Byers
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The top three questions in any deer camp center around the best broadhead, rifle caliber, and the rut.

Although the first two topics will never be scientifically settled, the third is a matter of record. Scientists have studied the onset of the rut extensively, with many results garnered from road-killed deer. When a doe is discovered, biologists recover a fetus and backdate the time of conception, giving a precise indication of when the doe was bred. This summary from QDMA lays out the facts.

Bass Mossy Oak Scent Blocker 238Whitetails are rutting somewhere in their range from August through February. Amazingly, they breed over this seven-month period just in the state of Florida! Let’s look at the factors that lead to widely varying breeding dates, and you’ll also see how practicing Quality Deer Management can make the rut more obvious and more exciting where you hunt. (This article is a short sample from QDMA’s “Quality Whitetails” magazine. 

Photoperiod is the Trigger

Photoperiod is the interval in a 24-hour period during which a plant or animal is exposed to light. Photoperiod is directly tied to growth, development, and seasonal behaviors in plants and animals. With respect to whitetails, photoperiod regulates some hormonal production that is directly tied to antler growth and the breeding season. A diminishing ratio of daylight to darkness triggers behavioral and physiological changes that lead to breeding. First, antlers mineralize and bucks shed their velvet. Next, bucks begin sparring, rubbing trees, and making scrapes. This transitions to some fighting to establish dominance and breeding rites and eventually to breeding.

Winter Fly Fishing In Idaho

By
Joe Sarmiento
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We’ve been having an unseasonably warm winter here in Southern California. That said, there are still days where it seems like it isn’t worth the bother to go out and fish. The water is colder. Other than a short stretch in January, the “exotics” have been absent locally. And until March 1st, the bottomfish that thrive in the colder water were closed off from fishing.

So it is with other parts of the country, like Idaho. On top of the cold weather, many of the rivers and streams are private access only. Find about a public-access spot that offers a unique flyfishing opportunity this time of year.

idaho_winterflySuch is the case with Idaho’s Bear River as it runs through Black Canyon near the little farming town of Grace and just over Fish Creek Summit from the resort community of Lava Hot Springs. This is one of only a handful of public access points to the Bear in Idaho that’s easily reached by the public—a cooperative arrangement between Idaho Fish and Game and Pacificorp allows anglers to visit this gorgeous stretch of river in southeastern Idaho, where rainbows and native Bonneville cutthroat trout can be dependably targeted.

And winter might be the best time of year to pay this stretch of river a visit.

Here’s the deal—taking on the Bear isn’t your typical winter fly fishing expedition. Most of the Bear River is actually diverted into a pipe above the town of Grace for hydropower production. What’s left in the riverbed as it flows through Black Canyon is spring water that seeps into the riverbed and runs much warmer than the average ambient temperature of your usual December or January day. And there’s enough water to support truly good fishing—for truly respectable trout—in this stretch of water, no matter what month of the year you choose to visit.

Photos: Hatch Fly Magazine (top), Fly Fishing Forum (above)

Why Deer Hunters Should Also Hunt Bear

By
Joe Byers
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Black bears are secretive animals and despite the fact that they are apex predators, they avoid humans. Baiting bears is by far the most effective way of controlling their numbers and it provides for an amazing hunting experience.

???????????????????????????????“A black bear hunt is the perfect step up,” says Bob Foulkrod, lifelong archer and TV hunter for Bass Pro Shops.

For many years, Foulkrod offered a bow school for new and experienced hunters, where he put archers through a gamut of shooting experiences, including a moving black bear target. He believed that black bear hunting had enough differences and similarities to deer hunting that it made the perfect second species for aspiring hunters.

Although black bear hunting is popular in the spring, fall black bear hunts may offer better tasting venison, since the animal’s diet has changed to berries, plants, acorns, and away-from-spring carrion.

Shown here is Jere Neff, who took this young bear on an Indian Reservation in Maine last fall.

In an OutdoorHub post, Bernie Barringer gives his take on bear hunting.

Most bowhunters get their start chasing deer, but when the interest in taking a second species flares up, one big game animal gets more attention than any other: the black bear. If you’re a bowhunter who has been thinking about doing a bear hunt, think no more and start acting.

Back in the 1990s, I had more than 20 years of deer hunting experience with the bow, but I had always had a hankering to shoot a bear. I knew about the excitement and adrenaline a bear hunt can provide, and I finally took the plunge. I booked a hunt with Chris Ford in north-central Minnesota. I had it planned out; I would hopefully shoot my bear, check that off my list, have a nice bear rug to show for it, and then move on.

It didn’t exactly work out that way. You see, I have now shot 16 bears, wrote a book on bear hunting, and I am certifiably addicted. So be forewarned that bear hunting has a lot of appeal, and one bear hunt often leads to another. Whether you are thinking about doing it yourself or hiring an outfitter, you really need to check this off your bucket list—but I am not responsible for where the ride takes you. more

What You Can Learn About Safety from Kansas Hunters

By
Joe Byers
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Kansas has a plethora of hunting options. You can chase, stalk, and flush just about anything but alligators.

With so much space and so many hunts going on, accidents are bound to happen, and they do, but in record low numbers. Last year, the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism (DWTP) reported just six incidents of hunting injury, none fatal.

The DWPT is rightfully proud of the lowest number of hunter incidents in 50 years. In this article, they suggest several steps to take in order to make your hunting days safe and secure.

Nebraska 14 pt deer 210Rules of Gun Safety

  • Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded.
  • Never point your firearm at anything you don’t want to shoot.
  • Keep the safety on until right before you shoot.
  • Know your target and what lies beyond it.
  • Never put your finger on the trigger until you are ready to shoot.

Rules of gun safety are just one of many lessons taught during Hunter Education courses in Kansas, and the program is a big reason hunting-related incidents in the state are at an all-time low. Since 1973, more than 500,000 students have completed the Kansas Hunter Education course.

The Private Lives of Deer [VIDEO]

By
Richard Egan
-

With deer numbering nearly 30 million in North America, it’s no wonder that they’re seen more and more in heavily populated areas, such as the suburbs. As we encroach upon the woodland areas, the boundaries between humans and wildlife become more and more tenuous. Twice last week I watched as up to ten deer ambled through my yard, investigating, chewing on low-hanging branches, and moseying about. It was an opportunity to observe these creatures while they were unaware of my presence.

But casual observations such as that don’t bring us much deep knowledge of the secret lives of deer. This documentary, which originally aired on PBS’s Nature, affords us the opportunity to get a keen insight into a world that we only thought we knew. Watch the video below and prepare to be fascinated. The fact that it will get you itching for whitetail season is just a bonus…

https://youtube.com/watch?v=nI97ca94w8k

Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Photo: Berkeley Garden Coach

Giant Hog Finally Caught After Years of Hunting

By
Richard Egan
-

They called it “Hogzilla.”

North Carolina hunters had been after it for years, to the point that it had become a local legend. Why? This more-than 500-lb. wild hog had been shocking hunters and campers in eastern North Carolina for quite some time, but they only time it had been shot was on a trail camera. Until now. Hunter Jett Webb spent a month tracking the enormous beast, and his diligence paid off.

86665Jett used sweet-tasting corn and a night-hunting light to capture the hog.

He shot it from an elevated tree in the Indian Woods, North Carolina, using an AR-10 rifle.

Members of the local White Oak Ranch Hunting Club had been trying to catch the best for years.

Read the rest of Webb’s amazing story.

Tell us what you think in the comments section below.

Photos: Daily Star

Perfecting the Fall Scatter

By
Joe Byers
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With dove and early waterfowl seasons in full swing, avid turkey hunters will soon be checking their pattern for the fall season.

Spring turkey season is all the rage, yet fall seasons have a loyal and dedicated following. If you’ve never tried hunting birds in the fall, you’re in for plenty of exercise and exciting moments when you encounter a flock and call in a single bird.

John Higley has changed his tactics with experience on fall birds and lays out his plan in this post from the NWTF.

Scattered doesn’t always mean covered when hunting fall turkeys.

Not so long ago, the primary fall turkey hunting tactic I used was the scatter. The idea behind it is to locate a flock of turkeys and rush them like a madman, causing them to panic and scatter in all directions. Then DSC_0040you set up at or near the breakup point and try to call them back. The tactic works well with groups of hens and their broods as they want to get back together promptly. Scattering works, but not as reliably, when it comes to small bachelor bands of gobblers, because they may not regroup for hours after separating.

While scattering is certainly still an option, these days I prefer to engage the turkeys in a routine calling situation and coax them in with a few yelps sometimes mixed with kee-kees and clucks. Quite often, a curious lead hen will come to confront the newcomer and bring her flock mates with her. I’ve found that 1½-year-old jakes, often seen in small groups of similar individuals, will also come to the calls.

Iowa Upland Bird Population Explodes, Hunters Can Expect a Good Season

By
Joe Byers
-

If you miss the rush of exploding wings accentuated by a raucous cackle as a pheasant rooster bursts into the sky, think about heading to the Midwest or Great Plains for an upland bird hunt this year.

Iowa and the states surrounding it have had ideal growing weather, with recent bird counts showing a dramatic rise in the game bird populations.

Bird hunts in this area are often accompanied by comfortable accommodations and great work by dogs (yours or theirs) and hunting conditions appear excellent for the year ahead. Read the full report.

South Dakota Deer 09 214Iowa wildlife officials predict a successful season for bird hunters after a recent survey recorded population booms in the state’s three most popular game bird species. The August Roadside Survey, conducted every year by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), found a statewide average of 17.4 pheasants per 30 mile route. Compared to 6.9 per 30 miles in 2013, the DNR said the count represents a drastic increase. Quail and partridge saw a similar increase in density by 142 and 147 percent, respectively.

“Everything did well this year,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife biologist for the DNR, in a press release.

Rocky Offers Hunting Boots for Kids

By
Joe Byers
-

Boys and girls often want to emulate their parents by participating in the same outdoor activities and wearing the same kinds of clothes.

Although shirts and pants can be altered to better fit a youthful physique, hunting boots are another matter. You don’t want them wearing athletic sneakers out in the woods, because their socks will attract stickers and burrs, greater ankle support is needed, and they’ll quickly get wet feet. All of these equate to “no fun” and dampen the excitement of the outing.

Fortunately, Rocky has introduced a line of boots for girls and boys. The cool styles of these boots are sure to be a hit. In fact, they may want to wear them to school. Here are the details.

RKYS067(3)Rocky Boots wants young hunters in every family to be ready for the outdoors, and every young hunter wants the best gear, just like dad. That’s why Rocky offers a wide selection of its popular outdoor styles in children’s sizes, including the new Core Rubber series.

“The Rocky kids boots are durable and comfortable and built with the same integrity as the adult versions,” said Jordan Gottke, marketing director for Rocky. “These boots give a son or daughter the perfect footwear for a family trip into the field with dad.”

The kids Core Rubber boots feature a rubber outsole beneath a vulcanized rubber boot and a rubber upper for extra durability. The boots also contain 400 grams of Thinsulate™ Ultra insulation.

Available in pink or green with Mossy Oak accents, the Core rubber series is available in kid’s sizes 8.5-3 and adolescent sizes 3.5-7.

Suggested retail price for the boots is $74.99.

Additional styles already in the Rocky kids line include Rocky Athletic Mobility, Bearclaw 3D and Blizzard Stalker. Several styles of hiker are also available.

Packing for the Perfect Shot

By
Joe Byers
-
The author took this 140-class buck at 258 yards using a backpack as a rest.

winchester-17-wmr-rimfire-savage-bench[1]Shots on big-game animals, especially mature species, often occur in a tight window. Taking a rest is critical, yet getting a steady shot can be difficult in hasty situations.

Bi-pods are a popular option, yet veteran outfitter Jim Schell warns his clients to make sure they practice using them. “We made a careful stalk on a really big mule deer buck,” says Schell, illustrating his point. “The biggest deer stood broadside at 200 yards as my client adjusted and re-adjusted his bipod. By the time he was set to shoot, the bigger buck had moved off and he had to settle for the lesser animal.”

Backpacks are another popular item, and the folks at Tenzing have develope a pack with specific shooting capabilities. In addition, it carries and cradles a rifle or crossbow like no pack Tenzingshooterpackjpegbefore it.

Two years ago, I spotted a 140-class buck chasing a doe half a mile away and made a careful stalk to get into range. While I circled out of sight, the duo took a break from the rut and bed in a brush pile and seemingly disappeared. I searched and glassed for the next two hours until the two animals reappeared and I used my backpack to make a 258-yard shot. The pack was quick and handy, yet didn’t provide the near “bench-like” option as does the new Tenzing Shooter Pack. Check out the stats on this new offering:

TenzingbackpackjpegKey Features:

  • Carries Gun or Crossbow
  • Breathable Mesh Back Pad
  • Padded Hip Panels
  • H2O Compatible (2-Liter)
  • Nine Total Compartments and Pockets
  • One Internal Fluted Aluminum Frame Stay
  • Split Through Center of Pack to Carry Crossbow or Rifle
  • Foldout Rain Cover
  • Two Specialized Zip Pockets
  • Two Horizontal Compression Straps Each Side
  • Comfort Stretch Waistbelt System (Min. 30”, Max. 54”)
  • Three Horizontal Compression Straps Across Face
  • Two Specialized Compression Straps to go Around Crossbow or Gun
  • DYNEEMA Bottom Covered With Loden TRICO
  • Designed to Use as a Shooting Rest for Rifle
  • Specialized One Piece Quiver Holding Bungees on Both Sides
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