Hunting

How To Keep From Getting Lost While Hunting

09:30, Saturday, September 22, 2007 .. Posted in Hunting Equipment .. Link

First, you always need to know where you're going.

In today's culture with all of the gadgets available, it is very easy to loose sight of basic skills all outdoors enthusiasts should learn and become efficient at before wandering into the wilderness to hunt. One of the most important skills that is quickly disappearing in todays society is the simple act of using a compass and a map to navigate.

You will hear plenty of folks telling you a good GPS is all you need to navigate the outdoors today, but they're dead wrong. What happens if the satellites you are using go haywire? What if the batteries die? What if the unit gets damaged some how? It could easily get wet and be ruined while you are deep in the back country. Well, if all you have is a GPS and a hunch that the sun sets in the west, you're probably in a lot of trouble.

This is why you need to visit an outdoor supply shop and have a look at the compasses that they offer. Try some out, see which you find easy to read and which have the features you'll rely on most. Then, invest in a good map of the area you're hunting. Topographic maps are great for finding low-lying areas deer and other game animals love to hide in anyway. Most importantly, you should practice using the compass before you're out in the field. Remember, you never know when your life might depend on it, so you should always plan for the worst.

Scan Your Terrain With Hunting Binoculars

09:40, Sunday, September 2, 2007 .. Posted in Hunting Equipment .. Link

If you are a hunter and want to improve your success then you should invest in hunting binoculars. Though your eyes may be good and I'm sure your aim is wonderful, there are still times when these come in very handy. You may be able to see what is nearby, but wouldn’t it be great to see what might be coming your way long before it comes into the range of normal eye site? My father is a hunter, and he won’t go out into the woods without his hunting binoculars. Last year I bought him a new pair for Christmas because he had had the same pair forever, I can tell that he really appreciated the new and improved brand that we bought for him.

You can buy hunting binoculars in all types of strength. Some magnify only 20 times, and some go much higher. It depends on where you hunt and what type of game you usually are looking for while out. If you hunt in an area that has a lot of hills and deep forest, you might not need something that is very strong, however, that is up to you. If you hunt in wide open spaces, you definitely want something that is super strong so you can see as far as you need to see.

They also make hunting binoculars that have a feature to keep them steady. If you have ever tried to look at something that is a long ways away by looking through hunting binoculars, you know that things can be quite shaky no matter how steady you try to hold them. There are some that come with protection from this type of shaking. They aren’t perfect, but they can help you stay steady when you are searching far off into the distance.

You can find hunting binoculars in outdoor and sports stores, and you can also find them online. Though you can’t try them out online, you may find better prices that way. You could even go to a store and see what you like, and then see if you can find a better price online. A good set of hunting binoculars is going to be expensive, so taking some time to find the best brand for the best price is always a great idea. Just be sure to find a company that has a return policy if you order online just in case they arrive broken or you don’t get the model you ordered.

Size Does Matter In Hunting Guns

10:08, Monday, August 27, 2007 .. Posted in Hunting Equipment .. Link

When my cousin used to go hunting with his dad, they paid very little attention to what hunting guns they used. They had the same hunting rifles in the family for at least a generation or two, and they figured that they worked well enough. My cousin's hunting rifle was a single shot bolt action, probably an antique. It worked pretty well for his purposes, but I have to admit that it was a little bit tricky at times. It would jam up sometimes, and the pull was so hard on the trigger that it was hard to time the shot exactly right.

He was so used to shooting with that hunting gun that he had no idea if he was missing anything. He decided to find out. He went out to purchase hunting guns. He went to a hunting and camping gear supplies store. You see, He needed a lot of hunting equipment for the season. The season was about to open, and he was out of all kinds of things. He needed waders, a nice warm jacket, a new sleeping bag, and even some camouflage. Hunting guns were just one more item on his list. This turned out to be a very important one.

He ended up getting a 308 hunting rifle. It was a much higher caliber than what he'd been using before, but he figured that it would make the job easier and worth the investment. With the old 22 hunting guns he used to use, it would often take several shots to bring down a deer. He would shoot it once and then it would bound away. Then he would spend all day hard following the trail just to shoot it again with the hunting gun and bring it down.

With the nice new hunting rifle, he was pretty sure that making a kill would be easier this year than ever. However, he felt like new hunting guns needed new hunting accessories. He decided to get a hunter rifle scope to try out. When he first thought about getting a scope, he was a little bit hesitant because he thought it would take all the sport out of it. Nevertheless, last year he didn't get a single kill. He wanted to make sure that that wouldn't happen again this year, So he decided to get the best hunting equipment that he could. Now he will see whether modern hunting guns and hunting scopes are all they're cracked up to be.

Crash Course In Field Dressing

09:44, Monday, August 20, 2007 .. Link

So you bagged your game, now what? You need a field dressing crash course.

1. Be sure the animal is definitely dead. Don't get too close until you know for sure.
2. Tag your animal in accordance with local regulations before you do anything else.
3. Roll the animal onto it's back. If at all possible, the animal's head should be uphill from it's tail.
4. Remove the penis and scrotum if required, then cut around the anus. Some hunters recommend tying it off to avoid contamination that fecal matter can cause.
5. Work up from the rectum, cutting through the hide carefully so as not to puncture the innards
6. When you reach the rib cage, turn the animal onto one side and the organs will roll loose, you can then reach under to sever the tissue holding them in place.
7. Reach inside the brisket as far as you can and cut the windpipe, then remove the lungs, heart and liver.
8. The animal is now ready to move. When you reach your destination or camp, hang the animal to allow it to cool while you clean the remaining scraps of tissue from the carcass.

What Kind Of Bow Do You Use?

01:45, Tuesday, August 14, 2007 .. Posted in Bow Hunting .. Link

I've come to notice that there aren't many archers out there these days. So what happened people? Was it the invention of the firearm that turned you off of bows, or does it have to do with city ordinances? Forget about all that stuff. Didn't you watch that flick "The weatherman?" that was sweet. I think everyone should walk around with a bow and quiver on their back. Then maybe there wouldn't be so many concealed guns. Okay, I may be sounding a tad drastic. God knows what may happen if people started walking the city streets with compound bows and broad-head arrows. This could very well end badly.

What do you know about the sport of archery? Nothing; let me guess. If you hunt deer or wild turkey, then you most likely know a little. Chances are you hunt with compound bows and aluminum arrows. How am I doing so far? You have a black or camouflage bow with sites on it for accuracy. Sound about right? And if you don't hunt, then you probably know nothing about long, recurve or compound bows. That's been my experience anyway. Now don't get flustered if I misjudged you. I do realize that some individuals have archery equipment, even if they're not hunters. I personally do, but I don't know anyone else who does. I prefer a custom made long bow. I have a Zebra, which was crafted by maker Doug Duncan. It's a blast to shoot and it's really smooth. I've always preferred the old-school method over compound bows. I first shot a recurve, but it was eventually time to move up. By move up I mean find a nicer quality bow than the one I had. Now there is a different between traditional bows and compound bows. One of the greatest differences that many hunters are drawn to concerns the draw back. Once you draw back a compound bow, you no longer have to deal with the pounds pulling against you. The bow allows you to relax. Long bows and recurves do not. Also, compound bows shoot more like a dart or bullet, with incredible speed. So if this is what you prefer, then I suggest a compound over a recurve or long bow.

Check online sporting goods stores for compound bows and archery equipment. You can find all that you're looking for without searching your area for a sporting goods outlet. In addition, the supplies will most likely be less expensive on the web.

Do You Know If It Is A Bad Idea Or A Good Shot

10:41, Sunday, August 12, 2007 .. Link

When hunting it is difficult to wait for a good shot when your target is right in front of you.

One of the keys to success in hunting is placing an accurate shot - whether you hunt with a bow or a firearm, this sentiment rings true. So what is important when setting up your perfect shot, and perhaps more importantly, which shots should you let slip by? Though the window for placing your shot of a lifetime may be only seconds, it's important to exercise good judgment and aim to place your shot as effectively as possible.

Good shots are clear, no brush or other obstructions between you and your quarry. Don't take aim An ideal shot can be made when an animal is quartering away or presents itself broadside to you. Either of these gives you a clean shot at the vital organs allowing you to dispatch the animal quickly and ethically.

The golden rule, so to speak, is being sure you're aiming at the right target. This ensures safety for bystanders and other hunters. Bear in mind you should know what lies beyond your intended target, as a bullet or arrow can potentially carry on and cause serious harm to someone further a field.

Hunting Clothes Are The Highest Quality

12:28, Wednesday, August 8, 2007 .. Posted in Hunting Equipment .. Link

Even if you have never stepped into the woods with the intention of hunting for wild animals, you can still go out and buy hunting clothes. Why would you do this, you ask? It’s very simple. Hunting clothes are some of the warmest clothing items ever made. If you find that you are shivering every day when you are on your way to work, or perhaps if you work outside in the cold weather, you want something that will keep you warm and is strong and durable. Hunters know about how to keep warm, but the secret does not have to be just theirs.

I know what you are thinking. You may want warm clothing for outdoor use, but you certainly don’t want to dress in bright orange right? Though most hunters must have a certain amount of orange on them when they are hunting, not all hunting clothes are made in this color. You don’t have to buy camouflaged hunting clothes either. There are many items made for hunting that you can wear almost anywhere and no one would know the difference except for you. In fact, you may find that people ask you where you got your stuff when they see you are so much warmer than they are.

You can use hunting clothes to keep warm in the winter, and they are great for outdoor sports. Though most won’t wear these items for skiing, you can find people who love to snowmobile or even just hike in the winter months that swear by wearing hunting clothes. They get them in neutral colors and they find they are comfortable and they last for a very long time. Don’t forget to get things like thermal underwear and hats and gloves made for hunting as well. These are better than what you find in a department store and are made just to keep you warm.

If you want to buy good hunting clothes, be prepared to spend more to get them. They may cost you more, but they are well worth the price. You will find them to be warmer than anything else you can buy, and they will last you a very long time. You can find hunting clothes in specialty sporting goods stores, or you can find them online. You may have to look around for the color and style you want, but most people can find something. Remember that it is about keeping warm and not about fashion when it’s twenty degrees below and your car has just broken down.

Outfitter Hunting- Disadvantages

09:30, Saturday, August 4, 2007 .. Link

When you're planning a hunting trip to an area you're unfamiliar with or are going after big game, an outfitter can provide some much needed know-how and essential equipment. Which is great, for some of us. For the rest, we'd rather rely on our own skills and judgement, make the investment in hunt-specific equipment and put in the work to make the hunting experience our own.

The price of hunting with an outfitter is high - often reaching easily over the $5,000 mark. If the cost alone doesn't put you off using a hunt outfitter, the lack of independence might. For some, the thrill of the hunt is exploring the terrain, self-reliance and pitting your wits against those of some of mother nature's cleverest critters.

Some outfitters offer a sort of half-way house that many hunters find to be a fair compromise between the help they need and the freedom they crave - the drop camp. An outfitter offering this service will usually guide you and your party to an existing camp, leave you there to do as you like and stop back to check on you and top up your supplies as needed during the week. He'll also haul away your gear and meat once the hunt is done.

Outfitter Hunting- Advantages

12:09, Friday, August 3, 2007 .. Link

If you are new to hunting, particularly when you're going after big game, like elk or caribou, booking your hunt with an outfitter can be easier than going it alone. There are a number of things to consider - from the equipment and physical effort required to understanding the lay of the land and knowing where the beasties like to hide.

An outfitter can provide a solid alternative to spending thousands on gear you're unlikely to use for any other purpose or hunt in your lifetime. That isn't to say hunting with an outfitter is cheap - it isn't, but you've got to weigh the investment up against the savings. Additionally, an outfitter can provide you with some essential services once you've made that golden shot and bagged your trophy. Bear in mind an elk weighs at least four times what you do, and consider how readily you can pack that animal out of the hunt zone - with an outfitter, a lot of that hassle simply disappears.

The majority of good outfitters won't guarantee you a kill- this is because to do so is impossible unless you're hunting on a ranch or farm that breeds the animals for this purpose. However, an outfitter worth his salt will usually give you a fifty per cent chance of bagging a good mark. So do your homework and check the outfitters' references from the outset to avoid disappointment.

Welcome To The Hunting Blog

10:44, Friday, August 3, 2007 .. Link

Welcome. This blog is designed to be a place where you can find information about hunting and other related outdoor activities that typically go along with hunting such as camping, fishing and archery.

Growing up in a small town in Idaho where outdoor activities are an integral part of the culture made it easy to learn about all types of outdoor recreation, especially hunting. In the small town I lived, as fall season approached the focus of everyone was towards preparing for the hunting season and getting that big buck or elk. Leisure trips in the hills on back roads were not uncommon to scout out where the prime spots for game were at.

Many would focus mainly on hunting with a rifle, while others would start off in the bow season to get an early start and a bigger challenge. The length of a hunting trip would vary. Sometimes the trip would be spent in the hills with your camping gear and would last a week, while shorter trips usually consisted of driving along the back roads and trying to spot some game from the truck. Every so often you would stop and hike into a location, but never venturing too far from the vehicle.

There are many different strategies, and equipment for the numerous types of hunting, but the addiction to it always amounts to the bonds created, getting away from the stresses of everyday life and of course the thrill of the hunt.

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