Check out this bow hunting tip from BowTuningTips.com on determining your draw length for your bow! And be sure to check out the other great bow hunting tips that are there on the website as well as the YouTube site!!
Phase III: Culminating the Hunt – Putting It All Together
Now we’re at the point that your hunting interests have been identified and then you’ve sorted them out into what you can feasibly hunt and those that you would most likely classify as a “dream hunt”. So out of curiosity I hit a bunch of outdoors/hunting forums and posed some inquiries to see what rifles/shotguns folks were using for various game; and here are the results:
I did this to see what folks were using as compared to what I like to use. This was especially helpful to me if/when I think of upgrading or adding rifles/shotguns to my collection. For my hunting preferences, my preferred stock includes:
Being budget-minded, I’m not shooting for the high-end products. I’m looking for product that fits within my budget and has best quality/reliability for products within that budget zone. This way I’m staying well within my budget and conservatively spending my money where it is most beneficial. Let’s not forget those “dream hunts”…. they can be pricey so budget wisely!!
While this little rant has focused on rifle/shotgun selection, there are many other facets to look at. Things such as ammunition, clothing, camping gear, etc. So one can easily see there are many angles that one must look at when making decisions on acquiring product essential to their hunting preferences. Going through the process of determining what is feasible and what is not will greatly help in staying within your means!
More rants to come!!
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Click here —> “The Budget-wise Hunter / Phase I”
Click here —> “The Budget-wise Hunter / Phase II”
Now back in Phase I (click here —> Identify Your Hunting Interests) you were instructed to identify all of your hunting interests. For a recap, here’s my lists of hunting interests: mountain goat, grizzlies, black bear, coyotes, squirrels, elk, Russian boar, mallards, teals, geese, turkey, pheasant, doll sheep, bighorn sheep, and feral hog.
Now when I look at my list, there’s only one facet I am faced with … which of these hunting interests are feasible (e.g. within my budget)? And which of these interests are more along the lines of a dream trip (e.g. something I really have to save up for)? Sure, I would love to go to the forests of Russia to hunt wild Russian boar! Heck yes I’d love to hunt some monster elk!! You bet’cha… I’d hop a plane in an instant to go hunt grizzlies in Alaska!!! But are these hunting interests feasible for me?
Now in this phase of being a budget-wise hunter you simply separate your hunting interests into two categories: (1) Normal Hunting Opportunities, and (2) Dream Trips. Dream trips are not discussed in this particular rant; but hold onto that list for a future rant on effective planning tips for those dream trips!!!
So take a look at your new list. Those items listed in your “Normal Hunting Opportunities” category are those species wherein you will focus most of your energies at becoming a more disciplined hunter. Let’s take a look at my reorganized list:
Sure does simply things when you re-categorized them, eh?! Now that I know what I most commonly hunt for, the next step as a budget-wise hunter is to move into the final stage, Phase III: Culminating the hunt; putting it all together.
Click here —> “The Budget-wise Hunter / Phase I”
Click here —> “The Budget-wise Hunter / Phase III”
Hunting … say the word out loud and what comes to mind? For some it’s the thrill of the stalk of the elusive mountain lion. For others it’s sitting in the blind calling in those mallards. While for some, it’s hunting squirrels on a brisk Fall day. The world of hunting is as vast as the world of fishing. In each, the enthusiast must do some things — whether they do it intentionally or by happenstance; and they are:
I love to hunt. I love to fish. As part of those “loves”, I love to be practical in each discipline. As I progress further down the road of age and gathering wisdom, I’m beginning to realize a few truths:
Take some time and jot down all that you would like to hunt. Don’t worry about how long or short that list may be; it’s going to be different for everyone. I spent some time and my list looks like this: mountain goat, grizzlies, black bear, coyotes, squirrels, elk, Russian boar, mallards, teals, geese, turkey, pheasant, doll sheep, bighorn sheep, and feral hog.
As I mentioned earlier, hunting interests vary from person to person. One may look at my list and say, “Well how can you leave off whitetail deer?” Or perhaps, “You don’t hunt prairie dogs?” Or even, “You ain’t no hunt if chachalaca isn’t on that list!!” So keep your list handy because now that you have identified your hunting interests, you’re ready to move on to Phase II: Identify Your Hunting Opportunities.
Click here —> “The Budget-wise Hunter / Phase II”
I’ve used this quite a bit whenever I’m heading out for a day of fishing or hunting. One of the best things to do is pack a meal that will be easy to eat and not call for a lot of work to put together or require different utensils.
So here’s what I do… First I make up a bunch of East Texas Po-boy Sandwiches. Take some saltine crackers, mayonnaise packets (Hellman’s of course!), deli meats (turkey, chicken, roast beef, etc.) and cheese slices. When ready to eat, spread a light spreading of mayo on the crackers, put on some deli meat and cheese and then top off with another cracker. Po-boy sandwiches at their finest!!
Another great lunch is to take a big-mouth thermos, put in some beef franks or hot links and put however many you are going to be eating that day. Boil some water and pour into the thermos. Make sure the franks/links are completely covered with water. When you’re ready for a snack just take out the frank or link and toss it onto a bun. Squirt on some mayo (better be Hellman’s!) or mustard, or whatever and chow down! That thermos will keep those franks/links nice and warm throughout the day!
So you’re out searching for that new (or used) bow. Doing so is much akin to going into a candy shop and searching for that just right piece of chocolate!! In today’s market there are bows and bows and bows and bows to choose from. Believe me, I’ve ventured into that jungle far too many times to admit to!
When I went into those shops I asked a lot of questions and soon I found that I was asking a lot of the same questions at the different shops. So being the curious nut that I am, I formulated a list of questions and went back out to the shops. I asked the same questions to a multitude of sales reps and was just astounded at the responses that I was given!! Some of them even caused me to think if they knew the difference between the bow that you would use to hunt down your favorite game or the bow that you would tie in your daughter’s hair!!
So I turned my attention to the internet and began searching various sites for information on how to go about choosing the ‘right’ bow. And then I found it… that one spot on the ‘net that held the answers!!!
Hunter’s Friend – Compound Bow Selection Guide
Go ahead and take the time to print out that web page (roughly 14 printed pages) because you’re going to be flipping back and forth and forth and back, underlining and highlighting!!! Yups, they got it all right there! No hype… no brand positioning… no sponsorship plugs… just straight forward information that you will use to put yourself with that ‘right’ bow!
The bow that is best for you is the bow that best fits your purpose, your size and strength, your shooting style, your skill level, and your budget.
Could it have been stated any simpler?!! Well for me, at least, that hit the nail right on the head! Everything I had set out to do was being done all wrong! Wasted efforts and wasted time!
So like I said, go to Hunter’s Friend (link above) and print out that web page and then keep these tips of mine in mind when you’re out selecting that just-right bow:
Don’t get so wrapped up in the pre-canned bow packages that have various bells and whistles. As the article states, “the compound bow is still a relatively simple device.” The extras are nice but they shouldn’t be your first efforts of concentration.
Pick out the bow, test it out, then pick out a different bow and test it out…. repeat, over and over and over. Go somewhere wherein you can test various brands and various equipment compositions. A shooting range and a bunch of your buddies is a great place to start!
Once you’ve found the one you like and fits your shooting criterion, then start adding on the bells and whistles. But that’s a whole different candy shop!!
Happy trails in selecting the ‘right’ bow!!
Make sure during the winter season that you protect yourself from hypothermia; and the best way to do that is to avoid it!
If you stop for a moment and think about it… we outdoorsmen are prime candidates for suffering from hypothermia. You need to be sure to take into account the wind chill factor. You need to be sure to wear several layers of clothing while you are out (wool cap, mittens/gloves, thermal wear, insulated boots, etc.). Wearing several layers of clothing helps you to retain your body heat.
Make sure you’ve got plenty of food and hot liquids while you’re out. And take along some chocolate if you’re needing some quick energy boosts.
Also, you need to know what the symptoms of hypothermia are: dizziness… disorientation… drowsiness… slurred/slowed speech. If you notice someone experiencing these symptoms, you need to take action. First, get emergency help on the phone. Next, get them covered up with lots of blankets or something that will get them warm. If possible, get a fire started (it should go to say that you should NOT start a fire in the boat!!). Give them warm food and something warm to drink; but don’t give them alcohol.
So be safe out there. Winter is an awesome time to be in the great outdoors … but be safe at all times while you do!!
It’s the thrill of the hunt… whether it be for coyote, fox or your other favorite predator/varmint. Knowing your prey and knowing what it takes to make for a successful (which doesn’t always guarantee a kill!) hunt will help to make for a memorable hunting trip!
There are several key concepts that all predator/varmint hunters should strive to master to achieve more successful hunts. These tips apply basically to hunting coyotes or foxes; but can be used for hunting a multitude of other species. The following topics will be covered:
It should go without saying… but here it goes any-who!!! Don’t go hunting without possessing a valid hunting license and know the predator/varmint hunting regulations for the state(s) that you plan to hunt in. If you are unsure about a regulation, contact the game warden for the area in which you are hunting for further clarifications.
Nothing ruins a day than being visited by the game warden and either not having a current hunting license or to find out that you have violated some hunting regulation!! If you wish to support your state’s wildlife management agency, send them a donation… don’t fund them by paying fines!!!
There are several calls that today’s hunter can choose from:
There are many details of these calls that won’t be covered in this entry. They alone deserve an entry all to themselves! Using the electronic or digital calls are the most simplistic of the calls one can use. They are quite effective but for me, they take away from the thrill of the hunt. For me, I desire to lure in my prey using hand calls and employing my own techniques. In doing so, I learn more about the prey than I would using the electronic/digital call.
When using the hand calls, the goal is learn how to use the call effectively. Learn as much as possible of how the different calls that nature uses and try to mimic them as best as possible. The calls you, the hunter, should learn are:
I’ll have another entry discussing these calls in more details.
One of the key elements to a successful hunt is to conduct thorough scouting of the area(s) you plan to hunt. Visit these areas during various parts of the day. And always ensure that you gain landowner permission before hunting on any land that is not either public or your own personal property. If you are hunting on public land, it is best to know where the public land extends to and where private property begins to ensure that you are not hunting illegally on private lands. When hunting on other’s property, be sure to leave it clean and leave nature as undisturbed as you possibly can.
Concealment is the key. These animals have keen eyesight and the better you’re camouflaged, the better they won’t see you …. until it’s too late, if they even see you at all! Ensure that your camouflage gear is both weather-appropriate and surrounding landscape-appropriate. Some hunters use ground blinds of sorts but I find that they can be more of a hindrance rather than of a benefit. Mainly I like to travel light but mostly it’s because I find having the openness of the area around me available in case I need to quickly reposition to squeeze off another shot. Make sure you don’t have any reflective devices uncovered; such as a wrist watch… nothing more alarming to the prey than to see the sunlight reflecting off of that watch!
So much can be covered in this topic so I’ll keep it to it’s simplest measure… only going to be covering the essentials!
Make sure your rifle and scope are maintained properly. If it’s been awhile since your rifle has been cleaned/serviced, do so. The same goes for your scope. If it’s been a long time since you’ve zeroed in your rifle, take the time to get it zeroed in. There’s nothing more embarrassing than missing a shot because you haven’t zeroed-in in a while!
One of the best ways to celebrate your successful hunt is by taking your prized prey to the taxidermist. Select a reputable one so that you’ll be proud of the work done in order to preserve your trophy predator! Some may opt to just have the skull cleaned … known as a European mount. But whatever method you choose, get someone that knows what they are doing!!
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Always be safe during your hunt. If you’re hunting with a buddy, keep each other in sight!
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Happy Hunting!!
