tips-and-articals

Rattling antlers

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:27:06 +0100

Antler Rattling Tips: How to Call In Big Bucks During The Rut

Antler rattling is an effective technique during the rut, when bucks are more aggressive

Rattling is most productive during the rut—when bucks are more aggressive—in areas where the buck-to-doe ratio is close to even. (In areas with a high doe count, bucks have far less competition and therefore have less need to challenge another buck for breeding rights.) The simulated sound of two bucks fighting over a doe may attract another buck. Some bucks literally charge to the mock battle; others take their sweet time moving in. Here are three tips to help you maximize rattling’s effectiveness.

(1) Check wind direction before setting up. A buck’s natural inclination is to approach the sound of fighting from downwind. A good spot to set up is at the edge of a field, with the wind at your back. Take precautions to minimize your scent.
(2) Start slowly and quietly. You don’t want to spook any nearby deer, so rattle antlers lightly for only about 90 seconds. Wait five minutes, then repeat, but make the sound louder and longer (two minutes or so). Wait for a half hour before rattling again to give a cautious buck time to move into range.
(3) Before rattling again, rake the ground or scrape the antlers against a tree trunk. To give the impression of moving deer, rotate your body as you begin rattling. Wait at least 30 minutes before moving.

10 kiler tips for big bucks

Mon, 05 Jul 2010 16:23:27 +0100

10 Killer Tips for

Taking Monster Whitetail Bucks

Are you a deer hunter after that elusive monster buck? Are you sold out to getting one or do you just dream about it? Have you taken a fair sized buck in the past and now want to plan for and map out your tactics for that big one? Or perhaps you're new to deer hunting and want to maximize your opportunity for taking a big buck?

It's going to be more difficult for the beginner to learn enough in a short time to take a monster buck. So much of the knowledge about deer hunting (almost any kind of hunting, for that matter) is learned over time. And, there's no education better than being out in the wilds seeing, experiencing, reading signs, adjusting to seasons, weather and other factors.

I've put together the best tips gathered over years of experience, talking to successful hunters and reading everything about deer hunting I can get my hands on. My personal deer hunting library contains over 30 books on whitetail hunting alone, plus lots of other books on hunting and the outdoors. Each year I add a handful more. I've distilled the best tips and tactics to present here. Read them and heed the advice.

You must understand that your ability to harvest a big buck will completely rely on your willingness to adjust your thinking, your tactics and your determination to find and ultimately shoot that animal you have set your mind on killing.

Let's start the list of my 10 UNBEATABLE Tips that will lead you to that monster buck:

Taking Exceptional Deer Requires Using Exceptional Tactics. You won't bag a trophy by using standard techniques that everyone else uses. In fact, it probably doesn't even matter if there are big bucks in the area you hunt. The truth is that if you're using all the normal tactics you won't get the monster. The really BIG bucks are old bucks. They don't grow old by falling prey to the normal tactics the majority of hunters use. Make sense? You must use big buck tactics to consistently bag big bucks.
You must hunt where big bucks live! Now don't start groaning… it's so obvious, yet how many days or seasons have you spent hunting in areas where you never saw a really big buck? Part of bagging a huge buck is maximizing your chances of finding one or more. You must realize that not all areas hold even one really big buck, let alone a few. But it is a fact that some parts of different counties in the country hold many large bucks within a given area due to quite a few factors. Things like cover, food sources and other nutrition, hunting pressure, and genetics play a huge role in finding areas that hold big bucks. If your own scouting, or the testimonies from trusted sources, can't verify the existence of large bucks in the area then your chances are getting real slim for finding that monster buck. It is so obvious - but we sometimes deceive ourselves. We HOPE they're there. If your overriding goal is to find that monster - you need to find out where they are and hunt there. You can't shoot what doesn't exist.
Be selective in what you shoot. Don't shoot small bucks. Think about this - in most cases after you harvest your buck you're done for the season - so if your goal is to shoot a monster why do you harvest a smaller one? Are you sold out to finding the really big one? If so, let the smaller ones go, let them mature into bigger bucks, and wait for your monster to appear. Most veteran hunters that shoot big bucks will tell you that the larger bucks follow the smaller ones out because the big ones are much more weary. That's how they get to be monsters. If you're satisfied with shooting a smaller buck than you set your goal to shoot, then you're compromising and your interest and desire are lacking. One more thing on this tip: immature deer hunters don't understand how the mature bucks think and end up taking the smaller bucks because of it. If you're committed to taking the big one, don't take the first buck you see unless it meets your goal.
You'll find that big bucks will frequently have wet feet. Huh? Yep - find areas where there is a creek bottom or low-land wet areas such as a swamp and other wetlands. Talk to the experienced hunters who have shot big bucks…. most of them will tell you that big bucks like to frequent the heavy cover and are loners in these areas. They like the thick cover the wetlands produce because it gives them security. Also, deer are excellent swimmers. It is nothing for them to swim major rivers, let alone creeks and lakes. When pressure increases the big bucks head for cover. In fact, it is not unusual for islands in lakes to hold more than one large buck. You may have a hard time approaching them but many a survey has shown that they hide out there.
Stay away from the crowds and your hunting buddies in the field. Is the area you hunt frequented by lots of other hunters? Do you have to share access to these areas? The more human traffic in a given area the less chance you have of finding that big ole buck. Obviously, your odds drop quickly for finding trophy deer in a limited size area. Find an area more remote or that has limited access for others to use. You must think of increasing your odds if you're going to find that big one and staying away from others in the field will help you do that. Be a loner when you hunt for big bucks.
Let the experienced and successful hunters be your role models. It's no different than any sport or avocation. If you want to be great, if you want the big prize, if you really want that big buck you need to learn and do what other successful whitetail hunters have done to harvest their big bucks. While no situation is identical, remember that the 1% or 2% of the top deer hunters are very disciplined and have developed methods and skills that work consistently. They know and talk to others about deer locations, sightings, behavior, etc. Luck has helped some over time but by and large the hunters who take the big ones year after year know things you don't. Or perhaps they are more persistent.
Big, Old Bucks are unique and you must adjust your hunting accordingly. Some say you have to treat them like a different animal or a different species if you're going to take one. Besides being older, they're wiser, heavier, more mellow, slower, and much more deliberate in their actions. The fact that they got to 4, 5, or 6 years old is an indication that they found a safe way to exist and avoid the hunters. These big boys won't typically run at the slightest pressure - they may hold tight. The younger, less experienced bucks will flee and possibly run into another hunter. I've heard story after story about how smart the old bucks can be - they'll swim, crawl, hold tight in cover, and use their natural color and stealth methods to avoid even the most experienced hunters. You must use different tactics for these big boys. Prepare to use every sense that you have and adjust your methods to maximize your odds of even seeing and shooting one.
Can you predict the actions of the buck you seek and can he predict or pattern your movements? No old buck is real predictable - it just doesn't make sense that he'd live long if he was. So think outside the box, find him where he is and use great skill to locate and take him. In the same way, don't you think that the real weary bucks can pattern you as you go to your stand or blind, as you make noise going through the woods, etc.? Avoid going to the same area a lot. Hunt different areas now and then. Big, old bucks learn and adjust. You must do the same. Change up your plan of attack, the way you enter an area, etc.
Hunt long and often. There is no exception to this rule. Big bucks are seldom taken by hunters who don't spend lots of time in the field. If you only hunt a couple hours in the morning and a couple more in the evening you're missing some of the best hours to bag a big buck! Lots of B+C bucks are taken in the late morning and noon hours. Surprised? While most hunters are heading to lunch at the local diner or taking a nap, the more successful hunter that is set on taking a large buck will stay in the field and be mindful that the big ones may be moving at this time. It's not unusual for a big buck to be scared or pushed into other areas by hunters leaving in late morning. Also, during the rut lots of large bucks have been seen checking their scrapes during the noon hour.
And finally... flexibility is the key to success. If you've been hunting an area and haven't seen any large bucks there's a few reasons why. Could be your approach into the area, could be scent, could be your stand placement, etc. There's an old saying that rings so true in these situations: "the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results!" If you're hunting the same stand season after season, if you're not hunting long hours, if you have lots of hunting pressure in the area, etc….. then doing the exact same thing over and over isn't likely to produce a big buck. If that area doesn't hold big bucks you sure aren't going to harvest a big buck there. Be flexible - change your tactics, change stand locations, do some more scouting, do some stalking, go into the area from a different direction. Hunt alone. Be stealthy. Study the area. Get maps of the area. Plan your attack. Figure out a way to hunt the heavy cover areas. Success comes to those who adjust their thinking, then their actions.

So there you have it. The 10 KILLER Tips above are real nuggets. Please take time to study each tip and truly assess where you're at in your quest for that elusive buck. You will be rewarded over time for your diligence and attention to the details. Get out in the field, scout those areas, plan your approach and tactics. Be mindful of weather changes and other factors that will put deer on the move.

All the best with your hunting,

Video Tips

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:09:11 +0100

Video Tips

If you have experimented with home video, have hunting experience, and woodsmanship skills, you already have the basic knowledge you need to be a cameraman. With a little practice you can fine-tune your skills. The following are some requirements for professional video. These recommendations and specifications are not nearly as intimidating or as expensive as they sound. All of these specifications will be mentioned, explained and referenced to in your camera’s operating manual.

Read your camera’s manual and practice with various settings before using the camera on a hunt. Get a UV filter for your camera lens.

Invest in a quality tri-pod and camera arm (for use in a tree stand) with a fluid head for smooth panning and tilting of the camera.

Don’t leave excessive headroom above your subject when framing.

Keep your camera as still as possible. A tri-pod, shoulder brace or tree arm will be invaluable for video quality. Try to avoid off the shoulder camera use whenever possible. Don’t start your non-hunting action, out-takes etc. until properly focused, framed and exposed. When filming the hunt take as much raw footage as possible. This gives the editor more to work with.

Use your imagination and innovation in filming. This will make your video more captivating. For example: If you are deer hunting and there is a squirrel on the ground nearby, and a deer approaches, start by zooming in on the squirrel and then gradually decrease the zoom and pan to include the deer. Then, continue to follow the deer action. Everyone has an imagination, use yours in filming. It makes the hunt more interesting.

Remember to involve the hunter in the action. Using the hunter in the camera action with the deer allows the viewer to feel that he is seeing the action as the hunter is.

The more you zoom, the more noticeable camera shaking will be so avoid excessive zooming. Never use your digital zoom. It degrades picture quality to an unusable level. Always use manual focus. Start by zooming out on the farthest visible object. Adjust your manual focus on that object. When you decrease zoom, everything should be in focus all the way out to that farthest point.

Know your camera’s optic levels. Don’t shoot an animal if it is too dark to record!

Learn how to manually white balance your camera and do so often to match lighting conditions.

On video levels, try not to go above 12dB on your gain and NEVER go above 18dB on your gain setting, it will be too grainy to use. You can set your camera for different levels. Experiment in low light conditions and know your camera’s limits.

Always carry extra batteries, extra tapes and a head cleaner tape.

It might be advisable to take a course on basic camera, lighting and sound. Also practice filming yourself and practice your 'on-camera' presentations. This is your chance for your personality to shine through. The camera is your friend, so don't be afraid of it.

Invest in a better quality microphone than the one that comes with your camera. We highly recommend the use of a wireless lapel microphone to pick up low-level conversations. The camera might seem intrusive or annoying in the field, but you will be so happy when you watch your footage that you spent the time and extra money to make your hunt first-rate.

Keep audio at OdB. Do not allow the levels to peak on your audiometers. This will cause undesirable distortion that cannot be used.

Invest in a windsock and shock mount for your microphone. Make sure the microphone is pointed toward your subject for best sound quality. Use the higher quality 16-bit 2 channel setting for audio recording.

Practice filming home videos and watch the results of your filming. This is a good way to practice zooming, catching all action, framing action, panning, using your manual focus, and white balancing. BE SURE TO WATCH YOUR VIDEO. Only by watching your video can you see where corrections need to be made. While home videos are good practice, remember that in the actual hunt you are not only showing highlights from your home video, you are telling a story with your audio and video that the viewer needs to be able to understand.

Use the best quality equipment you can afford.

Land owner appreciation

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:26:59 +0100

Landowner Appreciation

Now that the season has come to a close, be sure to drop a message of thanks to the landowners who let you hunt this past year.

It's important not to forget the people who make days afield possible. Send them a card, pull some wild turkey from the freezer and run it by their house; or better yet, stop long enough to enjoy a meal together. Show you value their land and the permission they grant you to use it by helping with off-season chores.

NWTF chapters in Wisconsin annually hold landowner appreciation days. Perhaps this is something your chapter might want to consider. Remembering landowners during the off-season builds friendships that last well beyond the season's close. That camaraderie, in large part, is what the great tradition of wild turkey hunting is all about.
http://www.nwtf.org/tips_adventures/tips.php?id=317

Hunting Merriam's Wild Turkeys

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 15:21:54 +0100

Hunting Merriam's Wild Turkeys

Patience, persistence and confidence in your calling are what it takes to harvest a Merriam's gobbler.

Hunter's Specialties Pro Staffer Matt Morrett said, like with any turkey, getting a Merriam's in close is the first challenge. Merriam's will travel a longer distance than an Eastern to a call or decoy setup. Be confident in your calling, and pay attention to what the hens might be doing.

"I personally wouldn't call a Merriam's any different than I would any other turkey," Morrett said. "I use a friction call, because it is louder and the sound will carry further in the Western mountains and prairies. You will want the sound to carry.

"If I have turkeys in fairly close, I pay attention to what the hens are doing and try to mimic the hens," he said. "It's important to utilize your calls and lead him to you."

Morrett said patience also plays a big part in hunting Merriam's.

"If you can get one to answer your call, stay where you are and be patient," he said. "Pay attention to make sure he is coming your way."

Locating turkeys is where the hunt ultimately begins, and Morrett suggests scouting near water sources, especially when looking for Merriam's.

"Water sources can play a big part in your hunting, especially out West, where drought conditions are everywhere," Morrett said. "That is the best place to start scouting. They need water everyday just like we do."

Remember, even after your patience, persistence and calling have brought that big tom into your setup, you still have to make the shot.

"I had a Merriam's hunt with (NWTF CEO) Rob Keck that I will never forget," Morrett recalled. "Rob was calling for me. That gobbler flew across a valley like I had never seen to that call. He came within 20 yards, and I missed him. I have never lived it down since."

National Wild Turkey Federation
http://www.nwtf.org/tips_adventures/tips.php?id=11708

09 season

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 18:04:38 +0100

01-16-10
Well Season is over and it's time to start breaking the year down. Turkey season went really well and we got a lot of turkeys. Deer season on the other hand was rough this year due to the weather. Most of our ground was shut down as the snow fell in december. Nope not even walkable! They say they havent seen a winter like this in 25 years. It did effect our deer hunting. The deer started to move later in the day. Starting to move around 11 and moving till 3. We were hunting morning and evening still. Ther reason we know this is is cause we finnaly were able to get to our cameras. Most of our trail cameras were stuck till we could walk in and get them. That lasted till January 15th. Oue doe managment went well this year and we passsed on a lot of bug bucks in hopes that we will have an encounter in 2010. Several of our cameras soptted big bucks that we havent even seen yet. We plan on harvesting several of the bucks next season and all the hard work and planning will all be worth it. This is somthing you will not want to miss. We are still plan on releasing our video in March and hope you all sign up for one. Keep checking back frequently to see our updates.

Rut phases in the midwest

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 17:46:26 +0100

Phase I: The Rut Preparation Period

Sept. 1 to Mid-October.

Bucks shed their velvet, still mostly alone, and examine breeding ranges. Necks on mature bucks start swelling and scalp musk develops with wet, wrinkled hair.

Hunting during this period is best from the stand near bedding or feeding areas or along rub lines. Bucks are still somewhat predictable in their patterns.

Phase II – Scraping Phase

Mid-October – Nov. 5th

The time for this can be variable but only lasts two weeks anywhere. Bucks start rub lines and ground scrapes (see above). Bucks patrol these scrapes and rub lines. Some serious fighting among large bucks takes place.

Many experts believe this is the best time to kill a trophy buck as he works his scrapes during daytime hours. Rattling can be very effective as bucks seek other bucks to fight. If you like to stalk this is a great opportunity to stalk in a scrape or rub area.

Phase III – The Primary Breeding Phase

Nov. 5th – 20th

This phase is about two weeks. The start dates are later for Southern states.
About 85% of the does will come into heat (estrus) and be bred. Bucks will fight seriously while pursuing hot does. Bucks are very difficult to pattern since they can be all over the map while searching for hot does and breeding.

However, a buck on the pursuit of a hot doe will stay with her and may even be oblivious to things around him. Lots of trophy bucks are killed during this time since the bucks let down their guard. Bucks show little interest in revisiting the rubs and scrapes at this time.

One tactic to use during this time is to hunt the funnel points and open areas where you can ambush the bucks in their pursuit of does. This is a good time to still hunt as well since mature bucks will be on the move and their normal attention is diverted.

Phase IV – Recovery Phase
Nov. 20th – Early December

Most of the breeding is over and the mature bucks will return to their normal patterns in their home range. Use normal methods for stand hunting or still hunting as conditions permit.

Phase V – Late Breeding

Early December – Early January

Does that didn’t breed earlier due to hunting pressure or other reasons will breed during this time. Remember, does will come into heat (estrus) every 28 days until they do breed (through January in most areas).

Deer Hunting in December

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:52:32 +0100

Dec 20 2009

December deer,

From my experiance this December we are seeing very little deer movement. The Temps have been very cool with snow fall up to 10 inches as if that wasent enought the wind blew up to 50 Mph. I dont believe that the deer movement has stopped but, i do believe that they have deffinatly changed their patterns. After talking with Chris on the phone we decided to pull up the trail cam pictures from last december to see if that would give us a key to the puzzle. We noticed that the deer were moving from around 11 to 3 not much in the night time hours. December 17th i had a doe at 15 yds when a buck came in pushed her off and chased her for a while which leads me to believe that the second rut is on. I do know that doe's go in to estrus every 28 day till they are bred. and that would put the end of the first rut on november 20. Chris and Dwayne said they saw 2 younger bucks with a fawn a couple days before. I'm thinking that she had'nt been bred yet. Chris checked the thick ceders this year in december when temps were below 0 and had found that the deer movement was crazy in there. 7 trails coming in and leaving. Deer will eat ceder tree branches in december. Deer are naturaly lazy creatures and will follow the easiest path in the winter time thats why trails are so thick. Don't let this fool you for next year though cause these won't be the same patterns. They will be running on the summer feeding patterns. In the mornings the deer are coming from the food source and in the evenings the deer will come from the timber.

December deer hunting report

How to film your own hunt?

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:45:21 +0100

We have been filming now for as long as I can remember. We grew up filming everything from fishing to dove hunts. The older we got the more we turned to bowhunting and filming as a passion. We wouldn't dream of going out in the field now with out a camera. Most of the time we have a camera man in the tree with us but, there are times when you just can't sit on the couch. Here are some tips to help you film your own hunt better:

1. Make sure you actually hit the record button. Trust me when I say this, "you will get worked up trying to get the camera and your bow on the animal".

2. Get good footage of the animal coming in then worry about your bow at the last second lol! You will be able to edit this later to make the hunt more enjoyable.

3. As the animal approaches, set your camera to an area where you know you will be making the shot and get ready!!

4. See this is where it gets tricky. You have to forget about all the emotions you have at this point and try and follow the animal as it runs off. This will be part of editing later.

5 Make sure you have a tripod and capture every moment after your kill. You will not want to forget this stuff. Follow your blood trail and stop every so often to express your thoughts to the camera.

6. Once you find your game, set your camera up and describe in detail everything: the weather, the wind direction, your equipment, everything you can think of.

Have a good time in the wild! If you can't take a bow, take a camera and film a friend. You will soon find that it's as enjoyable as hunting. With a lot of practice, you can get pretty good but remember to never take the fun out of hunting.

Hunt hard & Hunt safe
EC&M Outdoors