Whitetail Deer Hunting Resources
Whitetail Deer Hunting
The deer rut, or breeding season, is triggered by the changing photoperiod, or length of daylight, in the fall. As the days become shorter, does are influenced by the decreasing light, which triggers the release of hormones that signal the onset of estrus. This is the period when does are receptive to breeding and bucks become more active in their pursuit.
Updating gear is an exciting part of the hunting offseason - the summer. Whether it's for mule deer, elk hunting, or other big game, we hunters are continuously searching for that edge that can make a difference in the field. Gear can play an important role in your success this fall, whether it be things like bows or boots. However, there is one often underestimated item that deserves your attention: a top-quality pair of glassing binoculars.
No matter if you're navigating the rugged mountains of Montana or perched high in a tree stand in Michigan, one thing is sure - the type of clothing you wear, particularly your base layers, can significantly impact your comfort, efficiency, and overall performance during your hunting expedition.
One topic that stirs spirited debates among hunters and outdoor enthusiasts alike is the crucial decision between choosing merino wool vs. synthetic base layers
Most bowhunters are often looking for ways to improve their physical fitness and maintain a strong upper body to carry their equipment, stay longer in the field, and ultimately be a more accurate shot.
One great way to do this is through strength training via archery exercises, which are specifically designed to target the muscles used in bowhunting. These workouts and exercise can be done at home or at the gym and can help bowhunters improve their accuracy and endurance.
October is an exciting month for deer hunters looking for a mature buck moving during daylight hours. You've put the late summer and early fall behind you and all that goes with it - sweat, heat, bugs, etc. By this point, the leaves are changing, the cool air is invigorating and deer season is well underway. For the average whitetail hunter in the midwest, deer movement tends to change in a magical way as you get closer to the rut.
In recent years the demand for highly mobile elevated whitetail deer hunting equipment has exploded. Hunters want to go deeper into the woods, but not be burdened by the weight and noise associated with hang-on and climber tree stands. Enter the hunting saddle. Three seasons ago I picked up my first saddle and have been through an entirely new iteration of my setup each year based on changing personal preferences and advancements in the equipment coming to market. Where I have landed today is what I would consider my “ultimate mobile hunting setup for whitetail”. Here’s a quick overview:
Over the past few seasons, the saddle hunting craze has swept the hunting world. Initially tree saddles were only used by a small group of dedicated hunters. Now, tons of people looking for a viable mobile solution had flocked to saddle hunting, finding it easy, safe and comfortable.
I first heard of saddle hunting in college. From what I could tell at the time, saddle hunting didn’t make any sense. Straps hung everywhere, one wrong move and you’d fall out of the tree and there was no way hanging in what looked to be a tree diaper could be comfortable at all. I decided to stick with my 20lb steel climber. Sure I couldn’t use it on a ton of trees and yes it was loud. But it was safe.
Before ever stepping into the field every bowhunter must be sure that their bow is as accurate as possible for a couple of reasons. First, having the trust and confidence in your equipment is paramount as the mind can have a huge effect on your overall accuracy. Secondly, it’s our responsibility to swiftly, effectively, and humanly kill the animals we hunt.
Like thousands of other hunters in Michigan (and around the country), I was able to hit the woods for the first time this past weekend. I picked an area that I had lightly hunted over the past few years and decided to jump right into an area I believed would be great during the early season. I hiked back in a mile and slowly crept into my spot - a location I believed to be situated right outside of a bedding area on public land. As I began to get set up, I heard crashing through the swamp… and coughing… and metal clanking. Someone had blown up my area and walked right through the bedding area.
Start it out by smoking the shoulder at low temperature (225F) for a few hours, then transfer it over to a large aluminum pan, add onions, peppers, spices, and a beer (or broth) for a bit of moisture, then seal it all up with foil and continue cooking until the meat falls from the bone. All that connective tissue in the shoulder melts into the meat for a wonderful flavor.