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.
Read MoreUpdating 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.
Read MoreNo 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
Read MoreMost 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.
Read MoreOctober 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.
Read MoreStart 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.
Read MoreIn 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:
Read MoreOver 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.
Read MoreBefore 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.
Read MoreLike 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.
Read MoreI spent the majority of my early years uncomfortable while I was out hunting. My clothing “system” was made up of assorted gear from the Army surplus store, a sweat suit and hand-me-downs. As the temps would drop, I’d add another layer of cotton clothing (in no particular order) and sweat my butt off as I walked out to my stand. Within an hour, I’d be slightly damp and freezing.
Read MoreGear list planning isn’t rocket science… but it does come with experience.
I can still remember arriving at our 2019 deer camp in Wisconsin on a late Sunday morning in November. We had all agreed to leave early enough from home in Michigan so we would arrive on location with enough time to set up camp and eventually head out to conduct some scouting in preparation for the following morning hunt and the days following. When we arrived the weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Sunshine, clear skies, calm winds and temperatures hovering around 55 degrees. As hunters, we know the weather can have a major impact on animal movement and is one of the metrics we tend to monitor the most. Our initial weather forecasting projected a cold front to move in during mid-week so we expected colder weather than what we arrived at. But on that Wednesday morning, we woke up to a blunt surprise.
Read MoreNow that the hunting season is over there should be a fair amount of maintenance that every hunter should practice. And although maintenance is the last thing people usually want to think about, it should be the first thing on the to-do list. With all of the many things to accomplish, it's hard to pinpoint what exactly to focus on so it helps to have something short and easy to remember.
Read MoreIt’s been said that venison is too gamey to cook with or that it’s too dry to really make anything with other than tacos and spaghetti. If you’ve ever searched the outskirts of venison recipes, you may find a few options that many people don’t particularly venture to. Venison pastrami is in that baron wasteland that many hunters are either too lazy or too intimidated to try.
Read MoreIt’s now late season, you've put in copious hours in the stand, most of the breeding deer have bred, and now it time to switch gears to hunting late-season deer
One thing we like to do when the late-season comes around is actively tracking fresh deer tracks in the snow. Tracking deer in the snow can be one of the most exciting ways to hunt deer and can be pretty addictive.
Read MoreYou’ve setup on a location where all the variables are in your favor. The wind is perfect, the temperatures have dropped off, the rut is kicking in and you are waiting for that big buck to cross your path. But as you sit with anticipation you see a fellow hunter approach your general vicinity from the wrong direction and they walk right through your anticipated deer travel route.
Read MoreIt goes without saying that COVID-19 has significantly influenced our lives this year. From shutdowns to mandatory masks, we’ve all felt the weight brought on by the virus. However, it’s a bit short sighted to say all of its effects have been bad; right now we’re seeing a mass movement back towards the outdoors.
Read MoreImagine this: you're nestled in your hunting spot on opening day, waiting for a big buck to come through the thicket on the edge of a swamp. The more you think about the possibility of a bruiser breaking through that small patch of woods, the more you concentrate on it. Suddenly you hear it - leaves crunching. It sounds like a big boy's headed your way and you feel the blood drain from your legs as your grip your bow.
Read MoreWe’ve hunted for thousands of years and it’s something other animals do on a daily basis. However, it doesn't always go as planned...
I spent the past few weeks camping through the Tetons and Yellowstone with my family. We were able to witness a lot of pretty amazing things but one particular thing sticks out in my mind...
Read MoreWhy do you hunt? Maybe you’ve never taken the time to think through the question. I know I haven’t until relatively recently. In my younger days I would have answered with something like "because it's awesome" (as Kid Rock once said, at that time my thoughts were short and my hair was long).
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