Hunting Fun

journeytheoutdoors asked:

AT THE SHOOTING RANGE WITH MY ENFIELD ISHAPORE 2A1 7.62X51MM NATO /308 AND MUZZLELOADER ANS 12GAGE WITH SLUGS!!!!

Everyone likes to buy something new. That is true whether you are talking about a new car or a new deer hunting rifle. As with the new car, everyone knows that once you drive that new car off the lot, it loses value before you can finish inhaling that “new car smell.” When purchasing a rifle, much of the same principle applies; after you run some rounds through the chamber, the value of the rifle begins to drop.

There is some good news that can be had from this fact. If you know what to look for in a “good” used deer hunting rifle, you can use this lose in value to your advantage. You will be able to spot a bargain from a problem and get the best bang for your buck. Keep in mind, a used rifle is expected to have some scratches and dings, but if you see pitted bores and refinished bluing, these could be signs of trouble. Prepared with the advice below, you can find a great used rifle that will make you happy for many a hunt to come.

First, consider the overall appearance of the rifle. Does it show signs of neglect? If the outside of the gun looks like it has been abused, it’s a good bet that the inside doesn’t look any better. Some signs of neglect or abuse would include pitting, dents and damaged ***** slots. Though the latter is a bit less obvious, it could be a sign of incompetent care. If on the other hand the rifle looks well maintained, they investigate further.

If possible, removing the stock from the action would be advisable. This will give you a great insight as to the overall care of the rifle and you may find hidden rust near the trigger or receiver. Look at the stock itself. If it is a wood stock, check for black stains in the wood. This is a sign that oil has soaked into the stock. An unfortunate and potentially dangerous consequence of this sort of care is the stock could fail when fired.

Third, check the barrel. Though this would seem obvious, most potential rifle buyers only glance down the barrel with the ***** eye. This just isn’t enough of an inspection when you consider that a new coating of gun oil can hide many blemishes. While you expect to find a small amount of black powder soiling, a clean barrel can speak volumes about the owners overall care for the gun.

Have a small gun cleaning kit with you, this is not a bad idea for any hunter, you never know when you will need it in the field. Take a clean patch and wrap it around a bronze brush. Run it through the chamber; look for any smudges of brown rust. Take another clean patch down the barrel to see if there are any signs of corrosion or excessive amounts of oil. This oil could simply be a sign of poor maintenance, but it might be the gun owner attempting to cover a more serious issue.

Did the gun owner make any alterations to the gun? If he did, this takes the guns value down even more. If you are looking for nothing more than a basic, effective tool with which to hunt your next deer, then any alteration to the gun works in your favor, allowing you to get this rifle for a bargain. If on the other hand you a looking for a rifle to use for a few years and you think you may consider selling it, any of these alterations will affect the price when you attempt to sell it down the road.

Lastly, though not necessarily a potential problem, consider only purchasing a rifle of a common caliber such as a.308 or.30-06. If you’re like most people, you live on a budget. Having to spend an arm and a leg to go hunting won’t be much fun once the newness of the gun wears off. Some of the less popular cartridges are much more expensive than there more standard counterparts.

Hopefully these simple, yet important steps will help you select a used deer hunting rifle that not only fits into your budget, but will work flawlessly when you head out on your next deer hunt.

By: Keith Cantelmo

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Although compound bow hunting isn’t as popular as it once was many people still enjoy the sport and will practice and take part in this event regularly. Archery hunting is a skill that will take the correct bow and a great deal of time and patience. You will find that it is not only a worthwhile pastime but also a fantastic way to catch your evening supper. You will have to get closer to your prey than other hunters, meaning you will need to develop a great deal of other skills as well as simply firing the bow and arrow.

It may be tempting to simply buy a bow and arrow and go compound bow hunting but there are several things you will need to learn. This will ensure that you are safe and experienced to do this sport and will achieve great results. The first thing you will need to do is choose the correct bow for you, there are several different types and you will need to select the correct one. Compound bows do vary in price a great deal as archery hunting requires a certain level of skill. You can purchase very expensive ones for expert hunters or more affordable ones if you are just starting out.

You may think buying a cheaper type of compound bow is better but in some cases this can affect your hunting skills. If you can afford it you should attempt to purchase an average priced compound bow as it will get you started well. You will find that you need to learn how to use your new bow and you will be used to only this one and if handed another it will be awkward and feel strange. Your equipment for compound bow hunting will become part of you and it is the vital part to ensure you have a successful day.

Your compound bow will need to pull a weight of at least forty five pounds as this is the ideal weight for hunting deer. The more the bow pulls in weight, the flatter the arrow will travel but you should be able to pull this weight comfortably. Your upper body strength needs to be good for you to go archery hunting and as you do the sport more often you will find that it strengthens. Once you have chosen your ideal equipment then you will need to begin practicing and hunting. You will need to realize that in the beginning you will have several misses and this is all part of learning.

Not only will you be getting used to the compound bow but also you will be clumsy and awkward in the hunting area. You need to learn to be quiet and observant and very patient as you may be sitting for long periods of time whilst compound bow hunting. You will often need to allow the deer to go to you as you cannot simply go rushing into the area hoping the deer will simply be stood there. It is very unlikely that your target will stand still for very long so you will need to be practiced at moving shots. Learning is the key with compound bow hunting the more you know the better you will become.

By: Nicole Roberts

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Have you dreamed for years of backpack hunting mule deer miles from the nearest road? It has been said that it’s not the sheep hunt that is the greatest part of the adventure, it’s where bighorn sheep live. The same goes for true wilderness mule deer hunts. Mule deer thrive in some of the most beautiful, uninhabited areas in the world. Just seeing these majestic creatures and the country they live in is worth the effort to get to them. With that said, here is some advice to make your first backcountry mule deer hunt a success.

First and foremost, get in shape! I’m not talking about walking to your mailbox once a day or playing a game of basketball every weekend. To truly enjoy your mule deer hunt, you want to be in the best shape of your life. I understand, depending on your age, that may not be possible, so if that’s the case, shoot for the best shape you’ve been in for the last five years. The big thing here is to do all you can. My workout is jogging three to four times a week. I start out walking and jogging about three months before the trip and by the time trip arrives, my goal is to be able to jog for an hour straight. I find this easier than trying to give distances. If you can maintain a jogging pace for an hour, you should be capable of climbing the mountains required for backcountry mule deer hunting. I also jump rope, bike, hike, and walk with my loaded pack (around 50 lbs) in between. All of these are good to build the muscles you’ll need on your hunt.

Second, shoot your rifle. If you pay the money, get in shape, but don’t practice with your rifle, you aren’t ready to go mule deer hunting. The best case would be to shoot the rifle once a week at ranges out to 300 yards. You need to know where your rifle will shoot at the different ranges. Start out at the range at 100 yards with a steady mechanical rest. Test different types of ammunition until you find what your gun likes and stick with it. I use Winchester 130 grain Ballistic Silvertips in 270, but each rifle shoots differently and you need to find the load the works. Once you know where your rifle shoots on the bench, try using shooting sticks, prone position, over your pack and other positions you will encounter in the field. You won’t have a bench in your hunt and even if you’re a great bench shooter, that doesn’t make you a great shoot in a hunting situation. You will also want to study up on angles versus distances. Most shots at mule deer are up or downhill and hunters have a tendency to shoot over deer. Get out and practice some shots downhill and uphill. You’ll be amazed at the difference a steep angle makes. I also recommend you buy a laser rangefinder and use it at your practice sessions. It is also helpful to learn to judge mule deer in the field. The hunting video line by Mossback Outfitters titled Mulies Gone Wild is an excellent tool for judging big bucks. They give you the score after you have seen footage of the bucks on the hoof.

Third, buy the best gear you can afford. There are some great products on the market today. Look for the lightest sturdiest material for your backpacking and clothing items. I will not go into each item, but a few I recommend are: Lowa Sheephunter boots, an internal pack – I use a North Face pack, but there are lots on the market, wool socks – I use Smartwool, and light packable rain gear – I use Frogg Toggs. If you are hunting with an outfitter, ask him for a list to bring and follow it. Buy the best optics you can afford! I personally use Brunton Epochs in 10.5×43 because of their magnification and weight, but there are lots of quality optics on the market. I’ll say it again, get the best you can afford.

Lastly, watch some great Hunting Videos on the topic. These will get your blood pumping and get you excited to make your trip of a lifetime. They will help motivate you to get in shape and find that deer of a lifetime.

By: David Dukat

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Bowhunting is a wonderful alternative to rifle hunting but requires a different set of skills. A bow hunter needs to get in closer to his target in order to make a successful kill. Here are some tips for improving your bowhunting skills.

You need to understand your shooting limits, for a bow hunter this will typically be 30 to 50 yards from the animal. If you feel you are not close enough then don’t take the shot. If you only wound the animal and don’t make a clean kill you will need to trek it through the hunting grounds in order to put it out of it’s pain. It’s better to not take the shot if you have any doubt rather than cause unnecessary pain to the animal.

If you are not sure what your limit is then you need to practise off the field. Pace off the distance between you and the target and take a shot. Check the arrow’s penetration and ensure it is good enough to kill an animal in the field. If it isn’t then you need to move closer. If it is giving you good penetration then move further away and try again until you can determine your limits.

If a deer or other animal spots you – don’t move. Often the animal will not pick you out unless it detects movement. When it goes back to feeding or turns away, move closer with the aim of getting within shooting distance. If the animal turns it’s head towards you then freeze again and wait. Patience in using this method with produce good results in the long run.

Before heading out on your hunt, make sure you can draw your bow silently. If it has a squeaky wheel then apply some oil. Make sure your arrowheads are sharp to provide easy penetration into the animals hide. Look after your arrows when you are storing them and ensure the arrows are straight before shooting.

Avoid pulling back on the bow more than you can handle. If you have drawn your bow and are awaiting a deer you have spotted coming into range then your arms are likely to get tired and will begin to shake. At this point the release will then be compromised. Make sure you carry out the pull back when the animal is looking away from you or has it’s head hidden behind a tree or other foliage.

Use a deer call to help attract deer to your hunting area, but don’t call too often as it may sound unnatural. A gap of about 15 to 20 minutes between calls is a good guideline.

Use scent masking chemicals to mask your body odor from the animal you are hunting and always try to stay downwind of the prey whenever possible. The ability to smell is one of the animal’s most effective means of survival and unusual smells will send it running in the opposite direction to you.

Use camouflage clothing and natural camouflage to disguise yourself as much as possible. Stay close to cover at all times and avoid hunting in the open when you can avoid it.

Finally, the best tip of all is to get as much practice and experience as you can both on and off season, in the field and on the range.

By: David G Johnston

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How would you like to be someone who is able to impress family and friends with your hunting results? Being the one that they all look up to and wish they were the ones taking that monster buck home. Well this is all possible all you need to do is learn the right deer hunting techniques and you can do just that with the help of “Deer Hunting Secrets Exposed”.

This e-book contains everything that you could possibly wish to know about deer hunting techniques. Not only does it explain in great detail the different kinds of deer hunting techniques that one can use but it also explains the different ways in which they can be carried out. You can gain some of the best skills to take to the woods in which any hunter could ever want.

Each chapter of the book provides excellent material explaining the steps you need to take in order to carry out the proper hunting techniques desired. It is because these instructions are so clearly written that you will find it much easier to understand them and then put what you have read into practice. This book is ideal for any hunter who is interested in acquiring the secrets and techniques of deer hunting.

Not only does this book look at various forms of deer hunting techniques and secrets unlike some other books now available, but it also explains about the different tools and equipment one should be using with this knowledge. Again, knowing what is the right equipment, tools, techniques and secrets you should be using is essential if you want to be able to take the best bucks of your life.

Through the eBook, “Deer Hunting Secrets Exposed”, one is able to learn all the techniques and secrets, then practice these skills to become the hunter every male or female hunter desires to be. These can then be used in such a way to bring those big boys to you.

Anyone can get lucky, but to be one of those who can consistently locate and actively hunt big bucks in almost any territory requires lots of professional tactics, special knowledge and inside secrets. Even if you only want meat for the table, only have a tag for a doe, or are after the big buck, this advanced hunting information will help you be a better hunter and teach you how to maximize your time in the field.

Of all the books that are available online that teach you similar techniques and secrets, this is simply one of the best out there. So if you would like to be able to learn about these hunting techniques and secrets quickly, as well as simply, then Deer Hunting Secrets Exposed is the ideal book for any hunter.

By: Fred Danico

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Hunting whitetail deer with dogs has fallen out of favor for many hunters through the years. With new laws and some questions on ethical treatment of the dogs this method of hunting is harder to achieve today. However, if a large enough area of land is secured, plenty of hunters are willing to work together and all is legal, then it can be a very exhilarating hunt.

The first priority besides safety of course should be the well being of the dogs. Healthy dogs have the stamina to keep that deer on the run. One drawback to hunting with dogs is that someone has to foot the bill to house and feed them. Annual vaccinations and health checks are another expense. One of the main reasons this practice has fallen out of favor is because after deer season some dogs have been abandoned or even shot to keep expenses down to care for them during the rest of the year. Remember to care for the dogs if this is a chosen hunting method. They enjoy it as well and they work hard. They deserve to be treated with respect.

The next consideration is the property to be hunted. Most states that allow hunting deer with dogs require a minimum acreage of land to hunt. The reality is that dogs know no boundaries. However, land owners are very fond of boundaries. Having a large area to hunt cuts down on dogs straying onto others property as well as wounded deer. Most laws require a minimum of one thousand acres to hunt with dogs. This requirement has cut down on the number of hunters using dogs drastically because securing that much land can be difficult.

Actually hunting whitetails with dogs is much like drive hunting with other hunters. The main differences are the acreage covered is much larger with dogs and deer that are seen are almost always running when chased by dogs. Hunters are posted at strategic locations where deer are expected to escape the area once the chase starts. The hunters with dogs then set the dogs loose on the other side of the area where deer are suspected to be bedded. The dogs then hopefully run the deer toward the posted hunters.

Many trophy bucks have been harvested using dogs. This practice should be employed with respect to the dogs, applicable laws and other land owners. When all of these rules are followed, then deer hunting with dogs should be a positive sport.

By: Jelena Leger

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Turkeys are very alert animals. That’s why it is so difficult to bag them. If you want to bag a turkey the next time, be sure to get the right bow hunting blinds. They are so important because using the wrong blinds will get you blind sided.

Imagine using nylon bow hunting blinds with things like Velcro window closures etc. That’s the wrong thing to do because the nylon material is so noisy, the turkey will be long gone before you get a chance to shoot.

So what’s a good bow hunting blind? Choose bow hunting blinds that can “camouflage your movement” when drawing your bow. Use a portable bow hunting blind made of lightweight cloth for good results. This type of hunting blinds can easily and quickly be set up where ever you want them. And they are noiseless.

Many hunters don’t even know that they are making noises when moving around. The portable bow hunting blinds have plenty of openings and can hide movements. Portable blinds allow hunters to get a feel for how turkeys behave, so they can become acquainted with turkey’s natural movements.

You should set up larger bow hunting blinds in areas where the turkeys strut, feed, and roost. These larger blinds should be set up a couple of weeks before season. And it should be camouflaged with vegetation native to the area.

If you set up your hunting blinds only a few days in advance, it may still be ok. Turkeys normally will not notice it although it is better to be more prepared and set it much earlier. But where do you set up these blinds? It is a good idea to set them up near large bales of hay or near the center of a field, since turkeys like to be in such areas.

To save money, you can actually build your own portable, turkey hunting blinds. You can get lots of patterns online but it will take some time to do it yourself, of course. Building your own portable blinds will be relatively inexpensive and extremely effective too.

Just be sure to build one with at least 8 shooting ports. You should use a fabric like lightweight cotton, but just to be sure, check that it makes as little noise as possible when you rub it together or shake it. Note that it is equally important that your Bow hunting blind is as quiet as possible.

Lastly, try to make yourself more comfortable by using seat cushions. When you place your blind in just the right place , it will be much easier to remain still. That way, you will not scare the game away from your blind.

It may take hours for a turkey to finally come your way. You don’t want to throw this rare chance away by making noises that will scare the turkey away!

By: Gary T

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Through time, mule deer hunting has gained popularity among most people because of the challenge of actually catching a mule deer, as well as in coming up with tactics that can give one a head start advantage over other hunters.

However, if you wish to be part of the growing number of people who enjoy mule deer hunting, there are several things that you need to remember first before you can go out and have your own hunting experience.

First, you need to remember that you need to prepare the hunting equipment that you will need for glassing, or “scouting” as it alternately called. For these particular equipments, it is advisable to get a good pair of binoculars in the 9 or 10 power ranges. You should not also forget to have with you your spotting scope. Glassing can be a tricky part of the process — but you just need to remember to initially use your binoculars well, since if you do so, it can help make the hunt easier for you. You can do this by checking on open spaces from a strategic vantage point early on in the hunt. After you do this, you can make another scan using your binoculars so you can be sure that you did not miss any obvious bucks and does.

The next equipment that you then need to use is the spotting scope. This can be very useful for you as you search for bits of a deer that may be hidden by expansive fields and grassy cover. You may be required to adjust your thinking, so that you would not be seeking for a whole deer, but just visible parts of a deer that may not be as concealed in cover. Naturally, this necessitates some learning, but you can always learn it through time — and you will find that it is easier to spot hidden deer as you gain more experience and acquire newer skills.

The last thing that you ought to remember about mule deer hunting is that it is necessary to take note of every deer that you spot with your binoculars. This can be pretty helpful because you will want this note/list for the next part of your hunt: stalking deer.

These are some of the things that you ought to remember about this particular activity — and you need to remember too, that although hunting mule deer may initially be hard, you can become better at it by constantly applying your present learning in the next hunting activities that you will be doing.

By: Mick Singh

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If you really want to test your skills in hunting, then you will love archery elk hunting, especially if you are also into bow hunting. The reason is that the hunted prey, the elk, happens to be one of the largest game animals to hunt – and also one of the shrewdest too. It is a challenge every hunter relish. To take home an elk is an achievement in itself, but to take home one using bows and arrows is even better.

Bow hunting in itself is a delicate and difficult sport. But if you are into archery elk hunting, the use of the bow is even more demanding. An archery elk hunter must know his quarry and his weapon on top of being able to calculate a number of variables in a given second it takes to draw and release their bow. This takes skills and precision.

So what are the things to consider in order to succeed in archery elk hunting? Here are some …

1. You need a special type of bow (& arrows) designed to take down a large animal like the elk. This type of bow is an amazing piece of equipment. The bow hunter must learn every aspect and capability of his hunting weapons – bow plus arrows. The hunting arrows must be of the right length. Not only that but the arrows must be able to pierce tough hide and cartilage for a quick kill. It may take you several hours of practice to be ready to effectively bring down an elk which can weigh up to several hundred pounds.

2. You must pay attention to every detail. Spend time learning the location of food and water sources for elk in the area. Find out they behave during certain times of the day and the temperature as well. Spend time reading local wildlife reports for ideas.

3. Practice shooting in heavy coats or coveralls.

4. If hunting from tree stands, you can spend time alternating between 2 or 3 stands in order to gain better perspective of the location. All this will take place before the hunt ever begins.

Archery elk hunting is not easy. Luckily there are guided hunting trips to cater to hunters who want to do archery elk hunting. Outfitters are able to provide services that are tailored to the bow hunting experience.

Even if you are a seasoned hunter, an experienced guide can help you put your skill and proficiency with a bow to the ultimate test. For those who succeed in bagging their trophy, archery elk hunting can be a very satisfying and rewarding sport.

Even if you don’t take home the trophy, you will still grateful for the wonderful learning experience. Knowledge is power and you can bet it will lead to assured, future success in the field.

By: Gary T

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