Hunting Fun

Whitetail deer hunting has become a popular and addictive sport among both men and women alike. Fall season is generally considered to be the ideal time for taking to the field to pursue a deer. For hunting in any state, first you must have a license.

Next, you should make proper plans to have deer equipment ready and learn some basic hunting tips before you go out in the woods. You should always carry legal weapons and follow certain regulations for a successful hunting experience.

Legalized weapons for deer hunting consist of bows and arrows, guns, rifles, crossbows, pistols, shotguns, and muzzleloaders. Here are few tips on how and when you can use them:

1. Archery season occurs before the gun season but can continue even after the gun season is over. In this season, you can employ modern compound bows, recurve bows and arrows. Primitive longbows and recurve can also be used. But remember, crossbows can only be used in late archery deer season and hunters can’t keep arrows on the crossbow string once the legal hunting hours are over, even if they are on field.

2. In the firearms season, you can utilize the benefits of shotguns, handguns, pistols with cartridges, rifles, muzzle loading guns and handguns. There is a minimum gauge or caliber limit set by different states. Rimfire and centrefire rifles cannot exceed a certain range due to ethical reasons. You are permitted to carry more than one legal firearm while on a hunt. Ensure that the bullets are not full-metals. Handguns are banned in military areas.

3. Finally, you come to the muzzleloading season where you can just use muzzleloaders. A muzzleloading firearm – both bullet and powder – can be loaded from the muzzle. Equip your latest muzzleloading rifle with synthetic socks, fiber optic sights and telescopic, advanced conical or sabot bullet designs, in-line ignition systems. Black powder substitutes like Pyrodex can also be applied to your rifle. Traditional preparations consist of iron sighted, wood stocked rifles with traditional black powder charges and round lead balls.

As you can surmise, you use plenty of weapons and arms for your whitetail hunts according to the three distinct deer hunting seasons. Choose your weapon and season according to your preference and capacity.

By: Becky Barrett

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In 2008, elk hunting in Utah produced the new Boone and Crockett Club world record non-typical elk. Yes, the largest antler rack ever recorded. If you like to hunt elk, photograph elk, or even just watch them, Utah is the place for the biggest elk on the planet.

The elk population and elk hunting in Utah has exploded. From 2000 to 2006, no other state produced more record-book bulls than Utah! And this doesn’t mean it’s only a haven for elk hunters. The growing numbers of wildlife watchers and photographers in the state can enjoy the same fantastic opportunity as hunters. But this is a page for people interested in elk hunting in Utah.

A big hand has to go to Utah big game managers. Some pretty awesome game management decisions have been made by the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR). If you want to hunt, photograph or just see elk, Utah is the place.

Over the last 30 years, elk numbers in Utah have exploded. Elk are the second most abundant big game species in Utah. Second only to mule deer. The 2003 post-hunt estimate for elk in Utah was just over 58,000. This is below the management objective of 68,400.

History Of Elk In Utah

Prior to settlement by the Mormons, elk and bighorn sheep were the most numerous big game animals in Utah. Elk hunting in Utah was a significant source of food and clothing for Indians, trappers and settlers. Like so many other species – bison and mule deer for example – elk were the victims of unlimited hunting in Utah. By the close of the 19th century, they had almost disappeared.With no restrictions, hunted to near-extinction. What a sad time that must have been. No deer. No elk. No bison.

Elk hunting in Utah was shut down in 1898. From 1912 through 1925, elk were transplanted from Yellowstone National Park to try to give the species a chance at comeback. Where were they released? Well, pretty much where you would expect to find elk today in Utah:

Manti. Logan Canyon. the Fish Lake area. the Oquirrh Mountains. Mount Nebo. Mount Timpanogos.

Through the years, many elk have also been transplanted from one area of the state to another. Both southern and eastern Utah have gained elk from some of the intra-state relocations.

Types of Hunts

A Wildlife Board and five Regional Advisory Councils today manage all wildlife management in Utah. Until 1967, elk hunting in Utah was restricted under a limited entry system. As the numbers grew, most of the units were switched to an open bull season.

In 1989, the two largest units, Manti and Fish Lake, were switched to a yearling only hunt. Yearling only was later replaced with a “spike only” regulation. At the same time, it was expanded to three other units. Today, you’ll find elk hunting in Utah managed under the following regulations:

spike only. any bull. limited entry.
The Future of Elk Hunting In Utah

The future of elk hunting in Utah is dependent on healthy and growing elk herds. A healthy growing elk population needs the habitat necessary to sustain growth. If habitat is reduced or degraded, there will be fewer elk. Simple as that.

Despite the loss of prime elk habitat in many parts of the state, it is a testament to Utah’s game managers that herds have continued to grow and elk hunting in Utah is the best it’s ever been. Private agencies, especially the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation have worked to improve the health of elk herds and explode the level of interest in elk throughout the west.

The main predators for elk are mountain lions, black bears and coyotes. But their effect is minimal. Without grizzly bears and wolves living in Utah, predators just don’t cause large reductions in the elk population of Utah.

OHV (off highway vehicles) use in Utah, as elsewhere, has increased 100-fold in the last 30 years! By the end of 2004, more than 160,000 OHV’s were registered in Utah! While driving OHV’s is a passion for many people and a legitimate use of public land, uncontrolled use will continue to negatively impact many of Utah’s best places. OHV use on public land needs to be well planned and managed to prevent the destruction of critical elk habitat.

While the use of OHVs on public land is a legitimate right, their uncontrolled and improper use not only damages elk habitat, it can kill elk. For this reason, there has been an increased demand for more areas to be designated as walk-in and horseback only areas. Remote areas with fewer hunters and no OHV traffic.

How To Plan A Utah Elk Hunt

Demand for the limited entry hunts in Utah are very high and this demand is growing every year. In 2004, 46,319 hunters applied for 1378 limited entry permits. An increase of 5,342 over the year before! There were a total of 34,193 general season permits sold.

If you’re looking to get a chance at a trophy Utah bull elk or just simply want a great hunting experience, there are a couple ways to go. Utah has a wide assortment of professional outfitters ready and willing to help you go on the hunt of a lifetime.

If you have the resources, hiring one of these outfitters is absolutely the best way to go. They have access to land no one else has. They know where the elk are and you don’t have to worry about having thousands of other people invading your space. And, once again, they have access to land throughout the state. Utah has some of the most amazing trophy elk on the planet and these people will get you to where they live.

If you don’t have the resources or the desire to hire an outfitter, take a look at the big game proclamation on the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources website or contact them directly. It’ll give you the best overview there is about elk hunting in Utah. You can apply for one of the general permits or one of the lottery-type limited entry hunts. If you’re applying for one of these, plan a year ahead.

By: Rod Besler

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1. Hunting crossbows are easier to shoot than compound bows. The statement that was previously stated may stir up some controversy, but it’s just my opinion. These bows can be shot while sitting down. With a compound, a hunter has to stand up and take a shot at an animal like a deer for instance. This is quite the challenge and is what makes part of the sport fun. Some view crossbow hunting in a negative way because hunters that use them are “cheating” so to speak. I guess the people who agree with this point of view think that they deserve more credit for having to stand up without a deer seeing them – which can be hard by the way. Regardless, I can understand both points of view.

2. These crossbows are wicked fast. Yup, some hunting crossbows like the Stryker and the Barnett Predator can send an arrow at some blazing speeds. The Predator can fling an arrow up to three hundred and seventy five feet per second while the Stryker can send one about four hundred and five feet per second with the pull of a trigger. Wow, that is fast folks.

3. A hunting cross bow is a lot like a gun. It is fired laterally, unlike the vertical nature of the compound, and has a trigger much like that of a rifle.

4. Some of these crossbows are deadly accurate. Many of them can fire an arrow accurately up to about fifty yards – some reach out even further. Remember to pay attention to the arrow length though – the longer the arrow, the more stability and accuracy the arrow will have. Some of the cheaper bows will have shorter arrows.

5. Hunting crossbows can increase the success that you experience when out in the field. Yep, these bows are fast, easy to shoot, and can increase the chances of bagging game while out in the woods.

By: Bill Ridger

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Michigan is an excellent state for black bear hunting, and as with any other type of game there are specific rules and regulations. This article is designed to give you a basic idea of the rules set forth by Michigan when bear hunting. Hopefully this will simplify the language in these regulations for the average hunter.

First, you’re only allowed to hunt and actually harvest a black bear if you have a bear harvest license. The license must be yours and in your name, and be for the bear management unit where you are hunting. You’re not allowed to use firearms in the Red Oak Management Unit during archery-only season; check with your local DNR office to confirm archery season dates.

Immediately after you’ve successfully killed a bear you’ll need to attach the kill tag provided with your bear hunting license to the bears lower jaw. You have 72 hours to get the bear sealed after the kill; this can be done at any DNR office or registration station. You cannot remove the seal until the carcass is either processed, butchered or tanned.

You cannot hunt a bear in or around its den. You’re not allowed harass or trick a bear out of it’s done to harvest it. No non-resident of Michigan is allowed to assist or guide someone when bear hunting. You’re limited to only one bear per year and you cannot trade your license to another person. You’re not allowed to harvest any cubs or a sow (female bear) accompanied by cubs.

You’re required to wear an outfit that contains at least 50 percent of hunter safety orange when hunting bears with a firearm or crossbow. If you’re hunting with a traditional bow you’re exempt from this rule. You can use a tree stand or platform to hunt bears during the designated season. You must carry all permits and licenses when out hunting or locating a bear.

By: Noah Riddle

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Whether you are new to hunting or have taken part in the sport for years, guided hunts offer a unique experience to learn from a trained professional. Guided hunts at hunting lodges throughout South Dakota and the mid-west region have become increasingly popular over the years. Contrary to popular belief, guided hunts are not necessarily an easier way of hunting. Guides can be useful to hunters who are not familiar with the terrain or behavioral habits of these deer.

Mostly found in the western half of the United States, the mule deer is associated with land west of the Missouri River. While related to the white tail deer, mule deer are different in both biological and behavioral attributes. This particular species of deer have black tipped tails and antlers that grow in a “fork shape,” while white tail deer have a bushy, up-lifted tail and forward curving antlers with tines. Another noticeable difference between the deer is the way they run; mule deer move with a bounding leap.

Unlike other big game animals, these deer make very little to no noise, ruling out the use of hunting calls or bugles. With acute hearing and a heightened sensitivity to moving objects, getting these deer within a safe firing range is not an easy task. While mule deer are a difficult species to hunt, many hunters welcome the challenge with the assistance of a guide.

The seasoned professionals found at hunting lodges across the country offer their expertise and knowledge of mule deer to hunters at every level. Whether you are hunting deer or any other animal this season, consider a guided hunt at one of your local hunting lodges.

By: Aubrey Watts

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Whenever you venture into the wilderness – even if it’s no wilder than your state park – you need to make sure you’re well prepared for any eventuality. If you’re going on a guided hunt, your outfitter will probably give you a list of suggested items to pack. But still, it pays to plan ahead. First, think about where you’re going and what you’re going to be doing – a guided fall deer hunt in Michigan will have a different set of requirements than winter elk hunting in Sheridan, Wyoming. Similarly, you’ll need different supplies for an Ozark elk hunting trip than for one on a California deer hunting ranch.

The first step to smart packing for a hunting trip is basic research. If you’re traveling to somewhere that you’ve never been before, hop on the Internet and find out as much as you can. If you’ve never been to Manitoba during elk hunting season, learn as much as you can before you start packing. Look into what sort of conditions you’ll be encountering, what the weather will be like, what the wildlife is like. You can check city, state and county websites, and send away for brochures on the area where you’ll be. Don’t take for granted that the weather will be good, or that it’ll be like it is in your own backyard. If there’s even the smallest chance of rain or snow, take that into consideration when packing – it’s better to be overprepared than underprepared.

You will, of course, be packing your hunting gear. Your hunting rifle, of course, in a sling carrier to save you bag. Ammo – more than you need, but don’t go crazy. 50 rounds for your main rifle is a good number. A sidearm, if you’re so inclined. And a cleaning kit. If your rifle has a scope, make sure you have lens brushes. Depending on where you’ll sleep, you may need a sleeping bag. Whatever the weather or season, pack a “space blanket,” a thin sheet of plastic material coated with a metallic substance that reflects about 80 percent of your body heat back to you when you’re wrapped in it. These come folded up small enough that they can fit in your pocket, and could save your life if you get lost on the trail while hunting elk and deer.

Pack clothes that will keep you warm and dry while hunting, and make sure you have a first aid kit stocked will all the basics. Also pack enough food to keep you going for the long days hunting outdoors – energy bars are good, as they take up little space but pack a lot of nutrition. Once you know where you’re going and what the weather will be like, packing for an elk or deer hunt is merely a matter of common sense and smart planning.

By: Rich Fuller

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Ethical hunting involves knowing the animals you will be hunting. Beyond this, if you own your own property and wish to manage the deer population through selective harvesting, aging of deer is an important skill. While the most accurate methods are done using teeth wear (tooth replacement-wear method), these methods are not a practical answer for deciding whether or not to harvest a deer. Doing this will require some knowledge of how deer mature physically as they proceed through various stages of development.

Prior to beginning our discussion of these characteristics, let’s establish why we are discussing age of deer in the increments we use. Fawns are born in the Spring and reach the age of 1/2 a year in the Fall around hunting season. Thus, we discuss the ages of deer, as fawns, 1 1/2 years of age, 2 1/2 years of age and so on. Antler development reaches its pinnacle at the time the deer reaches maturity, which is around age 5. Therefore, we will discuss the physical characteristics of deer through age 5 1/2, but deer typically retain their maximum antler size through approximately age 8.

The physical characteristics of deer are indicators of age, but no single one of those characteristic is by itself able to definitively give us the buck’s age. At most of the age markers, the characteristics we will consider are:

head neck brisket legs belly tarsal gland rump back ears

Looking at how these physical characteristics change through the buck’s lifespan will help us to gauge his age. It is perhaps noteworthy to mention that the buck’s antlers are not a characteristic we will really consider. That is because it is an extremely unreliable age marker of a buck’s age. Having said this, in general as a buck matures his antlers will gain mass, darken in color, and widen. On a mature buck, his antlers will generally be as wide or wider than his ears. If the genetics of a given buck are predisposed to an atypical rack, these anomalies will begin to show at maturity.

It might seem unnecessary to describe the physical characteristics of a fawn, but any conservation agent will tell you that there are many fawns that are harvested because they were mistaken for does. In the grand scheme of things these mistakes are probably not devastating for deer management purposes, but an outdoorsman will want to understand the complete physical evolution in a buck’s lifespan. First, to differentiate between a doe and a fawn buck, look carefully for pedicles (nubs). The ears of a fawn will be disproportionally long, he will have a short nose, perfectly white tarsal glands, and long legs.

The next hunting season will find last year’s fawns at age one and one-half years old. At this stage, bucks really are looking much like a doe physically. Obviously, the difference is that most does do not have antlers (rarely does do have antlers!). At this age, the bucks will have no muscular definition in the brisket area. Their necks will be thin and their tarsal glands will be white still. Their belly will turn up in the ham area in a pronounced fashion.

At age two and one-half, bucks will begin the process of bulking up physically. Their necks will have begun to become thicker, but the difference will not be great. At this stage the face will be long and the skin over it very tight. There will begin to be some development in the brisket area and the belly will still be turned up at the hams, but a bit less so. Here, the tarsal gland is still mostly white but a bit less brightly so. Finally, the rump area will be rather squared off.

At three and one-half, bucks are really beginning the maturation process. In areas where hunters are not carefully selecting for the deer they will harvest, very few bucks this age are passed on. This is unfortunate as these deer have much left in their maturation process if left to grow. Their nose is broadened noticeably and their head is as long as it will ever be. The brisket of a buck at this stage is developing noticeably, but is not fully developed. The legs of bucks at this age are proportionally correct for their size for the first time. If you can get a look at the buck on a piece of flat ground, his back will be flat.

By the time a buck reaches four and one-half years old, for those given the opportunity to grow to this stage, bucks are really starting to look mature. Now, that same buck if seen on level ground will have a slight dip in his back. Now, the belly of the deer will not hang below the chest line. The rump area will be rounded and the tarsal glands will be dark when in rut or close to rut.

Finally, when the buck has reached maturity in or around the fifth year (age five and one-half), the brisket will be defined where it meets the neck. Bellies of these deer will hang at or below the chest line. The ****** skin will be a bit loose and deer will perhaps have non-typical points.

Most bucks by this age have reached their genetic potential. For a variety of reasons, it is likely wise to pass on a few of these deer on privately managed land if this is possible. Realistically, the few deer that have reached this age on public ground may as well be harvested by you as someone else.

These indicators of the age of a mature buck will be helpful in the field after some time practicing at looking for them. Even in the heat of the moment when a buck comes into your hunting zone, try to think about them and learn them over time.

By: Paul Marsh

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The deer management techniques that we use on our property have changed a lot over the past thirty years in relation with the changing deer herd. Whitetail deer numbers in the entire state of West Virginia have grown considerably and our land has been no exception.

We started shooting does in 1997 after the pictures from our scouting camera revealed that we were overloaded with does. Since then we have shot 22 does and only 7 bucks. Three of these bucks, two 8-points and one 10-point are the three largest antlered bucks that we have taken in the last thirty years. We had noticed that there were larger antlered bucks when the deer population had just started to climb in the eighties and then antler sizes began to decrease as the deer numbers grew too high and we were shooting the young bucks each year.

All of this made us realize that we needed to lower the deer population by shooting does and letting the young bucks grow up.

We are currently doing several different things in an attempt to have a well-balanced, healthier deer herd on our farm. These include:

Harvesting does.

Letting young bucks grow up.

Planting food plots to help boost the nutrition.

Mineral licks.

Keep records on the deer harvested and a log of the bucks seen during hunting season.

Leave an area of sanctuary during the hunting season so that the deer are not pressured.

Provide a limited amount of shelled corn with automated wildlife feeders.

On some occasions we also cut down trees to provide browse in the winter and fertilize plants growing along the edges, especially the honeysuckle.

The Results

Since changing our hunting strategies we have noticed some changes for the better. We have seen bucks fighting, which we had seldom seen in past years and bucks have started reacting to calling, particularly grunting. We are finding shed antlers now; sheds are hard to find when they’re just spikes. Also the numbers of bucks as compared to does caught on our scouting camera pictures has increased dramatically. This tells us that our buck to doe ratio is improving.

On the other hand, we still feel that our total deer numbers are too high. The body weights of the deer we are shooting are still low. The body weights of the three does that we shot in 1997 ranged from 65 to 85 pounds while the weights of the four does in 2003 varied from 55 to 82 pounds. Although we are not deer aging experts we do look at tooth wear to determine the approximate age of the deer. We usually look at the lower front teeth. A couple of the does that we’ve shot have had these lower front teeth worn all the way to the gumline.

Record Keeping

I believe that the records that we keep have given us a lot of valuable information. We record every buck that we see during hunting season. We include the date, time, number of points, location, person who saw buck, time, and rack width and characteristics. During the season of 2003 we recorded 87 buck sightings, of course many of these bucks showed up several times. It is neat to look back and see the bucks grow up that we have recorded. The rack characteristics are similar from year to year and allow us to identify many of the deer that we see. Most years I am able to look at this list and figure out an approximate number of different bucks that we have seen.

We have also kept deer harvest data since 1997 and I wish that I had started doing this earlier. This data includes the time, date, number of points, location, hunter, dressed weight, inside antler spread and approximate age. I think that we can tell a lot from the weight data and wish that we had kept track of the weights from the bucks that we had shot several years ago when we first got our scales. The weights of the bucks that we have shot since 1997 have ranged from 72 to 130 pounds. The 72 pound deer was a spike that my 9 year old son shot in 2002. The 130 pound buck was an 8-point that I killed in 2000. I knew that this buck was at least three and one-half years old and most likely a year or two older. I had watched this buck for the two previous years when he was a nice wide 6-point and had found one of his shed antlers in 1998. We also had a few pictures of him from our scouting cameras.

One suggestion that I would have for every deer camp would be to buy a set of scales. They provide a lot of information for the relatively cheap cost.

Whitetail deer management is not difficult, is good for the overall health of your deer herd and a lot of fun.

By: John Cook

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Paddle Elk Lake or the Makobe River in search of moose and black bears and you will wake up to the haunting call of the loon, glide through the morning mist, see the river’s plants and wildlife through fresh eyes. You will gasp at the a majestic moose grazing peacefully in the near shore shallows and likely never see another person as you enjoy magical days photographing all types of flora, fauna and wildlife.

There is no better canoeing in Ontario. Over thousands of years, the Makobe River has cut a series of outrageously beautiful narrow canyons through Ontario shield bedrock creating both flat water and numerous Class I and Class II white water rapids as it flows northward to Elk Lake.

The Makobe River and Elk Lake instil a deep harmony that you may not have experienced for a very long time. This is a world that many forgot existed, a world that lives and breathes with the natural rhythms of creation. You will be glad to be alive, and even happier that you’re here.

If you have chosen wisely, everything you need for this guided trip will be supplied, including canoes, tents, gear, food and waterproof canoe packs. You need only bring your clothes and personal items, and a good sleeping bag. If your back bothers you, you may prefer to also throw in a light weight sleeping mat.

Photography paddling and hiking will change and enhance your experience of canoe wilderness travel forever and give you a feeling that would takes months of meditation to match. As you look through the lens you see things with an intensity and focus you might otherwise not muster. At the same time it is important to remind yourself of the purpose of your trip, to pause and be enthralled by nature and thankful for all you have outside the urban material world.

Elk Lake is stunningly beautiful with several connecting rivers and tributaries so you can easily map out days of exploration without going over the same space twice. However the real secret of the area is that black bears are plentiful and relatively easily found on over a thousand acres of crown land easily accessible by river or over abandoned logging roads. This makes it a haven for big game hunters in the fall and bear viewing and photography from June to September. The bears have been tracked and baited for years and it is illegal to hunt bears with cubs so a guide can easily lead you to a place where you have a 90 percent chance of photographing a 100 pound to 200 pound bear up close in the wild with her cubs.

Some outfitters such as Art and Mavis have baiting stations that prohibit hunting enabling them to develop a safe food source for generations of bears that augment the foraging opportunities in a specific area. Their resort, Elk Cabins http://www.elkcabins.net is located along the shores of the Montreal River with its tranquil wilderness and exceptional fishing for Northern Pike, Walleye, Small Mouth Bass, Perch, White Fish, Lake and Speckled trout not to mention Aurora Trout. It would make a great base camp for your explorations.

If you have time for an extended trip I would also recommend Lady Evelyn-Smoothwater Provincial Park. It is an expansive 72,000 hectares, of outstanding back packing, hiking and paddling. It consists of a rugged transition land of sheer rock cliffs and outcroppings of the Canadian Shield between the vast northern Boreal Forest and the southern deciduous forest. This area also includes Obabika River Provincial Park. The upper basin of Lady Evelyn Lake lies within the waterway park. This is the most popular canoe route to Maple Mountain.

The high ridges of Maple Mountain and Ishpatina Ridge include the impressive 28 foot Helen Falls, the highest and most impressive falls on the river. Imagine taking a photograph where there is nothing but wilderness as far as you can. That is the view from the highest point in Ontario on the Ishpatina ridge 693 metres above sea level.

By: Michael J McGrath

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Capitalizing on deer movement patterns will increase your chances at seeing a harvesting more mature bucks. Many hunters know the two main times that deer move. . . early morning and late evening. This is true, but there is more to it.

During early bow season, the deer will usually move right before dark. Bucks will usually start making scrape lines during this time. The problem with hunting these scrapes this early is that the bucks are visiting them after dark. At this time bucks hang together in bachelor groups.

As the season progresses and the temperature cools off, the deer will begin to increase movement. I usually start seeing more movement in the afternoons at this time. This is a good time to also start hunting scrapes because various bucks will begin to start checking them out for many reasons.

Deer movement, especially bucks, will greatly increase in November. As the rut approaches, bucks will start making mistakes as the importance for finding hot does increases. This is your chance to capitalize on these mistakes. I usually like to hunt high in areas where I can see a lot of land to increase my chances of seeing bucks passing through.

As the season ends and food becomes scarce, deer movement patterns are highly predictable. Deer will flock to available food sources and often move to keep warm. Food plots and harvested crop fields are great areas to hunt during this time. Deer will scrap these areas clean of any food that is left.

By: Bill Ridger

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