Hunting Blog

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The one accessory all turkey hunters need is a good vest. Think of it as the biggest multi-tool you’ll ever own, a portable filing-cabinet or wearable luggage - in any case, ensuring you put the right accessories in the vest is one of the keys to successful turkey hunting.

First, choose the right vest. You’ll need plenty of pockets, storage space and a removable game bag that’s easy to wash. Vests with a built-in hunter orange panel are preferable, especially if you can conceal/reveal the panel at appropriate times.

Next, pack your vest with the gear you’ll need in the field. Use custom-sized pockets for your calls and ammo. Pack your snacks, drinks, gloves, bug repellent, first-aid supplies, and other accessories into the vest’s non-specific storage pockets. Consider taking a camera if you can fit a smaller digital or disposable camera into your vest. Another nicety a lot of turkey hunters opt for is a small, inflatable cushion to make sitting in the field for long periods a bit more bearable.

The who, how, when and where of deer tagging for 2008-09 Opelousas Daily World, LA - 7 hours ago First,let's start with the questions of who and how of obtaining deer tags. Prior to hunting deer this season in Louisiana, all deer hunters, regardless of …

Source:The who, how, when and where of deer tagging for 2008-09 - Opelousas Daily World

The first question many novice turkey hunters ask is: do I pluck it or should I skin it? The answer depends on what you plan to do with the meat. If you want to fry or grill individual pieces of the bird, skinning is the way to go; whereas, if you plan to cook the turkey whole, you’ll need to pluck it to get the best results.

With a sharp knife, you can skin the bird, fillet the breasts and slice as much other meat from the carcass as you wish to harvest. Do this by first making a cut along one side of the breastbone, then working the skin over the breast halves, down the back and finally over the legs. Then, remove the meat - be aware of local regulations when doing this as some areas prohibit you from removing just the turkey’s breast meat.

Experts recommend that the best way to pluck the bird is by dipping it in hot water first. Some recommend boiling water, others say any hot water will do. Plucking the bird will take more time than skinning it, but keeping the skin on will help preserve the flavor. Once it’s plucked, make a small incision from the V of the breast to the tail vent, and carefully remove the innards.

In today’s gadget culture, it is easy to loose sight of basic skills all outdoors enthusiasts should possess before venturing into the wilderness for a hunt. One of the most important vanishing skills is the simple act of using a compass and a map to navigate.

Plenty of folks will tell you a good GPS is all you need to navigate the woods today - but they’re dead wrong. What happens if the satellites you are using go on the fritz? What if the batteries go flat? What if the unit gets damaged? Well, if all you’ve got is a GPS and a hunch that the sun sets in the west, you’re sunk.

So, visit an outdoor supply shop and have a look at the compasses on offer - try some, see which you find easy to read and which have the features you’ll rely on most. Then, invest in a good map of the area you’re hunting - topographic maps are great for finding low-lying areas deer and other game animals love to hide in anyway. And, most importantly, practice using the compass before you’re in the field. You never know when your life might depend on it.

Mule Deer Hunting Basics SkyNewswire.com (press release), Netherlands - Aug 3, 2008 If you can build up a jogging pace for at least an hour, you should be capable of climbing the mountains that would be required for mule deer hunting. …

Source:Mule Deer Hunting Basics - SkyNewswire.com (press release)

Plenty of hunters succeed each season and get home to find the meat they’ve harvested in the field is no good. There are plenty of reasons for this, ranging from high temperatures to contamination. And, for every reason your meat is ruined, there’s a way the spoilage could’ve been prevented.

Cool your kill - in warm weather, it’s exceptionally important that you get the carcass cooled as quickly as possible. Traditional field dressing is the best option, but if you’ve got access to a one-ton packed with ice, more power to you. Do bear in mind that meat spoils from inside as well.

Keep it clean - you can protect your meat from bugs and debris by placing it in suitable sacks. Many veteran hunters recommend a dash of black pepper on the carcass to keep insects at bay while you’re working.

Avoid contamination - when dressing your carcass, take care not to puncture the innards as the contents of the animal’s digestive tract can ruin all your hard work. Many hunters recommend tying off the rectum before you remove it to avoid accidental spills.

If you plan to succeed, you’re a step ahead of the other hunters any day. Part of a successful hunter’s plan should include the basics of field dressing, as well as a hunt kit that includes the tools you’ll need in the event of success.

First, pack a good hunting knife. Whether you choose a fixed or folding blade is up to you, but experts agree you should pick a knife you’re comfortable using and bring along a stone to sharpen it. You’ll need this to make incisions in the animal for field dressing - it will come in handy for skinning as well.

The second thing you’ll need is a lightweight saw. There are plenty of options here, including the folding variety, but the key again is finding a tool you’re comfortable with and can wield with confidence in the field. The saw will be used to remove antlers and split the brisket.

Finally, consider bringing along a lightweight hatchet or axe - some experts recommend a pair of hatchets. A good hatchet is useful if you’re going after bigger game as quartering an elk is no easy task, so you may as well be tooled up for the job.

Dog Flu Diet and Diseases

Dachshunds Are Very Aggressive Little Dogs Dog Flu Diet and Diseases, Canada - Jul 13, 2008 "The dachshund is a hunting dog by nature, they were used for hunting and they still have that ingrained in them," said Joy Young, of Orielton, …

Source:Dachshunds Are Very Aggressive Little Dogs - Dog Flu Diet and Diseases

State announces deer hunting dates My Tennessean.com, TN - 5 hours ago By MIKE ORGAN • Staff Writer • July 10, 2008 The state's deer hunting season and other guidelines for 2008-2009 have been set by the Tennessee Wildlife …

Source:State announces deer hunting dates - My Tennessean.com

There’s a fair amount to consider when you stumble upon tracks in the field. Knowing what the tracks can tell you before you find them is key to benefiting from the chance discovery.

Check the gait - a buck’s tracks will be less organized, showing a prominent outward kick. Does and younger animals will leave tracks that go in a straight line.

What’s the drag - small deer lift their hooves more completely on soft terrain, heavier deer, and bucks in particular, tend to drag their hooves, leaving clefts in the ground between tracks.

Size matters - bigger deer have bigger feet, and though size isn’t the most reliable indicator, one set of exceptionally large tracks among a myriad of smaller tracks is a sure sign that a big buck is around.

How old is it - it’s hard to tell how old tracks are in the field, but with a little experience, you will learn the difference between sharply-defined new tracks and their less-impressive older cousins.

How many sets - the big bucks like to run on their own, so when there’s a single set of large tracks on their own, you’re probably on to a winner.

Deer Hunting Secrets - The First, All-Inclusive Guide to Get Any Hunter The Success They Desire.