August 3, 2009
hunting
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Just as choosing the right weapon, ammunition and hunting plot make a huge difference to your success in the field, picking the right hunting companions is also key. We’re not saying you should only hunt with seasoned woodsmen, but considering the survival skills of the rest of your party is important.
Establish your camp with hunters who have similar interests - that way you’ve got something to talk about when you’re resting or in the advent of weather forcing you to stay at camp rather than pursue game for a day. Similarly, don’t hunt with friends that can’t get along with one another - if your brother and your best workmate don’t see eye to eye, consider leaving one of them behind or taking two separate trips or you might find yourself refereeing the week away.
Finally, hunt with people who can make a positive contribution to your camp. Choose your camp mates wisely - make sure there’s more than one person who can start a fire, perform first aid and offer physical support to others in the group if required.
Tag: hunting
June 25, 2009
bird hunting
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There are plenty of birds out there for hunting - and they don’t all live on the water. The upland birds of North America come in all shapes and sizes - each presenting their own unique challenges and rewards. Popular upland game birds are listed here:
Pheasant - though originally native to China, the pheasant is nicely settled throughout most of North America, preferring to live near ample supplies of grain and insects.
Chukar - similar to the gray partridge, and hailing from the middle east the chukar is most commonly found in the western USA
Grouse - the ruffled grouse is usually found in Canada, though known to inhabit the northeast and northwest US, it grows up to 18ins in length and weighs around a pound and a half. The spruce grouse is found mostly in Canada, growing to about 18ins long and weighing between one and two pounds. The sage grouse is found in the north western states, growing to three feet long and weighing in at eight pounds. The sharp-tail is similar to prairie chickens, growing around a foot and a half long and weighing about two pounds, they eat a varied diet of grains, grasses and berries throughout the year
Quail - there are a number of quail subspecies on the continent. The majority of these weigh no more than 10oz fully grown and can reach around a foot in length. They prefer life in open grasslands with some trees and an ample water supply
Woodcock - the woodcock is distinguished by it’s long bill, designed for feeding on ground insects. They live in the eastern half of the US and rarely weigh in over 10oz.
Partridge - again, a number of subspecies live throughout the US and Canada. Partridge prefer grains for food and will weigh in at up to two pounds.
Doves - last but not least, doves are popular across the continent. A number of species pervade, but it’s the mourning dove that gets the most attention across the US and into Mexico. They are slight birds, with an average weight of just five ounces.
Tags: bird hunting, hunting
April 9, 2009
hunting
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With a topographical map and a compass, you can make the most of your time in the woods. Knowing the terrain your chosen prey inhabits is just as important as packing the right gear - after all, knowledge is power.
If you’re hunting an animal you’re unfamiliar with, be sure to get acquainted with their habits. Learn all you can about the type of cover they like to sleep in, their favorite meals and how far they’re likely to roam in a day. Then, take that knowledge and layer it over the information you can gather about the area you’re going to be hunting.
Study a topographical map of the area, identify any low-lying areas that the animals might use for bedding or loafing cover. If at all possible, scout the land in person so you can gain an appreciation of the cover and food on offer - as well as the terrain itself.
Combining all this information will give you a true leg up on the competition when the hunt pressure is on during the season. Plus, in the event of a mishap, it may help you save vital time getting out of the wilderness and back to safety.
Tag: hunting
March 4, 2009
elk hunting
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Getting elk in your vicinity to come nearer is no easy task - but with a little practice and the right calls, you can find some success. There are scroes of videos, dvds and cassette tapes available to help you get an ear for the call of elk, but there’s no substitute for practicing yourself.
The basic rule for using calls to attract elk is that you’ll get the best results if you use them early on in the season, during the rut. Bull calls are most effective this time of year - but hunters should use them with caution as more bull elk will avoid you if they think you might challenge them for control of their harem than will come running looking for a rumble. On the other hand, charging toward an unsuspecting bull wailing like mad on the call might just bring him your way for a fight - so be ready.
Cow calls, on the other hand, can be used virtually all season long with relative success - this is because female elk chitchat the whole year through. A cow call will draw out other, curious cows as well as the bulls interested in adding to their collection of lady friends.
more Elk Hunting…..
February 7, 2009
hunting, hunting supplies
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Choosing the right weapon for firearms hunting is essential to success in your pursuit. Arguably the most popular weapon used in firearms hunts is the rifle. And there are plenty of variables to consider when hunting with a rifle. As you check out the hunting rifles on offer, consider it’s fit, sight, weight and action, as well as it’s caliber.
Judge the rifle’s fit by holding the gun tight to you shoulder, and pressing your cheek against the stock. The stock should slide easily in and out of your armpit area, and the scope shouldn’t bite into your eyebrow. With your cheek pressed against the stock, your shooting eye should be in line with the sight - if you need a shorter or longer stock, a gunsmith can adjust this for you.
The average hunting rifle weighs between six and ten pounds - lighter guns are easier to pack around, but heavier guns dole out less abuse when fired. The action of your rifle should be chosen by assessing your own skill and deciding what you need most. Bolt-action rifles are generally more reliable, particularly in cold climates or rough terrain.
Getting the calibre of your hunting rifle right relies on you having a sound knowledge of the game you’re going after. While a .270 is fine for deer hunting, it’s simply not enough for running down a brown bear.
Tags: firearms hunting, rifle for hunting
January 23, 2009
hunting
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The number of scares because of contamination in the food chain in recent years has increased steadily. As a result, many hunters are harvesting more from the animals they take than ever before. Often, you’ll cook up a great spread of venison, elk or even goose and your dinner guests will greet your delicious offering with a simple question: is it healthy?
Breathe a sigh of relief, because in virtually every case, the answer is a resounding yes. Game meats are lower in saturated fat, as well as total fat content, when compared to their domestic counterparts. For example, a 3.5 ounce serving of beef has, on average, six grams of fat - a 3.5 ounce serving of venison has half that. When it comes to providing nutrient-dense meals, you can’t beat a rabbit - they pack an astonishing amount of vitamin B12. And, game meats are among the best sources of lean protein nature has to offer.
Tag: hunting
January 13, 2009
bear hunting
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All too often, a hunter comes back disappointed because they lined up a good shot and watched the bear skin rug of their dreams limp off into the distance. While you could argue the toss as to whether or not the shot they chose was the right one, one thing that hunters often underestimate is the importance of packing enough fire power when going after the mighty bear.
Experts agree that a rifle needs to be at least a .300 for you to achieve success in the field. Further, experienced bear hunters recommend bolt-action rifles for their reliability - with the .338 Winchester coming near the top of most lists of favorite bear hunting weaponry.
While we’re on it, a note about taking that bear shot. Many books and articles will tell you to aim for the shoulder, which will theoretically knock the bear down so you can take it out. Real experts, veteran bear hunters and outfitters will tell you that a better shot is through the lungs, every time.
more info about bear hunting.….
Tag: bear hunting
December 23, 2008
hunting
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One of the best ways to improve your chances of success on the hunt is to identify areas where your chosen quarry eats and sleeps. The best hunting ground of the two is the area where the animals eat. Hunters recommend lying low in an abandoned orchard or another area with plenty of good browse crops to get a great deer with good reason.
For a start, most animals are a little distracted while they’re eating. Though the exquisite senses of animals are on alert most of the time, eating seems to dull them slightly. So get familiar with the animal’s eating habits - figure out what they like, and how hard they’ll work to get a favorite crop.
Then, scout the area you’re going to hunt and look for suitable crop land within the hunting zone. While you’re at it, look for tell-tale signs that the game you’re hunting is enjoying the menu on offer - trails, scrapes and rubs might surround the area and with a little practice, you can identify partially-eaten fruits and even the damage to foliage your chosen animal eats.
Tag: hunting
