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Bird Hunting!
Beautiful!
Last evening, I stepped out on the deck and noticed a light/white circle around the moon. In the past, this has always signified that you had about 30 days before seeing the big flocks of both ducks and geese heading north to Canada.
It is time to get out the packing lists, take inventory, and in the interest of upcoming bird seasons shoot a few rounds of skeet. I’m not really satisfied with my repertoire of bird calls. Duck is better than goose but need to practice on both of my “come-back” calls. I did go out and buy a couple of calls last year but didn’t really have an opportunity to practice.
Think this year, I’ll stay with the bird calls I’ve got but definitely try and get-in some additional calling practice. Other than buying a couple boxes of shotgun shells and a few decoys, think I’ll be ready – Wish me luck!
Scent Control Strategy!
I's not what it seems!
For a long time, I was indifferent to all intentional scent control activities. However, I now understand how much the lack of it impacts my over-all hunting capability. Deer, elk, bear, and other large game animal’s sense of smell is more effective than that of humans. Example – research indicates that deer can smell up to 1,000 times greater than humans. Removing or hiding odors on the hunter’s body, clothes, and equipment are critical,
Prior to going out, bathe the body and wash your clothes with scent free soap. On the day of the hunt, use a scent free tooth paste and deodorant. During the hunt, periodically use a scent eradicating spray on both clothing and equipment. The key is to do those things necessary not to alert the hunted game but make them feel totally comfortable and unsuspecting in their living environment. The planning for and the use of a Scent Control Strategy is a must!
Is Duck Calling a Lost Art?
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Is duck calling a lost art? – “No”, but practice does make perfect! Don’t wait until you are in the duck blind to start practicing your skills. Get the calls out now and start the repetitive drills at home; granted, it is like riding a bicycle but if you don’t do it, you’ll get rusty. And, no, you don’t want to do it while driving home from work. Pick a place where you can concentrate on what you’re doing.
You should have a good repertoire of calls, and the mark of a good caller is still flexibility. Acrylic sounds different than wood. Wood has a tendency to be a little softer and more mellow. As a minimum, you need a loud open-water style call and then one that’s a little softer for close-in work. It is not a science, but a learned skill; one that requires -Practice, Practice, Practice.
If you are selecting a call, the biggest quandary will be whether to choose a single or double reed duck call. The single reed is more traditional and seems to be the choice of those participating in duck calling contests; where-as, the double reed is a little more raspy and closer to the sounds of a hen mallard. However, either way, you have to blow duck calls correctly. Start those sounds now, and when you think you’re good – try’em out!
Hunting Anticipation!
Practice Makes Perfect!
It is that time of year again; you can even smell it in the air. It won’t be long until you hear those familiar calls and see the formations of duck and geese as they head back north.
This, combined with living in the land of 10,000 lakes, gives the avid hunter anticipation, and a spark of motivation that is not needed to prepare for the hunt: clean the gun and ammo; service the ATV; check the decoys; get a new pair of boots and Carhartt bib’s; practice the two new duck calls. Heck, I’ve had this done since the 1st of September. Even the dogs are ready – BRING IT ON!
Nut’n Comes Easy!
Preparation Insures Perfection!
You can smell it in the air; Fall is here, and with it comes numerous hunting opportunities. It’s time to check your hunting gear: have the ATV’s serviced, clean the guns/rifles, and conduct an ammo inventory. You should make a trip to the range for sight confirmation. So many hunters negate or forget this, and then wonder why they missed that trophy shot!
Shooting is a learned skill and requires Practice, Practice Practice! Hunting gear maintenance and hunt preparation is your insurance policy to have a safe, enjoyable, and productive hunt, “Nothing Comes Easy”!
The Smart Hunt!
Best time of year to go Turkey hunting is in the spring. This is the mating season and one when the big birds display the most curiosity and territorial dominance.
As most hunters will tell you, this prey is one of the more challenging. Turkeys, not only have good hearing but over perfect eyesight. Even though curious, they are methodical and scare very easily. To be successful, your techniques/toolbox must include: 1. Area to hunt (Recon it); 2. Personal concealment (camouflage); 3. Determine stationary hunting site (let-em come to you); 4. Develop/practice calling techniques; 5. Be patient.
It is extremely important that you maintain a hunting awareness. Your turkey calls will attract both prey and other hunters. Each shot must have 100% identification. Your stationary position should provide back-side protection (a big tree). What worked last year might not work this year – do not be afraid to experiment with calls (if one doesn’t work, try another). HAVE FUN!
Being Seen Less Not More!
Turkey Hunter's Dream!
This last fall was my first exposure to turkey hunting. Even though my hunting group gave me a token turkey, the experience was less than satisfying. However, the group told me that most newbies don’t do well the first year, it normally takes a season just to figure-out what to wear.
Camouflage is almost a must to avoid being seen. Wild turkeys seem to have such a keen eyesight. My group was decked-out from head-to-foot in camouflage, including face-mask and gloves. A mistake that I made was not to wear dark colored socks; the orange in my pro-socks stood out like a sore thumb when sitting down.
Hunting apparel is important but regardless of how well you’re camouflaged, you are still an unnatural object in a natural wood’s setting and thus not totally invisible. Your movement is so extremely important and should be kept to a minimum. Turkeys can and will detect the slightest hunter miscue. But, I’ll be ready for-em next year!
Art of Deception!
Duck Calling at Its Best!
The best waterfowl hunter I ever knew told me, in a moment of vanity, that Duck calling was 90% art, half of which could be called science. The science part of duck calling is learned; but, the true artistic ability comes only with practice time, great devotion, and patience as-well-as a measure of simple natural talent.
As Ducks Unlimited indicates and further states/explains: there are eight basic calls that every duck hunter should have in their repertoire/tool box: 1. Basic Quack; 2. Greeting; 3. Feeding; 4. Hail; 5. Come Back; 6. Lonesome Hen; 7. Pleading; 8. Whistling.
Regardless of the device used to make your duck calls, take the time/energy needed and have the perseverance necessary to become proficient. If successful, your duck hunts will become less frustrating and more enjoyable. As they say, “your kit bag will over-floweth”!
Hunting Tool Makes for Interesting Art Form!
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In the world of hunting, there are many tricks and tools that can give you the competitive edge over your prey. One of the most common tools is the hunting decoy. A decoy is anything that distracts the animal you’re trying to catch, and this can range from animal body decoys to sound mimicry tools.
One of the most popular forms is the duck decoy, or waterfowl decoy. Duck decoys have transcended their hunting roots, however, and actually become a popular form of art. Beginning in 1918, the first duck decoy art collection was started by Joel Barber. And the practice of collecting hunting decoys has thrived ever since.
Reaching heights reserved for exclusive modern art, a thirty piece hunting decoy collection was auctioned in late 2007 for $3.7 million.
In recent years, there has also been a rise in collecting other hunting decoys such as fishing lures. It remains to be seen if this type of collection will reach the same heights as waterfowl decoys.
Turning the Tables on Nature’s Predators!
A Different Mind-set?
Whenever my friends brag about bagging white-tail deer, turkey and various small game, I can’t help but chuckle under my breath. Don’t get me wrong – I enjoy stalking those woodland animals just as much as the next guy.
It’s just that over the years the challenge has begun to fade. I’m so experienced and adept at hunting those creatures that I know them like the back of my hand. A few years ago, I took things to the next level.
Predators such as bobcats and coyotes are much more difficult to outsmart; in order to get the best of them, you have to turn their own wily ways against them. I’ve started practicing my predator calls, always calling with the wind in my face. That way my scent doesn’t travel downwind and tip the coyote off about my presence. You really have to employ a whole other mindset to bring a predator trophy home.
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